No matter how tear-inducing the past may be, after remembering it all, one must still return to reality.

Accompanied by maple leaves, I tearfully kissed my prince consort with snot and tears streaming down my face—the scene could be called quite romantic, but when I released his neck, the first thing he said was: “…Doesn’t your neck hurt?”

Yes, this was the same person who two years ago had passionately declared he would live and die together with me.

“I just recovered our past memories and was a little moved, that’s all…”

Only then did Song Langsheng show some nervousness. “You remembered everything?”

I tilted my head slightly. “At least I remembered you tearfully telling me, ‘Then let’s die together’… Sigh, so you were so infatuated with this princess after all—truly quite unexpected…”

“Oh.” I don’t know if it was my imagination, but he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, showing a strange smile on his face. “At that time I thought you were beyond saving, so I figured satisfying your dying wish would be an act of charity. Who knew the plague poison you contracted only mimicked the symptoms without causing death…”

The first half of his sentence made me furious and ready to teach him a lesson, but the second half brought my thoughts back on track: “You mean the plague poison I contracted was fake?”

Song Langsheng nodded. “We sent many people but couldn’t find that Qinggu you mentioned anywhere. Perhaps she intentionally saved your life, though the reason remains unknown.”

I understood. “Then Xu Fang…”

Song Langsheng asked strangely, “What Xu Fang?”

My heart jolted. Could it be that I hadn’t told him about Xu Fang at the time?

Thinking about it, that was indeed a period when I nearly strayed from the marriage. Later when things turned around and I finally seemed about to win Song Langsheng’s heart, if I let him know that during the time he was desperately searching for me, there was some green above his head… cough, how could I be stupid enough to dig my own grave?

Seeing Song Langsheng staring at me suspiciously, I struggled for a moment but still followed my original intention—to continue concealing it. “I just suddenly remembered, didn’t I stay in Chen Village during my amnesia last year? I wondered if you might have seen Xu Fang then. Eh, it doesn’t mean anything special, just thought it was quite a coincidence…”

Song Langsheng watched me leisurely as I continued spinning tales.

I looked at him pitifully: “I’m hungry.”

Song Langsheng maintained his arms-crossed posture, unmoved.

I remembered my abdominal knife wound and had a flash of inspiration, wanting to lift my clothes to show my prince consort and gain his sympathy. However, this palace maid outfit was a pullover style that needed to be unfastened from the front ties. When Song Langsheng saw I was about to undress, his face flushed red and he stepped back two paces: “In broad daylight, how could you want to do such things…”

Ignoring him, I continued unfastening.

Seeing I wasn’t joking, Song Langsheng hurried forward and grasped my hands. “I know you’ve just recovered your memory and are somewhat overcome with emotion, which is understandable, but this is the wilderness after all—you must restrain yourself no matter what!”

“…………”

I looked down at his hands holding mine as I continued unbuttoning.

Hey… actually my hands had already stopped, okay?

Just as he was about to lean in and kiss me, I lifted the fabric over my belly and said, “Look, I’m injured.”

Song Langsheng: “…”

I: “If I move even slightly, it will definitely start bleeding again.”

Song Langsheng helped me fix my clothing properly, glaring at me quite unhappily.

I: “Aren’t you worried at all?”

Song Langsheng’s flushed face hadn’t returned to normal: “Isn’t it already scabbed over? What’s there to worry about?”

I: “You just don’t care about me!”

Song Langsheng: “I do.”

“No you don’t! Your expression just now clearly wasn’t one of concern!”

“…”

So I very successfully changed the topic from Xu Fang to whether he cared about me.

Song Langsheng found me too wordy, so he embraced me and leaped out of the trap in one bound. After I steadied myself, I looked down from the opening to gauge the depth. “You can actually jump straight up without a rope now—your qinggong has improved by leaps and bounds.”

“Now? By leaps and bounds?”

Right, this fool still mistook me for Cai Mi.

If he discovered that his first love who he thought was separated by death and life was actually me, what would his reaction be? Would he regretfully embrace me saying, “It’s you, it’s you! How could I be so stupid as to not recognize you?”

I looked sweetly at my prince consort. “You couldn’t do this when you were seventeen or eighteen, right? Well, actually I am…”

“Who says I couldn’t do it?” Song Langsheng said. “For this height, my qinggong could already manage it when I was sixteen.”

I glanced sideways: “Liar.”

