3
Yu Shu could hardly believe what she was hearing. Not long ago, she had been poisoned to death by Xiao Jingyao, only to have her soul transferred into another person. She had barely begun to live again, far from the torment of Xiao Jingyao, when she was suddenly being sent back to him?
Were the heavens playing a cruel joke on her? If fate was going to torment her like this, why bother letting her live again? Wouldn’t it have been better for her to just stay dead?
“I won’t go,” Yu Shu said firmly, taking a step back and distancing herself from the Queen of Xijiang, her eyes resolute in rejection.
She absolutely did not want to return to Xiao Jingyao’s side. Not even a little.
“Xiao Jiu, it’s not as if we’re sending you as a gift to the Emperor of Daxia, it’s an alliance marriage,” the Queen said, gazing at her with sorrowful eyes. “We don’t want to send you so far away, but our enemy, the Kingdom of Lanze, is eyeing us. If we don’t ally with the powerful Daxia, if we don’t gain their support and protection, our people will continue to suffer raids from Lanze, you know how ruthless they are. They burn, kill, and pillage without mercy, leaving our people in misery. You, as the beloved princess of Xijiang, enjoying a life of comfort, must do what you can for our country and people. It’s your responsibility.”
“Don’t we have other princesses? Why does it have to be me?” Yu Shu felt tears welling up in her eyes, struggling to hold them back. She had been a princess in two lifetimes, always told that the position was one of great honor, with endless wealth and privilege, but every time, it came with the burden of responsibilities she could never escape.
She really didn’t want to go back to Xiao Jingyao’s side!
Seeing her daughter so distressed, the Queen’s heart ached. She too did not want to send her daughter away for a political marriage, but the circumstances left her no choice.
“Our kingdom only has you as the legitimate princess,” the Queen said, her voice filled with sorrow. “Your other sisters are not of your rank. To secure the alliance with Daxia, to gain their support and help, we must offer our most precious treasure. You are the hope of Xijiang.”
Tears fell from Yu Shu’s eyes, the harsh reality too much to bear. She shook her head through her sobs, “I don’t want to go. I don’t want to be married off. Mother, please, I beg you…”
“Preposterous! You have no say in the matter of the marriage alliance!” The King of Xijiang, who had been silent until now, spoke sternly, his face cold. “The decision is made. In three days, an envoy will be sent to Daxia to take you there.”
“Father…” Yu Shu watched as the King stood up, his face darkened, and walked away without sparing her another glance. No matter how much she begged, he didn’t change his mind.
The Queen of Xijiang walked over and embraced Yu Shu, tears falling as she gently stroked her daughter’s hair. “Xiao Jiu, listen to your father. Go and fulfill your duty.”
…
As Yu Shu walked back from Yilan Pavilion, her mood had completely soured. The happiness she had felt after crossing over had vanished, replaced by anxiety and dread for what lay ahead.
She didn’t want to be sent to Daxia for a marriage alliance. She didn’t want to return to Xiao Jingyao. Now that she looked so much like her old self, what if Xiao Jingyao saw her again and decided to kill her once more? If he became more twisted, he might even seek revenge on the Kingdom of Xijiang, sending an army to destroy it!
She couldn’t go through with this marriage!
Yu Shu couldn’t stop worrying about it!
A group of guards approached from the front.
As they got closer, the captain of the guards, Lian Sheng, saluted Yu Shu. Seeing the troubled expression on her face, he asked with concern. “Princess, you look unwell. Do you need to be escorted back?”
Yu Shu immediately recognized Lian Sheng. He had grown up alongside the original princess. The two of them had been close friends since childhood, and Lian Sheng was like an older brother to her, someone she could always trust and rely on.
“I’m fine. I’ll rest for a bit when I get back,” Yu Shu said, before suddenly remembering something. She turned to Lian Sheng and asked. “Are you on night watch tonight as well?”
Lian Sheng nodded and replied. “Yes, I’ll be on duty until tomorrow morning before I can switch shifts.”
Yu Shu made a mental note of it and said. “Then go ahead with your patrol, and stay safe.”
“Princess, please get some rest soon.” Lian Sheng advised, like an older brother, as he watched Yu Shu leave.
Once back at Tinglan courtyard, Yu Shu was greeted by the maid, Qingli, who brought in tea. Yu Shu looked at the tea for a moment before instructing Qingli, “I’m a little hungry. Please go to the kitchen and have them prepare some pastries, and make sure they prepare plenty.”
Qingli responded with a cheerful “Alright” and went to deliver the message to the kitchen.
Yu Shu got up and walked over to the writing desk. She picked up some paper and a brush, quickly scribbling a few words. After putting the brush down, she folded the paper into a small square and placed it in her sleeve.
