Chapter 5: Blind Game—Want to Cry

Seeing this, Jin Yue wisely didn’t say more. After thinking for a moment, she suggested, “Since Madam has made up her mind, shall I ask Steward Pei to have someone bring another bed here?”

Song Huan’s eyes lit up. Wait, this was an option?

The corruption of the rich… she liked it.

She immediately smiled, curved her eyes into crescent moons, and wrote one word on the paper: “Good.”

Jin Yue quickly went to find Steward Pei.

Just then, Song Huan looked out the window again. The guard named Pei Chen was no longer outside Huichun Courtyard.

Pei Chen…

She didn’t recognize this name. In My Husband Holds Power Over the World, the story began a year later, centered on Pei Yan and those close to him. The novel started with his rescue of the female lead in Ning County and ended with his tragic death and the disbanding of the Pei Family Army.

It did mention Pei Yan’s personal bodyguard.

But that man was Pei Shen, not Pei Chen.

So what happened between Pei Chen and Pei Shen…?

In the third hour of her second transmigration, Song Huan was hit with a crushing realization: She was still playing a blind game.

Waaah! So wronged! She wanted to cry!

***

Steward Pei moved quickly. Before the scent of the incense stick had faded, someone arrived with a fine rosewood bed.

The east side of the study, once sparsely decorated with just a beauty couch and low table, now had an elegant bed added in. Yet, nothing felt crowded. On the contrary, it looked meant to be there.

Song Huan’s throat still burned, painfully raw. She couldn’t speak.

Steward Pei seemed to want to say something to her, but all she could offer was a polite smile.

And then… another smile.

After a few fruitless attempts at small talk, Steward Pei realized conversation was futile. He gave a respectful bow and excused himself.

Song Huan smiled again, lightly nodding.

So helpless.

If her throat weren’t such a disaster, she would’ve definitely clung to Steward Pei’s leg. This man had served the Pei family for over thirty years. He surely knew the inner workings of the Marquis Manor—and possibly even Pei Yan’s moods.

If she could get on Steward Pei’s good side, it could give her the leverage she needed to win Pei Yan over.

***

As dusk fell, Steward Pei left the study and dismissed the remaining servants.

In moments, Huichun Courtyard was quiet again—only Song Huan, Jin Yue, and Jin Le remained.

They busied themselves making the bed with fresh blankets and pillows pulled from the storage chests.

Suddenly—

Gurgle…

Her stomach let out a tragic wail.

Since waking up, the only thing she’d consumed was that bitter bowl of medicine Pei Yan had forced on her. Not even a single grain of rice since.

Jin Le immediately perked up. Her eyes sparkled like a child seeing candy. “Madam, are you hungry? Should I ask the kitchen to send some food?”

Sharp little bean.

Song Huan’s eyes lit up and she nodded eagerly.

Too eagerly. Her neck twinged in pain again.

By the time Jin Le returned with a servant carrying a tray, the ache had dulled—until she saw the bowl of plain porridge.

Her stomach spasmed in protest. Her soul whimpered.

Jin Le looked just as disappointed. “They said Madam is still recovering, so you can only eat light food…”

Song Huan: “……”

Fine. Reasonable. Still depressing.

Song Huan took the congee, scooped up a mouthful, and shoved it into her mouth. Hmm… the taste is… indescribable.

It was either the fault of the cook… or the bitter medicine still lingering in her system—but this porridge was awful.

Still, Jin Yue and Jin Le were watching her like two anxious puppies. She had no choice but to power through and eat half the bowl.

Jin Le looked astonished. “Madam seems to be enjoying it so much…”

The cook’s skills were trash, but Madam had the spirit of a champion.

That night, Song Huan lay tossing and turning.

She forgot all about trying to uncover any dark secrets about Pei Yan.

***

Ten Days Later

Song Huan had endured ten days of culinary torment in the Marquis Manor.

On the eleventh day, the physician finally allowed her bandages to come off.

