There is only one truth

*

[Host, you're the female lead! You're the female lead!]

The system shouted excitedly.

Xu Qingyao's head was throbbing: Shut up, whose comrade are you anyway?

Should I give it to her just because she says she wants it?

"Of course." She smiled slightly and handed over the fabric. "Take it if you like it, young lady."

Shen Rou took the fabric and said softly, "Thank you for your generosity, Miss."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Shen Rou took her leave. Xu Qingyao watched her retreating figure, lost in thought.

[Host, there's something strange about her.]

Xu Qingyao: "Hmm? What's strange?"

She seems... to know you, like you've met many times, even though this is your first time meeting.

Furthermore, according to this timeline, the female lead should be with the Second Prince, not here.

Xu Qingyao narrowed her eyes, but didn't say anything, only keeping it in mind.

*

A few days later, Xiao Zhouyan completed his mission as an envoy and prepared to return to the Great Zhou.

Yuwen Heng personally escorted them out of the city. Standing at the city gate, he suddenly looked at Xu Qingyao with a smile on his lips: "It's a pity you didn't experience the wedding customs of Gaochang."

Xu Qingyao raised an eyebrow: "Hmm?"

"Back then, I really wanted you to be my bride." His tone was half-serious, but his gaze was deep.

Before Xu Qingyao could answer, Xiao Zhouyan stood in front of her with a cold face: "King of Gaochang, watch your words."

Yuwen Heng chuckled, unconcerned, but then asked again, "Xu Qingyao, if he and I met you at the same time, who would you choose?"

Xu Qingyao blinked, then suddenly reached out and took Xiao Zhouyan's arm, smiling as she said, "I'll choose the one who's good to me."

Yuwen Heng laughed loudly: "Good answer."

Xiao Zhouyan snorted coldly and directly put his arm around her waist and got into the carriage.

Yuwen Heng waved his hand to signal the city gates to close: "Have a safe journey."

*

When passing through Liangzhou, Xu Qingyao and Xiao Zhouyan went to the Jiang residence together.

The Jiang residence remained simple and elegant. Her maternal grandfather sat in the courtyard drinking tea, and when he saw her arrive, a hint of relief flashed in his eyes.

"You're back?"

Xu Qingyao nodded and said softly, "Grandfather, I'm back."

Xiao Zhouyan bowed respectfully. Old Master Jiang looked him over a few times and finally stroked his beard with satisfaction: "Not bad, Xu Lian's eye for choosing a son-in-law is not bad."

Xu Qingyao chuckled.

The two then went to see Madam Jiang.

The old lady held her hand and talked on and on: "My dear child, I thought it would be a long time before I could see you again."

The night in Liangzhou City was gentle, and lanterns hung high in the courtyard of the Jiang residence, casting a warm glow.

It was a rare occasion for the family to gather together at the banquet.

"Sister Qingyao, you left in a hurry last time and didn't have a chance to explore Liangzhou properly. How about you stay in Liangzhou for a few more days this time? I'll show you around."

Jiang Caiwei held Xu Qingyao's hand and enthusiastically recounted the changes in Liangzhou City these past few days: "A new silk shop has opened in the west of the city, and the patterns are so beautiful! There's also a teahouse in the south of the city, and the storytellers there tell such wonderful stories!"

Xu Qingyao smiled and nodded: "Okay, then take me shopping tomorrow."

Xiao Zhouyan sat quietly to the side, answering questions about the customs and culture of the capital city when asked by Old Master Jiang. Old Madam Jiang grew increasingly satisfied, and couldn't help but whisper to Xu Qingyao, "This child is steady and reliable, much better than those glib-tongued ones."

Xu Qingyao smiled and secretly glanced at Xiao Zhouyan, noticing that his ears were slightly red, indicating that he had heard what she said.

*

The next day, Jiang Caiwei indeed took Xu Qingyao out for a trip.

The streets of Liangzhou City were even more ancient than those of Xinyue City, with shops lining both sides of the bluestone-paved road and pedestrians bustling about. Jiang Caiwei, arm in arm with Xu Qingyao, chattered all the way: "Sister, look at this hairpin, it suits you perfectly!"

Xu Qingyao took the white jade hairpin, the tip of which was carved with a small lotus flower, its surface translucent and lustrous. Just as she was about to try it on, she suddenly felt a gaze fall upon her.

Turning my head, I saw a familiar figure standing on the street corner, Shen Rou.

How did she end up here?

[The female lead is here too? That's strange...]

Shen Rou seemed surprised to meet her. She paused for a moment, then smiled faintly and nodded in greeting.

