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As soon as they left the Liufang Pavilion and got into the carriage, the previously drunk-out-of-his-mind Hoatian suddenly sat up straight. His stunningly handsome face was now lit up with an odd, unreadable smile, and even his long, narrow phoenix eyes were squinting in amusement.
With a slight smile, he casually told Qingfeng and Mayi, "Don't hang around here too long. Let's hurry back to the estate."
Qingfeng glanced back in surprise, a grin tugging at his lips. "Master, so you weren't really drunk?"
Hoatian gave a cold laugh. "If not for that little 'surprise' earlier, I probably would have been too drunk to even stand." As he spoke, an image of a teary face flashed through his mind—and for a second, he wondered how she was doing now.
Meanwhile, Zisu lay silently on the bed, staring blankly at the door Hoatian had walked out of. Her heart was filled with a deep sadness... and burning hatred.
Her hands clenched into fists so tightly that her right palm was hurting.
But she couldn't let go—because in her palm, she held the only piece of evidence that could lead her back to him in the future. The only thing that could help her get revenge.
Her head suddenly throbbed with pain again.
All thanks to that bastard. Not only did he take her body, he left her whole body aching in pain.
She raised a hand to rub her temples—and then she realized something: she could move.
With a sharp gasp, she sat straight up in bed, finding strength in her body she didn't expect. So... she wasn't paralyzed after all. But it was too late now.
Her hatred surged again.
As she reached down to pick up the clothes scattered across the bed, another surprise hit her—all the clothes were... ancient.
Traditional robes, from some historical period.
It took her some effort to get dressed, but once she had everything on, she got off the bed and looked around the room in the dim light.
Pink gauzy bed curtains, a wooden bed with simple carvings, a small table, and a few round stools. Looking up, she saw two paper-covered windows tightly shut.
None of it matched anything from her memories. But it looked exactly like something out of a period drama.
Zisu gulped.
She was starting to realize... that gunshot in her dream—it had been real.
She'd actually died.
But now… whose body was this? What era had she ended up in? Whoever it was, clearly wasn't rich—the room was plain, basic. But the fabric and style of the clothes she was wearing? Definitely not something a poor person could afford.
Based on her instincts, the only way to figure things out was to leave this place.
She quietly opened the door. Outside, the moonlight was bright and clear.
Turns out this was a small courtyard, kind of like servants' quarters.
She slipped through a moon gate lined with plum blossoms and was just about to step into the front courtyard—when loud laughter and chattering hit her ears.
Zisu froze.
What the hell? Was this place a brothel?!
Everything that had just happened flashed through her mind again... No way. Could she really be this unlucky? She'd been a shady assassin in her past life, and now she'd become some random prostitute in a pleasure house?
Hell no. She wasn't accepting this fate.
She had to get out!
And luckily, with her sharp skills, sneaking through crowds was easy as pie. It didn't take long before she'd made her way out onto the street.
The place was actually pretty lively. Even though it was night, the shops and inns along the street were still bustling.
Warm breeze, scent of wine in the air. If she were a tourist, this would actually be a fun spot.
But right now, she just felt completely lost.
She had no idea where to go next.
"Miss…"
A hand suddenly landed on her shoulder.
Startled, Zisu reacted instantly—twisting her body and flipping the person over her shoulder with a sharp throw.
When she turned around, there was a young man in green lying on the ground, grimacing in pain. Seeing her standing there in a daze, he complained, "Ow—Miss, when did you get so strong?! You trying to kill someone or what?"
"Qin Jian?" Zisu blurted out before she could stop herself, then quickly clapped a hand over her mouth. Wait—did she really just say that?
The young servant boy on the ground had already gotten up, still looking a bit hurt. "That's right, Miss. I'm your personal guard. But seriously, you just ran off in the middle of dinner and disappeared! Took me forever to find you, and then you throw me like that?!"
Her head throbbed again, but somehow, her mind felt calmer now.
Deep down, she realized—she knew this boy because of the memories of the body's original owner. Which meant… she probably had two sets of memories now.
"Miss? What are you zoning out for?" Qin Jian dusted himself off, looking all worried. "We gotta get back! If the General doesn't see you soon, he'll probably tear the whole capital apart looking for you!"