He raised his refined eyebrows. “Why would I need to lie to you? Back then Cai Mi also fell into this pit like you did. I deliberately told her I couldn’t save her and needed to go down the mountain to find rope. Then I watched from above as she fretted anxiously below for half the night before finally rescuing her. She never realized and was even tearfully grateful to me. Thinking about it, she was adorably foolish.”

“…………”

What was this feeling of gnashing my teeth in hatred?

I was certain that if I told him now that I was Cai Mi, his next words would definitely be: “So you’re saying you fell into the same pit twice?”

Seeing my conflicted expression, Song Langsheng took my hand and said, “Weren’t you hungry? Shall we go?”

I glared at him: “How could there be someone like you in this world? You thought it was fun, but did you ever consider that the poor girl below was scared half to death?”

Song Langsheng asked strangely, “Why are you angry?”

“Because what you did was too much! If you treated her like that, who knows how you’d treat me?”

Song Langsheng said, “You and she are different.”

Hearing him say this made me feel quite uncomfortable: “How are we different?”

“You are you, she is she.”

I stopped walking. “What do you mean ‘I am me, she is she’? We both liked you—do you rank us differently in your heart?”

Song Langsheng looked at me somewhat helplessly. “Why is the princess suddenly being so petty about such trivial matters?”

“What trivial matters?” I grew angrier as I listened, speaking without thinking. “In your heart, another woman and I receive completely different treatment and levels of affection—do you expect me to be happy or delighted?”

Yes, at this moment I had forgotten that I was Cai Mi.

Song Langsheng seemed somewhat displeased by my words. “You know she’s no longer in this world. What’s the point of comparing yourself to her?”

“Then tell me,” I began arguing with him, “if she were still alive and suddenly appeared before you, what would you do?”

Yes, I was being jealous of myself.

Song Langsheng laughed coldly. “Since we’re on this topic, let me ask you—if Xu Fang hadn’t lost his memory and hadn’t wronged you, and after you recovered our memories, would you choose to fly away with him or reconcile with me?”

This question left me stunned.

He Feng, who had been so dependent on Xu Fang—if during her time living peacefully with Xu Fang she gradually remembered these past events with my prince consort, what would she do?

I only tried to imagine it briefly, but my heart felt as if vinegar had been poured over it—both sour and cold.

Seeing I didn’t answer, he suddenly released my hand, turned his back to me, and said, “I know your answer.”

I knew I had gone too far and reached out to grab his sleeve. He shook it off, I continued pulling, and finally when he ignored me and simply turned to walk away, I felt angry too and stubbornly refused to follow, not believing he would actually abandon me.

He walked one step, two steps, and by the tenth step, he indeed stopped and looked back at me.

Somehow, seeing him like this, most of my anger inexplicably dissipated.

He turned back and walked to my side, saying nothing but extending his hand for me to take.

I pretended not to understand and didn’t move.

He snorted through his nose, grabbed my hand, and pulled me forward. We didn’t speak for the entire journey.

Finally, he could bear it no longer and said, “When the princess throws unreasonable tantrums, she truly is incomprehensible.”

Knowing I was in the wrong but unwilling to apologize, I said, “Who told you not to answer my hypothetical question…”

Song Langsheng stopped, turned to look at me. I felt my eyes getting wet and about to overflow, but he maintained his stern expression unmoved and said, “Doesn’t the princess think such hypotheticals are quite foolish?”

My heart sank. “Foolish? So you mean… you would abandon me and go with her?”

“Of course…” Song Langsheng said with piercing eyes, “I’d have to see what she looks like now first!”

I was bewildered. “Huh?”

Song Langsheng said with utmost seriousness, “I haven’t seen her for seven or eight years. If she’s become fat and bloated or has a sharp face like a monkey, how could I abandon the princess for her?”

I: “…Song Langsheng, we’re having an argument right now. Please be serious, okay?”

Song Langsheng frowned even deeper. “What I’m saying is the realistic issue.”

I: “…What if she’s grown beautiful beyond compare, capable of toppling kingdoms?”

Song Langsheng: “Then she’s definitely an imposter.”

…………

I: “…What if she’s more beautiful than me, better looking than me?”

Song Langsheng said matter-of-factly, “Then I’d just secretly keep her outside to warm my bed while hiding it from the princess.”

I: “…………”

At this moment, all admiration for Big Brother, all spirit of self-sacrifice for my prince consort—everything was cast to the winds.

