Good heavens, her eyes couldn’t be playing tricks on her, could they? Was she dreaming? How could An-Yi look like that?!
Jiang Zhou reached out to rub her eyes before pressing both hands onto An-Yi’s shoulders, observing her features at an ultra-close range. Aside from a four-centimeter scar running from the bridge of her nose to her left cheek, An-Yi’s face was the exact same as Xia Shang’s!
Identical!!!
Jiang Zhou had spent decades with Xia Shang; those features were burned into her memory. She was absolutely certain her judgment was correct.
“Princess… did the scar on my face frighten you?” An-Yi asked, struggling with the proximity. Jiang Zhou was so close that An-Yi could smell her faint fragrance and feel her breath against her skin.
“No, not at all. You are very beautiful.” Jiang Zhou sat back in her seat, staring blankly at An-Yi. Her thoughts were a chaotic mess that refused to settle.
“System, what’s going on with An-Yi’s face? Why does she look like Xia Shang from the last world?” Jiang Zhou screamed internally. “Don’t tell me it’s a coincidence; I’m no fool!”
【Host, please remain calm.】 The familiar electronic voice replied. 【According to the contract, the targets for each world are randomly selected. The Host only needs to complete the assigned tasks.】
“What is that supposed to mean?” Jiang Zhou asked, her mind momentarily failing to bridge the gap.
【The Host was projected into this world via consciousness; similarly, the capture targets may also be projected via consciousness.】 The system explained patiently. 【Rest assured, only the Host carries the system and retains memories of other worlds. If you encounter an identical appearance, it is highly likely the other party underwent a subconscious projection, meaning they only possess memories of this current world.】
Jiang Zhou’s head spun. So, did this mean Xia Shang was likely from her original world—someone participating in this challenge alongside her?
If that logic held, she met Xia Shang in the last world, met her in this one, and would likely meet her in the next. They were the same person at the core; the only difference was that An-Yi only knew her current life.
“Princess?” An-Yi called out tentatively. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, I’m fine.” Jiang Zhou let out a long sigh. This news was sudden, and reflecting on how she had treated An-Yi earlier made her expression turn awkward.
To be honest, if An-Yi really was Xia Shang, she had essentially… become a heartless playgirl who abandoned her!
…
The Bold Command
“An-Yi,” Jiang Zhou leaned back, tilting her head to look at her. “Are you interested in being mine?”
“Understood?” An-Yi blinked in confusion. “This subordinate has always belonged to the Princess.”
“…” Jiang Zhou was speechless. How could she explain? Could she just bluntly say she wanted to go to bed with her?
Thinking of An-Yi’s personality gave Jiang Zhou a headache. If An-Yi was Xia Shang, Jiang Zhou couldn’t bring herself to just order her around. Even if she was obedient, Jiang Zhou wanted An-Yi to fall in love with her naturally.
【Host, please note: do not engage in behavior that deviates too far from your original character persona.】 the system cautioned.
Jiang Zhou gave a vague response to the system and went back to dazing at An-Yi.
…
The Bedchamber Request
“An-Yi.” After a long silence, Jiang Zhou spoke. “Come here. Give me a hug.”
“Yes…” An-Yi hesitated but followed the order, taking Jiang Zhou into her arms.
Jiang Zhou buried her head in the crook of An-Yi’s neck, inhaling her scent. It was different from Xia Shang’s, but perhaps due to a psychological effect, Jiang Zhou felt a wave of joy and peace.
An-Yi’s body was stiff; she had never been this close to the Princess. As she felt Jiang Zhou’s grip tighten, she didn’t know where to put her hands and clumsily maintained her posture. After about fifteen minutes, Jiang Zhou finally let go.
“An-Yi, let’s go home.” Jiang Zhou no longer had the heart to linger in the “tender village” (the brothel). The more she thought about her earlier antics, the guiltier she felt.
What a sin! Not only had she indulged in the company of others right in front of An-Yi, but she had even tried to drag An-Yi into it!
“Yes.” As the warmth left her, An-Yi felt a fleeting sense of loss.
…
The Night Visit
That night, Jiang Zhou tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She couldn’t see An-Yi as just a bodyguard anymore.
“An-Yi?” she whispered. Within three breaths, a figure appeared by her bed in the faint moonlight.
“Princess, I am here.” An-Yi was wearing only a simple outer robe, having rushed over.
“An-Yi, isn’t it your job to protect me?” Jiang Zhou asked, eyes wide.
“It is.”
“I think… it would be easier for you to protect me if you were closer.”
“Huh?” An-Yi didn’t understand. “Does the Princess require me to keep watch by the bedside?”
“But then you won’t sleep,” Jiang Zhou countered.
“Rest assured, Princess. I can simply sit in a chair.”
“…” Jiang Zhou choked. This “wooden block” was forcing her to be explicit! “I am not the type to mistreat my subordinates. Just come up and sleep with me.”
“I cannot. This subordinate must not offend the Princess,” An-Yi knelt.
“But I want someone to sleep with me, otherwise I can’t rest,” Jiang Zhou pouted. “Are you suggesting I find someone else?”
“This…” An-Yi frowned. “Perhaps the Princess should have Cui Zhu (the maid) sleep with you?”
Jiang Zhou’s face darkened. See? This is karma! This was her punishment for playing around at the brothel—now An-Yi was pushing her toward someone else!
“I want you. I want An-Yi to serve me!” Jiang Zhou huffed. “Is that not allowed?”
“But this subordinate…” An-Yi looked conflicted. “I am ‘unclean.’ I fear I will soil the Princess’s…”
“How are you unclean?” Jiang Zhou’s voice turned dangerous. “Do you have a lover?”
“No… it is just that I often handle dark matters. My hands are stained with lives…”
Jiang Zhou’s expression softened. “It’s just a few lives. I don’t mind.”
“But…” An-Yi still felt it was improper.
“An-Yi,” Jiang Zhou commanded, “This is an order. Take off your clothes and get in!”
Jiang Zhou realized the only way to deal with this stubborn girl was to use her status. An-Yi didn’t dare disobey. She stiffly removed her outer layers and lay on the very edge of the bed.
“Tsk,” Jiang Zhou pulled her closer. “Come here. That’s an order!”
“Yes…”
As An-Yi moved closer, a long-lost sense of familiarity washed over Jiang Zhou. She softened, pulling An-Yi’s arm into a comfortable position and snuggling against her like a pillow.
An-Yi held her breath, only breathing in small gasps once Jiang Zhou settled.
“An-Yi, hold me. Sleep.” Jiang Zhou added one last line: “That is an order.”
“This subordinate… obeys.”