Chapter 46: Chapter 46

"She ate it... she actually ate it just like that..."

"Host, do you have any idea how precious this pill is? Among all the reward items, this Intelligence-Enhancing Pill was the most sought-after." And naturally, the most expensive too.

The system felt like its heart was bleeding.

"I barely managed to snatch this from my colleagues after much difficulty."

Seeing its host completely unfazed, the system propped its chin with a hand and sighed mournfully:

"Host, what exactly are you thinking? This is ancient times, ancient! Not the modern society we were in before. No matter how smart a woman is here, she can't take the imperial examinations!"

Moreover, this was an era of peace. The Great Zhou dynasty had been established for less than two hundred years - far from any turbulent times where strategists might be needed.

As for business - even with far better conditions in her previous life, her host couldn't be bothered. Besides, being a woman would always be a hindrance here.

The system truly couldn't understand:

Just like those imperial examination stories wrote - when one person achieves success, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven. Once the protagonist passes the exams, the marriage prospects of all sisters in the family improve several levels. As long as that cheap younger brother shows promise, there'd be no worry about future in-laws not treating her well.

Wouldn't this perfectly suit their host's lazy, comfort-loving nature?

Wait... was the host planning to disguise herself as a man to take the exams?!

Suddenly thinking of something terrifying, the system looked horrified:

"Noooo, they conduct body searches during the imperial examinations......"

Wordlessly watching her dog's bizarre train of thought, An Ning lay on the shabby bed and without the slightest hesitation, swallowed the pill with some Spirit Spring Water from her space.

Hmm. An Ning carefully assessed herself. Just as the system said, there were no abnormal physical reactions.

About an hour later - whether real or imagined - her mind did feel noticeably clearer.

Getting off the bed, she bolted the door from inside and confirmed nothing could be seen from outside before taking out a sudoku card from her space, along with the wristwatch she often used in her previous life to time herself.

Thirty minutes later, An Ning nodded in satisfaction:

"Quite good. Took less than half the time compared to last time."

Immediately after, without pause, she opened a medical book filled with obscure terminology.

Within that hour, the system watched helplessly as its host tested her thinking ability, memory, and even concentration thoroughly.

Only then did she seem to reach some decision and lay back down.

Wait... was the host really planning to take the imperial exams?!

The system panicked, but recalling its host's earlier indifference, could only cautiously probe:

"By the way host, don't forget the embroidery workshop people from the county will be arriving soon. This was the original body's lifelong regret. We still have a chance now..."

The system rarely showed such eagerness, but was met with immediate rejection.

"The original's regret was missing her chance to change her fate. What does that have to do with embroidery?"

Embroidery? An Ning shook her head. Easier said than done - she knew exactly how difficult it was.

In her previous life's mansion alone, there were countless embroiderers making clothes for her, many highly skilled. But those who truly became masters typically had half-ruined eyesight, often squinting, with poor posture to boot. In old age, they suffered all sorts of ailments.

Moreover, this era had no such thing as embroidery masters. Even if she excelled, at best she'd remain an embroiderer - serving others her whole life.

Working herself to the bone, and possibly even getting sold into servitude because of this skill - entirely possible.

"My body was just suffering all sorts of discomforts earlier. If I suddenly recover in less than a day, do you think my family are fools?"

"Actually host, you just don't want to suffer, right?"

Yes, exactly, that's right!

An Ning nodded without hesitation.

Indeed, it should never have held any expectations for its host.

Before long, the sounds of fighting outside gradually quieted, mixed with some pleading.

After all, it was her niece, and her daughter wasn't actually harmed. No matter how domineering Little Chen was, she couldn't make too big a scene.

"Host, your cousin next door is about to leave!" The system reminded.

An Ning nodded indifferently before lying back down.

Originally thinking its vengeful host would surely sabotage things secretly, the system was surprised when evening came and the confident Second Ya returned from next door - their host had done nothing but pretend to be sick in bed all day, showing no intention of interfering.

What was going on? Had their host changed personalities?