I said through gritted teeth, “If you really reunite with Cai Mi outside, I’ll definitely tear her to pieces!”

…I wonder if this counts as cursing myself.

Song Langsheng retorted not to be outdone, “If the princess would properly warm my bed, why would I seek distant alternatives!”

I: “…………”

The two of us escalated the conflict, glaring at each other, until finally he was the first to crack a smile. His long-stern face finally relaxed as he looked at me with gentle amusement—where was the handsome, unparalleled, refined Prince Consort of Daqing?

I puffed out my cheeks. “Is it very amusing?”

“Your jealous expression is quite amusing.”

“…”

He looked at me as if viewing a ruffled house cat, but didn’t continue teasing. Instead, like smoothing fur, he patted my head. I angrily stomped on his foot, yet somehow my mood inexplicably improved.

But seeing the sun overhead and nearing Yulong Manor, when I saw a dark mass of people standing in the distance ahead, I involuntarily stopped walking.

At this moment, I suddenly remembered the approaching storm of blood and violence.

The people I had to face included Prince Kang, my younger brother the Crown Prince, and Lu Lingjun.

That oppressive gloom of dark clouds gathering could no longer be avoided.

Now I’d rather return to the pit on the mountaintop and have three hundred rounds of conflict with Song Langsheng.

Though what “conflict” would be replaced with remained to be discussed.

I said, “Let’s not argue anymore. In a while, many people will come argue with me together. If I’m unlucky, I might be argued to death.”

Song Langsheng tightened his grip on my fingertips. “Since you’ve mostly recovered, have you also solved this current matter?”

“Actually last night, before recovering these memories, I had already figured out many clues.” I looked into his eyes. “But once I recovered my memories, all I could think about and remember was you.”

Song Langsheng was startled.

I sighed, “I feel like I’m still drowning in romantic sentiments. Do you think I’ll be defeated in one stroke later?”

Song Langsheng glanced at me coolly. “I’ve always been by the princess’s side, yet the princess only acts this way after remembering the past. I don’t know where your heart wandered before.”

“I didn’t…” This topic made me feel a bit guilty, so I changed the subject: “Weren’t you confined to the Princess Residence? How did you find your way here?”

Song Langsheng said, “After you trapped Lu Lingjun, my innocence was naturally proven. As soon as the confinement was lifted, I came looking for you. Seeing you weren’t in your room but the door was locked from inside while there were footprints on the window ledge, and waiting a long time without seeing you come down, I knew you were either watching the sunrise on the mountain or trapped in a pit.”

Seeing him travel dustily to find me, warmth rose in my heart. But mentioning Lu Lingjun again made my abdominal wound ache in sympathy. I listened to the wind rustling through leaves. “I never imagined Lu Lingjun would want to kill me. I told myself that since he was heartless toward me, I should harden my heart, because only by establishing his guilt could I truly bring Prince Kang to justice… But when it came to the crucial moment… I…”

Song Langsheng moved his hand from my shoulder, slowly sliding it to my waist. I turned to glare at him. “I’m discussing serious matters with you—can’t you comfort me a little?”

However, his hand stopped at my injured abdomen.

“This position affects neither the five viscera nor six bowels. Even if truly pierced through, with timely bleeding control, there would be no danger to life.”

I suddenly looked up at him in disbelief.

“Minister He said that just before you sent someone to find him among his subordinates at the Imperial Academy, he received an anonymous note.”

Song Langsheng continued, and I had already guessed most of it. I heard him say, “The note said: By Green Shade River at the Imperial Academy, someone intends to assassinate Princess Xiangyi.”

My whole body trembled. Only one person could have written this letter. “It was Brother Lu… but why would he…”

Why?

If he had no intention of killing me, then clearly he was putting on an act. No, rather than acting, he had assassinated the current dynasty’s princess—a capital offense. He risked his life for this performance, but what exactly… what exactly was he trying to achieve?

However, wasn’t the answer already crystal clear?

Prince Kang’s retainers were spread throughout the realm. Learning that he wanted to kill me, rather than let others do it, it was better to volunteer, thus ensuring my safety. Lu Lingjun knew and understood me—by making me believe he wanted to harm me this way, I would naturally steel my heart to use him to bring down Prince Kang and protect the Crown Prince.

I suddenly remembered when Lu Lingjun first barged into the Princess Residence, shouting outside the door—

“Does the princess still remember me? I am Lu Lingjun. Do you still remember the promise you made with me when you were little?”

