My brother entrusted his child to me, and I livestreamed raising the baby, making the Empress cry wi

The night was as dark as ink, enveloping the Maple Water Garden villa.

In the bedroom, Xiao Douzi was curled up on the soft bed, breathing evenly, with a sweet smile on her lips.

Lin Ye stood by the bed, watched her quietly for a moment, and only after confirming that she was sleeping soundly did he gently close the door and retreat to the living room.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city lights gradually went out, leaving only the neon lights on the opposite bank of the river flickering in the night, reflected on the dark, satin-like surface of the river.

With a slight thought, Lin Ye saw the pale blue system panel that only he could see.

The data flow on it is like a living galaxy, flowing, converging, and recombining rapidly on the panel.

"System, settle the live stream." He silently chanted in his mind.

[Ding—Live stream settlement in progress. Please wait.]

[Live Streaming Data Statistics]

Live stream duration: 3 hours and 24 minutes.

Total viewers: Approximately 3120 million.

Total Shock Points: 903500.

Shock value acquisition details:

Showing the exterior of the villa, a total of 900 shock points were obtained (stunned by the exquisite villa and the host's many properties).

The drone performance generated 3200 points of "Awesomeness" (awesomeness from drones hovering, beam drawing, birthday celebrations, etc.).

……

[Details of Extra Shock Point Acquisition:]

The envy of some people in the Great Flame Kingdom for Ye Ling'er's happiness earned them an extra 125600 points of shock.

The people of the Great Flame Kingdom, impressed by the host's wealth and charisma, gained an additional 266000 points of shock.

After news of the South China Sea Traveler incident spread, some citizens of the Great Flame Kingdom gained an additional 512800 shock points due to their awe of the host's methods.

Total Shock Value: 985300

[Current total Shock Value balance: 1165900 points.]

[In addition, the main quest progress has been updated, and the target character "Ye Ling'er" currently has a happiness level of 50%.]

Nearly a million views! All from just a live stream of a birthday party!

Even though Lin Ye was mentally prepared, his breath hitched slightly when he saw the final number.

Moreover, Xiaodouzi's happiness level...

It's actually risen so much; it must have suddenly surged because people have finally calmed down.

He will have to keep up the good work in the days to come!

His gaze fell on the doorway where the small figure was still fast asleep, and his eyes softened for a moment.

It all started with her, and it was all for her.

Immediately, that gentleness transformed into a profound chill.

He looked at the huge balance figure on the system panel, and countless thoughts raced through his mind.

Many of the options in the system store that were once grayed out due to insufficient balance have now turned into color.

Some bolder, more direct, and more "satisfying" plans gradually gained the confidence to be implemented.

Ye Fan...

"It'll be soon," Lin Ye murmured to himself, facing the void. "Just wait a little longer, Ye Fan. It won't be long."

He looked eastward, his gaze seemingly piercing through the barriers of time and space, "I'll take you home first, and then..."

A cold, emotionless smile curved his lips.

"Let those who should pay the price enjoy everything they 'deserve'."

……

Great Flame Kingdom.

The chaos in the West Garden had been forcibly suppressed by Yao Jingyuan, and everyone at the Lantern Festival banquet had dispersed.

Chen Youfang returned to his residence, dismissed his attendants, and sat alone in his study.

The Ministry of Revenue's account books lay open on the desk, their pages seemingly empty. The imperial decree to "increase taxes by 50%" and the thunderous roar of the "Heavenly Fire" launch still seemed to echo in my ears.

He closed his eyes, and what he saw was a flowing golden river in the sky, sparkling gems, carefree children's smiling faces, and...

The image shows Shu Jingwei's twisted and frenzied state, ultimately collapsing while vomiting blood.

"Lord Ye...Lord Ye!" The old man covered his face with his sleeve, his suppressed sobs sounding particularly desolate in the quiet study.

"After you left, this great fire...this people...how could it have come to this? How could it have come to this!"

"Brother Du... I'm afraid you're heartbroken today too." Chen Youfang recalled the dejected and desperate look in Du Mingyi's eyes when he was forced to conscript laborers to build the "Fairy Palace".

And the other old ministers in the court who had a past relationship with Ye Fan or were upright, were all sitting on pins and needles at the banquet tonight, their faces pale and gloomy.

A profound sense of powerlessness and sorrow, mixed with deep longing for Ye Fan, swept over this veteran official who had served three dynasties.

Your Majesty, Your Majesty, do you know that you were able to secure this throne entirely because of the foundation laid by Lord Ye back then, who quelled internal strife, stabilized the country, rectified officialdom, and replenished the treasury!

You are now destroying your own foundation, favoring sycophants, alienating virtuous officials, and acting perversely... This great edifice is about to collapse, and it seems that it is not far off!

……

Similar thoughts quietly took root and spread in the residences of many court officials who were unable to sleep.

Especially for those officials who had been promoted by Ye Fan, or who agreed with his political views, or who simply couldn't stand the current chaotic situation, everything they witnessed tonight became the last straw that broke the camel's back in their hearts, crushing their last bit of respect for Shu Jingwei.

