The Legitimate Daughter's Gambit

A time-traveling woman—how could she possibly outmaneuver a noble lady who had been meticulously groomed by an aristocratic family for over a decade?

A mysterious woman suddenly appeared in the Capital City, rising to fame overnight.

When she recited poetry, it was bold and unrestrained: "The roc rides the wind one day, soaring ninety thousand miles."

When she danced, her toes barely touched the ground, her skirt lifted slightly—exuding charm and allure.

The moment she appeared, she became the object of pursuit for every noble son.

She not only bewitched my childhood sweetheart into breaking off our engagement but also drove my elder brother to divorce his lawful wife.

She said ancient women were all pedantic and dull, not even worth her lifting a finger.

But she didn't know that I was the legitimate daughter personally trained by a two-time champion of household battles.

Fight me? Hah. Let's see who laughs last...

---

1.

My mother came from a humble family, but my father, the Prime Minister, fell in love with her at first sight.

He defied his family's arranged marriage and married her as his lawful wife.

My grandmother was a concubine's daughter from the Wang family. She had outmaneuvered her stepmother, exposed her worthless father, and married my grandfather at the advanced age of twenty-two, living a life of luxury.

I was raised by these two women—growing up at my grandmother's knee and learning from my mother.

So when Prince Caspian wanted to break off our engagement, I didn't cry or make a scene.

I only looked at him with red-rimmed eyes and a pale face:

"Brother Caspian, do you truly wish to dissolve our betrothal?"

Caspian hesitated, seeing my sorrow. The bond of our childhood still lingered. But then he looked up and saw that woman in the distance.

She was dressed in a scarlet robe, sitting boldly on a horse, exuding an air of heroic grace.

His infatuated gaze shifted from her, and his expression turned cold as he handed me back the betrothal certificate:

"Seraphina, our temperaments don't match. After this, let us part ways in peace."

Temperaments don't match?

I hid my cold smile behind my silk handkerchief. When he was ambushed by assassins on Python Mountain, I saved him—why didn't he say our temperaments didn't match then?

When I knelt at the divine healer's door for an entire day and night begging for medicine to save his life—why didn't he say our temperaments didn't match then?

When he swore to the heavens and earth that I would be his only wife—why didn't he say our temperaments didn't match then?

My sincere heart had been fed to a dog, and he still had the nerve to dress it up in such noble words.

I looked at him with "heart-wrenching pain" and "pitiful grievance," tears trembling in my eyes.

Timidly, I said, "Brother Caspian, just one last time... can I hug you?"

The moment the words left my lips, before he could react, I threw myself into his arms. His body stiffened, and from a distance, I heard the woman's furious roar, followed by the sound of hooves fading away.

Caspian glared at me angrily, but when he saw my face streaked with tears, he could only sigh in resignation.

"After today, Seraphina, let us each find our own peace," he said coldly.

I forced a fragile, brave smile. "Alright, Brother Caspian. May the rest of your days be filled with joy."

The man chased after the woman's retreating figure, eager and excited.

Turning away, I carefully wiped my fingers with my handkerchief.

Then I tossed the handkerchief into a pile of trash.

Find my own peace? Who did he think he was?

2.

My mother always taught me: when you love, love fiercely and without reservation; when you stop loving, show no mercy.

So the day after the engagement was broken, I went to the foot of Spirit Mountain Temple.

I began from the base of the mountain, kneeling every three steps and bowing every five.

Back when Caspian was deathly ill, I had prayed for him in the same way, causing a stir throughout the Capital City.

At that time, I had made a vow in front of everyone: if he recovered, I would return to fulfill my promise by kneeling every three steps and bowing every five.

Caspian truly loved that woman to the bone. In just half a day, news of our broken engagement had spread throughout the city.

"I, Seraphina Ashford, have come today to fulfill my vow and thank the Bodhisattva for saving the Eighth Prince's life," I announced loudly, making sure everyone could hear.

The onlookers murmured among themselves.

