After soaking in the water for so long, I was indeed somewhat dizzy and disoriented. When I came to, what met my eyes were bed curtains swaying in the gentle breeze, and beneath my palms were soft bedding.

I knew that someone like me, who since childhood would accidentally get stung by bees at flower-viewing gatherings, accidentally fall off cliffs while mountain climbing, and accidentally fall into water while lake touring, always had divine protection. Mere assassins were like neighbors dropping by for a visit – nothing to worry about.

Feeling a large hand covering my forehead, I turned to look and thought somewhat confusedly that it seemed every time I woke up, the person keeping watch by my side was always him.

Song Langsheng sat by the bedside. Seeing me awake, he asked, “Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”

I propped myself up to lean against the bed’s edge and answered, “My arm hurts.”

Hearing this, Song Langsheng poked at the wound on my arm, making me grimace in pain. He raised an eyebrow and said, “So the princess does know pain?”

I felt his complexion was off, as if he was angry, so I changed the subject, “How did you happen to appear there?”

“There” naturally referred to the water. I remembered him riding away on horseback in a cloud of dust – how had he circled back to the river?

Song Langsheng said, “I heard the explosion and immediately rushed over. Students on the shore said Bai Yujing was on a pleasure boat heading toward the official ship. I knew it was the princess, so I took another pleasure boat to give chase. Who knew I’d see the boat sinking from afar, so naturally I had to jump in the water to save you.” He looked at me with displeasure, “Fortunately the princess has great fortune. If I hadn’t found you in time, I’m afraid…”

I said, “You would have died for love?”

Song Langsheng: “…”

I stopped joking and asked, “Aren’t you afraid of water? I remember you didn’t even dare board boats…”

Song Langsheng was quiet for a moment before saying, “Though there were some difficulties, later I… learned.”

Various images immediately floated through my mind of Song Langsheng shirtless in the heat of summer or depths of winter, doing doggy paddle, breaststroke, and his own invented swimming styles in some pond. I couldn’t help but chuckle. As I laughed, I suddenly remembered the current situation and hurriedly asked, “How is he?”

Song Langsheng said, “Who?”

“Nie Ran,” I said urgently, “He was slashed by an assassin and bled a lot. Did you… did you save him?”

Song Langsheng glanced at me, “Why would I save him?”

I was speechless, “So… he’s dead?”

Song Langsheng spread his hands and looked at me without speaking.

I was furious, “How could you not save him? No matter what, you’re still the Chief of the Court of Judicial Review. When someone tries to kill a court official, how can you ignore it?”

Song Langsheng nodded, “Since that’s the case, I must certainly investigate this case, catch the real culprit, and console his departed soul.”

“…” My eyes really did grow hot.

Song Langsheng extended both thumbs to wipe away my tears and sighed, “Alright, he’s not dead. Though he was stabbed, it wasn’t in a vital spot. After he killed that assassin, he wanted to save you, but I got there first.”

Only then did I feel relieved. Actually, I had sensed early on that Song Langsheng was deceiving me, but after surviving such an ordeal I really wanted to cry, so I tested whether I could cry. I didn’t expect Song Langsheng to be completely helpless against my tears. It seems I need to practice this skill more – if I could perfect it to the point of tears welling up after counting to three, I could surely make him completely submissive.

I remembered something, “What did you mean when you said he wanted to save me?”

Song Langsheng said, “Just that when he was about to swim toward you, I blocked him. I gave you mouth-to-mouth right in front of him.”

I: “…”

Song Langsheng’s eyes held a smile, “We’ve seen each other several times at court. Though he’s a newly arrived capital official, he couldn’t possibly not know who I am.”

I couldn’t help scratching my head. It seemed Nie Ran already knew my identity. If he knew I was Princess Xiangyi, what would he think?

I asked, “After we got to shore, how did he react? Didn’t he ask you anything?”

“No. He fainted as soon as he got to shore.”

I: “…”

Song Langsheng said, “Don’t ask me why I didn’t save him. First, I couldn’t carry him. Second, there were people coming and going on shore – surely not everyone would ignore someone in distress. Third, I was eager to save the princess and couldn’t be bothered with such irrelevant people.”

…Mainly because His Lordship the Prince Consort is petty-minded…

I lowered my head and sighed. Before I finished sighing, I asked again, “What about Han Fei and Fang Yachen? They were also on that boat and got injured trying to save me. Are they…”

“They’re fine.” Song Langsheng answered briskly, “Both suffered minor flesh wounds and are resting in the princess mansion. Doctor Zhou examined them – nothing serious.”

