A five-year-old goddess, raised to become an emperor for all time through a bronze mirror.

Pei Yunjing helped Niannian up, maintaining a gentle expression on his face, but in his heart he began to plan every move next.

He knew that arranging for Nian Nian to stay in the study was not only for planning purposes, but also so that he could use her at crucial moments.

"Get up, Niannian." Pei Yunjing's voice was still gentle, but it carried a hint of command. "I will have someone arrange things in the study; you just need to do your job."

Every year, she stood up, tears of gratitude still streaming down her face. She nodded emphatically, indicating that she understood.

Pei Yunjing turned to leave the palace. Before leaving, he glanced at the phoenix bronze mirror again, his eyes seemingly telling Nian Nian that everything was under control.

Niannian secretly breathed a sigh of relief in front of the mirror.

She knew that every action and every word Pei Yunjing made was in accordance with their pre-arranged plan.

Now, it all depends on how well each year performs, whether she can successfully integrate into the study, and whether she can attract the attention of the person lurking in the shadows.

Inside the bedchamber, the atmosphere suddenly became quiet after Pei Yunjing left.

Standing in the same spot year after year, her heart was filled with mixed emotions. She knew that her fate would henceforth be closely intertwined with that of the Sixth Prince, and whether it brought fortune or misfortune, she had to keep going.

Soon after, a palace maid came in and tidied up Niannian, changed her into clean clothes, and simply wiped the soot off her face.

Looking at herself in the mirror every year, a resolute glint flashed in her eyes. She knew that from now on, she could no longer be a palace maid at the mercy of others. She had to have her own plans, and even if it was just for survival, she had to become stronger.

During her time in the study, Nian Nian behaved very cautiously, diligently learning the etiquette and knowledge expected of a page.

Pei Yunjing would occasionally offer her some pointers, but most of the time, he was busy with his own affairs.

Meanwhile, Niannian was secretly observing Niannian's every move and every interaction with people.

She waited for the hidden enemy to make a mistake, and for the next step of the plan to unfold.

Time flowed slowly through the palace, and this game of power, intrigue, and survival had only just begun.

Nian Nian, Pei Yun Jing, and Nian Nian are all pieces on a chessboard, and the ultimate victor will hold the fate of everyone in his hands.

Niannian dared not be careless. She immediately returned to Pei Yunjing's study and told him what she had seen and heard. Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Pei Yunjing's eyes. He stood up and decided to personally meet Niannian.

In the abandoned palace, Pei Yunjing and Niannian found Niannian, but the man in black had vanished. When Niannian saw Pei Yunjing, her face turned pale, and her body trembled uncontrollably.

Pei Yunjing looked coldly at Niannian: "Niannian, do you have anything else to say?"

She decided to secretly follow Niannian to see what she would do.

Sure enough, the next night, under the cover of darkness, Niannian quietly left her residence and went to a secluded corner.

Niannian followed closely behind, and saw Nian Nian light the letter on fire in a secluded place. The flames quickly engulfed the words on the paper.

Seeing this, Niannian's heart tightened. She knew that Niannian's actions were definitely to destroy evidence and prevent the secret from being leaked. But this also meant that Niannian might not be someone they could trust.

In the days that followed, Niannian paid even closer attention to Niannian's movements, and Pei Yunjing seemed to have also noticed the strangeness in the study, and his attitude toward Niannian began to subtly change.

The palace intrigue intensifies, with everyone wearing masks and harboring secrets. When will the final truth finally surface?

What kind of ending will the intertwining of Niannian, Pei Yunjing, and Niannian's individual goals and plans create within this deep palace? All of this remains to be seen.

The days passed slowly within the palace walls. Year after year, she became more and more familiar with Pei Yunjing's study, her demeanor became more and more proper, and she became more and more adept at handling affairs.

Pei Yunjing seemed quite satisfied with her performance, and would occasionally discuss poetry and songs with her in his spare time, which gradually stirred up some inexplicable feelings in Nian Nian's heart.

Meanwhile, Niannian continued to observe from the shadows. She noticed that although Niannian had gradually adapted to her new identity, there was still a deep sense of wariness and unease in her eyes.

Niannian knew that Niannian was not just a simple palace maid; there must be a secret behind her.

One day, as night fell, the lights in the palace were extinguished one by one, except for Pei Yunjing's study, where the light was still on.

Every year, as usual, she was organizing books in her study when suddenly she discovered a book that looked ordinary but was unusually heavy.

Driven by curiosity, she gently opened the book and discovered a thin sheet of paper hidden inside.

Every year she knew something was wrong, but she couldn't help unfolding the letter. There were several lines of densely packed small characters on it, which seemed to be some kind of code.

Just as she was about to take a closer look, she heard light footsteps outside the door. Niannian quickly hid the letter back in the book, pretending nothing had happened.

The door was gently pushed open, and Pei Yunjing walked in. His gaze swept around the study before finally landing on Nian Nian.

He seemed oblivious to anything amiss, simply saying, "It's late, you should get some rest too."

Nian Nian responded with a sound of agreement, bowed her head, and withdrew.

But a storm raged within her. The contents of the letter and Pei Yunjing's sudden appearance late at night made her uneasy.

Niannian witnessed all of this from the shadows, and she knew that this letter was likely a key element of the plan.

Nian Nian decided to take action.

She couldn't let the secret of this letter be buried like this, nor could she let the suspicious behavior of each year continue without being exposed.

The next day, she found an opportunity and, under the pretense of delivering tea, entered Pei Yunjing's study.

"Your Highness, last night I saw that Nian Nian seemed to have made a discovery in the study. Her behavior was unusual. I wonder if Your Highness noticed anything?" Nian Nian reported to Pei Yun Jing in a low voice.

Pei Yunjing frowned slightly. He put down his pen, pondered for a moment, and then replied, "I understand. Continue to monitor her, but don't alert her. I need solid evidence to expose her true colors."

Niannian accepted the order and left the study, but her curiosity about Niannian's true identity only grew stronger. She began to pay closer attention to Niannian's every move, trying to find any possible flaws.

That night, Niannian once again quietly left her residence under the cover of darkness.

Niannian followed closely behind and discovered that Niannian did not go to the secluded corner where the letters had been burned, but instead headed towards an abandoned palace in the palace.

Nian Nian followed cautiously, and saw that after Nian Nian entered the palace, she met a figure in black.

Niannian held her breath, trying not to make a sound. She overheard fragments of Niannian's conversation with the man in black: