When I was born, the state of Qi Yue had been experiencing continuous rain for several months. According to the divination by the Imperial Observatory, all these signs indicated that the long-awaited arrival would be a princess.

  But even so, it cannot change the fact that I was born as the only heir to this country and will be the only orthodox successor in the future.

  Tian Lian is my name, which was chosen by the Emperor and the Hanlin Academy of the Imperial Observatory after a whole three months. It means the princess who is loved by heaven itself.

  My father, the emperor, was already well into his years when I, his only daughter, was finally born. From a young age, he doted on me extremely, but this affection was different from the luxurious pampering that princesses of other nations took for granted. He treated me as the heir to this nation, the sole person he cherished.

  My mother, originally just an ordinary palace maid, gentle and timid by nature, the emperor's favor on a drunken night did not change her fate, it was my birth that made her the most honorable woman in Qi Yue, second only to the empress.

  Every time the Emperor personally taught me statecraft and military tactics, every time I practiced defensive swordsmanship in the courtyard, every time I washed my hands clean, burned incense, and played the zither, she would quietly watch me by my side, her eyes warm and melancholic.

  I think she may not have liked the emperor, her smile on her lips couldn't hide the unhappiness in her heart. I was 12 years old when she passed away, before dying, she dismissed everyone and held my hand alone, telling me that I wasn't actually the emperor's child.

  Her originally unshakeable dignity and pride suddenly collapsed, she hesitated, struggled to open her mouth, and asked me to help her apologize to that man.

  He is the imperial physician in the palace, so he can make everything go smoothly.

  He is a handsome and loyal man, so he can make her remember for so many years.

  However, most importantly, he was the one she fell in love with when she was a palace maid. They had already agreed to get married once she left the palace, but in the end, she could not resist this destined glory.

  I followed her instructions to find that man, I deliberately bumped into the medicinal liquor he was holding in his hand, and the scalding hot medicine splashed all over me. I saw genuine care and heartache in his eyes, no different from what I often see in Father Emperor's eyes. It turned out that he knew.

  I screamed, everyone panicked, I cried to the emperor to expel him from the palace, his eyes had a hint of sadness, more was reluctance and attachment.

  I turned around and didn't look back, even though I knew it would be the last time I saw him.

  Actually, I don't know whether it was because of me that they couldn't be together, so he and my mother designed that drunken night, or if it was after that night that she went to find him in tears, and then the two people's emotions were hard to control, I also don't want to know.

  All I know is that everything I have and will have in the future is no longer destined by heaven, what I want to maintain, what I want to get, can only rely on myself.

  And I, can only force myself to be excellent, become a princess who makes the entire Qi Yue proud, become the daughter in Father Emperor's heart who is worthy of his doting love.

  So they worked even harder, striving to be the best in everything, and there was no more complaining or grumbling.

  So I started paying attention to winning people over and didn't let go of any opportunity that was beneficial to me.

  So when the memorials about Southern Dynasty General Murong Hui were sent to my hands one after another, I told myself not to miss this opportunity.

  I was well aware that Ziyue and the Southern Dynasty would eventually have to fight a decisive battle, so I devised a plan to infiltrate his military camp. In my mind, even if I couldn't persuade him to surrender, or steal information about his troop deployments, understanding more about him and grasping his weaknesses would still be beneficial for our future battles.

  Luóu Zhuāng had once persuaded her with difficulty, Princess, you usually handle matters with great care, why did you have to put yourself in danger this time?

  I smiled and said, don't you worry about this, when the time comes, let your brother's white tiger behave itself and not make any mistakes.

  Later, I realized that perhaps from that moment on, I had fallen in love with him. Perhaps everything was just an excuse, and I simply wanted to see for myself what this young general, who made all the high-ranking generals tremble with fear, looked like.

  So there was a first time in his life, deceiving his father, being so reckless and unscrupulous.

  Everything went according to the plot I had designed, he saved me and Green Sleeve from under the White Tiger's sharp claws. Just as Green Sleeve insisted on following me because she didn't trust my safety, I also insisted on getting a little injured so that the play would be more realistic, so that I could have the opportunity to go back with him.

  I carefully approached him without leaving any traces, making him have a good impression of me, and for me, these are actually not difficult.

  I know I'm beautiful, and I also know that I have enough talent and knowledge to make the world marvel. However, in the end, it was me who got stuck in the mud, while he treated me as if I were just something to be appreciated for its beauty.