I breathed a sigh of relief and murmured, “That’s good. Those two really had it rough…”

Song Langsheng’s expression was bland as he said, “From the moment the princess woke up, you’ve been asking about this and that, asking about so many people, but somehow you don’t know to…”

“Think about myself, right?” I smiled, “This princess is fearless, always thinking of others first…”

Song Langsheng shook his head and gave me a reluctant look, “I meant me.”

I: “…You’re sitting there perfectly fine. What’s worth asking about?”

Song Langsheng grasped the wrist of my uninjured hand and pressed my palm to his forehead, saying, “I have a fever.”

“…” My palm felt the burning heat. I flinched, then felt around repeatedly, knowing he spoke the truth, “How did you get a fever? If you’re sick, why aren’t you lying down properly?”

Song Langsheng looked at me, “I’d been traveling for days and was already exhausted. Getting sick after being in the water isn’t surprising, but I had to see you wake up before I could rest easy.”

His words made my heart skip a beat or two. For a moment I couldn’t respond. Song Langsheng asked, “Is the princess very moved right now?”

His eager expression seeking praise and comfort… really did diminish my level of being moved, but it was quite endearing. I suppressed a smile and nodded, “Mm.”

Song Langsheng asked again, “Could the princess agree to one request of mine?”

I nodded again, “If it’s within my power.”

Song Langsheng hesitated for a moment, his lips moving slightly, “Could you… not divorce me?”

In this situation, I was momentarily stunned.

I couldn’t imagine someone as proud as him lowering himself to say such words to me. That night when he asked if I was willing to trust him once more, I was certain he had ulterior motives. Looking back at him now, I felt that even if he truly did have designs on me, what did it matter? Wei Qingheng was right – using these one or two years of memories to judge the people and events around me was unfair to me and to others.

Many times, perhaps what the heart truly feels is most real.

Just as I was about to agree, I suddenly heard a “thud” and saw Song Langsheng fall face-first onto the bed, motionless for a very long time.

I sighed as I supported my forehead. He was indeed burning up badly, yet he had chatted with me for so long. I didn’t know how he had held on.

When Zhou Wenyu arrived and checked his pulse, he kept complaining, “This old man told the prince consort earlier that he was clearly the sicker one, but he wouldn’t listen. Now look what happened!”

His words made me somewhat uneasy, “Isn’t it just an ordinary chill?”

Zhou Wenyu shook his head, “It shouldn’t have been this bad originally. The prince consort was soaked like a drowned rat at the time, but instead of hurrying to change clothes, he was busy having people clean up the princess properly. Only after I said it was fine did he go take care of himself. Sigh, forget it. This old man will go prepare a prescription. If he can sweat it out, there shouldn’t be any major problem.”

I had servants cover Song Langsheng with a winter quilt and sat guard beside him, waiting for him to sweat.

But after much fussing, adding another layer to the bed, and even I dozed off leaning against it, he did wake up, but still wouldn’t sweat. His forehead was burning hot while his body felt even colder. Song Langsheng said, “Princess, please go rest.”

I propped my chin on my hand, “This is my bedroom. I’m particular about beds.” I reached out to feel his forehead, “Aren’t you someone who practices martial arts? How is it you just won’t sweat?”

Song Langsheng caught the hand I’d extended to his forehead, pulled hard to make me lean onto him, then moved to brush my lips with a kiss. I was stunned for a moment and hurriedly pushed him away. Song Langsheng curved his lips, his eyes bright, “I’ll be able to sweat soon.”

Now, whether he would sweat I didn’t know, but my forehead was certainly getting warm. I swallowed hard, not daring to look into his eyes. It was strange – counting the time in the water, this was the third time he’d kissed me since I lost my memory. The first time I didn’t think much of it – he was just venting his anger. The second time I was dazed and fainted. Why was my heart racing so wildly this time? I really was regressing with age.

When medicine was brought again, Song Langsheng’s entire nightrobe was soaked through. Zhou Wenyu said after another good sleep he should recover some vitality. Song Langsheng, afraid I’d get drowsy, insisted on returning to his own bedroom. Perhaps truly exhausted, he fell into deep sleep after drinking the medicine. I finally relaxed. Coming out of the room, I felt this day had passed quickly again. Seeing dusk approaching, Liu Bo was about to have someone prepare my dinner.

I called Liu Bo over, signaled for the two maids beside me to withdraw, and put away the smile that had been on my lips, “Tell me exactly what happened at the mansion from before I regained consciousness.”

