March, Seventh Year of Jian’an
The Emperor of Great Qi issued an imperial decree to hold a grand selection for the imperial harem. Every official in the court who had a daughter of eligible age was required to send her to the palace to participate.
For a time, the entire capital was thrown into a frenzy.
Every noble household with a marriageable daughter became bustling with activity. Families made every possible preparation—learning talents and arts, maintaining beauty, hiring elderly matrons to teach etiquette and palace rules. These things quickly became part of the daily routine for every young lady preparing to enter the selection.
As for the current emperor, Mo Qiyuan, he had already been on the throne for seven years. Though his harem was filled with numerous consorts, he had very few heirs. At present, he had only a single princess, born to Consort Qi.
Rumors quietly spread among the common people that the emperor had slaughtered too many people while fighting for the throne, and that this was heaven’s punishment upon him—leaving him without sons.
When these rumors reached the Empress Dowager’s ears, she became so anxious that she fell ill. Thus, she ordered the emperor to conduct a massive harem selection. The imperial bloodline could not be allowed to end.
Many noble families in court were secretly calculating as well. If their daughter could bear the emperor a son or daughter, she might rise straight to the position of Empress.
And once that happened, their entire clan would soar to glory, enjoying endless wealth and honor for generations to come.
Naturally, every family was determined to use every means possible to ensure their daughter entered the palace.
…
Inside a remote and quiet courtyard in the rear estate of the Ye family, Ye Jinyun leaned against the windowsill lazily, her head resting on her arms as she stared blankly at the sky.
In her previous life, she had been an ordinary office worker in the 21st century.
Her life had been plain and exhausting—working from morning until late at night every day. One night, after working overtime until three in the morning yet again, her body finally gave out.
She died from overwork.
When she awoke, she had been reborn into this body.
The original owner of this body had been the second young miss of the Minister’s household—a pitiful child unloved by her mother.
Her mother had once been the legal wife of her father, but her father had never truly loved her. He had married her only for the power and status of her family.
After her maternal family declined, that heartless man completely ignored her mother, leaving her alone in the inner courtyard to suffer in loneliness.
Depressed and miserable for years, her mother eventually passed away when the original owner was only three years old.
Not long afterward, the child herself fell ill with a fever. With no one caring for her, she died as well.
That was when Ye Jinyun had transmigrated into her body, becoming the Second Miss of the Ye family in her place.
Later, her so-called father elevated his favorite concubine to the position of official wife. As the legitimate daughter born from the original wife, Ye Jinyun naturally became a thorn in their side, and they constantly schemed against her.
Fortunately, when she transmigrated, she had also obtained a golden-finger system. Otherwise, in a household full of hidden dangers and schemes, she probably would not have survived long.
“Miss, it’s time to go pay respects to the Old Madam.”
Hearing the voice, Ye Jinyun withdrew her wandering thoughts and sat up, allowing her maid Qing’er to help her wash and dress.
“Miss, you’re so beautiful. Even though I’ve served you for years, every time I help you dress up, I still get mesmerized by your looks.”
Ye Jinyun looked toward the bronze mirror.
Her long black hair draped casually over her shoulders. Her skin was snow-white, her face small and delicate. Beneath her curved willow-like brows were a pair of bright almond-shaped eyes, clear as autumn water and sparkling like stars. Below her elegant nose were soft pink lips, moist and inviting.
Looking at her own face, Ye Jinyun sighed inwardly once again.
A true enchantress…
When she had first transmigrated, the original body had been extremely weak—so frail that even a small illness might have killed her. The system had completely restored her health and optimized every aspect of her appearance and figure.
When she was younger and not yet fully grown, it had not been too obvious.
But as she matured day by day, even she—a woman—could not help but drool over this body.
As expected of a cheat-like system. Truly overpowered.
As usual, she instructed Qing’er to paint a red birthmark beneath her left eye to conceal her beauty.
This was a special formula Ye Jinyun had created using instructions provided by the system after realizing that her appearance was becoming increasingly stunning.
The effect could remain on her face for up to fifteen days.
Moreover, she had always kept a low profile within the household and rarely wandered around, so aside from her personal maid Qing’er, no one else knew her secret.
And Qing’er had once been saved by Ye Jinyun during an accident in childhood, making her fiercely loyal. There was naturally no need to worry about betrayal.
As the red mark was painted onto her face, Ye Jinyun’s beauty instantly diminished by several degrees.
Looking at only half her face, one would still think she was beautiful. But once her full appearance came into view, the scar-like red mark ruined the overall effect and even looked somewhat frightening.
When the mark first appeared, the entire Ye household had been shocked.
How had such a terrifying blemish suddenly appeared on such a lovely face?
Her cheap father naturally refused to believe it at first. After all, daughters were valuable assets when it came to arranging marriages and securing benefits.
But even after several physicians were invited to examine her, none could determine the cause. Eventually, the matter was simply dropped.
Looking at the completed red mark, Qing’er sighed.
“Ah, Miss… when will you finally stop painting this ugly thing? Such peerless beauty is going to waste.”
Ye Jinyun smiled helplessly.
“My dear Qing’er, do you think I want this? I’ve suffered plenty of ridicule because of this mark. But I have no choice. Only by looking like this can I survive peacefully in this household.”
After all, while the system would protect her and warn her of danger, dealing with endless schemes and petty troublemakers was still exhausting.
After transmigrating, Ye Jinyun only wanted a peaceful life. She had no interest in constantly fighting off endless plots and troubles.
Thus, she came up with this disguise.
And the effect had indeed been excellent.
Ever since the red mark appeared, her stepmother no longer paid much attention to her.
With such a blemish on her face, there was no need to fear that Ye Jinyun would someday marry better than her own daughter. At worst, they could casually arrange some mediocre marriage and send her away.
After finishing her makeup, Qing’er helped Ye Jinyun change into a light-blue gauze dress.
While helping her change clothes, Qing’er nearly drooled again.
Her young miss’s skin was simply too perfect—fair, flawless, soft as milk, smooth as silk. Truly skin like凝脂—creamy jade that seemed delicate enough to break with a touch.
And her figure was equally flawless, curvy in all the right places without a trace of excess fat.
Seeing Qing’er staring dreamily again, Ye Jinyun shook her head helplessly.
She could hardly blame her.
Every time she bathed, even she could not stop touching and admiring this body. The skin felt unbelievably good.
And this figure…
Even among the countless beauties of the entertainment industry in her previous life, few could compare.
Once everything was prepared, Ye Jinyun brought Qing’er with her to the Old Madam’s residence, the Hall of Fortune and Longevity, to pay her morning respects.
Her courtyard was located in a rather remote area, so the walk took longer. Combined with the extra time spent applying the disguise mark today, by the time they arrived, nearly everyone in the Ye household had already gathered there.