Chapter 100

Chapter 100: The Letter of Deception

Yun Wan Chen remained silent.

“People are different, and so are men,” he said at last. “Yao’er, why don’t you tell me what your little sister said about the plot that made you so angry?”

Yun Wan Yao replied, her voice sharp with restrained fury, “She said Pei Yu is no good. In the original plot, when he returned to the capital and accidentally discovered the affair between Prince Qi and Su Qian Xue, he approached her to form an alliance. He claimed he wanted to win me over, so he told Su Qian Xue to monopolize Prince Qi.”

“But during that alliance, he fell for the heroine…”

She bit her lip and continued with venom, recounting everything she had heard from Yun Wan Ning’s heart voice—how Pei Yu had toyed with her, ruined her reputation, led her to a tragic death, and even helped Mo Yuan Hao set up traps that killed Yun Zheng’s trusted men.

“Big brother, Deputy General Pei has always acted with righteousness and loyalty. Pei Yu is his nephew. We all grew up together. Can you believe he could be this malicious?”

Yun Wan Chen’s eyes narrowed. After a moment of thought, he let out a cold laugh.

“I always believed this man was similar to Ye’er—ruthless, willing to do anything to achieve his goal. But it seems I was wrong. Ye’er can’t compare to this kind of cruelty.”

Even if Yun Wan Ye was harsh, he had a bottom line. But this man clearly had none.

“Exactly,” Yun Wan Yao huffed. “Yun Wan Ye is way better than him. Big brother, stop comparing them or Ye’er will get mad for real.”

Yun Wan Chen chuckled softly. “Don’t worry. Ye’er’s too busy to argue with me. These past few days, he’s been watching Su Qian Xue so closely that he’s even forgotten about the princess’s marriage.”

That reminded Yun Wan Yao of something, and she sighed.

“Su Qian Xue has changed how she communicates with her system. Now, even little sister can’t hear their conversations. We don’t know what her current mission is. Second brother has to keep watch on her constantly.”

She suddenly stood straighter. “No, I’ll go visit the princess tomorrow. Second brother is too occupied trying to stop Su Qian Xue. Someone has to keep an eye on the princess too, in case that Lu Huai Jin takes advantage of her.”

Yun Wan Chen gave her a look. “Did you forget that Lu Huai Jin is the princess’s fiancé? Even if he does something, it’s not unreasonable.”

“I don’t care,” Yun Wan Yao gritted out. “Lu Huai Jin is going to harm the princess in the future. I will not sit by and watch her marry him.”

“Even if she never marries in this life, her consort must not be Lu Huai Jin.”

Yun Wan Chen didn’t want to argue further and smoothly changed the topic. “So, did you come to ask for help with something?”

“No!” she shook her head. “I just wanted to warn you—Pei Yu is not to be trusted. Be careful around him. Don’t fall into one of his traps.”

“Alright. I’ll remember.”

“And another thing, big brother, tell your guards not to stop me anymore. If they do, I really will get angry.”

“Fine.”

After Yun Wan Yao left, Yun Wan Chen called to his guards, “From now on, if young miss arrives, let her through.”

“Yes, heir apparent.”

Once everything was settled, Yun Wan Chen immediately sought out Yun Zheng. After hearing Yun Wan Ning’s heart voice and realizing just how venomous Pei Yu could be—willing to do anything for a woman, even betray old comrades—this was no longer a small matter.

He had to inform their father, in case that man harbored any resentment and chose to stab them in the back one day.

…

Outside the Grand Commandant manor.

On a quiet street cloaked in dusk, a familiar figure suddenly appeared. Atop a nearby high wall, Yun Wan Ye, who had been crouched in wait for two days, narrowed his eyes as they locked onto the figure below.

That was Pei Yu’s personal attendant.

Wasn’t this man stationed at the border with Pei Yu? When did he return to the capital? And why had he come here?

Before he could think further, he saw the man pull out a letter, step up to the gate, and whisper something to a servant. The servant nodded and quickly ran inside.

“Big young miss, there’s a letter from Prince Qi’s residence, addressed to you.”

Outside the courtyard, a respectful voice rang out. Su Qian Xue’s eyes widened. She instinctively turned toward the sound.

“What did you say? Where did the letter come from?”

“Replying to big young miss, it was sent from Prince Qi’s residence.”

Su Qian Xue fell silent.

Was this some kind of joke?

Everyone knew how much Mo Yuan Hao loathed her. Why would he send her a letter out of the blue? Had he lost his mind?

