|•Chapter One•|
The streets of the Qing capital are filled with jubilant crowds celebrating the return of their victorious warriors.
Banners carrying the Azure dragon and the red flaming pearl flutter in the wind, and the air is thick with the sounds of drums and cheers.
The general, Gu Wei, a revered figure, rides at the front of the procession on a majestic horse, his armor gleaming in the sunlight.
Amidst the celebration, a group of war prisoners is paraded through the streets, their heads bowed in shame as the crowd hurls insults and food waste at them.
When war happens, everyone suffers, but the winner takes all. This parade is a display of power and victory. It is a way to assert dominance and send a clear message to any remaining enemies.
Citizens use this act as a cathartic release of their pent-up frustrations but also expose the darker side of human nature.
The men, the women, the elderly and the children who were caught in the chaos of the war are forced to walk beside their soldiers
A stark reminder of their defeat
Zexi’s eyes flutter open, her head pounding with a dull ache. The first thing she notices is the rough texture of the ground beneath her and the heavy chains around her wrists and ankles.
She tries to move, but the weight of the chains pulls her back. That's when her panic sets in as she realizes the unfamiliar surroundings.
Ailin Qorin
(“What the hell...")
Ailin Qorin
("What is this?")
Ailin Qorin
("Where am I?")
Ailin Qorin
("Wasn't I...")
Ailin Qorin
("Wasn't I on a mission, infiltrating C16 for GID? Everything was going according to plan until… until that explosion")
Ailin Qorin
("Did I die? Is this some kind of afterlife?”)
She looks around, her eyes widening in shock as she takes in the ancient surroundings. The bustling streets, the traditional clothing, the smell of incense mixed with the stench of waste being thrown at her and the other prisoners.
Ailin Qorin
("This is definitely not the 21st century!")
Ailin Qorin
("This looks like… ancient China? But how? Why? And why am I in chains?")
As the prisoners are marched through the streets, Zexi suddenly stops walking, her mind racing with questions and fear. She stands still, looking around in bewilderment, trying to make sense of her new reality.
The crowd’s cheers and jeers grow louder as the victorious warriors parade through the streets.
The guards notice her hesitation and immediately react.
Guard 1
"Hey, keep moving!” (He shouts, prodding her with the blunt end of his spear)
Zexi stumbles forward but then stops again, her mind still reeling. The guard’s patience wears thin.
Rigt then, a sharp, searing pain slashes across her back as the guard's whip cracks against her skin. Zexi gasps, the pain jolting her back to reality.
She stumbles forward, and only then does she feel the aching in her feet, Her soar and parched throat, and the rapid heartbeat pounding in her chest.
Guard 2
"What’s wrong with this one? Move it, or you’ll regret it!”
As she struggles to keep moving, a splash of dirty water hits her face, thrown by someone in the crowd. The water stings her eyes and adds to her disorientation. She blinks rapidly, trying to clear her vision.
Ailin Qorin
("This can’t be real")
She grits her teeth, forcing herself to keep walking, each step a reminder of her situation
Upon arriving at the execution ground, the guards immediately forced the prisoners to go on their knees.
The sun blazed, casting harsh shadows on the kneeling prisoners. The air was thick with tension, and the murmurs of the gathered crowd
Jing Jiuchu
“People of the Qing Empire, we gather here today to witness the execution of those who have wronged our great nation. Let us pray for their souls, that they may find peace in the afterlife, despite their transgressions.”
The chief minister of justice said those words, as if encouraging the prisoners to accept their fate with grace
The executioner, a hulking figure with a blood-stained blade, moved methodically from one prisoner to the next, ending lives with a swift, merciless stroke.
From a terrace above, the 3rd prince and the 2nd princess watched the grim proceedings.
The 2nd princess, with a smirk playing on her lips, scanned the line of prisoners until her gaze fell upon a young woman with disheveled hair and a dirt-smudged face.
2nd Princess Xiyue
“Is that…?” (she began, her voice loud dripping with mockery) “The famed Princess Ailin of Qiyun?"
2nd Princess Xiyue
" The one they say is as beautiful as a moonlit night and as valiant as a warrior?”
The 3rd prince glanced at her, his expression unreadable. The 2nd princess continued, her voice rising to ensure the crowd below could hear her.
