Chapter 5

Although the four male leads were all exceptionally handsome men, Jian Yuyan held the reputation of being the “Number One Young Master” in the capital.
His family background and talent were impeccable, and his appearance was outstanding. However, unlike the others, he always carried a hint of flirtatious charm about him. Elegant as he was, he was also an extremely romantic figure.
Even though the deepest part of his heart belonged to his “adopted sister,” Jian Yu'er, he was not like the others who would turn a blind eye to beautiful women, let alone watch them cry in sorrow.
Especially a beauty like Yan Yiming, whose allure seeped into her very bones.
Leaving Jian Yu'er to chase after Yan Yiming was not because Yan Yiming was more important to him than Jian Yu'er, no one in the world could compare to Yu'er in his heart, but because Yu'er was currently under the crown prince's care and would be fine.
But Yan Yiming was different. A woman of such strong temperament and deep affection, after today's provocation, who knew what she might do. Jian Yuyan had dallied in the flower fields for so many years and had seen countless women who, for the sake of love, sought trouble and harmed themselves.
Yan Yiming, after all, was a woman and couldn't match Jian Yuyan's speed. In no time, Jian Yuyan caught up with her. Before Yan Yiming could react, the young maid Lu Mei, who was following her, immediately shielded Yan Yiming like a mother hen, glaring fiercely at Jian Yuyan.
Although Jian Yuyan held a noble status, he never looked down on anyone. Seeing the little maid so fiercely protective of her mistress, he wasn't the least bit angry. Instead, he felt that they were indeed in the wrong today, and the maid's reaction was only natural.
So he softened his voice and gently explained to Yan Yiming, “The mountain path is rugged, and this place is particularly remote. I was just worried and wanted to escort Lady Yan.”
Jian Yuyan's appearance wasn't as strikingly handsome as Nan Gongxuan's. Even when examined individually, his features were exquisitely refined, rivaling that of a woman's. However, the contours of his face were not soft, so there was no trace of femininity. Now, speaking softly with a sincere smile on his lips and his peach-blossom eyes gazing gently, even the furious Lu Mei was momentarily stunned before blushing and stepping aside.
Yan Yiming lifted her eyes to glance at him and said indifferently, “I dare not trouble Young Master Jian.”
“Walking alongside a beauty can hardly be called trouble,” Jian Yuyan knew Yan Yiming wouldn't give him a single pleasant expression, but one doesn't strike a smiling face. He chuckled lightly, his gaze shifting to the beautiful profile of the woman who had just fled in distress.
Her eyes, having cried, were clear and pure, yet the corners were still tinged with red, accentuating the tiny crimson mole. Her delicate features were breathtakingly beautiful. Jian Yuyan paused before continuing, “I also have some words I'd like to share with Lady Yan.”
What should have been a joyous flower-viewing outing ended with everyone feeling gloomy and displeased.
Nan Gongxuan didn't see Jian Yuyan until dusk. Unaware of the impatience in his own tone, he asked, “Why are you only arriving now?”
Jian Yuyan straightened his perfectly smooth sleeves and smiled, “Lady Yan was in low spirits today, so I accompanied her to enjoy the flowers for a while.”
“Truly worthy of being the capital's top gentleman...” Nan Gongxuan knew Jian Yuyan's attitude toward women and never paid it much mind. But he had returned to the Eastern Palace long ago, while Jian Yuyan had stayed with Yan Yiming until now. Recalling how Jian Yuyan usually behaved around women, Nan Gongxuan felt inexplicably irritated and wanted to mock him. Yet, he suddenly remembered that he was the one who had upset Yan Yiming, so the words died on his lips.
Jian Yuyan heard the tone in his voice but pretended not to understand, saying, “Today was indeed our fault toward Lady Yan. Your Highness should take some time to accompany her and talk.”
Hearing Jian Yuyan say this, Nan Gongxuan frowned slightly but did not argue. He let out a soft “Hmm” before asking in a low voice after a long pause, “What did she say?”
“She said Your Highness has never smiled like that in front of her.”
