Chapter 2, The Harem Flower Picking Operation

He seemed to see that I had not listened to his words at all, and said harshly: "Speak! Where is the real fortune?"

You wouldn't come to me in the middle of the night just to kill me, would you? Tomorrow I will fall into your hands, and you can't even wait for this one night? Don't think that I, Feng Chen Chuyang, am some kind of hero; I am afraid of death. Although dying in this world merely means returning to my reality, it is somewhat frustrating to die without having accomplished anything since I just arrived.

"Hehe, who would believe that?" Damn! Let me scratch you a couple of times and bite you a few more! Let's see if they believe it!

There is a hint of tremor in his gaze It seems I have guessed correctly

Although Su'er has rationally accepted the fact of my amnesia, emotionally she may still be struggling to come to terms with it. "Princess, this is a portrait of the noble consort, your mother!" My mother? She looks so beautiful? Holding the painting in front of the mirror for comparison, I couldn't help but feel a sense of loss; I haven't even matched half of her beauty. My "mother" is truly irresponsible; being so beautiful herself, why is she so stingy, not willing to pass on even a little to her daughter? At the bottom of the painting, there are a few small characters written. Although I am curious, I cannot tell Su'er that I don't even recognize the characters, so I have to hold back. I held the painting in front of the mirror for comparison again, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of loss; I haven't even matched half of her beauty. My "mother" is truly irresponsible; being so beautiful herself, why is she so stingy, not willing to pass on even a little to her daughter? At the bottom of the painting, there are a few small characters written. Although I am curious, I cannot tell Su'er that I don't even recognize the characters, so I have to hold back. "Should this painting be taken away?" Su'er asked.

I was stunned

"Which one do you think is the most valuable?" I turned around to ask, but unexpectedly, that fellow had followed me closely behind, and my head bumped right into his chin, which really hurt! He rubbed his chin, his face dark and eerie, and coldly asked, "Who exactly are you?"

I laughed and said that it is no wonder people lack manners; if we were the victorious nation and arrived in their capital, we would also act arrogantly. Su'er asked me what "二五八万" means, and I was too lazy to explain, telling her that it simply means very arrogant. Su'er said, "That's different; we have also defeated Wala before. Back in the day, Lord Shang led an army to repel Wala's hundred thousand cavalry all by himself! Yet our Lord Shang is a very good person, always polite and refined to everyone!" Su'er continued, "That's different; we have also defeated Wala before. Back in the day, Lord Shang led an army to repel Wala's hundred thousand cavalry all by himself! Yet our Lord Shang is a very good person, always polite and refined to everyone!"

It is you who does not want the marriage alliance to succeed, right? Let's cover it up a bit.

So you dare to come openly without even wearing a mask? What will you say if I accuse you of assaulting me tomorrow

What did I just see? My goodness! This fellow actually smiled, and it was a beautiful smile! I was momentarily stunned; his mother must be an extraordinarily beautiful woman, otherwise, how could she have given birth to such a handsome son? Thinking of this, I couldn't help but sigh. Why is my mother, who is a noble consort, so stingy? He noticed that I was captivated by his smile and looked at me with disdain. Damn it, it's really frustrating to be looked down upon by this guy! His hand slid up my neck and reached my cheek, sending shivers down my spine! He noticed that I was captivated by his smile and looked at me with disdain. Damn it, it's really frustrating to be looked down upon by this guy! His hand slid up my neck and reached my cheek, sending shivers down my spine!

The convoy exited the palace gates and passed through the streets. The noise outside was deafening. Through the small gauze windows on both sides, I saw the common people kneeling along the streets, many of them crying. I suddenly felt that my emperor brother marrying me off to Wale might not just be a show of weakness towards Wale; could this be a strategy of lamentation? The earlier behavior of the ministers and soldiers of the Zhou state, along with the current appearance of the Zhou common people, seemed to indicate that my departure did not dampen the morale of the Zhou people; rather, it ignited their fighting spirit.

I have not yet heard anything from Su'er, but I will have the opportunity to see my future "son" with my own eyes. The Emperor has arranged a banquet at the Mingzheng Hall to welcome the Wala people, and as a princess who is not yet married, I should not be allowed to attend. However, my future "son" specifically requested my presence!

I stood up and, following the rehearsed movements, slowly walked towards my brother the Emperor. He stood there, taking a jade ruyi from a plate held by a nearby eunuch. I extended my hands to receive it, thinking to myself, "Hehe! Another treasure! It must be worth quite a bit of money!" My hands grasped the jade ruyi, but my brother the Emperor did not let go. I exerted a little more force, yet he still held on. Why? Is he reluctant to part with it? I looked up in surprise, and through the pearl tassels in front of me, I saw my brother the Emperor's face, which bore a hint of sadness, with his eyes reflecting sorrow.

"Water, food!" I moaned weakly, "And first, strip me of this skin, it's suffocating me!" Su'er hurriedly poured me a cup of tea and took out some palace pastries from the food box, handing them to me and saying, "Your Highness, please bear with it for a moment." I drank the water in one gulp and then devoured the osmanthus cake. Su'er and Wan Yue came over to help me remove my makeup. As soon as the formal dress was taken off, I felt a lightness all over my body; that feeling was delightful.