And what Lu Lingjun said before acting last night—

“Brother Bai, when I was very young, I liked a little girl… Then I made a promise with her, but I never saw her again after that.”

I was suddenly startled, dead water gradually stirring in my heart.

The little girl Lu Lingjun liked… was me.

He said: “Until I met someone, he… was very interesting. At least, I enjoyed being with him, listening to him talk. For a time, I almost suspected I preferred men…”

“Brother Bai, hearing this, you should know who that ‘he’ I’m referring to is, right?”

The Bai Yujing that Lu Lingjun liked… was also me.

How could I not have realized? Before the dagger pierced my body, he clearly said he was struggling between two choices, but if both were the same person, what choice was there to make?

“Brother Bai, tell me, in this world’s bonds of affection, which is more important—friendship or love?”

Friendship… the friendship he spoke of abandoning was never about his feelings for me.

—But mine for him.

Song Langsheng slowly said, “He chose to betray Prince Kang, using his own life to help and save you. Even though…”

Even though it meant my misunderstanding, even though it meant severing my friendship toward him, he still wanted to protect his love.

My nose tingled with intense sourness, countless indescribable emotions wanting to surge from my eyes. At this moment, I truly wished I could immediately rush to the prison, drag that boy Lu Lingjun out, scold him thoroughly, and beat him to pieces.

I turned to look at Song Langsheng. “What should we do now? Brother Lu was caught red-handed by many witnesses. During the morning court, my younger brother the Crown Prince will surely use this to demand justice from Prince Kang. I’ve already ordered the Ministry of Justice, Court of Judicial Review, and Censorate to jointly investigate this case. If we want to completely convict Uncle Prince Kang, this is the best opportunity. But if we fail to bring him down in one blow, the consequences for me, the Crown Prince, and even the entire situation could be endless.”

“As for this…” Song Langsheng opened his eyes and said earnestly, “How would I know?”

I: “…”

Then what was with that expression of having penetrated the truth and having everything under control!

“However, the princess once told me that those in high positions should prioritize the greater good in their actions,” Song Langsheng said flatly. “If sacrificing one Lu Lingjun could preserve a crisis situation, you wouldn’t hesitate or show mercy.”

Song Langsheng’s words were absolutely correct.

The disaster relief silver, the sunken ship, the burned ships, Prince Kang, Zhao Gengnian, Imperial Uncle Li, Marquis Xia Yang, Nie Ran, the Crown Prince… all these people were like pieces on a chess board. In this dangerous game, one careless move could result in total defeat.

If I wanted both to save Brother Lu and win this chess match, it would likely be extremely difficult.

But…

“Whether it’s the greater good or smaller matters, the question isn’t what’s possible, but what’s right.”

The dense clouds in my heart gradually dispersed. “I want to protect the Crown Prince, and I also want to protect Brother Lu.”

“It seems the princess won’t be defeated in one stroke after all.”

After saying this, I noticed the corners of his mouth had unconsciously turned upward, and the way he looked at me contained different emotions. Feeling a bit embarrassed, I asked: “Are you… jealous?”

Song Langsheng’s expression didn’t change: “I never get jealous.”

“…”

Song Langsheng stopped joking with me. “Princess, since the current situation is chaotic and complex, with various factions watching like tigers, you must summon all your energy. When you go to court in a moment, you absolutely cannot be preoccupied with rights and wrongs, grudges and emotions. The first princess of Daqing cannot be a woman who spends her days drowning in romantic feelings.”

I glanced at him: “In other stories, men at times like this would say, ‘Don’t be afraid, I’m here,’ not urge girls onto the battlefield like you do.”

Song Langsheng’s voice sounded above my head: “I’m not skilled in political maneuvering. If the princess becomes unable to think about governance because of romantic feelings for me, what I can do is tell you everything I see and everything I can think of.”

I lowered my eyelids. “What if I become so sad and distressed that I’m weary of the world?”

“If you’re sad, of course I can wipe away your tears. If the princess grows tired of court politics, naturally I can take you far away. But the Crown Prince is in danger, the court is in turmoil, your classmates from the Imperial Academy died wrongfully, and Lu Lingjun willingly entered prison to await death for the princess’s sake. Given all this, Princess, you would never ignore others for your own peace.”

I looked up at him. Though my smile was bitter, my gaze was unusually firm: “In the court, I cannot help you out of difficulties, nor can I say empty words like ‘don’t be afraid of anything as long as I’m here.'” Song Langsheng’s voice was steady and powerful. “My comfort would be useless and would only encourage your weakness.”