"Didn't the Eighth Prince already break off the engagement? Why is Miss Ashford still here to fulfill her vow?" a woman in blue asked quietly.

"That's right. I heard they've been betrothed since childhood and always had a good relationship. But recently, a fox spirit has bewitched him..."

"Yes, yes, yes! My cousin said that fox spirit is beautiful, can compose poetry, and can dance. When she gets excited, she even shows her feet!"

"Sigh. Miss Ashford is a proper lady from a noble family. Running into that seductress is truly unfortunate..."

The murmurs grew louder, and the crowd's indignation was barely contained.

Then Caspian and the woman in red arrived in the distance, both glaring at me with dark expressions.

"Seraphina, what do you think you're doing?" Caspian's tone was displeased, his brows cold.

I glanced at him, twisting my handkerchief between my fingers, and spoke with feigned grievance and nervousness: "Brother Caspian, I know we've already broken off the engagement. But when you were gravely ill, I made a vow to the Bodhisattva, and I couldn't let it go unfulfilled. I'm only here to keep my promise."

My voice was naturally soft, and with deliberate restraint, it sounded even more delicate and pitiful.

Caspian paused, his expression wavering. He instinctively reached for my arm, but I easily dodged him.

"Caspian—"

The woman in red beside him, Luna Whitmore, looked displeased. She acted as if her man was not to be touched, looping her arm through Caspian's to assert her claim.

"What vow-fulfilling nonsense? I'm an atheist. Caspian got better because he took medicine. What does your Bodhisattva have to do with it? All this posturing."

The woman spoke arrogantly. I hid my cold smile behind my handkerchief.

Grandmother always said: know yourself and know your enemy, and you'll win a hundred battles. So when Luna latched onto Caspian, I had already investigated her.

I had once been in the booth next to hers, listening to her shocking words.

She said ancient women were pedantic and dull, not even worth her lifting a finger.

She said ancient people were ignorant and superstitious, believing in gods and ghosts—all weaknesses, too fragile to withstand a single blow.

I had been stunned by her words at the time, thinking her ideology far surpassed mine.

But she seemed to have forgotten where she was.

Sure enough, the moment she spoke, the faces of the Bodhisattva's devotees around us darkened.

At the foot of the National Temple, to say "the Bodhisattva is useless"—I wondered if she was truly foolish or just pretending to be.

"Witch! How dare you slander our merciful Bodhisattva? Get out of Spirit Mountain Temple!" an elderly woman shouted first.

"That's right! Get out, get out! Fox spirit! Stealing someone else's fiancé and then disrespecting our Bodhisattva..."

The curses grew louder, spiraling out of control. Before anyone knew it, a handful of vegetable leaves landed on her.

Then chaos erupted. Cabbage leaves and fruit were hurled at her relentlessly.

I coldly distanced myself from them, watching as Caspian wrapped his cloak around her, doing everything in his power to protect her. I only sneered.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he drew his sword and pointed it at the frenzied devotees, ordering them to stop.

Hah—

I curled my lips.

Drawing a sword on unarmed civilians?

How utterly foolish.

The image of a kind, people-loving prince that I had spent ten years building for his bid to become the crown prince was now shattered beyond repair.

Crown prince?

I smiled, stretched lazily, and ignored the chaos behind me. I continued my routine of kneeling every three steps and bowing every five.

A gentle breeze blew, and my robes fluttered.

I didn't look back. I left my deeds hidden in the shadows.

3.

Inside Spirit Mountain Temple, a man with a blade of grass between his lips leaned lazily against the steps, watching me.

He wore a cyan robe, his ink-black hair flowing freely. His skin was fair as snow, his lips a vivid red—a breathtaking sight.

Rylan Hart, the youngest son of the Grand Tutor. A legendary beauty and a good-for-nothing.

I was a legitimate daughter of a noble house, carrying the pride of my lineage.

I chose to ignore this libertine.

"Hey, stop right there!" the man called out, dissatisfied.

He dashed over to me, chin raised high, as arrogant as a fighting cock.

