What Should I Do When All the Big Shots Are Rushing to Make Me Their Concubine - Chapter 1

I, a humble musician, accidentally became the mistress of a great general, the heir of a marquisate, the Crown Prince, and a young emperor from a neighboring country… Uh, I didn’t misspeak… I just have a bit of a busy schedule… I’ve always been timid, frail, and unable to endure hardship, so I had to keep this scandalous matter a complete secret from everyone. But then suddenly one day, the four of them gathered together… I decided to run away.

“Yinyin, I’m leaving for the expedition tomorrow. Will you miss me?” Song Yuanzhou’s strong arms wrapped tightly around me, his hoarse voice rubbing against my ear. My hands rested against his firm chest, feeling only the scorching heat in my palms.

“Yes…”

“Miss what?”

“You.”

“Miss me doing what?”

“…”

“Speak, Yinyin.”

How could I possibly say anything?

Song Yuanzhou understood my body too well.

He knew how to make me nervous, how to make me pleased, how to make me beg him for mercy.

It wasn’t until dawn that Song Yuanzhou left the bed.

He was fully dressed, yet he leaned down and kissed me from my forehead to the back of my hand.

I weakly pushed him, urging, “If you don’t go home and say goodbye to the old madam, she might come looking for trouble with me today.”

Song Yuanzhou chuckled, “Wouldn’t that be perfect? Keeping you by my side makes me not even want to go home. I’ll just persuade my mother to let me marry you.”

My heart tightened, but I still maintained a smile on my face, teasing Song Yuanzhou.

“Alright, alright, I can’t wait to go to the General’s Estate and enjoy a peaceful life.”

Song Yuanzhou was a born military general. He went to the battlefield at fifteen and was made a great general at eighteen, a favorite of the current emperor.

The day he returned to the capital triumphantly, almost all the unmarried young ladies in the city went to see him, sending him flirtatious glances.

He was not yet twenty, and still hadn’t married a proper wife. Many aristocratic young ladies secretly showed him favor.

But he didn’t want any of them; he only wanted to fool around with me, a courtesan from the Imperial Music Bureau.

The matriarch of the General’s Estate would naturally never allow a woman of my low status to enter the General’s Estate.

Even as a concubine, I wouldn’t have the qualifications.

And Song Yuanzhou was filial; he would never fall out with his mother because of me.

But he didn’t want to give me up either…

So, I became Song Yuanzhou’s mistress.

A mysterious mistress.

Because Song Yuanzhou didn’t want his mother to know.

Coincidentally, I didn’t want my other two husbands to know either.

I am Song Yuanzhou’s mistress, and also the Marquis’s heir’s mistress, and also the Crown Prince’s mistress.

Cough, cough… My schedule is a bit busy.

However, my confidentiality and security work for these “assignments” are quite thorough!

For example, I’ve been a mistress for so many years, and my several husbands still don’t know of each other’s existence.

Although they occasionally utter golden phrases like “I’m going to marry you and take you home.”

But I know those are just things men say when they’re worked up; they don’t count for anything.

And I don’t have those thoughts either.

Although the title of mistress isn’t very good, life as a mistress is quite comfortable.

I’m not bound by the rules of the inner chambers, nor am I caught in their struggles.

I lack neither food nor clothing, nor money, and there are people to serve me.

When lonely…

Oh, I don’t seem to have lonely times.

After all, I’m not just one person’s mistress.

Just two days after Song Yuanzhou left, I received a message kite from Lu Lingxiao.

Lu Lingxiao was a profligate, fond of lingering in brothels, famous teahouses, and music halls.

The Old Marquis, disappointed in him, arranged blind dates early, hoping to find a wife to rein him in.

But Lu Lingxiao’s reputation was notorious; young ladies from prestigious families all looked down on him.

Those who wanted to climb the social ladder and those who coveted his beauty, he would dislike them for being vulgar.

In the end, not a single marriage materialized. Instead, he became increasingly intimate with me, his mistress.

I went to Cui Ming Pavilion to find Lu Lingxiao as arranged.

He was lounging idly on a soft couch, watching the opera stage downstairs, looking utterly bored. When he saw me, his listless eyes suddenly lit up.

He dismissed his servants and pulled me onto the couch.

He sat with wide-legged ease, and I happened to sit in the empty space between his legs.

“Yinyin smells so good today. Did you change your perfume?”

Lu Lingxiao embraced me from behind, his entire head resting on my shoulder.

He tilted his head to smell my neck, and at the same time, nuzzled in playfully.

“Yes, the one you bought last time.”

“You’re lying. The box I bought wasn’t that fragrant.”

My heart tightened. Did I make a mistake?

Did I use the one given by the other two…?

Lu Lingxiao followed the scent to my lips, kissing them, his smile clean and bright.

“Oh, I know now. It’s Yinyin’s scent. Only Yinyin smells this good, much better than those common perfumes.”

My tension eased, and I patted his pale, tender face.

“Is your mouth coated with honey? It’s so sweet.”

Lu Lingxiao immediately pointed to his thin, pink lips, saying eagerly, “It’s not coated with honey. If Yinyin doesn’t believe me, try it.”

I leaned in and pecked his lips, then said, “It doesn’t seem very sweet.”

Lu Lingxiao shook his head, whining like a puppy wagging its tail for pity, “It is sweet, it is sweet! Yinyin, taste it again carefully.”

“…”

I gave him another big peck.

After all, who could refuse a docile puppy’s plea?

But Lu Lingxiao was by no means a purely docile puppy.

At least when he pressed me onto the couch and kissed me until I couldn’t breathe, he definitely wasn’t!

A gatekeeper’s servant came to deliver a message: “Young Master, the Marquis is looking for you.”

Lu Lingxiao, annoyed at being disturbed, threw a shoe towards the door.

“You’re such a spoilsport!”

I playfully chided him, “Why are you acting like a child?”

Lu Lingxiao pouted, his voice muffled, “That old man at home is rushing me to go on another blind date! How can those cabbages, cauliflowers, and radishes compare to our Yinyin!”

I couldn’t help but laugh, “What are cabbages, cauliflowers, and radishes?”

Lu Lingxiao pouted, “The old man says any girl who fancies me is a good cabbage getting ruined by a pig, and I should cherish her well.”

Pfft—

The Old Marquis’s words were truly venomous. That was his own son.

Lu Lingxiao had a childish temper, quick to anger and quick to recover.

One moment he was cursing his old man, the next he was holding my hand, looking like a dashing profligate.

“My clothes are torn because of me, Yinyin. Shall I take you shopping for new clothes?”

I asked, “Aren’t you going home? The Marquis is waiting for you.”

“Let the old man wait!”

Lu Lingxiao hopped on one leg to the door to pick up his shoe and put it on, then turned back and scooped me up.

“Let’s go, let’s go buy Yinyin new clothes!”

Hmm, when Lu Lingxiao was in a bad mood, he liked to buy me things.

Of course, when he was in a good mood, he also liked to buy me things.

In short, he was a very generous husband.

Although I was a mistress who enjoyed pleasure, I also had my own career.

For example, I had a fixed schedule of performing music for the female members of the palace twice a month.

In the days when I wasn’t lingering in the tender arms of Lu Lingxiao and Song Yuanzhou, I was diligently improving my zither skills.

After another successful performance for the Grand Consort, it was already dark.

The familiar little palace maid was already waiting for me outside the Grand Consort’s palace.

As usual, I changed into a palace maid’s clothes, then followed the little palace maid into the Crown Prince’s bedchamber.

And so, twice a month, I would enter the palace to see my third husband, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Li Shengmin.

Hmm…

In the vast bedchamber, only Li Shengmin was present. He stood before the desk in a white robe, his posture straight and tall, like a cold and solitary fir tree in a deep valley, only allowing people to gaze upon him from afar.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

“Mm, come closer.”

Li Shengmin invited me to admire a painting with him. After a moment, he didn’t see my figure, so he slowly raised his head to look in my direction.

But I was no longer behind the screen.

“Yinyin?”

He seemed to be asking why I wasn’t listening to him, and yet he seemed to be searching.

I deliberately ignored him, my footsteps light, passing through one screen after another.

In the grand hall, plain gauze danced, and candlelight glimmered, casting the two figures, one in front and one behind, into vivid clarity.

Li Shengmin finally caught my wrist.

He fixed his deep, dark eyes on me, as if afraid I would disappear again.

I curved my lips into a smile at him, subtly pulling down the plain gauze beside me.

“Your Highness, you’re hurting me.”

He released his grip in a flurry, and I wrapped the plain gauze around his hands.

“If you hurt me, you’ll have to be punished.”

Li Shengmin’s dark pupils trembled, and he couldn’t help but swallow.

Then he slowly bent one leg and knelt before me.

“Please, Yinyin… have pity on me.”

Cough…

This was the little game between Li Shengmin and me.

Everyone knew that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was dignified, steady, and adhered to propriety, but only I knew a different side of him.

He liked me to scold him, he liked me to hit him, and he liked it even more when I scolded and hit him at the same time.

Uh… it’s a bit kinky, I guess.

But I never suffered any loss; it was just a matter of convenience.

Li Shengmin begged me to pity him, but I couldn’t actually pity him.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be happy.

I tied Li Shengmin’s hands with plain gauze, suspending them above his head, then poured cold water over his head.

Although it was spring, it had just rained today, and there was still a hint of chill in the evening breeze.

Li Shengmin was already thinly dressed, now completely soaked. His powerful muscle lines subtly appeared with his slightly hurried breathing, inviting endless imagination.

“Yinyin, it’s so cold…”

“Yinyin, pity me…”

Water droplets still clung to his long eyelashes. He gazed at me, pitifully, begging me.

I truly wanted to pity him!

But I could only make him suffer.

Actually, I once tentatively asked Li Shengmin why he was like this.

Li Shengmin then told me about how he was hung upside down and water was poured into him by several palace maids and eunuchs when he was a child in the cold palace.

“At that time, my imperial concubine was out of favor, and no one cared whether I lived or died.”

That’s how the struggles in the imperial harem were; losers, innocent or not, were subjected to all sorts of torment.

Li Shengmin added, “It’s laughable, actually. Now that I’m the Crown Prince, everyone has to be respectful to me, as if that disfavored child never existed. Sometimes, even I forget the humiliation I once endured.”

He had only forgotten it on the surface, but the wounds of his youth had forever left scars in his heart.

At that moment, I genuinely felt sorry for that child.

I even naively thought I should give him all my love in the future…

Only because at that time, I didn’t know he had a Crown Princess.

I forgot to mention, Li Shengmin has a Crown Princess.

She was his official consort, decided before he ascended to the position of Crown Prince.

Knowing the vast disparity in status between Li Shengmin and me, and having no desire to fly up the branches and become a phoenix, I originally wanted to break off our relationship early.

But before his grand wedding, he tried every means, regardless of the consequences, to see me.

I still remember that night he held me and said, “Yinyin, I really want a home…”

I was still young then, experiencing my first love, and the first person I fell for was Li Shengmin.

When I found out he was going to marry someone else to be the Crown Princess, I was heartbroken and sad for an entire night.

And now he was back, genuinely revealing his feelings to me, saying he wanted a home. It was hard not to soften.

However, I always felt a twist in my heart, so I asked him sarcastically, “Then where is our home?”

My implication was that unless he dealt with the future Crown Princess, he and I could never have a home.

Then, he took me to the dungeon.

The prisoner there was tortured beyond recognition, and I stood by, holding my zither, not daring to breathe.

Later, Li Shengmin even locked himself in an iron frame and told me to whip him.

Fine, whatever first love, whatever liking or not liking, I was still young, and I didn’t want to understand any of it!

I strongly suppressed the urge to cry, whipping him fiercely while tactfully refusing, “Your Highness, this is the last time I will hit you. From now on, you’ll have to hit yourself.”

I wanted to cry because he had scared me just now.

Also, this time, I was truly afraid he would marry me and take me home.

But Li Shengmin thought I was crying because I was afraid he would marry someone else and not want me.

So he glanced at the wounds on his body and promised me with a face full of affection, “Yinyin, since you have left an indelible mark on me, I will never abandon you.”

I: “…”

Sometimes, being a pervert alone is quite helpless.

Li Shengmin was the Crown Prince. He wanted me to stay by his side, and how dared I disobey?

I certainly didn’t want the dungeon to be my home forever.

And after all these years, I had long since come to terms with it.

Thinking about it, this could even be considered an important milestone in the continuation of my twisted relationship with Li Shengmin.

And speaking of his Crown Princess, she was a true phoenix with thunderous methods.

Indeed, after their marriage, it was said that all the palace maids who tried to climb into Li Shengmin’s bed disappeared from the palace.

It was rumored they were all buried beneath that dry well in the cold palace.

If a soft-boned person like me, suffering from osteoporosis, were to encounter her, it would be like being roasted to a crisp.

However, I didn’t know if it was my good luck or what method Li Shengmin used, but that true phoenix seemed unaware of my relationship with Li Shengmin.

Several times when we met at palace banquets, her gaze was kind, her smile appreciative, and she even personally held my hand to praise my zither skills.

At first, I felt a bit guilty and scared, but I couldn’t resist the true phoenix’s sweet smile, and I quickly forgot her ruthless ways.

On the contrary, Li Shengmin would always watch us nervously, finding various excuses to separate us.

I knew he wanted to protect me, but to an outsider, he seemed exactly like a third party interfering between me and the Crown Princess.

Cough… I’m getting a bit sidetracked.

What I wanted to say was, being a mistress isn’t entirely about enjoying pleasure.

Although I haven’t suffered any hardships or received any criticism… but!

I always feel that one day, all of that will come.

And sometimes, my conscience bothers me, even though I have my own unspoken difficulties.

After all, it’s really not easy to simultaneously hide from four men and one woman…

“Yinyin, be my empress.”

I: “…”

I told you it wasn’t entirely about enjoying pleasure…

Now it’s going to be four men and one woman…

The one who said this to me was the young emperor of Beiliang, Helian Kuilang.