“His Highness has never smiled like that in front of me,” Yan Yiming said to Jian Yuyan. “I thought he simply didn't know how to smile like that, so even if he didn't like me, I could comfort myself with the thought that he hadn't fallen for anyone else. I just never imagined he could laugh so happily in front of another woman.”
Yan Yiming was calmer than Jian Yuyan had expected. It was as if she had seen through everything in an instant, her clarity almost unsettling.
She said that after persisting for so many years, it was time to let go.
She said, “Why am I telling you all this? Jian Yu'er is your own sister. If you have nothing else, Young Master Jian, you may leave. She doesn't really want to see him right now.”
Nan Gongxuan fell silent again. “Yuyan,” he asked Jian Yuyan, “do you think she has truly let go, or is she putting on an act and scheming something?”
Perhaps it was a momentary impulse forcing her to give up. Jian Yuyan didn't believe that someone who had loved another to the bone could let go so easily. Yan Yiming's words might have been spoken in anger, but...
Jian Yuyan recalled escorting Yan Yiming back to the Yan residence when she suddenly said slowly, “Thank you, Young Master Jian, for today, for seeing me home and for your…pearls.”
Jian Yuyan abruptly looked up, but before he could ask for clarification, Yan Yiming had already walked away, leaving only a faint silhouette in the darkness.
She had thanked him for the pearls.
Yan Yiming had long known that the pearls delivered today were his doing. That fleeting smile in the darkness brushed lightly through Jian Yuyan's thoughts like a feather.
Because of those words, Jian Yuyan's perception wavered again. Yan Yiming seemed not as simple as he had imagined, though he did not share this with Nan Gongxuan.
“Lady Yan said that since Your Highness has no place for her in his heart, she will not cling any longer. It seems she has let go,” Jian Yuyan said.
“If she's truly given up, that would be a relief. If she has other intentions, it would be deeply disappointing,” Nan Gongxuan suddenly disliked hearing such talk and didn't want to discuss Yan Yiming further. Finally remembering Jian Yu'er, he added, “Yu'er was frightened today as well. Go back and comfort her properly. I will visit her when I have time.”
Mentioning Jian Yu'er, Jian Yuyan immediately lost his smile, gave a brief acknowledgment, and took his leave from the Eastern Palace.
Meanwhile, back at the Yan residence, Yan Yiming lay on her couch, chatting with Little A about the day's events. Because she had accidentally bitten her tongue earlier, even speaking was painful, let alone eating.
Little A was in awe of its host's actress-level acting skills and even more impressed by her dedication to the role, even if it meant injuring herself. The only thing it couldn't figure out was:
“Host, why did you tell Jian Yuyan in the end that you already knew the pearls were from him? Doesn't that reveal you weren't truly heartbroken?”
As Lu Mei applied an egg to her eyes, Yan Yiming replied to Little A, “Of course it doesn't.”
“Jian Yuyan likes Jian Yu'er, so it's absolutely unacceptable for him to see Nan Gongxuan also liking Jian Yu'er. Therefore, even for his own sake and Jian Yu'er's, Jian Yuyan would find a way to divert Nan Gongxuan's attention toward me. Having known Nan Gongxuan for so many years, he understands his personality well and would definitely not expose me but instead deliberately pique Nan Gongxuan's interest.”
“Each male lead has a different personality, so the approach to dealing with them must vary. Nan Gongxuan is extremely chauvinistic and self-confident, responding better to softness than force. He enjoys the feeling of having everything under his control, so even when it comes to women, he prefers the gentle and obedient type. Jian Yuyan, on the other hand, has seen too many women. Excessive delicacy and softness in a woman would only evoke his pity. Therefore, the key is to capture his interest.”
Little A nodded somewhat cluelessly, “So, host, you plan to kill two birds with one stone and directly conquer the male lead.”
“Of course not,” Yan Yiming sneered, “My goal is only to conquer Nan Gongxuan. I wouldn’t go to the extra trouble for nothing.”
Little A didn’t quite understand, “Then why are you flirting with Jian Yuyan?”
Yan Yiming covered her face and laughed, “I just casually mentioned it, how is that flirting?”
