4
The failed escape attempt left Yu Shu under strict confinement at Tinglan Pavilion. The guards assigned to the pavilion had doubled, patrolling ceaselessly. Every five steps were a checkpoint, and every ten steps a guard post, completely sealing off Tinglan Pavilion. Even a fly would struggle to escape.
The King of Xijiang, upon hearing the news, rushed to the scene. The moment he stepped into Tinglan Pavilion and laid eyes on Yu Shu, he raised his hand and slapped her.
“You’ve truly disappointed me. You were never this irresponsible before. How could you be so reckless and selfish, only thinking about escaping? Do you not understand the dire straits Xijiang faces right now? How could you disregard the bigger picture for your own sake?”
The King’s face was ashen, his temples throbbing with anger as he reprimanded Yu Shu for her irresponsibility and disregard for the kingdom’s plight. The slap was neither too heavy nor too light, but his clenched fist, with veins bulging on the back of his hand, betrayed the depths of his rage. If not for his conscious restraint—reminding himself that this was his beloved daughter, the one he cherished most—he might have beaten her to death on the spot.
Yu Shu clutched her burning cheek. The sting on her face was sharp, but it paled in comparison to the ache in her heart.
She knew this pain wasn’t hers alone. It was intertwined with the emotions lingering from the original owner of this body.
The original Yu Shu had long known about the King’s plan to send her away for a political marriage. She had been deeply unwilling but powerless to resist. After all, the King of Xijiang was her father—the one she had respected and loved the most, the father who had doted on her since she was a child.
But it wasn’t until this very moment, when he struck her, that she was forced to confront the heartbreaking truth: her father didn’t love her as much as she thought he did.
Her chest felt like it was being torn apart by grief.
With reddened eyes, Yu Shu looked at the King of Xijiang and asked, “Father, I’m not your only daughter. You could have chosen someone else for this marriage. Why must it be me? Why are you sending me to my death?”
The original Yu Shu had resisted the idea of being sent away for a political marriage but was powerless to defy her father. That helplessness had ultimately led to her death. Now that she had transmigrated into this body, she was equally determined not to go through with the marriage. After all, she had a personal vendetta against Xiao Jingyao. That twisted man—if he ever laid eyes on her—would undoubtedly torment her in unimaginable ways. She wouldn’t survive it.
“If you go to the Daxia Dynasty for the marriage alliance, even if you die, it will still count as a contribution to Xijiang. The people of Xijiang will not forget your sacrifice.” The King of Xijiang dismissed Yu Shu’s tearful pleas without a hint of emotion, his heart as cold as iron. With a grim face, he brushed his sleeve and walked away.
The decision to send her to the Daxia Dynasty was final. No amount of resistance would change it.
Confined in Tinglan Pavilion, Yu Shu had nowhere to run.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye. By tomorrow morning, she would be forced into a carriage and sent with the envoy to the Daxia Dynasty.
Outside Tinglan Pavilion, security had been tightened even further. Guards were stationed everywhere, and the entire area was brightly lit. Not a single corner was left in darkness. On a night like this, no one would come to rescue her, and escaping was utterly impossible.
Yu Shu sat at her dressing table, staring at the face reflected in the bronze mirror. When she first realized she had transmigrated and was alive again, she had been thrilled, especially since this body’s appearance was almost identical to her original one. But now, she felt a pang of regret.
If she didn’t have this face, would she be able to escape her fate?
Her gaze fell on a hairpin lying on the dressing table. Picking it up, she pressed its sharp tip against her delicate face. All it would take was one firm slash, and her face would be ruined. A deep scar would replace her flawless skin. From a beauty admired by all, she would become disfigured—a woman no one would desire for a marriage alliance.
The flickering candlelight illuminated her reflection in the bronze mirror. Her arched willow-leaf eyebrows, bright and captivating eyes, petite and straight nose, naturally rosy lips, and jade-like complexion—all combined to form a face that was both pure and alluring. It was a face that countless others envied.
Scarring such a beautiful face would be like marring the most precious jade, leaving a blemish on the finest masterpiece—a flaw on what was once perfect. It would no longer inspire awe, only regret.
She hesitated.
Yu Shu’s hand trembled as she gripped the hairpin. She was afraid—afraid of the pain and of the dire consequences that might follow destroying such a remarkable “masterpiece.”
“Ninth Princess!” A startled cry suddenly came from behind her. Qingli rushed forward and struck the hairpin from Yu Shu’s hand.
“Please don’t do anything foolish!” Qingli grasped Yu Shu’s hand tightly, not giving her a chance to hurt herself again. With visible distress, she pleaded, “Do you know what happens to disfigured women in Xijiang? Even as a princess, the consequences would be severe. You absolutely cannot do such a thing!”
“I know…” It was precisely because she knew that she hesitated in the final moment, unable to go through with it.
“Then why would you even attempt it?” Qingli’s voice shook as she recalled the scene she had just witnessed, unable to bring herself to finish the thought.
“I didn’t—I wasn’t serious. Don’t worry.” Yu Shu’s gaze darted nervously, avoiding Qingli’s eyes.
“The princess must take care of herself, only then can I stop worrying,” Qingli said firmly, clearly unconvinced. She maintained a vice-like grip on Yu Shu’s wrist, refusing to let go. The pressure on her wrist began to sting, and Yu Shu tried to pull away but after a few futile struggles, she gave up.
“It’s late. Let’s get some rest.” Yu Shu glanced toward the window. The night outside was so brightly illuminated by lanterns and candlelight that it resembled daylight, making it impossible to discern the actual hour.