As for Yao Jingyuan? He's a male concubine who rose to power through favor. Even if he behaves "calmly" tonight, so what?

He's just another ambitious man!

Is there any hope for this imperial court?

……

The border, the residence of General Dingyuan.

General Wang Meng of Dingyuan stood in front of the sand table, holding a letter in his hand.

The letter was delivered by an old friend in the capital who had managed to break through the city's blockade.

The sentence was only a few words: "Ye Fan was dismissed from his post long ago and then disappeared. There has been no news of him since. Yao Jingyuan has ulterior motives and can be used."

Wang Meng's hands were trembling.

He was promoted by Ye Fan and fought alongside Ye Fan in battles and guarded the border.

Ye Fan taught him military strategy, how to train troops, and how to win with fewer troops.

He regarded Ye Fan as both a teacher and a father.

Later, Shu Jingwei became the emperor, and Ye Fan entered the harem. As Ye Fan's confidant, he was feared by Shu Jingwei and sent to the border, where he stayed for four years.

Since arriving at the border, he has never had the chance to see Ye Fan again.

He placed the letter on the candle flame, watched it burn to ashes, then went to the window and opened it.

The wind was strong at the border, making the windows rattle.

He looked up at the sparse stars in the sky and remained silent for a long time.

"My lord," the lieutenant's voice came from behind, "it's late, time to rest."

Wang Meng did not turn around.

His voice was very low, so low that only he could hear it: "Lord Ye... if that woman really harmed you... this humble general will make her pay with her blood!"

……

In the community, although the canopy has been closed, the aftershocks have not yet subsided.

In teahouses, taverns, and alleyways, people who were awake gathered together, excitedly discussing the matter in hushed tones.

"Look at that! The birthday celebration the gods threw for the little fairy! My goodness, the spectacle! The amazing stuff!"

"The eldest princess is truly blessed! That fairy Lin treats her even better than her own daughter!"

"Sigh, speaking of the First Princess reminds me of Lord Ye. When Lord Ye was alive, our lives were so much better. Taxes were reduced, and there were fewer corrupt officials... It's a pity, I wonder where he went..."

He paused, glanced around, and continued in a low voice, "However, I have some suspicions. Did that person... do something...? Otherwise, why would Lord Ye leave the First Princess behind when he was perfectly fine..."

"Shh! Is this something you should say?! Are you out of your mind?!"

"What's there to be afraid of! The gods in the heavens are watching! Maybe Lord Ye is the one who was..."

The murmurs subsided, but the deep longing for Ye Fan, the dissatisfaction with the current situation, and the doubts about Shu Jingwei's abilities, like seeds sown under a wildfire, had been deeply planted in the hearts of countless people.

Once upon a time, Ye Fan was the "pillar of stability" of the Great Yan Dynasty, a symbol of "uprightness" in the hearts of the people.

His "disappearance" was already full of suspicious points, leaving many people with uneasy feelings.

Now, given Shu Jingwei's series of blunders and the stark contrast with tonight's events, this sense of nostalgia and doubt has been amplified and intensified.

……

The Imperial Palace, Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Behind layers of gauze curtains, Shu Jingwei lay on the dragon bed, her face ashen and her breath faint.

The imperial physician had just finished administering acupuncture and prescribed a formula to calm the mind and remove blood stasis, and then cautiously retreated to the outer room to stand guard.

Yao Jingyuan, who should have been serving here, was nowhere to be seen.

He was sitting in a side hall, with the draft of the "Regulations for Selling Official Positions" spread out in front of him, toying with a warm, smooth jade pendant in his hand, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

After tonight's events, some officials with keen senses, or those who had already secretly shown him favor, have sent tentative "greetings" and "support" through clandestine channels.

The silence of veteran officials like Chen Youfang was, in his view, a form of tacit approval—at least, they were now completely disillusioned with Shu Jingwei, and it made little difference to them who became emperor.

He, after all, was a top scholar in the imperial examinations, far superior to that stupid woman, Shu Jingwei.

As for the charter in his hand, it is the best bait and weapon.

He had a clearer understanding of which positions were available for sale, what the prices would be, how to ensure that those who bought the positions would "obey," and how to safely convert the acquired wealth into his own power.

"It's time to make more thorough preparations." Yao Jingyuan put down the jade pendant and tapped the table lightly with his fingertips.

After a long while, he looked in the direction of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

Shu Jingwei, your era should end.

And I, Yao Jingyuan, am determined to sit on this dragon throne blazing with flames.

……

In a modern villa, Lin Ye plans to bring his brother home and seek revenge.

Inside the palace of the Great Flame Kingdom, Yao Jingyuan weaves his ambitions and conspiracies.

People's hearts have changed throughout the court, and undercurrents are surging.

In the common people's lives, both longing for Ye Fan and resentment towards the current empress are quietly growing.

An invisible net is slowly tightening.

And at the eye of the storm lies the name that was once betrayed and forgotten—Ye Fan.

They will re-enter this already tilted world in a way that no one could have imagined.

A storm is brewing, and the wind is already blowing through the building.