WBSGVS Chapter 191 V2

Sure enough, not two months after the marriage, Chu declared war, claiming that the Jin princess had attempted to assassinate their king.

The regent, already ailing and now wounded, was completely unfit for battle. Yi Han volunteered to lead the army.

But Jin couldn’t fight properly while the regent still controlled the military. As border defenses crumbled, public pressure forced the regent to relinquish command. Yi Han took over and led the troops into battle.

Fu Cheng, as the princess’s son and heir of the powerful Fu clan, managed the supply lines and ensured the military was well-provisioned. The war ended in victory.

With the regent’s power broken and his faction silenced by Yi Han’s success, imperial authority shifted once again.

Overjoyed, the emperor arranged a marriage between Yi Han and Sima Qinghe.

As for Sima Qingli—whose corpse had been displayed on the city wall as a warning—no one remembered her anymore.

Later, the third prince ascended the throne. He granted Sima Qinghe the title of Grand Princess and personally officiated her wedding. The ceremony was so grand that it was remembered for years to come.

When Qingli awoke again, she was lying in bed.

The mosquito net was drawn down, and bright sunlight streamed in through the window, just like it did every morning when she woke up.

Ever since Sima Yan turned six, Qingli had been sleeping separately from him. With Nanny Dai around and all the daily essentials like blankets provided, she lacked for nothing.

If the Cold Palace had one thing, it was empty rooms. At first, Qingli had kicked Sima Yan into another room, but the boy kept sneaking back in at night.

Eventually, though, he got used to being on his own.

It was early summer now, and the mosquitoes were already making an appearance. Nanny Dai had set up a net for her. With the net down, the view inside was blurry but still discernible—and beside her pillow, a familiar jade pendant lay quietly.

Qingli hadn’t saved him this time, yet Fu Cheng had still left the pendant behind.

And what did that get her in return?

Qingli picked it up and looked at it for a moment before tossing it onto the table with a mocking smile.

That pendant cost her a lifetime. She’d have been better off staying a salted fish in the Cold Palace, biding her time until she found a way to sneak out of the palace and live freely.

With a sigh, she pressed a hand to her forehead.

Over the past five years, she’d snuck out a few times to survey the terrain. The Cold Palace might’ve been remote, but the city moat lay right behind it. Without a bridge, there was no way across. The front was heavily guarded. Her martial skills were decent, and if she went alone, she might stand a chance—but not if she brought Sima Yan with her.

So once his health recovered at age seven, she started training him in martial arts.

But only three years had passed. He hadn’t mastered much yet, and she wasn’t in a rush. She figured that when he turned eleven or twelve, they could disguise themselves and sneak out together. That should work.

She just hadn’t expected… this world had a plot after all!

Qingli frowned.

She’d lived well all these years. Aside from the brief abuse right after Bai-shi died, both she and Sima Yan had been cared for and well-fed. Only in the first year or two had Nanny Dai kept her mouth shut. Once Qingli got older, the woman started hinting—if she was willing, she could arrange for her to meet the emperor.

With a daughter this beautiful, and the emperor’s well-known fondness for women, even if he had no impure thoughts, he’d surely dote on her. She might even marry well.

Qingli had ignored it completely. She had no intention of going out there.

After a few veiled attempts, Nanny Dai gave up.

But this time…

Fu Cheng had seen her. And worse, she had fainted and failed to keep him there. It was only a matter of time before that dog of an emperor learned he had a forgotten daughter and son wasting away in the Cold Palace.

Qingli curled her lips into a smile. Fine.

She had assumed there was no storyline, and was planning to escape quietly when the time was right—but now that there was a plot?

Then every bit of suffering the original Qingli endured was going to be paid back in full!

The morning meal had already arrived. Xi Ling looked up at the sky. The sun had already moved a good distance from where it rose—this was later than usual. She frowned.

At this time of day, the princess would normally be awake already.

What was going on today?

She was a little worried—maybe something had happened—but she didn’t dare barge in. Offending the princess could be a disaster. She’d learned that the hard way.

As she hesitated, Nanny Dai walked over.

Xi Ling hurried to greet her. “Nanny, the princess still hasn’t gotten up. Maybe you should check on her?”

Nanny Dai shot her a warning look. You’re scared, so you want me to go in? Like I’m not scared, too?

Xi Ling chuckled awkwardly and lowered her head.

Fortunately, at that moment, Sima Yan came running out, clutching his hungry belly. “Why isn’t big sis up yet?”

Xi Ling’s eyes lit up. “Your Highness, maybe the princess overslept. Why don’t you go check on her?”

Sima Yan wasn’t afraid of Qingli and nodded right away. He walked up and pushed at the door. It was locked. He raised his hand to knock, but just as he did, the door opened—and a girl with a grim expression stepped out.

Xi Ling and Nanny Dai exchanged a look, both silently thanking their lucky stars they’d made Sima Yan do it.

What was wrong? Nothing major happened yesterday. Why was she in such a mood?

Sima Yan ran forward and grabbed her hand. “Sis, are you upset?”

“Yeah,” Qingli nodded, lips pressed into a tight line.

Nanny Dai gathered her courage and stepped forward with a flattering smile. “Princess, if something’s troubling you, tell me. Maybe I can help fix it?”

Qingli glanced at her and Xi Ling with a heavy gaze. Her voice dropped: “I foresee we’re all in for trouble.”

Nanny Dai’s heart skipped a beat.

Over the years, she’d come to respect Qingli’s eerie predictions. Her face paled. She asked cautiously, “May I ask, Princess, what kind of trouble? Is there… any clue?”

Qingli gave her a long, steady look. “You’ll know in a few days.”

And with that, she turned and walked toward the dining room.

Nanny Dai and Xi Ling were left standing there, brows furrowed, anxious and uneasy.

After a long while, Xi Ling whispered, “Nanny… you think the princess was just messing with us?”

Nanny Dai’s face twitched. Her brows were still furrowed as she said darkly, “I wish she were. But did that look like someone joking to you?”

Xi Ling’s face went pale. She tugged at Nanny Dai’s sleeve, on the verge of tears. “I don’t want to die! I’m still young! What if it’s because Consort Shu found out we didn’t follow her orders?”

Nanny Dai was confused too. “Could it be that wretched woman stirring up trouble again? I’ve been carefully avoiding her!”

They were talking about the woman who’d schemed to have them sent to the Cold Palace to get rid of Sima Yan.

The two exchanged looks, utterly baffled—and even more terrified.

Meanwhile, in the dining room, Qingli’s mood had visibly lifted after shifting her frustration elsewhere. She cheerfully spooned rice into her mouth.

Well, no use worrying now. Better to eat her fill—she’d need the energy to torment those people later.