Chapter 54: Trap

After successfully bamboozling the envoy from the Little Emperor until he was utterly convinced, Nian Zhi’an returned to her small side courtyard with her spoils, thoroughly satisfied. That envoy truly lived up to being the Little Emperor’s trusted confidant—he was filthy rich!

Nian Zhi’an patted the thick stack of silver notes tucked into her sleeve. Now she didn’t need to raid Meng Congyun’s little gold stash; she had enough money to buy a big house in Jiangnan.

She decided to praise her once same-father-different-mother little brother for being cute—but only for one day.

【That thing just now!】 The Little System excitedly zipped around Nian Zhi’an, darting up and down. 【That fire wasn’t ordinary, was it?! I could tell its quality was top-notch! Second only to your Longevity Lock! It must be worth a ton of points!】

As expected from a seasoned old-timer with deep experience. Even if it looked heavily in debt, a good shake might still shake out more treasures!

“Points? I’m not really sure how many it’s worth. This was… a gift from someone else.” Nian Zhi’an’s steps paused slightly. When she mentioned that “someone else,” the lively expression on her face suddenly dimmed.

【A gift?】 Even something like that could be given away? Though it was just a fleeting glimpse, the Little System could still gauge that the item’s value was enough to buy dozens of itself! To casually give away something like that meant its Host must have latched onto one hell of a sugar daddy.

No, wait a second…

【Host, the big shot you’ve latched onto… isn’t another task target from some world, right?】

Nian Zhi’an tugged at the corner of her mouth. “You guessed right. It’s a task target from some high-level world. If all goes as expected, we’ll run into her.”

【Ah… That task target seems pretty nice to you? If we go there, won’t we just win without trying?】 The Little System missed its Host’s exceptionally ugly expression and spoke with particular optimism.

“…I’m afraid not.” Nian Zhi’an mercilessly shattered the Little System’s unrealistic fantasies.

“And not only that—I’m afraid you’ll have to come collect my corpse.” Nian Zhi’an’s tone was soft, as if the terrifying words she’d just spoken hadn’t come from her own mouth.

【Huh???!!!】 The Little System froze in place like a duck with its neck wrung. By the time it snapped out of it, Nian Zhi’an had already walked far ahead, so it hurriedly chased after her.

【Host, don’t scare me like that!】

“Why would I scare you? If I run into her and my identity gets exposed by any chance, she’ll definitely kill me.” Nian Zhi’an let out a sigh and spoke with a throw-caution-to-the-wind attitude. “What’s there to fear? I’ll be the one dying anyway.”

The Little System drew in a sharp breath. Comparing it to the deaths its Host had courted in the previous world, it felt this next one might be even worse! If they really ended up going there…

No, no, no—it couldn’t be as self-defeating as its Host!

【There has to be a way! Host, don’t give up hope! There’s no hurdle in this world you can’t overcome. Even if you made a huge mess back then, there might still be room to maneuver…】

The Little System earnestly persuaded her all the way back, though it was unclear if Nian Zhi’an was listening.

Upon returning to the side courtyard, before Nian Zhi’an could even set down the items in her hands, A Jiu appeared behind her like a resentful spirit.

“Miss Yu Ji, where did you go just now?”

A Jiu was one of the Dark Guards who had lost track of Nian Zhi’an for a while. Because of her failure, her resentment—fearing the Prime Minister’s reproach—threatened to swallow Nian Zhi’an whole.

“Cough cough… I just bought some food.” Nian Zhi’an held up the various packages in her hands and flashed A Jiu a placating smile.

“Would Miss A Jiu like some?”

“Eat, eat, eat—all you think about is eating. Have you forgotten how you nearly got poisoned to death before? Healed scars and forgotten pain, huh? Running off was bad enough, but diving into crowds!” Most importantly, at a time like this, she was still thinking of passing intel to the Little Emperor! Hmph, the Prime Minister had saved her for nothing! Ungrateful wretch!

A Jiu was furious. The slight favorability she’d built up toward Yu Ji over this time plummeted back to rock bottom in an instant. She vowed never to trust this woman again! Once she became the Prime Minister’s discarded pawn, A Jiu definitely wouldn’t let her off!

A Jiu inspected all of Nian Zhi’an’s “spoils” one by one. First, she checked for poison and confirmed there was none. Then, with particular malice, she confiscated every bit of meat-based food—not even sparing the meat buns.

“Doesn’t the Prime Minister devoutly worship the Buddha? The Prime Minister’s Residence forbids meat and fish. I’ll take these away. No next time!”

Yeah right! As if she didn’t know you Dark Guards feasted on meat and veggies every day, perfectly balanced! This was just tormenting Yu Ji!

Nian Zhi’an pounced like a tiger on its prey, hugging her food tightly and refusing to let go no matter what. A Jiu tugged twice but couldn’t budge her!

“Let go!”

“No!”

The two stalemated there like children.

【Host! Meng Congyun’s coming—she’s about to enter your courtyard!】 The Little System timely provided backup.

Nian Zhi’an got it instantly. She spent three seconds brewing her emotions: by the fourth second, her eyes were red-rimmed; by the fifth, tears were swirling in them. When Meng Congyun approached, she had already turned into a pitiable little thing, crying her eyes out.

“Prime Minister!” Seeing the newcomer, A Jiu immediately released her grip.

“What’s wrong? Why are you crying like this?” Meng Congyun came to Nian Zhi’an’s side and raised her hand, seemingly to wipe the tears from her face.

But Nian Zhi’an instinctively stepped back. That one step made Meng Congyun pause slightly. She stiffly withdrew her hand—no one noticed how the Prime Minister’s fist clenched inside her sleeve.

