“Yes, Your Majesty,” the Marchioness replied through gritted teeth, glaring fiercely at Yun Zhiyue. She already regretted bringing her here today.
“She is this subject’s adopted daughter.”
Indeed, ever since Li Wanqing had returned to the marquis household two months ago and reclaimed her status as the true daughter, the family had publicly declared that Li Zhiyue was merely an adopted child.
The Empress understood at once. Her gaze swept lazily toward the kneeling girl.
“What matter do you wish for this palace to judge?”
Yun Zhiyue knelt with a straight back, her tone sincere.
“Now that the true daughter of the marquis household has returned, this commoner has no reason to continue occupying another’s place. I beg Your Majesty to grant permission for this commoner to return to her biological parents.”
Her words surprised the Empress enough to make her look at the girl more closely.
“You seek only this one thing?”
Whether the girl was clever or foolish, even the Empress could not immediately tell.
The Marchioness, however, panicked.
“No!”
The Third Princess frowned, staring directly at her.
“Why not? Since your biological daughter has returned, why can’t she also go back to her own birth parents?”
“She may be called an adopted daughter, but her status is awkward no matter how you look at it.”
Yun Zhiyue glanced at the Third Princess in apparent surprise.
The surrounding nobles also found the situation strange. Their eyes darted back and forth, all trying to uncover the hidden truth.
The Marchioness clenched her teeth in thought. What should she do? If Yun Zhiyue returned, how would she explain it to the Marquis?
Li Wanqing herself was momentarily stunned. She had never expected Li Zhiyue’s request to be nothing more than leaving the marquis household.
Which suited her perfectly.
Seeing the palace matron drawing closer, Yun Zhiyue spoke firmly:
“Your Majesty, this commoner seeks only this one request. Please grant it.”
As long as the Empress approved, the marquis household would have no grounds to keep her. After all, the household could not overrule the Empress.
Since it was technically a family matter—and the Marchioness objected while the girl pleaded earnestly—the Empress hesitated briefly, her gaze moving between the two women.
At that moment, a palace matron dressed in a brocade ruqun embroidered with dark patterns approached and respectfully knelt before the Empress.
“This servant greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years, ten thousand years upon ten thousand years.”
“Rise, Nanny An.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Why had the matron from the Empress Dowager’s side come here?
Then the Empress suddenly remembered.
Half a year ago, the current “fake daughter” of the marquis household had once saved the Empress Dowager’s life.
That was a debt of gratitude unlike any other.
The current Emperor ruled the nation through benevolence and filial piety and held deep respect for the Empress Dowager.
Although the Empress Dowager rarely involved herself in worldly affairs, a savior was naturally treated differently.
Understanding this, the Empress’s gaze toward Yun Zhiyue changed.
“This matter you requested—this palace approves.”
“Enough. All of you may rise.”
Joy surged through Yun Zhiyue’s heart as she loudly declared:
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for granting permission. From today onward, I, Li Zhiyue, shall change my surname and name to Yun Zhiyue. From this moment on, I have no further ties with the marquis household.”
Before everyone present, the young woman turned and kowtowed three times to the Marchioness.
“Allow me to call you Mother one final time today. Thank you for your years of raising me. These three kowtows are: first, gratitude for giving me life and raising me; second, gratitude for your teachings; third, to sever worldly ties. From now on, I wish Madam blessings, long life, peace, and prosperity for the marquis household through generations.”
The Marchioness’s expression turned strange—upon closer look, even somewhat pale.
Li Wanqing, meanwhile, was delighted. She had not expected that in this lifetime, driving Yun Zhiyue out of the household would go so smoothly.
Her efforts today had not been wasted.
As the birthday banquet was about to begin, the crowd gradually headed toward the imperial garden courtyard.
With the matter resolved, Yun Zhiyue stood, only to sway slightly from dizziness. Nanny An immediately reached out to steady her.
“Miss Yun, the Empress Dowager invites you to the Palace of Fortune and Longevity for a talk.”
Not far away, the Marchioness stumbled when she heard that form of address.
It was over.
How was she supposed to explain this to the Marquis?
Yun Zhiyue sat beside the Empress Dowager, quietly observing her surroundings.
From the elephant-ear incense burner decorated with golden floral patterns upon the side table drifted faint wisps of sandalwood fragrance, calming her heart somewhat.
A palace maid carefully applied medicine to Yun Zhiyue’s wounds.
The Empress Dowager held her hand kindly.
“Child, you have suffered.”
Yun Zhiyue smiled softly.
“With Your Majesty thinking of me, this commoner does not feel wronged. Thank you for Your Majesty’s favor. I am deeply grateful.”