  Perhaps it was because of this that I started to envy his second sister, Murong Qing, the third princess of the Southern Dynasty, and even found myself laughable and inexplicable.

  However, this jealousy is truly real. When he painstakingly searched for and even personally made that Qin zither, when he showed childlike joy and satisfaction upon receiving her family letter, when he flew into a rage because I played just a few notes of the melody "Thoughts of Returning Home", I was truly jealous of her.

  I secretly had someone bring her portrait, she is beautiful, yet not so beautiful that one can't help but remember her, such beauty whether in the Southern Dynasty or Qi and Yue would be sought after, I don't understand why she could make him like this, why she could be almost perfect in his eyes and heart.

  Lv Xiu and Wen Chang repeatedly urged me, I knew I should go back, reluctantly and unwillingly. Just as I was asking myself again and again whether to tell him everything, Lv Xiu brought a stunning piece of news: the Southern Dynasty's Murong family had raised an army in rebellion.

  She whispered to me in a low voice when no one was around: "Princess, why don't we take this opportunity to raise an army and assist the Murong family? With one move, we can overthrow the throne of the Southern Dynasty's emperor. This way, it will be beneficial for Qi Yue, and also make Murong Yun grateful for your kindness."

  "It's not the right time to send troops yet, but even if someone else sits on that dragon throne, the Southern Dynasty will still remain unmoved. What's the point of revealing one's true intentions and losing one's own vitality?" I slowly opened my mouth: "What Qi Yue wants is not friendship or submission, but truly owning the entire world. I'm the same, what I want is not Murong Liu's gratitude, but for him to have no choice but to stay by my side forever. That day will come eventually."

  I didn't reveal a single word in front of Wei, I just quietly waited until the Southern Dynasty sent people to arrest him in Nanjiang, until he resisted arrest and escaped.

  Actually, I had already made arrangements and there would be no danger, but he didn't know that and still thought it was a matter of life and death, and yet, he didn't abandon me.

  He led the horse for me to mount, with Green Sleeves helping me up. This road leads directly back to Qi Yue's place. I hesitated for a few seconds without moving, and he urged: "Hurry up, if you're caught by the pursuing soldiers later, it'll be troublesome, and I won't be able to protect you now."

  "Do you know I am a Chui?" I asked tentatively.

  "Otherwise, do you think I would have brought you back and allowed your maid to sneak out at night several times? Princess Tian Lian." He looked straight into my eyes without avoiding or yielding, speaking directly, but suddenly revealed a hint of bitter smile: "It's just that now, it's not needed anymore."

  Lu's face turned pale and he couldn't utter a word. I stared at him unblinkingly: "So, you've known all along. No wonder the military camp's formation and layout changed almost every day, even the most basic morning and evening drills, you didn't let me have any chance to get in touch with them. No wonder when I wanted to leave earlier, you opened your mouth to keep me here. If I had insisted on leaving at that time, would you have forcibly detained me?"

  He remained calm and stared straight into my eyes: "It was the princess who made the plan first, and it's not that Mu Rong Yu couldn't help but follow suit. During this time, since the princess hasn't done anything to make things difficult for Mu Rong Yu, now I don't want to make things difficult for the princess either. Besides, there's no need to. So you can leave."

  "When did you know? From the beginning? You knew I was Princess Chey, so that's why you helped me, right?"

  It's settled then, if he can be so easily deceived by me, then he is not the Murong Yi I know, and not worth my love, nor worthy of sharing all of Qi Yue, and all the men in the world with him.

  "It wasn't until after I made my move that I realized something was off." His eyes still shone with candor: "I once hunted a white tiger, and white tigers are known to be fierce and wild. But the one that injured you didn't seem quite right, it seemed tame, and the timing was so coincidental. At the time, I only knew that things weren't simple, but I wasn't sure of your identity. It was just a sudden thought about a story I had heard before, although I myself thought it sounded absurd, but my intuition still told me to bring you back. Later, when I went to investigate, I didn't expect your identity to be exactly as I had guessed."

  I was just about to speak, but saw a figure rushing over from afar, it was his personal attendant, called Qingyi, who was out of breath and said to Ping: "Young master, the horses are all ready, but Yang Jiangjun, Situ Jiangjun and Lu Jiangjun insist on returning with us."