A long, red scar remained faintly visible below her collarbone. While it might fade with time, she knew—this was no modern world. With this era’s medicine, the scar might never disappear.

She immediately unmuted the long-blocked System.

“System, system, do you have anything for scar removal?”

The System remained silent, possibly still angry.

Song Huan pleaded:

“Waaah! Most amazing system in the world, I was wrong! Please help meeee!”

System: [“Dear, I was just chatting with another host.”] 

Song Huan:
“Ah! You weren’t ignoring me! I’m touched!”

“So… are you done talking to them now?”

System: [“Not yet.”]

Song Huan, very understanding: “Oh. I’ll wait then. Ping me when you’re free.”

System:[“No need. The other host blocked me too.”] 

Song Huan: “……” Why do I want to laugh? Stop. Be serious.

She straightened her face and asked: “Which novel is she in?”

System: [“Sorry, we can’t discuss other hosts’ worlds. Might cause jealousy or competition.”]

Song Huan: “…Okay, fine. So, do you have scar-removal products?”

System: [“Yes.”] 

Song Huan sensed trouble.

“And…?”

System: [“Are you referring to the scar on your neck?”]

Song Huan: “Yes.”

System (flatly): [“Sorry dear, that’s a permanent mark left by your first mission failure. It cannot be altered.”]

Song Huan:
“…Waaah! System! That scar is huge! How am I supposed to seduce Pei Yan with that!?”

System: [“Sorry, no can do.”] 

Song Huan (wailing):
“Please! Please! I’m begging—”

[ Beep. Your message failed to send.]

Song Huan: “…?”

This damn system had learned how to ghost people.

***

She gloomily opened her daily task screen.

The “Daily Hug” and “Receive 10 Responses from Pei Yan” missions remained incomplete. Thinking about the 60 lost life hours made her heart cramp.

That’s five whole days of Life Value!

In truth, Song Huan had been taking Jin Yue and Jin Le to Ming Song Hall every day. But each time, before they could even step through the courtyard gate, Guard Pei Chen would block their path.

Just one look at that blade made her neck ache.

After regaining her voice a few days ago, she had specifically asked Pei Chen to relay a message to Pei Yan: that she had come to visit and hoped Pei Yan would find time to visit the Returning Spring Courtyard.

It was a bold and direct invitation.

***

Yet three days had passed, and she still hadn’t even caught a glimpse of Pei Yan’s shadow.

The courtyard basked in the warm sunlight, even making the bare willow tree look less desolate.

Song Huan slapped her thigh, set down the book she’d been pretending to read, and stood up. “Jin Yue, Jin Le, let’s go check on Ming Song Hall.”

Jin Yue replied cautiously, “Madam, Guard Pei said the Lord went to the palace this morning. He won’t be back until nightfall.”

Song Huan sighed. “Gone again?”

Today’s Daily Hug mission… doomed.

Every day, it was some excuse—“at the palace,” “at the barracks,” “at the Ministry of Works”…

Jin Yue had been loyally accompanying her, but even she worried: What if Madam gets discouraged?

“Madam,” she said gently, “The Lord truly cares about you. The day you were injured, he stayed by your side all night.”

Song Huan, mourning her lost 6 hours, replied with a sigh:“No need to comfort me. I know—he just doesn’t want to see me.”

As for him staying all night? Highly doubtful. If he did, it was probably just to make sure she actually died.

Suddenly, Jin Le leaned in and whispered, “Madam, I’ll tell you a secret… Your marriage to the Lord—was granted by the Emperor himself!”

Song Huan: “…Huh??”

What the hell? She didn’t know this plotline!

Jin Yue’s face stiffened. Where had Jin Le heard such rumors?

But Jin Le stood tall, proud of her insider knowledge.

“I’ve been reading storybooks! One story said that an imperial marriage decree is the highest honor a woman can receive!”

Song Huan: “…?!”

She silently shouted: “System! Get out here!”

…

No response.

“System!!”

…

[Offline Again]