The story of a bullied daughter's rise to power

"She was determined to destroy me, so this happened today. But I never expected that she would cause such a farce. It's really laughable." Situ Yaorao said lightly.

"You're not angry?" Tan Tai Yun Yi was slightly surprised.

"Angry? That depends on who you are with. She is not even worthy of making me angry. She is just a jumping clown. People like this will bring about their own destruction sooner or later." Situ Yaorao said lightly.

Upon hearing this, Tan Tai Yun Yi nodded.

Looking at Situ Yaorao, he felt a touch of admiration. He had assumed that the only thing this young lady from the Situ family could do was to recruit followers for the Crown Prince, but perhaps she was more intelligent and insightful than he thought. Even if such a woman were to marry the Crown Prince as his consort, it wouldn't be impossible. It was just a pity... her name was Situ Yaorao, the eldest daughter of the Situ family. And the Crown Prince... was currently under the Emperor's suspicion. Otherwise, it would have been possible. Thinking of this, Tan Tai Yunyi couldn't help but chuckle to himself. He really was overthinking things.

"Thank you so much for today." Situ Yaorao looked at Tan Tai Yun Yi and said respectfully. Tan Tai Yun Yi shook his head and said, "It's okay, I just don't want to see you being harassed by them. After all, you have helped me before."

"Well! That day was just an accident, but today, Your Highness took the initiative to help me. Situ Yaorao will remember this kindness in her heart." Situ Yaorao looked at the man and said seriously.

"If you really remember it in your heart, why not promise me one thing." Tan Tai Yun Yi looked at Situ Yao Rao and said softly.

"Your Highness, please speak." Situ Yaorao said hurriedly.

Tantai Yunyi hesitated for a moment and said, "The Crown Prince has been very close to you recently."

"Crown Prince? There is no relationship between me and the crown prince." Situ Yaorao looked at the man and explained seriously.

"I believe this. If there was anything going on between you and the Crown Prince, he would have come here today instead of hiding. But... it's precisely because of this that I want to ask you for this favor." Tantai Yunyi looked at Situ Yaorao, his eyes deep and filled with sadness. "In this world, many things are beyond one's control. If one day, for various reasons, you really end up with the Crown Prince, don't hate him, because he doesn't want to hurt you."

"Did the prince ask you to tell me these words?" Situ Yaorao frowned.

"No, I just don't want any unresolved misunderstandings between you and the Crown Prince. So, I'd like you to agree first," Tantai Yunyi said softly, looking at Situ Yaorao. Situ Yaorao shook her head and said, "I'm sorry, I can't agree to this. No one can guarantee what will happen next. If the Crown Prince does something that makes me hate him, I will never forgive him and will pursue him until I die. So, I apologize, Your Highness." Situ Yaorao bowed.

"That's fine. I didn't expect you to agree to this. This is just an unreasonable request from me." Tantai Yunyi smiled, and his smile was so casual that Situ Yaorao couldn't help but suspect that he had deliberately made such a request that she couldn't agree to, and then gave her this favor for free.

Thinking of this, Situ Yaorao couldn't help but remain silent.

"Miss Situ, I'm new here at General Situ's Mansion. Please show me around here." Tan Tai Yun Yi looked at Situ Yao Rao and said lightly. Situ Yao Rao was stunned when she heard this, then said, "Ah? Oh, okay, I'll show you around." With that, Situ Yao Rao took Tan Tai Yun Yi and began to walk around every corner of the Situ family home.

There are many beautiful places in the Situ family, some of which are even unknown to Situ Yaorao herself.

Therefore, Situ Yaorao only took him for a stroll around her Yaorao Pavilion.

"This is the back mountain of the Situ family. No one outside the Situ family is allowed to enter here. In fact, even I can't enter." Situ Yaorao stood in front of the back mountain and sighed slightly.

I learned about this mountain two days ago. Lian'er let it slip when we were chatting.

Then, she became interested in this mountain. It was said that on full-moon nights, a sad sound of a zither could be heard from here. It was also said that a beautiful young man lived on this mountain, while others said that a demon, transformed into a spirit, actually lived there.

There are many theories, but I have to say that this place is really strange, because it is a forbidden place for everyone.

"Miss Situ brought me here, didn't she want me to take you in?" How clever was Tan Tai Yun Yi? Hearing Situ Yaorao's words, he naturally guessed what she meant. Situ Yaorao nodded without pretense, saying, "That's right. This is the Situ family's forbidden area. I want to go in, but if I'm caught going in alone, I might even be executed. But if I go in with the prince, it's different. My father won't do anything to the prince, and naturally, he won't do anything to me either."

"But...why would I risk General Situ's dislike by going in?" Tantai Yunyi looked at Situ Yaorao and smiled faintly. This smile was so casual, yet it also revealed a sense of alienation.

Situ Yaorao frowned when she heard this, and after thinking for a moment, she said, "To the best of my ability, I will help His Majesty do one thing."

"In that case, it's not impossible to go in. After all, I'm still a little curious about the Situ family's forbidden area. Let's go." After Tan Tai Yun Yi finished speaking, he really stepped into the back mountain without caring about Situ Yaorao's surprise.

"Is this really a forbidden area?" Tan Tai Yun Yi asked after entering the back mountain. Situ Yao Rao nodded and said, "It should be correct."

"Then we have to be more careful." Tan Tai Yun Yi said this very seriously.

"What do you mean?" Situ Yaorao was puzzled.

"This prince loves all kinds of secret places, including the secret realms of Lanlin, and I have been to many of them. Those places, as long as they are considered forbidden areas, will have many mechanisms or be guarded by many people.

"There's no one guarding this place right now, and we haven't found the mechanism yet. This situation isn't uncommon. However... when I encounter this situation, I usually won't continue on." Tantai Yunyi said calmly.

"Please give me your instructions, Your Highness." Situ Yaorao also frowned.

"It's very simple. This situation only means that the owner doesn't need it. Even if you can see such a treasure, you can't take it away. And although we don't know what's in this back mountain, it's probably because General Situ is not worried about it being taken away, so this place is unguarded."

Tan Tai Yun Yi's words made Situ Yaorao silent for a moment. Indeed, if this forbidden area was not too dangerous, there would be people left here to guard it.

Or maybe... this was all part of her scumbag father's scheme? Thinking of this, Situ Yaorao became even more conflicted. She was simply curious about what was here, but if her curiosity put her life in danger, it would be too much of a loss. Should she not go? Tantai Yunyi had already followed her, so it would be a shame for her to give up now. Thinking of this, Situ Yaorao couldn't help but feel conflicted.

And at this moment, someone had already made a decision for her.

However, this person was not Tantai Yunyi. Instead, it was...

A gentle breeze lingered as Tan Tai Yun Yi surveyed the mist ahead. Situ Yao Rao stood beside him, debating whether to go in. At that moment, the mist suddenly parted, enveloping both Situ Yao Rao and Tan Tai Yun Yi.