Chapter 3: Chapter 001: The Foolish King of Japan

In the North Courtyard of Chancellor Bai's Estate

"Splash!" With a sound, a pale, weak hand reached out, grasping the steps by the lakeside. Immediately after, a person broke through the water and stood there.

Two maidservants were standing there; seeing that too much time had passed, they were just about to go call for help when the surface of the lake changed. The two exchanged a glance and looked over, only to be startled by the sudden sound: "Ah..."

Before they could even react, they fell over with wide eyes. Until the moment they died, they did not know who had killed them.

"Mm! A fool? Hmm! No, at most, one could call her simple-minded and naive. Fine! Why am I saying such foolish things to myself! I am a fool, and now that my memories have returned, I must pretend to be foolish in order to seek revenge." Bai Qin gave a low, soft laugh. Looking at her fingers, she walked toward her own courtyard following her memories, recalling why she had become a fool.

Well, wasn't it just because she discovered an affair? It drew everyone in the manor. If you want to break off an engagement, then break it off! But to push someone into the lake? Besides, would that cheap old man allow the original owner to cause a scene? Moreover, regarding the suffering she endured while she was alive, she couldn't help but feel indignant. Truly useless, possessing talent but nothing else.

Since she was already here, she might as well continue her madness. Thinking of this, she reflexively looked back, the corners of her mouth curling slightly. Based on just these two people, hmph! The best part of the show is yet to come.

Seeing the maidservants rushing over, her body trembled, and she was about to collapse. The maidservants hurriedly supported her, their eyes red, saying nothing as they walked back, as if they had expected this all along.

The front courtyard was bustling with excitement; no one knew what had happened in the back courtyard. However, just as Bai Ting'er was being sent to her sedan chair, a maidservant's words made her body tremble.

At that moment, a weak voice rang out, making those who knew about this scheme to substitute the bride shudder involuntarily, their minds filled with the absolute certainty of the Second Madam.

"Father, isn't it my wedding day today? Why was I pushed into the lake, and once rescued, it became my sister's wedding? Qin'er knows she is a foolish person and has brought shame to Father; she cannot let Father enjoy glory. This marriage should have been ordered to the legitimate daughter. Regardless, this legitimate daughter ultimately cannot compare to my sister. Please, Father, strip Qin'er of her status, lest she dishonors my sister's title as the Concubine of the Crown Prince." Bai Qin, who had just weakly crawled out of the lake, was supported by a maidservant as she spoke foolishly. That seemingly idiotic manner and speech allowed people to vaguely guess what was happening, causing them to begin whispering.

These words immediately caused several people's faces to darken. As the father, Chancellor Bai's face turned pale, and he could only be heard saying coldly, "You disgraceful thing, get lost. So what if she is a concubine's daughter? She is much better than you. From this day on, without my command, you are not allowed to come out. Stay obediently in your own courtyard. Someone, lock this disgraceful thing up. Escort the Second Miss to her sedan chair."

Blinded by rage, he felt he had lost face immensely today and failed to realize the double meaning in his foolish daughter's words. Driven by emotion, he blurted them out, only realizing it was too late.

Bai Qin, meanwhile, wore a face of heartbreak, her eyes brimming with tears like pear blossoms, as she was led away without daring to resist. However, no one noticed the glint in her eyes. This was merely a small punishment.

As for Bai Ting'er, once she was in the sedan chair, she couldn't care less. The moment she thought she was the Crown Princess, she became incredibly smug. She had no intention of caring about what was happening outside.

Thinking of her legitimate elder sister, a vicious smile curled at the corners of her mouth.

Thinking of how she had sent people to deal with her second sister, Bai Yanxi—who was so simple she wouldn't even know if she were being sold—a smile spread under Bai Ting'er's bridal veil. Even if you haven't died, it's too late; this Crown Princess position is mine. So what if you are the legitimate daughter? I will still trample you under my feet.

Shortly after they left, Bai Qin slipped out of the manor. However, before she could react, she was violently knocked to the ground, and she glared angrily at the youth above her.

"Sister, don't be angry. I didn't do it on purpose. I will be very good. I really will be very good. Play with me, okay?" The youth scrambled up helplessly and stood to the side with his head lowered, as if he had committed a great crime and was waiting for punishment.

Inside the First Pavilion, a young man in elegant robes stood there watching from above.

"My Lord, do you wish to continue testing her?"

"No need, let's go. Shiyi should be arriving soon; if he catches us, nothing good will come of it. It wouldn't be good if this escalated to Imperial Father. Besides, we are here to congratulate the Emperor of Xiliang on his birthday; there is no need to worry about this fool anymore." Jun Wuhua reached out to stop Ying Yue, a smile playing on his lips.

A fool like this had no impact on him, but if she had been playing the fool for all these years, her profound schemes would definitely become a great threat.

Now that it was confirmed, there was no need. Narrowing his peach-blossom eyes slightly, the smile on Jun Wuhua's lips deepened.

"Sister, you were just complaining that I pressed against you. Are you also afraid of me? Do you think I am a madman?" The youth said aggrievedly, his eyes, pure without a trace of impurity, gazing pitifully at Mu Xueqin.

"Afraid of you? You aren't some ferocious beast. It's just that you pressed against me and it hurt!" Glancing at the youth's thin frame, she blurted out, "Between people, there is no difference. There are only power, status, and money. But there are some things that these cannot buy."

