Chapter 11: The Hidden Meaning in a Name

Lin Wenyu was led by a palace maid through several twists and turns into a remote courtyard. Not long after, she came back out.

Seeing no one around, Xiao Jing struck the palace maid on the back of the neck, knocking her unconscious, then dragged her behind an isolated rockery.

Moments later, he spotted someone sneaking around the side of the courtyard—Mu Yibo! That bastard! He knew it had to be this troublemaker stirring things up!

If this pest wasn’t dealt with now, it would surely cause chaos later. What’s more, he carried demonic energy—who knew if he might end up exposing Lin Wenyu’s identity! Gritting his teeth, Xiao Jing made up his mind and knocked Mu Yibo out as well, then quietly dumped him into the lotus pond. Fortunately, Qu Wanwan was currently male, with a decent physique and strength to match.

With many guests still lingering at the banquet, no one would notice anything happening here. Later, they could simply say Mu Yibo drank too much and accidentally drowned in the pond!

After taking care of everything, Xiao Jing returned to the courtyard to rescue Lin Wenyu.

Opening the door, he found Lin Wenyu lying on the bed, her face flushed bright red. When he reached out to touch her forehead, it was burning hot!

She had clearly been drugged—with an aphrodisiac!

Everything clicked into place. Mu Yibo had planned for Lin Wenyu to lose her chastity and become disgraced! No matter who it was with, they could slander her as promiscuous, shameless, seducing men. Even the Crown Prince wouldn’t be spared from such a trap! What a vile and malicious scheme!

“Ding—Side Mission Triggered. Side Mission 2: Help Yun Yi detoxify!”

“WTF?! Are you serious? You want me to find her an antidote now?!”

“Unclear, uncertain! Figure it out yourself! I’m logging off!”

!!! Xiao Jing was shocked for an entire year.

“Wait, is it the kind of detoxification I’m thinking of?” Xiao Jing twitched at the corners of his mouth.

To make things worse, Lin Wenyu’s gaze was unfocused. “Hot… I’m so hot…” she murmured as she began tearing at her clothes!

This—this this this—this this this this! Qu Wanwan was a straight woman, a proper straight woman!

Lin Wenyu sat up, wrapped her arms around Xiao Jing’s neck, and softly kissed his lips. Xiao Jing was instantly stunned, his mind going completely blank!

Soon, a familiar scene surfaced in his mind—the dragonfly kiss from last time, and her shy expression. Could it be that Yun Yi… she liked women?! Was she lusting after his body?!

After inhaling the aphrodisiac incense, Xiao Jing soon felt its effects too…

Half an hour—ahem—later, Xiao Jing regained his senses.

She screamed inwardly: Damn it, seriously, damn it! I shipped this couple so hard and ended up being part of the ship myself?! Am I really going to become one of her harem members?! Is this dog-blood harem drama fate unavoidable? I freaking—ugh, just ugh!!

Not to mention, she had just cuckolded Mu Yichen! Now she was the one doing the cheating—what if karma bit back later and someone else did it to her?! Heavens! Earth!

Thankfully, she had taken care of Mu Yibo in advance. Otherwise, following typical palace drama tropes, he would’ve called others over, Lin Wenyu would’ve been framed for this situation, and once word got out, she would’ve surely hanged herself out of shame!

About the time it takes to brew a pot of tea later, Lin Wenyu came to her senses. Xiao Jing explained the situation and how she had fallen into a trap. Though she had saved her before and now again, this method of saving someone was seriously taking advantage of the situation!

Even though she was now detoxified, Lin Wenyu’s face remained crimson, almost like it was bleeding. She bit her lower lip tightly, even drawing blood. Flustered and helpless, she looked like a frightened little rabbit.

Seeing her like this, Xiao Jing’s heart softened. She held her in her arms and whispered, “I’ll go request an imperial decree to marry you. Will that be alright?”

Tears welled up in Lin Wenyu’s eyes, but she held them back. Her voice hoarse, she responded, “You better mean it!”

---

Xiao Jing nodded solemnly.

