Chapter 1

Chapter 1

News arrived that the Prince Consort had fallen off a cliff.

I immediately ordered my people to rush to the Imperial Academy of Medicine and summon every physician on duty.

However, when the guards mentioned that the Prince Consort was unconscious but still holding Lu Qingshuang in his arms, my anxious heart instantly went cold.

After a moment of thought, I ordered someone to fetch the Taoist priests from Changfeng Temple.

By the time the Prince Consort was carried back, both the physicians and the priests were waiting in the corridor for orders.

Despite the fall, the Prince Consort’s appearance remained as striking as ever, the blood at the corner of his lips adding a touch of vivid color to his face.

He had always been a man with a face like jade. Once, when he drove his carriage through the long streets, countless young women had vied to throw flowers and fruit at him. He returned home with a full carriage, and the event became a celebrated tale in the capital.

Father Emperor once asked me which of the young men in the capital I liked.

I softly spoke his name.

Father Emperor said he had nothing but his looks and a wild, unrestrained temperament-hardly a good match.

I nodded. His looks were exactly what I wanted.

His fine features were the very reason he became the Prince Consort.

As for his temperament?

No matter how great his temper, it could not be greater than a princess’s.

I am a princess of Great Qin.

Father Emperor’s harem had produced thirteen princesses in total, but I was the only one to survive to adulthood.

When a younger imperial sister who had reached the age of thirteen passed away, Father Emperor suspended court for three days and wept in sorrow.

He was more than happy that I managed to live long enough to marry. Thus, even though I pushed back against his advice, he still issued the imperial edict for the marriage.

Not long after the marriage was decreed, Wei Jue found an excuse to meet me.

He stood tall and elegant, like a distant mountain peak. Though he was right in front of me, it felt as if we were on opposite ends of the galaxy.

He knelt on the ground and said he had a childhood sweetheart in his neighborhood. They had made a vow to be together for three lifetimes, and he did not wish to betray her. He begged me to withdraw the command.

Though I felt a pang of regret, a person of character does not take what belongs to another, so I intended to let it go.

However, I was unwilling to let the engagement be broken just like that.

I set a condition.

“The engagement can be broken. However, bring your sweetheart to meet This Princess. I wish to see what kind of national beauty has made Lord Wei so persistent.”

And so, I met Lu Qingshuang.

She was beautiful.

But she was not an incomparable masterpiece.

Wei Jue loved her; he must have truly lost his heart to her.

I asked Father Emperor to withdraw the marriage edict.

Father Emperor was helpless to refuse, though he did so with a sigh.

After all, I am his only daughter.

I once asked Ning Sheng, “Who is more beautiful, Lu Qingshuang or I?”

He pondered for a moment, looking puzzled. “Who is Lu Qingshuang?”

I stared blankly for a second before bursting into laughter.

Wei Jue had a childhood sweetheart, but who didn’t have one of their own?

I, Ying Lingyue, also had a childhood friend whose heart and soul were entirely focused on me.

Ning Sheng is the son of my wet nurse.

He grew up by my side since childhood.

When the wet nurse was passing away, I asked her if she had any unfulfilled wishes.

She said, first, she wished for the Princess to have health and longevity, with incomparable fortune and prosperity.

Second, she wished for the Princess to find a good husband and live a life of joy without worries.

She didn’t mention a word about Ning Sheng, but I knew she must have been very worried for him.

Because only if I fared well would Ning Sheng fare well.

Ning Sheng is my personal guard.

He has stayed by my side with utter devotion, never leaving.

I once asked him if there was a woman he liked.

He said, “This subordinate has only the sword in his heart.”

Very good!

It seems he intends to remain single for the rest of his life.