Liu Bo nodded and said Song Langsheng had entered through the side gate carrying me back to my room, only calling for Doctor Zhou and instructing Liu Bo not to make a fuss. He had Liu Bo guard the mansion’s gates and receive Han Fei and Fang Yachen into the mansion. Because the arrangements were careful, the matter wasn’t spread around. Only a few reliable and tight-lipped maids in the mansion knew about it.

I was somewhat surprised. An attempt on the princess’s life should have caused an uproar, letting all civil and military officials know, the crown prince’s fury, and the Ministry of Justice investigating. Why had Song Langsheng suppressed this matter?

I couldn’t help rubbing my brow and said, “Have Han Fei come to my study.”

I was flipping through the little booklet Han Fei had given me last time in my study. Halfway through, the man himself arrived. I set down the booklet and looked him up and down. He had changed into scholarly robes, his right wrist showing wrapped bandages. After performing a bow, he stood quietly and straight.

I pointed to a chair nearby, “All the servants have been dismissed and no one’s attending us. Sit casually.”

Han Fei complied. I played with my brush handle, “What about Fang Yachen?”

Han Fei said, “A few days’ rest and she’ll be fine.”

I asked, “In your opinion… were those who destroyed the official ship and those who tried to assassinate this princess the same group?”

Han Fei shook his head, “The official ship being rigged with explosives was clearly premeditated, while the Imperial Academy’s lake excursion was the princess’s sudden idea. These two events happening simultaneously should just be coincidence. As for their origins… we can’t make hasty conclusions.”

I nodded, “Good thing we were prepared in advance and the grain was preserved. But I wonder, after this incident, do you want to continue being Inspector Han, or do you have other plans?”

Han Fei said calmly, “I originally intended to travel through the night and should reach Suiyang by the original scheduled date.”

I said, “I thought you’d choose to stay with Fang Yachen forever and not wade into these muddy waters anymore.”

Han Fei smiled noncommittally. I couldn’t fathom the meaning behind it. I just gave him a few important instructions, telling him to protect Fang Yachen well, then he left carrying a sword.

I dipped my brush in ink and continued writing a pile of names and key words on paper. Every time I closed my eyes, that sky full of flames would appear in my mind. I sipped some tea trying to calm my mind, but the miserable sight of people on the official ship being burned by fierce fire emerged chaotically again. In anger, I threw the teacup forcefully at the ground. The sharp “crash” shattered my indecisive heart into certainty.

After returning to my room, I barred the door, went to the bedroom wall, opened a mechanism, took out an item, changed into men’s clothing, and quietly left the mansion.

At night, the famous Yueyang Wine House in the capital was brightly lit with a constant stream of wealthy officials and merchants, while the Yuelu Tea House across from it was much quieter, about to close. Using the excuse of having left something behind, I entered the establishment. Apart from a few workers cleaning up, there was no one else. I had someone call the proprietor, but the worker said the proprietor wasn’t in. I simply refused to leave. After about half an hour, the proprietor finally appeared, limping. Before he could say a few apologetic words, I showed him the item from my sleeve.

The proprietor’s expression immediately became grave. Without another word, he led me into the inner room. Inside was an ordinary place for keeping accounts and storing miscellaneous items. The proprietor just fiddled with the tea sets arranged there, and a cabinet responded by moving, revealing a pitch-black secret passage inside. The proprietor held up an oil lamp indicating I should follow him in. The moment I stepped inside, I heard the cabinet rumbling shut behind us. My steps paused slightly, then I continued following closely.

Long stairs extended downward. After walking step by step for quite a while and descending the last step, before me was a winding stone path. As I walked, I thought this secret passage was quite long and built secretly. I wondered how long it had taken to dig – it probably existed before Father Emperor’s accession to the throne.

After several turns, the tunnel became much more spacious. At the end of the corridor was a stone wall. The proprietor reached out to turn a candlestick in front of the stone door. The wall slowly rotated, revealing a gap. When the stone door fully opened, another world appeared.

This secret organization buried underground was much larger than I had imagined. There were those practicing martial arts as shadow guards, those writing quickly at desks keeping records, those forging weapons and hidden weapons… Along the way, they hardly stopped their work because of our arrival, but you could see from their eyes that the proprietor held an extraordinary position.

Only after entering a square stone chamber did the proprietor bow to me, “Your Highness Princess, golden peace.”

I said indifferently, “You are Tao Yuan, the director of the Bureau of Clear Observation?”

“Correct.”

I used the candlelight to carefully examine Tao Yuan, remembering when Father Emperor handed me the Bureau of Clear Observation’s token, he had said, “The Bureau of Clear Observation follows imperial orders. Though you serve as regent, you are not the true master of the Bureau of Clear Observation. However, you hold the token I personally granted you, so they will certainly show some deference. If you can gain the recognition of Bureau Director Tao Yuan, that would be best.”