Seeing that she did not mention the earlier matter at all, the Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes slightly.
“If anything happens in the future, come directly to this old woman. You are not allowed to bear everything alone.”
“Yes.”
The two chatted for a while. Yun Zhiyue deliberately shared amusing stories, making the Empress Dowager laugh heartily. After receiving several rewards, she finally took her leave.
“Qiu Jin, who would have thought that after the old Marquis of Pingyang passed away, the marquis household would become increasingly lacking in discipline? Their decline is probably only a matter of time.”
“That Yue girl, however, is quite clever.”
Nanny An lowered her head respectfully.
“Indeed. This servant thinks Miss Yun is not only clever, but also bold.”
Yun Zhiyue walked slowly alone, holding a brocade box in her arms while the sunlight stretched her shadow long across the palace road.
〔Hello, Host~ (๑＞＜๑)〕
That voice again.
Before, Yun Zhiyue had assumed she was hallucinating, but now it sounded once more.
What exactly was this thing? Why did it call her “Host”?
Faced with something unknown, Yun Zhiyue chose silence while thinking about what path she should take in the future.
〔Host, why are you so cold? Why won’t you talk to me?〕
〔If I hadn’t brought you here, you wouldn’t even be alive anymore.〕
“You saved me?” Yun Zhiyue looked around in alarm and confusion. “Who are you? Where are you?”
〔Host, stop looking around. I’m inside your mind. I’m a Gourmet Business System. My name is Rice Bucket.〕
〔I saved your life, so you have to complete missions and earn points to repay me.〕
“Rice Bucket? Are you serious? And how do I earn points? A Gourmet Business System… does that mean I have to cook?”
〔That’s right. I’ll assign ingredient missions. Once you make the food, every person who eats it earns you one point. If ten thousand people eat it, then you get ten thousand points.〕
“How many points do you need?”
〔A few tens of millions, probably. guilty face〕
“Do you have any other abilities?”
〔Saving you consumed too much of my energy. Right now I can only issue missions.〕
Yun Zhiyue: “…Fine.”
So basically, it was useless.
〔Host, don’t lose heart! Since today is the first day of our bond, there’s a beginner’s gift package!〕
Hearing that, Yun Zhiyue’s eyes lit up.
“What is it?”
〔Host, please close your eyes. I’m sending the beginner’s gift now.〕
Yun Zhiyue closed her eyes. A moment later, she felt additional weight in her hands.
“Instant noodles???”
〔That’s right, Host! The universally beloved instant noodles! Congratulations on obtaining unlimited instant noodles!〕
Yun Zhiyue looked at the package of braised beef noodles with complete disinterest.
“Oh. Then what’s the mission?”
〔Missions start tomorrow~〕
Food-related missions meant street stalls. Or opening a shop.
Opening a shop itself was easy enough, but she was now the daughter of a merchant family—and she had offended the marquis household. Business would not be easy.
In this ancient era where people knelt at every turn, power alone could crush a person to death. The capital was filled with noble clans and influential families, all tangled together in complicated relationships.
Three steps brought you to an official; four steps to a marquis estate.
With only her own strength, she feared her business would be crushed before it even opened.
She needed a powerful backer.
But who?
The original owner of this body had a terrible reputation and very few friends.
Lost in thought, Yun Zhiyue eventually arrived at a fork in the road.
This imperial palace was truly enormous.
Just as she wondered which direction to take, a sharp female voice called out:
“Stop!”
Yun Zhiyue turned around hesitantly and saw a richly dressed young woman striding toward her, jeweled hair ornaments glittering while her embroidered robes trailed behind her.
“Hey, why did Imperial Grandmother summon you?”
Not wanting to kneel, Yun Zhiyue merely bowed slightly.
“This commoner greets Third Princess. The Empress Dowager merely wished to speak with me for a while.”
Today was the Third Princess’s birthday banquet. Why had she run all the way here instead of remaining at the feast?
Seeing the princess’s gaze settle on the brocade box in her hands, Yun Zhiyue opened it immediately.
“The Empress Dowager showed this commoner favor and rewarded me with a pair of bracelets.”
Xiao Zhaoning lost interest after only a glance. Her eyes then shifted to Yun Zhiyue’s other hand.
“What is that bright red package you’re holding?”
Yun Zhiyue lowered her eyes toward the braised beef instant noodles in her hand and suddenly had an idea.
The Third Princess:
The legitimate princess born to the Empress of the Central Palace.
Her father was the reigning Emperor.
Her mother was the ruler of the six palaces—the Empress herself.
Her elder brother was the Crown Prince.
Her maternal grandfather was the Grand Chancellor, head of all officials.
Now that was a very reliable background indeed.