The Cannon Fodder in Quick Transmigration Refuses the Usual Path

Chapter 616: The Arrogant Noble Consort Who Failed in the Struggle for the Throne – End

"Ah, truly comfortable!"

Come to think of it, it's been a long time since I've had a task where I could just lie back like this.

Returning to the system space, feeling the relaxation from the inside out. Honestly, An Ning was in a genuinely good mood right now, even happily taking out some of the newly brewed plum wine from her space to savor slowly.

If there's one thing she improved the most in this lifetime, it's her skill with fragrances and wine.

Sigh, everything else was fine, but as she got older, especially in the last few months before leaving, her sense of taste had indeed deteriorated somewhat.

Apart from that, it was practically flawless!

No wonder she felt so good!

Watching its host's cheerful demeanor from not far away, the system couldn't help but twitch the corner of its mouth. Speaking of which, what exactly did its host do this lifetime?

Aside from directing and starring in a "coming back to life for true love" drama to cling to life, giving a small half-dose of slow-acting medicine to the original body's parents, secretly nourishing her daughter's health a bit, and then living exactly like the original owner—being wildly carefree and causing all sorts of trouble!

Really, she hadn't had such a laid-back lifetime in several incarnations!The key point was that the original owner's wishes were all fulfilled. Xiao Qi could be set aside; he practically never refused anything, a lifelong "true love" through and through. Then, after the crown prince ascended the throne, the original host's wishes were smoothly achieved, and its host's life became even more beautiful...

The system: "..."

It's just... this round was way too unchallenging!

"I thought you'd try to push your grandson onto the throne?" the system couldn't help but complain.

"Overthinking it. The original owner herself didn't ask for that, why waste that kind of idle effort?"

Casually flipping through the panel in her hand, An Ning retorted without looking up.

As if royal bloodlines were something precious.

Even a biological son might not be filial, let alone a grandson she'd barely met.

If she could relax so easily this lifetime, it was entirely thanks to the original host's supremely idealistic approach. The task was basically all about herself: as long as she stood high above everyone, looking down on the masses, enjoying honor and respect, everyone else was basically a non-issue!

To put it bluntly, this eliminated ninety-nine percent of the trouble for her right off the bat.

That's why she had such an easy game this lifetime.

Looking for trouble herself? Not a chance!

"Then why did you still help the elderly couple regulate their health?" the system asked, somewhat puzzled, as it rarely saw its host do such things.

Within the space, the response came in its host's still gentle voice:

"Royal family members, how could they be so naive? Especially an ancient emperor who holds supreme power. Being too special alone isn't necessarily a good thing."

If only one person had exceptionally good health and was maintained too well, it might attract a bit of attention. But if it's a family trait, then in everyone's eyes, it becomes all too understandable.

She, as the daughter, was simply surpassing her predecessors.

Especially Shen-dad, whose physical constitution was already robust to begin with. An Ning just gave it a little push, establishing a benchmark.

And then there was Crown Prince Xiao Ye, an extremely self-controlled person. Even without her, he was a proper health-preservation enthusiast. With the short-lived record of the Old Xiao Family, he cherished his life immensely.

Afraid of repeating his ancestors' mistakes.

"Moreover, compared to Xiao Qi, who, after experiencing life and death, automatically added an eight-hundred-fold filter to 'true love' and basically engaged in self-persuasion daily, this crown prince was much more rational, or perhaps a pure political animal.

Their abilities might be on par, but his imperial heart surpassed even his father's.

Just look at how this crown prince, even after ascending the throne for so long, never once tried to seek true love, and you'll know.

He probably didn't believe he had such a thing in the first place!"

Thinking of this crown prince's later occasional actions, taking small sips of her wine, An Ning couldn't help but feel amused, though she quickly became serious again.

With a playful look at it, An Ning deliberately drew out her tone:

"You have to understand, System, that the 'copycat' you speak of precisely represents that, aside from the initial twist of fate, this crown prince himself didn't believe his Imperial Father survived to this day entirely for the sake of true love..."