“Director Tao need not be formal.” I sat down, “The Bureau of Clear Observation is well-informed. I presume you’ve already learned of the canal transport official ship fire?”

Tao Yuan said, “Yes. Does the princess want the Bureau of Clear Observation to investigate the mastermind behind this incident?”

I nodded slightly.

Tao Yuan said respectfully, “The Bureau of Clear Observation will do its utmost.”

Such vague words as “do its utmost” – I didn’t know who he was trying to fool…

I considered for a moment and said, “What a coincidence. Today the Imperial Academy’s lake excursion pleasure boat also sank at West Pigang. Does Director Tao know the reason?”

Tao Yuan gave me an inquiring look.

I said, “This princess was also on that pleasure boat. Who would have thought that while the boat was on the river, assassins suddenly emerged from the cabin intending to kill me. After some fighting, knowing they couldn’t win, that group scuttled the ship. Fortunately I have great fortune, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to sit here now.”

Hearing this, Tao Yuan’s expression changed, “The princess is blessed by heaven. But who would be so audacious as to attempt to harm Your Highness?”

“I’m puzzled too.” I leisurely straightened my sleeves and said to Tao Yuan, “Actually, the Ministry of Justice investigating these matters would certainly produce results, but I fear that after all that effort, they’d only catch the pawns while the masterminds behind it all remain at large… Father Emperor said that when necessary, the Bureau of Clear Observation’s power could be used. Does Director Tao think this matter warrants troubling you?”

Bringing up Father Emperor’s words, Tao Yuan naturally dared not refuse. He stood and bowed, “Whatever the princess commands.”

“To be honest, this princess was actually disguised as an Imperial Academy student on that pleasure boat.” I smiled, “Thinking about it this way, whoever arranged the assassination must have had inside cooperation with someone among the Imperial Academy students. And to be able to plant informants in the Imperial Academy… this person probably holds a position in the court.”

After thoughtful consideration, Tao Yuan paced and said, “Though the princess’s reasoning narrows the scope, to speak disrespectfully, everyone in the court is suspect, even Prince Kang.”

I said, “Correct. But almost everyone on that pleasure boat nearly died on the spot. In other words, if I don’t speak of it, no one would know I was attacked. So I’ll pretend I truly sank with that pleasure boat. Does Director Tao understand this?”

Tao Yuan frowned, “The princess means… to pretend the mastermind succeeded in the assassination, then observe the movements of court officials and plan before acting?”

I smiled, “Now the court officials mostly know I’ve begun delegating power to the crown prince. Even if I don’t attend morning court or participate in governance, no one would object. Having succeeded in the first step of eliminating me, the mastermind would very likely move against the crown prince in the second step. But when he discovers that no civil or military official has noticed the regent princess has met with misfortune, he naturally can’t proceed with the second step. If I were him, I would certainly use some means to make everyone discover the princess is missing. He might not come forward personally, but would more or less reveal some clues.”

Hearing this, Tao Yuan smiled, “The princess is indeed far-sighted. In that case, I’ll immediately arrange for a female corpse in men’s clothing of similar build to the princess to be sunk in the river, and record the movements of all officials in the next few days’ morning courts or meetings, whether suspicious or not, and report everything to the princess.”

As I expected, there were indeed court officials who were also Bureau of Clear Observation people. Otherwise, staying locked in this small world all the time, how could they know about the vast world outside?

I said, “Thank you in advance, Director Tao. There’s one more thing – to prevent encountering similar incidents again, this princess needs a shadow guard. The guards at the mansion can’t be completely trusted. If it’s from the Bureau of Clear Observation, that would be perfect.”

Tao Yuan repeated meaningfully, “Whatever the princess commands.”

Coming out of Yuelu Tea House, I immediately felt refreshed. Underground, the air circulation was poor after all, and I constantly worried about sudden earthquakes or something, so after talking for just a while I was eager to get out.

However, when I went in I was alone, but when I came out there were two more people beside me.

The shadow guards Tao Yuan found for me – the male called A’Zuo and the female called A’You, both in their early twenties, skilled in eighteen types of martial arts including disguise, stealth, and ninja techniques. Normally they could almost completely disappear from my presence, but would emerge when encountering danger. Of course, if I felt bored and wanted someone to chat with, I could also call them out to eat and drink with me.

The reason I needed to call an additional A’You was for more intimate protection, such as when using the toilet, bathing, or having intimate moments with someone in the boudoir – she had to stay close by. A’Zuo would guard outside, watching all directions and listening in all directions. One attacking, one defending, working together quite seamlessly.