"But..."

"No buts." Bai Qin glared at him fiercely, speaking crossly.

The youth seemed frightened, a mist of grievance welling in his eyes as he cautiously looked at the clearly displeased Bai Qin.

However, the youth's pitiful appearance caused Bai Qin's heart to soften involuntarily. She sighed softly and said, "I must go. You can play by yourself!"

With that, she grabbed the maidservant who had been watching the show and disappeared into the bright sunlight without looking back.

Consequently, she did not see the handsome youth's gaze toward her, which had shifted from initial innocence and charm to a deep, searching look.

The maidservant being pulled by Bai Qin narrowed her domineering black eyes, her sharp gaze fixed firmly on the handsome youth behind them.

Although the youth had already withdrawn his searching gaze by then, but...

"This fool is not simple."

Was he truly a simple fool?

The maidservant smiled. Regardless of whether he was a fool or not, what did it have to do with her?

"But, why does this girl look so familiar? I feel like I've seen her somewhere..."

As the crowd saw Bai Qin standing in the queue, a trace of surprise passed through their eyes, and they couldn't help but whisper to one another, though their gazes toward her were clearly mocking.

"Eh, I remember her," a surprised voice suddenly rang out, "Isn't that Bai Qin of the Bai family? I saw her not long ago when I went to the Bai residence to find Bai Ting'er."

"What, she's that number one waste, the disgrace of the Bai family?"

"Isn't today her wedding day? Why is she here?"

"Haven't you heard? A concubine's daughter is substituting for the bride. This Bai manor..."

As that person finished speaking, all eyes turned toward Bai Qin once more, the mockery in their eyes deepening.

Bai Qin raised her head and gave them a cold look, which instantly silenced everyone. They did not understand why this person possessed such a cold, murderous aura.

The youth standing not far from the crowd watched this scene, a smirk tugging at his lips. As expected, you are too.

"My Lord, it is time to return. Miss Murong and the others are waiting for you."

"Let's go. Send someone to investigate everything she has done over these years. What an interesting person." Jun Zichen turned around and said coldly. Eighteen years, forcing me to live under a disguise, unable to walk openly... does your appearance mean that...

At a street corner, Jun Zichen suddenly stopped his steps, looking ahead with eyes full of shock.

"I have been waiting for you for a long time." An elderly man with white hair, looking like an immortal with a long beard, stood with his back to Jun Zichen, holding a cane in his right hand and his left hand stroking his beard. His voice was slow and aged.

"Elder, are you...?" Jun Zichen stared blankly at the old man, feeling an inexplicable excitement mixed with uncertainty.

"Hahaha! Young man, I have waited for you for a very, very long time. Hidden brilliance, silent for twelve years; only upon meeting a destined person can hegemony be achieved. Impatience and restlessness lead to failure. The children of the Murong family are not simple! Gaining their help will only benefit you, not harm you." The old man tapped his cane on the ground and turned around. His two white eyebrows hung down to the corners of his eyes, and his long beard nearly touched the ground. One couldn't tell if his eyes were even open.

Upon hearing this, Jun Zichen's eyes widened, but he quickly regained his composure to hide his shock, even as a massive storm surged in his heart.

"There is no need to be surprised. I came here merely for some fresh air." The old man reached out to stroke his beard, his head nodding slightly as if he were very sleepy.

"Senior, what is wrong? Do you need me to escort you back?" Jun Zichen was originally confused, but seeing the old man suddenly start to slump, he hurriedly went to support him.

At that moment, a sudden gust of wind blew. The previously warm weather turned somewhat cold, bringing a bone-chilling sensation. The sails hanging outside the taverns on both sides fluttered in the wind.

"This old man is fine; it's just that this warm sun makes me feel a bit weary. Mm! Young man, I am leaving." The old man walked forward unsteadily in his bamboo shoes. As the breeze rose, it lifted his hem; one hand was behind his back, and the other leaned on his cane.

Jun Zichen raised an eyebrow. Did every sentence have a purpose? Why was he here? And why did he say he had been waiting for him for a long time?

Looking up at the receding figure, he felt inexplicably as if everything he had done over these years had been in vain.

"To achieve the status of a Hegemon, you need to find four people!"

Just as he was pondering, the old man's voice drifted through the void, sinking deep into his heart. It made him feel like a fish returning to water, bringing him to complete understanding. But who were those four people? And where were they?

Jun Zichen raised an eyebrow slightly and lowered his head in thought. To others, he currently looked like a lost child.

"Eh! Miss, isn't that the fool Ninth Prince of the East? Why is he there all alone?" Coincidentally, Bai Qin and her maid were preparing to return to the manor. Unintentionally, the maid spotted Jun Zichen.

Bai Qin frowned, looking at that silhouette, suddenly feeling that this person was quite pitiable. Clearly so beautiful, yet he was a fool and was marginalized by his brothers. He was also unloved, with no one in the manor to speak to him.

She couldn't help but step forward and say, "Fool... uh, Ninth Prince, why are you still here?"

Bai Qin's mouth twitched awkwardly. Damn it, she didn't know what he was called. Calling him a fool was too...

"Fairy sister, have you come to find Chenchen to play?"