Zhuo Ling, carrying the maid, returned to the Song Manor and threw her to a servant before going back to the room where she had first awakened.
This world held little interest for her. Other than that one person, everything else felt mundane.
The system, thinking of her remarkable cooperation that day, obsequiously offered a pile of snacks: "Big Sister, these are from our newbie gift pack. Look, potato chips, sunflower seeds, drinks, candy, dried meat... all for you. You'll have to buy these with points later."
Zhuo Ling leaned back on the soft couch as if boneless and asked, "Is there any wine?"
Providing alcohol to the host was against the rules.
The system replied aggrievedly, "No, there isn't."
Zhuo Ling immediately looked disgusted.
"Big Sister, drinking can lead to trouble, so in this department, both systems and hosts are forbidden from drinking. You can't drink either."
Zhuo Ling exclaimed, "...What did you say!"
"In this department, neither systems nor hosts can drink."
Zhuo Ling's emotions churned, and she almost tore the system apart on the spot. Finally, as if remembering something, she slowly calmed down.
"And what can you do if I do drink?"
Hearing her "What can you do to me?" tone, the system became a little timid. This was a big shot with billions in merit and faith points; he couldn't offend her easily.
"We have... hangover medicine. For the first world, it's provided free of charge."
Zhuo Ling was speechless again.
Drinking wine and then taking hangover medicine, what was the difference from not drinking at all?
It was also a waste of time.
Truly...
Boring!
In the past, she could drown herself in revelry. Now, even drinking was forbidden. What enjoyment was there left?
"Young Lady, you cannot enter! Young Lady, you cannot enter!"
Suddenly, a commotion came from outside. Zhuo Ling, who was feeling bored, sat up and watched as a maid and an unfamiliar woman pushed their way in.
She shouted in a sharp voice, "What's going on!"
The maid quickly retreated to the side. The woman stepped forward, looking at Zhuo Ling with hostile eyes, and said sternly, "Song Ling, you've gone too far! I will not marry the Sixth Prince for you!"
Zhuo Ling: "...Who said you're marrying him?"
She stood up, exuding an imposing aura, "He's my man. Who told you to marry him? Don't even think about it. If you dare to covet my man, I'll kill you!"
He was currently the "thing" that interested her most in this world. She would truly kill anyone who dared to snatch him away.
Song Fanghua: "...You, you are willing to marry him?"
"Of course."
Firstly, it was because she was interested in him. Secondly, it was a mission assigned by the system. With the former as support, she had the patience to do the latter.
Song Fanghua looked at her intently. After a long while, she shifted her gaze. She couldn't be sure if Zhuo Ling was telling the truth and still harbored suspicions.
"That's good. The marriage was personally decreed by His Majesty. Don't you and your mother think about changing the person. Treason is punishable by execution for the entire clan. Don't act rashly."
She hesitated and then reminded her again, "Also, the Second Prince is not a good person. Don't, don't have any private dealings with him. If it gets out, it won't be good."
Zhuo Ling didn't even know who the Second Prince was, so how could she have private dealings with him? She casually responded and then prepared to see her out.
Song Fanghua suspected that she hadn't listened to a word she said and repeated, "I'm serious. I saw him having dinner with Princess Chongming at Zhenxiu Pavilion today. Don't set your sights on that kind of scumbag."
"Mm."
"I know medicine. If there's a need, I can go see the Sixth Prince. Perhaps..."
"No need!" Zhuo Ling looked up and glared at her fiercely, "Don't have any ideas about him. I will really kill you."
Song Fanghua was startled by her and muttered, "She doesn't know a good heart," before walking out.
Although she was the eldest daughter of the Song Manor, her birth mother was merely the concubine of a fourth-rank official. After Lord Song achieved fame and success, her birth mother's rank was no longer sufficient, leading to the introduction of a co-wife – Zhuo Ling's birth mother.
Later, Song Fanghua's mother fell ill, grew despondent, and soon passed away. Song Ling's mother naturally became the legal wife, and her daughter, Song Fanghua, became an invisible person in the Song Manor.
Zhuo Ling was unaware of these details, nor did she care about them. "She's a soul transference person, yet her soul and body overlap so perfectly. How is that possible?"
In her case, although it wouldn't be as chaotic as Bai Li Chong Yan's situation, it shouldn't be this complete.
System: "...I, I don't know."
The original plot only had one version. In it, Song Ling was unwilling to marry, so they intended to have Song Fanghua take her place. However, Song Fanghua, upon hearing the rumors about Bai Li Chong Yan outside, became too terrified and committed suicide.
Zhuo Ling found him even more repulsive.
---
Since the marriage was set, no matter how unwilling Madam Song was, it was useless. After calming her emotions, she prepared to focus on helping her prepare her dowry.
In fact, it had already been prepared. But the groom was someone she hadn't expected. Worried that Zhuo Ling would suffer after marrying, she wanted to prepare more so she could hold her head high in the Prince's manor.
Little did she know, Zhuo Ling had already visited.
The maid who had followed her to the door that day was still ill.
Terrified.
Just as Zhuo Ling finished her breakfast, Madam Song entered with two maids. Seeing her eating well and appearing unconcerned, Madam Song felt a pang of sadness.
