Still unaware of why her sister had suddenly turned into a man, Sun Ningning clutched the wooden box nervously.
[System, do you think he’ll coldly say: “Take it away!”]
[“Cousin, I appreciate the gesture, but there’s no need for gifts.”]
[Oh, he wouldn’t call me cousin. He’d probably say: “Second Young Lady, this prince is not acquainted with you.”]
Sun Ningning imagined all possible reactions Bai Ze might have upon receiving the gift.
After all this mental gymnastics, it never occurred to her that he might actually accept it happily.
After all, she knew all too well about his cold and unapproachable character.
How could it be so easy to truly enter his heart?
In the original story, the female lead Sun Wanwan had to nearly die saving him once.
Only then did they become ordinary friends who would merely exchange greetings when meeting.
It took another two years of shared hardships before Xiao Ze eventually became the gentle guardian second male lead.
Sun Ningning pondered: Should I save him twice then? Three times? Five times?
Hah, man, I’d give you my very life!
After listening to Sun Ningning’s cringey love confession in her mind, the System awkwardly responded:
[That’s completely unnecessary. Try to avoid the path of sacrificing yourself. Enduring triple the pain is no joke. Our current goal is just to make him not dislike you – that alone would count as successful first step.]
Sun Ningning agreed, blinking deliberately with a mix of innocence and cunning as she propped her chin in her hands:
[Of course. By the way, I know the recent plot developments. On the 10th day after the Sun family returns to the capital, there will be an assassination attempt during a banquet where Xiao Ze gets injured in the arm…]
[I’ll take the blow for him!]
Hearing this plot point, the System froze in panic.
What to do? The plot has gone off track now, everything’s messed up.
The Host will definitely become suspicious!
When the System first entered this world, as usual it received a mission reference data package –
Only to discover in horror that it had sent the Host to the wrong world!
The male lead in the book had changed from the scheming Crown Prince Bai Chengtin who seized power, to the reborn Second Prince Bai Ze?
And this was actually a romance-free revenge story where he slaughtered his way to dominance?
The male lead Bai Ze turned out to be the most tragic second male lead in history – deceived his entire previous life, watched his maternal clan get exterminated, willingly drained all his blood and sacrificed his soul.
In the end, even his shaman bones were nailed to the Yue Kingdom’s pagoda…
The reborn Bai Ze was practically not even human anymore.
After analyzing human emotions, the System thought Bai Ze’s current state was actually quite normal.
Anyone who experienced 25 years of life, then after death witnessed their entire lifetime of selfless devotion turning out to be a joke, a tool…
Would go insane!
While Sun Ningning was still chattering about how to find an excuse to deliver the gift, the System reviewed the mission world data several more times.
As just an auxiliary system, it couldn’t see specific chapter-by-chapter content from the book.
But it was certain that whatever assassination plot Sun Ningning mentioned from the original book would either change timing or not happen at all.
There might even be… more severe consequences!
After all, Bai Ze had been reborn – of course he could avoid this assassination attempt, and might even use it to his advantage?
The System’s central processing data was about to glitch from overanalysis.
Half an hour later
Sun Ningning took a deep breath, suppressing her pounding heartbeat as she stepped into Xiangxin Teahouse.
The teahouse adorned with celebrity calligraphy and paintings carried not only the elegant fragrance of tea, but also the sweet aroma of pastries;
Behind several screens in the tea seats, elegant scholars were either composing matching poems or blushing crimson while failing to answer challenges.
Sun Ningning swept a fleeting glance over them and headed straight for the second floor.
Xiao Er hurriedly tried to stop her but was dismissed by Xiaoyue with a piece of broken silver.
“We’re looking for someone, no need to follow.”
“Right away, miss. Please proceed upstairs.”
Sun Ningning lifted her skirt, the swirling layers of floral patterns leaving only a glimpse of her dazzling and slender figure for the young masters downstairs.
“Is the young lady here to find her husband? In such a hurry?”
“I wonder which noble family’s daughter she is? Did you catch a glimpse? Just a quick look, but her beauty is truly like blooming crabapple flowers.”
“With the Empress Dowager’s birthday approaching, the capital has suddenly filled with officials returning for duty reports. Who knows which family she belongs to.”
“It seems this time the Crown Prince, Second Prince, and Third Prince are all going to select their principal and secondary consorts…”
“…”
Whispers came from various corners as Sun Ningning, already slightly breathless, quickly reached the second floor.
[System! Which room is he in? Why are there no guards following him?]
[First room on the left, Celestial Grade Number One.]
Sun Ningning immediately stood straight like a proper lady, tidied her stray hairs, and turned to Xiaoyue saying:
“Go find Xiao Er and tell him I couldn’t find the person I was looking for, and now I want this Celestial Grade Number Two room.”