Chapter 1

I once thought I was a ray of light in Gu Ming's days as a hostage in a foreign country.

Yet he saw me as the shame of his life.

Everyone thought that after ascending the throne, he would ask the Emperor of Qing Country to marry me, the favored princess.

However, he wrote on the documents between the two countries that he would make my half-sister the Empress, and me a concubine to secure the alliance between the nations.

Everyone thought I would refuse the marriage in disgrace.

I knelt in front of my father: "I swear to forge the eternal glory of Daqing with the flesh and blood of Gu Ming, please help me, Father!"

Gu Ming was the illegitimate son of the old Emperor of Da Liang, sent as a hostage to Qing Country.

When I met him, he was being stripped and beaten by the Qing Country princes.

"If anyone dares to bully him again, I'll tell Father."

I pointed at the noses of a few brothers and cursed them harshly, driving them away without mercy.

In Gu Ming's eyes, there was no gratitude, only dread.

The name of Princess Yu'an was known by everyone in Daqing, domineering, arrogant, cruel, yet extremely favored.

Falling into my hands was no better than being humiliated by the princes.

However, at that time, he didn't know that the infamous reputation was spread by me.

Gu Ming stayed in Daqing for five years.

Despite my protection, he still endured humiliation in places I couldn't see.

I was deeply fond of his looks, which were seventy percent similar to Ahuan, so I was willing to offer him some protection.

Gu Ming was able to endure, adept at judging the situation.

He would not seek any substantial closeness with me, yet was willing to lower his guard a bit in exchange for my affection.

He was willing to dance with me with swords, yet constantly advised me to be as gentle as my half-sister to gain the love of father and brothers.

At that time, I did not notice the patience in his eyes.

When emotions ran deep, I leaned on his shoulder, my hands embracing his refined yet robust waist, feeling his heartbeat.

The emotions in Gu Ming's eyes were restrained as he pushed me away, "Princess is a person of high status, I dare not sully the princess at all."

I once thought it was his inferiority and respect for me that made him not dare to overstep, but later I realized, he had calculated everything!

After years of lurking, Gu Ming, with his own strength, enabled Da Liang to successively seize three cities of Daqing.

Yesterday's hostage became Da Liang's most noble Emperor!

The rightful eldest princess of Daqing also became his concubine.

And my half-sister became the Empress of Da Liang.

The door was pushed open, a Gu Ming reeking of alcohol held my half-sister Jiang Yu in front of me.

"Everyone, leave."

"Princess, long time no see!" Gu Ming directly reached out and threw aside the handkerchief on my head.

Seeing that face, seventy percent similar to Ahuan's, suddenly appear before me, my heart couldn't help but flutter.

"Gu Ming, I gave my heart to you, why do you treat me this way?"

From the moment I saw the marriage document, I knew Gu Ming harbored resentment against me, but I didn't expect it had reached such extent.

He deliberately made me a concubine and Jiang Yu the Empress, just to humiliate me.

"The princess questions her husband on the wedding night, seems like she hasn't learned proper rules."

"Take the princess to serve outside the Jiaofang Palace, let her see how to properly fulfill the duties of a concubine."

I sneered in my heart but showed disbelief on my face, my eyes struggled to hold back tears.

Kneeling outside the Jiaofang Palace, listening to the sounds of their intimacy inside, only disgust remained in my heart.

"The princess is of noble status, yet now..."

Ziyu, who has been with me since childhood, had never suffered such humiliation.

"Now I am a concubine of the Emperor, we must be careful with our words and deeds."

Gu Ming is a wolf that has been lurking for a long time, while my half-sister is a small white rabbit disguised in wolf's clothing.

My half-sister and I grew up together!

She was born to a common concubine, not very favored by Father, but she was one of only two princesses of Qing Country, very noble indeed.

Since there were only the two of us princesses in the harem, I naturally took extra care of this gentle and sensible younger sister.

I asked myself if I had ever wronged these two, yet I never thought today's humiliation would come from them.

This revenge I'll, Yu'an, surely repay!

Unable to sleep at night.

A night of kneeling and punishment had already exhausted me, when late at night I collapsed from exhaustion and was returned to the bedchamber.

"The Empress summons, please let Princess Consort Lan have an audience."

Early the next morning, Nanny Zhang awaited outside the Jiaofang Palace.

"Princess, let me refuse for you, your legs are still unwell."

"No worries, help me freshen up."

Inside the Jiaofang Palace, my half-sister Jiang Yu sat at the head.

The insistent kiss marks from last night were clearly visible on her neck.

"I greet the Empress," I said.

Everyone was seated, but I alone knelt on the ground.

A quarter of an hour later, Jiang Yu seemed to notice me.

"Sister, why are you still kneeling, Nanny Zhang, why didn't you remind me when my sister arrived!"

"My apologies, Your Grace," Nanny Zhang replied.

Looking at the once harmless, like a small white rabbit, Jiang Yu, I gripped my hands tightly, continuously reminding myself to endure.

