Bah! Thinking about such brain-dead plot, Lu Yunxi felt her head throbbing with anger. Just then, she sensed someone watching her and turned to look.
It was a young man kneeling beside Xie Zhiyuan. With sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, his features bore a sixty to seventy percent resemblance to Xie Zhiyuan, yet their temperaments were entirely different. Xie Zhiyuan knelt there, as still as a mountain, while the young man seemed restless as the wind.
This must be Xie Zhiyuan’s nephew, Xie Heng, right? Thanks to that book, Lu Yunxi knew about the Xie family.
The Xie family was originally one of the Aristocratic Families of the Jin Dynasty. Xie Zhiyuan’s father had once served as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, known for his integrity and uprightness—traits that stood out starkly in the officialdom of that time. That year, when the embankments burst during the Jiangnan floods, it had nothing to do with Vice Minister Xie, yet the emperor, swayed by slanderous words, made him the scapegoat.
The Xie family was raided and exterminated, their blood flowing like a river overnight.
However, Xie Zhiyuan survived. He was rescued by a loyal servant and later saved by Lu Tianguang, after which he began following Lu Tianguang to conquer the realm.
It was probably last year that Xie Zhiyuan encountered Xie Heng and learned that someone from the Xie family still lived.
Xie Zhiyuan was the youngest son of the Xie matriarch, while Xie Heng was the posthumous child of the Xie family’s eldest son. Since people married early in ancient times, Xie Heng, though Xie Zhiyuan’s nephew, was only four years younger than him.
In the book, Xie Heng held deep admiration for Xie Zhiyuan, and Xie Zhiyuan cherished him in return. So when Xie Zhiyuan refused to accept the imperial decree to marry Princess Caobao, and the emperor threatened to imprison him, Xie Heng stepped forward and married Princess Caobao instead.
Unfortunately, Princess Caobao had always wanted Xie Zhiyuan, so after the marriage, she used her authority as a princess to humiliate and torment Xie Heng in various ways, especially when Xie Zhiyuan was present. One could imagine Xie Zhiyuan’s reaction.
In the end, Princess Caobao severed Xie Heng’s limbs, leaving him in a living hell. Xie Zhiyuan went to see Lu Tianguang, demanding severe punishment for Princess Caobao, arguing that even a princess should be held accountable under the law like any commoner. However, Lu Tianguang, burdened by guilt over his daughter, made excuses for Princess Caobao, leading to Xie Zhiyuan’s final break with him.
How melodramatic, Lu Yunxi sighed inwardly. When she read the book from the female lead’s perspective, she only thought this Princess Caobao was utterly twisted. Now that she had become this Princess Caobao, she just wanted to curse what garbage plot this was.
Feeling annoyed and sensing Xie Heng still sizing her up with a hint of disdain in his eyes, Lu Yunxi glared fiercely at him.
She knew he must think she wasn’t worthy of his uncle. Thanks, but she had no intention of marrying Xie Zhiyuan either.
Xie Heng indeed felt Lu Yunxi was unworthy of his uncle. Lu Yunxi, truth be told, didn’t look as rugged as Xiao Wang; in fact, her features were quite delicate and pretty, especially those eyes glaring at him—clear and bright like jade. But his uncle was like a celestial being, radiant and extraordinary, far beyond the reach of a mere girl like her.
He had often wondered what kind of woman his uncle should marry. Perhaps someone as stunning and graceful as a fairy would be fitting!
Thinking of this, he felt even more indignant on his uncle’s behalf.
Seeing this, Lu Yunxi gritted her teeth inwardly. Kid, consider yourself lucky. She didn’t have a taste for tormenting others, or else, as in the book, you’d have been in trouble long ago.
Not wanting to look at Xie Heng any longer, Lu Yunxi turned her gaze to Xie Zhiyuan.
In truth, she had noticed him long ago. There was no helping it—some people were like that, simply standing there like a crane among chickens, making it impossible not to take notice. Xie Zhiyuan was such a person. From the moment he entered, though he did nothing, everyone’s gaze was drawn to him.
His features were refined, with brows like verdant peaks, eyes as deep and cold as a winter pond, and lips as red as cinnabar. What stood out most was the restrained, almost veiled aura of lethality about him, like a beauty hidden behind a veil—tempting to glimpse yet inspiring fear. Though he knelt, he showed no trace of humility, standing firm as a mountain and sharp as a blade.
From Lu Yunxi’s vantage point, she could see Xie Zhiyuan’s elegant jawline and the slight upward curve of his eyes, so strikingly handsome it took her breath away.
No wonder the Princess Caobao in the book liked him and wanted him. Lu Yunxi’s heart skipped a beat. But she quickly averted her gaze to look at the letter in Lu Yunting’s hand.