“I’ll sleep with you tonight,” Qingli said, her voice firm. She had been terrified by Yu Shu’s attempted escape two days ago and had been shadowing her every moment since, afraid the princess might vanish again. What had just happened—Yu Shu contemplating disfiguring herself—had only intensified Qingli’s anxiety. She didn’t dare let her guard down, not even for a second.
Yu Shu glanced at Qingli. The girl was clearly shaken. She hadn’t meant to frighten her like this, but she truly had no better options. If she did, things wouldn’t have reached this point.
“Alright, you can sleep with me,” Yu Shu said with a mix of resignation and helplessness. At this point, the envoy for the Daxia Dynasty was set to depart tomorrow. She hadn’t found a better solution and didn’t see the need to drag more innocent people into her mess.
Qingli helped Yu Shu get into bed, then prepared to stay by her side, keeping watch through the night. Seeing this, Yu Shu shifted further into the bed and patted the empty space next to her. “Come up and sleep with me.”
Qingli hesitated, her eyes uncertain.
“I won’t try to escape again. Come on, sleep with me,” Yu Shu reassured her. She didn’t want Qingli to stay so tense or feel conflicted. Tonight, she truly had no plans to escape—not that it was even possible. As for the future, she decided she’d look for a better opportunity after the envoy’s departure.
After a brief pause, Qingli finally climbed into the bed, lying down beside Yu Shu.
Suddenly, Yu Shu reached out and wrapped her arms around Qingli’s arm, rubbing her cheek against it affectionately, like a close sister seeking comfort.
“Thank you for taking care of me these past few days,” Yu Shu said sincerely. It was her heartfelt gratitude, not the original owner’s.
“There’s no need to thank me, Princess. It’s my duty to serve you,” Qingli replied, adhering to her role as a maid.
Yu Shu stared at the ceiling and let out a faint smile. She didn’t bother correcting Qingli’s words. A princess of a fallen kingdom who had died only to awaken in another person’s body—she had experienced the despair of falling from the heights of privilege into the depths of ruin. She understood deeply that there were no absolutes of what “should” or “shouldn’t” be in life.
That night, Yu Shu slept poorly, plagued by a string of chaotic dreams. Shadowy figures flickered before her eyes, speaking incomprehensible words, shouting and yelling. In the end, she woke up startled, with only one memory lingering: the face of Xiao Jingyao—charming yet utterly terrifying.
Rubbing her forehead, Yu Shu sat up in bed. The morning light streamed in from the window, and the palace staff were already bustling around.
A group of maids entered in single file to attend to her. They helped Yu Shu rise, dress, and prepare for the day, adorning her in the luxurious garments of Xijiang. Her hair was styled meticulously, and she was bedecked with exquisite jewelry. Finally, they veiled her face to conceal her striking beauty.
When the appointed time arrived, the maids led Yu Shu to bid farewell to the King and Queen of Xijiang.
Inside the grand hall, the King and Queen sat high upon their golden thrones, their expressions calm as they surveyed the scene. The hall was filled with Xijiang’s civil and military officials, all gathered for the farewell ceremony of the envoy.
Yu Shu, dressed in regal attire, entered the hall under the guidance of the maids. She knelt before the King and Queen, her movements dignified and deliberate.
She bowed three times, her farewell solemn and heartfelt. “The journey to the Daxia Dynasty is long and arduous. This life may not afford another meeting. Your daughter can no longer fulfill her filial duties by your side. I hope Father and Mother will take care of themselves.”
The Queen, who had remained composed on her golden throne, could no longer hold back her tears. Her eyes reddened, and she rose to her feet. Taking a few hurried steps, she reached Yu Shu and grasped her hands tightly.
“My daughter…” Her voice trembled with emotion. “Take good care of yourself. Live long and well. May you find peace and joy.”
“I understand.” At that moment, Yu Shu truly felt the love the Queen of Xijiang had for her. Though she wasn’t her real daughter, she couldn’t help but feel deeply moved. Gazing into the Queen’s eyes, she realized that the love and care this Queen showed her were no different from that of her own mother.
“It’s time to go. Off you go.” The Queen gently stroked Yu Shu’s face before guiding her out of the grand hall. Standing on the steps of the hall, the Queen watched her walk toward the envoy’s procession, her eyes filled with reluctant affection.
Yu Shu didn’t look back. Step by step, she walked forward. No matter if the road ahead was lined with thorns, adorned with flowers, or paved with flames, it was a path she had to tread alone.
Outside the palace gates, the envoy’s procession stretched endlessly. Vibrant banners fluttered in the wind, and dozens of carriages formed a seemingly unending line.
As Yu Shu stepped through the palace gates, her gaze fell on the two figures standing at the very front of the procession. It was her third brother, Mu Liangzhe, and Lian Sheng.
They were the lead and deputy envoys for the mission to the Daxia Dynasty!
This was simply infuriating!
The sight of them made Yu Shu’s blood boil. If it weren’t for Lian Sheng betraying her and Mu Liangzhe dragging her back, she would have long escaped and avoided being sent to the Daxia Dynasty for a political marriage.
Without sparing them a glance, Yu Shu pulled Qingli along and headed straight to the princess’s carriage further down the line.
As they passed, she overheard Mu Liangzhe chuckling lightly. “Still mad, Little Ninth?”
Yu Shu furrowed her elegant brows and turned to glare daggers at Mu Liangzhe. He met her fiery gaze with a smug smirk and provocatively raised his eyebrows.
Then, as if taunting her further, Mu Liangzhe remarked to Lian Sheng with a pointed tone, “Taking her to Daxia yourself, only to come back and face fifty lashes—is it worth it?”
**