The imperial princes and princesses, along with Commandery Princess Jiarou and the Eldest Princess's daughter, Commandery Princess Jiashan, waited outside Cian Palace to offer the Empress Dowager their New Year greetings.
The palace maids brought out thick meditation cushions and placed them before the Empress Dowager. Auntie Yishuang carried a gold tray piled with thick red envelopes.
As soon as the princes and princesses appeared, the imperial consorts stepped back, clearing the space before the Empress Dowager.
Jian Ruonan set down her silver fork, took out a handkerchief to wipe the corners of her mouth, and stood up with them.
Once she stood, she suddenly realized that she seemed to be surrounded by imperial consorts.
With her at their center, the consorts sat down again.
Jian Ruonan was used to being surrounded and saw nothing wrong with it. Sitting among the consorts also made it easier for her to observe in secret.
If her guess was right, that money-swindling scumbag system should be bound to one of the princes, princesses, or commandery princesses at the door.
Jian Ruonan: [Try calling it?]
Big System: [Okay!]
Big System raised its voice and began to howl: [Black Tortoise!]
[Black Tortoise~~~~]
Big System called several times but received no response.
Jian Ruonan: [Playing dead?]
[We just feasted on plenty of gossip. Send some energy its way.]
Big System: [You got it!]
The Black Tortoise System had been sleeping soundly inside the Fourth Prince's head, its limbs tucked in.
Winter was not particularly friendly to the Black Tortoise System. Fortunately, its high level meant it did not need to hibernate, though it still needed more sleep than during the other three seasons.
Black Tortoise was sleeping peacefully when Big System suddenly called it awake.
Only then did it remember that it had previously established