2nd Princess Xiyue
“Look at her now! There’s nothing beautiful about that face. The rumors must be lies, spread by those who have never seen her.”
The crowd’s attention shifted to Zexi, who was still trying to make sense of her surroundings. The whispers grew louder, turning into shouts of anger and disdain.
“Execute her now!" someone yelled
"She deserves no mercy!" another added
Zexi was roughly dragged to the chopping board, her heart pounding in her chest. As she was forced to kneel, she realized with a jolt that she was the princess they were talking about. Her mind raced, trying to find a way out of this nightmare.
Ailin Qorin
“Seriously? This is how I go out?" (She muttered under her breath)
Ailin Qorin
"Not exactly the glamorous end I had in mind.”
The executioner raised his blade, and Zexi braced herself for the inevitable.
The blade began its descent
But right at that time, a commanding voice rang out.
Eldest Princess Renshu
"STOP!"
The eldest princess, regal and composed, stepped forward. Her presence commanded immediate respect and silence from the crowd.
Eldest Princess Renshu
"This execution is over,” (she declared, her voice firm) “This prisoner is to be taken into custody for further questioning.”
The executioner hesitated, then lowered his blade. Zexi was pulled to her feet, her legs shaky with relief and fear. She looked up at the eldest princess, who didn't even spare her a glance.
Ailin Qorin
“Thank you,” (Zexi said, her voice barely above a whisper) “I owe you one.”
The eldest princess' expression was unreadable.
Eldest Princess Renshu
“You may not feel that way for long,” (she replied cryptically)
Eldest Princess Renshu
“Take her away.”
Eunuch Gong
"HIS MAJESTY ENTERS THE COURT!"
Tye officials kneeled and said in unison, "LONG LIVE THE EMPEROR!"
Emperor
"The Crown Prince and 2nd Prince are also here?" (flabbergasted)
They both bowed and offered their greetings
Crown Prince
"Your Majesty, Ma Guangling has been enjoying funds from illegal trade. He was working with some merchants and has been selling banned products."
Emperor
"Oh really...does the ministry of justice know anything about this?"
Jing Jiuchu
"Replying to you, Your Majesty, indeed we received a tip saying that the chancellor has been involved with such."
Jing Jiuchu
"He bribed some merchants and has been selling opium through personal pharmacies."
Emperor
"The state chancellor is my first royal advisor. Do you have the evidence?"
Jing Jiuchu
"Your Majesty, the Ministry is willing to investigate further."
State Advisor
"Your Majesty, men of all statuses are bound by the law, governed by it and protected by it."
Official 1
"State advisor, you mean..."
State Advisor
"Ma Guangling knows no boundary. He should be judged by the law of the evidence fits."
Officials look at each other and give random whispered comments
2nd Prince Liuxian
"Your Majesty, I have someone I would like for you to meet."
Emperor
"Oh, who is that?"
The prince nods to his right hand, and he walks in, dragging a man who was handcuffed and looked like he hadn't eaten for days with chirped lips and pale skin
2nd Prince Liuxian
"This is Ma Guangling's butler. He handled all the accounts and was in charge of the illegal stations owned by Ma Guangling."
2nd Prince Liuxian
"He has also handled over the agreement pact, which has the seal stamps from the other officials involved."
The once composed court officials began to show signs of unease as low murmurs rippled through the room. Others trying to avoid casting glances to keep themselves calm
Emperor
(Cutting them off, his tone icy) "Silence. I have watched as you prioritize your own wealth and power over the well-being of the empire. You forgot your duties, your oath to serve the people and the throne. Instead, you plot and connive, seeking to enrich yourselves."
Emperor
"Get the royal guards and arrest everyone on that paper! I don't need useless officials."
Crown Prince
"Younger brother, don't worry, I will do what Father requests. You can have some time to rest, your health is more important." (Snatches the pact)
2nd Prince Liuxian
"Then thank you, brother. I will have to trouble you." (bows)
Ju Chen
"Your Highness, what does the Crown Prince mean by doing this? He could have just looked for the evidence by himself"
Ju Chen
"He is going after your things..."
2nd Prince Liuxian
"Enough, remember which identity you are talking about."
2nd Prince Liuxian
"It does not really matter who does it."
He was about to continue but got interrupted...
