"Is there anything else important today?"

"All matters have been handled, Your Majesty. This subject takes his leave."

Watching the Imperial Minister walk away slowly, Emperor Sinan Liang let out a slight sigh.

This minister had started off respectful, but now even his honorifics were fading...

Well, it couldn’t be helped. Sinan Liang was emperor in name only. Within the Sinan Family, his status barely matched that of a senior elder—and he held less sway than most. After all, he was just a figurehead puppet. He knew his place. The family had "pushed" this role onto him precisely because he lacked ambition and wouldn’t recklessly overreach.

Honestly, Sinan Liang wasn’t unhappy with his situation. He even enjoyed it. He was still an emperor—powerless, yes, but with top-tier privileges. Major decisions were all made by the family elders anyway. He just followed orders, no stress involved. His daily duties were light; once finished, he had free time to indulge. Where else could he find such a cushy job?

Strolling down the quiet palace corridors, Sinan Liang pondered where to kill time. The imperial gardens? The library? The lotus pond? The harem? He’d grown tired of them all. Boredom crept in.

Huh?

A familiar figure approached—stooped posture, gray-white beard, a comically sour face that always made people feel like they owed him money. This guy was his age, yet looked decades older.

"Ah, Hayden! Long time no see. How have you been?" Sinan Liang greeted warmly.

"—Sinan Liang!" Hayden Cleone’s brows snapped together at the sight of him, twisting his already unpleasant face into something unbearable.

"Hey now, you’re the chancellor. Is it really okay to call the emperor by his real name?"

"Hmph. Stop provoking me..."

"Re-al-ly o-kay?"

"...My apologies, Your Majesty." Hayden’s expression soured like he’d swallowed a fly. He bent stiffly in a bow.

"That’s more like it. Rise, my loyal minister~"

"...May I ask what business Your Majesty has with this old servant?"

"Nothing much. Just bored."

"You!?"

Watching Hayden stomp away grumbling, Sinan Liang felt utterly refreshed. Teasing Chancellor Hayden was one of his few joys in this dull palace. Hayden, from the Cleone Clan, was also a family puppet—and ranked lower than Sinan Liang here. At least Sinan Liang lived carefree; Hayden was bound by protocol to obey him. Poor guy.

Well then. Time to visit the harem today. Don’t let his age fool you—he still had plenty of energy.

Decision made, Sinan Liang headed deeper into the palace.

———————————————————————————————————

"To victory, cheers!"

"Cheers—"

Delicate porcelain cups clinked. I raised mine to my lips and downed it with the others—

"Ugh… *cough cough cough*!!"

Then I spat the liquid right back out.

"Xiao Ye! What’s wrong? Are you unwell?"

"N-no… I’m just not used to this wine…"

It looked like amber nectar, divine and pure. But the taste? Bitter, spicy, and astringent—like chili-pepper-laced herbal tonic! Was this even drinkable? Rui Xin’s wine in the Winteredge Mountains was delicious!

"Ye, your tolerance is awful. Can’t handle even this much?"

"It’s not about tolerance… I can’t even swallow it! What even is this stuff?"

"Mao Wuliang Hualang."

…What kind of name is that?

"By the way, Ye. It’s time I gave you this." Sinan Yuan solemnly placed a small box before me. Hey, wait—I’m still wiping my mouth!

Inside lay a delicate compass. Simple in design yet exquisitely crafted, it begged to be cradled in one’s palm.

"You know what this means. With it, you’re truly part of the Sinan Family. Channel spiritual energy to activate it. Functions are detailed on this paper—study them well. Also, it has a teleportation module. Three uses. For emergencies. Carry it always, wherever you go."

"Thank you… I’ll accept it."

Staring at the tiny compass, my heart felt conflicted. It was useful, yes—but wearing it was like shackling myself. The Sinan Family could track my every move. No escape.

The others sensed my thoughts. They stayed silent, heads lowered. Only Sinan Ying obliviously waved a wine bottle, demanding refills.