The Emperor stood there looking at me, exuding an aura that was the very essence of an emperor! Beside him stood a noblewoman, a royal concubine. My own mother, the noble concubine, and the Emperor's mother, the Empress Dowager, had long since departed for the afterlife, so the Emperor had to summon a concubine from the harem to help me with my hair. I walked step by step, with utmost solemnity, towards the Emperor and the concubine. It was then that I understood why members of the royal family possess an air of authority; it is not innate, nor is it cultivated later, but rather it is the weight of their garments and headpieces that imposes it! The thickness of my attire was such that I estimated even a knife five centimeters long would not pierce it!

He smiled and said softly, "I am here to break your chastity." Ah! Pervert! How could he say such shameless things so naturally! I forcefully opened his hand and recoiled, so astonished that I was left speechless

Su'er, please help me tidy up the calligraphy and paintings in the study. In fact, I really want to tell her not to bother with those useless things; it would be better to spend that time looking for more gold. However, I have opened my mouth several times but have not had the courage to say it. Although I cannot read a single character, that Princess Furong is a well-known talented woman. If I were to speak up, it would only tarnish her image, so I can only let Su'er continue her futile efforts.

Hehe! Hehe! You flatter me, you flatter me. I chuckled dryly

"Why do you want to violate my chastity?" I asked, covering myself with the quilt.

"What? Is it useful?" I propped up my chin with my hand and chuckled, "It's late at night, it's not good to disturb others. Even if we don't disturb others, it's not good to disturb the flowers and plants, right?" The Third Prince was taken aback for a moment, then continued to look at me coldly, "Aren't you going to ask how I got in?"

Your and my actions in bed will leave a shadow

I had not even taken a sip of cold water after getting up when an official came to announce that the time had come for Princess Furong to proceed to the ceremonial platform. I began to lead my large entourage of dowries, following the official towards the platform. Indeed, it was merely a slow shuffle, as I was unable to walk quickly in all these layers of clothing. By the time I had huffed and puffed my way up more than a hundred steps and finally reached the platform, my emperor brother was already there, leading the civil and military officials of the Zhou Kingdom, along with the wedding delegation from Wale, waiting for me. Below the platform stood rows of soldiers, and from a distance, it resembled a scene from Zhang Yimou's "Curse of the Golden Flower," a sea of black, the spectacle was truly magnificent.

I nodded slightly; since it is a portrait of my mother, it must be taken away, otherwise Su'er might not know what to think. Looking again at the beauty in the painting, oh mother, although you are not kind, your daughter is indeed very kind!

Princess Furong is indeed as radiant and captivating as the legends say!" The third prince chuckled softly and said

Hmm! He began to take off his clothes

I was deep in thought when someone approached my bedside. My head began to tilt back as he drew nearer, ultimately coming to a halt at a forty-five-degree angle. Due to the force of gravity, my chin dropped, and my mouth was half-open.

Su'er mentioned again that she heard the Third Prince who came is quite handsome, resembling the person in the painting, and he is both aloof and charming. In their Wale, it is said that he has captivated countless noble ladies and young beauties. Upon hearing this, I became quite excited; such gossip is loved by people everywhere. I quickly urged Su'er to inquire further and find out what kind of person this Third Prince is.

Your appearance is just like Rong'er, yet your temperament is completely different. Do not try to fool me, old man. Even if you bumped your head, your temperament would not change so much. I said softly, my expression darkening: "Rong'er is also aware of how much she has changed. It is not that Rong'er wants to change; it is the circumstances that force her to change. The Emperor once said he would cherish me for a lifetime, but what does that matter? Once the Waller people arrive, all his words will mean nothing. For the safety of the Great Zhou, regardless of whether it is a dragon's den or a tiger's lair, he will send me there. " Old man Shen's expression showed some signs of being moved, so I pressed on: "Since that day I woke up, I realized there are many things I cannot remember. Perhaps the original Rong'er did not want to think about them at all. Remembering them only brings more pain; it is better to forget, as if one has been reborn. The Emperor once said he would cherish me for a lifetime, but what does that matter? Once the Waller people arrive, all his words will mean nothing. For the safety of the Great Zhou, regardless of whether it is a dragon's den or a tiger's lair, he will send me there. " Old man Shen's expression showed some signs of being moved, so I pressed on: "Since that day I woke up, I realized there are many things I cannot remember. Perhaps the original Rong'er did not want to think about them at all. Remembering them only brings more pain; it is better to forget, as if one has been reborn. I am Rong'er, and I can also say that I am no longer Rong'er. Having said this, whether you believe it or not is up to you. " Old man Shen looked at me, probably considering the reliability of my words. After a while, he sheathed his dagger and asked, "Are we departing the day after tomorrow?" I nodded, finally letting out a sigh of relief. It seems that for now, he would not take action against me. However, I still had some doubts. Is this old man really as capable as he claims? Can he truly rescue me from under the watchful eyes of so many people? I have never seen his methods, yet I have staked everything on him. What if things go wrong when the time comes?

"Third Prince, you must show some respect. Although the radish is small, it still has its place in the hierarchy. After all, I am your stepmother!" Upon hearing my words, I could clearly sense his body stiffen, and he moved a bit further away from me. I finally breathed a sigh of relief and quickly took a deep breath; I had been so nervous that I didn't even dare to breathe. However, when I saw his dark, handsome face clearly, I couldn't help but want to slap myself! Alas! Why did I have to take advantage of him verbally again! If I anger him, I won't be able to bear the consequences!

