Ming Siran looked at Zhou Shengsheng, who had several large bumps on her forehead, and the bird sleeping on her shoulder, his expression gradually turning complex.
So, she refused to sleep with him last night just to fight with a bird?
Was it because she wanted to name it ‘Jiba,’ and the bird rebelled?
So, bird brother, did she succeed in the end?
Feeling Ming Siran’s overly intense gaze, the bird stirred, turned around, and pointed its rear end at him.
Then, realizing this was somewhat indecent, it shifted again, turning sideways to face him.
After leaving Qingming Town, there was no need to follow the script anymore.
[So, next up is Jiang Zhiyu returning to the palace with Ming Siran, where Xie Qingwan, Ming Siran’s female official, will scheme against her, right?]
Ah Pang cautiously poked its head out, wanting to touch the bird but seeming a bit shy. Hearing Zhou Shengsheng’s words, it flew in front of her and nodded: [Yes, but with the heroine’s current intelligence… can she outwit Xie Qingwan?]
Zhou Shengsheng pondered for a moment. Would her silly daughter really not be devoured by the original story’s villainess?
[As long as it doesn’t affect the plot, I can lend a hand, right?]
Ah Pang nodded.
Only then did Zhou Shengsheng relax, patting the head of Jiang Zhiyu, who was stuffing roasted chestnuts into her mouth and looked anything but clever.
Although Jiang Zhiyu didn’t know why Zhou Shengsheng suddenly touched her, she sweetly nuzzled her palm.
Sitting across from them, holding an ancient book, Ming Siran couldn’t believe it. Why on earth was this fool the heroine?
Why would he fall in love with her and keep her at home as a mascot?
Thinking of Xie Qingwan, whom Zhou Shengsheng had just mentioned, Ming Siran understood. So, she was his female official, and apparently not a gentle soul.
He silently began to make plans.
---A reminder to all beauties not to stay up late---
After traveling for about three days, the group finally arrived at the capital of Yong Kingdom—Anming.
Before Zhou Shengsheng could properly appreciate the foreign architecture, they entered the palace.
“Your Majesty!” An elderly eunuch, Haishan, upon seeing Ming Siran, rushed forward and knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face. “You’ve finally returned! When I heard you had fallen off a cliff, I wished I could have taken your place!”
Ming Siran looked at Haishan, who seemed much older than he remembered, and pursed his lips.
The people he once knew had all changed, but the majestic and solemn palace remained as dignified and ancient as ever.
Only at this moment did Ming Siran realize how out of place he felt here.
“Your Majesty?” Haishan called out with concern when Ming Siran remained silent.
“It’s nothing. Rise, Uncle Hai.” Ming Siran helped him up.
The long-unheard affectionate address brought tears to Haishan’s eyes again.
It had been so long since His Majesty had called him that after ascending the throne…
After settling the others, Zhou Shengsheng, as the maid Ming Siran had brought back from Zhu Kingdom, naturally had to follow him.
Jiang Zhiyu, who had no idea of her identity even before losing her memory, trailed behind Zhou Shengsheng.
Originally, Ming Siran had planned to find a random place to put her, but now, he needed her for certain tasks, so he tacitly allowed her to follow.
He had already reclaimed the jade pendant from Zhou Shengsheng, so he owed her nothing.
Stopping outside the gates of Qianhe Palace, he paused.
Ming Siran felt both familiar and unfamiliar with this palace.
In his memory, this was the residence of his old and senile father.
Had it really become his now?
Sensing his hesitation, Zhou Shengsheng subtly reached out and gently squeezed his hand under the cover of her wide sleeve.
Feeling the warmth of her hand, Ming Siran’s anxiety dissipated like clouds parting to reveal the sun.
He tilted his head slightly and smiled at her.
All eight teeth were neatly displayed, looking exceptionally handsome against the red palace walls.
Zhou Shengsheng glanced at him and then looked away.
[So flashy.]
Ming Siran: ……
Zhou Shengsheng quite liked the post-amnesia Ming Siran. Compared to his previous tyrant persona, he now felt like a half-grown teenager.
He appeared shrewd, but in reality, he was rather clueless. The air of mystery he once had vanished when he whined for Zhou Shengsheng to peel him another pomegranate.
She wondered if Ming Siran had truly been like this in his youth.
If so, what could have turned a dashing young man into the ruthless tyrant he was now?
“Your Majesty!!!!”
Before Zhou Shengsheng could take in the scenery, a tearful voice echoed from the distance.
Then, a figure in white… well… gracefully ran over.
[Is that Xie Qingwan?] Zhou Shengsheng murmured.
Ah Pang confirmed.
Glancing at the pure and beautiful Jiang Zhiyu beside her and then at the coldly stunning woman approaching, Zhou Shengsheng suddenly understood why Xie Qingwan had been so fixated on the heroine in the original story.
Aside from Jiang Zhiyu’s resemblance to Yu Yanyan, her innocent aura must have immediately put Xie Qingwan on guard.
Especially now that Jiang Zhiyu had lost her memory, her purity was even more pronounced.
Almost instantly, Xie Qingwan’s gaze locked onto Jiang Zhiyu, who was hiding behind Zhou Shengsheng.
“Your Majesty, it’s such a relief that you’re safe! When I heard you had fallen off a cliff, I wished I could have taken your place!” She knelt on the ground, looking up at Ming Siran with tearful eyes.
Her pitiful expression would have melted any man’s heart, making him want to hold her close and comfort her.
Unfortunately, Ming Siran was not that man. At this moment, he was still a teenager who believed only love and death were worth his devotion.
Moreover, he had just heard the same words from someone else.
After a brief glance, he ignored her and walked inside.
Xie Qingwan, who had spent an entire day on her makeup: “…”
Standing up and smoothing her dress, Xie Qingwan finally seemed to notice Zhou Shengsheng and Jiang Zhiyu.
“Which of you sisters accompanied His Majesty after the fall? As someone who serves His Majesty, I must express my gratitude.” Her words were sincere, but while she addressed both of them, her eyes were fixed on Jiang Zhiyu, completely ignoring Zhou Shengsheng.
Ming Siran, who had already walked away, suddenly turned back.
To everyone’s surprise, he wrapped an arm around the still-confused Jiang Zhiyu and said to Xie Qingwan, “It was this young lady.”
Zhou Shengsheng’s heart blossomed with joy.
[Little Ming has grown up! He’s even following the plot on his own. I’m so moved!]
Jiang Zhiyu winced in pain as Ming Siran gripped her shoulder and looked up at him with a puzzled expression. “Little Ming, what’s wrong?”
Xie Qingwan thought, *Just as I suspected!* From the moment she saw her, she recognized this woman as the spitting image of the wretch in the portrait His Majesty had hidden away.
And now, they even had a pet name for each other!
That wretch!
How shameless!
How dare she call His Majesty that! She’s not worthy!
But no matter how much she seethed inside, Xie Qingwan maintained a gentle and composed smile in front of Ming Siran.
“And who might this sister be?” She turned her gaze to Zhou Shengsheng, whom she had unconsciously ignored.
Zhou Shengsheng curtsied and said softly, “Sister Xie, I’m a maid His Majesty brought back from Zhu Kingdom.”
Xie Qingwan’s pupils shrank.
She’s here to steal my position!?