He disguised himself as an envoy and even gave himself a Central Plains name: Wang Liang.

We first met at a palace banquet.

That day, to welcome the envoys, I didn’t go to see Li Shengmin after my performance.

I had originally planned to wait in the side hall for my sisters from the Imperial Music Bureau to take a carriage out of the palace, but on the way, I encountered a drunken prince.

Yes, it’s an old-fashioned hero saving the damsel story.

However, in stories, the rescued woman falls in love with the hero who saves her.

But in my case, Helian Kuilang fell in love with me.

Later, he often invited me to the Jinling Hall, where the envoys stayed, on the pretext of enjoying music.

However, he never asked me to play. Instead, he took me sightseeing, listening to music, watching plays, and tasting fine cuisine in famous restaurants.

He also told me many interesting stories about Beiliang. To let me truly experience the customs of Beiliang, he even lit a bonfire in Jinling Hall just to roast meat for me.

That really scared me!

I even nervously asked, “Can you just light a fire anywhere in Jinling Hall?”

The other envoys in the delegation, looking at Helian Kuilang “committing the act,” laughed and told me, “Don’t worry, Miss Yinyin. If he accidentally burns down this Jinling Hall, you should run away quickly. If your emperor questions it, just say you don’t know him.”

“…”

The people in this delegation were quite nice.

Actually, Helian Kuilang didn’t confess his feelings to me right away.

After all, their current diplomatic mission was for an alliance through marriage between the two countries.

And with their departure date approaching, and the marriage still unsettled, the delegation grew anxious.

Helian Kuilang couldn’t sit still either.

Then, he deliberately, eagerly, and impatiently revealed his true identity in front of me…

As a qualified mistress, I never discuss state affairs with my husbands, and when I’m with Helian Kuilang, we only talk about romance.

But recently, he’s been talking about it by my ear every day.

“Yinyin, your emperor is truly dreaming if he thinks a mere county princess, once elevated to a princess, can marry our emperor and become empress? Does he really think we’re fools?”

I fiddled with the flowers he had just picked for me this morning, echoing his words, “Yes, it would at least have to be the most esteemed eldest princess. It’s a pity the eldest princess is already married to a consort, and the sixth princess is still quite young.”

A maidservant brought in tea and refreshments. He took them, waved her away, then trotted happily over to me.

“Actually, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a princess. Our emperor isn’t that rigid. He just wants to find someone he likes… Yinyin. Have some tea.”

He poured a cup of tea and placed it by my hand. I was concentrating on arranging flowers, so I thanked him and gave a perfunctory reply.

“Then your emperor sounds quite nice. He must be a good emperor.”

“Yes, so do you want to know what kind of person our emperor likes?”

I was a bit slow on the uptake and finally looked up at him.

He was propped on his chin with one hand, leaning over the table, his smile as sly as a fox’s.

But… he was just a naive little fox, because his face was practically screaming “Ask me!”

Ah, fine.

“Then what kind of person does your emperor like?” I asked.

The little fox’s cunning scheme succeeded. He wagged his foxy tail, pacing back and forth in front of me.

“First, she has to be a girl.”

“…Mm, she definitely will be!”

“Her status doesn’t have to be very noble, but she absolutely must be beautiful!”

“Isn’t the county princess beautiful?”

He shook his head vigorously: “Compared to you, she’s far, far off!”

“…Thank you.”

“I’m telling the truth.”

“Alright, alright, don’t say that in front of others.”

I was sweating buckets!

“Actually, our emperor doesn’t value appearance that much.”

“Then what does he value? Character?”

“Yes, the character must be gentle, but not a puppet who only knows how to listen and obey; that would be very boring.”

“Then who would dare to contradict your emperor?”

“I’m not saying she should be rebellious, just… like you contradict me. You have your own thoughts and won’t just follow my every wish.”

“Uh, I wouldn’t dare to contradict your emperor either.”

“No, you can dare.”

“…”

Seeing my stunned expression, he quickly explained, “Don’t be afraid. Our emperor has a very good temperament and won’t make things difficult for people or lose his temper casually.”

“Mm-hmm… Besides that, anything else?”

“He’s handsome, accomplished in both literature and martial arts, and he’s also very good at roasting meat.”

“I was asking about the girl he likes!”

“Oh… he likes girls who can play the zither.”

I quickly covered his mouth: “Alright, don’t say any more.”

Helian Kuilang was practically about to say my name!

I avoided him for two days, but he still cornered me in the Imperial Music Bureau’s zither room.

Inside the small partitioned room, the zither music of my sisters lingered; inside our partition, Helian Kuilang’s and my breaths entwined.

“Yinyin, don’t hide from me…”

I had long learned to lie without blushing or a racing heart: “How could I? It’s just that it’s a noble’s birthday in the palace recently, and I’ve been focused on practicing my music, so I haven’t had time to go to Jinling Hall.”

Helian Kuilang was not a hesitant or indecisive person. Once he made a decision, he would act immediately.

“Yinyin, I used to think that falling in love with someone couldn’t happen suddenly. I never thought I’d want to spend my life with someone. But then I met you…”

Meaning he fell in love with me at first sight.

But to me, it all just sounded like pure pervert talk.

“Yinyin, I like you. Be my empress!”

His eyes were clear, looking at me expectantly.

I forced a bitter smile, still pretending to be shy: “My lord, you’ve really startled me…”

Becoming the empress of this little emperor, that would truly scare me to death!

First, putting aside whether I could sit firmly on the empress’s throne in the harem struggles, just my other three husbands alone would prevent me from leaving this capital city intact.

Helian Kuilang seemed to sense my fear and immediately thought of something.

“Is Yinyin worried that your status will be opposed by court officials?”

Uh… I hadn’t thought of that, but it is a factual obstacle…

“Are you afraid I’ll marry other women?”

Uh… it’s not exactly fear. It’s more like giving up a lot of men to compete with other women for one man, which would make me seem like I have something wrong with my brain…

As he spoke, Helian Kuilang began to swear to me.

“Yinyin, I will only marry you in this life. As long as you are willing to return to Beiliang with me, I will clear all obstacles for you, no matter what!”

Wow, this kid is playing pure romance!

It really sounds tempting!

But…

I once heard a fortune teller say that if I unconditionally believed a man who said he would only marry me in his lifetime, then without him even realizing it, I would surely be divorced three times in this life.

“Um… that,” I tentatively said, “Do you accept a mistress? Like a domestic arrangement in the country.”

Helian Kuilang: “?”

I knew if I directly rejected Helian Kuilang, he would still find various reasons to persuade me.

So I decided to draw him a picture, to stabilize him first.

“It’s like this…”

I started with the current situation in Beiliang, listing the difficulties Helian Kuilang faced after his recent ascension to the throne one by one. Then, I emphasized how much harm it would bring to his throne if he were to marry me as empress at this time, and generally summarized the matters he, as emperor, should be concerned about at this stage. Finally, I explained the convenience and benefits that doing these things well would bring to his making me empress.

“So, the best choice is for you to return to Beiliang, stabilize the situation, and then come back to marry me. Of course, if you’re worried, you can let me be your mistress first, so I can’t marry anyone else.”

Helian Kuilang blinked, looking a bit confused.

I raised my hand and waved it in front of him: “Do you understand?”

Did you eat my饼 (pie/trap)?

Helian Kuilang said he needed to think about it.

He even solemnly asked me again, “Mistress, here… does that really mean a domestic arrangement in the country?”

I nodded vigorously: “If I’m lying, I’m a puppy!”

If Helian Kuilang needed it, I could even bark for him.

Before leaving the capital, Helian Kuilang insisted on inviting me to dine at Huaixiang Tower.

I figured it would be our last meeting, so humoring him might help him leave sooner.

I arrived at Huaixiang Tower as agreed. Just as I stepped out of the carriage, I saw a soft sedan chair, inlaid with gold and jade, carried by six men, stopping steadily in front of the building.

Such a flamboyant display could only belong to the second young master of the Marquis Lu’s estate in the entire capital city.

My hand, resting on the maid’s arm, trembled, and I immediately ducked back into the carriage.

“Hui Chun, go tell Young Master Wang that I’m not feeling well and won’t be able to make it.”

I spoke quickly, and Hui Chun reacted promptly, but Lu Lingxiao had already sweetly called out my name.

“Yinyin?”

Ha… ha… ha…

I told you it wasn’t easy for us mistresses…

Lu Lingxiao quickly walked behind me, his head skillfully resting beside my face, his joy undisguised.

“It really is Yinyin! I was just thinking whose back figure was so graceful, it could only compare to my Yinyin’s…”

He looked at my highly secretive demeanor, tilted his head, and asked, “Yinyin, are you hiding from me?”

I immediately put on a professional attitude: “What are you talking about, Young Master? I forgot to bring my zither.”

Lu Lingxiao immediately curved his lips: “What zither requires my Yinyin to fetch it personally?”

With a glance from him, the accompanying attendant quickly and efficiently fetched my zither.

This brief moment of service didn’t stop him from whispering seductive words into my ear: “Yinyin and I are truly destined by the matchmaker. See, I just left home after being released by the old man and we met right here in front of Huaixiang Tower.”

Lu Lingxiao invited me into the tower for a meal. I couldn’t refuse, otherwise, my affair with the fourth husband would be exposed.

While dealing with him, I secretly gave Hui Chun a look. She immediately understood and quietly went to find Helian Kuilang.

At this moment, only by declining Helian Kuilang’s invitation could I ensure everything went smoothly…

“Yinyin!”

Uh… it wasn’t going to be smooth.

Who knew Helian Kuilang would come downstairs to greet me after seeing my carriage from upstairs!

Helian Kuilang ran downstairs joyfully, like a puppy seeing its owner.

But as he ran, he seemed to suddenly spot a new kitten his owner had brought home, and the joy in his eyes gradually turned into hostility.

Compared to him, Lu Lingxiao was much calmer, even teasing me with a jealous tone: “I was only confined by the old man for a few days, and Yinyin has already attracted a new secret lover?”

“Ah… this…”

Before I could even explain, Helian Kuilang couldn’t help but ask me, “Yinyin, what does he mean? Who is he?”

“He…”

Before I could utter a single word, Lu Lingxiao quickly replied, “Who else could I be? Naturally, I am Yinyin’s fated one.”

I thought to myself, It’s over. Two husbands lost in one day.

Sigh…

If it’s lost, then so be it. But how am I going to deal with these two when they come to settle accounts…

Helian Kuilang’s face changed from shock to anger, and then from anger to disappointment.

Finally, he looked at me with his wet, puppy-like eyes and said bitterly, “What about me, Yinyin?”

Helian Kuilang didn’t come to settle accounts with me. Before I could even speak, he cried and ran off.

Lu Lingxiao didn’t come to settle accounts with me either. My silence seemed to make him believe I would definitely choose him, and he thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of defeating others.

Ah, no…

My two husbands met, so why did neither of them come to settle accounts with me…?

I couldn’t understand.

Lu Lingxiao was still the same as usual, asking me to accompany him for meals and shopping. Once he had his fill, he would send me and the newly bought hairpins, jewelry, silk, and satin back to my small courtyard.

He didn’t mention Helian Kuilang all day.

I didn’t know if he didn’t care that I had other men, or if he thought Helian Kuilang posed no threat to him at all.

But either way, as long as he didn’t bother me, I’d pretend they hadn’t met this time.

I thought Helian Kuilang, having left in anger, would never want to see me again.

But I didn’t expect him to be squatting outside my courtyard gate late at night.

As soon as Lu Lingxiao’s carriage turned the corner and disappeared, he emerged from the shadows, showing only a foot, almost scaring Hui Chun and me to death.

I thought I had been too careless. How could an emperor’s anger subside so easily?

Knowing that I had other husbands behind his back, Helian Kuilang must want to kill me to vent his hatred.

It seemed Chen Yinyin was doomed to die tonight.

My death wasn’t a big deal, but I felt sorry for my cabinet full of clothes and jewelry. Many of them I hadn’t even had the chance to wear, and among them were many limited edition items, the only ones of their kind in the entire capital.

And then there was the cat Lu Lingxiao gave me to relieve my boredom. I had pampered its appetite, so it would surely starve if it became a stray.

And Hui Chun, without me, who would she tell all the gossip she heard from the neighbors to?

It was only an instant, yet I thought of so much. When I pulled my thoughts back, I finally saw the grievance hidden in Helian Kuilang’s eyes.

“Yinyin, I know this capital city is surrounded by wolves and tigers, and you, a weak woman, must have many unspoken hardships.”

This… what’s going on?

Saying something nice to disarm me before killing me, so I can… have a peaceful death?

But there wasn’t a trace of murderous intent on Helian Kuilang’s body; instead, it was filled with heartache.

“Yinyin, come with me. Let me protect you. From now on, you’ll never have to bow to anyone again.”

Ah…

So he’s a pure love warrior!

I slowly raised my eyes, choking up, “I thought the misunderstanding between us could never be cleared up, since you left me without even listening to my answer…”

Li Shengmin once said that I was born with a pair of charming eyes, brimming with autumn waters that could captivate all beings.

Even someone as cunning as Li Shengmin couldn’t escape, let alone a naive little fox like Helian Kuilang.

Sure enough, Helian Kuilang’s sullen little face immediately brightened.

“Yinyin’s answer is…”

“My answer?” I sighed softly, looking towards Beiliang, “My fated one must be a peerless hero…”

I had no intention of deceiving a pure man, but unfortunately, this man insisted on clinging to me.

Sigh…

But actually, I hadn’t even begun to use my eloquence, and Helian Kuilang had already consoled himself.

The next day, the Beiliang diplomatic mission left the capital.

Before leaving, Helian Kuilang gave me a hairpin as a token, saying that he would definitely become a great hero of Beiliang and return soon to marry me.

I just smiled and feigned ignorance: “It’s okay, it’s okay, take your time… If you miss me, just send me some local specialties.”

