Quick Transmigration Cannon Fodder’s Record of Counterattacks

Chapter 3235: From Conquering the World to Palace Intrigue

From conquering the world to palace intrigue, the story shifted genres as quickly as a tornado.

But whether it was waging war or playing politics in the palace, both were heart-pounding tales filled with deadly power struggles.

Ning Shu curled her lips in a half-smile. Yin Qing remained unmoved by her well-wishes.

Becoming a concubine to a man she had never even met, entering the rigid, boxed-in world of the imperial harem, and revolving her life around one man… It was all quite a hopeless situation.

At times, Yin Qing even thought it might be better to die with Zhuo Cheran. That thought came not out of some romantic desire to die for love, but because this era made her deeply uneasy. It offered no sense of security and was nothing like the world she knew.

And yet, she feared death. After all, she’d finally been given a second chance at life.

Once, she’d been a righteous police officer who punished evil and upheld justice. But now, all she could do was suppress her own nature and try to tiptoe through life in this unfamiliar world.

“I’m just the daughter of a minor official. His Majesty probably won’t be interested in me,” Yin Qing said.

The candidates for the consort selection were all noble daughters from prominent families, and there was an entire system behind it. Some girls were simply there to go through the motions, as they were already guaranteed to be chosen.

“Who says daughters of minor officials can’t be selected?” Ning Shu replied coolly. Men often liked to act like heroes in front of women. It was part of their masculine pride.

When faced with the pressure of noble daughters, a man might actually prefer someone from a humbler background. Right now, the fifth prince needed the support of these influential families, and that probably left him feeling insecure. Because of this, really, anyone could be chosen.

Yin Qing simply smiled without responding.

“You have a good chance of being selected,” Ning Shu added. After all, the current empress herself was once just the daughter of an ordinary official before unexpectedly rising to power.

That empress must be in a tough spot now. Many of the new concubines entering the palace had higher status than she did, which likely made her feel inferior. There was also a possibility that she’d be unable to control them.

Even the emperor and empress seemed pathetic in this power dynamic.

The noble ladies entering the palace might enjoy a period of favor, but once the emperor had consolidated his power, he wouldn’t need to rely on them anymore, nor would he need to continue doting on his consorts.

What a miserable existence.

Yin Qing sighed. “Fate really doesn’t let people choose for themselves.”

People didn’t live only for themselves. They took on many roles.

To your parents, you were a child.

To your children, you were a parent.

To your boss, you were an employee.

To your country, you were a citizen.

Every role came with responsibilities and obligations.

Humans existed in a massive web of relationships, and if you tried to break free from it, reality would quickly humble you.

That was exactly why Ning Shu and Yin Qing had appeared in this world.

“You’re about to leave this world. Find a place to sit and wait for the entrustor to return,” came the voice of 2333 in Ning Shu’s mind.

Ning Shu said her farewells to Yin Qing, who happened to be on her way to appear before the emperor.

Ning Shu sat on a stone bench and soon heard the eunuch loudly announce, “Yin Qing, daughter of Yin Guangyuan, has been selected!”

Ning Shu smiled. As expected, she was the female lead. It also confirmed that the fifth prince was feeling pressured, facing all these daughters from the noble families.

Ning Shu’s soul then exited Su Zhuru’s body and returned to the system space.

After a bout of dizziness and blurred vision, she stretched lazily. As a proper noblewoman, she had to avoid making any large or ungraceful movements.

Having her soul trapped in a body like that made her feel like it was rusting.

Whether Su Zhuru entered the palace or not was her own choice. If she didn’t want to, Ning Shu had already prepared something in a sachet for her.

Just a dab on the neck would cause a red rash, like an allergic reaction.

However, appearing like that in front of the emperor could be considered a breach of propriety and a sign of poor health, which would make it harder for her to marry in the future.

Ning Shu collapsed onto the sofa and began absorbing soul power.

She could feel that this task had rewarded her with more soul energy than the last one. It felt incredibly satisfying.

Ning Shu let out a long breath. She felt it had all been worth the effort.

She looked down at her own soul, which was now noticeably stronger and more resilient.

Ever since the divine beast task, her soul had felt like it was on the verge of turning to dust at the slightest breeze.

But now, it was finally starting to toughen up again.

She couldn’t help but feel sorry for herself. She hugged herself as consolation. If this ever happened again, she thought, she’d really end up punching the sky.

MTL Editor: Ran