"Seraphina Ashford, what gives you the right to act so cold toward me?"

He spoke indignantly, his eyes—stunningly beautiful, round and shimmering like stars—fixed on me with anger.

"Seraphina Ashford, you heartless woman! How dare you treat me like this? You ignore me! You ignore me—"

I stared coldly at this lunatic in front of me. I didn't even know him, did I?

I had heard rumors that the Grand Tutor's youngest son had fallen into water and emerged a changed man.

He abandoned his studies, so infuriating the Grand Tutor that the old man had him hung up and beaten.

Then he secretly joined the army, went on three campaigns, won three victories, and earned the title "Little General."

But had his brain gone soft too?

"Do I know you?" I asked quietly.

Rylan tossed away the blade of grass and snorted at me. "Seraphina Ashford, you bastard! You weren't like this in our past life.

In our past life, you kidnapped me, forced me to marry you, drugged me on our wedding night, and took my innocence. Back then, you were all sweet talk, saying I was the best..."

I stared blankly at this furious beauty before me.

I kidnapped him? Drugged him? Took his innocence?

Was I out of my mind?

"Since you're so dissatisfied with me taking your innocence in our past life, why are you still looking for me in this one?" I asked, indulging the madman's ramblings out of curiosity.

The man suddenly froze, and a faint blush crept up to the tips of his ears.

When he spoke, it was enough to make me kneel: "Back then, I hadn't yet come to savor the taste."

I—

I took a deep breath, trying to maintain the composure befitting a noble lady. But when I saw his grimy hand gripping my arm, leaving a black fingerprint, I finally lost it:

"Rylan Hart, get lost—right now!"

He glanced at me lazily, resting his hand on his forehead as if feigning weakness:

"A noble lady, cursing? Seraphina Ashford, does this scene feel familiar? Does it ring any bells?"

4.

Perhaps the events of the day were too bizarre. That night, I had an absurd dream.

In the dream, everything was red. I was wearing a red wedding gown.

Rylan was pushed into the room, his fair face carrying a mix of arrogance and displeasure.

He glared at me with furious, wide eyes and shouted, "Seraphina Ashford, you forced me into this marriage!"

In the dream, my hair was styled high, and my reflection in the bronze mirror was hauntingly beautiful.

My fingers pinched his porcelain-white skin as I blew softly into his ear:

"What? Does my husband not like it?"

The man's ears turned red at my teasing. Flustered and at a loss, he grabbed the wine on the table and downed it in one gulp.

The red candle had barely flickered for a moment when he suddenly began tearing at his clothes.

His stunning face was flushed with heat, his round eyes glazed over with intoxication.

Rylan pulled me roughly into his arms, his large hands gripping my waist.

"Seraphina Ashford, you scoundrel! You drugged me," he growled.

I woke up with a start, startled.

I sat up dazed, looking around blankly.

When I saw the familiar bed, I finally steadied my breathing.

So I had a... spring dream?

And the subject was that lunatic?

But the dream felt far too real. I could even hear his heavy breathing.

Past life—

I closed my eyes, struggling to accept it.

Was there really some entanglement between us in a past life?

And I had been the one to initiate it?

I didn't dare sleep for the rest of the night. I stayed awake until dawn.

When my maid, Jinshu, was tidying the bed, she suddenly exclaimed, "Miss, when did you get such an exquisite bell?"

I looked up. Hanging on one side of the bed canopy was a golden bell, intricately crafted and engraved with symbols I couldn't understand.

I frowned slightly. I felt like I had seen this thing somewhere before.

5.

When my shadow guard, Yunsa, entered, I was sitting before the chessboard, lost in thought over the dream.

She dismissed everyone else and knelt on one knee before the chessboard:

"Miss, your guess was right. Luna Whitmore is targeting you."

I took a calm sip of tea and looked at her quietly. "So her goal is just the admission spot?"

The woman had boasted to the Li family that she would secure the only spot for a woman to enter the Hongwen Academy.