So, half a month later, I received two large boxes of fox furs, sable furs, deer antlers, ginseng, and fifty large lamb legs.

Attached was a “family letter” ten pages long, but I summarized it into four words: Yinyin, miss you.

Hui Chun counted them while grumbling, “Miss, is this Young Master Wang really such a high-ranking noble? Why do I always feel he’s a bit silly…”

I folded the “family letter” and put it in the box where I kept the hairpin, sighing, “I hope he’s safe…”

The situation in Beiliang was dangerous, which was why they sought to strengthen their power through alliance marriages, so that this newly enthroned young emperor could secure his position.

And now, with the marriage alliance unfulfilled, Helian Kuilang had no support behind him, and his fate was still unknown…

However, now was not the time for me to worry about Helian Kuilang.

Song Yuanzhou had cleared out the bandits and returned victoriously. Tonight, he would surely come to see me.

I had to quickly clear out all the things in this room.

Having abstained from meat for too long, Song Yuanzhou was absolutely wild. He didn’t intend to let me sleep for a moment.

How could my stamina compare to a military general’s? I quickly ran out of energy and let him do as he pleased.

For several consecutive nights, he seemed to have inexhaustible energy, always exhausting me until I couldn’t make a sound before he would let me go.

On the fourth night, Song Yuanzhou knocked on my courtyard gate again.

I really wasn’t in the mood. After all, even the most delicious food gets tiring if you eat too much of it at once.

So I decided to lie and tell him I was on my period.

However, this time Song Yuanzhou didn’t go straight to the point but went straight to the kitchen.

Just like in bed, he just got straight to it without a word.

Hui Chun and I were stunned, both standing by the door, not daring to enter.

After a flurry of activity, Song Yuanzhou brought out two dishes and smiled at me, saying, “Yinyin, I passed through Zhenjiang on this southern bandit suppression expedition. I remember you said your hometown was there. So I learned two dishes from your hometown from the local chef. You should try them.”

Song Yuanzhou had told me before that he had been a cook in the army and was very good at cooking.

But every time he came to me, we would indulge in matters of the bedroom, leaving no time for him to cook for me.

What’s happening today…?

I glanced at the two dishes he brought to the table: one was crystal jelly meat, the other Dongxiang lamb. Then Helian Kuilang’s face flashed in my mind.

“This lamb…”

Song Yuanzhou said, “Oh, I saw some lamb legs hanging in your woodshed, so I used them.”

My body swayed.

Something unusual is definitely happening… This is a farewell meal!

Has Song Yuanzhou found out about me being Helian Kuilang’s mistress?!

Song Yuanzhou was quick to react, supporting me and asking worriedly, “Yinyin, what’s wrong?”

I gave a sheepish smile: “…Perhaps I’ve been too tired these past few days.”

Hearing this, Song Yuanzhou immediately picked me up, strode to the table, and sat down, letting me settle onto his lap.

“It’s all my fault. I just missed Yinyin too much, and couldn’t help but…”

Don’t let Song Yuanzhou’s appearance as a military general, who battles in blood all day, fool you. He can spout sweet nothings to me whenever he opens his mouth.

“Yinyin, just lean in my arms. Shall I serve Yinyin?”

I… froze.

“Okay…”

Song Yuanzhou truly didn’t lie; the jelly meat was indeed incredibly delicious and savory.

The lamb probably wasn’t bad either, but unfortunately, I felt too guilty eating it to truly taste it.

Song Yuanzhou looked at me expectantly: “How is it, Yinyin?”

I immediately wrapped my arms around his neck and, with my professional skills, praised, “It’s delicious, Song Lang. If only I could always eat Song Lang’s cooking.”

As long as he agreed, it meant I wouldn’t die.

However, Song Yuanzhou remained silent.

I saw a hint of coldness in his eyes.

“There’s no ‘always,’ Yinyin.”

My tears instantly welled up in my eyes.

“Are you really going to be so heartless, Song Lang?”

“I’m sorry, Yinyin…”

Song Yuanzhou hugged me tightly, with enough force to suffocate me in his embrace.

My hands were encircled by his, leaving only my legs to struggle weakly.

“Yinyin, it’ll be quick, you’ll forget me quickly…”

His hoarse voice was like the chant of death lingering in my ears. Gradually, I seemed to see the river from my hometown, getting closer and closer, while Song Yuanzhou’s voice drifted further and further away…

…

I suddenly woke up with a start.

Hui Chun sat beside me, letting out a sigh of relief: “Miss, you’re awake!”

I tearfully asked, “Hui Chun, did you also fall victim to Song Yuanzhou’s poisoned hand?”

Hui Chun looked bewildered: “Miss, what are you talking about?”

I looked around at the familiar surroundings, and the bright sunlight outside the window. Only then did I realize that I hadn’t been killed by Song Yuanzhou; I had just passed out from being drugged.

Hui Chun presented a box: “General Song left last night. He also told me to take good care of you from now on.”

I opened the box; inside were some silver notes and jewelry.

“Given by Song Yuanzhou?” I was slightly surprised.

Hui Chun nodded.

“What does he mean…”

Hui Chun said indignantly, “Last night, General Song said he wouldn’t come again. I was a bit puzzled, but this morning, I inquired and found out that Madam Song had arranged a marriage for General Song with the daughter of Minister Qin… She’s the Empress’s niece. No wonder General Song had to break off relations with you before his marriage… Miss, Miss, are you listening?”

I nodded, letting out a breath.

“Scared myself…”

Song Yuanzhou was always going to get married, just like Li Shengmin.

And Lu Lingxiao and Helian Kuilang too.

However, whether they get married, and to whom, has no bearing on me.

There are many men in this world, aren’t there?

And what I seek in life is not much…

I only wish to live a life of comfort and luxury, and to depart without pain or worry when my time comes…

That’s all.

I accompanied Lu Lingxiao to listen to music and go shopping again.

Recently, Hui Chun had taken a liking to a hairpin at Mingyue Pavilion, and I planned to buy it for her.

And my little cat, its gold lock around its neck was lost somewhere, so I had to choose a new one for it.

Of course, all expenses today would be covered by Young Master Lu.

Lu Lingxiao always met me at various famous teahouses and opera houses in the capital. He never took me to the Marquis’s estate, nor did he ever come to my remote little courtyard on West Street.

But this time, when he dropped me off, he actually said he wanted to come in and sit for a bit?

“I’ll go prepare some refreshments.”

Just as I was about to go, Lu Lingxiao grabbed my hand and pulled me back into his embrace.

“No need, just eat grapes,” he said, taking a grape from the plate and putting it to my lips, coaxing, “I’ll feed Yinyin.”

Hui Chun had no other outstanding qualities, except for her excellent perceptiveness. She had quickly closed the door and slipped away.

After feeding me grapes, my hair was disheveled, my clothes wrinkled, and my lips were a bit swollen.

I glared at Lu Lingxiao angrily: “Why are you like a dog? You bite!”

Lu Lingxiao narrowed his cat-like eyes, insatiably licking his lips: “It’s all Yinyin’s fault. You’re even more tempting than those crystal-clear grapes, making me want to eat more and more, never getting enough.”

“…”

I’m truly defeated!

Lu Lingxiao had always been free and uninhibited. Although he enjoyed romance, he never became obsessed. He was the type who could walk through a garden of flowers without getting a single petal stuck, able to withdraw at any time.

However, today he lingered by my side, clinging to me and refusing to leave.

“Miss, there’s a female guest outside who wants to see you…”

That perceptive Hui Chun suddenly returned, and a bad premonition immediately rose in my heart.

The saying “something unusual implies something sinister” was gaining more and more credence…

Lu Lingxiao also looked as if he was facing a formidable enemy.

“That madwoman actually found her way here!”

Hui Chun and I both glared at him.

“What madwoman?”

Later, I learned that the Old Marquis had arranged a match for Lu Lingxiao with a young lady from a martial marquis family. On their first meeting, Lu Lingxiao was beaten black and blue.

That Miss Zhao even declared that if she ever saw Lu Lingxiao flirting, she would break his legs, and the Old Marquis Lu supported this.

Lu Lingxiao was now beyond help, unable to call for his mother or father, which was why he was hiding here with me.

“Yinyin, no time to explain! If the person at the door asks, just say you don’t know me!”

Lu Lingxiao hurriedly finished his instructions and then climbed over the wall.

I followed Hui Chun out the door. The female guest was sitting in the carriage, her face unseen, but her voice was cool and dignified.

“You are General Song’s confidante?”

My heart trembled. Could this person be surnamed Qin?

That would be even more terrifying than that General Zhao…

“Miss Chen, please come up and speak.”

I don’t know how Miss Qin from the Minister Qin’s residence found me.

But the marriage between the General’s Estate and the Minister’s Estate must not have gone smoothly…

And I, today, would surely not go smoothly either…

I got into the carriage. Miss Qin didn’t speak to me, didn’t even look at me directly, not even a sidelong glance.

It was common for noble ladies in the capital to disdain mistresses, so her contemptuous attitude was normal.

However, I felt no anger in my heart.

From her perspective, I had ruined her perfectly good marriage. It was merciful of her not to drag me away in the carriage.

The carriage entered the imperial city. I hadn’t expected that Miss Qin would actually take me to the East Palace.

My legs went soft with fright!

Had my clandestine relationship with Li Shengmin been discovered too?

Would the Crown Princess also settle scores with me?

“Sister has arrived?”

In my panic, the Crown Princess had already come out with a smile to greet Miss Qin.

Seeing me, her smile deepened: “Yinyin, it’s been a month since we last met, and you’re still so radiant and charming.”

My heart skipped a beat.

This Crown Princess still seemed to have no ill will towards me; she was even praising me. But I felt something was off.

She said it had been a month since we last met…

This month was the palace’s traditional ban on music and dance, so I indeed hadn’t entered the palace for a month.

And the last time I entered the palace, I also went to see Li Shengmin…

It’s over. The Crown Princess is indeed hiding a knife behind her smile!

The Crown Princess said to Miss Qin, “Sister, Yinyin’s zither skills are exquisite, truly worth a thousand gold. You’re in for a treat today.”

Miss Qin, however, disdained, “You said to come here to soothe my vexation, and you’re calling General Song’s confidante to play music for me? I can’t do such a thing as humiliating others, nor do I want to annoy myself by looking at her. Just let her leave.”

The Crown Princess linked arms with Miss Qin, as if trying to secure a client for me: “Sister, since you’re already here, just listen to one piece.”

Knowing my life was at stake, I treated this piece as my swansong and played it with all my heart.

When the music ended, I slowly opened my eyes, ready to calmly accept my fate. However, I met a pair of red-rimmed eyes.

Miss Qin cried as she lamented, “The zither music is mournful and lingering, like weeping and complaining. How much grievance must you be holding in your heart!”

The Crown Princess, wiping her own tears, embraced Miss Qin and wiped hers: “Sister, I told you Yinyin’s zither skills were extraordinary. Do you believe me now?”

Miss Qin playfully chided, “You should have told me it was this extraordinary; I wouldn’t have listened. You made me cry off my makeup…”

I: “…”

So… what’s going on now?

Just then, a woman in a dashing outfit walked in, snatched the handkerchief from the Crown Princess’s hand, and while blowing her nose, asked, “Listening to such a sad song, and the Empress Dowager is forcing you to drink medicine again?”

The Crown Princess rolled her eyes: “Aren’t you supposed to be catching that Marquis’s scoundrel? Why are you here teasing me?”

Marquis’s?

I was still bewildered when I heard this, and my heart immediately grew wary again.

Could this newcomer be Miss Zhao, whom the Old Marquis Lu sought for Lu Lingxiao?!

Li Shengmin’s Crown Princess, General Song’s future matriarch, and the future daughter-in-law chosen by Lu Lingxiao’s father—all here?

How can a person be this unlucky?

Upon mentioning Lu Lingxiao, Miss Zhao squeezed the handkerchief tightly, then tossed it away, indicating her attitude.

“Don’t even mention him!”

She suddenly remembered something and said to the Crown Princess, “Oh right, I just saw your Crown Prince…”

The Crown Princess almost instinctively retorted, “Your Crown Prince!”

But then she immediately realized she had misspoken, so she pretended to be nonchalant: “What about the Crown Prince?”

Miss Zhao said, “He was standing by the door just now listening to music. I asked him why he didn’t come in, and he told me not to tell you, then turned and left.”

The Crown Princess was speechless: “…Then why are you telling me?”

Miss Zhao: “…Pretend I didn’t say anything?”

Miss Qin, tired from crying, suddenly stood up and looked at me: “Sad people don’t listen to sad music. Come, let’s play a few rounds, bring on the goodies!”

I was so scared I couldn’t move.

Play a few rounds with me first, then make me take poison?

Wouldn’t I die with my skin torn open?

If I were carried out horizontally, like a burst sausage, I wonder if Hui Chun would know that it was her mistress’s corpse she had to collect…

However…

I seem to be overthinking again.

When I sat down at the card table and my hands naturally began to shuffle, I didn’t know whether to cry or laugh.

The Crown Princess leaned towards me, her alluring eyes full of admiration: “Yinyin’s hands are truly skillful. Not only can you play the zither, but you can also play cards. Excellent, excellent.”

Miss Zhao slapped a card in the middle, startling the Crown Princess back: “No peeking!”

Miss Qin, shedding her dignified and ladylike demeanor, picked up a pot of wine and started chugging it down fiercely.

Miss Zhao called for a white jade small cup and replaced Miss Qin’s wine pot: “No getting drunk and using it as an excuse to play cards wildly!”

I: “Haha… two of coins.”

So… my life is saved?

This time, meeting the official wives of my several husbands, I not only avoided death, but also received no punishment. In the end, I won money from all three of them and was sent back perfectly intact.

It was… quite nice?

In the following days, the Crown Princess would invite me to the East Palace to play cards every few days.