And just as Lu Yunxi looked away, Xie Zhiyuan’s brow twitched slightly. Though he appeared to be focused inward, everything around him was within his sight—including Lu Yunxi, naturally.
The letter had been sent by Lu Tianguang. It briefly recounted his experiences over the years and ended with the news that he had captured Jingdu, urging Chen Shi and the others to return with Xie Zhiyuan to reunite with him.
Lu Tianguang was not well-educated, so the letter was likely dictated by him. Perhaps he had been too excited while writing it, as the contents were disjointed and scattered. It took Lu Yunxi some time to piece it together.
Yet this very quality made the letter seem all the more credible.
Lu Tianguang had left home when Lu Yunxi was six years old. She had some memories of him, but not many. The only thing she clearly recalled was his thick, coarse beard, which had pricked her delicate face and made her uncomfortable. What else was there? Lu Yunxi couldn’t remember.
So, her father, Lu Tianguang, was truly alive and had even become emperor? That meant she would now be a princess? A princess—something she had only ever seen on television—never imagining she would one day become one herself.
“Is this true? Tianguang isn’t dead?” Lu Popo asked Xie Zhiyuan excitedly.
“Yes,” Xie Zhiyuan replied.
Everyone had countless questions for Xie Zhiyuan, but he said, “This place is not safe. Please follow me back to the capital quickly. I will answer all your questions on the way. Also, for your safety, I must ask you to disguise yourselves as ordinary civilians.”
Disguise as ordinary civilians? But they already were ordinary civilians! Oh, perhaps not anymore? The others were still trying to process this, but Xie Zhiyuan was right—they needed to leave immediately.
“Quickly, pack your things,” Chen Shi urged.
Everyone immediately sprang into action.
Lu Popo lived in the main room. Upon entering, one could see an incense table on the left side of the room, bearing a memorial tablet inscribed with “Spirit Tablet of Husband Lu Yong.” Lu Popo gently touched the tablet, her eyes instantly reddening. Instead of packing, she sat down beside it, laughing and crying at once.
“You scoundrel, leaving me alone in this world by dying so early. Back then, I married you because you seemed so strong and healthy. Who would have thought you’d be so short-lived? Our Tianguang, though, inherited your robust physique. Do you know? He isn’t dead—he’s even become emperor! You wouldn’t believe it, would you? Neither do I.
Your Lu family, poor for eight generations—how could they have such luck?
You must watch over Tianguang and the others from down there, you hear me? Otherwise, I’ll have words with you when I join you!”
“Mother, we should hurry and pack,” Chen Shi, who shared the room with Lu Popo, whispered softly after Lu Popo finished speaking.
“These years have been hard on you,” Lu Popo said, holding Chen Shi’s hand.
Chen Shi shook her head. She wasn’t suffering; everything would get better.
The Lu family had three sons, in order: Lu Yunxiao, Lu Yunting, and Lu Yunchuan. Lu Yunxi was the youngest daughter in the family.
Lu Yunxiao was already married and lived in a side room with his wife, Liu Shi.
Sitting at the table, Lu Yunxiao drank three cups of water in a row, still unable to believe what had just happened was real. His father—that vaguely remembered, rough-spoken man—was now the emperor? How was that possible!
Emperors were supposed to be noble and exalted, the Son of Heaven, the Purple Star descending from the heavens. His father? It was like a fairy tale!
Beside him, Liu Shi sat there, nervously twisting a faded, coarse handkerchief.
She had never met Lu Tianguang, and with Xie Zhiyuan and others outside, she quickly accepted the news. Heroes rising from humble origins weren’t unheard of. Just like Emperor Zhao of Han, who once sold straw sandals, or the Shu Emperor Gaozu, who made a living stealing donkeys and selling salt, earning the nickname “Thief King.”
She didn’t dwell on these thoughts; she only thought of herself. They were about to leave, and war might break out here. Should she ask her husband to bring her own family along?
But back then, her father had looked down on the Lu family, and she had insisted on marrying Lu Yunxiao, causing a bitter rift between the two sides. Though her husband never said it outright, he held deep resentment toward her father.
Would he agree?
Thinking of this, she touched her belly. If only she could give the Lu family a child, a son or a daughter.
In the adjacent side room lived Lu Yunting and Lu Yunchuan.
Lu Yunchuan lay sprawled on a worn-out bed, one leg propped up, and asked, “Second Brother, do you think Father really became the emperor?”
Lu Yunting was carefully organizing his books, each one treasured like a precious gem. Years of war had even led to the cancellation of the Imperial Examination. Where was the opportunity for scholars to rise in the world? Many had abandoned their books, and he too had once considered giving up—fortunately, he hadn’t.
His books would finally serve their purpose.