Five years, five years later, perhaps what the emperor brother said might come true! I shivered, why think so much? What does all this have to do with me, Feng Chen Chuyang! Cherish life, stay away from the palace

Before my cheap son could react, my imperial brother had already changed his expression and sternly shouted, "Rong'er! Do not speak nonsense!" He then turned to apologize to the Third Prince, saying, "Rong'er is young and ignorant, I hope Your Highness will not take offense." The Third Prince, with a cold expression, snorted but did not respond. I pretended to feel wronged and lowered my head, choosing not to speak further. How virtuous! I stole a glance at the Third Prince, who had a handsome appearance, thinking to myself, go ahead and act proud, I am curious to see if you can lift your backside to the sky.

"Why not call?" he sneered

Since you do not wish for the marriage alliance to succeed, there is more than one way to achieve this! I have another method! I said through clenched teeth. He looked at me with suspicion as I quickly climbed down from the bed, retrieved my small bundle from the little box under the bed, and said: "Take me out of the palace, I will run away alone, and I will definitely not be exposed. The grand ceremony will not take place as scheduled tomorrow, how about that? You won't have to suffer the indignity of sleeping with me!" This fellow had an expression of disbelief, looking down at the bundle in my hand, then raising his gaze to my face, as if I were a monster. I repeated: "Take me out of the palace, I will run away alone, and I will definitely not be exposed. The grand ceremony will not take place as scheduled tomorrow, how about that? You won't have to suffer the indignity of sleeping with me!" This fellow had an expression of disbelief, looking down at the bundle in my hand, then raising his gaze to my face, as if I were a monster. "What do you think? This deal is not a loss for you!"

I steady my mind; is he acting under the orders of Emperor Waller? If so, wouldn't that be akin to making a fuss over nothing? If not, then what is his purpose?

How do you move your feet

"You are not going to kill me?" He nodded, "Keeping you alive may serve some other purpose."

Due to not sleeping well last night, my eyes are red and even my eyelids are swollen. Su'er and the others thought I had cried last night, each of them looking as if they had lost their mother. I wonder if it's really necessary? When I was wandering on the edge of violence and being killed last night, weren't you all sleeping like dead pigs? Now you are worried about me!

Thus, when I finished reciting my last line "Never forget my homeland," I suddenly collapsed to the ground, stunned; this scene was about to fail!

He turned around, raised his eyebrows, and smirked, "Disappointed? Or should I just make do?"

"Don't!" I hurriedly waved my hand, "You should leave quickly! Don't put yourself in a difficult position!" He said nothing more, opened the door, and slipped out. A man standing nearby lowered his head and spoke a few words to him, and in the blink of an eye, both of them disappeared. I dragged my feet and climbed onto the bed, collapsing there. This is truly no place for a person to stay; if an assassin wanted to come and kill me, wouldn't it be a sure kill? After all this time, the defenses of this high wall and large courtyard are all aimed at me!

It is said that Princess Furong is a talented woman

"Rong'er, come sit over here," the Emperor brother said, pointing to a seat on the left side. I obediently nodded and knelt beside the table on the left. Alas! I have to kneel for a long time again; I wonder if I will be able to stand up by myself later!

I, I am a woman, and I did not use my hands, I used my feet

Hmm! I nodded, excited like a little puppy; if I had a tail, it would surely be wagging with such fervor that it could shake the heavens. "Do you know that a small item of yours could be worth this whole bundle of gold?" he pointed to the treasure shelf in my room. "Ah? Which item?" I hurriedly ran to the shelf, looking at the n pieces of jade displayed on it. My goodness! His grandmother's, are these jades really that valuable? So, I should definitely take a few! "Ah? Which item?" I hurriedly ran to the shelf, looking at the n pieces of jade displayed on it. My goodness! His grandmother's, are these jades really that valuable? So, I should definitely take a few! With a face full of excitement, I touched this piece, then picked up that piece, completely forgetting the purpose of the guy sitting on the bed coming over to me.

Well! His outer garment has already been taken off

He let out a cold laugh and moved closer. I stepped back, but behind me was a shelf, leaving me with no way to retreat. He reached out and placed his hands on either side of my body, trapping me in front of him, his subtle breath brushing against my ear

"Esteemed lords and gentlemen, soldiers below! Today, I, Fu Rong, depart from this homeland..." I mechanically recited the lines they had taught me in advance. Alas, my stomach was growling. Weary and hungry, my body involuntarily swayed, and with that sway, I felt the phoenix crown on my head was about to fall; I must not let it crash down! I took a small step, trying to maintain the balance of the crown on my head, but unexpectedly, with that slight movement, I stepped on the long hem of my skirt, and there was no way to maintain that balance.

The Emperor slightly nodded and said: "Is the twenty-third of this month acceptable? I have already had someone check, and it is an auspicious day."

He let out a cold laugh, and without even resorting to threats, I lost all sense of integrity and obediently handed over the bundle. He opened the bundle, and gold hairpins and golden leaves fell to the ground with a clatter. I felt a sharp pain in my heart and hurriedly squatted down to pick them up. "Can't you be more careful? It's pitch dark; what if we lose a couple of items?" I complained while picking them up. However, he showed no reaction, which puzzled me. When I looked up, I found him gazing at me with a scrutinizing look. I couldn't worry about that anymore; I repacked the golden leaves into the bundle, then slung it back onto my shoulders and said, "Since you were able to come in so easily, it shouldn't be a problem for you to take me out. How about it? Take me out, and I promise I will never appear in front of you again!" I declared earnestly, wishing my words could persuade him.