As we played, the three of us gradually became familiar with each other.

The Crown Princess had always been kind to me, but I didn’t expect Miss Qin and Miss Zhao to be surprisingly easy to get along with.

Especially Miss Qin, who had initially been cold and distant towards me; it turned out she was just putting on an act.

The Crown Princess exposed her as soon as she arrived: “You never had feelings for Song Yuanzhou anyway, so his breaking off the engagement was exactly what you wanted, wasn’t it? Why did you deliberately make a face to scare Yinyin when I asked you to pick her up? Six of circles.”

Miss Qin retorted, “Please, my fiancé, in front of so many people, said he wanted to break off the engagement with me, and he even knelt in his Song family ancestral hall for three days and three nights, looking as if he’d rather die than marry me. And you want me to greet his confidante with a smile? Don’t I deserve to save face? Three of bamboos!”

Miss Zhao: “Bump! Haha! Oh, you were in the wrong anyway. You knew Song Yuanzhou had a confidante, yet you still insisted on getting engaged to him. Strictly speaking, you were the one stealing someone else’s husband.”

Miss Qin was speechless: “Then please be even stricter! It was my father who wanted to steal someone else’s husband; I was forced! Hey, Chen Yinyin, play a card! I’ve been waiting for ages!”

I: “…”

Their words cleared me of all blame, making me almost too embarrassed to go out!

After a day of playing cards, and carrying back a full bag of silver, I was a bit tired, so I extinguished the lamp early.

But I’m a light sleeper. When someone entered the room in the middle of the night, I instantly woke up.

Li Shengmin covered my mouth, whispering in my ear, “Yinyin, don’t be afraid, it’s me.”

I was a bit surprised. The dignified Crown Prince actually turned into a night thief?

Li Shengmin embraced me from behind, gently kissing the back of my ear, his thumb slowly stroking my waist.

But I remained motionless, even feeling a bit tired.

When these men start having wild thoughts, they’re practically dead!

If it were before, I would have let him be.

But now I’m good friends with the Crown Princess, and she even protected me in front of Miss Qin. I already felt guilty and ashamed, so if I continued to be entangled with Li Shengmin, that would be truly dishonorable of me.

“Your Highness, let’s stop here.”

Li Shengmin’s body trembled, then he flipped over and got out of bed.

“Yinyin, don’t you want me anymore? Are you still angry with me?”

“…”

Am I angry? How would I know!

Li Shengmin knelt on the floor, took my hand, and slapped his own face with it.

I froze, it hurt…

“Yinyin, that day I knew you suffered grievances at the Crown Princess’s place, but if I were to intervene, it would expose you to danger. The more I care about you, the more people would want you dead. Do you understand?”

Uh…

Which day?

Did I suffer grievances at the Crown Princess’s place?

Why don’t I remember…?

Slap—

Li Shengmin pulled my hand and slapped himself hard again.

He looked up, his eyes full of yearning for me: “Yinyin, don’t leave me. If you’re angry, just hit me, okay?”

After saying that, another slap…

I: “…”

Just use your own hand, alright…?

My hand hurts like hell…

After ten consecutive slaps, I really couldn’t take it anymore.

I kicked Li Shengmin away. A tiny spark seemed to fall into his dim eyes, then he slowly raised his hand and placed it on the spot where I had just kicked him.

“Yinyin, have you forgiven me?”

I: “…”

I really wanted to slap him again, but I was afraid he’d lick my hand…

“Yinyin, why aren’t you speaking? You’re still angry, aren’t you? Come, kick me two more times, as long as you’re happy!”

Li Shengmin eagerly wanted to get closer to me, but I immediately stopped him with my voice.

“Kneel!”

With a thud, Li Shengmin knelt before me.

At that moment, he seemed to no longer consider himself the noble and revered Crown Prince, but merely a devotee of mine. Whatever I said, he would obey, even if I asked him to die.

Why hadn’t I noticed before how obsessed Li Shengmin was with my “badness”?

I took a deep breath and told him seriously and sternly, “Your Highness, we shouldn’t continue like this from now on. You’re not a child anymore. You should shoulder your responsibilities as a husband, a son, and the future ruler of this land. I… am not good for your reputation. Let’s cut our losses while we can.”

Li Shengmin, upon hearing this, looked even more infatuated with me: “Yinyin, are you concerned about me? Don’t worry, since you love me so much, I will love you doubly, and will never let anyone harm you.”

“…”

I knew if I didn’t say something harsh, Li Shengmin wouldn’t listen.

So I coldly turned my body away from him: “I don’t love you. I’ve had enough of this kind of life. Rather than spending my entire life hiding like this, it’s better for Your Highness to kill me. That way, I’ll never see you again.”

My words were so resolute that Li Shengmin fell silent.

He couldn’t give me a proper title, at least not until he ascended the throne.

I thought Li Shengmin would leave, but then I heard the crisp sound of a blade being drawn.

Uh… He’s not really going to kill me, is he? Can we just pretend I didn’t say that?!

I quickly scrambled up, but my hand was caught by him. Immediately after, one end of a dagger was thrust into my hand, and with a forceful pull, the other end of the dagger plunged into his chest.

I stared at him in horror, tears uncontrollably pouring out.

“Are you crazy, Your Highness?!”

I trembled, trying to pull my hand back, but he pulled my hand forcefully towards his chest.

Watching the blood stain his clothes deeper and deeper, I suppressed my trembling voice and called out his name for the first time.

“Stop it, Li Shengmin!”

Slap—

The dagger fell to the ground, and he also collapsed into my arms.

Li Shengmin’s face was pale, the only color being the faint red at the corners of his eyes.

“Yinyin, you finally called my name. Before, when I wanted you to hit me, you would only call me ‘Your Highness’…”

At a time like this, how could he think of those explicit scenes from before and still smile?

I was practically scared to death!

“Yinyin, I’m not crazy. I’m just punishing myself!”

“Yinyin, sometimes I hate myself too. Why can’t I, the Crown Prince, even stay with the woman I love for a lifetime?”

“Yinyin, I have my difficulties. If you can’t vent your anger, then take my life. I only beg you to forgive me…”

“I can’t live without you, Yinyin. Don’t leave me, okay…?”

I shook my head, crying, and asked him, “Stop talking, you’re bleeding so much. Where are your hidden guards?”

He gripped my hand tightly, crying with me: “Yinyin, I love you, I love you so much, do you know…?”

I didn’t know, and I didn’t want to know!

I wasn’t in the mood to hear about his love-related hardships right now.

I was just afraid this lunatic would die in my arms!

Sleepless night.

When the Old Madam Song came to the Imperial Music Bureau to find me, I was lost in thought, holding my zither, plucking it randomly.

She walked in with disdain in her eyes, and then a zither string broke.

“I thought it was a hidden gem, but it turns out to be all show.”

I silently sighed, feeling trouble knocking at my door.

When would these days of apprehension end?!

Old Madam Song got straight to the point: “One hundred taels, plus your deed of indenture. Leave the capital city and never see Zhou’er again.”

I glanced at her faintly, then counter-offered: “One thousand taels, plus my deed of indenture. I will immediately leave the capital city and never see Song Yuanzhou again.”

Old Madam Song left in a huff, saying I was dreaming.

I actually regretted it a bit. I should have asked for less, knowing how stingy she was, and she didn’t even haggle with me!

Who knew Song Yuanzhou was only worth a hundred taels?!

When I was called to the card table again, I couldn’t hold it in.

“I have a friend…”

Before I could finish, Miss Qin started cursing.

“Scumbag, just as bad as that Lu Lingxiao!”

“…Did I expose myself?”

“Didn’t Madam Song say that Yinyin would only be a mistress, and that Song Yuanzhou would only be allowed to take her in after you gave birth to a legitimate son?” the Crown Princess asked curiously, “What happened? Is there a change?”

Miss Qin scoffed, “Pfft! If that Song Yuanzhou were a real man, he’d defy his mother for once and run away with Chen Yinyin. Being so indecisive and hesitant, he’s not even fit to carry my shoes!”

“Well said!” The Crown Princess laughed, shaking with amusement. “I love your temper, Sister.”

Miss Zhao looked at the Crown Princess and said, “No, I heard your Crown Prince was assassinated last night. Why are you still playing cards with us and laughing so happily?”

Hearing Li Shengmin’s name, I immediately became alert.

The Crown Princess’s face showed no change in expression; instead, she looked somewhat unconcerned.

“Oh, it’s nothing. He said it was a minor injury, and I also sent the imperial physician to check on him.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, listen to that. You care more about the little dog you picked up being injured. Did you drink your medicine today?”

The Crown Princess glared at Miss Zhao, who quickly smiled and appeased her.

I originally wanted to inquire more about Li Shengmin’s situation, but the Crown Princess seemed to be in no mood.

Assassinating the Crown Prince could lead to the extermination of one’s entire clan!

My family had all died early, so when it came to the execution ground, it would only be me and Hui Chun.

Perhaps, also the poor little cat Lu Lingxiao gave me to relieve my boredom.

I had a nightmare.

Li Shengmin was stabbed to death by me.

The Emperor was furious and ordered the entire city to search for me, the murderer.

I shivered, hiding under the bed. Suddenly, a hand dragged me out, and a bloodied face appeared before me.

I screamed in fright, jolting awake. Li Shengmin’s bloodied face turned into a handsome, clean, but sorrow-filled face.

He had come again.

I nervously looked at him: “Your Highness, are you alright? You left last night covered in blood, you almost scared me to death…”

Li Shengmin hugged me: “Yinyin, how could I bear to leave you? And you mustn’t leave me either, alright?”

I: “…”

I was truly afraid of this lunatic who would stab himself with a knife when he got ruthless.

His death was fine… but Hui Chun and I, and my little cat, still wanted to live!

Actually, I had long known that being a mistress wasn’t all good; on the contrary, its downsides were far greater.

When its bad side revealed itself, I was utterly defenseless…

At the card table, I was full of worries, constantly distracted, making random moves, and then I went out with a Pure Hand.

Miss Qin pushed her cards away in exasperation: “Chen Yinyin, have you been practicing some evil art? You can win three hands with your eyes closed?”

The Crown Princess also noticed my low spirits and asked concernedly, “Yinyin, what’s wrong?”

Besides Hui Chun, I had never shared my worries with anyone.

But telling these things to Hui Chun would only add to her troubles. However, if I told these things to my three card buddies…

I didn’t know what the consequences would be, but I was truly tired of it.

Tired of living in constant fear, unable to protect myself.

The worst possible outcome would just be death, right?

Just as I was about to speak, Miss Zhao suddenly stood up: “Oh, I almost forgot something important. Let’s not play today.”

Miss Qin: “Are you going to catch that Lu family scoundrel again?”

“That scoundrel, I can’t leave him unsupervised for a day!”

Miss Zhao hurried away.

Miss Qin also stood up, unenthusiastically, saying, “Forget it, it’s three short today, let’s play another day.”

Only the Crown Princess and I were left in the room.

The Crown Princess still looked at me with concern, her beautiful hand resting on the back of mine, warmth radiating from her palm.

“Yinyin, you can tell me anything.”

Led by the Crown Princess’s gentle eyes, at that moment, I truly wanted to tell her everything.

But then the conversation from the night before with Li Shengmin flashed in my mind.

Li Shengmin: “I heard the Crown Princess has been inviting you to play cards recently?”

I didn’t know how he found out, but I still nodded truthfully.

Li Shengmin hugged me even tighter: “I should protect you more carefully…”

He said something inexplicable, and the rumors about the Crown Princess’s ruthlessness instantly seemed to be dusted away, reappearing.

He had warned me before not to get too close to the Crown Princess.

But now, the Crown Princess was right in front of me, even holding my hand…

A hint of wariness flashed in my mind, and I subtly withdrew my hand from the Crown Princess’s palm.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I’m fine, I just didn’t rest well.”

It had been quite some time since I’d seen Lu Lingxiao’s message kite.

Finally, he invited me to meet at Cui Ming Pavilion again.

This time, he had shed his usual carefree demeanor, exuding an air of meticulousness from head to toe.

“Yinyin, since the old man insists on separating us, I’ll take you away to live a new life!”

I quickly hugged a pillar, anchoring myself to the spot. Even if the King of Heaven came, he couldn’t drag me away.

“Young Master, don’t be impulsive. Fleeing is a good strategy, but we need to plan it carefully!”

Lu Lingxiao: “Yinyin, don’t worry. I’ve arranged everything. The daily supplies on the boat are enough for us to head south. Once we reach Lin’an, I’ll build you an Autumn Waters Pavilion, and you can play your zither and dance there, sharing ultimate bliss with me, how about that?”

I was instantly shocked and terrified.

That wasn’t sharing ultimate bliss; that was making me a bird in a cage!

I hugged the pillar with even greater force.

“Does Young Master mean to take me south by boat? I think that might not be appropriate. After all, the Marquis is familiar with the Minister of Personnel. It would be difficult for us to avoid scrutiny from the Water Department…”

I was acting very calmly, but Lu Lingxiao seemed to see through my disguise.

“Yinyin, are you unwilling to leave with me?”

I froze: “Not exactly…”

Lu Lingxiao’s eyes immediately softened, like a wounded kitten, pitifully asking me, “Yinyin, is there somewhere I haven’t done well enough?”

I swallowed lightly: “…No, not really. It’s just that I’ve never been to a place as far as Lin’an, and I’m afraid I’ll become a burden to the Young Master.”

Lu Lingxiao immediately smiled. He wrapped his arms around my waist, gently resting his forehead against mine, rubbing lightly.

“Yinyin, don’t worry. The boat will have dancers, servants, fine cuisine, precious incense, and soft beds, all complete. I promise Yinyin I will never let you suffer even a bit of hardship… Come with me, okay, Yinyin…?”

“…”

When Lu Lingxiao acted spoiled, he was completely flawless. I was clear-headed and rational, yet unable to refuse.

