Chapter 1 (World 2) I woke up to find myself in a trap.

“I have no feelings for my cousin, neither in the past nor in the future. Please respect yourself.”

Ling Wei and the system floated in mid-air, so embarrassed that she was fidgeting with her toes, but she didn't dare to look at what was happening below.

The speaker was a young man in his early twenties, whose refined and elegant demeanor, like jade reflecting the moon, made his face even more handsome and otherworldly.

However, the young master was frowning slightly at this moment, and subtly took a step back, trying his best to increase the distance between himself and the girl opposite him.

That girl was none other than Ling Wei from this world.

It was springtime, and the chill of winter hadn't yet dissipated, yet she wore a light blue gauze summer dress, clutching a book tightly in her hand, her eyes brimming with tears that threatened to spill, making her look utterly pitiful.

Seeing her like this, the handsome young man seemed to feel a little pity and softened his tone: "If my cousin has any questions about her studies, she may go to my mother. She is very knowledgeable, while I am not very learned and may not be able to answer her questions."

Gu Qingyan, the eldest grandson of the Gu family, was an exceptionally talented young scholar. At the age of fourteen, he achieved the highest honors in the imperial examinations, becoming a renowned young scholar.

At the age of twenty-one, he has already secured a position in the Hanlin Academy (a fifth-rank official position), demonstrating remarkable talent and a promising future.

If even he is lacking in knowledge, then there are probably few in the Zhaoyin Dynasty who would dare to claim to be learned.

These words were a rejection that showed absolutely no mercy.

Just as this awkward stalemate was reaching its conclusion, footsteps could be heard coming from the stairwell.

Ling Wei is currently in the Gu family's library. As a family of upright civil officials, the Gu family has a vast collection of books. However, there is an ancestral rule that books cannot be taken out of the library and can only be read inside. Gu Qingyan is no exception.

Therefore, the library has a study room for people to browse.

A pretty young girl in an apricot-yellow dress entered the study, feigning surprise, and asked, "What's going on?" Her gaze swept over Ling Wei, who was teary-eyed and dressed in thin clothes. As if she had just noticed her, she covered her mouth in surprise, "Sister Ling? Oh dear, why are you dressed so...lightly and thinly so early in the morning?"

As she spoke, she casually adjusted her thick, luxurious apricot-yellow spring dress, her tone sincere:

"Sister, were you in such a hurry to come out that you forgot to put on a coat?"

Ling Wei's lips twitched as she stood in mid-air.

System oo: "You were right, we really were tricked."

Ling Wei swayed, as if she couldn't withstand the situation, and fainted with a thud.

Ling Wei sensed the call from below and said helplessly, "Now you know to ask for help?"

She has been here for many days, but she has been unable to integrate. The system says it's because the original owner didn't have the intention to ask for help.

So she could only watch helplessly as this girl named Liu Yiyi played her for a fool.

The current world is called the Zhaoyin Dynasty, and its features are similar to those of the Tang and Song Dynasties. The current emperor, Xiao Liheng, has been on the throne for twenty-three years, and his reign title is "Yuanjing".

The original owner, Ling Wei, was only sixteen years old.

Her father was originally an honest local official who tragically died in the line of duty while controlling floods. Her mother, deeply in love with her husband, fell ill and never recovered after this tragedy.

Worried that after she passed away, her clan would bully Ling Wei, an orphan with no one to rely on, and seize the family property, Ling's mother had no choice but to send her daughter to the capital to seek refuge with her distant cousin, Lin Shi—who was also Gu Qingyan's birth mother.

As a child, Lin was sent back to her hometown to recuperate due to her frail health. She and Ling's mother were inseparable since childhood, as close as sisters, and continued to correspond even after they got married. Little did she know that the last letter she received was her sister's last words.

Despite her grief, Madam Lin took the orphaned girl Ling Wei into her home and settled her in comfortably, hoping to find her a good marriage and thus comfort her sister in the afterlife.

The head of the Gu family is the former Grand Tutor, who was the current emperor's mentor when he was still the crown prince. His students and former associates are all over the court, and his descendants are now officials in the court.

The Gu family currently has two branches, both of which are the legitimate children of Old Madam Gu.

The eldest son was appointed Minister of Rites, and his first wife, Madam Lin, had a legitimate son, Gu Qingyan, and a legitimate daughter, Gu Qingyu, who was of marriageable age.

The second master also serves as an official in the court. His second wife, Lady Liu, has only one son, who is currently studying diligently to prepare for the imperial examinations. Old Madam Gu has another daughter who married young.

Liu Yiyi was the niece of the second wife, Liu Shi.

Compared to Ling Wei, who was only a distant relative seeking refuge, Liu Yiyi's intention to be taken to live at the Gu residence was as clear as day.

They came specifically for Gu Qingyan, the eldest grandson of the Gu family.

Therefore, she naturally incurred the dislike of everyone except the second wife.

Having grown up in the inner quarters of the house, she was more cunning. She first pretended to be an innocent and naive young girl to get close to Ling Wei, showing concern and care. Soon, she became best friends with the simple-minded original owner, sharing everything with her.

She revealed, intentionally or unintentionally, that "it seems my family wants me to marry into the Gu family, but I have no feelings for Brother Qingyan..." Her words carried a hint of confusion.

Ling Wei grew up pampered by her parents, and her mind was as pure as a blank sheet of paper. She had no idea about these complicated matters.

Liu Yiyi then naturally dragged her along to keep her company, actually to make their presence known to Gu Qingyan and to lower their own ulterior motives.

When Gu Qingyan came off court one day, his scarlet official robe made him look even more upright and noble, and Ling Wei was stunned.

A feeling of resentment arose in Liu Yiyi's heart that her things were being coveted, so she came up with a plan. She told Ling Wei many times that she did not like Gu Qingyan and that Ling Wei was a better match for him, encouraging Ling Wei to pursue him.

After making inquiries, Liu Yiyi learned that Gu Qingyan detested those who disrespected scholarship. She then strongly urged Ling Wei to use the opportunity of discussing scholarship as an excuse to get close to Gu Qingyan, and the original owner of the body foolishly believed her.

Just yesterday, Liu Yiyi persuaded her to wear summer clothes, which made Gu Qingyan's eyes light up. She even said that she would wear them with her, and in the end, she was all bundled up to watch the play.

It must be said that her plan was very successful; Ling Wei could not withstand the blow and fainted.

Those who had received her hint rushed to report to the old lady of the Gu family, who was now leading a large group of people toward the library.

The Gu family was strict in managing their household. To prevent their descendants from indulging in women and to ensure they focused on their studies, they strictly prohibited concubines and maids. They also emphasized "establishing a career before starting a family" in marriage.

In this dynasty, women reached the age of sixteen when they were of marriageable age, and most began discussing marriage around the age of eighteen.

A person like Gu Qingyan is naturally a precious gem that every family strives to pluck, and the object of the secret affections of noble ladies.

Because Gu Qingyan was so dazzling, various forces, both openly and covertly, offered him opportunities, almost overwhelming his doorstep. However, the Gu family, assessing the situation, dared not readily accept.

If it is now confirmed that Ling Wei deliberately seduced the Gu family's "precious darling," then she will have no place in the Gu family anymore, and Lin's painstaking efforts will be in vain, and she may even be implicated.

There's no time to lose!

Ling Wei, who was floating in mid-air, sharpened her eyes and swooped down towards the unconscious body below, completely merging with the original owner.

The system then followed suit.

(Mini Theater:)

Original World Ling Wei: Help me, help me QAQ

Boss Ling Wei: Gather here, come to me.