The bright moon shone clearly.

I originally planned to return to the princess mansion to rest, but couldn’t resist wanting to know what the situation was like at West Pigang. After some internal struggle, I still hired a horse carriage to drive there.

As expected, because such a major case had occurred, what was originally a brightly lit main road had become desolate and cold. The docks were all heavily guarded, but as the night was deep, the official soldiers fishing for corpses in the river were gradually withdrawing, to continue tomorrow.

I got off the carriage and walked along the shore, planning my next moves in my mind. Seeing a small boat slowly moving on the river not far away, with people holding lanterns and shouting loudly, though I couldn’t make out what they were doing. I asked nearby fishermen stationed on the shore, and one said, “These seem to be Imperial Academy students. Today a pleasure boat sank in the river, and there were friends of theirs on it, someone called Bai Yujing it seems. They even gave us silver to search for most of the day… Sigh, it’s been sunk so long, even if they found him…”

It was Lu Lingjun, Li, Du, Su and the others…

I gazed at that lone speck of light on the river, my eyes growing somewhat misty. In this cool night breeze, I wondered how long they would continue searching. Actually, apart from Lu Lingjun, I wasn’t close with the others – we’d only shared drinks once and chatted a few times. But they all treated me with sincerity – how could I doubt them?

Turning around, I saw someone standing by the stone railing looking at me.

His arm was wrapped in bandages and suspended across his chest, not as composed as usual.

I suddenly wondered if I had been able to foresee this moment back then, would I still have held onto that obsession and used an arrow to pierce Nie Ran’s hand, letting myself drift with the current?

Clearly just half a year ago my mind was full of longing and resentment – those intense emotions seemed like very distant things now, as if even that somewhat sensitive, fragile, hesitant He Feng was gradually moving away from me.

When Nie Ran approached me, a gust of wind brushed my nose tip with coolness. I spoke first, “Your hand isn’t disabled, is it?”

Nie Ran wasn’t amused by me. He nodded faintly, “What about you?”

I smiled, “Not a hair harmed.”

Nie Ran nodded again and stopped speaking. He was probably here to watch over Lu Lingjun and the others. I didn’t know what topic to discuss either, so I just said, “I’ll go first then. See you later.”

“Your Highness Princess.” Nie Ran said casually, “Should I address you this way when we next meet?”

I was stunned for a moment. He had found out after all, “If it’s not in court, in private you can call me whatever you like. I won’t mind such things.”

Having said this, I turned toward the carriage. Nie Ran quickened his pace to block my path, “Do you know how dangerous your situation is?”

I said, “It’s just assassination. No need to make a big fuss.”

Nie Ran said coldly, “You’re using your own life as a body double for this princess. Have you thought whether it’s worth it?”

Body double? What body double?

I was stunned, “What do you mean by that?”

Nie Ran said, “Princess Xiangyi already met with misfortune two years ago on the prince consort’s birthday. How could you possibly be her?”

I took quite a while to understand the meaning of his words. It seemed he didn’t know that I had survived and lived as He Feng for over a year, but… how did he know Princess Xiangyi had met with misfortune? Could it be him… impossible. According to the timeline, he had already lost his memory and become Xu Fang then, so he couldn’t have been involved… If so, he must know about the crown prince finding a body double to impersonate me and mistook me for the fake one…

I’m afraid the connections here are far more complicated than I imagined…

I said, “Who I am, whether I’m in mortal danger, whether it’s worth it – what does any of that have to do with you?”

Nie Ran blurted out, “How is it not my concern?!”

I was stunned.

What did he mean by that?

After Nie Ran’s cold laugh came another cold laugh. I didn’t know what central point he was trying to express. Finding that he couldn’t get through to me for the moment, he simply grabbed me and said, “In any case, if you don’t have a death wish, you can’t go back to being that princess’s body double.”

I struggled and said, “My affairs are none of your business.”

Nie Ran gripped tighter. Having already decided I was fake, he said, “Why take such risks? If you’re being forced, I can protect you.”

I truly couldn’t explain clearly. Just as I was worried whether A’Zuo and A’You would jump out to help the underdog, a hand suddenly appeared between us. Long fingers gripped my wrist while another hand rested on Nie Ran’s shoulder. That person said casually, “She’s wholeheartedly devoted to being this princess – ah, fake princess. Naturally it’s not due to coercion, but for other reasons.”

…Why does this guy always appear before me like a ghost…

Song Langsheng gazed at me once, then looked at Nie Ran with slight provocation, saying, “Because she’s already fallen in love with this prince consort, deeply smitten and unable to extricate herself.”