Repeatedly broken branches

Zhou Tingxi's subordinate, Song Jie, led a team to search Qingliu Pavilion, where Ye Wanwan was located, as ordered.

When they arrived, Ye Wanwan was calmly drinking tea. After a brief greeting, Song Jie led his men to search her room thoroughly for a long time, but they found nothing.

Xiao Mu didn't want her to find anything. People aren't stupid; they wouldn't be willing to use their real names to poison someone. After poisoning someone, they would definitely destroy the poison. Besides, so many people handled the medicine; who knows who tampered with it?

She just wanted to break the trust between Zhou Tingxi and Ye Wanwan. Trust is a fragile thing; once a crack appears, it is very difficult to mend.

Tonight is the night of the full moon, and the system wasn't lying; it did indeed appear.

"Xiao Mu, you've been doing quite well with your recent missions. Is there anything you'd like to ask me?"

Xiao Mu asked, "When can I go back? What did the original owner want me to do with Zhou Tingxi? Did she want me to fall in love with her, or did she want him to stay alive even though he was going to die sooner or later?"

The system said, "As for Zhou Tingxi, let's just make him die a horrible death. The same goes for Ye Wanwan. Our main task is to be with the second male lead. The original owner regrets not being with the second male lead, but she doesn't know where he is now. She didn't say who he is either. Several more boys will appear in the future, and you must find the second male lead!"

Xiao Mu was speechless. "I don't even know who that is, how am I supposed to find them?"

The system chuckled and said, "Fate is predetermined. There will always be traces when he appears, so Xiao Mu, you must do your best to complete the mission! Ah... I'm out of energy, the system has to go now... See you next month."

Xiao Mu said angrily, "You stinky system, all you do is give me difficult problems, what else can you do?"

Little Spoon brought in the clothes for tomorrow. She scratched her head and asked suspiciously, "Princess, who were you talking to just now?"

Xiao Mu waved her hand and said, "You must have misheard. How could anyone be talking to me? Xiao Shao, you can go down now. I'm sleepy and I'm going to rest."

Xiao Shao put down the clothes and went out.

Xiao Mu tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. Her mind was filled with thoughts of who the second male lead was and how he should appear soon.

She seemed to remember the system saying that the original owner felt very sorry for the second male lead. Why did she feel sorry for the second male lead?

Ouch, my head hurts.

"Princess, Princess, wake up! Today is the Empress Dowager's birthday, you can't be late!" Xiao Shao patted Xiao Mu's leg.

Xiao Mu turned over and continued sleeping.

"Princess!"

"Ah!" Xiao Mu cried out in panic. She was dreaming about going out with the second male lead, and she was just a little bit away from seeing his face!

Little Spoon waved the clothes she was to wear that day in front of Xiao Mu and said, "Princess, hurry up and change! We're running out of time!"

Xiao Mu gave up, quickly washed up, and then sat in front of the mirror, letting Xiao Shao do her hair.

Getting dressed is as tiring as fighting a battle. It took forever, tying things up here, pulling things up there, tucking things in here, and finally, I was dressed.

Xiao Mu stood up and twirled in front of the mirror. She was wearing a pale yellow silk dress with gold embroidery of lilies. Xiao Shao had styled her hair into a flying fairy bun and adorned it with a pair of five-phoenix gold and jade hairpins. She also wore a pair of white jade earrings. Her hair bun revealed her snow-white neck, and the pale yellow color made her look playful and cute.

The birthday banquet was boring for her. Everyone was trying to curry favor with the Empress Dowager, and everyone's birthday wishes were different. Xiao Mu sat at her desk eating fruit. Unfortunately, Ye Wanwan couldn't come to such a scene, otherwise she would have had some fun.

She doesn't understand art appreciation. The songs and dances made her yawn, but she still had to force herself to keep watching, which was a kind of torture.

"The Fifth Prince of Lin Yue Kingdom has come to present the Kingdom's congratulatory gifts to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."

"pass."

"Summon the Fifth Prince of Lin Yue Kingdom to an audience!"

Xiao Mu propped her head up and watched as the gate slowly opened. A young man dressed in a moon-colored silk robe embroidered with vine patterns walked in. The young man had fine eyebrows and handsome eyes, and was so striking that he seemed otherworldly. Upon seeing him, Xiao Mu immediately perked up.

Could this be the second male lead? Haha, he appeared pretty quickly, and he's so handsome. The original owner of this body is so lucky.

The young man bowed to the Empress Dowager, and a servant behind him brought out a longevity flower carved from white jade. The young man said, "Your Majesty, this longevity flower is carved by my own hand. It is made of rare white jade. Although white jade is not hard to find, it is very difficult to find such a large piece of white jade. This is a birthday gift from Cifeng to you. I hope Your Majesty will like it."

The Empress Dowager was naturally pleased and, after accepting the gift, offered Ruan Cifeng a seat.

Ruan Cifeng sat down next to Xiao Mu, who smiled and asked, "My name is Xia Yunzhi, what's your name?"

"My name is Ruan Cifeng."

"Oh, nice to meet you!"

Xiao Mu didn't know what to say, so she whispered to Ruan Cifeng, "I'll take you somewhere, come with me!"

Ruan Cifeng was astonished. This girl was far too familiar with him. This was only their first meeting, and she was already telling him to go out?

Xiao Mu urged, "Hurry up!"

Ruan Cifeng followed closely behind and they secretly slipped out together.

Zhou Tingxi called out to Xiao Mu, asking in confusion, "Princess, where are you going?"

Xiao Mu ignored him and secretly went out with Ruan Cifeng.

"Phew, I'm free!"

Xiao Mu stretched lazily, her starry eyes turning slightly as her gaze fell on Ruan Cifeng. She slowly asked, "Have we met before?"

Ruan Cifeng shook his head. "This is my first time in Chen Kingdom. What's wrong, young lady?"

That's strange. They've never seen him before. Is this the second male lead?

"I just feel like you remind me of someone I used to know."

Xiao Mu, Xiao Mu, why would you use such an old-fashioned way to start a conversation?

Ruan Cifeng's interest was piqued, her eyes sparkling with clarity. "Does your old friend look a lot like me?"

How would I know? I'm new here too!

Xiao Mu shook her head. "I have something to do, I'll go now!"

Ruan Cifeng chuckled softly. What an interesting girl. I hope to see her again next time.