"One more thing. You must’ve noticed—today, lower-ranked Sinan members are swarming. The main buildings are being decorated."

"Of course. Some big gathering?"

"In a few days, it’s Clan Head Sinan Zheng’s fiftieth birthday. Every notable power in the Imperial Capital will attend—even the Cleone Clan and Tatalia Family. This isn’t just a birthday feast. It’s a summit for the capital’s factions."

"You… aren’t planning to parade me out at this banquet, are you?"

"Obviously! You’ll make a grand entrance in perfect attire. Outshine every woman there! Remember—a retainer’s honor is their master’s honor. This is your chance to glorify the young mistress!"

…I wanted to argue but had no grounds. So annoying! Back on Earth, I’d panic just speaking on a podium. And now you want me to do cross-dressing humiliation play before all the capital’s nobles? Wait—I’m in a female body now, so it’s not really cross-dressing… But I’ll still be nervous!

"Ye, just endure it. It’s for the greater good!" Rui Xin patted my shoulder with a grin.

"Yeah! Make a dazzling debut and blow them away!" Mo Xiaohong also patted my shoulder.

"Ye in fancy dress… want to see…" Lin Bing tried to pat my shoulder but missed, settling for my elbow.

"Go, Xiao Ye!" Sinan Ying, ever the troublemaker, filled my cup to the brim.

"Ahhh! You guys—standing on the sidelines, no clue how heavy this is—ENOUGH!"

————————————————————————————————

"Ahh… head spinning…"

After being force-fed several cups of Mao Wuliang Hualang, they finally let me go. I had to admit—I couldn’t hold my liquor.

I didn’t head straight to my room. Instead, I wandered the night garden, hoping the cool breeze would clear my foggy head. The Sinan estate’s night views were stunning, but half-drunk me couldn’t appreciate them.

Passing through a wooded path, the scene opened up—a beautiful lotus pond shimmered under three moons’ golden, silver, and orange glow. Koi fish leapt from the water. A perfect moonlit serenity.

Leaning on the railing, listening to crickets and the night wind, I suddenly thought: getting drunk once in a while isn’t so bad.

"Heh. Didn’t expect a young one like you to enjoy night walks too."

A hoarse voice came from behind. I turned—

!!!

"Ugh…!"

My blood surged like boiling water, crashing through my veins. An icy chill shot down my spine. Oppressive pressure bent my back. My drunken haze vanished instantly. Every cell screamed: This person is dangerous!

I forced myself to focus on his face. In my flickering vision appeared an old, gentle face. An ordinary, kind grandfather… Yet I knew—he was the strongest being I’d ever met.

"Oh? So sensitive to my power? Interesting, young one."

I finally adjusted to the terrifying pressure and bowed hastily. "Respected elder! If I offended you, please for—"

"Enough. No need for formalities." He waved a hand. An invisible force straightened my body.

What Anomaly Power was this?

"Junior is new here. Unfamiliar with family affairs. May I humbly ask your honored name?"

"A newcomer? I rarely appear publicly these past ten years. It’s normal you don’t know me. Since you asked—I am Sinnan Chozeng. Remember it if you can. If not, no matter. Enjoy your moon. This old bone needs sleep."

With that, he walked slowly into the darkness. As he left, the pressure lifted. I sighed in relief—and my legs gave way, dropping me to the ground.

Sinnan Chozeng… Who exactly are you?

————————————————————————————————

Cleone Clan, Clan Head’s chamber—

"How’s the preparation, Connie?" Clan Head Don Cleone asked.

"All proceeds as planned. The Sinan Family suspects nothing," the elderly woman Connie replied.

"Excellent! The Cleone Clan has endured forty years of patience. The harvest time is finally here!" Don clenched his fists, fire blazing in his eyes.

"Shall we attend Sinan Zheng’s fiftieth birthday in a few days?"

"Attend? Of course! This will be the Sinan Family’s last celebration. How could we miss it?"