Ni Ni was terrified.

Although she had been to ancient times before, she was always free. Now?

A concubine?!

She was going crazy! She wanted to strangle Duanmu Rui to death!

She still had some common sense. Being a concubine wasn't easy. The mistress could set rules, or beat someone to death if she didn't like them! It meant she was a slave, and her indenture was in someone else's hands!

Most importantly, as a concubine, she couldn't even leave Duanmu Rui's courtyard!

Just as Ni Ni was desperately trying to crawl out, determined not to become the male lead's concubine, a sharp shout came.

A wealthy-looking old woman, accompanied by several servants, glared at her and demanded,

"What are you doing?! What a mess! What kind of behavior is this?!"

Before Ni Ni, whose hair was disheveled from struggling, could speak, she turned and ordered the burly old woman,

"Go, gag the new concubine, and send her to the mistress' courtyard."

Ni Ni, still clinging to the hope that Duanmu Rui's family might dislike courtesans and simply comply with her wishes to expel her, struggled in vain…

The old woman was a close attendant in the old lady's courtyard.

She brought her sister-in-law to the madam’s courtyard. When she returned, she saw the old lady sitting there with a cold face. But this time, she was sitting upright, not taking a nap. Knowing her thoughts, the old woman immediately said,

"She seems quite nice, with bright eyes and none of that frivolous, coquettish air. How could someone the eldest young master has chosen be bad? Madam, you can rest assured."

The old lady's face remained cold.

"She's already causing such a ruckus as soon as she entered the house! What kind of 'nice' is she!"

The old woman bent down to add fruit tea for her, effortlessly hitting the nail on the head.

"She's a concubine with a proper title now, Madam, you can just wait to hold your grandson!"

The old lady's lips moved, then she snorted.

"Let her come and learn some manners, otherwise people will think it's her old brothel… humph!"

The old woman coaxed her a few more times and was taken by the old lady's side. Her status was naturally different now.

It was still the lack of a wife and children that caused the trouble. He had plenty of concubines, but Duanmu Rui had been drugged…

Ni Ni was unaware that Duanmu Rui's family not only didn't intend to kick her out, but had already begun eyeing her unborn child!

Angry and anxious, Ni Ni was burning with impatience. When Duanmu Rui returned, she unleashed a torrent of anger upon him!

Duanmu Rui let her rant, bathing, eating, and then picking up a book to read. When Ni Ni was tired of her fussing, she finally decided to rest and simply tossed him into bed…

Soon, the bed curtains began to shake violently, and intimate sounds filled the room…

Covered in sweat, Ni Ni's heavy breathing subsided as the man held her. Gradually, his breathing became long and even; he had clearly fallen asleep.

Ni Ni weakly grabbed his wandering hand, trying to pull away, but her arms were limp and the blanket heavy; she could only move it away.

A moment later, he put it back, his palm warm, making her cheeks feel like they were on fire.

This continued for several days. Duanmu Rui was out running errands during the day, only returning at night. After bathing, eating, and doing other things, it was time for him to sleep with her.

Ni Ni was confined to the courtyard every day, unable to hear any news from the outside world.

That day, she woke up after Duanmu Rui left and lay motionless on the bed.

Anyway, as a concubine, it wasn't her place to fawn over the old lady.

The old lady had called her over, but Ni Ni refused. Duanmu Rui had been scolded by his mother, who called her "hopeless."

When Duanmu Rui returned, he said nothing, staring at her for a while, only saying, "No need to go and pay your respects yet."

Ni Ni, having provoked him but not gotten the result she wanted, sulked. That night, he severely punished her; that beast still harbored resentment towards her.

Thinking about all sorts of things, Ni Ni suddenly felt worried.

Now that she couldn't get out, and the male lead was useless, was the female lead really going to marry that scumbag?

The thought of possibly failing her mission made Ni Ni's heart race with panic.

She would die.

She really would die.

"No."

A voice suddenly appeared, one she hadn't heard in a long time.

Ni Ni abruptly knelt up from the bed, looked around, and cautiously asked,

"System?"

Her heart was pounding with excitement and nervousness.

She hadn't heard this voice since the very beginning. Her arrogance and pride had crumbled as her physical body grew weaker.

"Tsk, whatever."

After saying this, her mind went silent.

Ni Ni had many questions to ask, but she held back.

After a while, it felt like an eternity; her palms were sweating. Then, that rather human-like voice rang out:

"You've really improved. Fine, I'll give you another chance."

