Chapter 195: A Dirty World Rejects Intelligent Women
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Red Luan explained, “For instance, if you choose the number ‘1,’ all the ‘1’s on the grid will light up or change color. By utilizing this feature of the game, you can identify other identical numbers.”
“Of course, sometimes there are too many hidden numbers, and you might not find all the matches in one round. In that case, don’t waste time on a single number—move on and try others.”
She sighed, “It’s a pity we don’t have pen and paper here. If we did, we could use pens of different colors to mark the grid. And if one sheet wasn’t enough, we could switch to another…”
Her voice trailed off, her lips parted slightly as she exclaimed, “Ah, this…”
Yu Zhi Yi snapped her fingers, and instantly, all the ‘1’s in the air lit up.
Previously, the numbers were all dull red, lifeless and monotonous. But now, the illuminated ‘1’s gleamed in a vibrant crimson hue, exuding a warmth and vitality that made them far more pleasant to the eyes.
“Like this?” Yu Zhi Yi asked.
“Yes! Exactly like this!” Red Luan exclaimed with joy.
Yu Zhi Yi nodded. “Then let’s proceed.”
“Alright!” Red Luan responded enthusiastically.
At that moment, there were only three ‘1’s among the 81 spaces. Red Luan quickly found the remaining three, leaving none.
Yu Zhi Yi observed her as she worked, her expression thoughtful. When it came to the number ‘2,’ Yu Zhi Yi quickly identified two, while Red Luan found another.
And so it went, step by step.
Through their teamwork, they completed the entire puzzle in no time.
The young duke and the others watched, stunned. The young duke, in particular, struggled to process it, blurting out, “Impossible! You—a woman—how could you solve such a difficult puzzle?”
Yu Zhi Yi ignored him and turned her attention to the female ghost hovering in the air. “The puzzle is complete. Can you let them go now?”
“Let them go? Where to?”
The female ghost’s sinister voice echoed. “Why leave? Isn’t it better to stay here? Why insist on returning to the outside world? It’s dangerous out there, especially for clever women like you.”
Her tone suddenly shifted, growing venomous. “Why help these filthy men? They deserve to die! They should all perish!”
A fierce wind howled through the little forest. Dark clouds churned, blotting out the sun and creating an apocalyptic atmosphere.
The young duke was swept into the air.
Then it was Miss Su’s turn.
Yu Zhi Yi frowned, her gaze fixed on the swirling black clouds above. Within the mass of darkness, faint crimson flashes glimmered like a hidden bloodthirsty maw, waiting to devour its prey.
“Enough!” Yu Zhi Yi commanded, tossing a talisman into the air.
The talisman transformed into a sword bathed in golden light, piercing the heart of the dark clouds. Instantly, the blackness dissipated.
The wind ceased. The clouds dispersed.
All that remained was the ghostly wail of a woman, sharp and mournful.
“Why help them? They deserve to die! They should die!”
The female ghost’s form materialized.
She wore a long black dress, her jet-black hair cascading down her back. Her face was as pale as paper, and her eyes, devoid of pupils, radiated an intense hatred and unyielding resentment.
Yu Zhi Yi’s voice was calm but firm. “The injustice you suffered doesn’t justify harming the innocent.”
Yu Zhi Yi spoke coldly.
Red Luan tugged at her sleeve. “What injustice has she suffered?”
Before Yu Zhi Yi could respond, the scenery of the small forest abruptly shifted.
Everyone found themselves standing in a courtyard.
The residence was bathed in the brilliance of spring. Peach blossoms were in full bloom, their pink petals cascading in the gentle breeze like a rain of flowers. Amidst this dreamy shower of blossoms, young men and women strolled side by side or gathered around stone tables, chatting harmoniously.
However, behind a distant window, a little girl in a black dress stood apart from the idyllic scene. She held a brush in her hand, a book titled Calculations spread open before her. With each problem she solved, a radiant smile would bloom across her face.
Seasons passed swiftly. The cycle of spring departing and returning painted the peach trees anew with several rounds of blossoms.
The little girl had grown into a young woman, yet she remained a stark contrast to the lively groups of youths around her. Her love for books and calculations remained unchanged.
One day, a group of girls approached her bedside. The young woman, engrossed in her writing, didn’t notice their presence until one of them snatched the paper she was working on.
Caught off guard, the black-dressed woman’s brush dragged a long streak across the page, smudging her calculations. Her expression darkened. “What are you doing?”
“That’s my question to you,” sneered a girl in a pink dress, disdainfully examining the paper. “What good does all this reading do for a girl? Will it help you marry well in the future?”
The woman pressed her lips together. “I study for myself. And who says a girl has to marry?”
The other girls burst into laughter as though they’d heard the most ridiculous jest. “Not marry? Are you trying to become the laughingstock of the Lin family?”
“Don’t think that just because your mother is the main wife, you can laze around the estate comfortably. Foolish!”
“If you don’t secure a good match, even your mother’s position as the main wife might be at risk,” another taunted.
The black-dressed woman glared at them coldly. “It’s none of your concern. I firmly believe that women are no less capable than men and can achieve greatness. Didn’t Senior Princess Jia Luo, the Protector of the Nation, prove that?”
The pink-dressed girl’s mockery deepened. “You think you’re worthy to compare yourself to Senior Princess Jia Luo?”
With a tight-lipped determination, the black-dressed woman slammed the window shut, blocking out their jeers. She calmed herself, returning to her calculations.
Years flowed like water. The black-dressed woman donned a red wedding gown, her life following a predictable course. The once-mocking pink-dressed girl sneered. “See? I told you all that studying was useless. In the end, she’s marrying the son of a mere merchant.”
“Unlike me,” she added with a smirk, “who’s entering the Prefect’s residence as a secondary wife.”
The scenes spun forward rapidly.
After her marriage, the woman in black avoided ostentatious colors and social entanglements. She immersed herself in books and her peculiar experiments. The merchant’s son, far from criticizing her unconventional interests, deeply admired her intelligence. Her vast knowledge even proved invaluable in his business dealings.
Her keen mind led to the invention of a powerful Serial Crossbow. When her husband submitted the invention to the authorities, it garnered great acclaim. Inspired, the woman continued to create innovative designs, each one earning similar recognition when presented by her husband.
The Ministry of Works, mistakenly attributing her creations to her husband, promoted him to a position within their ranks. Though he started as a humble Master of the Ministry at the eighth rank, his journey into the officialdom had begun.