Chapter 96: Exchange Reward Unlock
Shen Yurou slowly rose from her seat before respectfully lowering herself into a curtsy.
"Forgive this subject, Your Highness." She lowered her gaze modestly. "However... this subject wishes to speak a few words on Second Sister’s behalf."
The Princess Consort regarded her quietly. "Speak."
Shen Yurou nodded gratefully before turning toward Wang Gege, "This subject has grown up with Second Sister since childhood."
A faint smile appeared upon her lips, "Although we are sisters, this subject dares not claim to understand her completely." She paused briefly, "However... There is one thing this subject can say with certainty."
Her eyes slowly swept across the noble ladies gathered within the Flower Pavilion.
"The Second Sister has always been timid by nature. She rarely left the Shen Residence. Nor did she attend gatherings or banquets such as today’s."
Several noble ladies nodded faintly. They had indeed rarely, if ever, seen the Second Miss of the Shen Residence.
Shen Yurou continued gently, "Even within the residence... The Second Sister seldom interacted with outsiders. She preferred to remain quietly in her own courtyard." She lowered her gaze with a helpless sigh.
"Therefore... This subject finds it difficult to believe that anyone would harbor such deep resentment toward Second Sister as to devise an elaborate scheme merely to frame her."
The Flower Pavilion once again fell silent.
Her words sounded reasonable.
If Shen Taotao had spent most of her life hidden within the Shen Residence, rarely meeting anyone beyond her own family...
Who would go to such lengths to target her?
Shen Yurou slowly turned toward Wang Gege.
"This subject does not mean to question the Second Sister." She offered an apologetic smile, "This subject merely believes... Perhaps the Second Sister has overthought the matter."
Wang Gege smiled gently. There was not the slightest trace of anger upon her face.
Instead, she calmly looked toward Shen Yurou.
"Then... This sister wishes to ask Elder Sister a question."
Shen Yurou’s smile stiffened almost immediately. "Please."
Wang Gege lowered her gaze briefly before speaking once more.
"According to Elder Sister’s reasoning... This sister has always been timid since childhood and has rarely left the Shen Residence."
She slowly lifted her eyes.
"Then... Must this younger sister first become someone who poisons another... before anyone could possibly harbor such deep resentment toward me?"
The moment those words fell, the Flower Pavilion instantly descended into silence.
Shen Yurou’s expression froze. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the sleeves of her robe.
Although Wang Gege had not uttered a single name, everyone present understood exactly what she was implying.
The poisoning incident at the Shen Residence had long since become one of the capital’s most discussed rumors these past few days.
Some believed it... Some dismissed it.
Yet no one had expected Wang Gege to bring it up so calmly in front of the Princess Consort.
Wang Gege merely stood there, her gentle smile never once fading.
She quietly waited... For her elder sister’s answer.
Shen Yurou’s smile visibly stiffened.
"Second Sister—"
"Enough." The Princess Consort’s calm voice immediately interrupted her.
The Flower Pavilion instantly fell silent once more.
Her gaze slowly swept across the two sisters before finally resting upon Wang Gege.
"This Princess has heard enough." She paused briefly before continuing, "Young Madam Xie’s reasoning is not without merit."
Those simple words caused several noble ladies to exchange glances.
The Princess Consort then turned toward Miss Zhao.
"And Miss Zhao herself is unable to determine precisely when her pouch went missing."
Miss Zhao immediately lowered her head. "Yes, Your Highness."
The Princess Consort gave a slight nod.
"In that case... This matter cannot be concluded based solely upon the discovery of the pouch within Young Madam Xie’s gift box."
Her calm gaze slowly swept across everyone present.
"Nor can anyone be accused without sufficient evidence."
The atmosphere within the Flower Pavilion instantly eased.
Even Wang Gege quietly let out the breath she had been holding.
The Princess Consort then looked toward the palace maids.
"This Princess will have this matter thoroughly investigated until the truth is uncovered..."
She paused, allowing her words to settle over everyone present.
"No one is to make unfounded accusations against another."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The palace maids immediately bowed in unison.
Only then did the suffocating atmosphere within the Flower Pavilion gradually ease.
The noble ladies who had remained silent throughout quietly let out the breaths they had been holding, though many of them continued stealing curious glances toward Wang Gege.
Meanwhile, Wang Gege lowered her gaze.
She had finally managed to clear herself of the accusation.
Although the true mastermind remained unknown... At the very least, she was no longer the only suspect.
Just as she quietly exhaled, the mechanical voice suddenly echoed within her mind.
[Hidden Evaluation Completed.]
Wang Gege blinked a few times.
Another line immediately appeared.
[Host successfully overcame a malicious scheme through independent judgment.]
Her eyes widened slightly, ’A hidden evaluation...?’
The notification continued.
[Evaluation: Excellent.]
[Bonus Reward Granted.]
[Fortune Points +500]
Before Wang Gege could recover from her surprise, another notification appeared.
[Reward Exchange Function Unlocked.]
Her pupils contracted.
’Reward Exchange?’
Mini’s cheerful voice immediately rang out in her mind.
’Host! Congratulations! Mini can finally open the Reward Exchange for Host!’
Wang Gege blinked once. ’Finally?’
’Mm-hmm!’ Mini sounded unusually excited.
’The Reward Exchange could not be unlocked until Host proved that you could overcome difficulties through your own ability and only Hosts who pass the hidden evaluation are qualified to use it.’
Wang Gege was momentarily stunned.
So... This had been another requirement all along.
’Host can now exchange Fortune Points for special rewards! However...’
Mini’s voice suddenly became much softer, ’Many items are still locked. Host’s current Fortune Rank is not high enough to access them.’
Wang Gege could not help but smile inwardly. ’So you’re telling me... I still have to work harder?’
Mini laughed sheepishly. ’Yes... But Host has already taken the very first step!’
The corners of Wang Gege’s lips lifted ever so slightly.
Perhaps, today’s Flower Banquet had not only exposed a hidden enemy...
It had also opened the door to something entirely new.
’Mini...’ She quietly called for the little system.
’Can I exchange for things that do not exist in this world?’
Mini became unusually quiet.
After a few moments, it finally answered, ’Yes... and no.’
Wang Gege blinked, ’What does that mean?’
’The Reward Exchange contains countless items. However... Only items that do not disrupt the balance of Host’s current world may be exchanged.’
Wang Gege frowned, ’The balance of this world?’
’Yes... items capable of fundamentally changing the world’s order are permanently restricted. Host may encounter unfamiliar tools, peculiar objects, or unique conveniences... But Host cannot exchange for anything that would overturn the natural order of this world.’
Wang Gege slowly nodded to the long explanation, ’I see...’
A thought suddenly crossed her mind.
’Then... what about something as simple as a pair of colored contact lenses?’
Mini immediately replied, ’Host’s requested item has been found within the Reward Exchange.’
Wang Gege’s heart skipped a beat.
’However... Host’s current Fortune Points are insufficient. Required Fortune Points: 3,000.’
Wang Gege fell silent. She subconsciously glanced toward the entrance of the pavilion.
Three thousand... That was... much more expensive than she had expected.