Chapter Two: The Small Matter of a Political Marriage

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As the fifth princess of the royal family of Xining, Rong Jiu had been cherished and adored since childhood. Yet, as a princess, she could not escape her destined role.

The kingdoms of Xining and Yuzhou had always enjoyed close relations, and since ancient times, marriages between their royal families had served to strengthen their alliance.

Unfortunately, in the current generation of Xining, there were only two princesses. The eldest, Princess Rong An, had been frail since birth and required constant medication. Given Yuzhou’s harsh, snowy climate and unpredictable weather, she was unsuited for the arduous journey required for the marriage alliance, leaving only the lively fifth princess.

However, the ninth princess was used to freedom and could not accept the prospect of marrying for alliance. In a fit of rebellion, she fled the palace, only to stumble into a trap meant for wild beasts. Later, her brothers, searching for her, found her there.

Rong Jiu believed the original owner of this body had died, and her own soul had taken its place. If so, had her modern self also perished? The thought dimmed her gaze. But even if she had died, would anyone care?

“A Mu, tell me, who is the person I am supposed to marry?” Rong Jiu brushed aside the gloom in her mind and turned to A Mu.

Since she was here, she might as well settle in. Perhaps Heaven had pitied her and granted her a second chance at life.

“It’s the third prince of Yuzhou. They say he is distinguished and handsome, a paragon among men, the dream of every woman in Yuzhou. Many hope to become his princess.” A Mu spoke with a hint of yearning in her eyes and a smile that quickly faded.

“However, it’s said the third prince has a cold and volatile temperament, dislikes intimacy, and though he has yet to favor any woman, I am still worried, Princess, fearing you might not be welcomed.”

Wealthy? Attractive? Overbearing and aloof?

“Wow, isn’t that exactly the kind of domineering CEO I’ve always dreamed of? This is a windfall!” Rong Jiu rolled over, covering her mouth to stifle her laughter, already imagining a hundred scenarios where the domineering prince fell in love with her.

A Mu, thinking Rong Jiu was upset about the marriage, began to comfort her earnestly.

“Princess, marriage alliances have always been the custom between our kingdoms and cannot be broken. I know you don’t want to marry into Yuzhou, but there’s no choice. Please don’t run away again. This time you were lucky; the princes found you. If it happens again... you don’t know, I truly worry myself sick over you.”

As A Mu spoke, tears welled up and rolled down her cheeks.

Rong Jiu had never had many friends; outstanding people are often isolated, and no one ever spoke to her like this. Now, finally, someone cared for her sincerely—how could her heart not be moved? In truth, she was beginning to envy the real Rong Jiu.

“All right, silly girl, I’m fine, aren’t I? I promise you, there won’t be a next time.” Rong Jiu reached out, gently wiping away A Mu’s tears, then raised three fingers in oath to assure her.

“Good, A Mu believes the princess won’t deceive me. Wherever you go, I will follow you to the end.” A Mu smiled through her tears.

“Deal, it’s settled. Come, let’s make a pinky promise.”

“A pinky promise?” A Mu frowned in confusion.

“Like this…” Rong Jiu took A Mu’s little finger and linked it with her own. “This is a pinky promise. Once made, you can’t break it. If you do, you’ll turn into a puppy!”

“All right. But Princess, where did you learn this?”

“That… is a secret.” Rong Jiu stuck out her tongue and made a playful face.

……

The next morning, Rong Jiu slept until the sun was high. Her fall had left her with real injuries, so she remained in bed—truthfully, she was just lazy and didn’t want to get up.

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In the modern world, she had lived a life of early mornings and late nights. Now, with so many attendants, she was determined to enjoy it.

Thus began the following scene…

“A Mu, bring me water, I need to wash up.”

“A Mu, I’m hungry.”

“A Mu, tell me a story.”

“A Mu, I’m thirsty.”

“A Mu, I’m bored!”

“A Mu, A Mu…”

As a result, A Mu was thoroughly exhausted.

Half an hour later—

“Princess, His Majesty and Her Majesty have returned!” A Mu rushed in, bubbling with excitement.

Rong Jiu put down the hair ornament she was playing with, her face tense. “Really?”

“Absolutely! I heard they hurried straight here without even resting.”

Rong Jiu hurriedly tidied her hair, feeling nervous about being exposed, but also unable to suppress her anticipation.

