Chapter 1: The Innocuous Princess Consort of Beiyang vs. The Ruthless Prince of Beiyang

At the Spring Banquet, high officials, nobles, and royal kin gathered, their cups clinking, laughter echoing in the hall—a lively, boisterous affair.

“Sister, aren’t you going to drink the Imperial Peach Wine?”

The voice beside her was crisp and sweet, as melodious as a mountain stream.

Wen Yurou frowned gently and slowly opened her eyes, seeing a charming, adorable young lady standing before her, holding a translucent jade cup filled halfway with the vivid Imperial Peach Wine.

Wen Ruwei?

The original host’s cousin, orphaned early, had grown up in the Wen household. She coveted the identity of the legitimate daughter and used her superb acting skills to frame and torment the original host, so much so that no matter how she explained herself, even her own parents refused to believe her, and the maids in the manor bullied her as well.

According to the system’s briefing on the original plot, today Wen Ruwei would drug the original host and falsely accuse her of an illicit affair with a guard, utterly ruining her reputation and causing her parents to abandon her. Wen Ruwei would then rightly claim the title of Wen family’s heiress. In the end, the original host would be sent to a brothel, tormented to death, her corpse exposed in the wild.

Wen Yurou couldn’t help but recall her own experiences—kindred spirits, both fallen from grace. She vowed to exact vengeance for them all, sparing none.

She lowered her gaze to conceal the murderous intent in her eyes, and calmly accepted the jade cup, placing it on the table.

A voice echoed in her mind—the system: “Host, trust me. Complete the tasks in each world and you’ll be reborn, free to live as you wish!”

Wen Yurou replied coldly in her thoughts, “I understand. Thank you, 027. Begin the mission.”

“Very well, Host!”

[Task: Survive to the end alongside the target’s close contact and help him achieve revenge by any means necessary. Note: Only one chance.

Target’s close contact—
Name: Xiao Zexuan
Status: Sixth Prince of Da Kang / Prince of Beiyang
Enemy: Crown Prince—Xiao Qiheng
Hint: Enjoys excitement and danger; prefers to lure and release

Current location: Rear garden of Qingfeng Courtyard (character portrait loaded)]

Xiao Zexuan? He wasn’t in the original host’s fragmented memories. She’d have to meet him first—this was a good opportunity.

Seeing Wen Yurou ignore her for so long, Wen Ruwei’s patience wore thin. “I told you to drink—what does it mean, leaving it there? Did last night’s beating not hurt you enough?”

She was consumed with jealousy, remembering how the Crown Prince had spoken to Wen Yurou earlier.

Why should Wen Yurou always get whatever she wanted effortlessly, while she had to beg and still not receive it?

She deserved to be destroyed by me!

Wen Yurou composed herself, hiding her emotions, eyes lowered, meekly replying, “Sister, I haven’t eaten in days. My stomach still aches, so I’d rather not.”

“That won’t do. Sister, don’t use your discomfort as an excuse…” Wen Ruwei raised her brows, her demure act only making her seem more pitiable—and annoying. “Sister, you know the consequences of disobeying me.”

Wen Yurou feigned fear, shrinking back, her hand trembling as she gripped the jade cup, “I’ll drink…”

She played along—just as well, it would let her go to the rear garden.

Wen Ruwei watched Wen Yurou drink, feeling triumphant. Soon, her cousin would no longer be in her way!

She casually patted Wen Yurou’s cheek, her eyes icy. “That’s my good sister!”

No sooner had she spoken than Wen Yurou suddenly stood, clutching her forehead, her voice urgent, “I feel suffocated—I need some air.”

Wen Ruwei was briefly stunned—the drug worked so quickly?

Seeing Wen Yurou’s dazed expression, not feigned, she waved her hand, and the maid behind her stepped forward to support Wen Yurou.

“Sister’s unwell. Xiaoqing, accompany her—if anything happens, you can look after her.”

A sinister curve appeared on Wen Ruwei’s lips, her gaze filled with hatred.

Heh, let’s see if Wen Yurou can still cry once she wakes up!

Wen Yurou knew exactly what Wen Ruwei intended, suppressing the urge to kill her, continuing the act.

She nodded weakly, letting Wen Ruwei’s maid Xiaoqing help her out toward the rear garden.

The rear garden of Qingfeng Courtyard was vast, filled with rare and exotic plants. One area featured a lotus pond, surrounded by pavilions, fragrant and serene.

Along the way, Wen Yurou discreetly observed her surroundings, finally spotting her mission target in a secluded pavilion by the lotus pond.

Xiao Zexuan, clad in black, exuded an aura of martial dominance and regal beauty, as if a god descended—his presence was intimidating, with a cold, severe air and a disdainful posture that made others shrink away.

There was no one else nearby—a perfect chance to approach.

“Xiaoqing, I feel nauseous. Could you bring me a cup of hot water?” Wen Yurou whispered.

“Yes, I’ll fetch it right away.”

Xiaoqing replied and promptly left.

If she vomited, the drug wouldn’t work, and if the plan failed, Wen Ruwei would surely skin her alive.

Wen Yurou hadn’t expected it would be so easy to send Xiaoqing away.

She walked toward the pavilion, feeling increasingly feverish, beads of sweat forming on her forehead, her cheeks flushed as if dusted with rouge, making her beauty all the more striking.

Clenching her teeth, she gripped her collar, struggling to control herself, her steps faltering, finally reaching the pavilion.

“Your humble servant greets Prince Beiyang…”

Wen Yurou’s soft, delicate voice filled the pavilion, her gaze hazy, breathing rapid.

“Who!”

Xiao Zexuan suddenly looked up, his sharp gaze shooting toward the source—he saw a young woman stumbling toward him.

Her face was adorned with a seductive smile; her red lips pressed against his, warm and moist, sending tingling sensations through his body.

Wen Yurou’s timing was perfect—this scene was witnessed by the returning Xiaoqing, who rushed away with the teacup to inform her mistress Wen Ruwei—their plan had succeeded.

In an instant, Xiao Zexuan’s pupils contracted. He shoved Wen Yurou away with a furious roar. “Get out!”

A wave of weakness swept through Wen Yurou’s ankle; she collapsed to the ground, her gaze growing hazier, eyes rimmed red, tears glittering as she looked at Xiao Zexuan. “Your Highness…”

“I said get out!” Xiao Zexuan’s eyes blazed with rage, wishing to tear apart this seemingly innocent yet bewitching face. “Get… out of my sight!”

A quarter of an hour earlier, he had drunk a cup of wine brought by Ling Yu. At first, everything was fine, but his body had gradually grown feverish. He’d learned that Ling Yu had been intercepted by the Crown Prince’s men, discovering the wine was drugged.

He’d managed to suppress the effects with acupuncture, buying Ling Yu time to find an antidote, but now, at this critical moment, her actions had undone his efforts completely!

Damn it!

He thought he’d seen this woman speaking with the Crown Prince before—was she one of his people?

Xiao Zexuan angrily kicked over the nearby wooden bench. He needed to find a solution quickly, or else…

He feared he would be utterly ruined!