This was no easy task. From the moment she was born, she was destined to become Empress. The Great Ji Dynasty revered the Divine Clan, and with such a heavenly omen, they would stop at nothing to draw Lin Wenyu into the royal family. It was a matter of politics and power—meant to sway the people’s hearts and intimidate schemers. If Xiao Jing dared request a marriage decree, the worst outcome could very well be death!

“A femme fatale! A femme fatale! All women are femme fatales! Especially such a stunning one. Damn it, now I understand why the system made me transmigrate into a guy—turns out I’m just here to be bent for her! Is fate really this inescapable?!” Qu Wanwan screamed internally.

“Side Mission 2 Complete. Reward: 10 points. Item: Heartguard Mirror.”

“What I need isn’t a Heartguard Mirror, dammit! Can I get a teleport scroll or at least an escape card?!”

“Denied!”

Xiao Jing wore an expression of utter despair.

So far, she’d completed one main mission and two side missions, totaling 70 points. If that damned system wasn’t lying, the next main mission would net her 300 points, for a total of 370—still far too slow! Working life, workaholic spirit—work is the way to the top!

Xiao Jing comforted Lin Wenyu, asking after her well-being, and helped tidy up her appearance and clothes.

“Your makeup skills are quite refined. You must’ve done this for a lot of girls before,” Lin Wenyu remarked casually.

Xiao Jing replied, “I’ve only ever done it for you.”

The corners of Lin Wenyu’s lips curled up ever so slightly.

Once everything was cleaned up and all traces erased, Xiao Jing asked Lin Wenyu to return first. She would stay a little longer and leave later, to avoid suspicions of impropriety, which could damage Lin Wenyu’s reputation.

Lin Wenyu obediently nodded. As she left, she cast a meaningful glance back at Xiao Jing. If he hadn’t saved her, if it weren’t for that strange familiarity and sense of comfort, she would’ve castrated that scoundrel and killed herself!

But—if he really could marry her, that would be a different story. Lin Wenyu wasn’t interested in power or status. She didn’t want to be a caged bird in the palace, didn’t want to marry the Crown Prince. To her, he was just a brother—there were no romantic feelings.

She pretended nothing had happened and told her personal maid that she had gotten a little tipsy during the banquet and, not wanting to embarrass herself in front of the emperor, had found a guest room to sleep it off. Only after sobering up did she come out again.

This incident must never be discovered by anyone!

After she left, Xiao Jing went to deal with the palace maid she had knocked out earlier. Loose ends had to be tied up completely—any oversight could lead to disaster.

But when she got back, the palace maid was gone! She had escaped! If she said anything, it would bring ruin upon them all!

Qu Wanwan’s parents in the mortal realm doted on her dearly. She had a strong sense of belonging and clung to that familial love. But if this led to catastrophe—her entire family could be executed! She couldn’t bear to imagine it! She panicked, truly panicked for the first time! She had to find that maid and eliminate the threat at the root.

Trying to calm herself, Xiao Jing returned to her father’s side, greeted everyone with forced politeness, and left the palace with a heavy heart.

Elsewhere, Lin Wenyu also wore a troubled expression as she left the palace with her father.

The palace gates were locked.

That night, the palace maid who had escaped learned that the Second Prince had drowned after drinking too much. Something didn’t feel right. Now that she knew what had happened, it could cost her her life. So she wrote a confession.

She gave the confession to a trusted guard who was switching shifts and asked him to deliver it to the Northern General, one of the Second Prince’s allies.

Confession Letter:

“I am Xiaoqian, the Second Prince’s chambermaid. On the sixteenth day of the ninth lunar month, I was ordered by the Second Prince to light aphrodisiac incense in the western side courtyard and lead Miss Lin Wenyu of the Lin family there. I told her that the Crown Prince needed to discuss something with her and asked her to wait in the courtyard. Soon after I left, I was knocked unconscious. When I awoke, the news of the Second Prince’s drunken drowning had already spread. I know that my crimes are unforgivable. I cannot be complicit in harming the daughter of a high-ranking court official. I offer my life in repentance. I only beg that you uncover the truth and avenge my master!”

That very night, the Northern General, upon learning of the Second Prince’s mysterious death, summoned his personal shadow guards and said gravely, “Enter the palace and investigate the Second Prince’s death—keep it quiet!”

“Yes, sir!” the shadow guards replied in unison.