Xu Qingyao was puzzled, but she didn't show it on her face, only politely returning a smile.

Jiang Caiwei asked curiously, "Does your sister know her?"

"We met in Crescent City a few days ago," Xu Qingyao said casually, pulling Jiang Caiwei along as they continued shopping.

After returning to the Jiang residence, Xu Qingyao summoned the system and reviewed the original plot again.

"Hey buddy," Xu Qingyao cracked open some sunflower seeds that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, "you said the female lead was strange today, what's strange about her?"

[System search in progress...]

According to the plot development, the female lead should have piqued the interest of the second prince, Chu Chengjing, who then plans to redeem her and train her as his informant so that she can be sent to the emperor.

However, after the female lead piqued Chu Chengjing's interest and got him to redeem her, she surprisingly proposed to go to Crescent City to find old relatives...

This doesn't seem to fit the character's established personality. The female lead is an assassin trained by the regent of the Li Kingdom, and assassins are usually orphans.

"So... the female lead is out of character?" Xu Qingyao pondered. "Do you think it's possible that she's like me?"

[Wait, system detection in progress—no other outsiders detected besides the host and system.]

Xu Qingyao placed her right index finger beside her nose: "It's not time travel, nor is it transmigrating into a book..."

Based on her years of experience reading novels—

There's only one truth!

That is...

"She was reborn?"

[Beep—Beep—Beep—]

[System is performing a check—]

[System is analyzing—]

The analysis shows that the female protagonist has a 100% chance of being reborn.

Oh no! We're doomed!!!

When was she reborn?

No, no, I should ask...

Were we in her previous life?

[System...detection...results...]

[Host, I completely understand what you mean, but please rest assured, the only known reborn person so far is the female protagonist, Shen Rou.]

The system, unusually serious, offered her words of comfort.

“Chen Rou must have just been reborn not long ago.” Xu Qingyao analyzed. After being reborn, Shen Rou discovered that Xiao Zhouyan in her previous life had been forced to marry Xu Qingyao, while in this life, Xiao Zhouyan had personally requested a marriage decree.

Shen Rou will definitely be suspicious, but she hasn't fully gained Chu Chengjing's trust yet, so she can only wait.

Fortunately, based on her understanding of Chu Chengjing from her previous life, it wasn't long before Chu Chengjing brought her out of that cannibalistic place.

After leaving, her first thought was to inquire about Xiao Zhouyan, this variable. Unexpectedly, the Tubo Kingdom, which existed in the late Zhou Dynasty of her previous life, had now been annexed by Gaochang.

Shen Rou panicked. Upon learning that Xiao Zhouyan and his wife had a very good relationship, she felt that the problem lay with Shen Qingyao.

After making inquiries from various sources, she obtained Chu Chengjing's permission to go to New Moon City under the pretext of "searching for old relatives," and then went to New Moon City.

And then, by sheer coincidence, he ran into Shen Qingyao on the street.

This confirmed Shen Rou's guess: Shen Qingyao was the variable.

[What does the female lead want to do now?] The system was troubled. Once the main characters in the plot were separated from the story, the worst result would be that the ending would be unpredictable.

"You're asking me?" Xu Qingyao pointed to herself. "Aren't you the system? Analyze this situation and, based on the female lead's personality, what would she do?"

Based on the female lead's personality and the later developments, it's highly likely that... she'll become empress herself.

Xu Qingyao: ? ? ?

I am the first female emperor in history.

"She's about to become the emperor, how am I supposed to play along with her?" Xu Qingyao was starting to doubt whether the system was real.

Didn't Tongzi say that she was the one chosen by God?

No, it's someone selected by the system.

"The most important thing now is to cling to the female lead's coattails," Xu Qingyao said with self-awareness, "and then beg her to spare my life."

Although the author didn't write about the later plot, he did write another story about the grandchildren of the male and female protagonists.

The system reasonably predicts that in the later stages of the story, the male protagonist only cares about drinking and merrymaking, indulging in women and filling his harem, while the female protagonist manages the court. The result is that the male protagonist dies suddenly in middle age, and the female protagonist assumes the regency.

Xu Qingyao gave a thumbs up: A woman among women, a female among females.

"Then am I going to witness the birth of a new empress?" Xu Qingyao was excited.

[Host, calm down.] The system's cold voice carried a hint of helplessness: [We don't know if they're friend or foe, but they're most likely the enemy.]

Qingyao: Oh.

"Hey buddy, I've been found by Xiao Zhouyan," Xu Qingyao thought of something else, "Does this count as a mission failure?"