"You still have the appetite to eat! How could I have given birth to such a foolish daughter like you? Marrying Prince Yan, do you even know what kind of person he is? They say he has a green face and fangs, looks like a ghost, and kills without batting an eye. How could you..."
"Mother," Zhuo Ling said, unable to stand her words, "You yourself said those are rumors from the outside. If he really killed people indiscriminately without blinking, then everyone who saw him would have been killed. How did these rumors spread? Rumors stop with the wise. How can you, as the wife of the Minister's manor, blindly spread rumors when you know nothing?"
Madam Song: "..."
She desperately wanted to refute.
But Zhuo Ling's argument was flawless, and she couldn't find a way to counter it.
Zhuo Ling pushed the bowl in front of her. "Have you eaten? If not, hurry and have some!"
Madam Song was not in the mood. She was still worried and said, "I ate this morning. I plan to go to Linglong Pavilion today to order two sets of jewelry for you. You should go too, hurry and change your clothes."
Zhuo Ling didn't really want to go, but thinking that staying here was just as boring and idle, she agreed.
"I'll go change now."
Saying so, she walked into the inner chamber and with a turn of her body, changed into a white, flowing robe that made her look like a fairy.
This was the image she presented to "that person." Zhuo Ling was quite fond of it.
Seeing her enter and then emerge, Madam Song instinctively asked, "Weren't you going to change? Why are you out already?"
Zhuo Ling walked towards the door. "I've changed. Let's go."
Madam Song stared at her dumbfounded. Not only had she changed her clothes, but her hairstyle had also changed. For a moment, she was bewildered.
She changed so quickly?
Or had her recent worries caused her to lose track of time, and it had actually been a long time without her realizing it?
"Aren't we going?"
Madam Song tidied her sleeves and said loudly, "Yes, we are going!"
Her voice was full of spirit.
She wasn't sick!
Even so, Madam Song still planned to invite a physician to examine her pulse after they returned.
Only then could she be at ease.
---
Linglong Pavilion was the largest jewelry shop in the capital, specializing in various hairpin and coronet accessories. Due to their exquisite craftsmanship and fair prices, they had always been very popular.
Ordinary families liked to buy hairpins here for their female relatives, wealthy families would order jewelry sets, and even imperial palaces would purchase items here.
It was very lively.
The Minister of Rites' manor was considered a prominent family even in the capital where a seventh-rank official could be killed by a falling tile. Upon hearing the name of the Minister's manor, someone from Linglong Pavilion came out to greet them with respectful and attentive service.
"Madam Song, are you here to prepare the dowry for your precious daughter? The pavilion has recently received many treasures. Madam, would you like to look upstairs?"
Madam Song nodded, exuding the demeanor of a distinguished lady, dignified and elegant, showing no trace of her earlier unease.
Zhuo Ling sighed.
She didn't understand.
"Keep up."
Madam Song, who had already ascended the stairs, glanced back at her with a stern voice, instantly dispelling Zhuo Ling's thought of slipping away. She followed.
But soon, Zhuo Ling realized that coming here was pointless. The shopkeeper was constantly introducing things to Madam Song, and they would occasionally exchange compliments, then smile and move on to the next topic.
She got up, looked around, and then slowly made her way to the door and walked out.
"Ah!"
A female customer in the shop screamed and almost fell into Zhuo Ling's arms. Zhuo Ling quickly grabbed her waist, pushed her aside, and then reached out to stop the approaching wheelchair.
As everything froze, she looked in the direction the wheelchair had come from. A man with his hair tied up in a jade crown and dressed in brocade stood not far away, looking like a dissolute young master. He seemed somewhat displeased with her actions and taunted, "In the past, I've seen heroes saving beauties. Today, the young lady is saving an ugly cripple. Aren't you afraid of being scared? Hurry and let him go, young lady."
Zhuo Ling looked at the person in the wheelchair. He was still wearing the mask from that day, and only his calm, unperturbed eyes were visible. They were now looking at her with slight surprise.
"Why did you come out?"
Bai Li Chong Yan made a few gestures, which she didn't quite understand.
A guard ran over from a distance, intending to take him, but Zhuo Ling refused.
She looked at the person opposite her again. "Who are you, sir? How dare you act so presumptuously? Do you know who he is?"
The man opposite, with his dissolute demeanor, continued to smile. "Of course, I do. I am the Fourth Prince of the current dynasty. And he is my useless brother, Prince Yan. Young lady, you should stay away from him. His appearance is hideous; be careful, he might scare you."
As he spoke, he walked up to them. He looked at her, finding her somewhat familiar, but couldn't recall who she was. He asked, "And who is this young lady?"
Zhuo Ling gave him a devastatingly beautiful smile, but her voice turned spectral and cold, "You forgot one."
"He's also my man."
Suddenly, the Fourth Prince uncontrollably fell towards the stairs beside them. To the disbelieving eyes of everyone in Linglong Pavilion, he tumbled down the stairs and rolled all the way down.
"Ah!"
"Ah!"
"Save me! You bunch of..."
"Bang!"
"Waste..."
The entire Linglong Pavilion fell into a silence so profound that one could hear a pin drop.
Zhuo Ling smiled and lowered her head to ask Bai Li Chong Yan, "Was that fun?"