Ni Ni thought it was because her mission had failed and her life was in danger, and it was offering her another chance. She quickly and obediently said,

"Thank you!"

"What's wrong?"

The sudden voice rang out in the room, startling Ni Ni, who turned her head.

Duanmu Rui's eyes hesitated. She was kneeling on the bed in her undergarments, appearing respectfully to listen to someone, but in front of her…

Ni Ni's heart pounded. Only when he pulled her onto his lap did she realize how stiff she was.

"No… why are you still here?"

Duanmu Rui pretended not to notice her abrupt change of topic, touching her slightly tense cheek.

"Luo Qingyun is getting married today."

The flustered Ni Ni didn't understand what he meant at first, and after several breaths, she almost jumped up.

"What?!"

Her strong reaction inevitably affected Duanmu Rui's mood. He glanced at her hand gripping his sleeve tightly, lowered his eyelids, and said calmly,

"Yes, he's getting married today."

After a moment of stunned silence, she seemed unable to accept it, then suddenly said something shocking:

"You're not going to steal the bride?!"

If the male lead steals the bride and forcibly takes her, does that mean she's successfully completed the level?

Will the male lead actually give up the female lead?!

Ni Ni stared at him expectantly, both excited and nervous, her eyes sparkling with the hope that things would turn out the way she imagined.

She wasn't stupid or arrogant anymore; she wouldn't believe someone would give her a chance, a chance to live, a chance to have another life, for no reason.

Duanmu Rui stared at her strangely for a long time before ruffling her hair.

"What are you thinking about? What's going on in your little head all day?!"

His previous gloom was gone. Seeing her shoulders slump after realizing it was impossible, he kissed her head, which was filled with all sorts of wild thoughts.

"Alright, I have a lot of things to do. You play by yourself."

"Is it really impossible?"

Ni Ni asked sadly before he left, unwilling to give up.

Duanmu Rui admitted he was hurt by her, a pang of sadness in his heart.

"What do you like about him?"

They hadn't really interacted much. Ni Ni froze, somewhat bewildered, opening her mouth but unable to utter a word.

Seeing this, Duanmu Rui felt a little better, raising an eyebrow slightly.

“Is he as dashing and heroic as me? As wealthy as me? As dashing and debonair as me?”

Ni Ni was shocked by his shamelessness, staring at him as if she'd seen a ghost.

Duanmu Rui sat back on the bed, cupping her face close to his.

“You said all of this yourself, are you just trying to fool me?”

Don't you have any sense of right or wrong?!

✦•┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈•✦

Seemingly hurt by the bluntness in her eyes, Duanmu Rui pressed his forehead against hers, his voice filled with sorrow.

"You're so heartless! When you wanted me, you showered me with sweet words, showering me with compliments, hugging, nuzzling, and kissing me, openly giving me flirtatious glances in public. But once I was yours, you abandoned me..."

The other person was out, a tall, handsome, and masculine man, so intimidating that she trembled and covered his mouth with hers.

"Please, go take your medicine if you're sick."

Duanmu Rui smiled, his eyes shining brightly. He pulled her small hand away, captured her lips, and mumbled,

"You should cover my mouth like this..."

Ni Ni, mesmerized by his beauty, was only jolted awake when he forced his way in, but it was too late. With a soft moan, he was already inside her.

Hard as a rock, throbbing, yet the man, incredibly experienced, kissed her neck, kneading her full, soft breasts, his lower body slowly thrusting.

Soon, she became hot down there, her slippery juices providing ample lubrication, gripping his thick, hard penis, sending waves of tingling pleasure through her.

"Mmm... Ah..."

Her voice changed. With each deep thrust, her small hands traced his muscular back, the smooth touch, the firm muscles, so pleasurable that she clung tightly to him, her legs wrapping around his.

The man suckled at her breasts, nibbling at the hard, erect nipples. When she offered her sensitive breasts, he opened his mouth and bit down on more, the flesh fragrant and slippery, leaving only glistening, wet fluid.

The man, however, tirelessly sucked and nibbled, repeatedly pushing her breasts upwards, while also fondling his other hand. The soft, full breasts were too large for his hand to grasp, and as he kneaded them, the milky flesh spilled out between his fingers.

"Mmm~ Ah~...So good~..."

Ni Ni was in ecstasy, her waist writhing wantonly beneath him, her round, full buttocks rising and falling, swaying back and forth, side to side, welcoming the large penis that was thrusting into her. It was perfectly timed, aiming at her itchy, sensual flesh, the hard shaft thrusting and pounding with a "plap, plap" sound.