[In principle, it is counted.]

"Won't they take back the reward?"

【Won't. 】

"Yay, that's great..." Before she could even start to feel happy.

Points will be deducted.

ah?

[Beep—The host was found by the first groom, but not captured, and 10 points will be deducted. Current points: 25.]

Xu Qingyao wanted to slap herself to death a few minutes ago: This damn mouth of hers.

“System,” Xu Qingyao said with a serious expression, “I’ve noticed that you’re a very meticulous person.”

【Thanks. 】

*

Over here, Wei Er was telling Xiao Zhouyan about the movements of various forces in the capital.

"The Second Prince recently redeemed a woman from Lanlingfang." He handed over the letter in his hand. "This woman was a refugee from the Li Kingdom."

Xiao Zhouxing took the letter, his fingertips gently stroking the rough paper. His gaze swept over the words, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"A woman who fled from the Li Kingdom?" he repeated in a low voice, a hint of coldness in his tone. "The Second Prince is always cautious, why would he suddenly redeem someone from Lanling Ward?"

Wei Er said in a low voice, "I have investigated. The woman's name is 'A Wu'. She is said to be a refugee from the border of Li Kingdom. She was sold to the capital by brokers. The madam of Lanling Ward said that she was quite skilled at playing the zither. The Second Prince heard her play a tune by chance and insisted on redeeming her."

Xiao Zhouxing's lips curled slightly, but there was no smile in his eyes: "Musical skills?" He tapped the letter lightly with his fingertips, "The Li Kingdom has been in war for years. The refugees who have survived are either ruthless or smart enough—this 'Awu' is probably not simple."

Wei Er hesitated for a moment: "Does the young master mean... she might be a spy?"

"Not necessarily." Xiao Zhou folded the letter, his eyes deep. "But it's still suspicious that the Second Prince suddenly takes a liking to a woman of unknown origin." He paused, then suddenly asked, "Is that broker still in the capital?"

"Yes." Wei Er nodded. "It's Liu San from the south of the city. He specializes in buying and selling people from the border. He has handled quite a few refugees."

A sharp glint flashed in Xiao Zhouxing's eyes: "Find out exactly where this A-Wu came from in the Li Kingdom, and how many hands she's passed through. Also—" his tone was slightly cold, "keep a close eye on the Second Prince's residence, and see what tunes this 'music player' can actually play."

Wei Er clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes."

After Wei Er left, Xiao Zhouxing looked out the window at the deepening twilight, his fingertips unconsciously tapping lightly on the edge of the table.

The second prince's scheme failed last time, and he must be furious. What is he planning to do this time?

Li Kingdom, Yaren, Second Prince...

"Wei Yi".

"Your subordinate is here." Wei Yi emerged from the shadows, clasped his hands, and knelt down.

Xiao Zhouxing's eyes narrowed slightly, and his voice was low: "Has Madam been in contact with anyone recently?"

Wei Yi thought for a moment and replied, "Madam went to the West Market with Miss Jiang today. On the way, she met a woman she had seen in New Moon City and chatted for a few words. Other than that, there was nothing unusual."

Xiao Zhouxing paused, a strange glint in his eyes: "Have you investigated?"

Wei Yi answered truthfully: "The woman's name is Shen Wu. She came from the capital to Liangzhou to find her relatives."

"Chen Wu?" Xiao Zhouyan stood up and walked to the window. "Is there an orphan girl named 'Chen Wu' in the capital?"

Wei Yi's expression hardened: "Does the young master mean... that woman is 'A Wu,' and that Madam is being targeted?"

"The Second Prince is always cautious and won't act rashly." His tone was calm, yet subtly sharp. "But if he really sets his sights on her—"

Before he finished speaking, a slight noise came from outside the window, like the sound of tiles being stepped on.

Xiao Zhouxing's eyes suddenly turned cold. Wei Yi reacted quickly, his figure flashing as he reached the window. However, the night was deep, and the courtyard was empty, with only the swaying shadows of the trees.

"Young Master?" Wei Yi turned around, his expression solemn.

Xiao Zhouxing's lips curled slightly, but there was no smile in his eyes: "It seems that someone is more anxious than us."

He turned around, flicked his sleeve, and amidst the flickering candlelight, his voice was as cold as iron: "Send more men to secretly protect the lady. Also, investigate what that regent of Li Kingdom has been up to lately."

!

Wei Yi clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your subordinate understands."

After Wei Yi left, Xiao Zhouxing stood alone by the window, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

...