“So Princess, the truth behind conspiracies must be revealed by you; bonds of affection and friendship must also be protected by yourself.”

His gaze was like stars, so bright I could hardly look away. I asked hesitantly: “Making me carry everything—aren’t you worried?”

Song Langsheng chuckled softly and was about to say something when his gaze suddenly turned forward. A military officer quickly approached, knelt on one knee, and bowed: “Chang Yun, Left Guard Commander of the Crown Prince, pays respects to Princess and Prince Consort. This subordinate follows the Crown Prince’s imperial order to escort the Princess back to court!”

Even the Left Guard Commander of the Eastern Palace’s Six Commands had been summoned to escort someone—it seemed my younger brother’s situation was truly urgent.

I responded: “Good, let’s go then.”

Chang Yun mounted his horse and signaled the guard formation to make way for Song Langsheng and me to proceed side by side.

As I was about to board the carriage, I grabbed my prince consort and asked: “What were you about to say to me just now?”

Song Langsheng helped me into the carriage by supporting my waist, whispering something in my ear.

Hearing this, I immediately kicked him: “You’re mocking me!” He chuckled, mounted his horse, and rode ahead toward the palace.

Actually, Yulong Manor wasn’t too far from the imperial palace—just three streets away. Calculating the time, he should make it for the morning court session.

I proceeded more slowly, deliberately returning to my residence before entering the palace to change into yellow court robes with golden phoenix embroidery, the skirt wide and flowing—truly dignified and majestic.

In all of Daqing, only three people could wear yellow: Father Emperor, my younger brother the Crown Prince, and myself as the third.

This brocade outfit was bestowed upon me when I was appointed regent. Later I disliked how wearing it with three layers inside and out completely concealed my graceful figure, so I rarely wore it again.

But for today’s occasion requiring a powerful presence, the cumbersome garment actually became a weapon.

I sat upright, and through the pearl curtains, the palace’s bronze doors with gold studs appeared ahead. Entering through the central gate, seeing the hall doors approaching, when changing from carriage to sedan chair, a dignified eunuch rushed toward me with great strides. With lightning speed he crouched and stood to perform a bow, saying urgently: “Princess, this servant has finally awaited your arrival.”

It was Eunuch Cheng, my younger brother the Crown Prince’s trusted inner palace supervisor.

Feeling stifled and sweaty in these robes, I was somewhat impatient: “Being awaited by you, Eunuch Cheng, surely means no good news. Hasn’t the Crown Prince already compiled all evidence of Prince Kang’s crimes over the years? Just throw the evidence and charges before all the officials—what more could he say!”

Eunuch Cheng shook his head helplessly: “His Highness the Crown Prince thought so too, but who knows where Prince Kang gained such tremendous ability—for each ironclad case, officials voluntarily confessed and took full responsibility. Whether private coin minting or embezzlement and factional corruption, in the end he managed to clear himself completely. Those people weren’t even under his jurisdiction, so he can’t even be charged with poor governance!”

Ginger is indeed spicier when old—I had been careless earlier, underestimating this uncle who had been biding his time.

I asked coldly: “The fact that Imperial Academy student Lu Lingjun is Prince Kang’s disciple is beyond doubt, with witness testimony and years of correspondence as evidence. Lu Lingjun’s attempted assassination of me before many witnesses and his confession afterward, along with the pleasure boat sinking case with solid evidence—how is he denying this?”

Eunuch Cheng said urgently: “His Highness is discussing this very matter now, but seeing Prince Kang’s unchanged expression, this servant feels uneasy. Hearing the Princess had arrived, I immediately came to inform you first. Please see…”

I nodded slightly: “Wait for the right moment before calling out.”

Eunuch Cheng said respectfully: “This servant understands.”

Ten steps from the hall entrance, I could see the civil and military officials arranged in rows. Not knowing what the Crown Prince had said moments before to make them whisper among themselves, I heard Prince Kang at the front speaking righteously: “His Highness the Crown Prince just listed five crimes against this minister, but examining each one, which isn’t slander and framing by treacherous villains? Now claiming this minister intended to assassinate Princess Xiangyi—this is truly absurd beyond measure! This minister is wholeheartedly loyal to His Majesty. The Princess was appointed regent by His Majesty’s decree—even with the greatest audacity, how would this minister dare commit such insubordination! That Imperial Academy student is indeed this minister’s disciple, but who instigated him, when and where he attempted assassination—this minister knows nothing. To reach a final verdict based solely on one small Imperial Academy student’s one-sided testimony—this minister refuses to accept it! If you claim this minister repeatedly harbored murderous intent toward the Princess, then please have His Highness summon Princess herself to the hall for confrontation. This minister has a clear conscience and only seeks to clear this minister’s name!”