Little A let out an “oh” and quickly changed the subject, “Because of your appearance today, the game's female lead, Jian Yu'er, was greatly frightened. From her conversation with Jian Yuyan, it can be inferred that tomorrow, Jian Yu'er will come to you to continue their fake sisterly bond.”
This was the content of the first chapter. Yan Yiming knew the plot. In the original game, after being harshly scolded by Yan Yiming, Jian Yu'er still came to apologize the next day, saying she had no romantic feelings for the Crown Prince. Although Yan Yiming was still angry, she met with Jian Yu'er. However, the conflict not being resolved but instead escalating was beyond the expectations of the little white lotus, Jian Yu'er.
Jian Yu'er's Mary Sue attributes were indeed beyond saving.
Even after being insulted so badly back then, she still came to apologize, let alone this time. So, tomorrow, Jian Yu'er would definitely come again.
“Oh, right,” Little A suddenly remembered and reminded Yan Yiming, “Don’t forget about the Fifth Prince.”
Yan Yiming let out a long sigh, “You guys really know how to make trouble for me.”
Although Yan Yiming’s current role was that of a cannon fodder female supporting character, her background and appearance were both outstanding. Even if Nan Gongxuan didn’t like her, there were others who did, and quite a few at that.
In the end, this Lady Yan did not marry the Crown Prince but instead married the current Fifth Prince, Nan Gongye.
According to the original plot, after Lady Yan’s heart was thoroughly broken by Nan Gongxuan, she finally became emotionally numb and ended up marrying Nan Gongye, who bore a seventy to eighty percent resemblance to Nan Gongxuan. Nan Gongye had always liked Lady Yan, and the two eventually lived harmoniously together.
Now that Yan Yiming had directly taken over Lady Yan's identity, as Little A put it, since she had taken over someone else's body, she had to fulfill that person's destiny.
In short, Yan Yiming had to complete the task of marrying Nan Gongye while simultaneously pursuing Nan Gongxuan.
Playing with two brothers at once gave Yan Yiming a headache. But if she failed, as Little A had said, she would remain trapped in the system forever, unable to return to the real world.
No matter how flawed the real world might be, there were still things she cherished and couldn't bear to part with. So, returning to the real world was her top priority.
A maid entered from outside, bringing with her the aroma of food. Yan Yiming rolled over and sat up.
The dishes were all delicious, but Yan Yiming couldn't eat them because of her sore mouth. She could only take a few bites before having the food taken away. Out of sight, out of mind, if she couldn't see it, she wouldn't crave it.
However, in Lu Mei's eyes, it seemed as though Yan Yiming was too heartbroken to have an appetite.
Earlier, with Jian Yuyan around, Lu Mei hadn't dared to speak. Now that they were back at the Yan residence and she saw her young lady unable to eat anything, Lu Mei started crying uncontrollably even before Yan Yiming could shed a tear.
Yan Yiming found the little maid's tears somewhat amusing. She patted Lu Mei's head and teased, “What are you crying for?”
“I'm crying for you, Miss,” Lu Mei sobbed, rubbing her swollen eyes. “They say the emperor's word is as good as gold, and the crown prince should have at least eight or nine measures of that, yet he still lies! And that Miss Jian, you treated her so well, yet she secretly ruined your marriage prospects. How are you any worse than her? The crown prince must have poor taste to like her and not you.”
Yan Yiming nodded in agreement. “I think he might be a bit blind too.”
“Yes, yes! The number of marriage proposals coming to our house is almost enough to wear out the doorstep. Even the second and fifth princes...” Lu Mei nodded vigorously, then suddenly froze and turned around in shock. “Miss, what did you just say?”
“I said you're absolutely right,” Yan Yiming took a sip of tea. “Jian Yu’er is bound to come to our residence tomorrow. I have a task for you, make sure to send her away.”
Lu Mei agreed brightly.
The next day, Jian Yu’er indeed came to the Yan residence early in the morning to see Yan Yiming. But Yan Yiming refused to see her. The Yan family claimed that the young lady had caught a chill the day before and was now gravely ill, unable even to get out of bed.
Jian Yu’er could only return to the Jian residence dejectedly.