Xin Long left the Xiao Residence with the government escorts. Taking advantage of a moment when none of them were paying attention, she flashed into her storage space.
After changing her clothes, she stepped back out.
She needed to prepare essential supplies—for the Xiao family, and for herself.
The streets of the capital bustled with people. Hawkers shouted their wares from every corner, filling the air with lively chatter.
She headed straight for a steamed bun shop. Clouds of steam rose from the bamboo baskets, carrying the irresistible aroma of freshly made buns.
“Shopkeeper, I’ll take every bun you’ve got.”
Xin Long placed a silver coin on the counter.
“Right away! I’ll pack them up for you!”
The owner froze for a second, but the moment he saw the silver, his face split into a broad grin.
“Miss, that’s an awful lot of buns. Can your family really finish them all?” he asked as he quickly packed them.
“We’ll eat them on the road. There are more than a dozen of us.”
“Oh? Going on a trip?”
“We’re moving somewhere else. We probably won’t be coming back to the capital.”
She answered casually, though her attention had already shifted to the pastry shop next door.
The display cases were filled with colorful pastries that looked and smelled delicious.
Mung bean cakes, osmanthus pastries, red date cakes…
There was such a dazzling variety that it was hard to know where to look.
“Shopkeeper, I’ll take everything. Please pack it all.”
The proprietress blinked in surprise before beaming from ear to ear.
“Miss, you’ve got excellent taste! Our pastries are from one of the oldest shops in the capital. Once people try them, they always come back for more!”
She happily packed everything up while praising her own shop.
After paying, Xin Long found a secluded alley and stored both the buns and pastries inside her space.
She then borrowed a handcart and headed toward the marketplace.
The market was overflowing with people. Fresh vegetables and meat lined every stall, full of the rich atmosphere of everyday life.
“Shopkeeper, how much cabbage do you have? I’ll buy all of it.”
She pointed at the mountain-like pile of cabbages.
The vegetable seller was stunned before happily beginning to weigh them.
“Miss, are you hosting a banquet?”
“No. I just have a big family.”
Her reply was brief as her eyes moved to the butcher’s stall.
Several freshly slaughtered pigs hung from hooks, along with a few cleaned rabbits.
“I’ll take ten rabbits, three pigs, all the pig heads, and all the offal. Pack everything.”
The butcher’s eyes lit up at such a generous customer.
He quickly weighed everything and even threw in several pig’s trotters as a bonus.
“Miss, you’re really generous! Come back anytime!”
Xin Long nodded and loaded the meat onto the handcart.
Seeing the huge purchase, the fishmonger hurried over.
“Miss, would you like some fish? They were just caught from the river—fresh as can be!”
“How many pounds do you have?”
“Two hundred pounds!”
“Then I’ll take it all.”
She paid without hesitation, and all the fish joined the growing mountain of supplies on the cart.
By the time Xin Long had made a full circuit of the market, the handcart was piled high with food, stacked like a small hill.
She found another quiet corner and stored everything inside her space.
Dusting off her hands, she smiled in satisfaction.
With these supplies, the Xiao family would at least have enough food and necessities to live comfortably for quite some time during their journey into exile.
After finishing her shopping, Xin Long entered her space once more, changed back into her ancient attire, and silently returned to the Cold Palace.
The dilapidated palace remained damp and gloomy even under the daylight, the air carrying a faint scent of mildew.
The two guards were still lazily standing outside the entrance. One leaned against the doorframe, dozing off, while the other absentmindedly kicked pebbles across the ground.
Neither noticed that Xin Long had left—or returned.
She dragged over a rickety wooden stool missing one leg and carefully sat down. Rubbing her sore legs, she let out a long sigh of relief.
After running around all day, her legs had become stiff and numb.
The past day and night had truly exhausted her.
After resting for a while, she stood and walked to the palace gate, raising her hand to knock.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The sound echoed through the silent Cold Palace, startling the sleepy guards.
One of them opened his eyes impatiently and cursed as he walked over.
“The hell’s wrong with you? Why are you banging on the door first thing in the morning?”
He yanked one of the doors open, revealing an annoyed expression.
“What do you want?”
Xin Long narrowed her eyes at the contempt written all over his face.
“I’m the Grand Princess. Is this how you treat me?”
She deliberately put on the airs of royalty and demanded angrily,
“I’m hungry! Why hasn’t anyone brought me breakfast this morning? Are you trying to starve me to death?”
The two guards exchanged glances before bursting into loud laughter.
“Oh? Still think you’re the Grand Princess?”
One guard sneered as he looked her up and down with open disdain.
Feigning confusion, Xin Long frowned.
“What do you mean?”
The other guard took over with a mocking smile.
“What do I mean? His Majesty issued an imperial decree this morning stripping you of your title. You’re just a commoner now—not some noble Grand Princess anymore!”
He paused before adding smugly,
“The entire Xiao family has been convicted of treason and exiled today! You’re Xiao Jinghe’s wife, so by law you’re going with them! Breakfast? Go drink the northwest wind with Xiao Jinghe instead!”
His tone was dripping with schadenfreude.
Xin Long remained completely calm inside.
Everything had happened exactly as she expected.
She was no longer of any use to the Emperor, so naturally he intended to dispose of her.
In her previous life, she had been bestowed upon Rui’an to be toyed with.
In this life, however, she’d burned Rui’an’s entire household to the ground. He probably wasn’t in the mood to play with her anymore.
“I don’t believe it! I want to see His Majesty! He would never do this to me!”
Xin Long shouted loudly, pounding hard on the wooden door while pretending to be furious and unwilling to accept reality.
“See His Majesty?” the guard scoffed. “Do you really think you’re still the lofty Grand Princess?”
“His Majesty is busy reviewing memorials. Why would he waste his time on you?”
“Stop dreaming. His Majesty will never see you,” the other guard chimed in with equal contempt.
Xin Long continued arguing with the two guards for a while.
Then suddenly, a shrill voice pierced through the commotion.
“Imperial decree has arrived—!”
It was Rui’an’s voice.