  "Furrowed his brow: 'Nonsense, without receiving the imperial edict, leading troops into the capital on one's own accord isn't actually an act of treason? I'm not clear about the situation in the capital right now, but I won't abandon my parents and second sister, so I won't obediently accept my fate and be beheaded. I must go back and take a look, however, only I will return, it has nothing to do with you or them, did you hear that clearly?'"

  "General Yang and the others have already left their official tokens of resignation. They said that Young Master has shown them great kindness, and this time they are returning to the capital simply as individuals accompanying their brother on a trip, which has nothing to do with court politics, let alone any talk of rebellion. As for me, Qing Wei, I will naturally follow Young Master wherever he goes, even if it means death, I won't leave his side!"

  I couldn't listen anymore, and I opened my mouth: "The Southern Dynasty emperors have already beheaded the entire Murong family. Even you, if you hadn't escaped, would have been dead by now. What do you want to go back for? Are you going to deliver yourself to death? Or are you still holding onto a glimmer of hope thinking it's just a misunderstanding?"

  His face stiffened and he didn't say anything.

  I took a deep breath, looked into his eyes and spoke word by word: "During this time of being together, although we both have secrets, what is fake and what is real, you and I can both tell. Murong Liu, I don't believe you can't see it, I like you."

  He seemed to want to say something, but I didn't give him a chance to speak and refuse. Instead, I quickly took the lead and continued: "I know you don't like me now, but at least you're not disgusted with me, right? I won't let anything happen to you, so for now, come with me back to Qi Yue, and from then on, you'll have a brand new life."

  He looked at me for a long time before speaking again: "In that case, Murong Liu indeed has something to ask of you."

  I nodded: "Go on."

  "Qing Wei grew up with me since childhood, and there are no other relatives. After I went to the capital, I asked the princess to take care of him for me. If I can come back, I will take him away together. If I cannot come back, let him follow the princess."

  Qing Wei heard him say this and anxiously said: "No, I must follow Young Master..."

  "What are you following me for? Are you here to cause trouble?" Ling's icy voice cut him off, her words leaving no room for doubt: "Your martial arts and horseback riding skills are all subpar. Following me won't just fail to help me, it may even drag me down. This journey is perilous, I can barely take care of myself, don't come and burden me at this time!"

  His tone was heavy, but anyone could understand his concern for Qing Wei. Qing Wei, although reluctant to leave, also bit her teeth and stopped talking, she too understood that every sentence Pan said was the truth.

  "Princess?" Yin raised an eyebrow in inquiry towards me.

  "I said word by word: 'I can keep him safe, and naturally I can also keep you out of trouble. You've already said that this trip is perilous, and it's very likely that your parents and relatives are all dead. Why do you still want to walk down the same path of death?'"

  His gaze slowly turned towards the horizon: "What's going on in the capital, I have to go and investigate personally. Even if the Emperor really wants the Murong family to die, my sister is pregnant with the imperial heir, and before the child is born, nothing will happen to her for the time being. I must return once."

  He mentioned his sister, I looked at him and didn't say another word because I knew that no matter what I said it would be futile.

  I simply took off the jade pendant I was wearing and handed it to him: "If you can come back, or if you change your mind halfway and want to come back, take this and you'll be able to find me."

  Green sleeves and I watched him ride away together, gradually getting farther and farther away. She hesitated to open her mouth and asked me: "Princess, let him go like this?"

  I didn't look away, and I couldn't help but let out a self-deprecating laugh: "To be honest, he's clearly aware that going back is a dead end, yet he insists on doing so, which really disappoints me. But perhaps if he didn't care about his family and just stayed here to eke out a living, I would be even more disappointed - isn't that contradictory?"

  "Princess..." Green Sleeve called out to me again with some concern.

  I composed myself and spoke, "You go back to the palace first and pass on my orders to General Feng. Tell him to arrange for someone to secretly follow Murong Liu, but without revealing their identity. What I want is just for Murong Liu's safety. Now is not the time to turn against the Southern Dynasty."

  In fact, I know that even if there are more than a dozen people who cannot reveal their identities, no matter how high their martial arts skills are, they will still be unable to contend with the centralized power and military of a country.

  So, when I found out that he was betrayed and thrown into the Southern Dynasty's Tian Prison as a death row inmate, I wasn't too surprised, but what did surprise me was how much it hurt in my heart, leaving me unprepared and almost unbearable.

  I started arranging people to deal with Lu Minghui. I knew that when he was walking alone, it was they themselves who insisted on catching up and then betrayed him.

