Chapter 1 – As Long As You’re Here, There Are No More Secrets in This World

Great Qian Empire, Third Year of Yuanxi, Ninth Day of the Fifth Month

At the seventh watch of the yin hour, four eunuchs and palace maids passing by the Tai Jin Hall whispered among themselves, casting furtive glances at a young woman dressed in a black Flying Fish Uniform. Her features were delicate and refined — not at all what they had expected.

“Look, that’s her — Mu Nanjin, the only woman in the entire Jinyiwei.”

(Jinyiwei (锦衣卫): elite imperial guards directly under the Emperor’s command.)

“I thought anyone who could join the Jinyiwei would be a burly woman with arms thicker than a man’s.”

“With those thin wrists and ankles? Can she even handle Jinyiwei duties?”

“Maybe she’s some kind of peerless martial master. Otherwise, why would they recruit her?”

“Ha! A peerless master? Don’t make me laugh! She’s just an orphan — no power, no status, no martial skills. The only reason she made it into the Jinyiwei is because of Lord Tang Qianhu’s connections. Since His Majesty is pushing for an Imperial Examination to women, they made an exception for her.”

“What’s her relationship with Lord Tang Qianhu?”

“She’s his cousin — and she’s in love with him too. They even live under the same roof! Every day she finds excuses to get close to him, claiming she wants to ‘serve as a Jinyiwei.’ Lord Tang Qianhu couldn’t stand her pestering, so he used his position to send her into the Jinyiwei, hoping she’d give up. But who would’ve thought she’d actually last more than half a month — and even got promoted from unranked to Ninth Rank in just five days?”

“Tch. All that scheming just to become Madam Tang Qianhu.”

“Such a fox! No wonder she climbed the ranks so fast.”

“Shameless wench.” The palace maid who had a crush on Tang Qianhu spat on the ground in disgust.

Standing nearby on patrol, Mu Nanjin heard every word. She cast them a lazy glance, her expression unreadable.

If they were talking about her, she might have gotten angry.

But unfortunately for them, the woman they were gossiping about was already dead — dead by her own foolishness. If not, Mu Nanjin would never have had the chance to take over this body.

Thinking of this, Mu Nanjin couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

She had once been a sword cultivator in the modern world. Just before she could ascend after her tribulation, a mysterious system had snatched her away and dumped her into this ancient empire called Great Qian.

“Welcome to the Great Qian Empire,” the system had said. “Complete my missions, and you can still ascend to immortality.”

Then it vanished.

No missions. No messages. No signs of life.

For a while, she even suspected the system had ghosted her just to stop her from ascending.

Fortunately, she could still use it like a computer — to binge dramas, read novels, and scroll through gossip to stave off boredom. And since she’d inherited the original host’s memories, she’d managed to avoid causing trouble.

Still, the job she’d inherited — as a Jinyiwei — was miserable.

Up before the roosters, asleep after the dogs, working harder than oxen and eating worse than pigs. After a month of exhausting labor, all for two taels of silver.

It was no wonder the original owner had dropped dead on her first day.

Mu Nanjin finished her thoughts and sighed again.

【No matter the era, people just love gossip.】

And she was no exception.

Within her system, her favorite section was the imperial gossip feed — juicier than any TV drama. The system updated new stories every second; it was like watching an endless comedy show.

As she opened the feed, the headlines immediately popped up:

【The Hanlin Scholar got drunk and cuddled with Compiler Du all night. Hahaha, the scene’s too much to imagine!】

【The Left Assistant Minister of Rites insists on scrubbing his toilet three times before using it. This morning, on the second scrub, he couldn’t hold it in and — well, let’s just say his pants didn’t survive. Hahaha, that’s what you get for being a neat freak!】

【The Assistant Minister of Personnel…】

“Ahem, Nanjin.”

Startled, Mu Nanjin turned to see Tang Wenzong, the Assistant Minister of Personnel, rushing toward her, looking flustered.

She bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Lord Tang. What brings you here?”

Tang Wenzong caught his breath and said, “I heard from your aunt that you have neither horse nor carriage, and it’s troublesome for you to commute. From now on, you can ride back with me after your shift.”

【You rushed all the way here… just to tell me that?】

Mu Nanjin raised an eyebrow.

【No, something’s off. The man who usually ignores me suddenly offers me a ride? Did the sun rise from the west today? Something’s fishy.】

The original host’s parents had died of a plague when she was a baby. Her uncle, Mu Qinyi, raised her and later brought her to the Tang family to fulfill an old childhood engagement.

Out of gratitude for past favors, the Tang family hadn’t refused, but penniless Mu Qinyi had to marry into their household as a son-in-law.

