The Marquis of Chengguo was dumbfounded.

Cheng Weining was equally stunned.

A faint smile appeared on Cheng Yian’s face, but with feigned nonchalance, he blocked Cheng Weining and teased, “Brother, I don’t have a wife, and the only women left in the manor are Father’s old concubines, all well past their prime. Who would’ve thought you had such peculiar tastes?”

Cheng Weining’s face turned green. He sneaked a glance at the second princess and waved his hands frantically in denial. “That’s not true! It’s not! Don’t make things up!”

At this moment, a fellow suitor close to Cheng Weining quietly reminded him, “The Little National Preceptor didn’t specifically refer to current events.”

Cheng Yian froze.

Nearby, Li Dongyang, a suitor close to Cheng Yian, looked at Cheng Weining in confusion and disgust, asking, “What… are you all talking about? Are you really that kind of person?”

The other three suitors, remembering the emperor’s order forbidding gossip, immediately fell silent.

Seeing Li Dongyang pressing for answers, Cheng Yian, filled with a sense of superiority, whispered, “Stay quiet. You’ll find out after you get promoted.”

Li Dongyang: …

At that moment, the system’s voice broke the awkward silence:

[An affair with his sister-in-law! Spanning over a decade and overcoming countless trials before finally succeeding!]

Cheng Yian’s smile froze.

[Hiss… Immoral but thrilling. Let’s hear more!] Yuan Ruan eagerly prompted.

The bystanders nodded enthusiastically: That’s right! Immoral, but we want the juicy details, not the rind.

The system obliged:

[Cheng Yian used some tricks to secure the position of royal consort. But after marrying him, the princess was unhappy. She later discovered that Cheng Weining was her savior and secret admirer. Initially, both were bound by propriety and suppressed their feelings.

However, Cheng Yian, unable to produce an heir due to kidney weakness and fear of losing his position if exposed, schemed to have the princess sleep with Cheng Weining, resulting in her pregnancy.

Overcome with guilt, Cheng Weining left for Shu after a year of inner torment. He only returned after the princess divorced Cheng Yian, by which time he had invented several remarkable tools. The national fortune likely values these inventions.]

The emperor and empress: !!!

The two exchanged a disbelieving look, their gazes then darting to the second princess.

The second princess’s face flushed bright red as she waved her hands furiously in denial.

Everyone: !!!

What?!

Kidney issues? Cuckold yourself? Playing the role of a surrogate father? And after all that scheming, he still lost the royal consort title?! Plus, the tools that caught the national fortune’s attention?!

The sheer volume of information was overwhelming.

The crowd was abuzz, their excitement palpable. Like mischievous weasels raiding a melon patch, they hopped around in glee, eager to exchange details while avoiding Yuan Ruan’s attention. Some even approached Cheng Yian directly, asking, “Is it true you’re… incapable?”

Cheng Yian trembled with rage.

Cheng Weining quickly dispersed the crowd of gawking suitors and awkwardly swore to Cheng Yian, “Brother, I… I would never…”

“What would you never do?!” Cheng Yian gritted his teeth. “Now everyone thinks I’m… incapable!” He paused before continuing bitterly, “The royal consort title is completely out of reach for me now. You must be thrilled, huh? Ha…”

Cheng Weining was silent for a moment before responding earnestly, “Brother, you saved my life. I will follow Father’s orders and no longer compete with you for the marquis title.”

Cheng Yian’s expression softened briefly but was soon overtaken by a cold sneer. “Words mean nothing. You’re coming with me to the Clan Office to sign a formal pledge. Dongyang, you’ll witness it!”

Both Cheng Weining and Li Dongyang nodded.

However, before they could leave, the system’s alarm blared:

[Host! I’ve got two more shocking revelations. This older brother is truly despicable!]

Cheng Yian froze, his hand still gripping Cheng Weining’s arm, but was intercepted by one of Cheng Weining’s friends.

The other officials turned their attention to the Marquis of Chengguo, hiding in the bushes.

The marquis’s face contorted in embarrassment, as though attempting to defend his eldest son, mumbling, “N-no way. My Yian is always so well-behaved. Just a few days ago, we suggested arranging a concubine for him before his wedding, but he adamantly refused…” Suddenly recalling the kidney issue, he fell silent.

At that moment, the system’s voice chimed in:

[Cheng Yian used to be a notorious womanizer—a literal ‘flower thief’!]

The crowd: !!!

