Chapter 3 Men are like clothes—heartless, ungrateful, and hypocritical.

Inside the Yue King's mansion, after seeing off Xue Dianjun, Yuan Yan asked about the system again.

"By the way, besides providing the initial identity, what other functions do you offer me besides asking me to do tasks?"

"That's a lot. Our Hegemony System can calculate the progress towards achieving the ultimate goal of unifying the world based on the host's actions. Furthermore, it awards corresponding achievement points based on the various accomplishments achieved along the way."

"The host can use achievement points to exchange for the items they need in the system's in-game store," the system said with considerable pride.

As it spoke, it automatically opened the shop, allowing Yuan Yan to see its contents. There were seeds of various crops, agricultural books, ores, divine weapons, martial arts manuals, colorless poisons… arranged according to need and points, a vast array of items. Yuan Yan scrolled to the back and even saw a category for celestial phenomena; with enough achievement points, she could even summon wind and rain, bringing down nourishing dew.

Yuan Yan wasn't fooled: "That sounds tempting, but all those zeros at the end don't seem like something you can get all at once."

"That does seem to be true... but it's okay, the system and the host are one, right? If the host has any difficulties, I will do my best to help." The system assured.

"How can you help us? We are in the Phoenix Kingdom, facing internal struggles for the throne and external threats from neighboring kingdoms like Liang and Wu... Overcoming these difficulties to unify the world is no easy task."

In a short period of time, Yuan Yan had already digested the memories in his mind and figured out the current situation both at home and abroad.

The system said apologetically, "Well, the system's functions require the host to explore them step by step... For now, I can provide you with mental support!"

Yuan Yan, not wanting to say anything more, ordered his servants to prepare a carriage and horses, ready to go out and see the world.

Just like in the original owner's memories, the streets and alleys here were almost entirely filled with women. Blacksmiths, peddlers, shopkeepers... everywhere you looked, there were women.

To the system's surprise, Yuan Yan, despite having transmigrated, adapted well to the scene.

After having her servants stop the carriage, she went downstairs with great interest and strolled around, chatting with the small vendors for a while, and bringing back a whole bunch of things she didn't need, such as sugar figurines, needles and thread, and wooden hairpins.

"Your Highness, sugar figurines and hairpins are one thing, but why are you buying these needles and thread meant for men?" The attendant asked, somewhat puzzled.

"I just bought it when I saw it, and I'll keep it for a while." Yuan Yan had his attendant pay for it, and then he continued walking forward.

The largest shop on the entire street is called Qiongzhen Pavilion.

Yuan Yan entered with his attendants and discovered that it was an ancient version of a high-end jewelry store specializing in men's jewelry.

The first floor sells ordinary hairpins and ornaments, while the second floor is used to receive distinguished guests and cater to the business of wealthy and noble men.

"Please come in, esteemed guest." The waiters here are quite perceptive. They noticed that Yuan Yan's clothes were luxurious and unlike those of ordinary people, and they eagerly stepped forward to welcome her to the second floor.

The hairpins, armlets, and necklaces on the second floor were even more exquisite, made of gold, jade, tortoiseshell, agate, and other precious materials, clearly worth a fortune. Everywhere you looked, there was a dazzling display of gold and shimmering jade.

Yuan Yan, with his sharp eyes, immediately spotted the pair of filigree and jewel-encrusted gold magpie hairpins in the center, their rubies adding a finishing touch, and the magpie holding a pearl bringing joy.

"Distinguished guest, you have excellent taste. These hairpins were made by the Zhang family, using precious materials and possessing exquisite craftsmanship. They are the prized possessions of our establishment... You can get them for just this price." The waiter gestured a number.

"Eighty taels?" The servant was astonished. So much silver just to buy a hairpin? These men from wealthy families really know how to spend money.

"This lady may have made a mistake. It's not eighty taels, it's eight hundred taels of silver," the waiter said with a smile.

The servant was startled and muttered, "This is way too expensive..."

However, at that moment, another customer took a liking to the pair of hairpins.

"Lingyue, do you like these hairpins?"

A tall, elegant woman asked a question to the veiled man beside her.

Lu Lingyue shook her head slightly, "I just thought it looked a bit unique, so I took a second look."

The woman smiled nonchalantly and had someone remove the hairpin: "If Lingyue likes it, then buy it."

