Chapter One: Transmigrated with an Adorable Son

So cold... Why does she feel like something is moving beside her? Why... “Mother...” At that moment, a sinister voice whispered in her ear. She turned her head and gasped—a baby, so adorable and cute! About four or five years old, chubby and round, with thick eyelashes like little fans gently shading those eyes. His round cheeks were so pink and soft, you just wanted to take a bite. His little pink mouth opened and closed, mumbling in his sleep, his sparkling saliva dripping down the corner as he made a few soft whimpering sounds before drifting back into slumber...

She instinctively scanned her surroundings—and instantly froze in shock. What on earth was this place? The room exuded an ancient charm, just like the historical dramas she used to watch: sandalwood bed, jade pillow, brocade cup, silk curtains, a rosewood dressing table, brass mirror, paper windows, calligraphy scrolls... Everything was there. In some ways, it was even more exquisite. What was going on?

Unable to believe her eyes, she pinched herself hard. The pain nearly brought tears to her eyes. Was she really transmigrated? So it wasn’t a horror movie that scared her unconscious but death itself? She took several deep breaths, repeating to herself—calm down... stay calm...

Her mind replayed her memories bit by bit, and slowly, the last memories before waking surfaced. She was Yan Ziyu, twenty-four years old this year. Orphaned since childhood, she had been apprenticed to a master who was said to be the head of the Tianji Sect, learning various “skills.” She seemed born for this path, mastering the sect’s secret techniques with ease. Her master also taught her additional knowledge and combat skills, including the most ancient hidden weapons, all of which she learned well. Because of this, her master both loved and hated her.

Loved because having such a gifted disciple gave him pride before the elders of the sect for generations to come; hated because of Yan Ziyu’s temperament. She had always worn a smiling face, even when angry, but that didn’t mean she lacked temper. In fact, she was fiery, especially about things she cared for—no one was allowed to touch or even think about them, or she would smile while destroying you. According to her master, her nature was wickedly competitive. In ancient times, she would have been either a notorious femme fatale or a legendary empress—only those extremes suited her.

“Damn old man… stinky old man… how dare he trick me? Just wait until you’re stuck eating cabbage and tofu for half a month; I’ll starve you out…” Yan Ziyu muttered as she kicked a stone by the roadside. Glancing at her watch, the hour hand pointed to ten. The streets were desolate, cold winds howling, with barely a soul in sight. Her expression darkened further.

She had made a bet with her master—three consecutive months of flawless moves. If she won, he would give her a treasure he guarded like his life, supposedly an imperial jade seal from a certain dynasty. She had coveted that item for a long time, and today was the last day. That old man had tricked her by slipping sleeping pills into her meal, making her sleep the entire day. If her body hadn’t been strong enough to wake early, she’d still be out cold! He wanted her to admit defeat? No way! With no windows to escape, that old man—just wait!

Her eyes rolled coldly as she snorted and headed toward the wealthy district nearby...

Her careful plan unfolded perfectly. Five minutes before midnight, she returned to her master’s lair with the spoils. In his stunned silence, she took away his precious treasure and destroyed several of his beloved antiques—said to be Song dynasty vases. Watching the old man’s heart-wrenching expression, her mood instantly lifted. Humming a tune, she cheerfully left...

She was so elated she failed to notice the sorrow and helplessness on her master’s face, nor the faint murmur from his lips: “Ah, fate... fate... I cannot stop it. Little Fish, you must take good care of yourself and uphold the reputation of Tianji Sect…” His eyes fixed on Yan Ziyu’s joyful departing figure, a tear glistening in the murky depths.

That night, Yan Ziyu smugly watched a supposedly thrilling, suspenseful horror movie in her room. To enhance the atmosphere, she even wore special glasses...

Just as she was enjoying the show, thunder roared and lightning flashed, cold winds swept through. She shivered and stood up to close the window when suddenly a scream erupted behind her. Reflexively turning, she caught a terrifying scene on the screen paired with the horrifying sound...

Then, the world went black—she fainted from fright!

Ah—Heavens!

She, a master of deception in the new century, actually scared unconscious by a horror movie? What kind of cruel joke was this?

She’d never show her face before the ancestors of her sect again...

Suddenly, her blood pressure rose, her face flushed, accompanied by headache, ringing ears, bloating...

Unable to bear the shock, darkness swallowed her once more—she fainted again!

* * *

The scorching sun radiated unbearable heat. Modern people could rely on air conditioners and fans, but how did the ancients endure such blazing summers?

Yan Ziyu sat in a pavilion, sighing as she watched the fiery sun. Summer—the most miserable and cruel season! She loathed the stifling heat. If Hou Yi were here, she would definitely steal his divine arrows to shoot down that infernal sun and save the people.

“Mother, mother... don’t you like Rui’er’s drawing?” Rui’er, round and plump, stood before his mother, blinking his big sparkling eyes, pouting cutely, looking at her pitifully.

Rui’er’s full name was Long Rui, only four years old. Chubby as a little bun, his cheeks fat and adorable. His large eyes seemed to speak, blinking like stars in the night sky. His hair was neatly tied in a little topknot, and his green clothes made him look even more rosy and lovable.

“Mother was watching the birds fight and got distracted. Let me see—Rui’er really drew well,” Yan Ziyu came back to her senses, pinching Rui’er’s chubby cheek, casually making up an excuse to soothe him.

It had been six days now. She accepted the reality of transmigration, though still unsettled by the change and powerless to reverse it. Fortunately, her status was not low: she was the official wife of the current Prince Xiao, and this adorable son was a great blessing amid misfortune. As for the fact that she was actually the prince’s discarded consort, she chose to ignore it.

“Rui’er wants to watch the birds fight too, mother, please…” Rui’er tugged her sleeve, whining to watch the birds.

“Ouch, my wound hurts so badly, it’s unbearable…” Suddenly, Yan Ziyu clutched her chest, frowning and moaning on the table, her eyes slyly glancing at the worried Rui’er with a mischievous smile.

“But mother, isn’t your injury on this side?” Rui’er pointed to her right shoulder, puzzled. He couldn’t understand why she’d clutch her chest in pain when her wound was on her shoulder.

Yan Ziyu’s mischievous smile froze. Pointing at the horizon, she exclaimed, “Wow, look—a huge pig flying in the sky!”

“Mother’s lying! There’s no pig in the sky!” Rui’er pouted, accusing her of teasing children.

“No pigs flying in the sky, but right in front of me, there’s a little silly pig glaring at me! Hahaha…”

“Mother’s mean! Rui’er’s angry and will get revenge…”

“Come on, come catch me, little silly pig! Rui’er’s the little silly pig, you can’t catch me…”

That afternoon belonged to this joyous mother and son. Their laughter echoed throughout the courtyard, lingering for a long time...

No matter what upheavals the future held, these two would always see each other as their whole world, supporting one another, scheming and cooperating in their own mischievous ways, carrying on the art of deception to its fullest.