The Bad Girl's Quick Transmigration System: Traveling Back and Forth

In late spring, the Xing River is shrouded in mist and waves. A magnificent, ornately decorated pleasure boat, like a palace floating on the water, glides slowly by. This is the renowned "Inviting the Moon Boat" of the Zheng family of Xingyang. In the past, the boat was always filled with melodious music and graceful dancing girls, a scene of peace and prosperity. It was an important venue for the Zheng family members and their guests to feast, enjoy themselves, and display their social standing.

However, the atmosphere at the Invitation Moon Pavilion today is quite different from usual.

Lin Xiaoyan, Lin Xue, and Bai Jie received another summons from Madam Zheng, ordering them to perform on the boat. As they transferred to a smaller boat and approached the Yaoyue Boat, they sensed an unusually heavy atmosphere. On the deck, the servants and guards who were usually jovial were now solemn, their eyes scanning their surroundings warily, the weapons at their waists gleaming coldly in the setting sun. An invisible pressure seemed to permeate the air, weighing heavily on everyone's hearts.

"Xiaoyan, can you feel it? Today... the atmosphere is a bit off." Lin Xue said softly, her eyes, which were always brimming with tears, now held a hint of tension. She was still wearing a plain-colored gauze dress that was easy to dance in, with a few elegant orchids embroidered on the hem, but the light fabric seemed somewhat heavy because of the somber atmosphere.

Lin Xiaoyan nodded slightly, cradling an ancient seven-stringed zither. The instrument's body was warm and smooth, yet the strings seemed taut. Her gaze was calm as she swept across the scene on the boat, responding softly, "Hmm, heavily guarded, and...it seems important figures are gathering here. Let's be extra careful and observe closely." Her voice was extremely low, audible only to Lin Xue and Bai Jie beside her. As the eldest of the three and the core of this infiltration mission, Lin Xiaoyan's inner tension was even greater than the strings of the zither she held.

Bai Jie stood silently to the side, a jade flute in her hand, its cool surface mirroring her current state of mind. She was never one for words, but her observations were exceptionally sharp. Her gaze swept over the stern-faced Zheng family guards at the bow, then drifted towards the cabin, where suppressed conversations could be faintly heard. "It's not just vigilance," her clear, cold voice rang out, "I smell... the scent of gunpowder, and the restlessness in people's hearts."

The three women exchanged a glance, all seeing seriousness in each other's eyes. They were not ordinary musicians and dancers kept by the Zheng family, but rather spies within the Zheng family of Xingyang, carrying a special mission. Their task was to gather intelligence on the Zheng family's movements, especially any information that might threaten the security of the central government in Luoyang. Today's unusual banquet was clearly no small matter.

The small boat approached the wide gangway of the Inviting Moon Pavilion. A guard with an expressionless face stepped forward and routinely checked the musical instruments they were carrying. After confirming that there was nothing wrong, he led them across the deck and toward the main cabin.

The guests on deck were few and far between, and all of them were influential figures in the Zheng family. They huddled together in twos and threes, talking in hushed tones, their faces devoid of any joyful celebration. Instead, they wore complex expressions that mingled anxiety, decisiveness, and a hint of excitement. The three women kept their heads down, their eyes fixed straight ahead, trying to appear as ordinary performers, inconspicuous, but their ears were like the most sensitive radar, catching every word that might reveal information.

"...In Luoyang, it's said that they've already noticed something and have strengthened checks at the city gates..."

"Hmph, so what if they've noticed? Our people have already infiltrated, just waiting for the right moment..."

"Lord Hongye is determined this time; success or failure hinges on this!"

The fragmented words drifted into their ears, each word striking the three women's hearts like a small hammer. Luoyang, timing, success or failure... these words, strung together, pointed to a chilling possibility.

Upon entering the main cabin, an even more oppressive atmosphere enveloped them. The cabin was brightly lit, and several people sat around a large mahogany round table. Leading the group was Zheng Hongye, the current head of the Xingyang Zheng family. Today, he wore a dark brocade robe, his face ashen. His eyes, usually carrying a hint of sternness and a smile, were now sharp as a hawk's, fixed intently on a map on the table, his brows furrowed into a deep frown.

On either side of Zheng Hongye sat several elderly men with gray hair and solemn expressions. They were all core elders of the Zheng clan, who usually lived in seclusion, but their presence today indicated the seriousness of the situation. In addition, there were several middle-aged men dressed in tight-fitting clothes and exuding a powerful aura, presumably figures in the Zheng clan who held military power or were in charge of specific operations.

The air in the main cabin seemed to freeze, with only Zheng Hongye's deep voice echoing, carrying an unquestionable authority.

"...Everyone is here." Zheng Hongye slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the clan elders and generals present. "The matter I have summoned you all here today concerns the century-old foundation of the Zheng clan of Xingyang, and even the格局 (geju, a concept encompassing the overall situation and the global landscape). This matter is confidential; once you leave this cabin, you must not divulge a single word. Anyone who violates this rule will be punished according to clan regulations!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a chilling pressure. Everyone present tensed up and nodded solemnly.

The guards led the three women to a designated spot in the corner of the cabin, where cushions were laid out for their performance. One guard whispered, "Wait here. The master has ordered that you perform only after the meeting has concluded." He then retreated to the cabin door and guarded the entrance.

The three women sat down as instructed, placing their instruments on their laps or beside them. They lowered their heads, adopting a submissive and respectful demeanor, seemingly indifferent to the discussions at the head of the table. In reality, however, their nerves were on edge, their attention completely focused on the conversation of the people at that table.