When the truth came to light, the first one to face retribution from the Duke’s household was Qiu Liuyue. Leaving aside the Duchess and Qiu Muxue’s preexisting hatred and disdain for Qiu Liuyue, the Duke himself would not let her off easily.
For the Duke, even an outstanding legitimate daughter like Qiu Muxue was merely a tool for political marriage to secure greater benefits and power for the family, let alone a lowly illegitimate daughter like Qiu Liuyue. Had it not been for Qiu Liuyue’s later connections with several promising young men from respectable backgrounds, which gave her some leverage, the Duke wouldn’t have spared her a second glance even if she had been tortured to death in the Duke’s residence by the Duchess and Qiu Muxue.
But now, this very tool meant to secure resources for the Duke’s household had caused such a colossal disaster, bringing imminent ruin to the family. This displeased the Duke immensely. Thus, he immediately targeted Qiu Liuyue, hoping to pin all the blame on her and use this opportunity to extricate the Duke’s household from the mess.
However, in the end, the Duke’s grand dreams were shattered. The centuries-old aristocratic family ultimately crumbled into the annals of history.
The Duke of old, a founding hero with illustrious military achievements and unparalleled talent in both civil and martial affairs, had once captivated countless hearts. But the current Duke, scheming and unscrupulous, was a pitiful and lamentable figure to behold.
Later, as the Duke’s household collapsed, those who survived scrambled to rebuild their lives. Qiu Liuyue seized the chance to escape, hoping to stage a comeback.
Confident in her abilities as a transmigrated protagonist, Qiu Liuyue believed no obstacle could defeat her. Yet, she was soon captured by the Imperial Consort’s family, who held her responsible for their downfall. They showed her no mercy.
In the end, the Imperial Consort’s family was completely overthrown, and Qiu Liuyue descended into madness, becoming an insignificant, deranged beggar on the streets of the capital. She aged prematurely and died young.
These were events yet to come.
As for the shops and wealth Qiu Liuyue left behind, they were naturally confiscated by the state treasury. The Emperor used these shops to promote exotic goods from overseas, advancing maritime trade and broadening the horizons of the Great Zhou’s people.
Later, the Crown Prince ascended the throne, taking the baton from his father and propelling Great Zhou into a new era.
Those from a certain southern kingdom who had ties with Qiu Liuyue were lured out using her as bait and eliminated without bloodshed, eradicating that long-standing thorn in the side.
As for others, Jin Shaoxin succeeded the Marshal as the new ironclad defender of Great Zhou. Introduced by You Qi, he married a quiet, bookish woman from a fallen family, and the couple lived in harmony.
Han Xinbai finally united with Jin Xunmeng. Once a philanderer, Han Xinbai proved to be deeply devoted, abandoning his former ways under Jin Xunmeng’s influence and You Qi’s guidance. He took over the Wonder House, specializing in selling peculiar and amusing trinkets.
Though the Han family didn’t need his earnings, they praised his reformation.
Lin Jiarui, a bookworm, married a refined lady from a scholarly family, leading a peaceful and loving life. He eventually became a renowned Confucian scholar and literary giant. Yue Hengyan took over the family business, expanding it relentlessly, much like Chi Huai before meeting You Qi.
As for You Qi and Chi Huai, their story was even more remarkable.
Eventually, You Qi’s true gender was revealed. With full support from his side and the open-minded Chi family, who adored their son’s happiness, the couple’s union was blessed. The Chi family had other heirs, so Chi Huai’s lack of descendants posed no issue.
Thus, the two spent their lives joyfully together, traveling with the Second Prince and his wife, accompanying the Crown Prince (later Emperor) on incognito inspections, sailing abroad, and witnessing countless wonders.
Oh, and most importantly—they had each other.
Until their last breath, they admired the sunset together, their hands tightly clasped, never parting.
A truly fulfilled life.
Back in the system space, Yi Lingfan felt increasingly serene, his heart brimming with contentment. After playing with the system orb “Jinjiang,” he reviewed the original script of the previous world.
The original protagonist was indeed Qiu Liuyue—an ordinary girl who transmigrated into Great Zhou as an abused illegitimate daughter of the Duke’s household. Through relentless scheming, she overthrew the Duchess’s faction, supplanted Qiu Muxue, and, with the Duke and Imperial Consort’s backing, married the Second Prince. After the “accidental deaths” of the Crown Prince and Emperor, she became the Empress Dowager, while the Second Prince became a puppet ruler.
This coup plunged Great Zhou into chaos, crippling its foundations. Maritime routes meant for public benefit became Qiu Liuyue’s personal playground, amassing wealth solely for her.
Her devoted male admirers included Lin Jiarui, Yue Hengyan, an assassin, the heir of a southern kingdom, Han Xinbai, and one of You Qi’s subordinates, among others.
Without Yi Lingfan, Chi Huai would have missed the flower-viewing banquet where he and You Qi first met. Bored, You Qi would have left a subordinate to monitor Qiu Liuyue. This subordinate, smitten with her, would have concealed the assassin aiding her, becoming her hidden ally.
You Qi would have died betrayed by his infatuated subordinate, while Chi Huai’s family would have been massacred by Qiu Liuyue to eliminate business rivals. The chaos from their downfall would have allowed Qiu Liuyue to seize their assets.
As the Imperial Consort’s faction rose, the Marshal and Jin Shaoxin would have perished, and Jin Xunmeng would have died on the battlefield due to supply shortages. Grieving, Han Xinbai would have drunkenly encountered Qiu Liuyue, discovering she owned the Wonder House, and become her devoted follower.
Yi Lingfan: “…”
Well, this plot just keeps getting weirder. Couldn’t he get a slightly more normal world?
Then it struck him—normal worlds wouldn’t need him.
What a painful realization!
Shaking it off, Yi Lingfan geared up for the next world, unaware of the… surprises awaiting him.
As he departed, a low sigh echoed in the system space: “The last world… soon…” The orb flickered as if responding.
Arriving in the new world, Yi Lingfan felt excruciating pain—as if run over by a car. A quick glance confirmed it: he was in a car accident. The familiarity of the scene triggered long-buried memories.
This was why he had agreed to the contract with that deceitful cannon-fodder system years ago.
Su Baiye, Su Baiye, Su Baiye!!!
The name he thought lost to time resurfaced, flooding his mind.
As Yi Lingfan’s thoughts wavered, he sensed someone approaching. Assuming it was Su Baiye’s lackeys, he braced himself—until a familiar presence eased his tension, and he slipped into unconsciousness.
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