“Bring it in.”

Even though she knew it was unlikely that Mo Yuan Hao had sent it, her curiosity had been thoroughly piqued.

“Yes.”

The servant stepped into the courtyard and respectfully passed the letter to Chun Lan, who then handed it to her.

Su Qian Xue examined the envelope. The seal was unbroken, and the writing was elegant: “To Su young miss, personally.”

The more she looked at it, the more curious she became. She tore it open and unfolded the letter inside.

“To Su young miss, there is an urgent matter to discuss. May I request a meeting? Tomorrow at noon, Heaven number six room, Xiangming Teahouse. I await you without fail.”

There was no signature. That alone made her more certain—this letter couldn’t have come from Mo Yuan Hao.

It must be someone else, impersonating him just to ensure the letter reached her.

But who?

Who wanted to see her?

No—that wasn’t right. The letter wasn’t for her, it was for the original Su Qian Xue.

“System, what’s going on with this letter?”

[Host, you guessed right. It wasn’t from Mo Yuan Hao. It was sent by Pei Yu. He was afraid the letter wouldn’t reach you if he used his own name, so he borrowed Mo Yuan Hao’s instead.]

Su Qian Xue frowned. “Who is Pei Yu? I don’t know him. Why would he want to see me?”

[True, host hasn’t met him yet, but he knows of you and your story.]

[In the plot, he currently has feelings for the side character Yun Wan Yao. But during his return to the capital, he stumbles upon your affair with Prince Qi.]

[He arranged this meeting to propose a collaboration.]

[Now, although the main plot is a complete mess, the smaller threads are still holding together. The fact that he’s come looking for you means his storyline is still intact.]

[Host, he’s a pivotal character. You must meet him tomorrow.]

[In the original timeline, he falls in love with you during this alliance and eventually helps you strike back at the Yun family. His cooperation benefits your missions greatly.]

[You can use him.]

“Falls in love with me?”

Su Qian Xue narrowed her eyes, deep in thought. After a moment, she said, “System, send me everything about this man’s storyline. I want to see for myself.”

[Of course, host.]

The system sent her Pei Yu’s entire plot arc. Su Qian Xue finished reading quickly, a trace of amusement flickering in her eyes.

Tsk. Did he truly love Yun Wan Yao?

If so, why was he so merciless toward her and the Yun family after falling for someone else?

No matter how she looked at it, this man felt less like a suitor and more like a tailor-made attack dog.

Still, someone this ruthless was rare. She had to meet him.

The system was right—right now, her missions were full of obstacles. If she could use this man to keep the Yun family distracted and get closer to Mo Yuan Hao, then why not?

“Oh, right. System, what’s Mo Yuan Hao doing right now?”

[Host, please wait a moment while I locate the male lead’s current position.]

[Locating… done.]

[Host, I’ve found the male lead. He’s currently outside Qixia Temple, seemingly waiting for something.]

“Qixia Temple? What a coincidence,” Su Qian Xue murmured in surprise. “My mother also went to Qixia Temple today to burn incense and pray for peace—for my father and for me.”

A flicker of shock crossed her eyes.

[Actually, it may not be a coincidence at all, host. It seems the male lead went there specifically because of your mother.]

Su Qian Xue froze, utterly stunned. “You can’t be serious. My mother never even offended Mo Yuan Hao.”

[No mistake, host. He’s definitely there because of your mother.]

Panic surged through her. Clutching her skirts, she bolted toward the front courtyard.

“Someone, prepare the carriage! Hurry, get the carriage ready!”

From atop the wall, Yun Wan Ye silently watched Su Qian Xue rush away in a flurry, uncertain where she was going, but he didn’t hesitate—he fastened his mask and shadowed her without a sound.

At Qixia Temple, a vermillion carriage slowly descended the slope.

“Prince, the Su manor carriage is coming down,” Chi Yan whispered as he leaned toward the disguised Mo Yuan Hao.

“Mm,” Mo Yuan Hao replied faintly. He slowly opened his eyes and rose to his feet, gazing outward.

As the Su family’s carriage passed before him, he picked up a stone, infused it with inner power, and flicked it through the air.

The stone flew fast and true, striking the horse’s rump. With a sharp cry of pain, the chestnut horse reared in panic, dragging the carriage behind it as it tumbled down the slope.

A shrill scream pierced the air from within.

Inside the carriage, Madam Su clutched at the window in terror. The next moment, her head slammed hard against the wooden frame, and she lost consciousness.

