Chapter 12 – The Capital (2)
The only way to get in touch with the female emperor was through the banquet alone since going to Qu Liu country wherein Qu Feiqing reigned was way out of Su Xin"s capability. She didn"t have the influence nor the resources to ensure a safe travel on her own. Who knows what dangers were lurking in those roads she was unfamiliar with. She would probably be outnumbered by bandits and killed before she could set her gaze on the imperial palace. She can"t even rely on that d.a.m.ned Fourteen who would charge her for everything.
Su Xin cast a cursory glance to He Yunshu whose nose was still buried in the book.
It seems like her final and only plan was to cling to the protagonist"s thigh for the meantime. As the protagonist of this world, Miss Mary Sue would prosper in her own agendas and become a winner in the future. It was safer to stay here close to the protagonist with the female lead halo.
She continued to be lost on her thoughts when suddenly, the sound of the horses" hooves. .h.i.tting the dust road weren"t the only thing that can be heard in the carriage anymore. There were indistinct shouts from outside and bunch of other noises that indicated they were in a populous location.
Su Xin peeked outside and was greeted by the bustling crowd of the capital. They have finally arrived!
It was a refres.h.i.+ng sight for Su Xin who"d been isolated in the brothel ever since she had transmigrated.
They unloaded their trunks and paid for the travel fees. Finally, He Yunshu and her collaboration would end there.
"Xue Yao, after you and I have settled down, I will look for you. If you are bullied, you must tell me!” He Yunshu held Su Xin"s hand with a firm grip and Su Xin nodded.
Su Xin found a relatively remote alley to live in. The rent is cheaper than the rest of the inns in the capital and the landlady was a kind, old woman. When she saw a young girl like Su Xin aimlessly walking down the streets, she offered the rent a little cheaper for her and even brought her another servant.
Quite a rarity in this city where everyone was stingy with money.
Back at the brothel, Su Xin asked whether Shu Juan should leave. After all, her road may not be easy but when Shu Juan heard this, her eyes moistened and she eventually poured her heart out.
“Does Young Lady not like Shu Juan anymore? Where did this servant not do well? Shu Juan will change. As long as the Young lady says it, Shu Juan will follow it.”
Shu Juan had a panicked look on her face. Her master wanted her to be free and to be able to live without restraint. Instead she had an negative thought that she was going to be abandoned because her master didn"t found her useful anymore.
Su Xin was left with no choice but to keep Shu Juan close to her. She thought it would also be easier for someone to serve her needs. At least, she wouldn"t have to cook for herself.
Su Xin can learn anything, but cooking alone she couldn"t do. She seems to be a natural disaster in the kitchen yet, her appet.i.te was superb. This dilemma of hers remained even after having someone else"s body.
Su Xin and Shu Juan kept themselves busy all day, cleaning up the small garden and tidying up the small nest for the time being.
There was a year before the start of the Banquet of the Four Countries.
Su Xin had progressed with her plans and was closer to getting a way to join the banquet. No matter what happens, she had to be chosen out of all gorgeous courtesans competing for the position. The selection wasn"t like the auditions in the modern times where contestants are judged while an audience watches. No, this is one was far more sophisticated—only people of great importance were to have a look.
Hence, Su Xin must start working her magic on the bigwigs of the capital. It sounded easy but Su Xin knew that it would be th.o.r.n.y as h.e.l.l.
She doesn"t know if in this ancient era Miss Mary Sue would have a das.h.i.+ng, distinguished and dangerous prince that would serve as the male lead or supporting male lead. Usually in stories, he would be initially be idle and deemed as an idiot, waste, womanizer etc. by the general public, but is in fact a hidden triumph card with amazing skills and wealth that would aid the female protagonist in her endeavors of revenge and ascension to the top.
After deliberating on who mostly had this male lead halo, Su Xin set her goal on the distinguished fifth prince—Yu Hongliang.
A womanizer, this fifth prince loves beautiful people regardless of gender. But he had a weird quirk: he was fond of weeping beauties.
When Su Xin knew this eccentricity, she asked if the Fourteen was an unknown prophet, or why else would he give her that "gift" before. Su Xin had received fourteen"s [Crocodile tears] which would allow her to weep easily.
[It"s actually a coincidence. I was merely ordered to release it, nothing more.]
Fourteen gave Su Xin the information of Yu Hongliang for Su Xin to meticulously study.
Master Fourteen, you are really a good system that does your duty effectively. Almost omnipotent.
Su Xin thinks that system Fourteen is a very anthropomorphic, intelligent system. In addition, it can also mock with a poison tongue and so on. Ugly att.i.tude aside, this was forgivable since Fourteen was a powerful all-rounder; there was no required information that can"t be found.
[The complement is appreciated. This was what I was made to do, however I am not omnipotent. If I am as powerful as you say, then why is there a need for hosts?] Fourteen said earnestly.
Beyond any doubt, the system was impressive. Its power is beyond Su Xin"s intellect.
However, she can"t praise it so much. Otherwise, its narcissism will shot towards outer s.p.a.ce.