“I’m sorry… I know the Prime Minister devoutly worships the Buddha, kind-hearted and unwilling to take life, so the residence forbids meat and fish.” Pretending to wipe her tears, Nian Zhi’an sneaked a glance at Meng Congyun. She herself blushed saying such a bald-faced lie, yet this woman accepted it without batting an eye.

A Jiu’s eyes widened as she stared at Nian Zhi’an. How did this woman cry on command? And she felt a chill down her back, as if she’d been schemed against!

“But, but… I couldn’t help myself for a moment. I’m sorry, Prime Minister. I shouldn’t have disobeyed Miss A Jiu. I’ll throw all this away right now—I swear it won’t happen again.” While wiping her tears, Nian Zhi’an pretended to reluctantly prepare to toss it all. Sure enough, before she could dawdle even one step, Meng Congyun stopped her.

The Prime Minister glanced at A Jiu, her gaze carrying a hint of disapproval.

A Jiu immediately ducked her head guiltily. Making Yu Ji’s three meals all vegetarian had indeed been their idea, but back then Yu Ji had gone too far, so they’d come up with this to mess with her.

“Miss Yu Ji is a guest. How can we make a guest compromise like this? A Jiu, no more of that next time, understood?” Though the Prime Minister’s voice was mild, no one dared question it.

“Yes…” A Jiu nodded obediently.

“You won’t be punished this time. Go to the kitchen and instruct them: from now on, Miss Yu Ji’s meals should be normal.”

“Yes.” A Jiu, who had been fierce as a wolf in front of Nian Zhi’an, became as docile as a puppy pup before the Prime Minister. She accepted the order and obediently went to relay it to the kitchen.

“It was my oversight. Next time you want something, just tell the kitchen directly. Don’t go buying outside—it’s not safe.” Meng Congyun fussed over her safety as if she truly cared, repeating the warning several times.

“Yes, thank you, Prime Minister. It won’t happen again.” Nian Zhi’an lowered her eyes in thanks, teardrops still clinging to her trembling lashes.

Old fox—didn’t her conscience hurt dumping all the blame on her subordinate?

“…These pastries from this shop are delicious.” Casually noticing the pastries from a certain shop in Nian Zhi’an’s hand, Meng Congyun’s expression seemed to haze over slightly.

She bought them often too, but not for herself—instead, she placed them before Her Highness’s tomb.

“The Prime Minister likes them too? Why not share some?” Nian Zhi’an was just being polite, but who knew Meng Congyun would actually agree. She sat directly at the stone table in the side courtyard, sharing Nian Zhi’an’s pastries.

Nian Zhi’an’s cheeks puffed out, whether from the food filling them or from anger, who could say.

“There’s something tonight that I’ll need Miss Yu Ji’s help with. A Jiu probably hasn’t had a chance to tell you yet, has she?”

“Tonight? No, Miss A Jiu came and just tried to snatch my stuff—she didn’t say anything else.” Nian Zhi’an didn’t forget to pin the blame on A Jiu. Look, she hadn’t even handled the Prime Minister’s actual errand properly~

“Her… Sigh. Then I’ll tell you myself. Miss Yu Ji, tonight I need you to accompany me to Jade Hall Tower,” Meng Congyun said.

Oh, Jade Hall Tower…

Hm?

Nian Zhi’an blinked her innocent big eyes and lowered her voice. “The Prime Minister going to a pleasure house and bringing me along… isn’t that a bit inappropriate?”

Yu Ji was, after all, the famed courtesan of the capital. Taking her to a brothel—and one that was a rival to her former haunt—felt a little like crashing the party.

Nian Zhi’an’s head got knocked.

“What are you thinking about?” Meng Congyun’s expression turned serious. “A murder occurred at Jade Hall Tower. A prince was killed, and the Ministry of Punishments still hasn’t uncovered any results. The Minister of Punishment came to me to apologize and hopes that I can step in to help.”

“Oh…” So it’s not, then it’s not—why hit me so hard? Nian Zhi’an rubbed her head.

The Minister of Punishment had been single-handedly promoted by Meng Congyun and counted as half her student. When a student faced difficulties, a teacher naturally had to lend a hand.

“This little lady knows nothing about investigating cases. I wonder what help I can offer you, my lord?”

“The only courtesan at Jade Hall Tower these days who can still show her face is Yan Niang. You should remember her, right?” Meng Congyun asked.

Of course she remembered. Yan Niang was Yu Ji’s sworn enemy. They had grown up together, yet Yu Ji always overshadowed her at every turn. Naturally, the madam favored Yu Ji more, so Yan Niang had stormed off to Jade Hall Tower in a fit of anger.

“Did the prince die in her room?”

“No, that day Yan Niang was feeling unwell, so the prince found another girl and ultimately died in that girl’s room. However, I hope you can go chat with Yan Niang and see if she shows any unusual behavior. I remember you two grew up together—you should understand each other well, right?” Meng Congyun took a small box from her sleeve and placed it in front of Nian Zhi’an. “This is a thank-you gift. Regardless of whether you manage to get anything out of Yan Niang, we must still thank Lady Yu Ji for her generous assistance.”

“If there’s anything you need, just tell me directly—why be so polite?” Though Nian Zhi’an said this, her hand did not hesitate at all as she took the box.

“I grew up with Yan Niang and do indeed understand her well. Rest assured, Chancellor—I will do my utmost to help you.” Poor Yan Niang; once she fell into Meng Congyun’s trap, she wouldn’t be able to escape.

Nian Zhi’an pitied that prey which had been targeted, but at that moment, she failed to see through Meng Congyun’s gaze. When Meng Congyun looked at her, wasn’t it just like a predator eyeing its own prey?