"Even Princess Consort Lan, arriving so late, doesn't hurry to offer tea to the Empress," Consort Shu chimed in to support.

Nanny Zhang handed the tea to me.

Staring at the steaming tea before me, I reached to pick it up, the heat of the porcelain cup searing my fingertips red.

"Please have Princess Consort Lan kneel to offer tea," Nanny Zhang said, staring at me proudly.

I slightly curled my lips, walked over to Jiang Yu, and placed the teacup firmly on the table.

"Nanny Zhang, hasn't anyone in Qing Country taught you how to brew tea? Such scalding tea, are you trying to harm the Empress?"

As the rightful eldest princess, with my mother's early death, it was inevitable that I would become a tool for some in the harem to vie for favor.

These vile schemes, I've seen more than enough in the Qing Country harem.

"All this talk of Qing Country, this is Da Liang!" Gu Ming's voice, laced with anger, rang out from outside the door, and everyone knelt promptly.

Gu Ming embraced Jiang Yu, picked up the teacup on the table, and hurled it before me.

"Princess Consort Lan discourteous to the Empress, copy palace rules thirty times, hand it over to me in three days!"

Those familiar are the ones who know where to stab the knife for it to hurt the most.

Back in the Qing Country palace, whenever I made mistakes and was punished by Father to copy palace rules, Gu Ming would voluntarily help me, imitating my handwriting to finish the task.

He once said my temperament was too restless, unsuitable for palace life.

And at that time, I nestled in his embrace, coyly saying, "It's fine, as long as I have you."

I carried five parts of affection, and he took ten parts of acting skills, spending five years this way.

The past is like smoke, my hair unfastened, holding my Persian cat Afu, sitting at the desk.

Clutching the brush firmly, the ink spread over the paper.

I smiled faintly, gazing at the jade hairpin on the table, stroking it gently.

My young love, accompanying me when I was punished to write copies.

And he would be by my side when I recklessly rode and hunted.

He'd cheer me up when I was unhappy.

Also afraid that he wouldn't be by my side, he gifted me a Persian cat for company.

The boy's eyes were bright, curved, like a pool of spring water I fell into.

He said the princess' status was noble, yet like ordinary people, she had emotions.

But Gu Ming would see it as my excuse and pretense.

Gu Ming was a wolf lying in wait for long, while my half-sister was a small white rabbit wrapped in wolf skin.

I grew up with her!

She was born to an ordinary concubine, and though not greatly loved by Father, she was one of only two princesses in Qing Country, very noble indeed.

With only the two of us princesses in the palace, naturally, I took extra care of this gentle and sensible sister.

I asked myself if I had ever wronged these two, but never thought today's humiliation would come from them.

I'm certain I will seek revenge for this!

"""

But later he fell ill, very seriously ill.

Under the shadow of the candlelight, I stared blankly at the paper on the table, then looked coldly in the direction of Jiaofang Palace and sneered.

No matter how much Gu Ming resembles him, he will never be him!

Due to the punishment of kneeling and copying scripts, my body couldn't withstand it, and I finally fell ill.

Days of high fever left me weak and powerless.

Ali stayed by my side, refusing to leave.

"After the Empress Dowager sent some tonics, the Empress and a few concubines also sent some."

Ziyu recounted the recent happenings in the palace.

Since the Empress entered the palace, Jiaofang has truly been the sole favorite.

The Empress Dowager, not being Gu Ming's biological mother, was very displeased with the act of favoring one person alone.

She probably sent me tonics to see me compete with Jiang Yu.

I couldn't help but hold my forehead, feeling a headache.

"Ziyu, please send this jade hairpin to the Empress Dowager."

The affairs of the back palace and the court are inseparable, except for Jiang Yu and me, who came from Qing Country.

The remaining concubines were chosen by Gu Ming from the daughters of important court ministers to consolidate his royal power.

I proactively approached the Empress Dowager, and soon Gu Ming found out.

"The Empress was frightened, and His Majesty ordered all the cats and dogs in the palace to be clubbed to death."

A dozen palace maids rushed in and took my Afu away from my side.

I chased after them, begging them to let go, but no one paid me any attention.

"Your Majesty, I beg you, Afu means a lot to me, please spare it!"

I knelt at Gu Ming's feet, tears of urgency streaming from my eyes.

I knew he was forcing me to cut ties with the past, but such means made me extremely uncomfortable.

"It's just a beast, is it worth such fuss?"

Gu Ming slightly bent down, grabbing my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze and answer his question.

"Isn't a stray cat less important than your sister's safety?"

Listening to Afu's cries grow weaker from afar.

Blood had already spread all over its body, and its breath was gradually dissipating.

"Even a beast forms an attachment over time, which His Majesty might not understand."

I angrily stood up, shook off his grasp, and quickly ran to Afu's dying side.

Tears had already covered my cheeks, "Since you've chosen Jiang Yu, why can't you let me go!"

I carried Amman's gradually cold body back to my chamber with heavy steps.

Gu Ming stood dazed at the same spot.