Sometimes I really wanted to just send him to the Imperial Music Bureau!

“Lu Lingxiao!”

Before I could answer, the door was suddenly kicked open.

Miss Zhao, wielding a broom with divine skill, stood majestically at the doorway. Lu Lingxiao and I were both stunned.

After the initial surprise, fear washed over me. What I had always worried about had finally happened.

Miss Zhao was clearly surprised to see me. She seemed not to have expected to catch her good sister while trying to catch Lu Lingxiao meeting another woman…

“I…”

I tried to salvage something, but Miss Zhao’s face immediately turned cold.

“You don’t need to say anything, I know everything!”

“…Is it truly irreversible then?”

This time, Lu Lingxiao didn’t run away like last time. Seeing Miss Zhao already at the door, he immediately chose to stand in front of me to protect me.

“Don’t be afraid, Yinyin. With me here, this madwoman can’t hurt you!”

However, Miss Zhao swept Lu Lingxiao away with her broom and also stood in front of me.

“Don’t be afraid, Yinyin. With me here, this scoundrel won’t bully you either!”

I: “…”

So, what’s going on now?

Miss Zhao and Lu Lingxiao started fighting at the drop of a hat. They circled the table, throwing things and cursing as they went.

Miss Zhao: “Shameless scoundrel! How dare you set your sights on our Yinyin? Today I’ll sever your roots so you can no longer harm innocent girls!”

Lu Lingxiao: “Madwoman! When did this young master ever harm innocent girls? I just want to provide warmth to all the poor girls who have fallen into the dust!”

He moved to my side, pulling out a chair.

“Tired of standing, Yinyin? Sit down and rest well while I deal with this madwoman!”

Miss Zhao: “Yinyin, did you hear that? This scoundrel is skilled at using such words to trick innocent girls. You must not fall for his tricks!”

She was about to throw a plate of fruit she was holding, but her eyes met my horrified gaze, and she immediately placed it back in front of me.

“Looks fresh and juicy, such a waste to throw it at this scoundrel! Yinyin, you eat it first. I’ll take care of this scoundrel!”

Lu Lingxiao moved to my side again, wanting to take me and run.

“You barbaric, venomous woman! You’ve really put a lot of effort into breaking up Yinyin and me! Yinyin, come with me, let me protect you!”

Miss Zhao quickly grabbed my hand, glaring at Lu Lingxiao: “You, frail and weak? And you want to protect Yinyin? Yinyin, don’t believe him!”

Lu Lingxiao was indignant. He rolled up his sleeves, revealing his strong, firm arm muscles.

“Me, frail and weak? I used to let it slide because you’re a woman, but today, if you dare touch Yinyin, even if you’re a woman, this young master will still fight you!”

Miss Zhao disdainfully rolled her eyes and scoffed, “You dare show off something like that, which looks like firewood?”

She also rolled up her sleeves, revealing two thick, strong arms that were visibly larger than Lu Lingxiao’s.

Lu Lingxiao swayed, but his male dignity wouldn’t allow him to fall… so he began to unbuckle his belt.

“It’s just some fancy moves? Let me show you something real!”

Although Lu Lingxiao had a lean physique, every inch of his muscles contained power and beauty.

But… this didn’t seem to faze Miss Zhao at all.

Looking at Miss Zhao’s sturdy back muscles, abs, trapezius, biceps… both Lu Lingxiao and I were stunned.

With all that steel-like strength, no wonder she beat Lu Lingxiao so badly the first time that he ran and hid…

Miss Zhao twisted her mouth, giving him a provocative smile: “How about it?”

Lu Lingxiao’s mouth twitched. I knew his damned male competitive spirit had flared up.

Fearing that the two of them would do something even more outrageous, I quickly stood up and wrapped Miss Zhao’s muscular body with my clothes, then tossed an outer garment to Lu Lingxiao.

“You two don’t need to fight anymore. Can you listen to me for a moment?”

Now that things had come to this, I didn’t want to hide anymore.

I solemnly apologized to Miss Zhao and told her about me being Lu Lingxiao’s mistress.

“I’m sorry, Miss Zhao, I didn’t mean to conceal it. I just didn’t know how to tell you…”

Lu Lingxiao, as if his authority had been declared, was about to gloat to Miss Zhao when he heard Miss Zhao ask me with a solemn expression, “Yinyin, did this scoundrel force you? You don’t have to worry about being wronged, I will stand up for you!”

Lu Lingxiao almost lost his footing.

“Oh, no—no one stop me today, I’m going to fight this madwoman to the death!”

I rubbed my forehead and said to Lu Lingxiao, “Why don’t you go back first, Young Master? I want to talk to Miss Zhao for a while.”

Lu Lingxiao immediately became teary-eyed: “Yinyin, are you choosing this madwoman over me?”

“…”

I had no choice but to soften my tone, “If I explain clearly to Miss Zhao, she won’t bother us again.”

Lu Lingxiao immediately brightened up, saying to Miss Zhao, “I’ll listen to Yinyin. I won’t bother with you, you madwoman!”

Then he leaned into my ear, “Yinyin, I’ll wait for you at the Jingxi pier in three days.”

After Lu Lingxiao left, Miss Zhao finally reacted, looking at me in surprise.

“Yinyin, are you really this scoundrel’s mistress?”

I gave a bitter smile: “Miss Zhao, if you blame me, hate me, I can understand…”

Although I didn’t feel I had done anything wrong, my feelings and Miss Zhao’s anger towards me were not mutually exclusive.

After all, from her perspective, although she was the latecomer, she was also the superior. Since ancient times, there has been no rule that the lowly should cause grievance to the noble; moreover, they treated me as a sister, but I did not confess to them in time, so I was not a very good sister either.

Therefore, no matter what reaction Miss Zhao had towards me, I could understand.

But…

Her reaction was different from what I expected!

“Oh my goodness, Yinyin, how could you be so blind as to fall for Lu Lingxiao? Just look at him just now, a grown man acting spoiled? And pretending to cry? You’re too gentle. If it were me, I would have slapped him already. I hate useless men the most!”

Ah, this…

“Eh? Wait a minute! Yinyin, if you’re really Lu Lingxiao’s mistress, then what about Song Yuanzhou? Are you not going to want him anymore?”

Huh? Is this the time to worry about Song Yuanzhou…?

I: “That’s a long story…”

Miss Zhao: “It’s fine, I have plenty of time… Wait a moment!”

She ran out quickly, returned just as quickly, carrying a basin of something.

“Everything was just smashed by me and that scoundrel. I went out to the shop to get some melon seeds, hehe… Alright, you can start talking now.”

“…”

Actually, I also became Song Yuanzhou and Lu Lingxiao’s mistress without quite understanding how.

Perhaps it’s because I’ve always been of low birth, or perhaps influenced by Li Shengmin, but I’ve always taken matters of love very lightly.

I only knew that as someone of humble status, it was already very good to have a stable place to live, without worrying about food or clothing.

I cherished everything I had now and would even subconsciously avoid all risks.

So when powerful figures like Song Yuanzhou and Lu Lingxiao wanted to enter my life, I couldn’t refuse them.

They could make my life more comfortable and also help me relieve worries and boredom, so I had no reason to refuse.

I knew Miss Zhao was a person of strong character, so I told her everything except for Li Shengmin.

I didn’t know if she would understand what I said, or what kind of person she would think I was…

But none of that mattered anymore.

At least at this moment, my heart felt much lighter, as if I had gained freedom.

However… I seemed to have overthought it again.

Miss Zhao didn’t understand at all, or rather, she only heard what she wanted to hear.

“Oh my god, Yinyin, Song Yuanzhou is such a repressed person! He actually set off fireworks all over the city to express his feelings for you while catching assassins?”

“Uh… to be precise, those were our signal flares.”

“So while others were fighting, he was telling you he liked you amidst the gunfire?”

“…Sort of.”

A sharp ringing suddenly erupted in my ears.

Miss Zhao, excited, immediately performed a set of boxing moves.

“Oh my god, this is even more romantic than what’s written in storybooks! I really underestimated Song Yuanzhou!”

Ha… romantic?

At that time, I almost lost my life, and Song Yuanzhou was my only lifeline. Him wanting to be with me at that time… wasn’t that taking advantage of the situation?

“Anything else? What else did Song Yuanzhou do?”

Do…

I thought about it, but it was really embarrassing to say, so I shook my head.

“Nothing else, really. Lu Lingxiao is quite good at it, do you want to hear?”

The expectation on Miss Zhao’s face instantly vanished, and she even couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

She waved her hand indifferently: “Forget it. I can guess what that scoundrel does with my toes. I don’t want to waste my life.”

I was never going to go with Lu Lingxiao.

But I felt I shouldn’t stay in the capital anymore…

I had Hui Chun tally up the money we had accumulated over the years, and it seemed enough for Hui Chun, the little cat, and me to live comfortably and freely for the rest of our lives.

However… I hadn’t decided where to go yet.

Hui Chun said, “The south is nice, Miss, it’s warm in winter.”

I thought that wouldn’t do.

Lu Lingxiao went south, what if we met?

Hui Chun then said, “I heard the scenery in the north is magnificent. How about we go north, Miss?”

The north…

What was in the north?

Before I could decide, Madam Song sent someone to invite me again.

“Five hundred taels, plus your deed of indenture, leave the capital city, and never see Zhou’er again.”

“…”

What did Song Yuanzhou do this time?

How could he even make himself more valuable?

Seeing my silence, the aunt next to Madam Song quickly threatened, “Miss Chen, you should know that in this capital city, if our Song manor wants a commoner to disappear, it’s as easy as crushing an ant. Five hundred taels is already considered Madam’s benevolence.”

Although Madam Song was still stingy, I didn’t lose anything in this deal.

I was already planning to leave the capital, and I was just wondering how to get my deed of indenture. Now, someone was delivering it to my door and giving me five hundred taels for free. Why wouldn’t I agree?

I nodded: “Alright.”

Madam Song gave me a contemptuous sneer, looking as if she had me completely under her thumb.

The Song household’s aunt said, “Miss Chen is a smart woman. We will send the deed of indenture and the money in three days. Please keep your promise, Miss Chen.”

I would definitely keep it!

I had already packed my belongings; as soon as I decided where to go, I’d leave immediately!

“Yinyin!”

The man standing at my door had a tall, straight figure, star-like eyes, and sword-like eyebrows. His entire being exuded an aristocratic aura.

Why… Helian Kuilang?

Then… could I still leave?

Helian Kuilang trotted to my side, pulled a bouquet of flowers from behind his back, and his smile was even brighter than the turquoise earring dangling from his ear.

“Yinyin, I’ve come to pick you up.”

Uh, good news, I can leave.

But the bad news is, I won’t be leaving alone.

I hadn’t expected this young emperor, simple-minded in matters of love, to be quite accomplished in state affairs.

In such a short time, he had cleared internal and external troubles in Beiliang and established his imperial authority.

Helian Kuilang’s deep eyes were bright and full of spirit, his joy at seeing me completely unconcealed.

“Yinyin, I’ve already discussed it with my close ministers. I will ask your emperor to grant you to me, so you can marry into Beiliang as a princess. This way, you will be my only empress, and no one will dare to object again.”

I was even more surprised that Helian Kuilang had planned everything so thoroughly!

But…

This absolutely wouldn’t do!

To publicly ask for my hand in marriage?

Wouldn’t Li Shengmin go mad?!

A mistress becoming a “sister”?

And marrying another man?

I could only imagine how crazy Li Shengmin would become…

I invited Helian Kuilang inside for a drink, my mind racing, concocting excuses to dissuade him from this idea.

“Your Highness is too good to Yinyin. Yinyin truly doesn’t know how many lifetimes of blessings she has accumulated to be able to marry with such dignity as a princess… But this shouldn’t be an easy matter, should it? If Your Highness were to pay a huge price for Yinyin, it would truly not be worth it. Yinyin fears she would be unable to rest peacefully thereafter…”

Helian Kuilang smiled gently: “There’s no huge price, Yinyin, you don’t need to feel uneasy. Moreover, if Yinyin is to be Beiliang’s future empress, then no matter the cost, it will be worth it.”

Since ancient times, emperors have been skilled at calculation, never willing to suffer losses, except for a fool like Helian Kuilang…

“Yinyin, once you arrive in Beiliang, I’ll take you to see the stars in the desert. I promise, it’s a spectacle you absolutely cannot see in the capital city! I also want to take you horse riding, and we can gallop across the entire grassland. During the summer and autumn festivals each year, I’ll disguise myself as an ordinary commoner to participate in archery and riding competitions, winning many rewards for you… If you miss home, I’ll take you back to Jiangnan. Then you can take me boating on the lake, and I’ll be in charge of punting the boat!”

Helian Kuilang’s eyes were constantly sparkling. Just looking at me and chatting with me, his joy overflowed from his eyes.

I fiddled with the delicate flowers he gave me, my thoughts involuntarily drawn along by him.

I smiled, responding.

At this moment, I didn’t want to dampen his spirits.

As dusk approached, it was time for Helian Kuilang to leave.

I saw him out. He looked back repeatedly, either reminding me to cover myself well at night or urging me to quickly go inside so I wouldn’t catch a cold. But the invitation for tomorrow took him a long time to utter.

I moved my head slightly, called out to him, and he immediately turned and ran back to me.

“What is it, Yinyin?”

Looking at his foolishly adorable appearance, I couldn’t help but smile.

Then, I grabbed his clothes at his chest, stood on tiptoe, and lightly kissed the corner of his mouth.

“In three days, it’s the Crown Princess’s birthday. I need to go to the palace to perform music. After that, you can come and take me away… Just the two of us, without letting anyone know, how about that?”

Helian Kuilang froze for a moment, then he nodded blankly.

I smiled slightly and turned to enter the courtyard.

After a few steps, I heard an excited howl from outside the courtyard, but it immediately fell silent.

Hui Chun came out of the room to greet me, shaking her head helplessly as she stared out the door.

