The skies cleared after the rain.
Though autumn had just begun, the weather remained sweltering. Before long, the blazing sun had dried the rain-soaked ground, and by evening, the horizon was painted with brilliant clouds. There was hardly any sign that a violent storm had passed through earlier.
Near the end of the Hour of You (around 7 p.m.), the Princess’s carriage finally set off at an unhurried pace toward the Lakeside Pavilion, where tonight’s poetry gathering was being held.
The carriage was luxurious and spacious.
Aside from the small carriage at the rear of the procession carrying the “gift,” there were thirty-five guards and servants accompanying the party.
The spectacle was grand, fully displaying the authority of the Eldest Princess.
It was also entirely in line with the original owner’s usual style.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Inside the carriage, Shang Changge’s carefully manicured nails, stained crimson with kou-dan dye, tapped idly against the small table holding refreshments.
Perhaps it was because she had inexplicably transmigrated into a novel after death.
Perhaps it was because she and the original owner looked and sounded exactly alike.
Or perhaps because…
In her mind surfaced the image of Shang Changze—the original owner’s younger brother.
Her long lashes lowered, concealing the sorrow surging within her eyes.
“Is it you, Big Brother?”
Yes.
Back in the apocalypse, she had a brother.
A real brother, related by blood.
The reason she wanted to destroy the Wen family as soon as she arrived wasn’t just to avenge the original owner.
There were two other reasons.
One was that both witnesses and evidence were readily available. Such a perfect opportunity would be a waste not to take advantage of.
Besides, the Wen family was destined to commit treason later anyway. They were hardly good people.
The other reason was the original owner’s younger brother…
Shang Changge took a deep breath, her breathing trembling almost imperceptibly.
Shang Changze.
The crown prince of the original novel.
Outstanding in every respect, yet constantly exploited and suppressed by the Emperor because he was disliked.
In the end, he met a tragic death.
And he looked far too much like her own elder brother—the man who had detonated himself for the greater good and perished alongside tens of thousands of zombies.
Combined with her own current situation, it was difficult not to suspect that after dying, her brother had also transmigrated into this novel and become Shang Changze.
After all—
Both had died through self-destruction.
Both shared the same name.
Both had exactly the same face.
So wasn’t it entirely possible?
Next autumn, Qingyan and two neighboring vassal states would be drawn into a war.
The Emperor would personally appoint Crown Prince Shang Changze to lead the army in suppressing the rebellion.
The Wen family’s treason would occur during that campaign.
Because of it, Qingyan would suffer heavy military losses, and Shang Changze himself would be severely wounded.
Which was exactly why the Wen family had to fall.
If the beautiful younger brother truly was her elder brother, all the more reason.
And even if he wasn’t, she and Shang Changze were still tied to the same fate.
A younger brother who had been close to the original owner becoming Emperor was far preferable to the novel’s male protagonist becoming Emperor—a man who could hardly stand his imperial elder sister.
“Lotus Leaf Chicken! Lotus Leaf Chicken! Fragrant Lotus Leaf Chicken!”
“Dear customer, have you eaten dinner yet? If not, come try one! Our lotus leaf chicken is so delicious you’ll want to swallow the bones too!”
“Perfume sachets! Perfume sachets! Imported from the Western Regions!”
“Ice pops! Ice cakes! Ice pops and ice cakes!”
“Mother, my sister and I want ice pops! Buy us some!”
Qingyan imposed no curfew.
The royal capital blazed with lights, and the voices of commoners and merchants filled the streets without end.
The capital was enormous.
It was divided into four districts: east, west, south, and north.
At the far end of North Street stood the Imperial Palace.
The surrounding areas housed imperial relatives and high-ranking officials.
East Street contained the government’s most important administrative offices, places ordinary citizens were not permitted to enter.
West Street was the largest residential district, where officials, noble families, wealthy merchants, and prosperous households lived.
But if one were to speak of the most bustling, vibrant, and lively area—
It would undoubtedly be South Street.
The sounds of hawkers and pedestrians came from there.
South Street was filled with common folk and all manner of shops.
It was also the second-largest district after North Street.
Correspondingly, it was the freest area.
