He had just woken from a dream—one where he lay alone in the quiet halls of Funing Palace, slowly growing old and forgotten, while his ambitious nephew confidently ascended the throne in his place.
The vividness of the dream shook him to his core. When he opened his eyes and saw Meng Wenyao sleeping peacefully beside him, disbelief lingered. Was this real, or just another cruel illusion?
His hands trembled as he gently shook her awake, relief flooding him when she stirred—thankfully, alive and well. It had only been a nightmare.
"Your Majesty, we're not getting any younger. If we keep this up day and night, it won't do your health any good," Meng Wenyao yawned, trying to reason with him. Although she was over thirty—an age when passion should be raging—these past years of his relentless indulgence had dulled her appetite. She just wished they could cut back, even just a little.
The emperor grasped her warm hand, a faint pressure behind it. "You think I'm old, don't you?"
Startled, Meng Wenyao snapped back to full awareness. Men always seemed to care about this kind of thing more than they let on. She hurried to appease him: "No, it's me who's aged. The imperial physician said my body isn't what it used to be. Another pregnancy could endanger both me and the babies. Please, Your Majesty, have mercy and don't ask for too much."
He kissed her tenderly, trailing down her skin until she couldn't hold back anymore. Then he stopped, voice low and husky: "Don't worry, Yao'er. I've already taken the palace's contraceptive potion. You won't get pregnant again."
"But overindulgence harms the body—it's bad for your health and longevity, and that puts the stability of the realm at risk," she protested, even as he continued his advances without slowing.
"The Crown Prince is already fifteen," the emperor countered. "Even if I die in your arms right now, the court won't fall into chaos. What is there to fear?"
Meng Wenyao cried out in protest. "Your Majesty, you really should watch your words—'die or not' isn't something to joke about."
He laughed. "I'm speaking from the heart. What's the point of living to a hundred if it's without this?"
"There's a point, but don't be reckless."
"I've always been restrained. If you won't accept it, I'll show you what it means when I give in."
Alright, Meng Wenyao never won this argument—she just let him have his way.
Thanks to his tireless efforts over the years, the dragon bed in Funing Palace was now creaking ominously. Blushing, she begged him to take it easy.
But the more she protested, the bolder he became. Eventually, even the maids at the door—Hua Momo and little Desi—started to worry.
Desi racked his brain, trying to think which sturdy wood could withstand the emperor's weight for ten years straight. No luck.
The next morning at court, the emperor was nowhere to be seen. The ministers glanced toward the Crown Prince, who surveyed the room before spotting little Desi rushing over.
Desi whispered in his ear, and the Crown Prince sighed. "Father is unwell. I will preside over the morning court today."
The court proceeded smoothly, though the Crown Prince frequently glanced at the empty dragon throne with a helpless look. Over the past year, his father had been skipping morning sessions to indulge himself, leaving him little choice but to take over. He was only fifteen—a kid who just wanted a little more sleep.
Once, he complained to his mother that his father was practically moving all the official documents to the Eastern Palace.
Unfortunately for him, the emperor overheard and threatened, "If you keep tattling, I'll make you wait until you're thirty to marry. Let's see who has it worse then."
The Crown Prince never understood what was so terrible about that. He dreaded marriage—the fierce looks from palace maids terrified him. Waiting until forty to marry sounded much better.
But fate had other plans. After his coming-of-age ceremony at twenty, he was married off to the Crown Princess, who wasted no time on their wedding night. Suddenly, he realized his father's absences weren't due to laziness—it was the Crown Princess keeping him captive.
Determined to help his father, he planned to reason with his mother and free the emperor.
But just as he arrived at Funing Palace, he learned that his mother had taken the emperor out on a scenic tour.
The entire court and realm were now his to manage. Sobbing inwardly, he thought: my life is so miserable—running the government by day and serving the Crown Princess by night.
[Congratulations, Your Highness. Your mission is complete, and your tenure has ended.]
The system's voice rang in Meng Wenyao's ears. She realized that lifetime was over, and memories of that world were slowly fading from her mind.
"Can I resurrect now? I haven't spent all my money yet."
[Of course, Host. But dying of overwork for mere coins isn't worth it. Continuing missions can help you easily achieve smaller goals.]
Thinking of her nonstop labor and the pitiful balance in her account, Meng Wenyao agreed to the system's advice.
"Are there other rewards for completing more missions?"
[Yes, Host. Check the store. Your mission points have been credited.]
She gazed over the dazzling array of goods, pleased with the system's generosity. She spent all her points on useful elixirs and bargained for a few Nightmare Pills as gifts.
"All right, system, take me to the next world."
[Understood, Host.]
"Miss!"
"Miss, wake up!"
Meng Wenyao groggily heard voices and worried the system had sent her back to the previous life. Was this a reincarnation?
She opened her eyes slightly to see a crowded room, dark and filled with people. Relief washed over her—it was a new world.
"Old Madam, Miss is awake!"
A cry followed by the sharp sound of a cane tapping the ground, then an aged voice called out.
"Yao'er, is your body feeling any discomfort?"
Meng Wenyao shook her head, feeling fine for now. But her memories hadn't fully integrated yet, so she stayed silent—better not to slip up.
A middle-aged woman approached the old lady and said, "Mother, since Yao'er has awakened, you should rest. I've arranged capable maids and nurses to watch over her. When she's better, you can come see her again."
The old lady nodded, "Be sure to watch closely—no more mishaps."
Then she turned to Meng Wenyao: "Rest well, and if you feel unwell, tell your eldest aunt right away."
Meng Wenyao weakly nodded. Soon the room emptied, and she closed her eyes, pretending to sleep.
"System, transfer the original owner's memories to me."
[Done, Host. All previous memories are uploaded.]
Memories flooded her mind, pounding like thunder. She winced in pain, frowning deeply and groaning.
A nearby nurse said, "Miss looks very unwell. Should we tell the mistress?"
Another replied, "She just went through so much. The mistress and old madam just left. If you wake them now, you'll get scolded."
The first nurse said, "But the old madam ordered no mistakes."
The second laughed bitterly, "You've got bad eyes. This one only needs to survive. Don't expect her to be like the eldest daughter of the main branch, destined to bring glory to the family."
Their voices faded as Meng Wenyao sank deeper into the memories of her two past lives.