This cry for clearing his name echoed and lingered.

The hall fell into deathly silence.

I glanced at Eunuch Cheng, raising my index finger to indicate we should listen to the situation a bit longer.

As expected, those who aren’t your people don’t understand your heart. Eunuch Cheng seemed to comprehend my meaning, nodded, took a deep breath and shouted loudly: “Princess Xiangyi arrives—”

I: “…”

The entire hall instantly became like a great tomb.

I responded by slowly moving forward, proceeding neither fast nor slow, calmly sweeping my gaze over each of them.

Everyone fell silent as cicadas, straightening their backs and lowering their heads wordlessly, as if afraid that one careless moment might blind them.

Of course, except for several people.

Among them were those as amiable as Chief Minister Zhao, as peaceful as Imperial Uncle Li, as calm as Wei Qingheng, and as ordinary as Nie Ran.

But I had no mind to spare for sighing about things seeming like another lifetime. After respectfully bowing to the Crown Prince, I waved my sleeves and took my seat. Throughout, Prince Kang stood there with such composure, not even nodding in acknowledgment, looking at me with an arrogant attitude.

It seemed my dear uncle was not only confident but had reserved moves.

Seeing this, the civil and military officials couldn’t help but look around uncertainly. Eunuch Cheng spoke for his master: “Audacious! Princess is present—why don’t you quickly pay your respects!”

Hearing this, Prince Kang’s face darkened, cold light flashing in his eyes as he retorted in an icy tone: “When has a dog slave like you had any right to speak in this great hall!”

That innate imperial dignity was beyond what Eunuch Cheng could handle. With his one utterance, Eunuch Cheng seemed to freeze and immediately fell silent.

The Crown Prince said coldly: “Just now you kept demanding Royal Sister come for confrontation—what’s this? Uncle, are you so loyal you’ve forgotten basic etiquette?”

Prince Kang looked at the Crown Prince, then at me, showing no fear but becoming even more arrogant: “If this were truly Princess, how would this minister disregard proper ruler-subject protocol? Heh heh heh, unfortunately, the one sitting up there now…” He paused, shaking his robes and pointing directly at me: “Is a complete impostor!”

This thunderous declaration caused all the civil and military officials to instantly raise their heads and look at each other, not knowing what to do.

Prince Kang’s move was indeed unexpected.

The Crown Prince slammed the table and rose: “Uncle! In the imperial hall, how dare you speak such nonsense!”

I remained silent.

So that’s how it is. Since Lu Lingjun’s assassination case cannot be evaded, then as long as I, this princess, am fake, killing me would not only be no crime but could even be considered meritorious.

However… cautious as Prince Kang is, without evidence, how would he make such brazen accusations?

“This minister only recently learned the truth…” Prince Kang smiled slightly. “I’ve already had Vice Minister Jiang Feng of the Ministry of Justice investigate. If His Highness doesn’t believe it, he may summon several witnesses to verify the truth.”

At this juncture, the Crown Prince couldn’t say no. Soon, those so-called witnesses boldly entered the hall one after another.

First to enter was a pair of elderly village couple walking unsteadily. The hall’s solemn atmosphere frightened them so much they could barely walk properly. Having probably never seen such spectacle in their entire lives, they immediately knelt and kowtowed to the Crown Prince as if he were a god, Buddha, or deceased immortal.

Prince Kang had them look to see if they recognized me.

Who would have thought that upon raising their heads, they were so frightened they collapsed to the ground as if seeing ghosts. The old man cried out: “It’s her… it’s her! Didn’t she fall off the cliff and die? How… how…” He turned to ask his wife, “Old woman, am I seeing things…” His wife was equally terrified: “Can’t be wrong, it’s this girl… she’s… still alive?”

