Tian Chunzhu noticed the worry on her daughter’s face. She was just about to say something to comfort her when someone outside the door anxiously requested permission to come in.
Tian Chunzhu had the person brought in. Looking at the somewhat familiar old woman before her, she rummaged through her hazy memories and finally remembered who she was.
This maid had once been her dowry servant and was now the stewardess of her courtyard. Her name was Qiuju.
“M-Madam, I’ve finally found you! Something terrible has happened! The master… the master has been arrested and thrown into the Ministry of Justice’s prison!”
Qiuju had evidently rushed here to deliver the news and was panting heavily even after finishing her sentence.
Liu Qingyu and Tian Chunzhu: What? My dad/husband is in jail?!
Tian Chunzhu collected her thoughts and put on an expression that was thirty percent anxious, forty percent frightened, and thirty percent helpless.
“What crime did my husband commit? Why was he taken to the Ministry of Justice’s prison? And where did you hear this news?”
“Replying to Madam, my older brother just came to find me. He’s a cook in the prison and prepares meals for the inmates. He happened to overhear some constables chatting while they were eating.
“They said that Master had been implicated in a corruption case. As for the specifics, he didn’t hear clearly. He only said that a lot of people have been locked up this time.”
Qiuju wiped the sweat from her face with her sleeve and lowered her head as she answered.
Tian Chunzhu nodded to show that she understood. She casually removed a gold butterfly hairpin from her hair and handed it to Qiuju.
“Qiuju, you’ve done well in bringing this news. This hairpin is your reward.”
Qiuju accepted the hairpin happily and then cautiously added,
“Madam, I heard the constables say that it wasn’t only our master who was sent to prison. The Second Master and Third Master have also been implicated.
“The news hasn’t reached the manor yet. You must make plans for yourself and the young lady.”
Tian Chunzhu was stunned for a moment before nodding again to indicate that she understood.
Seeing that the message had been delivered, Qiuju quietly withdrew.
After Qiuju left, Tian Chunzhu finally relaxed and sat down in a chair, letting out a soft sigh.
She muttered to herself,
“What kind of mess is this? Other people transmigrate to enjoy a good life. Why did our family end up so miserable the moment we arrived?”
“Mom, don’t worry about Dad for now. We have a more urgent matter to deal with!”
Liu Qingyu sighed helplessly.
Tian Chunzhu looked puzzled.
“What could possibly be more important than your father?”
“I only realized it after hearing Qiuju just now. This isn’t an ordinary transmigration—we’ve transmigrated into a novel. And our entire family are cannon fodder who get exiled right from the start.”
Liu Qingyu looked as if she were about to cry.
Only then did Tian Chunzhu learn that the niece who had tried to steal her daughter’s fiancé earlier was actually the heroine of this novel, while their family were merely stepping stones on her road to success.
Shortly after the exile began, they would encounter all kinds of natural disasters. After finally reaching the northwestern frontier, before they could even rest properly, they would be innocently implicated and slaughtered by the heroine’s enemy, exiting the story entirely.
Even after death, they would “generously” provide the heroine with all of their family’s savings.
As for the heroine’s family, they would luckily avoid disaster, take their money, and happily buy houses, land, and shops in the northwest.
As for the original owner’s fiancé, he was merely a passing character in the heroine’s life. The true male lead was someone else entirely.
As for who it was… Liu Qingyu genuinely didn’t know.
The heroine had many admirers and never settled on anyone.
The character who left the deepest impression on Liu Qingyu in this novel wasn’t the heroine or the male lead, but the great villain, Bu Qingchen.
Although he constantly tried to kill the heroine, he always stopped at the very last moment. Anyone who didn’t know better would think he had turned from love to hatred.
After the time it took to burn an incense stick, Tian Chunzhu finally accepted the story.
She couldn’t help but curse.
“Damn it! This is too unfair! That family is rotten to the core. Not only do they bully people normally, they even secretly scheme against us on the road to exile!”
“Mom, we should prepare for exile now. Surviving the exile is the most important thing.
“As for the Liu family, since we’ve taken over these bodies, we won’t let them off. They will definitely receive the punishment they deserve.”
Tian Chunzhu nodded approvingly.
“Daughter, from now on, call me ‘Mother’ and your dad ‘Father.’ According to what you said, we’ll be exiled to the northwest. By then, who knows how many eyes will be watching us.”
