Holding the script, I want to give up.

"Ah Li, is the mission complete?"

[Task completed, rewards accumulating.]

Please continue with the mission—assassinate Huangfu Hongxi.

"Let's wait a little longer. I'll find a suitable opportunity. Don't rush."

I'm level 60 now. I'll help you.

"!!!"

"I'm curious, since you merged her system, what happened to her?"

[How can there be two systems and two mission takers in one world if one person has become an ordinary person?]

"so?"

You're no longer cannon fodder; you're now one of the main characters.

[A mayfly trying to shake a giant tree, host, keep going!]

"I need to do Sister Liu's romance quest. Do I look like someone who would romance someone?"

[The task can only be checked when it reaches 80% progress.]

"...Isn't it just an insinuation that I talk too much?"

【…】

Seeing that Huangfu Hongxi probably wouldn't come again, Shangguan Zitong took off her heavy clothes, removed her hair ornaments, and finished removing her makeup before going to bed and falling fast asleep.

......

Meanwhile, inside Song Yao's bedroom.

"Yaoyao, what's wrong with you?"

Upon hearing the news, Huangfu Hongxi rushed over to see his beloved.

"Isn't Your Highness asking a question you already know the answer to?"

Song Yao said shyly.

He had just finished drinking the nuptial wine with Huangfu Hongxi when a eunuch came to urge him to go to the Crown Princess's place. How could she not be anxious?

"It's my fault for making you wait so long."

Huangfu Hongxi held her hand and said.

"No, Your Highness, I am willing to wait no matter how long it takes."

Song Yao's eyes were filled with starlight.

"I'm sorry to have wronged you. When I sit on that supreme position, I will grant you the title of Empress."

Huangfu Hongxi said tenderly.

"Yes, Your Highness, we await your arrival."

The red candles flickered, the bed curtains swayed slightly, and the shadows of people inside the tent intertwined as they embarked on a passionate lovemaking adventure.

The next day.

Huangfu Hongxi walked out of Song Yao's bedroom with a radiant smile, while Song Yao slept until the sun was high in the sky.

Song Yao should have been the one to pay her respects to Shangguan Zitong, but Huangfu Hongxi felt sorry for her. As long as he was alive, she wouldn't need to pay her respects to Shangguan Zitong.

This saved Shangguan Zitong a lot of trouble.

Huangfu Hongxi brought Shangguan Zitong to the palace to pay their respects to the Northern Emperor and Empress.

"The Crown Princess should know what she should and shouldn't say. Does she need me to remind her?"

Before getting into the carriage, Huangfu Hongxi turned around and asked her.

"Well, I know that without you telling me."

Shangguan Zitong said irritably.

Seeing how obedient she was, Huangfu Hongxi wanted to help her into the carriage, but Shangguan Zitong acted as if she didn't see him at all and indifferently got into the carriage on her own.

Huangfu Hongxi was dressed in a black brocade robe, while Shangguan Zitong wore a begonia-red stand-up collar shirt.

In the Qianqing Palace.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty and Your Majesty."

Shangguan Zitong and Huangfu Hongxi bowed simultaneously.

"No need for formalities, please take a seat and have some tea."

The Northern Emperor was pleased with the way.

The two sat side by side. One was dressed in black, the other in red; the contrast was striking.

"Your Highness, you and your sister are practically identical."

The Empress looked at Shangguan Zitong, who was seated below her, as if hinting at something.

"Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty. My sister and I are born of the same mother, so it is natural that we look alike."

Shangguan Zitong put down her tea set. Wasn't this just stating the obvious, or was there another meaning behind it? Were they all trying to tell her she wouldn't live much longer? Or was she mistaken?

The conversation consisted of ordinary, everyday talk, but Shangguan Zitong had no interest in listening to these polite words of fatherly love and filial piety; her thoughts had already drifted to how she would live her life in the future.

"My son, please retire."

Huangfu Hongxi pulled Shangguan Zitong to bow, and as her thoughts returned, she also followed suit and gave Bei Ji a light bow.

Seeing that she was still in a state of confusion, Huangfu Hongxi took his men back to the Crown Prince's residence.

Inside the Prince's Mansion.

"Go back to your palace by yourself. I have important matters to attend to."

Huangfu Hongxi said as soon as he stepped into the Crown Prince's residence.

"...Um."

"I'd love to have you, really. Who cares about you?" Shang Guan Zitong thought to herself.

"You really haven't changed at all."

Huangfu Hongxi sighed.

"Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness."

Shangguan Zitong walked on without looking back.

She walked alone to the big tree outside the palace, and was filled with emotion as she looked at the scene of the withered tree coming back to life.

Suddenly, a sword was held to her neck.

"Hero, put down your sword and let's talk this out. I have plenty of money, enough for you to live comfortably for the rest of your life."

Shangguan Zitong raised both hands above her head in a gesture of surrender.

