Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Fortunately, I had prepared for this. Most of my assets had already been transferred and were stashed away in my own residence.

I carried my bundle on my back.

Like everyone else, I kept my head down and cried the whole way.

I must have looked incredibly pitiful.

Sobbing, I walked through the streets of the capital, staring forlornly at the lively bustle of ordinary life around me.

I had made up my mind. I would stop dreaming about becoming an imperial consort.

A life of freedom wasn’t bad either.

I could be my own master.

Just as I finished eating five steamed buns, wiped the grease from the corner of my mouth, and prepared to head to my residence, a hoarse voice called out to me.

“Xiao Chan.”

I turned around and saw Rong Chen, covered in dust and grime.

He no longer had the high-spirited confidence or cool, untouchable nobility he once possessed.

My heart ached a little, and tears came pouring down.

He was so handsome.

And yet he was blind.

He didn’t like me.
He quickly pulled me over to the side of a wall and wiped away my tears. “Silly girl, were you frightened?”

I nodded.

Then accidentally let out a full, satisfied burp.

His voice was rough. “There is no place for me in the capital anymore. I plan to go to the frontier and try my luck.”

After saying that, he looked at me expectantly.

I looked back at him just as earnestly. “Your Highness, please go with peace of mind. This servant will burn incense for you every month and pray to Buddha to bless you. With Your Highness’s majestic bearing, you will surely reclaim everything that belongs to you one day.”

He froze for a moment. Only after a long while did he say, “Xiao Chan, you’re not coming with me? You used to love following me everywhere.”

I said awkwardly, “Your Highness, this servant is only a weak woman. How could I follow you to such a distant place?”

Seeing the obvious displeasure on his face, I steeled myself and said, “Actually, it isn’t that this servant is unwilling to follow you. Rather, this servant has decided to become a nun and pray for Your Highness. This servant’s life belongs to Your Highness. Since this servant can no longer do anything for you, I only wish to serve Buddha for the rest of my life and beg him to protect Your Highness.”

Deeply moved, he pulled me into his arms.

I also cried, sobbing pitifully.

He looked at me seriously. “No, Xiao Chan. Come with me to the frontier. I can protect you. Don’t become a nun. How could you do something so difficult? You don’t even like eating vegetarian food.”

I took his hand in mine. If I could get a touch in, I would get a touch in. “No. For Your Highness, I can endure any hardship.”

After the two of us argued for an hour, I was starting to get thirsty.

Seeing that my mind was made up, he offered to escort me to the nearest nunnery outside the capital.

As the sun set, I waved at him with all my might. “Your Highness, you must remember Xiao Chan forever. Xiao Chan will spend her whole life before the green lamp and ancient Buddha for you, without resentment or regret.”

Under his reluctant gaze, I stepped into the nunnery.

At worst, I could just come back out later.