Duanmu Rui was also extremely proud, thrusting even more vigorously to please her, sweat pouring down, dripping onto her tender, wet body, soaking the sheets beneath them.

The two were burning with passion, entangled in a passionate embrace, each other one another.

When Ni Ni reached her first climax, she lay limp beneath the man, barely able to breathe.

Duanmu Rui, however, was vigorous and persistent. He lifted her buttocks, pulled the blanket around her lower back,

draped her long legs over his shoulders, and began thrusting his hips with rhythmic "plap plap," "slap slap slap," and so on.

Re-entering the scene, Ni Ni's mind drifted back to how he was already up, dressed, and ready to leave early in the morning, yet he had climbed on top of her again upon returning to the room.

Broken and shattered, she peeked through the bed curtains at the sunlight streaming through the window, belatedly realizing she truly possessed the ability to seduce a concubine.

✦•┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈•✦

After each lovemaking session, the man would tenderly kiss and nibble at her shoulders for a long time, savoring the lingering, intoxicating afterglow, before rising to cleanse himself.

Amidst the slight tingling and trembling on her shoulders, Ni Ni, remembering the interrupted topic, persisted,

"I have a dream. Although I'm no longer in this building, the thought remains."

Duanmu Rui paused, knowing she was picking up where she left off: "Is it related to Luo Qingyun?"

Ni Ni shook her head, turning to look at him, her eyes wide to show him her sincerity and earnestness.

"Yes and no. My life... the first half wasn't easy, but I always thought about what I could leave for posterity. I don't aspire to be remembered in history, just a small name in the local annals..." "Then my suffering in this life won't have been in vain."

Seeing that he seemed to understand, his brow furrowed as if in thought, Ni Ni continued:

"Since ancient times, talented scholars have been paired with beautiful women. Even in brothels, there is chivalry and tenderness. Those successful in their official careers and those unsuccessful, haven't they all frequented such places, wielding their pens to create timeless masterpieces that will be passed down through generations?"

Ni Ni looked at him pitifully, "I don't have that ability, but if I could be the beauty beside such a romantic figure, and have a few words recorded in the local chronicles, I would die without regret."

The room was silent for a long time before Duanmu Rui helped her up and carefully dressed her in her undergarments.

Ni Ni was terrified, not understanding what he meant.

Having made sure she wasn't dressed in a way that would appear frivolous or undignified, Duanmu Rui touched her cheek and said solemnly and earnestly,

"Then we have a goal. From now on, we'll work together to ensure our deeds are properly recorded in the county annals, so that they can be passed down to future generations."

After the man left, Ni Ni remained dazed for a long time before burying her face in the covers and cautiously asking in her mind,

"Is it still there?"

She was still afraid that the voice was gone, but since it had reappeared, it wouldn't abandon her for reasons other than her own.

No sound. After a while, Ni Ni bit her lip and continued,

"What did you mean by giving me another chance?"

This time there was a reply.

"You will have a separate entity, the mission remains the same. Accept or refuse?"

Ni Ni was cautious.

"What do I have to give in return?"

The voice seemed to chuckle slightly, then turned cold.

"Your soul will be split in two, forever separated."

Ni Ni understood; this was the so-called extra entity. But thinking of her still weak original body,

"Will you nourish my damaged soul first?"

"Accept or refuse?"

Ni Ni knew she had guessed correctly. She wanted to ask more, but their brief interaction told her that this voice would definitely become impatient.

She clenched her fingers. She was already dead; living one more day was a bonus!

"I accept!"

His voice was much gentler this time.

"Not bad, I might as well tell you, you made a very correct choice"

He paused, seemingly sensing something, and finally addressed her directly.

"Congratulations, the world's consciousness has affirmed you."

He explained further,

"In your understanding, it's like completing the game."

Ni Ni would never know how she completed the game. She didn't know that her words gave Duanmu Rui a clearer and more defined understanding of his life's goals.

He didn't suppress his talent for business and wealth accumulation, amassing a fortune. Then, he collaborated with the local government, investing in public works projects, building roads and bridges, digging wells, and installing waterwheels for irrigation.

Ni Ni was also his only officially recognized woman. She rescued countless women forced into prostitution, providing them with a secure life and teaching them how to make a living. She became the embryonic form of women's self-reliance and improved status a century later.