“Miss, this one is truly a fool.”

“Yes…”

Otherwise, how could he be so easily deceived?

The aunt from the Song residence was supposed to deliver my deed of indenture to the Imperial Music Bureau before I went to the palace.

However, I never received it.

After the performance, I found Madam Song among the assembled female relatives in the main hall.

The aunt also saw me and discreetly led me aside.

“Miss Chen, could your deed of indenture wait two more days?”

Seeing the woman’s guilty smile, I guessed something had gone wrong, so I let out a low sigh.

“So the General’s Estate also goes back on its word.”

The aunt was provoked by me and couldn’t help but blurt out the truth: “Hmph, Miss Chen, why don’t you ask yourself who you’ve been provoking lately? Why did your deed of indenture disappear from the Imperial Music Bureau?”

What?

My deed of indenture is gone?

Just then, the familiar little palace maid slowly approached us.

The Song household’s aunt didn’t want to be seen talking to me and hurried away.

Knowing that Li Shengmin wanted to see me, I quietly followed the little palace maid to the side hall.

Almost everyone was bustling in the main hall, so the side hall was quite deserted.

Li Shengmin, dressed only in a single robe, gently plucked the zither strings. His ink-black hair was stirred by the night wind, softly caressing his pale, jade-like face along with the melodious zither music, as if a celestial being had fallen to the mortal world.

Li Shengmin was truly the most handsome man in the capital. Such a beautiful sight would make anyone who saw it fall in love.

But my heart was uneasy.

Li Shengmin had never played the zither for me before. What was happening tonight…?

After the piece, Li Shengmin beckoned to me.

“Yinyin, come here.”

I obediently walked over and praised, “Your Highness’s zither music is sublime. How fortunate Yinyin is to be able to enjoy such a feast for the ears.”

Li Shengmin said nothing, only pulling out a white silk ribbon.

I froze for a moment, instinctively recoiling.

This opening was truly familiar…

Li Shengmin remained seated, but his brow furrowed slightly.

“Yinyin, come here.”

I dared not move again.

His voice was soft and slow, as if tinged with poppy pollen, extremely seductive and yet radiating danger.

“Yinyin, hand.” I could only extend my hand, watching him bind me with the ribbon, unable to utter a single “no.”

I had always played the role of the one in control.

But tonight, Li Shengmin and I had switched roles.

“Does Yinyin like me playing the zither for you?”

I stared intently at him, nodding.

He curved his lips into a light smile: “Then Yinyin, will you always be willing to listen to me play the zither in the future?”

“…Willing.”

At this point, dared I say no?

Li Shengmin then raised his hand to caress my face, from my cheek to my eyebrows, then to my nose, and finally my lips.

He lightly traced my lips with his thumb, reluctant to leave, his gentle, watery eyes gradually overflowing with possessiveness.

“Yinyin is so obedient… I wish I could swallow Yinyin whole, so Yinyin would belong only to me, and no one else could touch you.”

“…”

This guy wouldn’t actually try to eat me, would he…?

But actually, he didn’t. He just wanted to bully me.

Li Shengmin’s lips were bitten and bleeding, the fresh blood staining his pale lips a vivid red.

He should have felt pain, but when his tongue tasted the blood, and he looked at me again, he appeared even more excited, like a beast seeing its prey.

I couldn’t help but shrink back.

I had truly encountered a pervert…

When Li Shengmin blindfolded me with the silk ribbon, I was still trying to save myself.

“Your Highness, wouldn’t it be too dangerous here? What if the Crown Princess returns and sees us?”

I truly hoped the Crown Princess would come.

After all, death was inevitable either way, and an out-of-control Li Shengmin was probably far more terrifying than the Crown Princess’s well.

“Yinyin!”

Someone actually came?

Listening to the voice, it was… Helian Kuilang!

“Li Shengmin, let go of Yinyin!”

“By what right?”

My eyes were covered, but I could hear the sounds of fighting and a blurry figure in front of me.

“Young Master Wang, is that you?”

No one responded to me, only a subtle fragrance lingered at my nostrils.

I was gently laid down on a soft cushion. The person leaned over, seemingly looking at me.

I asked again, “Who are you?”

The person didn’t speak. I vaguely saw a hand above my face, as if wanting to touch me but hesitating to do so.

I pursed my lips, suddenly lifted my head, and bit that hand.

The hand, caught off guard, immediately retreated.

I lay on the ground, breathing heavily, my mind filled with unknown fear.

I didn’t know who this person was, or what they intended to do to me.

“Yinyin!”

Just then, Helian Kuilang rushed back, and my tense body finally relaxed.

“I’m sorry, Yinyin, I’m late!”

Helian Kuilang removed the silk ribbon from my eyes. Only then did I clearly see the self-reproaching, restrained moisture and the joy of having me back in his eyes, as well as Li Shengmin, standing behind him, his eyes bloodshot.

“Emperor of Beiliang, Yinyin is my woman. Please return her to me!”

Helian Kuilang didn’t have time to untie my hands and turned to face his “love rival” again.

“Your Royal Highness, if you compete with me for Yinyin here, what will your Crown Princess think?”

Li Shengmin sneered: “Are you threatening me?”

Helian Kuilang said with a righteous face: “I am merely advising the Crown Prince not to make a grave mistake.”

“Make a mistake?” Li Shengmin’s lips tightened, “What mistake have I made? Yinyin and I are deeply in love, perfectly harmonious. You are the one in the wrong, Emperor of Beiliang!”

Helian Kuilang frowned: “What do you mean?”

Li Shengmin put on his official consort’s demeanor: “Didn’t Yinyin tell you? We’ve always been together.”

Helian Kuilang: “?”

I: “…”

It’s over.

Li Shengmin, that shameless bastard, wished he could tell Helian Kuilang every single detail of our time together.

Helian Kuilang, a pure and innocent young man, couldn’t handle such stimulation? After only a few sentences, blood was already dripping from his ears.

“Enough!”

Helian Kuilang loudly stopped Li Shengmin, glaring at him, “I will not believe a single word of your slander. Though Yinyin lives in the dust, she is like a pure lotus emerging from the mud, untainted. How can you defame her so casually?”

Li Shengmin narrowed his eyes, his voice as if coated with frost and snow: “So you mean, you still refuse to return Yinyin to me?”

Helian Kuilang stated each word clearly: “Absolutely impossible!”

Seeing the two about to fight again, I quickly spoke up to stop them: “Actually, it’s like this…”

Helian Kuilang cut me off: “Yinyin, you don’t need to explain, I completely trust you!”

Li Shengmin also said: “Yinyin, I was truly overthinking it. How could you leave me for someone like him, right?”

Ah, no…

Does no one want to hear the person involved speak?

“Oh dear, it’s been a while since I’ve entered the palace, and it’s so lively here!”

Just then, a lazy voice drifted in, dampening the aggression between Helian Kuilang and Li Shengmin.

Lu Lingxiao, I didn’t know when he had arrived, leaned casually against a tree, his gaze shifting, watching the two men on the verge of fighting over me, with a subtle hint of mockery.

I was shocked. Shouldn’t this free-spirited young master have left already?

Even if he hadn’t waited for me, he should have had other beauties accompanying him south. Why was he here?

Lu Lingxiao’s gaze suddenly fell on me. He seemed to guess my thoughts, and the corner of his mouth curved into a sly smile.

“Yinyin, you’re so heartless. You let me go south alone, and you even forgot the close-fitting undershirt you gave me as a keepsake. You know, if I don’t smell Yinyin for too long, I’ll go crazy!”

“…”

Pervert!

“You perverted bastard!”

Helian Kuilang’s and Li Shengmin’s disgusted voices almost simultaneously erupted, then both directed their anger at Lu Lingxiao.

However, before the two of them could make a move, a sharp gust of air tore through the night, and Lu Lingxiao was knocked to the ground.

Although it was only a tree branch, the person who threw it used extreme force. If Lu Lingxiao’s lightness skill hadn’t been quite formidable, allowing him to dodge in time and stabilize himself, he would have undoubtedly broken his nose tonight.

“Tsk… I was wondering why General Song hasn’t been seen lately. So he’s been hiding in the shadows, learning to be a backstabbing scoundrel!”

Lu Lingxiao actually managed to verbally provoke Song Yuanzhou, who was hiding in the dark, to come out.

“Heh, I only regret my lack of skill. Why didn’t I stab you, you dissolute wretch?”

Song Yuanzhou cursed Lu Lingxiao, his deep dark eyes never leaving me.

Seeing those eyes, filled with intertwined grief and regret, I silently swallowed.

This time, it’s truly over…

It’s really over!

No matter how slow-witted the four men were in matters of emotion, they now all sensed the subtle hostility emanating from each other.

It was as if their territory had been invaded by other alpha males, and they were bound to decide a winner.

I originally wanted to seize the opportunity while their attention was focused on each other, to sneak away and avoid being caught in the crossfire.

But my uncooperative legs, which had just stood up, went weak again.

And my throat, which hadn’t yet been silenced, let out a sound.

“Ah…”

Four heads simultaneously turned, eight eyes staring directly at me.

My eyes went black. I wished I had just fallen and died.

“Yinyin!” *4.

Four beasts… oh no, four men all rushed towards me. I was so scared I kept backing away.

“Stop, all of you, stop, stop!”

I shouted several times in a row, and they finally stopped three feet away from me.

“Are you alright, Yinyin?” *4.

“…Can you all please not say the same thing at the same time?”

Four voices overlapping like that were really loud.

Song Yuanzhou had been holding back for too long. After not seeing me for so long, he was already impatient and spoke first.

“Yinyin, I regret it! I thought that as long as I left you, no one else would come to trouble you, and you could live a lifetime without worries… But only after losing you did I realize that I, Song Yuanzhou, despite my glorious military achievements, found no meaning in existence in this world! Yinyin, I dare say I have always been worthy of my country, worthy of my ancestors, but only… unworthy of you! Now I want to make it up to you, are you willing to give me a chance?”

He was a man of iron will. Even when struck by an arrow or cut by a knife, he had never shed a single tear.

But now, his eyes held a subtle glimmer of tears, and he pleaded with me humbly.

Who could witness this and not soften their heart?

Before I could speak, Lu Lingxiao pushed Song Yuanzhou aside and leaned in front of me, raising a tear-stained, pale face with a red nose.

“Yinyin, are you not going to want me anymore? I guess… I’m not like General Song with his glorious military achievements; I’m just a useless Marquis’s heir… But I just want to be with Yinyin forever! I never thought of abandoning Yinyin… As long as Yinyin needs me, I’ll always be by Yinyin’s side! As long as Yinyin has a tiny place in her heart for me, I’ll be completely satisfied!”

Lu Lingxiao sobbed aggrievedly, acting so understanding that it made one’s heart ache.

Li Shengmin said coldly, “Such a strong tea flavor…”

Helian Kuilang, for once, found Li Shengmin agreeable: “You’re right.”

Song Yuanzhou reacted, grabbing Lu Lingxiao by the collar and forcibly dragging him away.

“So this is how you’ve always bewitched Yinyin. Stay away from Yinyin!”

Ah… was I bewitched?

Lu Lingxiao resisted and broke free, casting a scornful look at Song Yuanzhou.

“I’m just speaking the truth. Didn’t you abandon Yinyin for the sake of your family’s honor? What face do you have to come back to Yinyin’s side?”

Song Yuanzhou’s face stiffened, and he quickly explained to me, “Yinyin, I didn’t mean it like that…”

However, Li Shengmin had already gotten ahead.

He knelt before me on one knee, took my hand, placed a deed of indenture in my palm, and looked at me affectionately.

“Yinyin, I don’t care for this position of Crown Prince. As long as you are willing to return to my side.”

How did my deed of indenture end up with Li Shengmin?!

Helian Kuilang was the first to react, exchanging a few blows with Li Shengmin, and the deed of indenture was once again hidden in Li Shengmin’s sleeve.

“So you were the one who took Yinyin’s deed of indenture!” Helian Kuilang angrily denounced, “Return Yinyin’s deed of indenture!”

It turns out that I, thinking I was clever, had deceived Helian Kuilang, making him believe that I wanted to elope with him out of fear of troubling him.

He wanted to give me a legitimate status, to let me marry into Beiliang openly, so he went to discuss the matter with the emperor. However, Li Shengmin’s spies overheard the news and immediately sent someone to the Imperial Music Bureau to take my deed of indenture.

Li Shengmin said indifferently, “Return? By what right do you say ‘return’?”

Helian Kuilang: “By the right that Yinyin is Beiliang’s future empress!”

Upon hearing this, the other three were all shocked.

Because the three of them had never dared to give me an open and legitimate title.

Even Li Shengmin, when he made promises to me, couldn’t do so as the Crown Prince.

“Ridiculous!” Li Shengmin was clearly shaken, his emotions slightly out of control, “You want Yinyin to be your empress of Beiliang? Aren’t you afraid of opposition from court officials, leading to instability in the court?”

Helian Kuilang’s expression was calm: “What is there to fear? Yinyin is not a reason for me not to be a good emperor. If anyone regards Yinyin as a disaster, I will definitely eliminate them!”

“…”

After a moment of silence, Li Shengmin scoffed, “Ignorant and boastful words! Yinyin, this person cannot be trusted!”

I sighed softly, finally it’s my turn to speak, huh…

“Um… can someone untie me first?”

Seeing me raise my bound hands, all four men froze, and then…

“I’ll do it!” *4.

These four aren’t going to fight over who gets to untie me, are they?

I quickly said, “Alright, I’ll do it myself.”

Forget it, it’s fine if these ropes aren’t untied!

I looked helplessly at the four men, meekly saying, “Um… let’s call it a day here.”

Song Yuanzhou immediately said, “Alright, I’ll listen to Yinyin! I’ll escort Yinyin back…”

Lu Lingxiao, always sarcastic, chimed in, “Let me escort Yinyin back. If General Song returns too late, Madam Song might question him all night.”

