Genius in the whole system: The useless young lady dominates the world

Cuizhu Mountain Villa is built against the mountain and surrounded by bamboo forests. It is shrouded in clouds and mist all year round, like a fairyland. Deep in the villa, an exquisite bamboo building is hidden among the green bamboo. In front of the building, a woman in green stands quietly. She is the owner of the villa, Zhu Qingying.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her skin like solidified cream, and her clear eyes seemed to hold endless wisdom. At this moment, she was gazing at the distant, undulating mountains, her expression calm, yet carrying a hint of barely perceptible worry.

In the distance, a series of noisy footsteps broke the tranquility of the manor. Zhu Qingying frowned slightly and turned around. She saw dozens of golden-armored guards striding into the manor with a menacing air. The leader, dressed in a black robe with a sinister face, was none other than Zhao Wuji, the steward of the city lord's manor.

"Zhu Qingying!" Zhao Wuji drawled, his tone filled with undisguised contempt. "The city lord has ordered that a wanted criminal has infiltrated Green Bamboo Manor today, and we are ordered to search for him!"

Zhu Qingying gently touched her forehead, a faint smile playing on her lips. Her tone was neither humble nor arrogant, "Steward Zhao, our Cuizhu Manor has always been known for its benevolent healers and its peaceful nature. For your esteemed residence to make such a fuss today is surely unbecoming."

Zhao Wuji sneered, a cold glint in his eyes. "Stop putting on airs! The city lord himself sensed the spatial fluctuations in this direction. If you know what's good for you, you'd better cooperate!"

Zhu Qingying's gaze turned slightly cold, yet she maintained her elegant demeanor. "Spatial fluctuations? Steward Zhao, are you joking? My manor is located in a remote area, how could..."

"The evidence is irrefutable, there's no room for your sophistry!" Zhao Wuji rudely interrupted her, "Search!"

Upon hearing this, the golden-armored guards immediately scattered to search the manor. Seeing this, Zhu Qingying touched the jade flute at her waist, a sly glint in her eyes.

At this moment, inside the bamboo building, Lu Lingxi, Nalan Rongzhi, and Qinglong were holding their breath, listening to the commotion outside. Just as Nalan Rongzhi was about to get up, a hoarse but gentle voice suddenly rang out: "The three of you, come with me."

An elderly man in gray robes appeared silently before them. He lightly tapped the bamboo wall with his finger, and a hidden door quietly opened. The three exchanged glances and followed the old man into the secret passage without hesitation.

The secret passage was deep and winding, damp and cold, with a faint medicinal fragrance in the air. The old man moved with light steps, as if he knew the terrain like the back of his hand.

"Who is this senior?" Nalan Rongzhi couldn't help but ask.

The old man smiled slightly, did not answer, and simply continued walking forward.

Outside, Zhu Qingying had already started playing the jade flute. The flute's sound was clear and melodious, yet it carried an indescribable eeriness. As the flute's sound began, the bamboo forest around the manor began to sway gracefully, making a soft "rustling" sound. A layer of light blue mist gradually spread out, enveloping the entire manor.

Zhao Wuji felt that the scene before him was sometimes bright and sometimes dark, with bamboo shadows swaying all around, layer upon layer, making it difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion, as if he were in a dream.

"Damn it!" Zhao Wuji cursed under his breath, a sense of unease rising within him. "Search! Find the person hiding here!"

The golden-armored guards rushed into the bamboo forest, only to find themselves disoriented, each step feeling like they were going in circles.

In the secret passage, the old man led the three to a secluded cave. The cave was filled with the fragrance of herbs, and various rare medicinal materials were neatly arranged, resembling a small medicine storehouse.

"This is our manor's medicine cellar, where we store some precious medicinal herbs that are extremely difficult for outsiders to find." The old man took out three crystal-clear pills. "These are Mind-Clearing and Spirit-Calming Pills, which can help you restore your vitality."

Nalan Rongzhi accepted the pill with a solemn expression, "Thank you for your help, senior. However, we do not wish to implicate your esteemed estate..."

A glint of wisdom flashed in the old man's eyes. "We have a long history of conflict with the city lord's mansion. Moreover, those who can survive the spatial rift are no ordinary people. I believe that one day, you will all make that city lord taste the bitter fruit."

Outside the cave, the sound of the flute faded, the illusion array dissipated, and Zhao Wuji, leading his disheveled guards, slunk away. Before leaving, he glared fiercely at Zhu Qingying, "You'd better pray we don't find any evidence, otherwise..."

"Otherwise what?" Zhu Qingying raised an eyebrow, her voice as cold as frost. "Steward Zhao, please go back and give my regards to the city lord."

As night deepened, a bright moon hung high in the sky. Zhu Qingying stood alone on the bamboo building, gazing into the distance. Suddenly, she sensed something amiss and turned around abruptly, only to find a man in black standing behind her.

The man was tall and slender with a handsome face, but he had a slightly wicked smile on his face. The moonlight shining on him added to his mystery.

"Who are you?" Zhu Qingying was startled and instinctively gripped the jade flute in her hand.

The man chuckled lightly, his tone tinged with a hint of mockery, "My name is Ye Wuhen. I have long admired the name of Zhu Qingying of Cuizhu Manor, and have come to pay my respects today."

Zhu Qingying became even more wary. This person's origins were unknown, and his appearance was so strange that he was definitely not a good person.

"Night Without a Trace..." Zhu Qingying murmured the name, but had no recollection of it. "What brings you here so late at night?"

Ye Wuhen's smile deepened, his gaze lingering on her with a hint of aggression. "I've heard that Master Zhu is an expert in music. I also have some knowledge of music. May I ask for your guidance?"

Zhu Qingying sneered inwardly. This man clearly had ulterior motives. She took a step back without making a sound, creating distance between herself and the man. "Young Master Ye, you flatter me. I only know a little bit about this and dare not show off my limited knowledge in front of an expert."

Ye Wuhen pressed on relentlessly, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes. "Why is Master Zhu so modest? Besides seeking guidance on music, I have another request to make today."

"What is it?" Zhu Qingying asked warily.

Ye Wuhen suddenly moved closer to her and whispered in her ear, "I would like to borrow something from the master..." His voice was deep and magnetic, with a hint of danger.

Zhu Qingying felt a chill run down her spine and instinctively tried to dodge, but found herself locked in place by the man's aura and unable to move.