In the original history, the one Tuoba Xiao chose was…
Jiang Congyan had expected that Tuoba Xiao might come looking for her—but she hadn’t imagined he would act so swiftly and decisively. It all happened so fast that before she could even react, the Liang Emperor had already issued the decree.
At dawn the previous day, when the sky had just begun to brighten, the commander of the capital region arrived at Tongling Garden with five thousand troops, escorting the Liang Emperor and his entourage back to Chang’an.
Although the assassination attempt had failed, many officials and imperial consorts were injured. Enraged, the emperor ordered all those involved to be arrested and imprisoned, awaiting judgment.
The incident stirred heated discussion throughout Chang’an. While the emperor was busy pacifying officials and investigating the attack, Tuoba Xiao sent an envoy to inform Zhu Cheng that he had already chosen his bride.
Though the emperor had been irritable these past few days, this news lifted his mood slightly. But when the envoy revealed the identity of the chosen woman, he fell into silence.
Jiang Congyan—the only daughter of Prince Chu, Jiang Huai, bestowed with the title Commandery Princess Shun’an.
This title had been granted in the fifth year of Yong’an, after Jiang Huai’s twins fell into the water and his son died young. He had petitioned the court specifically to grant his daughter this title.
“Shun’an”—obedient and well-behaved.
The emperor understood Jiang Huai’s intention and approved the request. He also turned a blind eye when Jiang Huai sent his daughter to Liangzhou, and later arranged for him to remarry a woman from the Zhao family as his secondary consort.
Years passed, and Jiang Huai indeed sank into despair, spending his days drunk within the Prince Chu residence.
The emperor had long ceased to regard him as a threat. Now the Son of Heaven, ruler of all under heaven, Jiang Huai was merely a nominal prince with no real power, unable even to reach his own fief, every move under imperial watch.
Yet for some reason, the emperor still felt uneasy about him—and thought of his daughter who had grown up in Liangzhou.
Liangzhou, though only a single region, possessed vast troops and formidable generals. Its soldiers were fierce and battle-hardened. Fifty years earlier, during a time of chaos, the Zhang family had defended the northwest, repeatedly repelling foreign tribes and safeguarding the region.
Their loyalty, however, had never truly belonged to the current emperor.
This powerful military family, beyond imperial control, was a thorn in his side. Yet he could not remove them—nor could he afford to antagonize them, as they were the key to stabilizing the northern borders.
Two years ago, he suddenly remembered Jiang Huai’s daughter in Liangzhou—now fifteen, of marriageable age. Realizing the danger, he immediately arranged to bring her back to Chang’an.
He could not allow the Prince Chu’s household to form a marital alliance with Liangzhou.
Even if Jiang Huai had no rebellious intent, the Zhang family might. With their military strength, such an alliance could give them justification to raise troops.
The best solution, therefore, was to marry Jiang Huai’s daughter off—to someone he could trust.
That had been his plan.
But now Tuoba Xiao had intervened.
The emperor disliked losing control. It made him uneasy.
Seated upon the dragon throne in the Hall of Governance, he pondered for a long time. The tassels of his crown cast shadows over his face, making his expression inscrutable.
Zhu Cheng knelt cautiously before him. He had expected the emperor to agree immediately—after all, the Northern King had finally made a choice after so many days.
Why hesitate now?
After a long silence, the emperor suddenly asked, as if casually, “What do you think?”
Zhu Cheng thought, Just agree already so we can send that troublemaker away. But he dared not say so.
“Your Majesty,” he replied respectfully, “this is a good thing.”
“A good thing?” the emperor raised a brow.
“The King of the Northern Desert has lingered in Chang’an for many days without choosing a bride. Now that he has taken the initiative, why not agree and send off the Xianbei delegation as soon as possible? If they stay too long, there may be unforeseen complications. Moreover, the king is arrogant and unfamiliar with our rites. If refused, he may feel slighted and sever the alliance—placing Your Majesty in a difficult position. Your tireless efforts are all for the stability of the realm.”
His words, skillful and flattering, seemed reasonable.
The emperor nodded slowly. “But this candidate…”
His tone softened slightly, almost regretful. “Shun’an is, after all, Prince Chu’s only daughter—the sole bloodline of the late Crown Prince Zhaowen. I find it hard to send her away in marriage…”
Zhu Cheng suppressed a scoff and continued solemnly, “To sacrifice one for the salvation of many—what is there to hesitate over? She is but a woman. Even the late Crown Prince, if he could see this, would surely agree for the sake of the empire.”
Just a woman…
The emperor’s eyes lit up.
As long as she did not form ties with the Zhang family, she posed no threat. Once married far away to the northern lands, alone and without support, survival itself would be uncertain.
With that, he made his decision.
“Very well. You speak wisely.”
He ordered the decree to be drafted.
At the Prince Chu residence, after the imperial edict was read, the envoy presented it to Jiang Congyan.
“Please receive the decree, Princess.”
Supported by Ruolan, Jiang Congyan stepped forward slowly and accepted the decree that would change her fate.
Across from her, Lady Zhao’s smug satisfaction was barely concealed. She even offered insincere congratulations.
Jiang Congyan ignored her and turned to look at her father.
For a fleeting moment during the reading, Prince Chu’s clouded eyes had seemed to clear, a sharp glint flashing within them—only to vanish again.
Soon after, the envoy departed.
Lady Zhao left in triumph, while Prince Chu was carried back to his chambers, still drunk.
The courtyard fell silent.
Jiang Congyan stood motionless, clutching the silk decree, her fingers tightening until it wrinkled.
Her presence grew distant, her gaze lowered, as if her soul had been hollowed out.
“Miss…”
Ruolan and Sizi watched anxiously.
But Jiang Congyan was thinking of something else—
In the original history, who had Tuoba Xiao chosen?
If she had never transmigrated into this body, the real Jiang Congyan should have died ten years ago alongside her brother.
If “Jiang Congyan” never existed—then who had he chosen?
Or… was she the cause, and history the result?
Because she came, history became what she knew.
A paradox.
If true, it was terrifying.
It meant no matter what she did—or perhaps precisely because of what she did—history would unfold exactly as it had.
To try to change history… only to become part of it.
For a moment, she felt lost.
What was the meaning of her transmigration?
Was it merely to live a few extra years and watch this land fall into ruin?
To witness loved ones scattered in chaos?
To see generations of warriors die defending their homeland?
“Miss!”
Ruolan pulled her back, embracing her tightly. “No matter where you go, we’ll go with you.”
“I’m fine,” Jiang Congyan said softly, returning the embrace. “Don’t worry. I won’t lose hope.”
She cherished her life too much.
Since she had been given another chance, she would live it well—no matter what fate had in store.
After a moment, she stepped back.
“Let’s go to Lishui Courtyard.”
The familiar room reeked of alcohol, bottles scattered across the floor.
She entered alone and looked down at her father lying on the ground.
Her voice was gentle, yet firm:
“Father… you’ve been drunk for ten years. Aren’t you willing to wake up yet?”