But I was certain her ambitions didn't stop there.

Yunsa furrowed her brows. "No, it's more than that.

"I investigated for a long time. Just as you suspected, she changed overnight.

From a timid, talentless concubine's daughter to the confident, brilliant woman she is now.

I found a notebook in her room, filled with detailed records of your life—even in-depth analyses of your personality and behavior.

But she had only met you once."

Yunsa spoke quietly. I held the thin porcelain cup, feeling its warmth in my palm.

Analyzing me? So she really was after me.

"Yunsa, don't you think she resembles someone?" I asked softly.

Yunsa frowned, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. "Empress Huaxuan."

I nodded, my gaze drifting to the banana tree by the window.

Yes. That remarkable woman who died in the Shangyang Palace three years ago.

The same sudden brilliance, the same extraordinary talent, the same heroic grace, the same stealing of another's husband—eventually climbing to the pinnacle of power through a man.

They both seemed to have changed overnight.

A breeze blew through the window, and the sandalwood incense burner emitted a wisp of smoke.

I set down my teacup, picked up a black chess piece, and placed it lightly on the board.

A move to reverse a losing game. I had been waiting for this piece for three years.

6.

After the incident at Spirit Mountain Temple, Consort Ling had Caspian confined to the palace.

She even sent her most trusted lady-in-waiting to deliver an invitation to a family banquet.

I looked at the lady-in-waiting with a half-smile, holding the gilded invitation in my hand: "My lady, the prince and I have already dissolved our engagement. I'm afraid it wouldn't be appropriate for me to attend this family banquet."

The lady-in-waiting, a seasoned veteran of the palace, bowed deeply to me.

"You jest, miss. Back then, when the consort was trapped in the Cold Palace, it was you who rescued her. When the Eighth Prince was bullied by the other princes, it was you who protected him.

"The consort remembers your kindness well. The prince has been led astray by someone. The consort told me to convey this: as long as she lives, this engagement cannot be broken."

She spoke softly, but I knew the cold truth beneath her words. What they remembered wasn't my kindness—it was the power of the Prime Minister's household.

Over the years, as Caspian's wings had grown, he had forgotten one thing: when it came to supporting a crown prince, I had chosen him. Not the other way around.

At a calligraphy shop, Luna Whitmore walked in arm-in-arm with Caspian.

I was examining an inkstone when she snatched it from me effortlessly:

"I heard Miss Ashford is utterly devoid of talent. I suppose you're looking for this inkstone to prepare for the Hongwen Academy entrance exam.

"But unfortunately, Miss Ashford, you lack the talent to get in. Don't waste your money."

A woman without talent was considered virtuous. That was why my mother had always instructed me to present myself as untalented.

I raised an eyebrow at Luna, dressed in her signature red, radiating confidence. I found it amusing.

Had no one ever told her not to flaunt her abilities?

Probably not.

Otherwise, they wouldn't all be so eager to show off their erudition.

Caspian looked at me coldly, stepping sideways to shield Luna behind him.

I smiled, brushing my hair lazily. I suddenly remembered the first time I saw him in the Cold Palace. Facing the cruel servants, he had stood in front of me, vowing to protect me.

It turned out people really could change.

"Is that so?" I said lazily, touching my forehead. "Miss Whitmore certainly has confidence."

Luna recited a few sour verses, mocking me for not being worthy of the inkstone.

I nodded graciously, then reached out, snatched the inkstone, and let it fall.

The heavy inkstone landed squarely on her foot, and she screamed in pain.

"Oh! Sorry, my hand slipped. But it's fine—you're right, Miss Whitmore. I probably won't need it," I said softly.

She gritted her teeth in pain and raised her hand to slap me. I sidestepped her easily, then delivered a crisp slap across her face.

Even more "apologetically," I rubbed my wrist:

"Sorry. My hand slipped again."

"Seraphina Ashford."

Caspian's face darkened as he called my name coldly, reaching for my sleeve.