"I am afraid, to be honest, I am really afraid!" I said honestly, not knowing what this fellow intended to do. "Don't worry, I am not here to kill you; if I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't need to lift a finger myself." His thumb gently glided over my lips. "That's great, thank goodness!" I clasped my hands together, feigning a sigh of relief, trying to discreetly move my body backward to escape this fellow's grasp.

Of course! I said proudly, putting on a very arrogant demeanor

"Soaring over rooftops and walking on walls! That's how it's portrayed on television. Then, he put everyone in my palace into a deep sleep, so shouting was of no use!" I said with a sneer, as if I were an idiot; I may not have eaten pork, but I have seen pigs run.

I was taken aback, and my grip tightened a little more. The Emperor seemed to suddenly awaken, a peaceful smile replacing the expression on his face as he placed the jade ruyi into my hand. After receiving it, I turned and walked forward, with the civil and military officials of the State of Zhou beside me, and the soldiers of the State of Zhou below the stage. According to protocol, I had to face them to accept their congratulations.

I knelt before the Emperor Brother, and a female official beside the Imperial Concubine knelt and presented a red lacquer tray, on which lay a pure gold phoenix crown, adorned with an unknown number of gemstones and pearls. How truly valuable, I must remember to take it with me when I flee, I thought. There was also a pair of golden scissors on the tray, which Su'er had informed me beforehand were used for cutting hair. Daughters who are to be married far away would cut off a lock of their hair to leave behind in their homeland, as a sign of their longing for their native land.

The eighth day of the new year was a hectic one, with everyone bustling about as if their feet were fitted with wheels, moving like a gust of wind wherever they went. Time was too pressing, and there were so many things left unprepared; it hardly felt like a journey to a marriage alliance, but rather like fleeing from disaster! The palace maids stuffed all sorts of chaotic items into boxes, while I only kept an eye on what was valuable and what was small enough to secretly retain. Alas, having never seen the grand world, I was unaware of which items held greater value, so I could only pack some gold, which is universally accepted everywhere! The palace maids stuffed all sorts of chaotic items into boxes, while I only kept an eye on what was valuable and what was small enough to secretly retain. Alas, having never seen the grand world, I was unaware of which items held greater value, so I could only pack some gold, which is universally accepted everywhere!

"Get lost! I wouldn't mind going to bed with a handsome guy like you, but I absolutely refuse to be forced into anything!" I said angrily. He was taken aback for a moment, unable to process my words. Seizing the opportunity, I quickly climbed to the other end of the bed, watching him warily. His expression darkened, and with a cold laugh, he said, "Did you really think I was interested in you? I already told you, I am here to take your virginity."

"Eight years old? Did you not just say he was seven?" he asked in feigned surprise

Old Man Shen no longer troubled me, and I fell asleep with dreams of a beautiful future life. That night, I dreamt of counting silver coins and flirting with handsome men; it was so delightful that I couldn't help but laugh out loud. When I woke up the next day, I found that my pillow was soaked in a large patch.

"You are more interesting than I thought, so I will just put up with it today!" he said. Anger surged within me! This scoundrel, not only does he eat the steamed buns, but he also complains about the dough being dark! Taking advantage of his moment of inattention, I kicked him with the 'cut off the lineage kick'!

As soon as he finished speaking, some of the Waller people already chuckled softly, while the faces of the ministers from the State of Zhou all changed. Everyone knew that Princess Furong of Zhou was renowned for her talent, not her appearance, and this remark was clearly a satire

"Tell me, who exactly are you? Where is the real Fuyong?" This posture is indeed too ambiguous! The male lead on television usually strikes this pose when trying to look cool! As I lean back further, I find myself resting against the rack, afraid to exert too much force, fearing that I might accidentally topple the rack, which holds nothing but 'gold'! One must not damage cultural relics, as that is against the law! As I lean back further, I find myself resting against the rack, afraid to exert too much force, fearing that I might accidentally topple the rack, which holds nothing but 'gold'! One must not damage cultural relics, as that is against the law!

After laughing for a long time, I truly could not continue laughing and had to pretend to hold back my laughter, saying: "Is the Third Prince looking down on me too much? I already said that I could recite it at the age of eight, and now you are asking me such a simple question, isn't that a bit condescending?"

"Oh? You still refuse to tell the truth, don't you?" He leaned close to my ear and whispered with a smile, his lips barely brushing against my earlobe. I couldn't help but grin. Ha, what does this guy want? Isn't this an attempt to seduce an innocent girl?

No wonder this group of people is crying; they must have misunderstood my deep attachment to my homeland! This time, inadvertently, I stirred up feelings of sadness, and even some of the old ministers beside me began to shed tears. One cannot blame them for their vulnerability; it is indeed quite disheartening for a princess of a strong and flourishing nation to be forced into a marriage alliance! The Grand Dowager gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, walked over, and stood behind me, beginning to style my hair. Another palace maid came over, carrying a tray of hair ornaments, all shimmering with gold, which made my heart race again. I did not expect the Grand Dowager to be so stingy; she did not insert many ornaments into my hair, only selecting a few hairpins to secure my hair, and then gently placed the phoenix crown on my head. I immediately felt my head grow heavy, and my neck seemed to shorten by two inches; it was truly heavy!

