After returning to her courtyard, Ye Jinyun kicked off her shoes and lounged sideways on the couch, resting her chin in her hands as she stared into space.
Qing’er brought her a bowl of hangover soup and asked curiously,
“Miss, what did you say to the Young Master before you left? This servant noticed that he seemed rather surprised.”
Ye Jinyun grinned.
“Qing’er, I’ve decided to let Big Brother know that the birthmark on my face is fake.”
“What?”
Qing’er’s eyes widened in surprise.
“But Miss, didn’t you say you didn’t want anyone in the residence to know your true appearance?”
She was puzzled.
Did her young lady trust the eldest young master that much? Though it was true that he had always treated them well.
“Oh, it’s fine. Even if Big Brother finds out, he won’t tell anyone.”
Ye Jinyun waved her hand dismissively.
“I trust him. He’s such an upright and sincere person. I don’t want to see him burdened with worry because of me. I want him to know that I can protect myself.”
Her voice softened toward the end.
Qing’er nodded, understanding her mistress’s intentions. She then prepared hot water and helped Ye Jinyun bathe.
After washing away the smell of wine, Ye Jinyun lay in bed thinking about her future in the Imperial Palace.
Now that things had come to this point, she could only take things one step at a time.
As the thought crossed her mind, she began speaking to the system in her head.
“System? System? Are you there?”
[Host, please use your brain. As long as nothing unexpected happens, this system will remain with you.]
Ye Jinyun slapped her forehead.
Even she felt embarrassed for asking such a foolish question.
“Right, sorry. My brain froze for a moment. What I wanted to ask is: what kind of injuries are beyond your ability to save me from?”
[As long as your organs remain attached to your body, I can ensure that you survive intact.]
“What about beheading? If the Emperor orders my head chopped off, can you reattach it and keep me alive?”
[No. The head is a vital organ. Once separated from the body, survival is impossible.]
“Ah, so you’re not all-powerful after all. My life is still at risk.”
[Host, please be realistic. I am a Protection System, not an Immortality System.]
“Fine, then what about deadly poison? Before, I only dealt with Ye Jinrong’s childish attempts. Compared to the poisons used in the palace, those were nothing. Can you handle palace poisons too?”
[Yes. Your body is immune to all poisons.]
“Then what about—”
She proceeded to ask question after question, and the system answered each one patiently.
After confirming the extent of the system’s protective abilities, Ye Jinyun finally felt somewhat reassured.
As long as her head stayed attached to her body, her life could still be saved.
Once she entered the palace, she would simply keep a low profile and be careful around the person at the very top—the Emperor.
Having settled on that plan, Ye Jinyun relaxed.
Pulling the blanket over herself, she quickly drifted into a deep sleep.
The next morning, Ye Jinyun got out of bed with her hair loose around her shoulders and picked up a bronze mirror to examine her face.
Very good.
The previous night, while bathing, she had used a specially prepared solution to wash away the fake red birthmark she had painted on her face.
Now her features had returned to their original breathtaking beauty.
Qing’er entered carrying a basin of water and helped her wash and freshen up.
Afterward, she arranged Ye Jinyun’s hair into a simple bun, dressed her in plain yet elegant clothing, and served the breakfast sent over by the kitchen.
Ever since Ye Jinyun had participated in the palace selection, her treatment in the household had improved dramatically.
Even her meals had become far more luxurious.
In the past, breakfast had usually consisted of plain porridge with steamed buns and pickled vegetables, or perhaps soy milk and baked flatbread.
Now, every morning brought something different.
On the table sat a clay pot filled with rich shredded chicken porridge, garnished with bright green chopped scallions.
Beside it was a basket of crystal shrimp dumplings, a plate of beef and scallion pastries, and several delicately prepared side dishes.
Mistress and maid sat together, leisurely savoring every bite with obvious satisfaction.
After breakfast, Ye Jinyun walked beneath the pear blossom tree in the courtyard and sat down with her back facing the entrance, quietly waiting for Ye Huaibo to arrive.
About half an hour later, she heard footsteps approaching along the stone path outside.
The sound was faint, but she could tell it belonged to a man.
She immediately knew her eldest brother had come.
Ye Jinyun rose from her seat, though she kept her back turned toward the courtyard gate.
Because she had whispered her request into his ear the previous night, Ye Huaibo knew that whatever secret she intended to reveal was not meant for others to hear.
After paying his respects at the main residence that morning, he dismissed his attendants and came alone.
The moment he stepped into the courtyard, he saw a graceful figure standing beneath the pear blossom tree.
She wore a moon-white robe.
Part of her hair had been simply gathered and pinned behind her head with a jade hairpin, while the remaining silky strands flowed freely down her back, swaying gently in the breeze.
As though sensing his arrival, the figure slowly turned around.
It was Ye Jinyun.
The instant Ye Huaibo saw her face, he froze.
His mouth parted slightly in shock.
He could hardly believe that the woman before him was the younger sister he had cherished for so many years.
The difference was like heaven and earth.
Even Rong’er, who had always been proud of her exceptional beauty, would pale in comparison.
Ye Jinyun wore not a trace of makeup, yet her beauty was fresh and ethereal, as though she were an immortal untouched by the dust of the mortal world.
Was this truly the little sister he had watched grow up?
For a long moment, Ye Huaibo stood motionless at the entrance, completely stunned.