Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The day I entered the capital happened to be the day of the Great Blessing Ceremony.

The platform stood thirty feet high, backed by vermilion pillars adorned with a portrait of the princess.

The crowd in front of the teahouse was buzzing with conversation:

“Is this Princess Xunyang?”

“The Princess is truly a beauty capable of toppling nations. No wonder Young Master Shen, who is usually as aloof as a flower on a high mountain, fell for her at first sight.”

I sat in front of the teahouse with my bundle on my back. Seeing that I didn’t look like a local, the woman serving tea struck up a conversation: “Little lady, are you here in the capital to find someone?”

“Yes.”

“Who are you looking for? I have many connections; perhaps I can help you look into it.”

I pointed at the portrait. “No need to look. I’m looking for her.”

The woman froze for a moment before bursting into laughter along with the surrounding patrons.

“She’s actually looking for Princess Xunyang!”

“Look at her shabby, country bumpkin appearance. She probably couldn’t even get through the gates of the Princess Manor.”

I set down my teacup. “You say she is Princess Xunyang, but hasn’t Princess Xunyang been dead for over a decade?”

Princess Xunyang, the only daughter of the Empress Dowager, had been the recipient of every possible favor and honor.

Unfortunately, the beauty was not destined for a long life. She died of illness at the age of seven, a source of ultimate grief for both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.

“Oh, you outsiders are so slow on the news. Don’t you know yet? This lady is the reincarnation of Princess Xunyang.” The woman pointed respectfully toward the portrait of Liu Ningshen from afar.

So that was it.

I thought indifferently that this was truly a fated encounter.

We had always been fighting over the same things, whether it was Shen Zhao back then, or this identity of the princess now.

The patrons in the teahouse discussed this reincarnated Princess Xunyang, saying that her appearance brought auspicious omens. The south had been ravaged by floods and water disasters, but as soon as she appeared, she had the demoness cast into the river to appease the River God’s wrath, saving the lives of thousands of commoners.

Young Master Shen, who had lived in seclusion in the south for many years, escorted her back to the capital. The two developed feelings for each other, creating a beautiful tale.

As I listened, a cold sneer touched the corners of my mouth.

How wonderful. How very wonderful.

My daughter died at the bottom of a river, her bones rotting into the mud.

Her father is marrying the murderer, and they are about to share their wedding night.

Seeing my cold sneer, the woman asked in confusion, “Little lady, who exactly are you? One moment you’re asking about Princess Xunyang, the next you’re asking about Young Master Shen. You don’t have some kind of mental illness, do you?”

I didn’t answer. I simply picked up the hot tea and removed the veil covering my face.

The moment my face was revealed, I heard a crisp *clatter* not far away.

It was an old eunuch dressed in purple. He had been sitting in an elegant seat inside drinking tea, and at that moment, his gaze landed on me.

The instant he saw my features clearly, the teacup in his hand fell to the ground and shattered into pieces.

“The tea leaves are stale, and the water isn’t from a mountain spring. It’s not sweet enough.” I took only one sip before shaking my head.

Looking at the old eunuch, I said softly, “Wang Dehai, your tea still tastes the best.”

The old eunuch stared at me blankly.

He stood up and walked toward me with staggering steps.

“Chief Steward Wang, what are you doing?” The surrounding patrons rushed to support him. “How bold! How dare you speak Chief Steward Wang’s name…”

It was no wonder they were terrified.

Wang Dehai was a favorite in the palace, someone who had the Empress Dowager’s ear. Countless people had come to this teahouse today specifically to try and curry favor with him.

However, in the next heartbeat, this Chief Steward Wang knelt down before me.

He looked up at my face, tears welling beneath his grey eyebrows.

“Your Highness?” he asked with a tremble.

I sighed. “You’ve grown old. Your skin is as wrinkled as a soup dumpling. Oh, you redeemed this?”

I pointed to the Gold and Jade Lock hanging around his neck.

Wang Dehai’s tears fell as he kowtowed heavily.

“This servant pays his respects to Her Highness, Princess Xunyang!”

The entire room erupted in an uproar.

I stood up and looked at the bustling streets, my expression cold and lonely.

News from a teahouse always travels fast. I believed that very soon, everyone would receive a piece of news-

The real Princess Xunyang has returned.