In the entire large venue, only the envoys of Waller remained, along with my imperial brother and the empress dowager still standing, while everyone else knelt down with me, and there was a chorus of weeping both on and off the stage

As they fussed about, after finishing the bath, they did not rush to dress me in the gown. First, two teams of female officials arrived, their attire strikingly distinct. It was indeed as that fellow had said, people from both countries came together to inspect me, the princess, hoping that the original Princess Furong had not been unfaithful, otherwise it would be disastrous for me! The inspection process was utterly devoid of human rights! Even though I am now a princess, I still had to obediently follow the arrangements of these female officials. Fortunately, when the results of the inspection came out, I did not lose face; Princess Furong was still intact! Then the female officials from both countries together took some deep red substance from an exquisitely crafted small white jade bottle and applied it to my arm. The moment that red paste touched my arm, I distinctly felt a sharp pain.

He laughed, already bare-armed, reaching out to grab me. I kicked my foot out and shouted: "A gentleman uses words, not fists"

They were in such deep sorrow, yet they did not forget to hold tightly to the jade ruyi in their hands he said with a low laugh

Suddenly, someone gently knocked on the door, and I immediately felt tense. Was it Old Man Shen, or someone else coming to rescue me? I nervously glanced at the Third Prince, who also fell silent, turning his head to listen.

Feigning ignorance

What are you going out to do

As I reached the bottom of the steps, I could finally see the expression on my elder brother the Emperor's face, as well as the young man sitting beside him. The words I had heard from Su'er did hold some truth; he was indeed quite handsome! He had a pair of upturned peach blossom eyes, looking at me with a smile that was neither fully a smile nor fully serious. While I silently assessed this Third Prince in my mind, I bowed to my elder brother the Emperor.

Finally, as I was pondering whether to pursue a career as an actor or a director given my talents, I heard the loud voice of the ceremonial official: "The ceremony is concluded! Princess Furong, please embark!" Oh my, it’s finally over. I hurriedly tried to get up from the ground, but my clothes were too heavy, making it quite difficult to rise. Seeing this, Su'er and another close maid, Waiyue, quickly came to assist me, one on each side. To outsiders, it might have seemed that Princess Furong was too grief-stricken to stand up! Su'er and Waiyue helped me off the stage and rushed towards the carriage. As we passed by the Third Prince, I caught a glimpse of his half-smiling, half-mocking face from the corner of my eye. Sigh, I wonder what the journey ahead will be like. Will he let me off easily?

"What is in your bundle?" he asked coldly

"Hehe," I chuckled, "At seven years old, one can recite it forwards, and by eight, one can recite it backwards." He laughed aloud, "So can one recite the seventy-three articles backwards as well?"

I pressed my footsteps down and slowly walked into the hall, making sure each step exuded the aura of a princess. Although I knew I was not a princess, since I was playing the role, I had to perform it well; otherwise, how could I justify receiving such a generous salary

The Third Prince personally came to help me into the carriage, and I trembled with excitement! (Feng Chen, Chu Yang: Unethical author! Was I excited? I was scared, okay?)

Take care of yourself, child!" said the lady softly

I do not feel the slightest bit wronged; to be honest, I am somewhat grateful to this "son" whom I have never met. I, as an old lady, have been cooped up in this deep palace for two months. If I am not allowed to see the light soon, I fear I might start to mold and grow hair. I am someone who is least afraid of commotion; having crossed over once, if I return without seeing anything, that would be a loss!

The venue was enveloped in silence! Suddenly, a heart-wrenching cry erupted from the ranks of the civil officials nearby: "Oh, Princess! I am an incompetent old minister! How could I allow the Princess to suffer such humiliation for our Great Zhou!" I turned my head to look, and an old man, at least in his seventies, had collapsed to the ground, weeping and pounding his chest, then banging his head against the floor with a loud thud. I was so shocked that I had not yet regained my composure when a dark mass of people all knelt down. The civil and military officials of Great Zhou all had tears in their eyes. Looking down at the soldiers, they too suddenly knelt, their movements perfectly synchronized; I estimated that even the gymnastics performance at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympics could not match this level.

I cautiously hid the bundle behind me, as it was something my grandmother had painstakingly acquired. I hope this fellow does not get any greedy ideas! (Author: Feng Chen Chu Yang, you good-for-nothing! He is a dignified prince of the Valle, what treasures has he not seen? Would he even take notice of this little bit of gold?) "Not going to show me?" he sneered

Thank you for the compliment, Third Prince; I am somewhat unworthy of it. I said with a smile, perfectly displaying the royal demeanor, almost wanting to applaud myself. I have long heard of the Third Prince's wisdom and martial prowess, truly deserving of being the most favored prince of your esteemed emperor. The emperor brother smiled lightly as he raised his wine cup and took a small sip, while the corner of the Third Prince's mouth curled up, responding to my flattery with a cold smile. I said, "This time I am going to marry for peace, and I was initially worried about my future fate, but upon seeing the Third Prince, I realized that my concerns were unnecessary." My voice, though not loud, clearly reached every corner of the grand hall.

"What is 'The Fool'? I could recite it when I was seven!" I quickly replied, feeling a bit confused. How could there be something called 'The Fool' in this world? He twitched the corner of his mouth and continued, "Then may I ask, Your Highness, what is written in the seventy-third chapter of 'The Fool'?" What is written? Huh? He is asking me what is written!