Her parents had always favored sons over daughters, even naming her simply because she was born in September. They traveled often for work and sometimes she wouldn’t see them for months. When her younger brother was born, her place in the family vanished, along with any affection.

“Sigh, if only we’d had a boy instead of a girl—what a shame!”

“Don’t worry, dear, we’re still young and can try again. Next time, it will be a boy.”

As a child, she often heard her mother’s sighs and her father’s resignation.

No matter how hard she tried or how she excelled, she never earned a word of praise from her parents.

“Jiu’er!” At the door, the King of Xining called out impatiently for his daughter.

Rong Jiu snapped out of her memories, quickly composing herself, though her heart was pounding.

The King of Xining was tall and robust, sporting a long beard. His sharp features suggested he had once been the heartthrob of many, and the Queen appeared young, beautiful, dignified, and regal. Both seemed approachable.

“Father? Mother?” Rong Jiu called softly, still nervous, afraid they might see through her.

“Oh, my poor child, let Mother see where you’re hurt.” The Queen of Xining had always doted on Rong Jiu and couldn’t bear to see her harmed. Hearing of her injuries had nearly broken her heart.

“Jiu’er, you’ve suffered these days!” The King, always imposing before others, was gentle only with Rong Jiu.

Her nose tingled—her own parents had never cared so much, even when she was ill. They would only call and tell her to go to the hospital herself, never caring for her.

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In this moment, a warm current surged through her heart, making her nose sting. She threw herself into their arms, pouring out all her pent-up grievances.

Seeing their beloved daughter cry so bitterly, the royal couple’s hearts ached, wishing they could bear it all for her.

“Jiu’er, don’t cry, don’t cry. If you don’t wish to marry for alliance, Father won’t force you. We’ve discussed it—there are many suitable girls in Xining. I’ll find another to take your place.”

Rong Jiu, whose face was sorrowful, instantly changed upon hearing she wouldn’t have to marry. Almost leaping up, she thought: No! She hadn’t even met her domineering prince yet.

“No, no, Father, you misunderstand. Listen to me, this matter is nothing, leave it to Jiu’er.”

She wiped her tears, looking confident.

“What?” The couple were taken aback by her sudden change in attitude.

“Ahem, I mean, marriage alliances are a matter of national importance. If Yuzhou discovered you sent someone else in my place, the trust between our kingdoms would be destroyed. Besides, I don’t want Father to be troubled. I’ve thought it over—if I can contribute to Xining, it’s worthy of being a princess. I was too willful before and caused you difficulty; that was my fault.”

“Oh, my Jiu’er has grown up, she’s thinking of her father now!” The King was both gratified and saddened, feeling his daughter had matured overnight, though the feeling was unfamiliar.

“Jiu’er, Mother can’t bear to part with you. You’re only fourteen, and now you must leave me.” The Queen sobbed, tears streaming.

“Father, Mother, I will marry someday. I’m glad I can serve Xining.”

How could she not be glad? In Rong Jiu’s mind, a domineering prince must not be missed!

Though puzzled by Rong Jiu’s transformation, the royal couple thought little of it, assuming she had simply matured after her ordeal.

“Jiu’er is sensible now, thinking for Xining. But… but I wish you’d never grown up, always my carefree little princess.” The Queen choked up.

The King bowed his head in shame, his heart heavy.

Years ago, he had been too young to protect his elder sister, forced to watch her marry into Yuzhou. Now, as king, he still could not shield his own daughter.

He’d like to break the tradition, but it was decreed by their ancestors and couldn’t be changed lightly. Besides, Mingyue was growing ever stronger, with ambitions to rule all under heaven. Without Yuzhou’s alliance, Xining could not stand against them.

Seeing their self-blame, Rong Jiu felt a subtle ache in her heart—blood ties, after all.

That night, Rong Jiu sat alone on a small hill outside the palace. The moon over the grasslands was exceptionally bright, the breeze unusually gentle. She had never known such a night.

Though she now lived in a foreign land, she felt no longing for her old home. She much preferred it here.

Here, she could live carefree, do whatever she wished, without restraint or bowing to others.

Such a life was like a dream.

Propping her chin, she blinked at the moon, her resolve strengthening.

In this life, I will live as I truly desire.