"Your Highness, this hairpin is too precious. Lingyue cannot accept it." Lu Lingyue refused after a moment of surprise.

"Accept it," King Qi insisted. "A precious hairpin is meant for a beautiful woman. Ling Yue, with her unparalleled beauty, naturally deserves the best."

As she spoke, she picked up one of the hairpins and prepared to put it on Lu Lingyue herself.

"Oh, what a coincidence... Eldest Princess also brought a man to a place like this."

However, at that moment, a strange, off-key voice rang out, interrupting King Yuan Jing of Qi's actions.

Just as Yuan Jing was getting close to Lu Lingyue, he was suddenly disturbed. He was about to frown when he looked up and saw Yuan Yan with his arms crossed, watching the two of them.

"Second Imperial Sister." Yuan Jing was surprised to see Yuan Yan, who had just been released from confinement, here. A hint of surprise flashed through his mind, but he still greeted her politely on the surface.

Imperial sisters? What incredible luck they have today, hosting two princesses at the same time!

The waiter who was greeting the guests was first startled, then secretly excited.

Yuan Yan ignored Yuan Jing's actions and continued to intensify his attack: "If you ask me, this husband who was snatched away is really good. Young Master Lu just broke off his engagement not long ago, and the eldest princess has already taken him out so quickly."

These words left all the guests present looking at each other in bewilderment.

Good heavens, are they going to get involved in royal secrets?

The Prince of Qi and the Prince of Yue, two princesses, are vying for one man—what a huge story!

...

Yuan Yan's obvious provocative attitude finally made Yuan Jing's expression change.

"Your Highness, watch your words!"

With a single glance, Yuan Jing signaled his men to remove all the guests and servants from the pavilion. Looking at Yuan Yan again, his tone carried a hint of warning, "What is the relationship between Young Master Lu and the Imperial Sister? People come and go here; Imperial Sister, do not speak nonsense and tarnish Young Master Lu's reputation."

"Royal sister, it's pointless to play dumb at a time like this. Don't tell me you don't know the relationship between this Young Master Lu and me." Yuan Yan's smile was sarcastic.

"You've already robbed them, and now you're pretending to be a good person and saying these things to me. Don't you feel guilty?"

The system was shocked to see Yuan Yan switch his expression in a second and launch a tirade against the King of Qi.

[Host! What are you doing?! Who was it that said not to act rashly for the time being, and now you're directly provoking the First Princess? Don't you think your words sound like those of an impotent, raging villain in a TV drama?!]

Yuan Yan ignored him completely: "Oh, shut up, don't affect my performance."

As she expected, Yuan Jing did not answer Yuan Yan's question directly, but paused slightly and avoided it.

"Royal sister, if you have any complaints, just take them out on me. Don't take them out on Young Master Lu."

“We’ll go to the Empress Dowager to discuss this, and she will have the right to speak,” Yuan Jing said righteously.

"Your Majesty, it's not your place to say that."

Yuan Yan sneered and turned to Lu Lingyue, who had been silent since the beginning, "I'll ask you one question, Young Master Lu: was your decision to break off your engagement and remarry voluntary?"

Her gaze was intense, fixed on Lu Lingyue.

When Lu Lingyue met her gaze, her heart skipped a beat for some reason, and she couldn't help but turn her eyes away.

"...Yes, I married His Highness Prince Qi willingly."

"I have no relationship with His Highness the Prince of Yue. I hope His Highness will not pursue this matter further and will seek another suitable husband," Lu Lingyue said softly.

Yuan Jing was satisfied. "You heard it all, my dear sister. Young Master Lu said that he has never had anything to do with you. I hope you can show some magnanimity and stop bothering me."

"Alright, I misjudged you. I thought you were a good man worth cherishing, but I didn't see your true colors." Yuan Yan was also very decisive. Upon hearing this, he immediately withdrew his gaze and no longer cast a single glance at Lu Lingyue.

Lu Lingyue knew that the Lu family's actions had offended Yuan Yan, and felt ashamed. She lowered her head after being told that.

"Your Majesty, it seems that such a heartless and ungrateful man is a perfect match for you, a hypocrite. I wish you a long and happy marriage."

That Yuan Yan, she's getting bolder and bolder, daring to publicly insult her, her elder sister.