Wuwuwu, I wonder if Su'er and the others have packed away all the valuable antiques in my palace. Even if they have, how can I carry such heavy items while fleeing! Wuwuwu, that's money! I don't know where Old Shen is right now; can I really trust him? What if he can't help me? Can I escape? If I can't escape, does that mean I really have to marry that old emperor? Wuwuwu, that's money! I don't know where Old Shen is right now; can I really trust him? What if he can't help me? Can I escape? If I can't escape, does that mean I really have to marry that old emperor? I wonder if the old emperor is as handsome as the Third Prince! Wuwuwu, why didn't they let me eat in the morning? I'm so hungry right now! Wuwuwu, I haven't even had a sip of water! Wuwuwu, this phoenix crown is so heavy! Wuwuwu, the clothes are so thick, they're suffocating me! Wuwuwu, Ding Xiaoxian, you heartless one, torturing me like this! ... Wuwuwu, this phoenix crown is so heavy! Wuwuwu, the clothes are so thick, they're suffocating me! Wuwuwu, Ding Xiaoxian, you heartless one, torturing me like this! ... Wuwuwu ...

Hearing this, I lowered my head and saw that I was still holding that jade ruyi in my hand! My old face instantly flushed red, sigh, the essence of greed. It was all instinctive actions; to prevent this fellow from saying anything further, I hurriedly climbed into the carriage, my movements were remarkably agile. This is called a carriage because it resembles both a palanquin and a horse-drawn carriage. It is pulled by four horses, yet the carriage body is designed like a palanquin, and it is divided into two compartments. The small outer compartment resembles the entrance of a house, while the inner compartment is where I stay during the day. The space is not small, over two meters wide and more than three meters long, furnished with thick carpets, soft cushions, and a small table, in short, it resembles a simple bedroom. In modern terms, this carriage would be comparable to a chartered flight, at the very least a stretched luxury Rolls-Royce! The carriage began to sway, indicating that we were setting off. I plopped down, and my two personal maids, Su'er and Wan Yue, also entered. Upon seeing my appearance, they thought something had happened to me and hurriedly knelt down to come and check on me

Su Er saw me so excited and thought it was related to national affairs, so she hurried to inquire about this Third Prince. Only after Su Er left did I feel it was unnecessary; damn it, another handsome guy I can only look at but not touch

Startled and frightened, I fell asleep in a daze, not knowing what awaited me tomorrow. Perhaps I should just sleep for a while longer. I couldn't sleep soundly, feeling disoriented. Before dawn, a palace maid called me to get up, followed by bathing and changing clothes. How frustrating! I hadn't even fully woken up before having to take a bath, and besides, I had just bathed last night. Do the people here all have a cleanliness obsession?

The Thirty-Six Stratagems

Do you not know how to write the two characters for fear? To be honest? I truly do not know how to write these two characters, but I certainly do not dare to engage in a verbal spar with him at this critical moment, so I can only chuckle awkwardly

He leisurely sat on my bed and began to take off his boots, and he actually wanted to get into bed! I felt a wave of panic in my heart and muttered, "Are you really that stingy? I was just taking a little advantage of you with my words. Besides, have all the women of Wala died out? You, a dignified third prince, actually want to come to the harem of the Great Zhou to pick flowers? Moreover, I am not worthy of you; if you choose me, wouldn't you feel like you're at a loss? Let's discuss this; I have hidden thirty-six strategies in my palace, each one more beautiful than the last. How about you go and pick them instead?"

It seems that you are indeed not afraid

"You come to my place in the middle of the night; are you here to chat with me or to have tea? Don't tell me you wandered here by accident in a midnight fit of hysteria. The gates of my palace are locked at night!" I said, rubbing my already stiff neck. The Third Prince smiled, then leaned down. I hurriedly tried to back away, but before I could move, my poor little neck was already in his grasp.

"Hehe," I chuckled, "Look at what you are saying, have you really gone to the wrong place? I am, of course, Princess Furong!" He snorted coldly, "Would Princess Furong still be able to take the gold from her palace? Would she not know which jade artifact on her shelf is the most valuable?"

He sneered, "Are you pretending to be foolish?"

Damn! I cursed inwardly, clearly this is someone who will never amount to anything. Is it really worth being so pleased just for a little verbal advantage? Looking at the Emperor's face, it no longer seems as bright as before, yet he did not respond.

"Look at you, still with your shirt off, aren't you cold? You should put on some clothes!" I deliberately changed the subject

I know that I absolutely cannot be dumbfounded at this moment! The atmosphere is so good right now, I must cooperate somehow, cry! I must cry! I need to cry as if my tears are like pear blossoms in the rain! But, but why can't I cry? Clearly, I am very happy to finally be able to leave this prison, how can I cry now! I need to inspire myself! Clearly, I am very happy to finally be able to leave this prison, how can I cry now! I need to inspire myself!

No! I said firmly at once

When they finished tidying me up, I looked into that large bronze mirror and exclaimed! My entire head was shimmering with golden light, with more than ten golden hairpins arranged in a fan shape, making me look like a peacock displaying its feathers! If it weren't for the fact that they were all made of gold, I would have pulled them all off long ago; since they are gold, let them be a little heavy!

I picked up the scissors, heavy in my hand. If only I could take them away with me, but unfortunately, there were too many people around, and there was simply no opportunity. I gathered my hair from behind, wondering how much to cut. This hair was truly a nuisance, weighing down my head and causing me pain. So, I gathered all my hair in my left hand, took the scissors in my right hand, gritted my teeth, and cut down hard! Ah, this feels much lighter now, as my hair only reaches my back. "Princess!" Su'er and the others cried out, a group of palace maids collapsing to the ground. This hair was truly a nuisance, weighing down my head and causing me pain. So, I gathered all my hair in my left hand, took the scissors in my right hand, gritted my teeth, and cut down hard! Ah, this feels much lighter now, as my hair only reaches my back. "Princess!" Su'er and the others cried out, a group of palace maids collapsing to the ground.