Li Shengmin was in a very bad mood and started attacking indiscriminately: “Heh, Young Master Lu, do you have time to mind others’ business? Weren’t you supposed to be hiding outside the capital to avoid Marquis Lu? Now you’re acting like a dog, surely you don’t want Yinyin to walk around the capital like you do, do you?”

Helian Kuilang’s mouth wasn’t idle either: “Crown Prince Li, you disregard your status as Crown Prince, deceiving your father and wife, no different from a thief. You should think about how to explain yourself to your emperor and your Crown Princess!”

I: “…”

So tired…

“Um…”

I meekly made a sound, and the four immediately quieted down, looking at me expectantly, as if wanting me to choose among them.

However, I only sighed.

“What I mean is… let’s stop here today…”

My voice wasn’t loud, but my tone was incredibly firm.

“From now on… let’s not entangle anymore.”

I didn’t want to choose any of them.

I didn’t allow any of them to follow me.

I just wanted to go home alone.

But extracting myself from the four of them felt like it took all my strength.

I forced myself to walk out of their sight, then collapsed by the roadside, unable to hold on any longer.

When I woke up again, I was in the Crown Princess’s bedchamber.

The Crown Princess smiled at me, her voice as gentle as if it could wring water.

“Yinyin, you’re awake. Is your body uncomfortable? Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?”

Something’s not right…

This Crown Princess isn’t right…

She couldn’t have found out, could she…?

The chilling image of the cold palace’s dry well flashed through my mind, and I couldn’t help but shiver.

The Crown Princess’s eyes flickered with panic: “What’s wrong, Yinyin? Are you uncomfortable? Are you cold?”

She immediately ordered someone to fetch the imperial physician and had someone bring a cloud sable fur, personally draping it over me.

A familiar scent wafted past my nose. I suddenly noticed a bite mark on the Crown Princess’s hand, and my heart trembled.

This is…

“Yinyin, it’s okay, the imperial physician will be here soon…”

I grabbed the Crown Princess’s hand and looked at her: “Your Highness, were you the one last night?”

The Crown Princess, realizing she had been exposed, no longer concealed it.

“You found out, huh…”

The Crown Princess covered her mouth and chuckled, “But it’s alright, Yinyin will know sooner or later.”

My heart grew cold. Know what?

The Crown Princess had already seen me and Li Shengmin together last night… So last night she wanted to choke me to death?!

She didn’t succeed last night, so today she’s going to lay hands on me?!

I was instantly filled with regret. I should have known better than to act like an independent strong woman last night. Letting the four of them escort me back would have been better than falling into the Crown Princess’s hands, boohoohoo!

“I’ve been beautiful since I was little. Everyone who saw me would sigh and say that with my captivating beauty, I was destined to be the mother of the realm… until I met Yinyin.”

Mentioning my name seemed to ignite a spark in her eyes, making them instantly bright.

“My beauty is truly insignificant in front of Yinyin… Yinyin is truly beautiful. No wonder the Crown Prince couldn’t help but be smitten by you…”

She approached me step by step, one hand resting beside my leg, leaning towards me.

I had already closed my eyes in fright.

Alas, in the end, I was still going to die by the Crown Princess’s hand.

But never mind, who asked her to be the official consort who holds the lives of others in her hands?

I only wish that in my next life, I could be born in a place without an official consort… and if I could also control the official consort’s life, that would be even better…

Chen Yinyin, why are you dreaming such beautiful dreams?

Sob, I’m about to die, can’t I dream a little beautifully…?

Ah, no… why isn’t the Crown Princess choking me yet?

I tried hard to open my eyes a tiny slit, wanting to see why the Crown Princess hadn’t choked me to death yet. Instead, I saw a beautiful and captivating face, showing nothing but infatuation and adoration.

Uh… so what’s going on now?!

Miss Zhao suddenly burst in furiously, grabbing the Crown Princess by the scruff of her neck and dragging her away like a kitten.

The Crown Princess struggled, looking back at me longingly.

“Don’t pull me, I haven’t even had enough of looking at Yinyin!”

I: “…”

Miss Qin followed in, sighing exasperatedly, “You need to rein it in; you’ve scared Yinyin!”

She then soothed me, “The Crown Princess has a strange illness, uh… it only flares up occasionally, but she’s a very good person and likes you very much. Don’t be afraid.”

Miss Qin took a bowl of medicine, pried open the Crown Princess’s mouth, and poured it down her throat. The Crown Princess seemed much calmer afterwards.

I couldn’t help but ask, “Is that medicine very bitter?”

The Crown Princess’s eyes welled up, and she pouted pitifully, “Bitter! Only Yinyin pities me!”

Miss Qin and Miss Zhao both rubbed their foreheads.

It turned out that the Crown Princess had disliked men since she was a child and only preferred to be close to women.

But she was born to be the Crown Princess, and she had fought with her family many times over it.

But the final result was that she was deemed to have a strange illness and had to take medicine constantly to be “normal.”

“Yinyin, I’m truly so miserable, boohoohoo! This medicine is bitter, and pretending to be normal in front of others is also bitter, boohoohoo!”

The Crown Princess collapsed weakly onto the soft couch, crying with a tear-stained face, truly pitiful.

“Then… what about those palace maids?” I asked cautiously.

The Crown Princess raised a pair of innocent, misty eyes: “What palace maids?”

Miss Zhao couldn’t help but roll her eyes: “Stop pretending! You mean those palace maids you took a fancy to, but were too afraid to touch, and ended up giving them several hundred taels of silver and sending them all back to their hometowns!”

Miss Qin continued to add fuel to the fire: “Then you even gave yourself a jealous and wicked reputation to scare your husband, hoping he’d divorce you.”

The Crown Princess innocently poked her finger: “I just wanted to be close with pretty sisters, was I wrong…?”

I: “…”

The Crown Princess immediately swore: “But now my heart only holds Yinyin. My true feelings are witnessed by the sun and moon, and vouched for by heaven and earth!”

Miss Zhao: “…Was not enough medicine given?”

Miss Qin: “Yinyin, don’t worry. She’s just talking big; she can’t do anything.”

I: “…”

I asked the Crown Princess again if Li Shengmin knew about this.

The Crown Princess crossed her arms over her chest, tilting her head proudly.

“Of course he doesn’t know! How could I let anyone get a handle on me? Besides, with my bad reputation, he probably hates me, he even slept fully clothed on our wedding night. After we got married, he always avoided me. We only pretend to be affectionate in front of others; privately, we’re never together… Hahaha, good thing I’m smart and thought of pretending to be a wicked woman, otherwise, just thinking about smelling a man every day makes me want to vomit!”

No wonder Li Shengmin had always dared to invite me to the East Palace and was never afraid of being discovered by the Crown Princess… It turned out that these two disliked each other and had no interest in each other.

Miss Zhao quickly covered the Crown Princess’s mouth: “Keep it down! The Empress might hear you!”

Miss Qin looked at me: “Yinyin, what do you plan to do now?”

It seemed last night’s events couldn’t be kept secret.

I asked uneasily, “You… don’t blame me?”

Miss Qin: “Blame you for what? Are you talking about Song Yuanzhou? I told you long ago, I have no feelings for him. And you two met and fell for each other first; it was my father who insisted on me interfering. You bore no ill will and even taught me how to play cards, so I should thank you.”

Miss Zhao also said: “I would never blame you, Yinyin. Don’t think I’m always chasing Lu Lingxiao around; I’m just acting on behalf of heaven! I tried my best to prevent him from harming innocent girls in the capital, but I couldn’t prevent him from harming you. My heart aches for you, Yinyin!”

Miss Qin glanced at the Crown Princess, then added, “Then she certainly won’t blame you. She’ll probably blame the Crown Prince more.”

The Crown Princess gritted her teeth in anger: “That despicable Li Shengmin! He actually seduced my Yinyin behind my back, and even got there first!”

I: “…”

But I was very happy that my three card mates could still play cards together in the future.

Since I had already opened up, I had nothing to hide from the three of them.

“I don’t know. Right now, my deed of indenture is in Li Shengmin’s hand. If he doesn’t let go, I’ll always be trapped here.”

Miss Qin suddenly remembered something: “Oh right, wasn’t there a Young Master Wang, Wang Liang? What was his background again…”

“The young emperor of Beiliang, who recently ascended the throne. His name is Helian Kuilang,” the Crown Princess answered disdainfully.

“Oh right, I thought he seemed like a good person. Didn’t he say he wanted to make you the empress of Beiliang? Yinyin, why don’t you go back to Beiliang with him? That way, you won’t have to worry about the deed of indenture anymore!” Miss Qin suggested.

Helian Kuilang…

“He’s actually quite good now…” I couldn’t help but smile bitterly, “But actually, the Crown Prince was quite good before too.”

“?”

The three of them looked puzzled.

I: “When the Crown Prince wasn’t yet the Crown Prince, he said he wanted to marry me and make me his future Crown Princess.”

The three of them: “?”

I: “Speaking of which, Song Yuanzhou was also quite good. He always said he wanted to marry me and take me home to be the General’s wife.”

The three of them: “?”

I: “Oh, and Young Master Lu…”

Miss Zhao gasped in shock: “No way? Lu Lingxiao could have been good?”

“Not really.” I offered an apologetic smile, “He did say from the beginning that he wouldn’t take a wife.”

Miss Zhao immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

But I thought for a moment and added, “However, he seems to have changed recently. To elope with me, he doesn’t even want his title as the heir anymore.”

Miss Zhao: “…”

Miss Qin sighed: “In short, you can’t trust what men say.”

The Crown Princess nodded vigorously: “Yes!”

To ensure I could rest well and not be disturbed, the Crown Princess specifically kept me in the East Palace.

She cleverly said the most dangerous place was the safest, and no one would ever imagine I was still within the imperial city.

Miss Qin said before leaving, “Yinyin, don’t worry. We’ll all try to help you.”

I stayed in the East Palace for a few days, and it was indeed much quieter.

Miss Qin told the Crown Princess that if she didn’t find a way to get my deed of indenture, I would return to Li Shengmin’s side.

Upon hearing this, the Crown Princess felt even worse than if she were forced to marry Li Shengmin. So, she went out daily, searching for ways to retrieve my deed of indenture.

As dusk approached, I finished practicing my zither. Seeing that the Crown Princess hadn’t returned, I decided to take a bath and change clothes, waiting for her to return so we could dine together.

Just as I took off my outer garment, water suddenly splashed in the pool, and a tall man stood up from it.

I gasped in fright, but my mouth was immediately covered.

“Yinyin, it’s me.”

Feeling the warmth emanating from the man’s embrace, I gradually calmed down. Helian Kuilang quickly realized that this posture was too intimate and presumptuous, and immediately released me.

I quickly put on my outer garment.

“What are you doing here?”

Helian Kuilang also turned around in time, answering truthfully, “I couldn’t find you these past few days. My men investigated and found out you were taken by the Crown Princess. I was worried you were in danger, so I…”

I breathed a sigh of relief and said, “I’m fine. You should leave quickly. If the Crown Princess returns, you, as the Emperor of Beiliang, trespassing in the East Palace, how could that possibly be explained!”

“No…”

Helian Kuilang seemed to have made up his mind about something. He turned and grabbed my hands: “Yinyin, let me take you away!”

I tried to break free: “Haven’t you already found out? I’m not only your mistress, I’m also the mistress of the other three men…”

“I don’t care!” Helian Kuilang interrupted me, “I don’t care about your past, I don’t care about your status, and I don’t care about what others think… I just want to be with you… Yinyin, will you be with me, please? I want you to be my empress.”

The young man’s expression was firm and bright. I almost wanted to believe him…

There was movement outside the door. I anxiously pushed Helian Kuilang into the pool.

“Hide.”

I mouthed to him, then turned and ran out.

Turning past a screen, I suddenly crashed into a solid chest.

A smile immediately appeared on Li Shengmin’s gloomy face.

“Yinyin, you’re really here.”

My heart trembled, and the fear from that night when he tried to bully me spread.

But the next moment, Li Shengmin knelt down, and at the same time, stripped off all his clothes.

I was completely stunned!

Li Shengmin, with a rod tied to his back, knelt before me, his hands tied behind him, completely disregarding his dignity as the Crown Prince of a nation.

“Yinyin, I was too jealous and scared you, didn’t I? But when I thought of that little brat from Beiliang asking Father Emperor for you, I went mad with jealousy. Why can he ask Father Emperor for you and get a ‘yes,’ but I can’t?”

Li Shengmin had broad shoulders and a narrow waist, every inch of his muscles tight and powerful, completely exposed, making one blush with embarrassment.

He wasn’t here to apologize while carrying a burden; he was clearly here to seduce me!

“You are indeed jealous.”

“Meow~”

Suddenly, a cat’s meow came from outside the door. I thought I’d misheard a human voice, and when I opened the door, it was indeed a small white cat, darting quickly past my eyes.

When I looked again, Lu Lingxiao was standing at the corner of the corridor, a green-eyed black cat in his arms slowly swaying its tail.

Lu Lingxiao pulled me behind the door. The cat gracefully landed on the ground, leisurely rubbing against my leg, letting out a contented purr.

“Yinyin, Yinyin…”

Inside, Li Shengmin anxiously called out to me. Fearing they might start fighting again, I could only respond, “Kneel properly!”

Li Shengmin seemed a bit pleased, but being suspicious by nature, he still asked me, “Yinyin, is there someone outside?”

I glared at Lu Lingxiao’s cat-like, sly, and hidden eyes, and replied, “No one… you just need to kneel.”

Even if Li Shengmin was suspicious, at this moment, he dared not disobey me.

I kept giving Lu Lingxiao meaningful glances, wanting him to leave.

But he had one hand braced against the wall and the other on my waist, showing no intention of moving.

The cat gently rubbed against my calf, seeming to enjoy being close to me. Soon, I felt something wet on my leg.

