As the banquet drew to a close, the System prompted that Side Mission One was completed and asked whether to submit it.
The moment Ling Xiao agreed, 18888 cheered excitedly in her mind:
“The first phase of the mission is complete—leaving a stunning impression on the target. Well, Host, you were certainly stunning.”
The System remarked subtly, so stunning that the Emperor might even dream of this ghostly doll from time to time this month.
“The reward is 800 System Points, along with a palace intrigue beauty item: the Rejuvenation Pill.”
The Rejuvenation Pill, true to its name, restores the skin to the glow of an eighteen-year-old with a baby-like radiance and refines the facial features.
Such a pill is incredibly rare, with an extremely low drop rate!
The System cackled wildly, causing the possessed jade orb to tremble. “Hurry up and repay the System Points you borrowed from me! Remember, nine out, thirteen in!”
“Wait, what are you doing?”
Ling Xiao swiftly borrowed 800 points to purchase the basic Illusion Skills, without a moment’s hesitation.
Ridiculous—how could she possibly repay the debt?
Not only would she not repay it, but she would also borrow more! One could say she had truly mastered the essence of a deadbeat.
Annoyed by the System’s screams, Ling Xiao casually handed the jade orb to the peeping Li Yue.
The little girl acted as if discarding an unwanted toy, and the jade orb ended up in the Emperor’s hands.
The inexplicably trembling orb gave off an eerie feeling, especially after confirming its owner was a ghost from the underworld. Who knew what sinister thing this was?
Li Yue’s smile froze, and he dared not grip the jade orb tightly, resisting it as if holding a fireball.
No, even a fireball would be better than this!
“Aunt, this… is your beloved item, isn’t it? Your nephew dare not accept it.”
Ling Xiao, who had been contemplating the Rejuvenation Pill, looked up, her dark eyes fixed directly on the Emperor.
She cracked a smile, thinking to herself that he had brought this fright upon himself, and said:
“This eyeball isn’t my beloved item. I have plenty more. This one is too noisy, so you can hold onto it for now.”
“Eyeball… what?!”
Li Yue suddenly realized what Ling Xiao had just said, his face paling and his lips twitching uncontrollably.
It seemed as if he might vomit at any moment, and he quickly covered his mouth with his left hand.
His right hand still stubbornly held the jade orb, even as it contorted into a claw-like shape.
Anyone witnessing this scene would have to admit that the Emperor was obedient and filial toward his aunt.
Empress Wen was already on the verge of tears, biting her red lips and lowering her head to hide her resentment.
Wang Yi’s heart was in his throat, filled with worry. His Majesty had been a prodigy since childhood and had never suffered such humiliation.
Even if the imperial family had wronged the Princess of Qin, this… this shouldn’t…
Well, Your Majesty, circumstances are stronger than people. You must endure this!
Receiving the Prime Minister’s meaningful glance, Li Yue felt utterly wretched, goosebumps breaking out all over his body.
He was an Emperor who had been on the battlefield and seen bloodshed. Ordinary gore didn’t faze him, but an eyeball?
Slimy, bloody, and seemingly warm to the touch…
No, he couldn’t hold back the urge to vomit.
“If you dare vomit, I’ll shove this eyeball into your mouth. It’ll even burst with juice when you crunch it.”
Ling Xiao rested her chin on her hands, her fair, tender cheeks squished adorably, but her words sent a chill down everyone’s spine.
No one doubted her words. Li Yue quickly regained his composure, forcing a smile uglier than a grimace. “Aunt, you exaggerate. I’ll keep it safe.”
With that, he slowly tucked the jade orb into his robes.
The Emperor endured humiliation and hardship, earning the heartfelt sympathy and admiration of his ministers, concubines, and relatives.
In the end, the jade pearl was still reclaimed by Ling Xiao. After the banquet, 18888, who had just experienced the System’s cheat code only to be threatened with being given away, cautiously asked:
“Host, why did you scare the Emperor? To solidify your persona?”
“That’s part of the reason. Have you heard of obedience testing?”
18888 thought for a moment before replying, “That method of manipulating others?” How risqué.
Ling Xiao lay comfortably on the bright yellow cushion. Truly, the imperial sedan chair yielded by the Emperor, her nephew, was exceptionally comfortable. She crossed her legs and said:
“Exactly. It’s about using words and actions to demand someone do something they’re unwilling to do, thereby testing their obedience—a traditional skill of capitalists.”
“You forgot what your mission is, didn’t you? To become a favored concubine! Not to train the Emperor.”
18888 was bewildered and slightly embarrassed. Could it be that this Host intended to… But it was still a pure and innocent System!
“Come on, I’m a suddenly appearing female ghost. I’ve scared them for now, but these are the most cunning people in the world. They’ll surely go back and think about how to use me for their own gain. Who can I rely on?”
“The Emperor?”
“Exactly!” Ling Xiao raised both feet and clapped. “I’m still surnamed Li, and I’ve revealed the existence of the Underworld Dynasty. The Emperor will definitely protect me. Given that, shouldn’t I test his limits?”
“So devious—oh, I mean, clever,” 18888 sighed, feeling a strange sense of security.
“Mhm,” Ling Xiao laughed freely and happily. In truth, the most important reason was that she enjoyed it.
The crisp laughter of a young girl carried outside the sedan chair. The eunuchs carrying it trembled, their teeth chattering. Though they were seasoned bearers, cold sweat streamed down uncontrollably.
Fengyang Palace was located along the central axis of the imperial palace, not far away, and they arrived quickly.
The sedan chair stopped. Palace maids and eunuchs knelt on the ground, not daring to urge the occupant to come out.
Ling Xiao stretched lazily and shook her head. “That’s why I prefer being above others. If you can make others kneel, why kneel yourself?”
18888 felt somewhat awkward. If it had listened to its advice and entered the palace as a concubine, a low-ranking concubine would be at everyone’s mercy.
It stiffly changed the subject. “Look… we’ve completed another mission!”
The System was astonished and checked again in disbelief. Indeed, a new mission had been completed.
“Oh, then open it and take a look.”
“Mission requirement: Enter the imperial harem and secure a place within it, drawing the attention of all concubines.
Progress: Completed.”
18888 hurriedly opened the rewards section and instantly felt a surge of joy. The precious System Points were back—600 points, plus a clothing item as a prop.
Ling Xiao frowned slightly, somewhat dissatisfied. “Why so few points? Isn’t Fengyang Palace good enough?”
Could it be that Li Yue dared to assign her an inferior palace? Was he insane?
18888 resisted the urge to roll its eyes:
“This many points is already quite high! For a newcomer, simply surviving a world without failing, earning enough points to get by, and avoiding debt is considered a rising star!”
Do you know how hard we Systems work to recommend loans?
“Also, the reward is a rare clothing-type prop. Those are hard to come by.”
“Oh, what does it do?”
18888 felt a twinge of guilt and glanced around nervously:
“This costume prop can increase your charm. With higher charm, tasks become easier to handle.”
“That’s all?”
The System nodded silently. What else did you expect? What kind of good loot do you think a beginner world focused on romance strategies would drop?
Dreaming of getting a divine artifact in a novice instance? Too much wishful thinking.
Ling Xiao wasn’t too disappointed, murmuring, “It’s fine. Let’s just treat this prop as having an idiot aura attached—beauty makes people’s IQ drop, after all.”
18888 was practically floored. Who on earth thinks of that first when they get a charm-boosting prop?!
Entering Fengyang Palace, it was indeed vast and exquisitely designed. Ignoring the palace attendants, Ling Xiao eagerly took out the Star-Moon Bright Lantern Skirt.