Chapter 087
Chapter 87: Make That Guy Even Dumber
Yun Zheng frowned deeply as he thought about what Madam Yun had just said.
After a moment of silence, he came back to his senses and patiently repeated everything Yun Wan Ye had told him.
“What? There’s actually something like that?”
Madam Yun widened her eyes in disbelief, murmuring to herself. Once she finally understood what a “system” was, she felt as if her entire understanding of the world had been turned upside down.
She had always thought Little Four was already mysterious enough, but now she realized there existed something even more incredible—something that could turn back time and had countless other powers.
Then suddenly, a thought struck her, and she looked at Yun Zheng with great worry.
“Husband, that system can monitor anyone’s actions at any time. If Su Qian Xue starts watching our household, the Duke of Ning’s residence might not have a single secret left. What should we do?”
Her husband had earned his title through military achievements, and their seventh son was a close attendant to the emperor. There was no way the Duke of Ning’s family didn’t have things they preferred kept in the dark.
If Su Qian Xue caught hold of any of their secrets, whether she used them for blackmail or spread them publicly, it would be a disaster for the Yun family.
Hearing that, Yun Zheng’s eyes darkened slightly as he said in a low, steady voice: “I’ve thought about that too, wife. Don’t panic. If it’s meant to happen, it will. If it’s trouble, we can’t hide from it anyway.”
“These next few days, I’ll take care of a few things and prepare countermeasures.”
Madam Yun nodded. “All right.”
The next day.
The two poems that Su Qian Xue and Xie Xuan Yong presented at the Winter Banquet spread throughout the capital like wildfire.
Countless scholars and poets were debating the poems passionately in teahouses and taverns, completely in awe of the unknown authors. “Zhu Yuan Zhang” and “Huang Chao” became overnight legends, gaining large numbers of fanatical admirers.
Many scholars started combing through history books, eager to learn about the lives of these two figures—to find out what kind of people could write such verses.
But no matter how much they searched, there were no records at all.
It was as if those two names had appeared from thin air.
People believed that Xie Xuan Yong and Su Qian Xue must know something about them. But since one was the heir of the Xie family and the other was the daughter of the Grand Marshal, their statuses were too high for anyone to question them openly.
Aside from the scholars, the common folk in the streets were also enthusiastically gossiping about the event.
“Hey, did you hear? That Su family simpleton actually went on stage and presented a poem at the Winter Banquet!”
“Of course I heard! Everyone’s been talking about it. But people are saying that the poem wasn’t even hers—it was copied. What’s the big deal about that?”
“Copied or not, don’t you think that’s funny? Su Qian Xue is famous across the capital for being a fool. The fact that she could even recite someone else’s poem is already shocking enough. If she actually wrote it herself, then I’d start worrying about whether the sun’s started rising from the west!”
“Exactly…”
“Oh, and get this—I heard her poem perfectly matched the two paintings that Young Master Xie brought to the banquet. You think that’s just coincidence? Or could those two have some secret connection?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Young Master Xie is a prodigy who became a top scholar at thirteen. How could he ever like someone like Su Qian Xue? Don’t forget about Lady Jiang!”
“That’s right. Su Qian Xue isn’t just a fool; she even tried to seduce Prince Qi and lost her reputation at Emerald Leaning House. Her engagement to the Yun family was canceled because of that. Someone like her? With Young Master Xie? Not a chance. Even the crippled Yun heir didn’t want her. What makes you think Xie Xuan Yong would?”
“Then what, you think this was all just coincidence? No secret story at all?”
“I… don’t know.”
“…”
The plot was completely off-track now. After the Winter Banquet, Su Qian Xue didn’t become the celebrated “First Lady of Talent” like in the original story. Instead, she and Xie Xuan Yong became the subjects of wild rumors and speculation.
At the Duke of Ning’s mansion.
Yun Wan Ning was sleeping soundly when the conversation in her mind woke her up.
“System, check what Mo Yuan Hao is doing today. I need his schedule.”
[Host, are you finally ready to start the mission?]
“Of course. I’ve only got three days. I have to get this one done, no matter what. I want that new feature unlocked.”
If she failed again, who knew what kind of nightmare mission would appear next?
[Okay! Please wait a moment.]
The sleepy haze cleared from Yun Wan Ning’s mind instantly. Her black eyes sparkled with focus.
[Hehe, Su Qian Xue’s about to take action today. Let’s hear what she’s planning.]
Suddenly, a hand reached out and gently patted her head.
She looked up and saw Yun Wan Ye. Puffing her cheeks, she glared at him in protest.
[Second Brother, stop patting my head! What if you make me stupid?]
Yun Wan Ye: “…”
Could patting her head really make her stupid?
If only he had that power. He’d definitely use it on Mo Yuan Hao instead—pat him a few times until that guy turned completely brainless.
[What’s with that face, Second Brother? You look speechless just from seeing me. Am I really that frustrating?]
Yun Wan Ye: “…”
All right, he admitted it. He was wrong!
He quickly smiled and said: “Little sister, are you hungry? If you are, just coo for me, and I’ll call Mother to feed you.”
[…]
Now it was Yun Wan Ning’s turn to be speechless. She looked at him like he was an idiot.
[How can he talk to me like I’m a two-month-old baby? Does he actually think I understand him?]
[Well… I do understand him. But how could he possibly know that? How can he just assume that?]
Ignoring her expression, Yun Wan Ye raised an eyebrow with a mysterious smile.
Why could he assume that?
Because he could hear her thoughts, of course. She didn’t have any secrets from him.
Just then, the system’s voice sounded again, pulling Yun Wan Ning’s attention away.
Seeing her go still, Yun Wan Ye guessed what was happening and quietly sat beside her to watch.