But before his hand could touch me, Yunsa blocked him:

"Your Highness, your engagement with my lady has been dissolved. You're overstepping."

Luna glared at me with hatred, grinding her teeth. "Seraphina Ashford, you're ruthless. Just you wait. That spot is mine."

I glanced back at her lazily. "I'll be waiting."

Then I turned and walked away.

A mere admission spot was beneath my notice.

But now, I was intrigued.

Perhaps I really would wait and see.

7.

The palace banquet, though small in scale, was far more lavish than the feasts of ordinary officials.

I wore a long blue embroidered robe, guided to my seat by the palace lady-in-waiting.

As I entered the courtyard, Princess Jiuyi waved at me. After paying my respects to the emperor and the consorts, I took my seat beside her.

"I heard my dog of an eighth brother broke off his engagement with you, Sister Seraphina?" the little princess whispered.

I nodded. She slammed her hand on the table in fury:

"Sister Seraphina saved him time and time again, and this man abandoned you? Let me see what that seductress looks like—does she have two noses and three eyes?"

Just as she was fuming, Caspian and Luna appeared at the entrance. I looked up. Both were dressed in long red embroidered robes. Anyone would think they were about to get married.

"Greetings, Father, Mother Consort."

Caspian's voice was deep as he paid his respects.

When he saw me, his expression turned cold. Perhaps trying to reclaim the face he had lost to Yunsa the day before, he ignored the occasion and sneered:

"This is a family banquet. Why is Miss Ashford here?"

I said nothing. Princess Jiuyi snorted beside me: "So what if it's a family banquet? Eighth Brother can bring stray cats and dogs, so why can't Sister Seraphina come?"

The little princess defended me fiercely, though her words sounded like she was insulting me.

She stuck out her tongue, indicating she had misspoken.

Caspian and Luna took their seats above us. No sooner had the banquet begun than he eagerly showcased her talents.

She recited four poems, leaving the entire hall in awe. Even the little princess's eyes went wide.

Luna shot me a triumphant smile. I simply focused on peeling lychees.

She thought she had won?

Foolish.

With every poem she recited, the emperor's expression darkened.

By the time she finished the fourth, the man on the high throne was grim-faced.

"Can you compose a poem in seven steps?" the emperor asked.

Luna's face lit up with joy. After only two steps, she eagerly recited:

"They boil beans to make a broth, filtering the residue to extract the juice. The beanstalk burns beneath the cauldron, while the beans weep inside. Born from the same root, why torment each other so?"

"Excellent poem," Caspian said, his handsome face beaming with admiration.

Luna curtsied theatrically, her face glowing with pride.

But before her smile could fade, it froze.

The emperor suddenly erupted in fury, sweeping a plate of lychees to the floor.

"This is your seven-step poem?" he asked coldly.

Luna dropped to her knees in confusion, completely bewildered.

Even Princess Jiuyi frowned in confusion. "Father has always loved poetry. Such a good poem—why is he angry?"

I smiled faintly. "Perhaps His Majesty has heard this poem before."

It seemed I was right. Luna knew everything about us—my talents, the emperor's love for poetry, even the most hidden details.

But she didn't know about Empress Huaxuan.

In other words, she knew the history before Empress Huaxuan changed it.

So she didn't know that this poem had already been composed three years ago by Empress Huaxuan in seven steps.

Or rather, this poem she had plagiarized had already been plagiarized three years ago.

The emperor's face darkened as he looked at me. He granted me the admission spot on the spot.

Caspian panicked. People lost in love often become foolish.

He immediately spoke up: "Father, Seraphina Ashford is utterly mediocre and talentless. If she gets the spot solely because of her family's prominence, wouldn't that defeat the purpose of your original intention? It would be hard to convince anyone."

The emperor's face grew even darker. He grabbed a pastry from the table and hurled it at Caspian.

I stepped forward to shield Caspian. The pastries didn't hurt much, but they hit me squarely.

