Since Heaven had granted her rebirth, it was a subtle guidance urging her to change.
Yu Ange said to Yanbo, “Spread the word far and wide that Cen Jiashu, despite being betrothed, secretly carried on with Song Jin’er, the daughter of Minister Song, and even shamelessly came to my door to force me to break off the engagement!”
In her previous life, her reputation had been ruined by Cen Jiashu and Song Jin’er. In this life, she would repay them in their own coin.
The Yu family had shown kindness to the Cen family. Before Cen Jiashu even entered the court, he would be branded as ungrateful, which would undoubtedly harm his political career.
As for Song Jin’er, it went without saying—society was harsher on women. Once this scandal broke out, it would be nearly impossible for her to marry into the Grand Prince’s mansion as gloriously as she had in her previous life.
The sword in her hand was already polished. Yu Ange executed a sharp sword flourish, the blade humming softly, exuding a deadly aura.
Yanbo was momentarily stunned upon seeing this. Although her mistress was still the same person after waking up, she couldn’t help but feel that something was different.
If she had to put it into words, it was that her mistress now carried an icy, murderous air that made others dare not underestimate her.
Yu Ange sheathed her sword and calculated the time in her mind before saying to Yanbo, “Call Yu Shu and bring along a few skilled fighters. We’re going on a long journey.”
Yanbo snapped back to reality. “Mistress, what are we going to do?”
Yu Ange replied, “To help someone.”
Yanbo asked in confusion, “Help whom?”
Yu Ange paused, a figure of snow-like elegance and frost-like grace flashing through her mind. “Nanchuanwang, Shang Qingyan.”
Yanbo gasped sharply. “Mistress! How could Nanchuanwang come to Wangchuncheng? And he is… we must not get involved with him at all!”
Nanchuanwang was the crown prince appointed by the late emperor. Unfortunately, when the late emperor passed away, Shang Qingyan was merely a six-year-old child.
The former regent, the current emperor, usurped the throne under the pretext of “a young ruler causing national uncertainty, so the imperial uncle governs the country.”
After consolidating his power, the emperor, to silence public criticism, did not exterminate Shang Qingyan but instead stripped him of his crown prince title and enfeoffed him as Nanchuanwang.
Shang Qingyan’s status was extremely sensitive. Everyone could see the emperor’s intent to kill him, so no one dared to associate with him.
However, Yu Ange recalled that in her previous life, when the nation was destroyed and families were lost, the imperial family had submitted a letter of surrender to Liangguo. Only Nanchuanwang rose in rebellion, established a new dynasty, and called upon those with aspirations to resist the Liangbing.
During her desperate defense of Wangchuncheng, the only person willing to extend a helping hand to her was this Nanchuanwang, whom everyone else avoided.
Unfortunately, before she could receive Nanchuanwang’s reinforcements, she met a tragic death at the city gate due to the betrayal of Song Jin’er and Cen Jiashu.
Such a figure—powerful, shrewd, and one who had shown her kindness in her previous life—was someone she absolutely had to ally with.
Yu Ange said to Yanbo, “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”
As she spoke, Yu Ange changed into men’s clothing, tying her waterfall-like black hair with a red ribbon. She deliberately darkened her eyebrows, and her profoundly deep black eyes were cold and serene, yet carried a mysterious allure that made people unable to resist wanting to explore further.
Yanbo was filled with doubts, but Yu Ange had always been decisive and unyielding, not someone she could persuade. She could only comply with the order.
By the time Yu Ange and the others set off, the sky had suddenly begun to rain. The carriage raced through the downpour, occasionally splashing water.
Sitting inside the carriage, Yu Ange frowned deeply. She remembered that in her previous life, Shang Qingyan had come to Wangchuncheng at this time, under imperial decree, to escort her brother Yu Anhe to the capital.
However, at Lingyin Si, he encountered assassins and suffered severe injuries, which further worsened Shang Qingyan’s already frail health.
If she could intervene in time and shield Shang Qingyan from this threat, she might be able to collaborate with him earlier to plan for the future.
But Shang Qingyan, who had remained dormant under the Emperor’s watch for years, was no simple character. Moreover, with many envoys from Jingdu accompanying him, acting rashly might backfire.
As Yu Ange pondered this, Yu Shu, who was driving the carriage outside, called out, “Miss, I see Nanchuanwang’s carriage.”
Yu Ange quickly lifted the carriage curtain and saw a line of carriages stopped not far away through the gloomy rain.
The carriage was unassuming, much like Shang Qingyan himself.
A sudden idea flashed in Yu Ange’s mind, and she decisively ordered, “Ram into it!”
Yu Shu thought he was hearing things. Although Nanchuanwang’s status was sensitive, he was still a member of the royal family—not someone they could simply ram into.
But Yu Ange firmly repeated, “Listen to me, ram into it!”
While Yu Shu hesitated, Yu Ange snatched the whip from his hand and lashed the horse hard.
The horse neighed and began galloping forward.
“Master, we will soon arrive at Lingyin Si,” Zhu Ying said softly.
His master, Shang Qingyan, dressed in white robes, reclined in the carriage with his dark hair cascading over his shoulders, twirling a string of white jade Bodhi prayer beads in his hand.
His face bore an unhealthy pallor, and his eyes were unusually light, yet they seemed to hold boundless grace. Every movement he made carried an indescribable elegance.
To others, he might appear as a reclusive hermit who had retreated to the mountains or an ethereal immortal untouched by worldly dust.
Shang Qingyan continued turning the prayer beads and responded with a faint “Hmm.” The long journey and the need to maintain appearances in front of the Jingdu envoys had left him weary.
Seeing Shang Qingyan’s pale complexion, Zhu Ying said indignantly, “The Emperor knows your health is frail, yet he still sent you on this arduous journey to escort Shenwei Dajiangjun’s son, Yu Anhe, back to Jingdu. His intentions are malicious.”
Shang Qingyan chuckled lightly, unperturbed. “All the princes have come of age, and the Emperor is considering appointing a crown prince. As the former crown prince, I remain a thorn in his side. Wait and see—there are likely even greater dangers ahead.”
Upon hearing this, Zhu Ying glared angrily. If not for the Emperor’s usurpation, his master should have lived a life of luxury and honor, seated securely on the throne, rather than struggling to survive in the shadows.
Zhu Ying added, “They say the Yu family has a tiger for a father but a dog for a son. While Shenwei Dajiangjun is brave and skilled in battle, his son is nothing but a useless wastrel. I only hope Yu Anhe isn’t truly foolish and won’t drag you down if danger arises.”
Shang Qingyan narrowed his eyes, as if recalling something. “I remember Yu Anhe has a twin sister named Yu Ange.”
Zhu Ying paused for a moment before replying, “That’s right. I heard she is betrothed to Yongchang Houfu’s eldest son, Cen Jiashu.”
Shang Qingyan’s hand, which had been turning the prayer beads, stilled, and a hazy chill suddenly clouded his eyes.
Zhu Ying, familiar with Shang Qingyan’s moods, knew he was displeased but didn’t understand why. “What about Miss Yu?”
Shang Qingyan touched his upper lip. “Just recalling some past events.”
At that moment, a commotion erupted outside, mingled with screams and the neighing of horses.
Zhu Ying sensed danger and immediately reached for his sword, but Shang Qingyan pressed his hand down, shaking his head slightly to signal him not to reveal themselves.
Zhu Ying could only pull aside the carriage curtain to check the situation outside, only to see a crazed horse pulling a carriage charging straight toward them.
“Master, be careful!”