Just as everyone was puzzled, Prince Kang said to the Crown Prince: “These two have lived at the foot of Ling Mountain for over fifty years. One year and nine months ago, just before the current Prince Consort’s birthday banquet, they personally witnessed Princess Xiangyi fall off a cliff while being pursued. At that time they didn’t know she was the Princess. Only after the assassins left did they go down the mountain to search, and seeing a mangled corpse, they immediately reported to authorities—” He signaled for someone to present a wooden tray. Lifting the cloth cover revealed an exquisite jade hairpin. “This is physical evidence preserved by the capital’s magistrate office from that unsolved case. This minister had a palace mamma who served the Empress for years verify it—this hairpin was personally prepared by the Empress for the Princess’s wedding and was found on that corpse.”

Prince Kang turned his sharp gaze to me: “Since the Princess is dead, then may I ask—who is this ‘Princess’ sitting up there now!”

This questioning was like throwing a thousand-layer wave into the deathly silent court. Those previously cowering officials couldn’t help but grow bolder, whispering and discussing among themselves.

The next witness to appear was even more shocking.

Her entrance made the already somewhat noisy hall fall silent again.

Until she reached the front.

I squinted.

Looking at this woman who bore seventy percent resemblance to me.

No, with this appearance, with just slight disguise, saying she was me would raise no doubts from anyone.

Prince Kang: “This person is precisely the ‘Princess Xiangyi’ who has been attending court to assist the Crown Prince’s regency these past two years.”

This statement shocked the entire court!

I turned to look at the Crown Prince. Though he tried hard to conceal his astonishment, but…

I sighed. It seemed my younger brother was still too soft-hearted and couldn’t bring himself to silence her when I returned.

That “Princess” slowly raised her eyes, but didn’t look at the Crown Prince. Instead, she turned toward Song Langsheng’s position in the third row, pointing at him: “It was him, it was the Prince Consort who saw that this commoner bore great resemblance to Princess and threatened this commoner’s family’s lives, making this commoner impersonate Princess to deceive the Crown Prince, deceive the Empress, deceive all the officials.” She shed tears and bowed: “This commoner… later became too frightened and wanted to back out, but the Prince Consort said even without me, he could find second and third ‘Princesses.’ If not… if not for Prince Kang saving this commoner, this commoner would probably already be in the underworld…”

She spoke with tears and emotion, mixing truth and falsehood, making people believe the true parts and thus also believe the false parts. Having served as my double for nearly two years, she knew everything about the Princess residence intimately, even able to recite the names of the stable master’s young sons. She was even more familiar with major and minor court affairs, and the physical evidence was comprehensive—secretly replaced memorials and the Prince Consort’s case files from the residence were all present. This way, probably no one up or down would doubt it.

Perhaps the Ministry of Justice would also pin the crime of murdering the Princess on Song Langsheng.

Of course, Prince Kang’s brilliance wasn’t limited to this. Though she was clearly the double the Crown Prince found, all responsibility was pushed onto the Prince Consort. But the Crown Prince absolutely couldn’t point this out—if he admitted to finding a fake royal sister these past two years to deceive everyone for his own power monopoly, who among the civil and military officials would still submit to him?

So even if the Crown Prince wanted to protect me, he would keep silent.

This protection might even make it difficult to preserve his own crown prince position.

If the previous witnesses and evidence only pointed to the Princess being dead and still couldn’t directly prove I was an impostor, then the third group of people was truly Prince Kang’s final straw to break the camel’s back.

Because I knew every one of them.

They were my neighbors from Chen Village where I lived day and night during my year of amnesia—Uncle Niutou, Aunt Niutou, the village chief, Gou Wa, Granny Chi, Grandpa Jun.

They asked me so timidly: “He Feng, how did you become a princess?”

“Sister He Feng!”

“Don’t you remember Aunt Niutou? Last year we wove cloth together, and Gou Wa burned your wrist. Don’t you remember?”

I lowered my eyelids, looking at the burn scar still on my wrist, listening to those caring greetings that sounded like death knells.

Until this moment, I finally understood what Nie Ran’s ambiguous words from recent days really meant.

Why he repeatedly said someone wanted to kill me.

Why he always urged me to leave this strife and entanglement.

Why he always insisted I was a fake princess, just a substitute.

Because even he himself believed this and provided such evidence to Prince Kang.

Nie Ran stood there straight, quietly watching me, and I was watching him too.

He wasn’t Xu Fang at all.

But he had used… the disappeared Xu Fang.

I sat upright in the high seat, taking in all the various expressions in the hall at a glance.

