Rong Tan stood outside in the biting wind for a long time, and that very night, he was struck by a sudden, severe fever and fell gravely ill.
Wu Ciyun only pretended to care for him for half a quarter of an hour, but she never did anything that would make her lose out.
When she heard from the residence physician that Rong Tan wouldn’t be waking up any time soon, she immediately stopped bothering with him.
She entrusted the task of caring for Rong Tan entirely to others, and before leaving, she didn’t forget to remind them to tell Rong Tan that she had been there, so her extra effort wouldn’t be in vain.
The System was so exasperated by her that it almost burst out laughing, unsure whether to be pleased or speechless.
In Wu Ciyun’s worldview, there were only two kinds of people: useful and useless.
If someone was useful to her, she was willing to put in more effort. If they were useless, she would discard them like worn shoes, or even go so far as to eliminate them completely.
Xiao Boming used to be useful to her, so she was willing to give him some sweet benefits.
Later, when Xiao Boming lost his value, he became a tool for her to test others.
And now, that person had become Rong Tan.
If the System hadn’t revealed Rong Tan’s identity, Wu Ciyun wouldn’t have felt a trace of pity—in fact, she would have chopped off Rong Tan’s head without hesitation, and then complained about dirtying her courtyard.
The System felt more and more that its original decision had been right.
According to the rules, it was allowed to reveal some plot hints tentatively.
But Wu Ciyun was extremely sharp and ruthless. If she caught even a whiff of a clue, she would never let it slip by.
If the System told her the whole truth, she might kill everyone in her way, from the main character down to the side characters, leaving nothing for the story to continue.
The book could just be renamed “The Great Yun Chronicles.”
Wu Ciyun had no idea that the System was secretly plotting behind her back.
She returned to her bedroom, sat by the window in a daze for a while, but felt not the slightest hint of sleepiness.
“System, if only you had appeared a few years earlier.”
The candle before her burned quietly. Wu Ciyun stared at it for a long time, then suddenly sighed: “If you had come earlier, I surely would have listened to your every word.”
The System didn’t believe her, and snorted coldly: “Don’t try to fool me. You’ve never listened to me.”
It had successfully bound with Wu Ciyun on the very day the Wu Family was exterminated.
Four years had passed since then—nearly fifteen hundred days and nights together—and Wu Ciyun still hadn’t let down her guard.
The System believed that, although it had hidden some things, it had never shirked its duties.
Still, it couldn’t help but feel a little dejected at this.
“That’s different. If it were before, I probably would have trusted you.”
Wu Ciyun seemed to be in the mood for idle chatter.
She slowly poured herself a cup of tea and said in a calm voice: “When I was seven, there was a famine in the village. My parents swapped me with another family’s child for food. After I escaped, I went to work as a maid in a wealthy household. Three years later, the family was raided, and I, along with the other servants, was paraded to the market and sold like livestock.”
“If you were a girl, your situation was even worse. I had no choice but to disguise myself as a boy. By chance, a merchant caravan from Liang passed by, saw that I could read a few words, and bought me to be their young master’s study attendant.”
“Later, I traveled a long way with the young master to the Book Academy. On the road, something happened to him. If I had gone back, it would have been a dead end, so I had no choice but to assume his identity and study in his place, treading on thin ice, never knowing a moment’s peace.”
Speaking of her past, Wu Ciyun gave a self-deprecating laugh and said offhandedly: “People always say it’s easy to add flowers to brocade, but hard to send charcoal in the snow. I struggled so much in the past—why didn’t you come find me then?”
The System was silent for a moment, then softly replied: “…Because it wasn’t time yet.”
It had seen the original plot, so it knew just how hard Wu Ciyun’s past had been.
But that wasn’t the right time for it to appear, because after that, Wu Ciyun’s rise began.
At fifteen, she secretly left the Book Academy in Liang and returned to Sheng Country, making a living in the city by writing essays for others. Chancellor Wu Nanshan, passing through, happened upon her writing and was so astonished that he took her in as his adopted son.
Two years later, she achieved top honors in all three imperial exams.
With the Wu Family’s full support at court, Wu Ciyun was promoted four times in three years, becoming the most sought-after rising star among the officials.
Until the entire Wu Clan was falsely accused and imprisoned, and Wu Ciyun fell from the heights to the depths, never to regain her former glory.
It was only then that the System truly appeared at her side.
“So you only show up when I’m at my lowest.”
Wu Ciyun didn’t seem the least bit angry at this. She said slowly: “Then I suppose the day you leave will be the day I die.”
“Today you said I’m to go to Liang—actually, I’m a little curious. How will I die in the future? Lingchi? Waist-chopping? Or maybe drawn and quartered by five horses…”
“No!”
The System hurriedly cut her off, blurting out: “You still have a long road ahead! In the future, you’ll frame the Marshal and seize military power, seduce the Imperial Concubine with your looks, manipulate the palace maids to poison the Emperor, use your schemes to slaughter loyal ministers—there’s still so much waiting for you to do!”
Wu Ciyun fell silent at these words.
After a long while, she let out a quiet laugh and drawled: “I see. So I still have so much to do.”
The System belatedly realized it had said something wrong: “…”
Just a moment ago, Wu Ciyun had looked despondent and lost. Now, having gotten the answer she wanted from the System, the false mask on her face vanished without a trace.
The System protested angrily: “How can you be like this! I was only trying to comfort you because I felt sorry for you!”
“You feel sorry for me?”
Wu Ciyun scoffed, utterly dismissive: “You’re wrong. I’m not pitiful at all.”