[Host, good news! Mo Yuan Hao’s been ordered by the emperor to secretly investigate the Su family. He’ll come to you tonight on his own.]
Su Qian Xue: “???”
“The emperor sent him to investigate my father? Why? Did Father do something suspicious?”
[It’s because of Princess Hua Yang. A few days ago, Su Jian sent assassins after her. When the plan failed, he framed Yun Zheng instead.]
[Yun Zheng was furious after being framed, so he retaliated—setting up his own scheme and framing Su Jian in return.]
[Now the emperor’s investigating Su Jian. First, because Su Jian was supported by Yun Zheng, and he doesn’t believe Yun Zheng would attack a young girl.]
[Second, because the emperor wants to take this chance to weaken Su Jian’s power. Su Jian’s influence has grown too strong—it threatens the throne itself.]
[But here’s the strange part: in the original plot, the emperor should already be dying from poison by now. Yet somehow, the poison is gone, and his health is improving.]
[The emperor’s story collapsing this badly must be the new female lead’s doing.]
[That new heroine is truly a disaster—she’s messing up everyone’s fate. Prince Qi still hasn’t taken the throne, and you haven’t become empress. Instead, your reputation’s ruined.]
Su Qian Xue fully agreed.
That new heroine was a disaster.
At the Winter Banquet, she should’ve been the star—the “First Lady of Talent” admired by all. But because of that woman’s interference, she had died once, been humiliated again, and forced to flee in disgrace.
How hateful!
“I see. But wait—you’re saying my father tried to kill the princess and then blamed Yun Zheng?”
[Yes.]
“Oh, I understand now. He must’ve done it because of the full moon banquet at the Duke’s residence. He just wanted to stand up for me.”
“But Yun Zheng is truly detestable. He first broke off our engagement publicly, humiliating the Su family, and now he’s dragged Father into such trouble.”
“System, once I finish this mission, I want you to dig up Yun Zheng’s dirty secrets. I’ll make sure he’s utterly ruined.”
That made Yun Wan Ning burst out laughing.
[What’s wrong with this woman’s brain? How can she twist things like that?]
[Didn’t she hear the part where Su Jian framed my father first? And she still says my father can’t fight back?]
[What a double standard!]
[And she dares say my father stepped on the Su family’s reputation? Wasn’t it her who ruined it herself?]
[If she hadn’t gone to Emerald Leaning House, none of this would’ve happened! The whole city says she lost her virtue—how can she still act like the victim?]
[What, my eldest brother should have stayed engaged to her just to be humiliated later? She’s out of her mind.]
[Fine. She wants to ruin my father? Let her try.]
Yun Wan Ye’s eyes flashed coldly.
If he understood correctly, that meant Su Qian Xue already knew about the assassination incident—and that Yun Zheng had framed Su Jian in retaliation.
And now, she wanted to use her system to expose Yun Zheng and destroy him.
Perfect.
[Let’s see if my barrier can block her system’s surveillance.]
Yun Wan Ning didn’t notice the change in his expression. She quietly reached into her pocket and pulled out a small jade ring, holding it in her tiny hand.
Ever since she was born, her family had showered her with jade gifts. This ring was a piece she had personally cut from a fine warm jade using her own spiritual power.
Whenever no one was watching, she would channel her energy into the ring, carving mystical runes onto it.
[Good thing I started preparing early.]
[At noon, I’ll use my spiritual power to control either Second Brother or Sister and make them carry me to the center of the estate. Once there, I’ll activate the rune underground.]
[Once the barrier is active, it’ll protect the entire mansion.]
[Let’s see who dares spy on our family then.]
Yun Wan Ye’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
A barrier?
His little sister was amazing. Every time he thought he had seen her limits, she proved him wrong again.
He’d thought her spiritual power was already impressive, but now she could even create barriers!
Wow, maybe he should become her disciple.
If only that wouldn’t mess up the family hierarchy, he’d be the first to kneel and call her “Master.”
Still, even without that, he could learn by watching. His mind was already spinning with ideas.
Then he suddenly remembered something, and his face turned awkward.
Wait—didn’t she just say she’d use her spiritual power to control either him or Yun Wan Yao at noon?
Last time she attacked him with her power, she said it might turn him stupid by accident.
Would this “control” have the same risk?
That would be tragic.
[Sigh, one more thing… Mo Yuan Hao’s supposed to meet Su Qian Xue tonight. Should I interfere?]
[No, forget it. You can’t guard against thieves every day. It’s exhausting.]
[Instead of trying to stop them every time, I’ll just let it happen. If I have to, I’ll erase Sister’s memory later.]
[Sigh… my spiritual power’s still too weak. It only reaches two miles. If it could reach a hundred, I could ruin Su Qian Xue and Mo Yuan Hao’s “romantic meeting” without even leaving my bed tonight.]
[…]
While her thoughts rambled on, Madam Yun and Yun Wan Yao entered the room.
“Ye’er, is Little Four awake?”
Madam Yun asked the moment she stepped in.
It was shopping day at the estate, and she had spent the morning with the steward and Wang Mama organizing lists. Yun Wan Yao, not wanting her mother to tire herself out, had gone to help—leaving Yun Wan Ye to watch over the baby alone.
Yun Wan Ye turned toward the door: “She’s been awake for a while, Mother. You should feed her now—she’s probably hungry.”
Madam Yun hurried over and lifted Yun Wan Ning into her arms.
“Sorry, Little Four. Mother took a little too long and made you go hungry.”
She sat on the couch and began to feed the baby. Yun Wan Ning rested comfortably in her brother’s arms, enjoying her mother’s care—it was pure bliss.
As she drank her milk, she hummed a cheerful little tune in her mind, and Yun Wan Yao couldn’t help but narrow her eyes and drift off, listening to the imaginary melody.