The two female officials confessed and then left, after which Su'er and the others began to apply makeup on me. Do not think that the cosmetics in ancient times were scarce; they were scarce only because of a lack of money. Could the royal family be short of money? Of course not, so the makeup was done as if renovating a house, requiring three to five coats as usual! The customs of the State of Zhou differ from those of other countries; the bride's hair cannot be styled beforehand and must be done by her mother when leaving, so I could only let my hair down, with my glossy black hair trailing down to my ankles. It is indeed beautiful, but it feels so heavy that my head involuntarily tilts back! After the face was done, the female official in charge of the ceremony helped me into the ceremonial attire, and even Su'er and the other close palace maids were not allowed to intervene. This was truly layers upon layers, and by the time I was fully dressed, I felt like I was comparable to a mummy! Once everything was finally settled, Su'er and the others had also exhausted themselves; they are my palace maids and are here as part of my dowry. And then there were the 'Thirty-Six Stratagems' lined up behind me, creating a truly magnificent scene!

Not to mention, wearing this three-layered gown with its extravagant decorations and donning these dazzling jewels truly gives off a royal air! Upon arriving at the Emperor's Mingzheng Hall, it was already brightly lit, and the banquet had commenced. As soon as I stepped through the hall's entrance, a hush fell over the room, and all eyes instantly focused on me! There were expressions of regret and pride. As soon as I stepped through the hall's entrance, a hush fell over the room, and all eyes instantly focused on me! There were expressions of regret and pride.

As I crawled into bed, I threatened, "Don't come over here, I'm not an ordinary person, I can perform sorcery!" Oh my God! Are they really forcing me to summon Ding Xiaoxian to take me back? I haven't had enough fun yet and they want me to go back?

Far away in the sky, yet close at hand! I said with a laugh

In a moment, he got dressed and walked towards the door

Although this is not in accordance with etiquette, since the elder has said so, how can we dare to disobey now! Su'er, while leading the palace maids to help me put on the ceremonial dress, expressed her grievances on my behalf. A dignified princess of a nation, yet I am summoned by them just like that, as if it is not I who is wronged, but rather her. As I watched them insert golden hairpins into my hair, I listened to Su'er chatter away, thinking to myself how this girl talks so much. Wasn't it said that those who live in the deep palace are all shrewd individuals? It seems that Su'er is not very clever either; how did that princess come to regard her as a trusted confidante!

Jianghu! Traveling through Jianghu! Eating, drinking, having fun, earning gold, and flirting—" I forcibly suppressed the words that followed, my eyes shining as I looked at the Third Prince! "Are you bringing these gold pieces?"

Your Majesty, our country wishes to bring Princess Furong back to Fandu as soon as possible, to hold a grand ceremony, allowing our two nations to become in-laws at an earlier date, thus sparing the people of both countries from further suffering due to war

Oh? He glanced at the items on my desk beside the shelf and casually asked, "That Princess Shangzi should be quite familiar with it by now, right?"

The day we can observe in our country is the ninth of this month, and I hope the Emperor can adhere to our customs. Furthermore, the journey to the capital will take some time, and I believe the Emperor would not wish to see Princess Furong suffer from the fatigue of travel

Is this the lizard's blood? I sighed. I feel as if since I got up this morning, I have been like a pig on the slaughterhouse assembly line. Now that everything is done and the tests have passed, a stamp of "qualified" is slapped onto my "elbow" with a "pop". Great! Finally ready for market!

"Young master, it is getting late, we should leave!" a deep male voice said from outside

The Third Prince raised an eyebrow and said to me, "Do you not understand the meaning of my words?"

Su Er took a slender box from the dark compartment of the bookshelf, and I immediately felt invigorated; the hidden item must be a treasure. I asked Su Er to bring it over for me to see. Upon opening it, I was unexpectedly disappointed to find a painting. The painting depicted a beautiful woman dressed in palace attire, exuding an inherent charm.

Tears flowed like the waters of the Yangtze River, surging endlessly, rushing down my face! In just a moment, the ground in front of me was soaked! (Author: I can't believe it! Feng Chen Chu Yang, how exaggerated can you be!)

"So what?" My mind is in a complete mess right now, and I can't think at all; I'm just subconsciously asking. "What do you think?" He smiled, "Do you think I would want a broken princess like you?" I was taken aback! Since you don't want me, then why are you forcing me into a marriage?

In the future, even after your country's emperor passes away, I will still have support. Although I am merely the concubine mother of the Third Prince, I have heard that Waller has always governed the country with filial piety, so the Third Prince will surely treat me well, right? Suddenly having such an outstanding son as the Third Prince is truly a blessing from my past life. I must admit, my knowledge of classical literature is not very good, and I really do not know if what I said has any merit. Before I could finish my words, however, the expression on the Third Prince's face had already changed.

The phoenix crown on my head has become increasingly heavy, and my clothes feel like a suit of armor draped over me! I believe I must be walking with utmost solemnity and elegance, for with so much attire, I find it impossible to be frivolous!