“I became a maid of my own will. I killed the young master with my own hands. In the Book Academy, I flattered the powerful in every possible way. The silver I earned was enough to buy two large mansions in the capital.”
During the famine, corpses littered the land.
Although she couldn’t escape beatings and scoldings as a maid, at least she wouldn’t starve to death.
Her young master in Liang was always depraved and reckless.
On the journey, his lustful intentions toward her ended with a single slash to his throat from her.
Wu Ciyun had planned to take the money and run, but realized that if the Book Academy didn’t see him for a long time, they’d send word and soon the whole city would be on the lookout for her.
She’d only end up fleeing in all directions.
Since that was the case, it was better to assume his identity and stay at the Book Academy for a while.
First, the distance meant her secret wouldn’t be discovered right away.
Second, the academy was full of wealthy young heirs—if she could use the opportunity to make some extra money, wouldn’t that be wonderful?
“If you had all that money, why did you have to ghostwrite essays for people after returning to Sheng Country…”
The System suddenly stopped mid-sentence, incredulous: “Wait, don’t tell me you planned that too?!”
“What else? Did you think the Chancellor would just show up at my door if I sat at home and waited?”
Wu Ciyun leisurely extinguished the candle and slipped back under the soft brocade quilt.
“System, do you know why I never listen to you?”
Wu Ciyun slowly closed her eyes and said: “Because at your current level, you’re not qualified to teach me how to do things.”
System: “…”
It swore it would never believe a single word Wu Ciyun said again!
Whether it was because her goals had been achieved the night before or not, Wu Ciyun felt clear-headed and refreshed when she woke up the next morning, and her mood was much improved.
After breakfast, she made a point of checking on Rong Tan’s condition.
When Rong Tan awoke and learned that Wu Ciyun had cared for him yesterday, he was overwhelmed, his feelings in turmoil.
Now, as soon as he saw Wu Ciyun enter, his eyes reddened before he could even speak.
“A’Yun, please don’t come closer.”
Rong Tan gently let down the bed curtains, unwilling to meet Wu Ciyun.
On one hand, he worried about passing his illness to her; on the other, when he’d washed up, he’d seen his own haggard face in the mirror and feared she’d like him even less if she saw him now.
Wu Ciyun ignored Rong Tan’s words.
She brought a bowl of medicine to the bedside, gently blew on the bitter soup to cool it, and said tenderly, “Drink your medicine first.”
Rong Tan stared at her in a daze, almost unable to believe his eyes.
He drank the medicine Wu Ciyun fed him without protest. It was clearly bitter, yet he tasted sweetness on his tongue.
His heart was pulled in two directions—he wanted to confess everything to Wu Ciyun, but he was also afraid that once she knew the truth, she would cut ties with him forever.
“A’Yun, I…”
“Enough, if you don’t want to say it, then don’t for now.”
Seeing his struggle, Wu Ciyun didn’t press him.
She tucked the quilt around Rong Tan and said softly, “You’ve always worked so hard. Take this chance to rest well.”
Since the System had given her a clue, she’d soon find out the truth herself.
For now, she might as well do Rong Tan a favor.
Rong Tan pressed his lips together, hesitated for a moment, then said, “What happened with Xiao Boming was my fault. No matter how you want to punish me, I’ll accept it willingly…”
“There’s no need to mention Xiao Boming again.”
Wu Ciyun’s brows knitted slightly as she said calmly, “Compared to you, he’s nothing.”
“Focus on your recovery. I have official business to attend to. I’ll come see you later.”
As she rose to leave, Rong Tan instinctively reached out and grabbed her sleeve.
Wu Ciyun paused, then leaned down and gently kissed Rong Tan on the cheek, speaking softly: “If you need anything, just ask the servants. Don’t tire yourself.”
At her words, Rong Tan finally felt at ease. He watched Wu Ciyun leave with joy filling his heart.
He didn’t know why Wu Ciyun’s attitude toward him had changed so suddenly, but after all, it was a blessing after the storm.
Compared to his doubts, what he felt most was overflowing happiness.
The young servant who came in to attend to him was a trusted aide Rong Tan had planted in the residence. Seeing this, he couldn’t help but sigh repeatedly, “Your Highness, why go to such lengths…”
Ever since he’d accidentally rescued the gravely injured Wu Ciyun two years ago, Rong Tan had seemed bewitched, stubbornly staying by Wu Ciyun’s side as a servant for two whole years.
Yet that person didn’t appreciate it at all.
Back when the Pingnan Prince’s Heir was so arrogant, Wu Ciyun ignored him completely.
Now that he’d gotten his just deserts, Wu Ciyun was actually taking things seriously.
The attendant was so indignant he secretly cursed “shameless philanderer” several times in his heart.
Their Highness had always kept to himself and shunned worldly affairs, with a nature far too gentle and kind.
If not for that, how would he have ended up being toyed with by Wu Ciyun?
“If Your Highness truly cares, why not reveal your identity to General Chu, have her brought straight back to Liang Capital, and announce to the world that she drowned and couldn’t be saved? The Chu Family is eager to win Your Highness over—they certainly wouldn’t refuse.”
The attendant whispered, “Right now, Wu Ciyun is in a position of power. No matter how much Your Highness humbles himself, it’s useless. If she’s taken to Liang Capital, she’ll lose her backing and have no choice but to obey Your Highness in the future…”
Rong Tan’s expression darkened. The attendant immediately shut his mouth, not daring to speak further.
“Don’t say such things again in the future.”
Rong Tan lowered his lashes, hiding the emotion in his eyes.
He said softly, “We care for each other. There’s no need for such dirty tricks.”