My behavior since arriving in Da Liang had always been very compliant.

Perhaps he had long forgotten that I was once the flamboyant and arrogant Princess Yu'an.

A gentleman takes revenge, even after ten years is not too late.

I personally buried Afu's body under the locust tree in the palace.

By the tree, I sat alone through the night.

In the Da Liang Palace, I first needed an ally.

In Shoukang Palace, I knelt at the side, listening to the Empress Dowager's reprimand.

"It's about time for Princess Consort Lan, who is not young anymore, to contribute to the Royal Family."

Though she mentioned me, Jiang Yu's face didn't look good either upon hearing this.

"Please forgive me, Mother, as my sister has just recovered from a serious illness and her body is still not well. May I ask if she can rise first?"

Jiang Yu cautiously pleaded for me, and the Empress Dowager, with a bit of disdain, looked at her and then turned her gaze to me.

"Rise, then. A princess of Qing Country is merely this much; I truly don't know what His Majesty saw in them."

"Mother, do not be angry. Yu'er has just arrived at the palace and may do some things poorly, please bear with her."

Gu Ming said with a smile, looking at the Empress Dowager.

The hidden meaning in the words was crystal clear – Jiang Yu was his, not allowing the Empress Dowager even a speck of bullying her, while I was irrelevant.

I lowered my eyelids, hiding the contempt in my eyes.

"Next month will be the Qiming Festival, and envoys from various countries will be attending. I was thinking, why not let the Empress handle the organization of this palace banquet for practice?"

"I am old! Since the Emperor has decided, let Princess Consort Lan accompany her as well!"

The Empress Dowager waved her sleeve and, having said that, left.

Jiang Yu's smile froze on her face, and if looks could kill, I might have died countless times.

At the Qiming Festival.

The Emperor and Empress sat side by side.

Neighboring countries sent emissaries to congratulate.

Now that Da Liang had defeated Qing Country, becoming the strongest nation on this continent, every country was willing to give way thrice over.

The envoy from Qing Country was my younger brother, Jiang Cheng.

Concubines were forbidden to associate with foreign officials, but we understood each other's longing through our eyes.

With a clinking of cups and joyous dancing.

"I heard Da Liang is rich in talented scholars and beautiful women. Could His Majesty let the foreign ministers witness this?"

"Since it's a festival, naturally we should all enjoy together. How about everyone presents a program, and I'll offer a prize for the best, so we all have some fun?"

Gu Ming brought out two Luminous Pearls, each as large as an adult man's fist, as the prize, and everyone suddenly became excited.

"These pearls were serendipitously acquired by me, and since it's a talent competition, they're to be awarded to the most dazzling star today."

Envoys from each country sent people to present talents.

Music, dance, painting followed one after another.

"I heard that the Drum Dance of Princess Yu'an from Daqing once captivated the world; could we be fortunate to witness it today?"

The voice of a slightly intoxicated prince from a small country drew all eyes to me.

I recognized this person. The Prince from Yan Country had once proposed to Father for Jiang Yu but was refused by Father.

I looked at Jiang Yu, and her evasive gaze further confirmed for me that this was her doing.

"Since everyone wishes to see, Princess Consort Lan, go and prepare!"

I was just about to refuse but was cut short by Gu Ming.

Seeing Jiang Cheng's anger across, I shook my head and turned away.

The Drum Dance was a performance I gave on the walls of Beicang City to boost the morale of soldiers in battle.

At that time, Daqing and Da Liang jointly defended Beicang City from Zhou Country's invasion, and my playful self snuck out to Beicang River.

The army of the Great Zhou was pressing in, and our reinforcements had not yet arrived, but I snuck up to the city gate, ordering the military drums to be set up.

Accompanying the soldiers' battles, I danced atop the drums on the city walls.

The dance lasted until the reinforcements' arrival late at night, for ten continuous hours.

Not only did it boost morale, but it also made my name as Princess Yu'an widespread among the countries.

I changed into the war dance attire, took a deep breath, and prepared myself mentally.

"If you change your mind now, I can say you've just twisted your ankle and can't perform."

Gu Ming pushed me against the wall, forcing me to meet his gaze.

Since Afu died, I hadn't given him a glance.

This person had long been dead in my heart.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. Imperial words should remain unbroken; you need not lie for me."

The legitimate princess of a defeated nation had already become a joke among nations, and now being made to perform publicly was a greater humiliation.

Yet the one who humiliated me now feigns the position of a savior, seeking to rescue me, to help me.

It's utterly laughable!

The night fell.

The candle flames flickered, casting shadows.

The grand hall glittered in its golden splendor.

Dressed in battle attire, my long hair was tied up with a ribbon, a short sword in hand, I leapt lightly onto the center of the drum.

The music of "Ambush from Ten Sides" began, and I danced with the rhythm of the beat.

The arcs drawn in the air by my sleeves seemed to be silently orchestrating a battle.

As the music accelerated, the war dance came to an end.

My sword pierced towards Gu Ming on the dragon throne!