Crown Prince
(Walking over) "young brother, how did you manage to catch the butler?"
Crown Prince
"Thay was impressive!" (pats his shoulder)
2nd Prince Liuxian
"You flatter me your royal highness, it is my duty"
Crown Prince
(Smiles) "Take it easy. it's just us no need for formalities."
Crown Prince
"I will take my leave first."
2nd Prince Liuxian
"Yes, your royal highness." (Bows and stares deeply at the Crown Prince's back as he leaves)
The jail cell was a dark, damp, and cramped space with rough stone walls that seemed to close in on the prisoners. The only light came from a small, barred window high above, casting eerie shadows on the cold, dirt-covered floor.
The air was thick with the smell of mold and despair, and the occasional sound of dripping water echoed through the corridors.
Zexi sat on the hard ground, her back against the wall, still trying to make sense of her situation.
How had she ended up in this ancient world, in the body of a princess, no less? She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths to calm herself.
Her stomach growled loudly, breaking the silence
Ailin Qorin
("Great, just great...I'm so hungry")
Ailin Qorin
("Do they give convict food here?")
Ailin Qorin
(internal cry)
Ailin Qorin
("I could have been enjoying hotdogs with a frsh cola or even all the delicious gourmet dishes")
Her stomach growled again, louder this time
Ailin Qorin
"Oh, come on,” (she groaned)
Ailin Qorin
"I would kill for a hotdog right now"
Ailin Qorin
"Or a slice of pizza. Heck, I’d even settle for a soggy sandwich from that sketchy deli down the street.”
She glanced down at the heavy chains binding her wrists and ankles. The metal was cold and unforgiving, and each clink seemed to be adding to her hunger.
As she shifted uncomfortably, her eyes caught sight of a small, sharp piece of metal on the ground
Ailin Qorin
"Well, hello there,” (she whispered to the piece of metal) “You might just be my ticket out of these chains.”
With practiced ease, she began to work on the locks
Ailin Qorin
("As if being hungry wasn’t bad enough, now I have to deal with these handcuffs. Seriously, who designed these things? They clearly never had to deal with a hangry woman.”)
Within moments, the chains fell away with a soft clink. She rubbed her wrists, relieved to be free of the restraints.
Ailin Qorin
("That's much better")
The other prisoners in the cell watched her with a mixture of awe and suspicion, but she ignored them.
Ailin Qorin
(leans back against the wall)
Ailin Qorin
("The last rule of a GID agent is survival, I will make it my first then")
The 2nd prince lounged in a private room, a cup of wine in his hand.
He was relaxed, his usual mask of politeness replaced by a rare, genuine smile. Across from him sat Qingru, the owner of the brothel.
2nd Prince Liuxian
“Qingru, you always know how to make a man feel at ease,” (the prince said, taking a sip of his wine) “Any interesting news from the city?”
Qingru
(Qingru leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with mischief) “Oh, you know me, Your Highness. I hear things"
Qingru
"For instance, there’s a rumor about a hidden treasure. They say it’s an ancient artifact that can make you rich. You can live out the rest of your life in splendor."
The prince raised an eyebrow
Qingru
"And they say this ancient artifact is hidden deep, somewhere in the palace."
2nd Prince Liuxian
"Oh, then congratulations, you are going to be rich."
2nd Prince Liuxian
"Do you need a special team to help you raid the palace?"
Qingru
(Qingru gave a slight chuckle, pouring him another cup of wine) “But let’s not dwell on such secretive topics."
Qingru
"I have something special for you to try. A new wine I’ve been experimenting with. Tell me what you think.”
She handed him the cup, and the prince took a sip, savoring the rich, complex flavors
2nd Prince Liuxian
"This is excellent, Qingru. You never cease to amaze me.”
Before Qingru could respond, the door to the room opened, and the prince’s right-hand man, stepped inside. He bowed deeply before speaking.
Ju Chen
"Your Highness, something has happened at the palace."
2nd Prince Liuxian
"What is it?"
Ju Chen
"The state chancellor, he..."
2nd Prince Liuxian
“Qingru, thank you for your hospitality,” (he said, rising to his feet)
Qingru
“Of course, Your Highness. Be careful."
2nd Prince Liuxian
"To the palace, now."
●Watch out for the next chapter●
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