  I'll make sure he gets what's coming to him.

  I even disregarded Wen Chenxiang and General Jiang's dissuasion, insisting on sending someone to the Southern Dynasty, if necessary, in the name of the Qi Yue state, to negotiate with the Southern Dynasty, or even secretly abducting them.

  This matter did not escape Father Emperor's notice; he looked at me deeply, his eyes filled with disappointment and pity.

  He said a lot to me that afternoon, and I don't remember the specifics now. All I recall is myself nodding with tears of pain and despair, and Father's guilty and heart-aching hug.

  I arranged for people going to the Southern Dynasty to return, at that time I had already received news that Lin had died in prison due to fear of punishment.

  I know he's not that kind of person, but I forced myself to believe he's dead. I don't dare give myself any hope because I can no longer bear another blow like this. I just can't take it anymore.

  When General Feng came to report back, I opened my mouth indifferently and ordered a heavy reward for the people who went on this trip. General Feng looked at me hesitantly and still spoke up: "Princess, Murong Liu might not be dead after all. He's not someone who would take his own life easily. Moreover, when Wei Tong returned from the Southern Dynasty, he told me that when they were preparing to raid the execution ground, it seemed that there were others who wanted to rescue him besides us. Those people's movements were very secretive, so Wei Tong could only make guesses. He couldn't investigate the other party's details and only found out that the leader of those people seemed to have the surname 'Yue'. If even Wei Tong couldn't figure it out, then that person must be extraordinary. Maybe he really has the ability to rescue Murong Liu, and taking his own life is just a tactic. So, Princess, don't be too heartbroken and take care of your body."

  I nodded slightly: "Alright, I understand, there's nothing else, you can go down first, I still have a memorial to read."

  The Emperor's body has grown weaker and weaker, now almost all major and minor state affairs are handled by me, and I also need this busy work day and night to numb myself.

  Until he appeared before me in person, so haggard and thin, yet with a face that was unmistakably the one I loved.

  I didn't move a muscle, I didn't dare say a word, afraid that this was just my own dream.

  He handed the jade pendant over to me: "I wonder if the princess is still willing to leave a place for Murong Li in Qi Yue?"

  I stretched out my arms and hugged him: "I will give you a home."

  His body stiffened instantly, I thought it was just a momentary daze, but he slowly pushed me away and said: "Sorry, Murong Liu can't bear the weight of Your Highness's affection, I may have someone I like."

  The last sentence, perhaps even he himself did not realize, but I immediately sensed the subtle hesitation and confusion in his tone, so I understood who he was talking about.

  At that time, I didn't know she wasn't his real sister. If I had known, maybe I wouldn't have had the confidence and courage to take a chance, betting he would eventually understand the difference between familial love and romantic love, betting that one day he would wholeheartedly fall in love with me.

  But at that time, I didn't know anything, so I just smiled slightly at him: "It doesn't matter, as long as the person you like in the future is me."

  He seemed to want to say something, but I took a step ahead and blocked his words: "I don't know who the person you like is, but you also said it's just possible. And since I'm a member of the royal family, you should understand that if in the future you take this woman as a concubine or empress, I won't be lacking in magnanimity."

  His face turned serious: "If I like someone, I will never wrong her, so I won't ——"

  A pang of sadness struck my heart, and I became even more reluctant to let him continue speaking. Almost rudely and sharply, I interrupted him: "Forgive me for saying something true. Right now, if you don't stay in Qi Yue, it might be difficult for you to bring peace to the woman you love. And within Qi Yue's borders, if you want to secure a place for yourself, there is no place more valuable than by my side. This position can help you achieve more things, such as avenging yourself and rescuing your sister. You know I like you, but if I couldn't marry you, I don't know whether my jealousy would affect my judgment of your abilities. I'm not trying to coerce you; I just want you to understand that even I don't want this, but ultimately, I am a woman, and I don't know whether I can control myself to be fair."

  As time ticks away, just when I thought he would never speak again, he lifted his eyes to look at me, his gaze complex and profound: "I may never love you as much as you love me in this lifetime, doesn't that bother you?"

  I knew I couldn't push him too hard at this moment, I knew he still had a frank and proud nature in his heart, so I just gave him a gentle and open-minded smile: "It's okay, I'll ask you to give me the world as compensation, the whole Qi Yue will support you, I believe you can do it, just like believing in my own vision."

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