Restless Heart - Chapter 2

Chapter 3

System returned from surveying the battlefield.

It patted me on the head, looking deeply meaningful.

“Bad news: you’ll have to use a different body.”

“Good news: the new Child of Fortune seems like he’ll be easy to win over.”

The ball of light grew larger, lifted up my soul, and drifted toward the outskirts of the city.

I asked, “Who’s the new Child of Fortune?”

It answered, “Xie Chenyuan.”

Me: “…”

How was he easy to win over?

He had just smashed my previous target into paste with one thunderous blow.

As the fiancée of his enemy, I was definitely in for a miserable end too.

I probably couldn’t even get my body back.

It had to be in pieces by now.

A piece here, a piece there.

I sank into pessimistic silence.

System flew to the riverside and dug up a chunk of silt.

Then it kneaded it into a lump and started sculpting.

My grief paused.

I said, “Give me a round head. And reinforce it this time.”

My head had originally been round too, but the body made of mud had been too soft. One nap, and splat-it got flattened.

“Also, give me right-angled shoulders.”

System said, “Sloped shoulders look better in ancient clothing.”

“All right, then.”

I thought for a moment, then asked, “Can you pad my nose a little?”

System said, “Do you understand classical beauty standards or not? Stop talking. I have my own rhythm.”

I shut up.

System sculpted for ages and finally made a human shape.

A very delicate, beautiful person.

Pei Shuyao, the cosmetic-surgery version.

I slipped inside, sat by the river, and studied my face in the clear water.

A little melancholy, I said, “It doesn’t even really look like me anymore.”

System washed its hands clean. “Never mind whether it looks like you. Don’t you think this is my masterpiece?”

I nodded.

“That it is.”

Chapter 4

The new identity System arranged for me was the adopted daughter of a minister.

This time, my name was Lin Shuyao.

Before the New Emperor ascended the throne, he had never married. Now the harem was empty, and many officials were eager to stuff people into it.

Minister Lin had no daughter of his own, but he wanted in on the excitement too.

So he adopted me as his daughter.

My name was written onto the list and sent into the palace.

I heard that Xie Chenyuan threw out the list the Ministry of Rites gave him.

And mentioned only me.

I was a little nervous.

When my cheap adoptive father returned from court, he sighed at me over and over.

“His Majesty said this name is no good. It violates a taboo and must be changed.”

My name had become taboo.

Now things were truly bad.

With my last target, at least I could see him every day.

With this one, not only could I not see him, the moment he heard my name, he demanded I change it.

Honestly, I couldn’t see even the slightest chance of winning.

My adoptive father asked me what name I wanted to change it to.

I said, “Whatever.”

So he reported it to the Ministry of Revenue and changed my name to Lin Suibian.

Now that was a little too whatever.

Forget it. I would leave it for now.

A long time passed.

Then I found another opportunity to enter the palace.

Xie Chenyuan wanted the Ministry of Rites to select a group of people to enter the palace and copy scriptures to pray for blessings.