Yuan Jing was furious at being ridiculed by Yuan Yan time and time again, but he still maintained a kind and conciliatory demeanor on the surface.

“My dear sister, I know you have long admired Young Master Lu. Now that you see he is going to marry me, you are naturally resentful.”

"However, this marriage was approved by the Empress Dowager and cannot be changed... Although my sister harbors resentment, Young Master Lu and I still hope that you can come to drink a cup of wedding wine on the wedding day, so as to fulfill our sisterly bond." She said, pretending to be magnanimous.

Yuan Yan said disdainfully, "No, no, no, Your Majesty, don't put a label on me... A man is nothing more than a robe. Who would complain about such a man? This kind of man can only share happiness but not hardship, Your Majesty, you can have him if you want. I, Yuan Yan, am generous and will give him to you."

"Remember, Lu Lingyue was someone I, Yuan Yan, didn't want first. It was you, my elder sister, who picked up the man I didn't want," she said, enunciating each word clearly.

Upon hearing her humiliating words, "the man I don't want," Lu Lingyue lowered her head, her eyelashes trembling slightly, and her fingertips unconsciously pierced her palms.

She wanted to reprimand Yuan Yan, but to her surprise, Yuan Yan had already left without a word, leading his attendants downstairs, mounting his horse, and riding away without looking back.

Yuan Jing had no choice but to turn around and say to Lu Lingyue, "Lingyue, I'm sorry to have startled you... My second sister is just that kind of reckless person. When she acts up, even Mother Empress can't do anything about her. She has humiliated you, so as her elder sister, I apologize to you here on her behalf."

"Your Highness is too kind. I dare not." Lu Lingyue stepped aside. "This matter has nothing to do with Your Highness. Your Highness does not need to apologize to Xiaonan."

"I am very grateful to Your Highness for inviting me out today and for keeping me company."

He curtsied, "But my son is currently unwell and wishes to return home."

Yuan Jing said, "Alright, Ling Yue has been frightened today. Let me take you back to your residence."

After seeing Lu Lingyue off to her carriage, Yuan Jing instructed the guard, "Go and handle this properly. No one present today is to divulge a single word about what happened, or I will hold you responsible."

"Yes, Your Highness."

...

After leaving the Qiongzhen Pavilion, the system was getting restless and asked Yuan Yan for help.

[Host, why did you say that just now? Wasn't that deliberately provoking King Qi?]

Yuan Yan said, "Firstly, this is the original owner's personality. If I were to have my fiancé stolen and do nothing, Prince Qi and the others would become suspicious and wary."

"Secondly, my impressions of those princesses all come from the original owner's memories. As for what kind of person the eldest princess, Prince Qi, really is, it's not accurate to just look at her memories. It would be better if I tried it myself to find out."

[But host, have you forgotten? The original owner was reprimanded and confined by the emperor because of a conflict with the Third Princess! You've just come out and already caused trouble again; aren't you just walking into the line of fire?]

"Don't worry, today's events won't get out. Yuan Jing is even more afraid of things going wrong with the marriage than I am. If Mother Empress finds out that my eldest sister and I are fighting over a man, she might punish us both and then take her anger out on Lu Lingyue... At that point, Lu Lingyue might not be able to marry into the Qi Prince's mansion smoothly." Yuan Yan knew this better than anyone else.

"But from what you're saying, host, are you really planning to give up on Young Master Lu?"

[Young Master Lu has the entire Lu family and a host of aristocratic relatives by marriage behind him. If he were to marry Prince Qi, wouldn't that just give Prince Qi an extra boost?] The system worried for her.

"Of course not, those words were just for them to hear. Lu Lingyue is my man. He's held the title of fiancé for so many years. He thinks he can just run away the moment his wife loses power? There's no such thing as a free lunch." Yuan Yan sneered.

"Just you wait and see, the best is yet to come."

...

Meanwhile, after being sent back to the manor by Prince Qi, Lu Lingyue kept her room door tightly shut and looked exhausted.

“Young master, I was mistaken. I used to think that His Highness the Prince of Yue had deep feelings for you. Who would have thought that after the engagement was broken off, she would humiliate you like this... For a woman to say such things to a man is truly lacking in class!” the servant said indignantly.

A note from the author:

"Elder sister" is a respectful term.