The Inner Odyssey - Chapter 23: Dummy

Cen Shuang used to be the daughter of a wealthy family. After she fell from grace, she was forced to bend her back just to make sure she had enough food. She was sold by her uncle for 10 million to the wealthy Zhuang family as the bride that would counter the bad luck in the Zhuang family.

She married Young Master Zhuang, who went into a comatose after a car accident. Everyone viewed the marriage between the fallen daughter of a once rich family and the comatose young master as ridiculous.

The socialites who were once under Cen Shuang’s feet were all waiting to see Cen Shuang make a fool of herself. Unexpectedly, on the night of their wedding, Zhuang Hong, who was in a vegetative state, suddenly woke up.

Cen Shuang instantly transformed into the Zhuang family’s benefactor, and the Zhuang family were extremely protective of her as they doted on her. Grandpa Zhuang asked, “Lil Shuang’er, do you want a black card?”

Mr. Zhuang asked, “Lil Shuang’er, are you bored staying at home all day? Should I give you a company to toy around with?” Mrs. Zhuang said, “This is the newest season’s haute couture. Throw those in the last season away since you’ve already worn them.”

Zhuang Hong, “Nothing about my wife concerns you!” From necessities to food and accommodation, the man did everything himself and spoilt Cen Shuang to the extremes.

Outsiders were jealous of Cen Shuang’s good fortune, but little did they know that this joyous occasion had been long premeditated. Zhuang Hong, “A single look lasted for ten thousand years. After many twists and turns, I finally married the girl I like.”

Cen Shuang, “I thought that there will only be darkness in my life, but there’s a silver lining waiting for me.”

Ananya never expected death to bring her into another life.One moment, she was running her parents’ restaurant in the modern world.The next, she opened her eyes in silk robes, surrounded by hostile stares — the Queen Consort of the empire.But this body was cursed in everyone’s eyes.The Emperor loathed her.The mistress laughed at her.And the court whispered behind her back.Only she wasn’t truly alone.> “Finally, someone can see us!”“What kind of Queen Consort are you, so calm even with ghosts in your chamber?”“Shut up, Wei Rong, let her breathe. She looks like she’s about to faint.”Three ghosts — a stoic scholar, a brash general, and a mischievous noble girl — lingered at her side. They were invisible to all but her. And with them, she learned to survive the poisonous palace.When rumors spread that she was cursed, Ananya stood before the empire’s court.Instead of tears, she offered proof. Instead of fear, she offered dignity.> “If Heaven believes I am cursed, let the fire and smoke betray me. I will not hide.”And Heaven sided with her.Outside the palace, crises struck — starving soldiers, missing supplies, merchants growing fat from stolen grain. Inside, Lady Zhen, the Emperor’s favored mistress, grew bolder by the day, flaunting her beauty and mocking Ananya’s quiet grace.> “Sister, do you still dream of winning His Majesty’s heart? Look at you — plain, dull, unworthy.”“If simplicity is a crime, then let it be mine,” Ananya answered, unshaken.The Emperor indulged Lady Zhen openly… but in the silence of night, he tasted Ananya’s food, lingered at her table, and found himself unsettled by her calm.> “This is not palace fare,” he muttered.“It is lighter,” Ananya replied softly. “Easier to sleep after.”Step by step, conspiracy thickened. At a grand banquet, a poisoned cup was placed in Ananya’s hand. But a ghost’s laugh echoed in her ear — and the cup was swapped. A dancer collapsed instead.From that night on, the Emperor’s gaze changed. He began to notice the woman who never begged for favor, never fought for attention, yet always endured.Still, war brewed at the borders. Betrayals reached even the throne. Assassins crept through the palace halls. And the one person who seemed weakest became the calm at the center of the storm.Through whispered secrets, mischievous hauntings, and quiet resilience, Ananya carved her place in the empire.She would not simply survive.She would rise.And the Emperor who once despised her would one day whisper only her name.

Daniella was ready to pull the trigger when she felt a warm hand touches her hand.

After forming a blood pact with the Saint and Demon ladies, the good-for-nothing young boy obtained the Yin-Yang divine veins, learned the art of alchemy and martial arts, and dominated the world.The young Shen Xiang had a romantic encounter with a goddess and a witch, and obtained their supreme inheritance, acquired a divine vein that defied the heavens, learned peerless magical skills, and mastered superb alchemy techniques, which made him very successful on the road of martial arts... When he was hungry, he would refine some pills as snacks, when he was lonely, he would flirt with the high and mighty goddess, when he was bored, he would play with those martial arts masters who came to ask for pills, and when he was tired, he would let the delicate wives around him give him massages...