I was taken aback, not understanding what was happening with them. I looked at the handful of hair placed on the plate, then at the heartbroken palace maids. Looking up, I noticed that the Emperor's expression was also not good, and the tears were welling up in the eyes of the Empress Dowager. I suddenly recalled that Su'er had mentioned that the amount of hair cut off had significance; generally, the farther one marries, the more hair is cut, indicating a deeper attachment to one's homeland. However, marriage is usually a joyous occasion, and women in the Zhou Kingdom value their hair greatly. When they cut their hair, it is usually just a symbolic gesture, a little snip is enough, perhaps they are not as straightforward as I am, cutting it all off at once!

My emperor brother sits high on the dragon throne, and to his right sits a person who is not clearly visible from a distance. On both sides, there are ministers; on one side are the officials from the State of Zhou, and on the other side are the wedding envoys from Wale, dressed in bright colors. The people from Zhou wear wide sleeves, while those from Wale wear narrow and tight sleeves, clearly indicating they come from a nation skilled in horseback riding and archery

It is not about negotiating terms, it is about advising you! I am doing this for your own good

Alas, he is in cahoots with him! I was utterly disheartened in an instant. The Third Prince noticed my disappointment, smiled, and turned to the bedside to get dressed. I could hardly believe that he would let me off so easily, and I just stared at him foolishly.

Who is the person in this painting? I asked

Where is he now? How could Waller have taken our Wan City? I asked, and Su'er’s expression darkened as she said that Prince Shang had passed away last year. I remarked that this is serious; it is said that good people do not live long, while evildoers thrive for a thousand years

Oh?

Unknowingly, I had been busy until evening. In order to have ample energy to cope with tomorrow's grand ceremony, I climbed into bed early to prepare for sleep. Perhaps due to excessive excitement, I couldn't fall asleep for a long time. In a daze, I heard someone come in, and I thought it was Su'er. I turned around, sat up in bed, and said, "Su'er, I can't sleep. What time is it now?" Su'er did not respond, and I was puzzled as I looked up at her. To my shock, I nearly jumped out of bed! I wouldn't have been so startled by anyone else coming in today, not even if my emperor brother had come to bid me farewell, or if Old Man Shen had come in the dead of night to discuss escape plans with me. But what I did not expect was that it was the arrogant Third Prince of Wale! Are the guards of the Great Zhou just eating their fill? How could they allow this prince from an enemy nation to visit the deep palace of Princess Furong in the middle of the night! The Third Prince looked at me coldly, and I felt a chill run down my spine. Was he here to kill me and silence me? But I didn't know anything! Was he here for revenge? That seemed a bit petty, didn't it? Hadn't I just taken a little advantage of him with my words?

Hahaha... I began to laugh heartily, as if I had heard a great joke. I delayed for a moment, wondering if all those palace maids had perished. Why is my aunt laughing so loudly without any response? Even if she has been drugged, she should be waking up soon, right? This fellow looked at me laughing, and instead of being angry, he smiled back at me.

Hmm! I quickly nodded, wondering if this fellow intended to test me

Because I am truly Princess Furong! At this moment, even the false must be claimed as true, let alone that I am the real one. If I hesitate for even a moment, I fear my life may be lost tonight

Life continues to pass swiftly as usual, and I have yet to fully adapt to the identity of a princess. The wedding envoy from Waller has already arrived at the capital of the State of Zhou. According to the information Su'er gathered from outside, many people have come, led by Waller's third prince, each one acting as if they were lords, their eyes seemingly perched atop their heads, completely ignorant of etiquette, and at first glance, Waller appears to be a barbaric land

I was so frightened that I tightly closed my eyes and pouted, waiting for him to get angry, but after a long while, there was no response. I secretly opened one eye, and to my surprise, he was smiling! He looked quite charming while laughing. I quickly recited "Amitabha," fearing not the cries of the night owl but the laughter of the night owl; when he smiled, it surely meant trouble! Sure enough, I heard him say with a smile: "If I were to kill you, do you think the real Princess Fuyong would appear tomorrow?"

Ah! That's wrong, it's the thirty-six princesses." He feigned surprise as he looked at me, raising an eyebrow and said: "Are you negotiating terms with me?" I really wanted to slap that handsome face of his

The individuals on the right, however, each wore a smug smile, scrutinizing me with inquisitive gazes

Do you not know that before departing tomorrow, there will be female officials from both countries to inspect you, marking you with a vermilion dot to signify that you are still a virgin when you leave?

On the left side is Zhou Guoren, with both civil officials and military generals present. A few elderly ministers have tears in their eyes, and some military generals have tightly clenched their fists. They must believe that my appearance at this banquet is nothing but a humiliation of the dignity of the Great Zhou by the Waller people. An unmarried princess should not appear at a banquet crowded with foreign officials; this is an insult to the princess and also an affront to the Great Zhou.

Are you not picking flowers anymore? I see! I inadvertently asked whatever came to my mind.

This old man changes his mind faster than flipping a book. I broke out in a cold sweat on my back, realizing that I had let my guard down in a moment of pride. I had completely forgotten to conceal my true feelings. Princess Furong has lived in this royal environment since childhood, born into a life of wealth and luxury, and she would certainly not be someone like me, who is easily tempted by money. I forced a silly laugh at him to mask my panic, saying, "Please, don't joke with me, you scared me. Who could I possibly be? You've known me for nearly twenty years, and you still ask me who I am?"

"Moreover, since I dare to come in person, I have ways to make it difficult for you to explain tomorrow," he said

The Third Prince's face flashed with a hint of surprise, it seems I was indeed right! However, I never expected this fellow to be so formidable; I wonder if he came alone.

"What a wonderful performance! Princess Furong!" he whispered in my ear