Before long, Qingli returned, carrying a tray of pastries, including scallion pancakes and red date and goji berry cakes—some of the original Yu Shu’s favorites.
The scallion pancakes and red date and goji berry cakes were beautifully golden and fragrant, filling the air with a sweet, tempting aroma. Just the smell alone was enough to stir anyone’s appetite. Yu Shu picked up one of each, ate a piece of scallion pancake and a piece of red date and goji berry cake, and drank some water, feeling satisfied.
There were still several pieces of both types of pastries left on the tray. Yu Shu picked up two pieces of each and placed them in a food box. She instructed Qingli to take the box and deliver it to Lian Sheng.
Yu Shu found Lian Sheng at the Moon Viewing Pavilion. She handed him the food box and arrogantly said, “There aren’t many pastries, so you can only eat them yourself. Don’t share with anyone else.”
Lian Sheng smiled and assured her, “I promise I won’t share.”
“Then take your time,” Yu Shu said, waving her hand. “I’ll be on my way.” With that, she turned and left with Qingli.
Later that night, after washing up and getting into bed, Yu Shu was attended to by Qingli. As Qingli helped her change, Yu Shu swiftly struck her neck with a hand chop. Qingli’s vision blurred and she fainted. Yu Shu tied her up with rope, blindfolded her with a piece of cloth, and gagged her with a towel. Then, she carefully laid Qingli on the bed and covered her with the blanket, making it look like she was simply asleep.
Time ticked by, and Yu Shu kept her ears sharp, listening for any sounds outside.
The moon gradually rose in the sky, and the night deepened. Everything was still and silent, with not a single sound to be heard.
Quietly, Yu Shu slipped out of bed and crept over to the nearby wardrobe. She quickly changed into a set of black clothes, then took out a piece of cloth to wrap several items of clothing. She also packed up the jewelry and valuables from the dressing table, placing them into the bundle. After securing the package, she carefully carried it to the window, climbed out through the open window, and dashed swiftly along the corner of the wall.
It was unclear whether the night watch had become careless or if all the guards had been moved by Lian Sheng, but Yu Shu encountered no obstacles. She made it to the north side of the palace walls without seeing a single person, her escape going remarkably smoothly.
Indeed, the scallion pancakes she had sent to Lian Sheng had contained a hidden note. She had asked him to divert the patrolling guards to help her escape.
Now, having reached the agreed location without issue, it was clear that Lian Sheng had followed her instructions. After reading the note, he had done his best to adjust the patrols, allowing her to make her escape. All that remained was for Yu Shu to leave the palace successfully and claim the freedom she longed for.
As for the marriage alliance, she simply couldn’t go through with it. Without her, the King of Xijiang still had other daughters—he could choose another clever and beautiful one to take her place. There would always be a solution to difficulties, and any option was better than sending her to her death.
The walls of Xijiang’s palace weren’t as tall as those of the Daxia Empire, and the northern walls were lower than the others. Yu Shu, with her modest skills, managed to climb up the wall.
She first tossed the package she was carrying over the edge, then carefully positioned herself and jumped down.
Done!
Yu Shu landed safely and clapped her hands in delight. The wall had been easy to climb, and nothing had stopped her. She picked up the package and prepared to leave.
“Xiao Jiu!” A deep male voice suddenly called out from nearby. In an instant, figures surrounded her, each holding a torch. The area by the palace walls lit up brightly, illuminating the surroundings and Yu Shu’s face.
Everything happened too suddenly. Seeing the guards appear out of nowhere, Yu Shu instinctively took a step back, clutching the package.
It quickly dawned on her what had happened—she had been caught, and her escape had been foiled.
“Lian Sheng, you betrayed me!” Yu Shu shouted angrily as she spotted Lian Sheng among the crowd. “I trusted you so much, how could you do this to me?”
“You don’t need to blame Lian Sheng. He didn’t betray you,” said the Third Prince, Mu Liangzhe, who stood beside Lian Sheng. His expression was stern as he addressed her. “As the legitimate princess, how could you try to escape like this? How can you face your father and mother?”
Hearing this, Yu Shu felt a sudden panic. She had been so careful, yet Mu Liangzhe had still discovered her escape plan? How did he find out?
But now was not the time to dwell on that. Yu Shu forced herself to calm down and searched her memory for anything about Mu Liangzhe. With red-rimmed eyes, she said, “Third Brother, I am your sister. Can’t you spare me for the sake of our past sibling bond?”
“Absolutely not!” Mu Liangzhe’s expression was stern and uncompromising. “If I let you go, Father and Mother won’t forgive me, and I won’t be able to answer to the people of Xijiang.”
“Guards! Take the Ninth Princess back and make sure she’s closely watched. She is not to leave Tinglan courtyard under any circumstances.”
**