The system was startled by her cooperative attitude. Thinking the host might be temporarily blinded by the luxurious gift package, it quickly explained the plot.
"To protect him, you must go to his side. An opportunity has just presented itself. The Emperor has decreed that you marry him. If you become his consort, you can naturally stay by his side, constantly protecting him from harm, allowing him to feel warmth and love, and clearing his dark value, turning him into a good person."
Marry him? Consort?
Zhuo Nian understood what this meant and hesitated because she thought of another matter. At that time, they were also supposed to get married. As for why they were getting married, what happened, and why Rong Jin killed that person, she knew nothing.
Since they didn't get married back then, and now there was such an opportunity, she decided to try: "Alright, I will marry him."
The system was surprised, and even more delighted: "Miss, you're too kind! Let me check the plot, now..."
Zhuo Nian reminded it: "They plan to have someone else impersonate me and marry him." She had just heard this.
The system: "!!! Ahhh! Miss, this is bad, someone is trying to steal your position! Hurry and stop them, Bai Li Chong Yan is yours!"
Hearing the last sentence, Zhuo Nian felt an inexplicable pleasure.
It would be even better if he had no surname. Chong Yan, Chong Yan... how pleasant it sounds!
She got out of bed and walked straight out.
Following the memories in her mind, she walked to the courtyard of the Song family couple. The maids at the door were shocked to see their young lady emerge wearing only her undergarments.
"Miss, why are you here? And dressed like this!"
"I've come to find Song... Father and Mother."
The maid quickly took off her outer garment and draped it over her, saying, "Even if you're in a hurry to find the master and madam, you shouldn't come out like this! Qiu Yu, hurry and get some clothes for Miss!"
The young maid immediately responded and ran off.
Zhuo Nian was led to a side room by the maid. Madam Song also came over when she heard the commotion. Father Song, to avoid impropriety, waited at the door.
The maid brought her clothes and helped her dress. She then tidied her hair. Father Song entered and, seeing her hair and clothes still somewhat disheveled, spoke with a displeased tone: "Running out dressed so improperly, what kind of deportment is this?"
Zhuo Nian glanced at him with cold eyes.
"Miss, mind your persona."
"I want to marry Bai Li Chong Yan."
Master Song almost fell backward. Madam Song's eyes widened in disbelief, and she asked, "You, what did you say?"
"I said I want to marry Bai Li Chong Yan. Isn't this an imperial decree? Do you want to defy it?"
The Emperor was the most powerful person in the world, wasn't he? Could they not obey his decree?
Father Song: "..."
You know you can't defy the imperial decree!
Then why were you trying to die and threatening to commit suicide before!
He and his wife had finally discussed having another daughter impersonate her, and now she said she was willing to marry. This was treating marriage as a child's play.
After Madam Song recovered from her shock, she collapsed on the ground and wailed, "My Nian'er! What's wrong with you! It's alright if you don't want to. Mother has already discussed with your father, and we'll have Song Fang Hua marry him. She is also a legitimate daughter, and the Emperor only asked for a legitimate daughter of the Song family. Her marrying him would not be defying the imperial decree. Don't..."
"No!" Zhuo Nian interrupted her, her voice firm: "Chong Yan is mine. No one can snatch him from me!"
Madam Song: "..."
Father Song was also speechless.
That malevolent god, that cripple, who would fight with you for him?
"Since you said you want to marry, then don't go back on your word. The wedding will be next month. Go and prepare."
Madam Song exclaimed: "Master!"
Father Song sighed helplessly: "Didn't you hear her? She herself wants to marry and doesn't want anyone to snatch him away. What can I do?"
Fang Hua was also his daughter. If his wife hadn't also threatened to die, he wouldn't have agreed to switch. Moreover, there was the risk of defying the imperial decree. Now that she had agreed, everything would be fine. Souda Novel Network.
Having received the answer she wanted, Zhuo Nian left with the help of a maid.
As soon as she stepped out, she pushed the maid away: "No need to support me, I can walk myself."
Maid: "..." Felt like the second young lady was unhappy.
Was it because she was unwilling to marry Prince Yan, but had to marry for the family's prosperity, and was thus unhappy?
Zhuo Nian was unaware that her habits could lead to endless speculation. She was currently very interested in the person named "Chong Yan."
In fact, after she learned of what Rong Jin had done, she had become interested. Unfortunately, that person was dead, killed by her own sword, his soul scattered, and could not be found.
Now, whether it was transference of feelings or simply an interest in the name, she wanted to meet him.
"Where is Chong Yan?"
She suddenly stopped. Before the maid behind her could ask, she heard this question, and for a moment, she didn't know how to answer.
Zhuo Nian turned to look at her, her eyes carrying an inexplicable sharpness and ferocity. The maid was startled and quickly replied, "Miss, Prince Yan is naturally in his manor. Also, you cannot address the Prince by his given name."