I pushed Lu Lingxiao away in a panic, glaring at him, signaling that the cat was licking me.

Lu Lingxiao licked his lips, smirking, “Yinyin, don’t be afraid, it won’t bite you, it just likes you.”

“…”

I felt this place was too dangerous and left Lu Lingxiao, running away.

“Yinyin, where are you going?”

“Don’t follow me!”

I had to get back to the Crown Princess’s bedchamber!

Tonight was cloudy, with only a few sparse lights in the deep darkness.

I wasn’t carrying a lamp, and accidentally missed a step.

However, the impact that greeted me wasn’t the pain I expected. Instead, my palm touched a familiar soft, thick sensation.

A familiar male scent wafted towards me. My palm felt as if it were burning, and I quickly withdrew it, but a large hand grasped my slender wrist, pressing it firmly back to that hot spot.

I felt a little dizzy, and in a daze, I asked the other person, “Why aren’t you properly dressed? This is the East Palace!”

“What’s wrong, Yinyin, don’t you like it? Are those skinny ones better to touch than me? Only I can serve Yinyin the best, right, Yinyin?”

Song Yuanzhou’s voice was deep and seductive. When he spoke dirty words, it never felt greasy, only tantalizing.

I couldn’t quite handle it. After all, Song Yuanzhou understood me too well; in front of him, I could only surrender.

“Yinyin, Yinyin!”

A desperate female voice sounded, and I seemed to wake up from a dream, shoving Song Yuanzhou away fiercely.

I stumbled into the Crown Princess’s arms, tears still wet at the corners of my eyes.

“You’re finally back!”

My face was flushed, my clothes disheveled, my hair messy, and my eyes dazed. This image was reflected in the Crown Princess’s clear pupils, slowly rippling like a wave.

I saw the Crown Princess’s lips slowly curve, and that dangerous feeling enveloped me from all directions again.

Thankfully, Miss Qin and Miss Zhao also arrived.

The Crown Princess hadn’t even had time to make her next move before Miss Zhao dragged her away.

The Crown Princess: “I just looked, I just looked for a moment!”

Miss Zhao was simply cold and ruthless.

“Are you alright, Yinyin?”

When Miss Qin helped me up, my legs were trembling. I felt a sense of relief, as if I had narrowly escaped a disaster.

“Since you’re all here, just come out.”

Miss Zhao yelled, and the four men slowly emerged from the shadows.

Miss Qin said angrily, “These four are all powerful and honored officials, noble and respected. Do you still know what propriety and integrity are, barging into the East Palace in the middle of the night?”

Li Shengmin said, “Trespassing into the imperial city without summons, the several of you can also be treated as rebellious traitors.”

Everyone: “…”

The Crown Princess: “I think you’re the most shameless one!”

Helian Kuilang bowed first: “I mean no offense. It’s just that Yinyin is my beloved. I couldn’t find her for several days and feared she was in danger, so I had no choice but to come here.”

Miss Qin whispered to me, “I didn’t expect this Beiliang emperor to be such a gentleman.”

The Crown Princess shook her head: “Anyone can say that. Have you all forgotten that you can’t trust what men say!”

Li Shengmin, for the first time, found the Crown Princess much more agreeable: “The Crown Princess is right.”

Lu Lingxiao chuckled: “I say, Crown Prince, with the Crown Princess here, you’re still fighting with us over Yinyin. What about the Crown Princess’s dignity?”

Li Shengmin’s brow darkened: “My family matters are none of the Young Master’s concern. The Crown Princess is broad-minded and magnanimous; she will tolerate Yinyin.”

Miss Zhao couldn’t help but mutter, “More than tolerate, she likes it a lot.”

Li Shengmin didn’t understand: “What?”

Miss Zhao giggled: “Nothing.”

The Crown Princess suddenly burst into tears and angrily accused, “What? Li Shengmin, how long have we been married, and you already want to take a concubine? Have you forgotten our vows? If you insist on marrying Chen Yinyin today, then divorce me!”

Li Shengmin: “…”

Miss Zhao was speechless: “Still acting…”

Song Yuanzhou ignored them, only looking at me seriously: “Yinyin, they are all too complicated. One is already married, one is entangled in brothels, and there’s a foreigner whose intentions are unknown. I will persuade my mother, and with eight sedan bearers, I will marry you openly and honorably into the General’s Estate. Are you willing?”

Helian Kuilang was indignant: “How is a foreigner impure in intention?”

Li Shengmin scoffed: “General Song, is your mother really that simple?”

Lu Lingxiao didn’t argue with them, only showing me an innocent smile: “Yinyin, they are all jealous. Jealousy means they don’t uphold male virtues. But I’m different from them! I only want to be with Yinyin. If Yinyin doesn’t like me having others around, I won’t provoke them anymore. But even if Yinyin has others around, I will still stay with Yinyin.”

“Then aren’t you just a concubine?” The Crown Princess rolled her eyes.

Lu Lingxiao wasn’t angered: “So what? As long as it makes Yinyin happy, I’m happy.”

Miss Qin: “I’ve never seen such a generous man…”

Li Shengmin saw through it immediately: “It’s just a retreat to advance.”

Helian Kuilang scorned: “Such strong tea…”

Song Yuanzhou: “I was careless…”

The men were still showering me with affection.

Miss Zhao’s head ached from thinking, and she asked, “So what now? Who will Yinyin choose?”

The Crown Princess was speechless: “Can’t she choose none of them?”

Miss Qin pondered for a moment, and finally concluded: “Can’t she choose all of them?”

The Crown Princess was even more speechless: “?”

Miss Qin explained: “That’s right, don’t men have three wives and four concubines? Why can’t our Yinyin?”

Miss Zhao grew increasingly excited: “I haven’t seen this kind of story. Are there similar novels I can read?”

The Crown Princess immediately raised her hand: “Then I want to too. I’ll be a concubine as well.”

Lu Lingxiao felt as if his thunder had been stolen halfway, and he protested indignantly: “Then what am I?”

The Crown Princess rolled her eyes: “Be a foot-washing maid!”

I was almost dizzy from their arguing, so I simply closed my eyes and pretended to faint.

When I opened my eyes again, only my three card buddies were in the room.

Outside the door, the sounds of mahjong continued.

Miss Qin glanced outside and explained with a smile, “They all refused to leave, so I told them you’re the goddess of cards. If they want to win your favor, they must win a good hand.”

The Crown Princess meekly asked, “Can I really not play?”

Miss Zhao scoffed, “Do you want to drink medicine again?”

The Crown Princess immediately shut her mouth.

Miss Qin then asked me, “Yinyin, what do you really think?”

“I don’t know.”

I thought about it and still felt lost, looking up at them and asking, “I just don’t understand, do I have to choose between them? Does a woman’s life have to be confined to matters of love?”

Miss Qin, though reluctant to admit it, could only say, “This world is just like that. Without men, it’s very difficult for women to survive.”

Miss Zhao also sighed helplessly: “Yes, and even more so for women who dream of achieving great things. It’s simply impossible. Although I was born into a martial marquis family, my father only wants me to marry.”

Perhaps a sensitive topic was brought up, as the Crown Princess also became serious: “And she can only marry a man; she can’t marry a woman at all!”

Miss Qin asked me again, “Yinyin, if you don’t choose to marry, what do you want to do?”

I had thought about this question long ago.

But I still couldn’t come up with an answer.

“I only know how to play the zither and dance, and I have no great ambitions… Tell me, why is there no place in this world where I can support myself by just playing the zither, and still gain others’ respect?”

The Crown Princess also sighed: “Tell me, why is there no place in this world where people don’t think I’m ill?”

Miss Qin also lay on the table, lamenting: “Tell me, why is there no place in this world where I can live freely and unrestrainedly, not bound by the rules of the inner chambers, drinking when I want to without hiding, playing cards when I want to without sneaking around…?”

Miss Zhao seemed to be lost in thought, “When I was little, my mother told me that her hometown was such a place. The women there were unrestrained, unburdened by anyone or anything, and could live well by their talents or skills, even achieving more than men and earning the admiration of countless people. And everyone respected each other, with no distinction between male and female, and even women being together wasn’t seen as strange.”

Miss Qin and the Crown Princess’s eyes lit up.

“Is there really such a place?”

Miss Zhao thought carefully for a moment, then laughed: “My mother told it to me as a bedtime story. Now it sounds a bit unbelievable…”

Miss Qin and the Crown Princess deflated again, like eggplants hit by frost.

After hearing Miss Zhao’s childhood bedtime story, I couldn’t contain my excitement. Feeling a surge of passion, I asked, “If there really were such a place, what would you most want to do?”

Miss Qin was the first to express: “I want to drink, I want to play cards, I want to drink a lot of wine and play a lot of cards!”

Miss Zhao also became emotional: “Then I want to be a great hero who brings glory to the country, a female hero!”

The Crown Princess sighed softly: “Then I want to not be sick!”

Miss Zhao coaxed her: “You were never sick to begin with. It’s just their prejudice!”

Miss Qin smiled and asked me, “What about you, Yinyin?”

“I…”

I revealed a hopeful smile for the future, “I want to gain without effort, receive rewards without merit, enjoy the fruits of others’ labor, and ascend to heaven in one step!”

“Hahahaha, Yinyin, you dare to dream big!”

“Life is already so hard, can’t I dream beautifully?”

“Hahahaha, you can! Then I wish us all success in our desires and dreams come true!”

Outside, the mahjong sounds were continuous, and inside, laughter was endless.

“Eh, this scene is so beautiful, it would be even better with good wine.”

“Having beautiful ladies accompanying us is already enough.”

“…Oh, by the way, Miss Zhao, where is your mother from?”

“The twenty-fourth century.”

“Where is that?”

“I don’t know either… She said she made it up to coax me to sleep.”

[EXTRA 1]
A year had passed, and Helian Kuilang still hadn’t heard from Chen Yinyin.

Six months ago, Chen Yinyin suddenly disappeared.

For the past six months, besides him, the allied nation’s Crown Prince Li Shengmin, General Song Yuanzhou, and the Marquis Lu’s heir Lu Lingxiao had all been searching for Chen Yinyin.

However, reports from various secret agents indicated that no one had found any trace of Chen Yinyin.

His trusted advisor had even advised him that a fickle woman like Chen Yinyin was not worth his affection, and even if she were found, her status would not be worthy of the empress’s position in Beiliang.

But Helian Kuilang felt that his trusted advisor was talking nonsense.

He told his trusted advisor, “If Chen Yinyin wasn’t a woman worthy of my love, why would Li Shengmin, Song Yuanzhou, and Lu Lingxiao compete with me for her? Your eyes are useless; I suggest you donate them to someone else.”

The trusted advisor thought carefully and found it completely logical. After all, those three and their emperor were all people of noble status. How could they care for a woman of humble birth without reason? There must be something extraordinary about this woman… Perhaps she held some secret concerning the fate of the nation!

So the trusted advisor worked even harder to find Chen Yinyin for their emperor.

Finally, heaven did not fail him. After traveling through mountains and rivers, enduring hardships and looking disheveled…

He finally heard news of Chen Yinyin in a place called the twenty-fourth century.

Trusted Advisor: “I heard Chen Yinyin is a female celebrity in that place…”

Helian Kuilang: “Wait… what’s a ‘female celebrity’?”

Trusted Advisor secretly scoffed: “It’s no different from her being in the Imperial Music Bureau before, performing on stage to entertain people. Moreover, the common people there seem to know her. Her portraits are plastered all over the streets and alleys, and anyone you ask openly says they adore her. Tsk tsk, truly disgraceful!”

“Wait, you said everyone loves Chen Yinyin?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, you…”

The trusted advisor was stunned. He just blinked, and his emperor was already packed?

“Your Majesty, where are you going…”

Helian Kuilang was already out of sight.

A cool breeze blew, and leaves drifted from in front of the trusted advisor. The courtyard, with no one to respond, seemed a bit desolate.

“So, Your Majesty, are you coming back…?”

[EXTRA 2]
To celebrate her good sister winning a championship at the Olympic Games, Chen Yinyin had her agent, Hui Chun, postpone all her engagements.

She sent a message in the “Times Sisters” group chat, then went to play with her little cat.

Two hours passed, and still no one replied to her.

She rarely had a day off; what were these ladies so busy with?!

She video-called them one by one.

Noisy sounds and flashing lights poured out of the phone, and Chen Yinyin almost dropped it into the trash can.

“Boss Qin, still busy?”

The woman in the video had a high ponytail, wore a black leather jacket, and had exquisite makeup on her face. Even in the dim lights, she insisted on wearing her famous brand sunglasses, and a beer bottle never left her hand.

“Busy thanks to someone. Business at the bar has been exceptionally good lately with the Olympics… Oh dear, is today the celebration banquet? See, I almost forgot because I was so busy. Send me the address later, and I’ll clean up and come right over!”

Chen Yinyin’s video call was hung up. She was a bit speechless, but since her good sister’s career was important, she didn’t say much. After all, she had “let her off the hook” too many times, and at least the other party hadn’t forgotten the date.

She dialed another video call, and what greeted her was a stunning face, along with a sweet girl’s playful voice.

“Baby, look at my mouth, is there something on it?”

Chen Yinyin felt a bit embarrassed to watch and held her phone far away.

The beautiful woman in the video also looked a bit awkward: “Yinyin, she’s just a little sister of mine, don’t misunderstand… Oh, by the way, today is the celebration banquet. I’m getting the cake now and will be there shortly. You go ahead!”

The video call was instantly hung up.

Chen Yinyin wanted to speak but hesitated, finally deciding it was too difficult to comment. So, she turned to call today’s protagonist.

The call connected, and Chen Yinyin offered her most sincere smile: “My dearest Champion, where are you bringing glory to our country tonight? Are there any men dancing and singing to celebrate?”

“Hahahaha, Chen Yinyin, you can’t live without men in this life, can you? Oh well, now you’re the queen, the choice is in your hands. You can arrange as many as you want.”

(The End)