I sighed and knelt on the ground with feigned grievance:

"Your Majesty, I am indeed shallow and unlearned, not worthy of comparison with Miss Whitmore, who can compose a poem in seven steps. But I wouldn't want Your Majesty to be accused of favoritism. How about letting Miss Whitmore and me have a fair competition in three days?"

The moment I finished speaking, Princess Jiuyi rushed to my side: "Sister Seraphina, have you lost your mind? You want to compete with her?"

She was exasperated by my "unwavering devotion" to her sixth brother.

Caspian paused, then sneered: "Since Miss Ashford has said so, I humbly request Your Majesty's permission."

8.

After the banquet, Luna followed me.

Her gaze was icy as she suddenly grabbed my sleeve: "Seraphina Ashford, what tricks did you pull? His Majesty cherishes talent and loves poetry. How could he favor you, someone so illiterate? This doesn't make sense."

I tilted my head and looked at her with feigned surprise: "Miss Whitmore seems to know His Majesty very well. And me, too."

She paused, ignoring me, lost in her own thoughts.

"According to the script, there's no way the emperor would reject someone who can compose a poem in seven steps. Where did I go wrong?"

Where did she go wrong?

I twisted the jade thumb ring on my finger. She probably couldn't figure it out.

Compared to someone who gained fame through plagiarism, His Majesty would probably prefer a fool.

Knowledge could be learned slowly, but character was hard to rebuild.

Besides, did she really think the emperor was so easy to fool?

That remarkable woman, Empress Huaxuan, hailed as a prodigy by everyone—hadn't she ultimately been killed by the emperor for being too talented?

Because the emperor feared that her brilliance would win the people's support and one day challenge his authority.

"Seraphina Ashford, agreeing to compete with me will be the worst decision you'll ever make."

Luna quickly regained her composure, still looking at me with that insufferable arrogance.

She leaned close to my ear, her breath brushing against my skin:

"Seraphina Ashford, I know you better than anyone. You're arrogant and scheming, cunning and treacherous. Let me guess—what will you write in the competition? 'On Serving the People,' right? 'A gentleman schemes for the people's welfare...'"

She recited mockingly, but I suddenly laughed.

She was right. Word for word. That was exactly what I had planned to write.

It was worth stepping back to secure a competition for her.

I had finally provoked her arrogance.

Now I could be sure. She was the one I was looking for.

I curled my lips and looked at her: "Miss Whitmore has put so much effort into studying me. Let me make a bold guess. What is it you want?"

"The position of queen, isn't it?" I said softly.

Her face went pale. She stared at me in disbelief.

I had guessed correctly.

Caspian would become emperor, and I would become empress. That was how it was supposed to be.

But like Empress Huaxuan before her, she had schemed and plotted to steal the throne of the empress.

I recalled the conversation between Empress Huaxuan and Consort Hechang before her death, and I sneered coldly.

They really were birds of a feather.

I twisted my jade thumb ring and shook my head as I watched the woman walk away.

Unfortunately, I was not Consort Hechang, and she was not Empress Huaxuan.

I was smarter than Consort Hechang, and she was far dumber than Empress Huaxuan.

9.

At the Prime Minister's mansion, a servant announced that Brother Dorian had arrived.

I gathered my skirts and ran quickly, only to find Dorian Pierce standing beneath the peach blossom tree in the courtyard.

Dorian, who had grown up with Caspian and me, was two years older, the only son of General Pierce.

He looked at me and smiled gently.

Like warm sunlight melting the snow—enveloping and tender.

"Brother Dorian, why are you here?" I asked softly, my voice barely above a whisper, afraid to disturb this fragile man.

Dorian looked at me warmly. "I heard you're going to compete with someone. I came to tutor you."

"Uncle Pierce let you out? He's not keeping an eye on you?" I asked in surprise.

Then I froze. I had forgotten—General Pierce had already gone to war.

I sat on a stone stool, a flicker of guilt in my eyes.

"Brother Dorian... if you hadn't saved me back then, would you now be a famous general of the Great Xuan Dynasty, like Uncle Pierce?