Tang Wenzong was his eldest brother-in-law.

And Tang Qianhu, whom the palace maids had gossiped about earlier, was Tang Wenzong’s second son — the same man the original host had adored since childhood.

Unfortunately, Tang Qianhu was the Tang family’s pride and future. In their eyes, only a noble lady from a prestigious clan could ever be his match — not a powerless orphan.

From the moment the original Mu Nanjin’s feelings for Tang Qianhu became known, the Tang family treated her with thinly veiled contempt.

Mu Nanjin smiled politely. “I finish my shift late, Lord Tang. I wouldn’t want to delay you. Your kindness is appreciated — but I must decline.”

Tang Wenzong looked surprisingly pleased with her refusal, a rare smile tugging at his stern features.

But after taking a few steps, he turned back and lowered his voice. “Serve His Majesty well — and stop entertaining… certain thoughts.”

【Oh? A warning not to chase after your precious son? Relax, I’m not interested.】

Mu Nanjin rolled her eyes inwardly. “Understood.”

【You want your son to marry the Minister of Personnel’s daughter, huh? Too bad the minister wants his daughter to marry into the royal family instead. Poetic justice, isn’t it?】

A few nearby officials suddenly burst into muffled laughter.

“Pfft—”

Tang Wenzong’s face flushed crimson. “You—!”

Mu Nanjin blinked, confused. “What did I do?”

【All I said was ‘understood’ — why’s he mad? Wait… don’t tell me he changed his mind and wants me as a daughter-in-law now? Sorry, no thanks. I’m not into Tang Qianhu. Go chase that minister’s favor instead — maybe his daughter actually likes your son.】

“Guard Mu!”

The Minister of Personnel, Minister Yao, hurried over. “Apologies, Guard Mu. I have urgent matters to discuss with Assistant Minister Tang — please excuse us.”

Mu Nanjin nodded. “Then I’ll continue my patrol.”

Once she was gone, Minister Yao snorted coldly and swept into the Tai Jin Hall.

Tang Wenzong mopped his forehead and followed nervously. “Lord Yao, let me explain—”

Moments later, the eunuchs’ voices rang out:

“Court is in session!”

The officials gathered inside.

Soon after:

“His Majesty approaches!”

Everyone — from ministers to guards — knelt in unison. “Long live His Majesty! Long live the Emperor!”

As someone from the modern world, Mu Nanjin still found this endless kneeling absurd.

【Every session feels like a mass ancestor worship ceremony. No wonder emperors never live long — too many people wishing them ‘long life’ at once.】

The hall fell into eerie silence.

【It’s been two minutes. Why hasn’t the Emperor told them to rise yet?】

From her position outside, Mu Nanjin could only see the wall — but inside, the air was thick with tension.

【Don’t tell me he’s angry again? What a moody man — a true chameleon of temper. Let’s see who ticked him off this time.】

Before she could check her system, the Emperor’s voice suddenly boomed: “Rise, all of you!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

The officials scrambled to their feet, wiping sweat from their brows.

【Why’s everyone sweating? Is it that hot in there?】

Mu Nanjin peeked in through the window before continuing her patrol.

Inside, the Emperor and his ministers discussed everything from domestic welfare to border wars — all mind-numbing topics.

Mu Nanjin, who hated anything that required brainpower, stifled a yawn.

【So sleepy. It’s almost noon — aren’t they tired? Doesn’t the Emperor worry about saving some energy for his harem’s little fairies? Hah, not that it matters — one of those fairies has already cheated on him. Let’s see who the lucky culprit is…】

The entire hall suddenly went silent.

The Emperor’s face darkened to an ugly shade of blue.

“Eh?” Mu Nanjin blinked as her gossip feed refreshed.

【Breaking: The Imperial Preceptor has returned to the capital, less than fifty miles away!】

【Rumor has it the Imperial Preceptor’s beauty is otherworldly — a face like an exiled immortal. Could it be true?】

The Emperor and all his ministers bolted from the hall.

Mu Nanjin stood there, dumbfounded.

【Where are they going in such a hurry?】

A Jinyiwei commander, Liu Baihu, barked, “Don’t just stand there! Follow and protect His Majesty!”

“Where to?” she asked.

“The Imperial Preceptor has returned — His Majesty’s going to welcome him personally!”

【Wait, the Imperial Preceptor returned secretly. How did the Emperor know? The Jinyiwei’s intelligence is terrifying. At this rate, no one in the palace has any secrets left…】

Mu Nanjin followed at a jog.

Behind her, Liu Baihu muttered, “Truly terrifying indeed.”

As long as you’re here, there are no more secrets in this world.