“Okay, Mother.”
Liu Qingyu obediently agreed.
Thinking about the life of exile awaiting them, she couldn’t help but feel a headache. If only—
At that moment, a mechanical voice with a metallic texture suddenly rang out in her mind:
[Ding! The Dragon Overlord Rise System is activating. Beginner’s benefits will now be distributed… Huh? Wait, you’re a girl? Sorry about that…]
Liu Qingyu was already overwhelmed by the prospect of exile. Hearing the system’s words felt like rain after a long drought.
As for whether there had been a mistake?
Sorry, but once a cheat ability landed in her hands, it wasn’t getting away!
Having “read countless novels,” she skillfully flipped through the system interface and cleverly examined its contents.
A faint smile appeared on her lips as she lightly tapped the red Complaint button.
“Hmm? What did you say? The wind was too loud just now—I didn’t hear you.”
[Th-this…]
The system was momentarily speechless.
How could the people here be so terrifying?!
She had actually found the hidden complaint button tucked away in the corner…
Seeing its reaction, Liu Qingyu pressed her advantage and gently persuaded it,
“Since we’ve met and become bound together, it’s fate. Why not make the best of this mistake and help me get through this crisis?”
The newly born system had already been worried about being reported. Now, seeing how sincerely Liu Qingyu spoke, and being needed by someone for the first time, a sense of responsibility welled up within it.
[Very well! In that case, this system will help you!]
The Dragon Overlord Rise System declared somewhat arrogantly.
Success!
Liu Qingyu secretly sighed to herself.
This system really is adorably stupid.
“Ahem, then continue the binding process.”
After speaking, Liu Qingyu began studying the transparent system panel before her.
[Ding! Dragon Overlord Rise System successfully activated. Scanning host information and recording it into the system…]
[Name: Liu Qingyu
Age: 16
Gender: Female (?… Something seems off.)
Family Members: Tian Chunzhu, Liu Hongyi
Appearance: 70 points(As a Dragon Overlord, one must excel in both looks and martial arts. The host is advised to pay more attention to this.)
Combat Strength: 50(A brute who only knows external martial arts.)
Luck: Unknown
Dragon Overlord Points: 0]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, on successfully activating and binding with the Dragon Overlord Rise System. Beginner’s reward issued: one spin of the Grand Prize Wheel.]
A prize wheel?
Excitedly, Liu Qingyu opened the lottery interface with her mind.
Inside were all kinds of rewards: martial arts manuals, beauty pills, cultivation guides, and much more.
It was obvious that the rarer the item, the smaller the space it occupied on the wheel and the harder it would be to obtain.
Liu Qingyu’s eyes immediately settled on the Spiritual Spring Space.
This was the ultimate cheat item for countless novel heroines!
Would she be lucky enough to get it?
Rubbing her hands excitedly, she offered a sincere prayer and then mentally pressed the draw button.
The wheel spun rapidly.
After several turns, it gradually slowed to a stop.
The pointer finally landed on a single square.
That square was precisely the Spiritual Spring Space she had been dreaming about moments ago.
She nearly jumped with excitement.
She had actually brought her incredible gacha luck from modern times with her!
Liu Qingyu hurriedly opened the system inventory and bound the Spiritual Spring Space to herself.
After a sharp pain shot through her mind, her consciousness was transported into the space.
The Spiritual Spring Space wasn’t as large as she had imagined.
Taking a rough look around, she realized she could see the end of it at a glance.
The most eye-catching thing inside was a somewhat dilapidated thatched cottage.
She walked inside and discovered that it was completely empty.
It seemed she would have to furnish it herself little by little.
After leaving the cottage, she saw a small spiritual spring, its clear water flowing with a gentle babbling sound.
Having “read countless books,” Liu Qingyu knew this kind of spiritual spring very well.
Not only could it cure all illnesses, but it could also enhance beauty and preserve youth.
It was practically a divine medicine among divine medicines.
Past the spring lay a patch of farmland.
It wasn’t very large, only two or three mu in size, but the soil looked rich and fertile.
Completely satisfied, Liu Qingyu left the space and found her mother anxiously calling her.
“Mother, we’re saved!”
Liu Qingyu excitedly grabbed the hand Tian Chunzhu had been waving in front of her face.