Riding a spirited horse, galloping freely, wild and unrestrained."

My voice was hoarse, trembling with unshed tears.

He was the only person in my life I truly owed.

Back then, when I was pushed into the freezing pond, he saved me. If not for him, I would have died.

But because of it, he contracted a cold disorder, leaving him frail and weak. The imperial physician had given him less than twenty years to live.

I still remembered the wishes we made under the pear blossom tree as children.

He said he wanted to grow up to be a great general, like his father—someone everyone admired.

Now, even leaving the house was a struggle for him.

Dorian's pale fingers paused on the pages of the book he was flipping through. He looked at me gently. "But if I saw you being pushed into the freezing pond, Brother Dorian couldn't bear not to save you.

"So, Seraphina, there is no 'if.' If it happened again, I would still give everything to save you.

"Because you mean so much to me, Seraphina."

His voice was soft, always so indulgent.

I clenched my fingers into my palms and forced a difficult smile:

"Brother Dorian, don't worry. No matter what it takes, I won't let you die."

Even if it meant walking a path of no return.

Dorian's large hand gently ruffled my hair as he smiled faintly. "Life and death are but a moment. Besides, I've known my expiration date since I was young. Seraphina, I'm already nineteen this year. I've been waiting for that day for a long time. Dying isn't such a big deal. You don't have to blame yourself."

10.

I had thought people would mock me for challenging Luna to a competition, calling it a fool's errand.

But somehow, the rumors painted me as a defender of true love, fighting against a witch.

The tide of public opinion turned against her. That fool Caspian came up with a desperate plan to cut the problem at its root.

Within half a day, word spread through the Capital City that I had been the one to abandon the Eighth Prince because I had already pledged myself to someone else.

The winds shifted instantly. Countless people cursed me for my shamelessness, saying I had disgraced the Prime Minister's household.

"Miss, I heard them say this is called 'public opinion warfare,'" Yunsa reported angrily.

I picked up the jade pendant Caspian had given me as a betrothal gift and smashed it to the ground.

The pendant shattered into pieces.

In our Great Xuan Dynasty, a woman's reputation was of utmost importance. Caspian knew this well.

Yet, to protect that woman, he was willing to destroy my entire life.

If I had still cherished the bond of our childhood before, now every shred of affection between us was gone.

The man who had promised to protect me had likely died long ago in that Cold Palace.

In the front hall, Caspian stood with his hands behind his back, dressed in black, waiting for me with an air of calm.

I looked at him coldly, my eyes devoid of warmth.

"Seraphina, give up the competition. You can't beat Luna. Why humiliate yourself?" he said quietly.

I smiled wryly. "What are you afraid of, Brother Caspian? You know I'm talentless, yet you still came here. Is the rumor campaign from the Eighth Prince's mansion not strong enough?"

Caspian froze, a flicker of struggle on his face. "I... I never imagined it would spread like this."

Never imagined?

I laughed until tears came to my eyes. He had wagered a woman's reputation, and he said he hadn't imagined it?

The whispers I endured on the streets, the crowd of gossiping women gathered at the Prime Minister's mansion, cursing me—and he said he "hadn't imagined it"?

"If you give up, I will petition His Majesty to take you as a secondary consort."

Caspian must have had things too easy these past years. He had become this foolish.

I had agreed to break off the engagement just to become his concubine?

"Brother Caspian, I heard Miss Whitmore wants 'one heart, one person for a lifetime.' Wouldn't this betray her?"

Caspian pondered for a moment. "Seraphina, I know you love me. With your reputation now, no one else will marry you.

"I'll set up a separate residence for you. That way, you won't have to see each other.

"But you must cancel the competition first."

What a brilliant plan. A mistress—not even a concubine.

When had Caspian become this stupid?

He thought destroying my reputation would give him leverage over me?

"Your Highness, you're truly ambitious but lacking in skill. You're willing to marry her, but how do you know Miss Ashford is willing to marry you?"