Mo Yuan Hao stepped from the woods and stood by the roadside, peering down at the shattered wreckage at the bottom of the hill. His bloodthirst finally eased a little.

He sneered coldly. So, under the emperor’s very nose, they dared to touch his younger sister? Did they think him already dead?

That was his younger sister—he and Imperial Brother both couldn’t bear to lay a finger on her, and yet the Su family dared to mar her face.

He had kept this grudge for a long time.

Unfortunately, that poisonous woman always hid inside her manor, never leaving. He had waited so long for a chance like this.

Zhao Zhao… Royal Brother has avenged you.

“Withdraw.”

Mo Yuan Hao let out a cold chuckle, then vanished into the forest with his men like a whisper in the dark.

At the same time, another carriage raced toward Qixia Mountain.

Inside, Su Qian Xue grew increasingly anxious.

“System, what’s going on now?”

[Host, the male lead has already retreated with his people. As for your mother’s carriage… uh, it flipped.]

“It flipped? That damned Mo Yuan Hao really tried to kill her? Is my mother still alive? Don’t tell me she died from the fall?”

[Uh, no, not dead. The male lead was just venting his anger because your parents tried to assassinate his younger sister and scarred her face. He wasn’t trying to kill your mother outright.]

[He picked that spot on purpose—soft soil below, so it wouldn’t be fatal, but still quite the ordeal.]

[Right now, your mother is unconscious with multiple broken bones. She might have a concussion. But at least, she’s not in life-threatening danger.]

“What do you mean, ‘at least’? She’s seriously injured! You sound like you’re making excuses for Mo Yuan Hao! She’s only alive because she’s lucky, not because he showed mercy!”

“That damned man… how can someone called the male lead be so petty and vengeful?”

“Aren’t male leads supposed to be generous and noble, with hearts full of the world?”

“System, are you sure he’s really the male lead? Are you absolutely sure you didn’t mess this up?”

Madam Su had always fiercely protected her. Even though Su Qian Xue wasn’t the original host, after receiving so much of her love, she’d grown deeply attached.

Now that she saw Madam Su injured so severely by Mo Yuan Hao, her heart brimmed with hatred toward him.

[He is absolutely the male lead. Not only that, he’s Prince Qi.]

[Host, think this through. It was your parents who made the first move, sending assassins after his younger sister. Isn’t it natural he’d want revenge?]

[If he’d just let it go, wouldn’t that make him more of a turtle than a prince?]

Su Qian Xue fell silent. “Fine, fine. How much longer until we reach her?”

[Almost there. Ten more minutes or so. But it’s just you and the coachman—you’ll find it hard to carry her alone.]

“Even if it’s hard, I’ll do it. My mother has been so good to me—if I leave her like this, I’d never sleep at night.”

“Besides, the Wang clan behind her isn’t weak. They only bother with us because of my mother. If something happens to her, they’ll stop helping us.”

“My father’s already made plenty of enemies. If the Wang clan backs away, and I run afoul of the Yun family while doing missions, who’s going to save me?”

[Fair enough. I’m not telling you not to save her—I’m just saying you’d have an easier time if you brought more people.]

“I know.”

The carriage soon reached the base of Qixia Mountain. Su Qian Xue stopped a few pilgrims coming down the slope and begged them for help. With their assistance, she managed to lift Madam Su and the unconscious coachman into the carriage.

After offering sincere thanks to all present, she drove the carriage away herself.

From a tall tree in the distance, Yun Wan Ye had watched the entire scene unfold. His brows creased tightly.

He had thought the woman had rushed out in a hurry to complete some task. But now he saw—it was to rescue Madam Su.

Yet, how could she have known Madam Su had encountered danger while still inside the manor? It had to be the system’s doing.

(Wait, could her new mission be to save Madam Su?)

(Has the system already upgraded?)

The more Yun Wan Ye thought about it, the more uneasy he became. He deeply regretted not interfering earlier, when she first moved to save someone. That had been his best chance to sabotage her.

Now, was it already too late?

He looked up at the darkening sky and sighed in frustration.

He had been so focused on preventing Su Qian Xue from meeting Mo Yuan Hao that he had overlooked everything else.

He couldn’t afford to be this careless again.

As night fell, Yun Wan Chen sent people to relieve him of duty, requesting he return to the manor.

It just so happened he had something to discuss with Yun Wan Chen too, so after giving instructions to the replacements, he activated his lightness skill and slipped into the night, heading home in silence.