Chapter 7: The Bizarre System

Accompanied by an unfamiliar electronic tone, a glowing screen suddenly flashed in Yun Zhaozhao’s mind.

On the screen, a green progress bar stood out prominently.

[Remote connection in progress… 8%… 10%… 15%…]

Yun Zhaozhao abruptly slapped away Sheng Hongfei’s hand.

The screen instantly went dark.

Huh?

Something’s wrong!

She tentatively touched Sheng Hongfei’s arm again.

The glowing screen flickered back on.

[Remote connection in progress… 18%…]

“What the hell! What dirty thing is this!” Yun Zhaozhao decisively shook off Sheng Hongfei’s hand and walked away without looking back.

Only Sheng Hongfei remained standing there, her face dark enough to drip water.

“Miss, your hand!” The maid Baoqin looked at the red mark on Sheng Hongfei’s hand with concern. “Madam Liu was too rough.”

Sheng Hongfei smiled magnanimously. “It’s nothing. Aunt Liu didn’t mean it.”

Baoqin muttered discontentedly, “Miss, you’re just too kind-hearted, always seeing the good in everyone.”

Yun Zhaozhao quickly returned to the Kuang Garden.

After much thought, she still couldn’t shake her unease.

She immediately called for Jin Chui and Xiao Dao. “Let’s go back to the General’s Residence.”

She needed to find out if that girl Yun Chuchu had ever saved the Fourth Prince.

Though the title of Empress seemed noble, the imperial family was notoriously ruthless.

Regardless of whether the Fourth Prince was worthy of a lifelong commitment, she didn’t want her beloved sister to marry into a palace that devoured people without leaving a trace.

“Miss, tomorrow is the formal return visit day,” Xiao Dao reminded her.

“I know. But I miss Chuchu, and Mother and Little One too. I just want to see them now.”

“Miss, that’s against custom. Since ancient times, a woman just married into her husband’s family never returns to her natal home immediately. If word spreads, it won’t do the reputations of the Duke’s and General’s families any good.” Xiao Dao advised. “Anyway, there’s only a few hours until tomorrow. We can leave early then.”

Yun Zhaozhao thought it over and agreed.

It was the perfect time to sort through the clues in her mind.

Especially that wicked Sheng Hongfei and her sinister system.

Such eerie phenomena happening whenever they touched—it was either that the system was trying to escape, or it sought to invade her consciousness with ill intent.

She had thought that marrying a non-primary son of a noble family would mean a life of idleness, but troubles kept cropping up one after another.

“By the way, where is Sheng Xingye?”

The gatekeeper maid quickly replied, “Madam Liu, Lord Sheng has yet to return to Kuang Garden.”

Yun Zhaozhao said, “Xiao Dao, send someone to inform him that I’m homesick and will return early tomorrow.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Meanwhile, Sheng Xingye, who was the subject of Yun Zhaozhao’s thoughts, was bargaining with his father, Duke Sheng Guogong.

“Father, just tell me whether I should get this money or not.”

“You saw that crazy woman Yun Zhaozhao for yourself. She’s only been here two days and already dares to defy her in-laws and assault her husband.”

“A woman like that, I, your son, have to face her for a lifetime, just to secure the alliance between our Duke’s family and the General’s family.”

“I’ve made such a sacrifice for the family. Is it too much to ask for some gold and silver as compensation?”

Sheng Xingye pleaded with emotion and reason, making Duke Sheng feel a hint of guilt.

“Fine, here are 800 taels. Stop with the nonsense and live well with the Yun family.”

“800 taels?” Sheng Xingye exclaimed exaggeratedly, “How can you say that? Your son is worth only 800 taels for his whole life?”

“5,000 taels, take it or leave it!” Duke Sheng suddenly flew into a rage at Sheng Xingye’s outburst.

“5,000 taels? Why don’t you go rob a bank! 800 taels it is—take it or leave it.”

Sheng Xingye shrugged with a sly grin. “Tomorrow is the return visit anyway. Father, it’s up to you—either give me the money or be ready for the General’s family’s questions.”

“You… why was I born with such a troublesome son!” Duke Sheng was angry, but the money had to be given.

“Let me be clear: if anything goes wrong during the return visit tomorrow, you’re out of the Sheng family!”

After saying this, Duke Sheng threw the silver note at him. “Take the money and get out!”

“Got it, I’m leaving at once.”

Sheng Xingye happily left the study and headed straight to the Duke’s wife’s courtyard.

Just as he entered, he heard Nurse Xia persuading the Duke’s wife.

“Madam Liu grew up on the frontier and lacks proper manners. It’s normal. She can be taught gradually later. Don’t let this upset you and damage your health—it’s not worth it.”

“Oh, Mother, are you still angry?” The Duke’s wife saw Sheng Xingye’s casual, carefree look and grew even more annoyed.

“What are you here for? To see if your wife has driven me to death?”

Sheng Xingye snorted, “Why blame me, Mother? If anyone’s to blame, it’s my uncle.”

“What does your uncle have to do with this?” The Duke’s wife frowned.

“How can it have nothing to do with him? If that wretched Liang Meixin hadn’t broken off the engagement, would I have been betrothed by the emperor?”

“Nonsense!” The Duke’s wife retorted, “You didn’t even like Meixin yourself. When you were betrothed to her, you were a thousand times unhappy.”

“Even if I was unhappy, it didn’t change your decision, Mother,” Sheng Xingye mocked.

“Are you blaming me?” The Duke’s wife felt hurt and bitterly said, “You’re hopeless. I, as your mother, had to humble myself to your uncle for a good match for you. But in the end, I didn’t get a word of thanks from you and even offended your aunt. It’s a lose-lose situation. What was the point?”

Here we go again!

Sheng Xingye was impatient. “Enough about the past. You’ve seen that crazy Yun Zhaozhao. I’m stuck with her for life. There’s no hope for me now. Shouldn’t Mother compensate me a little?”

Not long after, Sheng Xingye left the Duke’s wife’s courtyard with a satisfied grin.

“Changsheng, let’s go. Call Qin Lao Yao and the others to play some rounds at Ruyi Lane. Today, I’m treating!”

Carrying a huge sum of money, Sheng Xingye’s exuberance reeked of wealth and arrogance.

“No, Sixth Lord. Madam Liu just sent word that the return visit is early tomorrow. We must prepare.”

His good mood was immediately spoiled, and Sheng Xingye stomped his foot.

“She says early? Then I’ll…”

“Crack!”

The familiar sound of bone being cracked interrupted him.

Sheng Xingye shifted his tone. “I’ll get up at dawn, alright!”

“Jin Chui, did you hear your master?”

“Yes, Miss, rest assured. Jin Chui will supervise his lord.”

Sheng Xingye was speechless.

Recalling how Jin Chui had woken Yun Zhaozhao earlier, he gritted his teeth. “I don’t need your maid. Changsheng will wake me up.”

Changsheng looked deeply wronged.

Sixth Lord, why drag me into your own mess?

“Is that so?” Yun Zhaozhao looked at Changsheng.

Changsheng trembled and hurriedly said, “Madam Liu, rest assured, Changsheng promises to wake the Sixth Lord at dawn.”

Sheng Xingye immediately kicked him.

You damn servant!

Do you even know who your master is?

And that damned Yun Zhaozhao, flaunting her power even over his own man, as if he were just decoration!

“Yun Zhaozhao, do you still want me to accompany you for the return visit?”