A lazy voice rang out. Rylan Hart leaned against a nearby tree, clearly having climbed over the wall to get here.

Caspian's expression darkened as he glared at him.

"Who would dare marry Seraphina after I've broken off the engagement? I'm only reluctantly offering to take her because she loves me so deeply."

"Is that so?" Rylan smirked provocatively, striding over. He pinched a strand of my loose hair and sniffed it.

"If she dares marry anyone, I'll break her legs."

One was a fool, the other a madman. Together, they were utterly deranged.

At a time like this, if he wanted to play the hero, shouldn't he have said, "I'll marry her"?

Swords drawn, the two men—neither of whom truly loved me—looked ready to fight.

I snorted coldly and turned to leave.

I wasn't going to argue with a bunch of lunatics.

Not long after, Rylan came running over with a bruised face, looking both arrogant and aggrieved as he glared at me. It seemed he had won the fight.

"Seraphina Ashford, you're my wife. You're not allowed to marry anyone else—man or woman," he said with a snort.

I frowned. What did he mean by that? Had I married a woman in our past life?

Perhaps the earlier dream had made me uneasy. I took a step back from him.

But he wasn't satisfied. He grabbed my arm and pinned me against the door.

"Seraphina Ashford, you're mine."

His warm breath brushed against my ear, and then his lips pressed against mine.

In that instant, my heart trembled.

The sound of a bell rang in my ears. In a daze, I seemed to see a scene.

A dilapidated prison. I was wearing a blue prison uniform. Rylan was dressed in a purple court robe, looking at me with hatred.

I couldn't hear what he was saying, but I saw him suddenly embrace me.

He lowered his head and bit my lips, as if he wanted to devour me.

In that moment, I saw tears in his eyes.

11.

On the day of the competition, His Majesty arrived in person.

I sat gracefully on a pearwood armchair, grinding ink slowly and methodically.

A long time passed. I had nearly finished my essay, "On Serving the People," but Luna still hadn't appeared.

"Some 'talented woman' she is. Running away at the last minute—she's learned well from the Eighth Prince," Princess Ruyan said provocatively.

Caspian snapped, "Shut up!" Then he glared at me darkly. "Seraphina Ashford, you used your tricks, didn't you? You're cunning and vicious. I already agreed to make you my secondary consort, and you still dare to harm her?"

So that's why he had come.

He was afraid I would use my schemes.

Well, he knew me well.

After all, I was the one who had brought him step by step out of the Cold Palace to compete for the crown prince.

Of course, he knew me.

I ignored the voice beside me. I straightened my back, lightly wrote the final line, then respectfully bowed and presented my paper.

At that moment, it was declared that Luna Whitmore had forfeited the competition.

A talented woman? I raised an eyebrow.

How amusing.

I had given her a chance, hadn't I?

Even if she knew all my talents and thoughts, so what?

She still had to show up.

She looked down on us pedantic, boring women, not worth lifting a finger for.

But this world was full of women like us.

Pedantic and deadly.

12.

The spot fell to me. I heard Luna smashed quite a few vases and teacups in her rage.

A young maid who trembled while pouring tea was sold to a brothel as punishment.

I toyed with the chess piece in my hand, amused. Her style really couldn't compare to Empress Huaxuan.

Empress Huaxuan had advocated for equality, treating servants and maids kindly.

Both of them had awakened overnight, yet their character and refinement were worlds apart.

In front of the Gathering of Immortals Tower, Luna looked at me with a sinister expression. She said she knew my weakness.

I narrowed my eyes at her. My left eyelid twitched violently, a sign that something big was about to happen.

Sure enough, within two hours, Yunsa reported that Dorian Pierce had been kidnapped.

The wind was fierce, whipping the gauze curtains on the pavilion.

I mobilized half the guards from the Prime Minister's mansion and the General's mansion. We searched the entire city before finally finding Brother Dorian.

He was frail, tied up in a ruined temple. The moment we approached, countless black-clad assassins ambushed us.

These weren't