Holy crap, who is this person? Such incredible internal energy, and they hid it so well; even someone with her sharp hearing couldn't detect them. Shangguan Zitong was already a little scared.

The man lightly tilted his sword and grazed her neck. His control was perfect; there was no bleeding, it was merely a scare tactic.

"Great hero, spare my life! Whatever you want, I will find it for you even if it costs me my life."

Shangguan Zitong had already begun to tremble slightly; her heart couldn't take such a shock.

“It’s me. Mu Rongyi Ke.”

Mu Rongyi put down the sword in his hand and turned her around to face him.

"Damn it, you're terrifying."

Shangguan Zitong clutched her chest and said.

"Stop talking nonsense, where did you hide her?"

Mu Rongyi knew she was cursing him but didn't care; the most important thing right now was to find Liu Yunwan.

"I do not know."

"Really? You just ignored everything I told you?"

"No, I really wouldn't dare to steal her system."

"Then you're just asking for trouble."

As Mu Rongyi spoke, she pressed the square box in her hand.

Why aren't you covering your feet? Doesn't it hurt?

Unconvinced, Mu Rongyi pressed the button a few more times, but when she still got no response, she began to doubt herself, wondering if it had been unused for too long and was broken.

That's outrageous. I'd rather suspect Fang He than Shangguan Zitong.

"Hehe, it doesn't hurt at all. Do you want to guess why?"

Shangguan Zitong took a few steps back and made a face.

"By the way, the curse you planted on me is gone. From now on, you can no longer threaten me. Let's see what you can do to me."

Shangguan Zitong continued to act cheekily.

"Is it your system that's back?"

Mu Rongyi said expressionlessly.

"Damn, don't be too smart."

Shangguan Zitong exclaimed in shock.

"So, can you tell me where she is?"

"No comment. Who told you to treat her like that? You deserve to be unable to find her."

"...you..."

Mu Rongyi's fist hardened, but since she needed to ask for a favor, she had to back down.

"First of all, let me clarify that she didn't want to run away; she just wanted to take me out of there."

"I felt that her life was too hard, so I took it upon myself to knock her unconscious and send her out of the palace to hide her."

"I believe that sincerity will move mountains, and you will eventually find her; it's just a matter of time."

"Don't blame her after you find her."

For Liu Yunwan's sake, Shangguan Zitong felt it was necessary to say something. After all, she also wanted to see the "wife-chasing-after-the-crimson" scenario.

"Okay, I understand."

After finishing her sentence, Mu Rongyi was about to leave to continue her search for Liu Yunwan.

"Hey, wait a minute, I have a question for you, and only you can answer it."

Shangguan Zitong quickly stepped on Mu Rongyi's skirt, which was falling to the ground behind her.

Mu Rongyi was speechless and turned around.

"Ask quickly."

How do you distinguish between roses and Chinese roses?

"I don't grow flowers."

"No, what I mean is, Song Yao saved you first, so why don't you like her like Huangfu Hongxi does? Instead, you're interested in Sister Liu?"

Shangguan Zitong couldn't help but ask curiously.

“I have lived a second life, so I can naturally tell the difference. However, she has indeed been kind to me, and as long as she does not harm people who are important to me, I will not hurt her.”

"You couldn't see through her little tricks before, but now you can. Are you satisfied with this answer?"

Seeing that she was genuinely confused, Mu Rongyi kindly explained the reason to her.

"Oh, I see. You may leave now."

Shangguan Zitong suddenly realized.

"...You and Sister Liu are quite similar in some ways."

After Mu Rongyi finished speaking, she left.

"Oh dear~ Sister Liu~"

Shangguan Zitong's face broke into a long-lost auntie smile.

"Alright, Ahri, now that you've asked him, it's your turn."

[Host, you asked.]

"Why can you take on a physical form and have a physical body?"

[The host does not currently have permission to query.]

"...So when I got drunk in Merlin, you were the one who took me home, weren't you?"

【How do you know? 】

"I did drink, but I didn't completely black out! I still have some recollection, just a very vague one."

If it's blurry, then it's not me.

『...』

Sooner or later, she will make the system acknowledge her.

"Ah Li, do you have any crash courses on palace intrigue? Sign me up, I really need one."

【none. 】

"A 'best of' booklet is fine too, I'm not picky."

[Host's intelligence is detected to be offline; unable to provide you with this type of intellectually stimulating service.]

"...You're so aloof."

Shangguan Zitong was furious when she saw the system's roundabout implication that she was not smart enough and not suitable for palace intrigue.

"No one is born knowing everything; everyone has to learn gradually. Can't you just be kind enough to do something about it?"

"If I don't watch out, I definitely won't be able to beat Song Yao. What will you do if I kill her then?"

"We're in this together, Ahri, you need to think this through."

"Fine, my ancestor, I'll give it to you, okay?"

A small booklet appeared in Shangguan Zitong's hand.

Thank you. You're so kind.

【…】

......