“Second Brother, I’m talking to you,” Lu Yunchuan called out again.
“Probably,” Lu Yunting replied hoarsely.
“Really? Then I’ll be a Prince from now on,” Lu Yunchuan said, swinging his legs as if already envisioning a wonderful future.
In another side room, Lu Yunxi lived there.
She stared blankly at the place she had called home for sixteen years: a dirt-walled hut with uneven floors, walls that shed dust when the wind blew, a peeling wooden bed, no table, only a small stool and a dilapidated wooden chest.
The bedding was old, and the paper on the windows had yellowed.
Before, she had never thought the environment was bad. After all, many girls in the village envied her—having her own room, getting a new set of clothes to wear during the New Year… But now, with memories of the modern world, everything here felt uncomfortable.
She missed the bright, clean windows of the modern era, missed modern hotpot and roast duck…
But soon, she rallied her spirits. She had never been one to wallow in self-pity. If she wanted something, she would work for it herself! As an engineering-minded woman, she had always relied on herself.
Feeling refreshed, she pushed open the window to let more light into the room and began packing.
She would take all the clothes she could. Without cars or planes in ancient times, the journey ahead would take who knew how long. The world was still unsettled, and the closer they got to Jingdu, the more chaotic it would become. It was best to bring as many necessities as possible.
As she tied up her bundle, she noticed someone peeking in from outside. Who else could it be but Xie Heng?
At first she didn’t want to acknowledge him, but he kept lingering nearby. Lu Yunxi glanced at him and asked, “Is there something you need?”
Xie Heng walked in with an earnest expression, looking left and right.
“If you have something to say, just say it,” Lu Yunxi said.
“Well, you’re the one who told me to speak,” Xie Heng lifted his chin. “My uncle will never marry you.”
The young man stood tall and straight, his slightly raised chin gleaming in the sunlight.
His words were abrupt, but Lu Yunxi understood. She smiled and asked, “Did your uncle send you to say this?”
Xie Heng shifted uncomfortably. “No.”
“Then how do you know he won’t marry me?” Lu Yunxi countered.
“You… you… you have no shame!” Xie Heng exclaimed angrily, stammering over the words before managing only that sentence. Ordinary girls would never speak so casually about marriage.
Lu Yunxi laughed. “You brought it up first. If you’re not embarrassed, why should I be?”
Xie Heng was left speechless.
Lu Yunxi didn’t want to tease him anymore and was about to ask him to leave when she suddenly caught sight of a corner of fabric outside. The fabric was blue-green embroidered with cloud patterns—if she remembered correctly, it should belong to that person…
Suddenly, Lu Yunxi said firmly, “Don’t worry, I won’t marry your uncle. Once we reach the capital, I’ll speak to my father.”
Xie Heng was confused by her sudden declaration. “Are you serious?”
“What, do you want me to swear an oath?” Lu Yunxi smiled, though the warmth didn’t reach her eyes.
She was indeed telling the truth. Xie Heng felt a sudden clarity, relieved yet strangely unsettled. He asked, “Why don’t you want to marry my uncle? He’s talented in both civil and military affairs, has achieved great military merits, and is handsome and elegant. You probably don’t know this, but when the Jin Emperor surrendered in the capital that day, countless people inquired about my uncle, hoping to marry their noble daughters to him.” As he spoke, Xie Heng’s face filled with pride.
“He’s fine, but does that mean I have to marry him?” Lu Yunxi’s smile gradually faded. Seeing that the corner of fabric outside had disappeared, she lowered her head and continued packing her belongings, ignoring Xie Heng.
The owner of that fabric had likely been Xie Zhiyuan. She had spoken those words to reassure him. The book had mentioned that Xie Zhiyuan deeply appreciated Xiao Wang’s life-saving grace and would obey him in all matters except marriage. That refusal was the beginning of all the chaos, and she intended to nip it in the bud.
Xie Heng stood there for a long time, staring at Lu Yunxi’s slender back before finally turning and leaving.
After he left, Lu Yunxi stopped what she was doing and sat quietly.
She wasn’t entirely sure whether her words would have any effect. She wouldn’t force Xie Zhiyuan, but she couldn’t forget that this was a book centered on the female lead—Princess Mingyue, the Jin Emperor’s daughter. True to her name, Princess Mingyue was as pure and beautiful as the moon in the ninth heaven, renowned as the greatest beauty of the Jin Kingdom.
In the book, the male lead was undoubtedly in love with the female lead, willing to die for her. There was also a second male lead who silently protected her, and even her three brothers were entangled with her… The female lead’s charm was simply irresistible.
Well, she would cross that bridge when she came to it.
Soon, everyone finished packing their belongings and, escorted by attendants and guards, set off toward Jingdu.