Chapter 129: Do I Look Like a Good-for-Nothing to You?

“Zhonghua... you've emerged from seclusion?” Jiuyun watched as a man of unparalleled grace descended from the heavens, the Luo Yuan sword shielding him from the heavenly tribulation. Riding the wind, exuding an ethereal aura, she couldn’t help but ask.

“Has she been to the Abyss of Resentful Souls?”

Zhonghua didn't even spare Jiuyun a glance. His gaze fixed coldly on Siming. Seeing Siming remain silent, he already had his answer and turned away, vanishing into the Boundless Sea.

With Bing Geda gone, the oppressive aura that had frozen the Boundless Sea instantly lifted. Siming gasped for breath as if surviving a calamity.

...

Today was the third day of Lianlai’s stay in the country called Yanqi. This time, her identity was that of a minor failure, Chu Ge, the daughter of Marquis Chu's household.

Tomorrow, she was to be married into the Qi Prince’s residence as the concubine of the discarded King Qi Xiu.

Though the Marquis Chu’s household was small, its connections ran deep.

Chu Ge was born with innate foolishness, yet her luck was enviable, especially compared to her elder sister, Chu You.

A few days ago, while a maid took her to the market to buy candied hawthorns, they unexpectedly ran into the crown prince, Qi Ming, whom Chu You had long admired.

Chu Ge felt no attraction toward the prince, her heart devoted solely to the candied hawthorns. Unfortunately, due to a slight misstep and a twisted ankle, she tumbled right into the arms of the prince, who was the object of affection for countless women.

This incident was utterly disastrous. The news spread faster than if it had sprouted wings; Lian couldn’t even begin to imagine the extent of women’s gossip.

Moreover, Chu Ge was stubborn to the point of tears when embraced, sobbing heartbreakingly, but as the story was exaggerated and distorted, it reached Chu You’s ears as follows:

“The useless, foolish Chu Ge shamelessly tried to seduce the crown prince, attempting to besmirch his reputation by throwing herself into his arms!”

Worse still, the prince took it seriously. That very night, two imperial edicts arrived: one commanding Chu You to marry Qi Xiu, the Prince of Qi, as his wife; the other ordering Chu Ge to become the concubine of Crown Prince Qi Ming.

Upon receiving these edicts, the small flame of resentment in Chu You’s heart blazed fiercely. She shouted at her father, the Marquis, “Why can a stupid failure like her marry the crown prince as a concubine, while I must marry a foolish prince!?”

The Marquis was displeased but was also very affectionate toward Chu You. “But You’er, you will be the principal wife, the princess consort, managing everything in the Qi Prince’s residence. Chu Ge is merely a concubine — those harems are ruthless places, hardly as comfortable as your position.”

The Marquis spoke kindly and earnestly, but Chu You remained unruly, insisting that being a concubine to the crown prince was a matter of prestige, while marrying a foolish prince meant she was only fit to marry another fool.

Though Chu You’s words were crude, the Marquis found them quite reasonable.

He worried that Chu Ge’s lack of wit might cause trouble in the palace, where offending a powerful figure could doom the entire family.

After much deliberation, the Marquis compromised. He resolved to interfere subtly in these two arranged marriages, making the matches more “suitable.”

The plan he devised with Chu You was so perfect that even Chu Ge couldn’t help but applaud them.

With the Marquis Chu’s plan settled, the plan of Crown Prince Qi Ming was also set.

Qi Ming hoped that by the wedding day a few days hence, Chu Ge would no longer exist.

The cold chill of this plan was enough to send shivers down one’s spine.

As the entire imperial city drifted into dreams, assassins clad in night attire moved agilely along the eaves.

Under the cold moonlight, that night was destined to be anything but ordinary.

Qi Ming knew Chu Ge was a foolish failure, so he hired ordinary bodyguards as assassins—affordable and expendable.

Little Chu Ge, sweet and innocent, was completely unaware of the looming danger, sleeping soundly in her chamber. The next moment, Lian replaced her core.

Chu Ge leaned against the windowsill, counting the stars in the sky. The servants had just informed her that she was to be married tomorrow!

Feigning happiness, she performed the role of a fool flawlessly.

[Master, I think this is a bit of typecasting.]

“You’re leaving!”

Lian refused to admit the truth!

The little rascal who was scolded stayed in the space, rolling dice with the eight-tailed fox as a pastime called cultivation leisure.

One could only wonder at Crown Prince Qi Ming’s expression upon seeing his beloved sister Chu You—was it surprise? Astonishment? Or fright?

Chu Ge was too lazy to guess. Characters like Chu You, big-breasted but empty-headed extras, never survived past the third episode in the palace drama — a lesson imparted by Tao Tao, now coming in handy.

“Eh? You said Zhongli has arrived in Qi State? In the previous world, I never met him.”

Of course, the little rascal knew Lian was asking her a question. [I pick big, big, big! This time it’s definitely big! Master, I’m a bit busy here; you think on your own first!]

...

“Eight-tail, you’ve corrupted my little rascal. She never used to gamble!”

Lian glanced at the space. The ringleader was that informal red-skinned fox?

In just a few days, after surviving the heavenly tribulation and the heat of the earthly trials, not only had the injuries healed, but the eight-tail gained new insights.

Now, the eight-tail was more like a phoenix reborn from flames. Though still a fox unable to shift into human form, every attack she unleashed carried a burning aura.

Little hummingbird Tao Yao Yao had also transformed back to her true form. Being meticulous, Tao Yao Yao somehow absorbed the eight-tail’s demon core, unable to return it now, forcing the eight-tail to maintain her beast form until the ninth tail grew out.

To prevent the eight-tail from getting ideas, Lian shed her human guise as well, remaining in her true form, free and unrestrained within the space.

“Eight-tail is truly wronged. They insisted on playing together. Besides, we don’t bet on money or women, so how can it be called gambling?”

Chu Ge rubbed her forehead—given eight-tail’s eloquence, it was a waste not to become a storyteller.

“Yeah, originally Eight-tail was trying to cheer me up, but humph! They all showed up!” Tao Yao Yao chirped, joining in to defend eight-tail. Chu Ge was utterly helpless.

One by one, a group of gamblers.

She simply muted them all in the space, went to bed early, and planned to continue feigning insanity tomorrow.

...

“Miss, get up and prepare! You’re marrying tomorrow as a bride!”

Two matchmakers and a maid burst into Chu Ge’s courtyard early in the morning, dragging the sleepy girl to wash and dress.

Chu Ge, still drowsy, let them fuss over her. It was clear these two were sent by Chu You.

They slathered all sorts of pots and jars onto Chu Ge’s little face without a second glance, praising, “Miss, this shade of rouge suits you so well!” The key was Chu Ge had to echo them to prove her foolishness.

“Really? Then put on more! The crown prince will surely like it!”

Chu Ge pretended not to see her own face, closing her eyes as she lied.