And later, from her lifestyle habits, attitudes, and frequent interactions, it only further proved this point.

Other thoughts? Perhaps there was a tiny bit, but for an absolutely rational emperor, they accounted for far, far too little.

Probably in his eyes, his Imperial Father's longevity was partly due to being unable to let go of his true love, but the most crucial part was sticking by her side almost every single day afterward!

It was precisely because he witnessed it firsthand and reaped the benefits that the Shen Family and Yongle later received such favor and grace, remaining the most noble princess for a lifetime.

As for An Ning herself, this dynasty governed with filial piety. Once she became Empress Dowager, if her life wasn't good, the emperor could be replaced!

Putting in a little effort for a free upgrade wasn't bad either!

The system: "..."

Oh, okay. On the surface, it's a loving mother and filial son, but secretly, you had the medicine ready, right?

And here he was, being considerate to you in every matter, never forgetting to take you out to play everywhere!

Not caring about the system's internal complaints, An Ning quickly opened the worldline of the previous lifetime:

Her gaze paused on the part about being depressed and suffering from acclimatization due to the long, arduous journey.

Actually, speaking of the original owner herself, she could be considered lucky. Even in her previous life, although she died early after failing in the succession struggle, she didn't suffer much hardship, living a pretty carefree life for most of it!

Without An Ning's intervention, although Xiao Qi was furious to the point of death, he still stubbornly held on for half a year and, while dragging his ailing body, made the necessary arrangements.

After the marriage was bestowed, the original owner's biological son, Xiao Yu, went to his fiefdom early. After his death, Xiao Qi even left a final decree, ordering his trusted General Zhou to personally escort the original owner away.

The new emperor had only been crown prince for half a year and had just ascended the throne, so naturally, he couldn't make drastic moves, especially not going against his own Imperial Father's decree.

Although Empress Dowager Qi and a bunch of arch-rivals were unwilling, what could they do? Expecting an almost purebred political creature to understand the neglect and jealousy of the harem?

Even if this person was his biological mother?

And so, the original owner was sent away like this...

But unfortunately, An Ning thought to herself, some people, some methods, don't end just because someone leaves!

A favored consort is eye-catching everywhere, especially one like the original owner. Almost as soon as Xiao Qi passed away, not to mention the open and even private sarcastic remarks from various palaces, the more important thing was privately, especially around Prince Ning, rumors began to spread that "the former crown prince was deposed entirely because the original owner angered the Current Emperor when he was ill!"

And it kept escalating...

Within the royal family, familial bonds were inherently shallow. Falling from the lofty position of crown prince, no matter how gentle Xiao Yu was, it was impossible for him not to have some thoughts in his heart.

Similarly, no matter how slow-witted the original owner was, she couldn't fail to notice the coldness of those around her.

To be honest, the original owner had been pampered her whole life; her pride and that spoiled, willful streak were long since ingrained.

The sudden fall in status, the covert mistreatment during the mourning period, the various deliberate taunts from old rivals, and, to avoid accidents, the rushed journey along the way...

In short, under multiple factors, less than half a year after settling in the fiefdom, the originally lively person faded away like a fragrance.

Although regrettable, in An Ning's view, leaving early was also a good thing. Not to mention the gap in status, the original owner's skill level was far too inferior compared to that Empress Dowager.

Unlike this lifetime, in the previous life, until Xiao Qi's death, that Empress Dowager Qi had been secretly making moves, or using others, and every time she could precisely hit the original owner's weak spots. Her level of forbearance was truly unparalleled.

If not for her medicine that day, who knows, maybe she really could have pretended for a lifetime?

Oh, actually, not quite!

Later, as expected, mother and son fought fiercely, and yet, this Empress Dowager Qi's original lifespan was quite long, much longer than in this lifetime.

"Clearly, it's power and status that truly nourish a person!"

But looking at it this way, the crown prince living to this age wasn't entirely unrelated to his own biological mother either.

After resting briefly, the moment she pressed the button, for some reason, An Ning's eyelid suddenly twitched in an eerie manner.