Aside from the city gates guarded by soldiers, people could generally do as they pleased so long as they obeyed the law and didn’t cause trouble.
The Lakeside Pavilion sat at the boundary between South Street and West Street.
As soon as the carriage crossed that dividing line, the lively sounds gradually faded away until they disappeared entirely.
Before long, the procession came to a halt.
“Your Highness, we’ve arrived.”
Qingyao’s voice came from outside the carriage, pulling Shang Changge back from her wandering thoughts.
“Greetings, Your Highness!”
Holding Qingyao’s wrist for support, Shang Changge stepped down from the carriage.
The first thing she saw was a medium-sized restaurant.
Only afterward did she notice the crowd bowing before her.
The group consisted entirely of young men and women from official families.
All were elegantly dressed and impeccably mannered.
Their attitudes were humble and respectful.
Not a single trace revealed that more than half of them wished for her death.
“You may rise.”
Shang Changge had no intention of making things difficult for them.
Tonight, she was mainly here to familiarize herself with faces.
Delivering her gift was merely a side task.
Since she would be living under the original owner’s identity from now on, interactions with these people were inevitable.
How could she recognize anyone if they all kept their heads lowered?
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
The response came in perfect unison.
Everyone straightened and raised their heads.
Shang Changge’s gaze immediately landed on the leading pair.
She recognized Yun Xiangrong and her elder brother, Yun Luobai.
After offering them a slight smile, her eyes quickly found Wen Wanyi among the crowd.
This time, her smile became noticeably more genuine.
“Your Highness, you look stunning tonight.”
Yun Xiangrong stepped forward and linked arms with Shang Changge, praising her sincerely.
Tonight, Shang Changge wore a deep-purple gown.
It was luxurious yet dignified, elegant yet imposing.
Her hairstyle followed the latest fashion, while her hairpins, jewelry, and accessories were all priceless treasures.
As for the beautiful face known as the most stunning in Qingyan, it had been carefully enhanced by the skillful hands of her maids.
The result was breathtaking.
One glance was enough to leave people unable to look away.
Willingly falling beneath such a beauty’s pomegranate skirt seemed only natural.
“It’s rather stuffy here. We should escort Your Highness to the Lakeside Pavilion.”
Yun Luobai spoke up, undisguised admiration shining in his eyes.
The Lakeside Pavilion lay directly ahead of the restaurant.
True to its name, it stood in the middle of a lake.
Yet it wasn’t a solitary pavilion.
Instead, it consisted of five pavilions.
Four smaller pavilions surrounded a larger central one, all connected by arched bridges.
The Lakeside Pavilion and the restaurant served different purposes.
The former was often used by nobles and officials seeking cultured amusement.
The latter served as a place to eat, drink, and socialize.
Clearly, the entire venue had been reserved for tonight’s event.
Satisfied after catching the fear and unease in Wen Wanyi’s eyes, Shang Changge withdrew her gaze and responded with a casual nod.
She was just about to head toward the pavilion arm in arm with her number-one plastic sister, Yun Xiangrong, when the sound of carriage wheels came from behind.
A sharp intake of breath sounded from somewhere in the crowd.
The culprit quickly shrank back after realizing the noise was too loud.
Internally, however, everyone shared the same thought:
Which fool had the nerve to arrive after the Princess?
Did they not know to come early? Wasn’t this a direct slap to the Princess’s face?
Shang Changge stopped walking.
She simply stood there and stared intently at the slowly approaching carriage.
Not because she was angry.
Nor because she intended to humiliate the newcomer.
Unlike the original owner, she wasn’t that domineering.
She was merely curious.
The newcomer arrived without fanfare.
The carriage was utterly ordinary.
There were no attendants, only a single coachman.
The passenger didn’t keep everyone waiting long.
Yet the moment he stepped into view, the entire crowd was stunned.
Some scarcely dared breathe.
Others’ legs trembled so violently they nearly collapsed.
Several timid young masters and noble ladies turned pale with fright.
Of course, where there were cowards, there were also those with a bit more courage.
Though not by much.
One person finally managed to stammer out the newcomer’s identity, his voice filled with confusion and horror.
“I-It’s the Great General.”
“T-The Great General? Why is he here? Doesn’t he never attend events like this?”