Swap Marriage in Ancient Times: Transmigrated to My Stepbrother's Wife

"He is still outside?"

Wang Gege glanced weakly at Qing’er, who had been peeking through the lattice window every few moments to see whether Xie Rong had finally left the courtyard.

This time, Qing’er shook her head. "It seems the Young Master has finally returned."

Wang Gege smiled softly as she lowered her gaze. She ought to have felt relieved.

After all, she had spent the better part of an incense stick persuading him to return to his own courtyard.

Yet... Why did her chest suddenly feel so empty?

Seeing her mistress remain silent, Qing’er cautiously stepped closer. "Young Madam..."

Wang Gege shook her head before the maid could continue.

"I am merely a little tired." She forced another smile. "It has been a long day."

Qing’er hesitated, "Then this servant shall prepare another pot of hot tea."

"There is no need." Wang Gege gently interrupted. "You have accompanied me throughout the day as well. You should rest."

Qing’er immediately lowered her head. "But Young Madam—"

"I only wish to be alone for a while." Her tone remained gentle. Yet it carried an unmistakable firmness.

Understanding that further persuasion would be useless, Qing’er bowed respectfully.

"This servant shall remain outside the courtyard. If Young Madam requires anything... simply call for this servant."

Wang Gege nodded with a faint smile. "Go."

Only after the chamber door closed did the room finally fall into complete silence. The flickering candle cast gentle shadows upon the walls.

Wang Gege slowly sat beside the bed, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the embroidered blanket before she let out a quiet sigh.

"Host."

A tiny yellow figure cautiously peeked out from behind the porcelain vase. Its little wings buzzed only once before it quickly looked toward the closed door.

After making certain no one else remained nearby, Mini finally flew over. "Young Master has really left?"

Wang Gege nodded lightly. "He has."

Mini visibly relaxed. "Phew... This little system was so scared."

It floated closer before carefully observing Wang Gege’s expression.

"Host. Are you all right?"

Wang Gege smiled faintly. "I should be asking you that."

Mini lowered its tiny head. "This little system is sorry. If Mini hadn’t issued the mission... Host wouldn’t have gone to the main hall and none of this would have happened."

Its tiny voice became softer and softer until it was barely audible.

Wang Gege raised a finger, gently patting Mini’s little head.

"It wasn’t your fault." She smiled reassuringly. "Even if I hadn’t gone earlier... someone determined to frame me would simply have chosen another opportunity."

Mini blinked twice. "So... Host isn’t angry at Mini?"

Wang Gege chuckled softly. "Why should I be? This wasn’t a mission’s fault. It was merely... human nature."

She slowly leaned back against the headboard, her gaze drifting toward the dancing candlelight. "I suppose I was too naive."

Mini tilted its tiny head. "Naive?"

Wang Gege nodded. "I kept believing that if I treated others sincerely... they would eventually respond with sincerity."

A faint smile appeared on her lips. "It seems... reality isn’t quite so simple."

Mini hovered closer before rubbing its tiny head against the back of her hand. "This little system promises... Mini will protect Host better next time."

The warmth in Wang Gege’s eyes deepened.

"I know." She gently stroked Mini’s little wings. "And thank you."

Mini’s wings immediately buzzed excitedly.

"Hehe... This little system almost forgot!" Its tiny body suddenly floated backward. "Host! The mission rewards have arrived!"

"Mission rewards?" Wang Gege’s brows lifted slightly. "Did I really succeed?"

She had merely gone to clear her name. Never had she expected the Fortune System to consider the mission complete.

Mini immediately nodded enthusiastically. "Host completed it perfectly!"

Before Wang Gege could ask another question...

Ding!

Golden particles slowly gathered before her, gradually weaving themselves into a translucent holographic screen.

The soft blue light reflected within her calm eyes.

[FORTUNE SYSTEM]

Mission Completed

Mission: Resolve the Lotus Pond Incident

Status: Completed

Evaluation: Excellent

[Rewards Received]

Fortune Points: +1000

Random Reward Chest ×1

Host Reputation: +15

"Random Reward Chest?" Wang Gege’s eyes lit up with curiosity. "What is that?"

Mini immediately puffed out its tiny chest.

"Hehe! It is exactly what it sounds like!" Its little wings buzzed excitedly as it flew several circles around the holographic screen. "A Random Reward Chest contains one random item selected by the Fortune System! It could be something ordinary... It could also be something incredibly rare!"

Wang Gege blinked. "So... even you don’t know what’s inside?"

Mini quickly shook its tiny head. "Nope!"

"The rewards are generated the moment Host chooses to open the chest. It means..." Mini leaned closer, lowering its voice dramatically. "Even this little system cannot peek inside!"

Wang Gege could not help but laugh. "I didn’t expect a system could also enjoy surprises."

"Of course!" Mini nodded repeatedly. "Opening Random Reward Chests is one of Mini’s favorite moments!"

Its tiny eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Host! Would you like to open it now?"

Wang Gege looked at the glowing holographic screen before shifting her gaze toward the quiet chamber.

Outside, the night had already grown deep. She lowered her eyes thoughtfully, "Can I keep it for later?"

"Of course!" Mini nodded without hesitation. "Once a Reward Chest enters Host’s storage, it will remain there until Host decides to open it."

Wang Gege smiled in relief. "Then let’s save it for another day."

After everything that had happened today, she no longer had the energy to be excited over rewards.

What she wanted most... Was a peaceful night’s rest.

Mini scratched its tiny head awkwardly, "Actually... This little system wanted to tell Host something."

Wang Gege looked at the little bee curiously. "What is it?"

Mini’s tiny wings drooped. "Mini... might not be able to appear openly outside anymore."

Wang Gege blinked. "What do you mean?"

Mini unconsciously hugged its tiny body.

"At the lotus pond earlier... Young Master Xie looked at Mini."

Wang Gege blinked in surprise. "He looked at you?"

Mini nodded repeatedly, its tiny body shivering at the memory.

"Mm! It was only for a moment... But Mini is certain... He was looking directly at Mini."

The little bee instinctively rubbed its tiny arms. "Just remembering it makes Mini shiver all over."

Wang Gege frowned, "But... how is that possible?"

Mini immediately froze.

"I..." Its tiny mouth opened, then closed again. It looked unusually conflicted.

After hesitating for several moments, it slowly lowered its head. "This little system... cannot say."

"Huh?" Wang Gege’s pitch slightly raised as she didn’t get it.

"There are some things... that Mini is not permitted to tell Host." Its tiny wings drooped apologetically, "If Mini says them... Mini will violate the system regulations."

Wang Gege stared at the little bee for a long while before letting out a helpless smile. "So there are secrets even between us?"

Mini immediately waved its tiny hands frantically. "No! It’s not that Mini doesn’t trust Host. It’s just... It really can’t be said."

Wang Gege looked at the tiny bee quietly. A mischievous smile slowly appeared upon her lips.

"What is it that would make Mini violate the system regulations?" She narrowed her eyes ever so slightly, pretending to ponder seriously before chuckling. "Don’t tell me... there’s another transmigrator?"

She merely meant it as a joke. After all, how could such a ridiculous coincidence possibly happen?

But... Mini froze.

Its tiny wings stopped fluttering. Its little hands remained suspended in midair.

Even the cheerful smile that had always adorned its tiny face completely disappeared and the room fell into an eerie silence.

"Mini?"