Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The General of Agile Cavalry, Zhong Ling’an, won a sweeping victory over the southwestern barbarian states, and His Majesty held a banquet at Azure Cloud Terrace to welcome him home.

I accompanied Princess Jiuhua to the feast to congratulate the general on his triumphant return.

After several rounds of wine, the general was already drunk.

His Majesty asked him, “You have rendered outstanding service in this campaign and relieved Us of a worry that has plagued Us for years. What reward do you desire?”

The General of Agile Cavalry rose unsteadily with a cup in hand. Pointing at me, he said carelessly, “This subject would like to ask for a woman. I beg Your Majesty to bestow her upon me.”

There was mockery in his eyes. Every word from his mouth was “ask for” and “bestow”-nothing else.

In his eyes, I was no different from an object.

Since ancient times, when capable ministers and great generals made great contributions to the realm, asking for a few beauties had been the most ordinary thing in the world. It might even be passed down as a charming tale.

Unfortunately, no one had ever asked whether the women were willing. In the eyes of the world, women were merely ornaments of a prosperous age.

His dear sister, Zhong Lingjia, was propping up her head, watching this absurd farce at leisure. With a half-smile, she stared at me, waiting to see how I would respond.

But who had ever cared about the sound made by an ant?

I had no choice.

From the moment Zhong Ling’an pointed his finger at me, there was no way back.

“Imperial Father, you must not. Shen Jinghui is my study companion. Your daughter cannot do without her.”

Princess Jiuhua had only just spoken when the emperor raised a hand to stop her. Smiling, he said, “The general has performed a meritorious service for the empire. How could We refuse such a small wish? As for your study companion, We will simply find another noble daughter from the court to take her place.”

With only those few brief words, my fate was decided so lightly.

I looked at the sudden gleam in Zhong Lingjia’s eyes. She wanted the position of Princess Jiuhua’s study companion.

Princess Jiuhua’s study companion had been chosen through round after round of examinations, with questions personally set by the great scholars of the age. Only the most capable could claim the place.

That day, countless daughters of noble houses and high officials took part. In the end, I came first.

Zhong Lingjia happened to rank second.

After losing back then, she had never accepted it.

She had kept silent and endured for all these years, and I thought she had let it go. I never imagined she had simply been waiting for her elder brother to return victorious and back her up.

Who would have thought that with a few casual words, he would erase all the years of effort I had put in?

For years, I studied by lamplight through cold nights. I passed trial after trial, defeated one opponent after another, endured every examination, and won first place. Only then did I make it to Princess Jiuhua’s side and become her personal study companion. I had hoped to win myself a splendid future, to one day become a female official in the palace and carve out a path for myself and my mother.

But he was so cruel. He crushed my hopes completely.

That night, the princess came to the side hall and saw me packing my things.

A trace of melancholy passed through her eyes. She only said softly, “Once you leave my Hall of Shared Light, it will be very difficult to come back in.”

“Your Highness has pitied how hard it has been for me. I understand,” I said, comforting her.

She took my hand and led me up to the high pavilion, her voice tinged with sorrow. “Jinghui, the world always thinks a princess is noble and glorious, that everything under heaven can be accomplished with ease. In truth, it is nothing but an empty name to bear. What happened today is not only your helplessness. It is mine as well…”

I could not defy an imperial decree.

Neither could she.