The first and second princesses gasped, covering their mouths in shock, their eyes filled with disgust and fear.

The emperor glared at the bushes with such intensity that the Marquis of Chengguo might as well have been reduced to ashes.

Nearby officials, previously listening to the marquis’s defense, widened their eyes in disbelief.

A colleague across from him couldn’t hold back a snicker and muttered, “Well… ‘well-behaved.’ Concubines don’t appeal to him. Pfft.”

The marquis’s face turned beet red with shame.

He refused to believe his ears. The son he knew as mild-mannered and reserved was accused of being a notorious womanizer?!

Yuan Ruan was equally astonished: [What? Could it be true? Isn’t this completely absurd? Didn’t the royal family investigate potential suitors?]

The system replied:

[Yes, the empress surely ordered an investigation. But before Cheng Yian turned eighteen, he lived in his hometown, a chubby, bearded boy. He avoided respectable women and exclusively targeted courtesans, disguising himself as a servant to escape notice.

When these women sought justice, their accusations never gained traction. This allowed Cheng Yian to continue unchecked until his overindulgence led to kidney issues and anemia, turning him from a chubby boy into the thin figure he is today. The royal investigators found no records of his past misdeeds.]

Everyone: !!!

This was beyond outrageous! Targeting courtesans? Without paying?!

One official couldn’t help but whisper, “Marquis, you should consider compensating those courtesans.”

The marquis, thoroughly mortified, stammered, “W-well… yes, yes.”

The system continued:

[It gets worse. Once, Cheng Yian narrowly escaped capture and used his younger brother Cheng Weining’s name to evade punishment. The Marquis of Chengguo, gullible as he was, believed his younger son was at fault and sent a steward to clean up the mess.]

The crowd: …

Unbelievable.

Cheng Weining stared at Cheng Yian in disbelief, his fists clenched tightly. His friends whispered encouragement, urging him to punch Cheng Yian, though Cheng Weining refrained, wary of attracting Yuan Ruan’s attention.

Sensing danger, Cheng Yian whispered, “Brother, I panicked back then. Don’t forget—I’m the one who fought for your chance to participate in the royal consort selection.”

Just then, Yuan Ruan’s thoughts emerged:

[This man is so terrible to his brother!]

The system added:

[This is just the beginning. Cheng Yian’s good reputation is entirely built on stealing his brother’s achievements. Previously, Cheng Weining quietly saved the second princess’s life in the wilderness. Jealous, Cheng Yian claimed the credit himself.

Fearing exposure during the selection process, he feigned generosity before the Marquis of Chengguo, suggesting he bring his brother along. Ultimately, it was this stolen credit that secured him the position of royal consort.]

The second princess gasped, clutching the empress’s hand in near-tears.

The empress, previously relaxed, straightened her posture and glared daggers at the suitors.

Cheng Weining raised his fist.

Li Dongyang, clueless but trying to help, was pushed aside by the other suitors.

Cheng Yian shielded his head, whispering frantically, “Brother, I only did it because you never act on anything! I couldn’t refuse when others acknowledged me! I didn’t mean… Ow, ow!”

Yuan Ruan was appalled: [What?! This guy was the intended royal consort? Absolutely not! Strike him off the list immediately!]

The system agreed: [“Absolutely. Forget his talents—we’re done with him.”]

Cheng Yian breathed a sigh of relief. But before he could relax, someone tripped him, sending him tumbling forward.

A suitor’s voice rang out mockingly: “Oh? Cheng Yian, paying respects to the Little National Preceptor already? Aren’t you eager!”

Furious, Cheng Yian looked toward the Marquis for help, only to freeze when the system’s announcement rang out:

[Cheng Yian has triggered a national fortune mission! National fortune points: +2.]

The crowd: !!!

What?!

Could this man really trigger a beneficial national fortune mission?

Cheng Yian was ecstatic, his smug gaze directed at Cheng Weining: I’ve earned two points. I’m better than you.

Officials whispered to the marquis, “Do you have a secret method for raising such extraordinary sons?”

The marquis, already overwhelmed, stammered, “W-well, my eldest… grew up in the countryside and may have some flaws, but at his core, he must be…”

Before he could finish, the system dropped another bomb:

[National fortune side mission: Strip Cheng Yian of all political rights for life (Incomplete). Reward: +2 national fortune points.”]

Yuan Ruan was stunned: [“What?! What did he do to deserve a lifelong ban from power?”]