Why was Prince Kang, who had reputation but no real power, so arrogantly aggressive? The string behind him connected to the hundred thousand troops under Marquis Xia Yang’s command in Lingnan. And why was Nie Ran to marry the only daughter of Chief Minister Zhao Gengnian of the Cabinet—I turned my gaze to the eternally silent Chief Minister Zhao and the more than half of Zhao faction officials in the court.

All truths had become clear.

Prince Kang raised his hands again, one pointing at Song Langsheng, one at me: “Come, quickly arrest these two treacherous rebels who deceive the ruler and commit regicide!”

Elite soldiers responded and entered the hall.

I had never imagined in my life that this genuine princess position would one day be called a deer when it was a horse.

Elite soldiers had already surrounded Song Langsheng and were about to charge forward.

Prince Kang’s eyes were full of barely concealed excitement, like a bloodthirsty executioner. With success in sight at the crucial moment, how could he not be overjoyed?

Since entering the hall, I hadn’t uttered a sound. Only at this moment did I slowly release the fist I had been clenching in my sleeve, looking down at the several elite soldiers about to step forward and capture me. But when they met my gaze, their steps became confused—just a few steps away, they dared not advance even one more step.

I slowly stood up.

Prince Kang didn’t understand: “What are you standing there for!! What’s there to fear!! She’s an impostor princess!!!”

Hearing this, the elite guard officers summoned courage and stepped forward. I finally slowly spoke, calling out sternly: “Sun Xuan!”

The lead soldier, suddenly called by name, stared at me wide-eyed, seeming completely unable to process what he’d heard. I fixed my gaze on him: “In the thirteenth year of Emperor Yuan’s reign, you entered the Three Thousand Battalion as chief patrol with the highest score in martial examinations. In just two years you advanced to the Feathered Forest Guard through exceptional ability and had great prospects, but you violated military orders when your mother fell critically ill at home. This Princess, sympathizing with your filial devotion, petitioned Father Emperor to keep you in the palace as a personal guard. How is it that after only five years, you’ve forgotten your oath of loyalty?”

“Prin… Princess…” Sun Xuan was completely stunned, then immediately knelt and kowtowed, the sound echoing through the hall.

Seeing their leader kneel, the other elite soldiers were at a loss. I continued: “Liang Fang, if this Princess remembers correctly, isn’t your father Commander Liang Yuanping of the Huguang Command under the前军都督府?”

Liang Fang looked incredulous: “My father… my father indeed…”

I interrupted him: “In the fourteenth year of Emperor Yuan’s reign, Commander Liang defeated fifty thousand southern barbarian raiders with merely ten thousand troops, then died of his wounds. On his deathbed, he entrusted the Central Military Command to bring you back to the capital and place you as a personal guard of the Princess residence. At that time you practiced spear work nightly, disturbing this Princess’s sleep. I wanted to dismiss you, but seeing your accurate spear technique, I recommended you to His Highness the Crown Prince… Liang Fang, as the Crown Prince’s personal guard, you don’t obey the Crown Prince’s commands, yet you’re eager to follow others’ orders. Didn’t your father teach you that without rules, nothing can be accomplished?!”

“Clang!” His long sword fell to the ground as Liang Fang knelt and prostrated himself: “Your Highness… this subordinate acknowledges his guilt…”

“Chi Dong!”

“Qiu Mingfei!”

“Wang Zhiyi!”

I called out the names of those palace guards one by one, recounting their military service histories in detail, watching them kneel one by one and cry out “Long live the Princess,” finally curving my lips in a gentle smile.

Father Emperor once taught me: Better to not remember the names of palace nobles than to forget the name of every soldier who protects you.

Because what they protect is your life and safety.

Indeed, Prince Kang’s intricately planned scheme was truly formidable, but ultimately he had miscalculated one thing.

I am the real Princess Xiangyi.

That is a fact that even countless iron-clad evidence cannot erase.

And this morning when I asked my prince consort if he was worried, what he whispered in my ear was—

“Worried? When it comes to competing in conspiracies and schemes, I have never seen… Xiao Qitang lose.”

I swept the hall with ice-cold eyes, taking in everyone’s astonished looks and strange expressions, until my gaze fell on Prince Kang and stopped.

At this moment, his complexion showed undeniable panic, yet he still forced himself to remain calm: “You… you think memorizing these personal guards’ case files and rosters makes you able to impersonate Princess Xiangyi?”

Uncle, have you finally exhausted your last desperate tricks?

I raised my eyebrows.

Then, it’s my turn.