Chapter 12
Chapter 12: The Truly Perfect White Moonlight
“Look—doesn’t it look the same?”
Cheng Qing Li thrust her phone over, practically glowing. “Princess Yong Ning wrote this in the fifty-eighth year of Qianhe. She was twelve then. Emperor Zhaozong of Ning praised her as a once-in-a-generation genius, with the air of a calligraphy sage—no less than the Founding Emperor back in the day.”
Historical records said that to raise Princess Yong Ning, Emperor Zhaozong of Ning poured the entire Great Ning court into her education. He assembled an unprecedented team of civil and military officials to instruct her in the Six Arts, the mindset of a ruler, strategies for governing, and the way of kings—so she could ascend the throne as Emperor Cheng.
Princess Yong Ning also mastered music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
But before she could take the throne, her already fragile body collapsed under the strain. She died in a great epidemic at only seventeen.
Cheng Qing Li’s eyes turned wet. “My dead, perfect, irresistible white moonlight… our sect’s Old Ancestor…”
She was about to start comparing details when Ye Wan Lan tore the paper into pieces and flicked them into the trash.
Cheng Qing Li jolted. “Sister Lan! Why did you throw it away?”
Ye Wan Lan’s tone stayed careless. “It wasn’t good. Boring.”
Cheng Qing Li stared at her. “Not good?”
Then what in the world counted as good?
She wasn’t an expert, but she’d seen enough to grasp the basics. Those characters looked casual, but the foundation was terrifyingly deep—this wasn’t something you could fake without years under a master.
“Forget the calligraphy.” Ye Wan Lan’s smile softened. “Qing Li, I’m glad you trust me. I know exactly how people have seen me these past four years.”
The Transmigrator had used her body to do too many humiliating, self-destructive things. Combined with the pressure and cruelty of the rich heirs in that social circle, it had nearly driven her into a dead end.
The Transmigrator could leave without consequence, find another body, and keep enjoying life.
But Ye Wan Lan couldn’t.
Cheng Qing Li blinked rapidly. “I—I’m not good with words, but Sister Lan… from the first time I saw you, I just felt like you were someone I could trust.”
Ye Wan Lan lifted an eyebrow.
Cheng Qing Li coughed, then couldn’t help herself. “But Sister Lan, I’m still curious about you and Young Master Zhou…”
“The stand-in agreement was real.” Ye Wan Lan’s voice didn’t waver. “And the apology essays were real too.”
She looked up, eyes clear. “But in the life that belongs to me from now on, he won’t exist.”
Cheng Qing Li froze. “Sister Lan, you…”
“Gossip’s over. Tomorrow, seven-thirty. Don’t be late.” Ye Wan Lan checked the time. “I’m leaving. If you like calligraphy, I’ll write you another piece when I’m free.”
Cheng Qing Li’s eyes practically turned into stars. “Sister Lan, I love you so much!”
“Control yourself,” Ye Wan Lan said dryly. “Don’t love me too much.”
She left.
But she didn’t go far. She leaned against the corner wall, pulled out her phone, and searched Princess Yong Ning.
Countless results popped up.
Ye Wan Lan hadn’t expected she could return to Shen Zhou—let alone Shen Zhou three hundred years later.
Seeing an encyclopedia entry about her former self was… strange. Almost unreal.
In the Time Loop’s 999 years, she read every book written about her and watched every drama, film, and variety show made in her name.
Some said she entered the Eastern Palace as a woman and took the position of the Heir Apparent, worthy of being called unmatched under heaven.
Others said it was fortunate she died young—otherwise, if a woman ruled, the world would fall into chaos.
Praise and blame—both loud.
She didn’t care.
Ye Wan Lan’s expression remained calm as she drove away, vanishing into the night.
—
At the Zhou Family’s old residence, Zhou He Chen had just returned from the company. Fatigue sat heavy between his brows as he stepped inside. “Mom.”
“He Chen, I know you’re busy,” Madam Zhou said, “but President Quan arrives in River City the day after tomorrow. This cooperation is important. You must secure it.”
She sighed. “He has to see our sincerity.”
Madam Zhou’s group had its hands in many industries, but entertainment and healthcare were the main pillars.
Lately, business was harder than ever. The group was stuck in a plateau and desperately needed a breakthrough.
“Don’t worry,” Zhou He Chen said lightly. “I know how important this is. I prepared the materials for the negotiation a long time ago.”
Madam Zhou’s gaze stayed cool. “You said that last time too. And what happened? You changed plans at the last minute and ran off to the Xing Man Federation Empire to celebrate someone’s birthday.”
It wasn’t that she disliked Sheng Yun Yi. Among all the socialites in their circle, if Sheng Yun Yi ranked second, no one dared claim first.
The Sheng Family had been surging in recent years, nearly matching the Zhou Family stride for stride.
A marriage alliance would be powerful. Madam Zhou was happy to see it—she simply couldn’t stand Zhou He Chen tossing aside serious matters for Sheng Yun Yi.
“Mom, didn’t we still get that contract in the end?” Zhou He Chen sounded helpless. “Yun Yi’s twenty-fourth zodiac birthday—how could I miss it?”
Madam Zhou snorted, saying nothing more.
The Zhou steward hurried in. “Young Master, Sirs Xu Lu and Xu Li are here. It seems urgent.”
Zhou He Chen’s eyes sharpened. “Let them in.”
The steward hesitated, then complied.
Xu Lu stormed into the hall, his voice shaking the room. “Zhou He Chen, you’re something else! See my nose? Your little knockoff pet did this! I offered her a job out of kindness, and she threw it back in my face. How exactly do you teach her manners?”
Zhou He Chen frowned. “What are you yelling about?”
“Me? Yelling?” Xu Lu sneered. “Second Young Master Zhou is too busy to even answer his phone, so I had to come in person. Tell me—how are you paying for this?”
“Brother He Chen…” Xu Li tried to smooth it over, voice cautious. “My brother’s really angry. Earlier today, Ye Wan Lan went into his private room, hit him in the face with a high heel, and tricked him out of four hundred thousand.”
Madam Zhou’s faint smile vanished. “He Chen. What is this?”
Zhou He Chen pressed his brow and exhaled slowly.
He had no idea where Ye Wan Lan found the nerve. Angering the Qin Family wasn’t enough—now she’d provoked the Xu Family too.
Xu Lu was notoriously violent in their circle. He drank, he fought, he did whatever he pleased. Once, someone offended him, and he smashed a bottle over the man’s head. Afterward, he simply paid money and walked away.
Even Zhou He Chen wouldn’t confront Xu Lu head-on.
“Mom,” Zhou He Chen said, his face dark, “I’ll handle it.”
Madam Zhou gave a cool hum.
“Fine,” Xu Lu said with a sharp laugh. “Let’s see how you handle it.” He turned to Madam Zhou. “Aunt Zhou, I won’t disturb you any longer.”
He grabbed Xu Li and headed for the study with Zhou He Chen.
The Zhou steward lowered his voice as he watched them go. “Madam, this mess is because of Young Master’s little lover. Now that Miss Yun Yi is back, she still doesn’t know her place. Does she really think she can marry into the Zhou Family?”
Sheng Yun Yi was the bright moon in the sky. How could a firefly compete?
Madam Zhou sipped her tea, elegant and unbothered. “I know. That young lady surnamed Ye—pretty face, empty head. But at least she’s easy to control.”
She’d seen countless women like Ye Wan Lan: born low, dreaming of climbing into high society through marriage.
Zhou He Chen would inherit the Zhou Family. He could play around, but marriage?
Never.