Wait. What did he just say?
The General?
He called her 'Miss,' and said the General doted on her that much… could it be that she wasn't a brothel girl at all, but the daughter of a high-ranking general?
Oh my god.
Was this real?
If it was... then what more could she ask for? Ha! This was too good to be true!
Better keep her mouth shut though. The less she said, the fewer mistakes she'd make. She'd just lay low for now, figure things out, and play along.
So she gave the servant boy a sweet smile. "Alright, alright. I'll listen to you. Let's go back to the General's estate, okay?"
"Now that's more like it!" Qin Jian finally smiled. "Let's go!"
In the Liufang Pavilion's main hall, Hoatian sat surrounded by his brothers, each with a beautiful woman in his arms. He couldn't help but smile.
"Wang Mama, tell the girls to take good care of our royal guests tonight. Make sure they're satisfied. If they are, I'll reward the girls handsomely," he said, lifting his winecup to toast with Li Sai Jun and taking a slow sip. His cheeks were already slightly flushed.
Li Sai Jun leaned into his arms, eyes hazy and flirtatious as she gazed at his sharp brows and hawk-like eyes.
"Your Highness, were you pleased with my performance tonight?" she giggled sweetly, downing the rest of the wine he left in his cup.
Hoatian glanced around, then smiled down at her. "Sai Jun always gets the job done. Why wouldn't I be pleased?" As he spoke, he lowered his head and kissed her smooth, pale neck. "If you weren't always playing hard to get, I'd definitely give you a proper taste of royal affection tonight."
Li Sai Jun giggled again. "Oh, Your Highness. You've always been a gentleman with me. I know you value me, that's why you've never forced me to do anything. Besides, you've got so many beauties around you—you're not really missing out if I say no, right?"
He gave her chest a squeeze and chuckled. "You really know how to talk. But I gotta admit, it works on me." Then he waved over his guard, Feng Nan. "How's that little errand I asked you to handle?"
Feng Nan leaned in close and whispered, "Don't worry, Your Highness. That little beauty from the General's estate is waiting for you in the side room. Everything's set."
Hoatian grinned, a fire already stirring in his belly. He wrapped his arm around Sai Jun's waist, pressed himself against her from behind, and made her blush furiously.
"Your Highness…" she started, but Hoatian pressed a finger to her lips.
"Little minx," he whispered with a smirk. "I know you want to keep your innocence. That's fine. But tonight… you'll have to excuse me."
He left the main hall and headed straight to the rear courtyard, making his way to an unremarkable little room. He stood at the door, just about to push it open—but then hesitated, his heart racing with excitement.
Finally. Ever since the moment he saw that stunning beauty Xiao Li on the road into the capital, he'd been captivated. Who would've thought that this beauty was actually the only daughter of General Xiao Chao Gui?
That man, the famed Lord of Anjiang, had returned to the capital due to illness. But even now, his name held power. If Hoatian could win his favor, and take control of the hundreds of thousands of troops under his command, it would massively boost his chances of taking the throne.
Only problem? Xiao Li was spoiled, arrogant, and completely unimpressed by him.
She had the nerve to say that wealth and status were meaningless to her—and that even a prince like him was just another man in her eyes.
Worse yet—he wasn't even a man she found interesting.
Infuriating!
But that just made him more determined to win her over. Especially with her father's military power on the line—he wasn't giving up.
And tonight? His chance had finally come.
Earlier, Feng Nan reported that she'd slipped out with only one servant to wander the city. When they got separated, she ended up entering Qingchun Tower. After she ordered food, Feng Nan got the staff to slip something into her meal...
It all lined up perfectly. Tonight's banquet with the royal brothers in the Liufang Pavilion was the perfect cover. While they partied, he'd take the girl for himself.
He'd waited so long. No way was he missing this chance.
A beauty like her wouldn't escape him this time.
Thinking of this, Hoatian finally pushed the door open, eager anticipation in his eyes.
"Miss Li'er…" he called out—
But the words froze in his throat.
She was gone.
What the hell?!
Where was she?!
"....."