Zhuo Nian: "..."
She wanted to say that names were meant to be called.
But over the years, it seemed no one had ever called her by her name directly.
Divine Venerable, Elder Sister, Demon Lord... Miss, Zhuo Nian, it seemed no one had ever called her that.
"Alright, I know. Where is his manor? How do I get there?"
Maid: "...Are you going to see Prince Yan?"
How terrifying!
What was wrong with their young lady? Why would she want to see that malevolent god?
"Yes." Wasn't he her fiancé? What would happen if she went to see him?
The maid felt like she was about to faint. Thinking she couldn't let her young lady venture into danger, she steadied herself and advised, "Miss, rumors say Prince Yan is cruel and merciless, a malevolent god. Why are you going to see him?"
Zhuo Nian thought for a moment and replied earnestly, "He is my fiancé. I will have to see him eventually. It's good to get used to it in advance."
The maid didn't know if she was going crazy or if her young lady was.
Get used to it?
Prince Yan's fearsome reputation was well-known. If you offended someone, Miss, you'd lose your life! What was there to get used to?
"Miss..."
"You're not going?" The two had already walked out of the Song manor's main gate. Zhuo Nian said, "Then point me the way, and I'll go myself."
Although the maid was terrified, she absolutely couldn't let her young lady go alone. So, she braced herself and walked with her towards the location of Prince Yan's manor.
Bai Li Chong Yan was a prince of the Great Sheng Dynasty. He had once charged into battle, achieving brilliant military exploits. Even though he was not favored by the Emperor and was persecuted by his brothers, and was now a cripple, his status was still extraordinary.
His residence was the best located in the entire capital, second only to the Imperial Palace. The manor was magnificent and grand, but the gates were tightly shut, with not a soul in sight.
The three large gilded characters "衍王府" (Prince Yan's Manor) on the plaque exuded immense power and majesty.
"Miss, this is Prince Yan's Manor."
"I can read."
Maid: "..."
"Alright, I'll go in myself. You can go back."
After she said this, she was about to walk forward. The maid quickly stopped her: "Miss, are you really going in? You can't! If something happens to you, Master and Madam will definitely beat me to death, Miss."
Zhuo Nian: "...Aren't you scared? Then if you go in and he beats you to death, what will happen?"
The maid trembled with fear. She couldn't let her go alone, but she didn't dare to follow. She could only look at Zhuo Nian with pleading eyes, trying to persuade her not to go.
Zhuo Nian was at the peak of her interest in that person right now. How could she give up without taking a look?
"Then you wait here. I'll be back soon."
With that, she took two steps forward, her toes lightly touching the ground, and flew directly over the wall of Prince Yan's manor, disappearing from sight.
"Miss!"
She was an adult now; standing outside for a while wouldn't hurt anyone. Zhuo Nian thought this and walked straight inside.
This manor was indeed very large, but there were hardly any people. She wandered around for a long time without seeing a single living person—or a dead one, for that matter.
"Do you have a map?"
The system went online. Seeing where she was, it was immediately shocked: "Miss, where are you?"
"Chong Yan's home, where is he?"
Whether it was the system's illusion or not, it always felt like its host called the villain's name as smoothly as eating chocolate.
But that wasn't the point.
"Miss, I can give you a beginner's gift package for this world, which includes a target tracking and positioning device. However, in other worlds, you'll have to buy it with points."
"Open it."
Once she met him, she could place a restriction on him and then find him whenever she wanted. She wouldn't need his gift package at all.
"Okay, Miss, please wait a moment."
The system fussed around for a bit, and then a huge map immediately appeared in Zhuo Nian's mind, clearly pinpointing the person's location. Along with it came many things: various mission auxiliary devices, snacks, and small toys to pass the time, filling Zhuo Nian's mind.
Zhuo Nian: "..."
Fortunately, the system was also very sensible and quickly organized those items, stacking them neatly.
Only then did Zhuo Nian follow the route to find the person.
This manor looked magnificent and luxurious from the outside, but inside, it was somewhat dilapidated. The flowers and plants in the garden seemed like they hadn't been tended to in a long time, and after walking for so long, she had seen neither living nor dead people.
It was like her own Demon Palace.
Could it be that this person, like her, was lost in pleasure and didn't care about anything?
That wasn't right. This wasn't the immortal or demonic realm. How could a mortal body live for decades without eating or drinking? They would have died long ago.
But she hadn't seen any souls either.
Zhuo Nian walked further ahead and finally, upon entering the backyard, sensed the presence of living people, and quite a few of them at that. They instantly surrounded her.
Zhuo Nian stopped and looked around. She intended to wait for those people to come out willingly, but they showed no such inclination and remained hidden.
Zhuo Nian was too lazy to bother with them and headed towards her objective.
Soon, in a true manor, she saw her target.
A... person pieced together in a mess.