Chapter 16: Is This for Real?

Gan Qiongying was genuinely exhausted. She used to be a little night owl who wouldn’t sleep until the moon did.

But ever since transmigrating into this ancient world with its scarce entertainment options, what else could she do at night besides sleep?

She did have a courtyard full of male consorts to play with, but Gan Qiongying had been treading carefully, afraid of making a single misstep, and didn’t dare indulge in any amusement.

Fortunately, since her transmigration, she had used the excuse of recuperating from her injuries to hole up in the Princess Manor for a long time, gradually learning about this dynasty and indirectly discovering the true nature of the real Princess Duanrong.

Otherwise, if she had faced a situation like today’s right after transmigrating, it wouldn’t have been just a slip-up—it would have been a full-blown disaster, with every flaw exposed and nothing hidden.

Now, although she still didn’t fully understand this world, she at least knew how to act. Coupled with Princess Duanrong’s naturally aloof and unapproachable demeanor, she managed to imitate it perfectly.

At the moment, she watched with little interest as the women gathered in small groups not far away. Among them, surrounded by noble ladies, was the beloved daughter of Jingxi Wang, Princess Xue’e, Wen Xueling.

They say people look even more beautiful under the lamplight, and the female lead truly lived up to her role—pure and lovely.

She and the women around her kept glancing toward the men not far away.

By the railing along the Huishui River, surrounded by men, was tonight’s host, Zhongli Zhengzhen.

The male and female leads stood not far apart, leaning against the railing to admire the lanterns, watching the dances under the soft glow, their laughter and chatter filling the air, accompanied by the soothing melodies of traditional instruments.

It was truly… though spring had just passed, the flames of passionate love had already ignited.

Even from this distance, Gan Qiongying could see the way their eyes seemed to intertwine like the colorful ribbons dancing in the wind on the flower boats, as if they couldn’t bear to be apart, never staying still.

You’re the wind, I’m the sand—if you’re not enchanted, you must be blind.

Gan Qiongying just wanted to go home and sleep, but there was still plot to follow. If she left now, she feared she might die of a heart attack tonight.

So she had no choice but to endure the cringe, waiting and waiting.

Finally!

After Gan Qiongying couldn’t resist resting her elbow on the table and dozing off, many of the banquet guests had already dispersed.

As the moon climbed to the middle of the sky, Gan Qiongying woke from an eerily realistic dream, breaking out in a cold sweat.

In her dream, she saw herself being dragged behind a horse by a cold-faced Zhongli Zhengzhen, begging him for something—to save someone?

Who was it?

In the original plot, being dragged by Zhongli Zhengzhen was the final fate of Princess Duanrong—a tragic and satisfyingly just end.

But even in such a state, Princess Duanrong still wanted to save someone? Who?

After waking up, Gan Qiongying quickly grabbed a bowl of cold soup from the table and drank it.

The greasy, chilled soup did wake her up, but it also made her feel a bit nauseous.

She shook her head, trying to shake off the lingering effects of the dream. It felt too real… It must have been because she was constantly afraid of ending up as miserably as the original Princess Duanrong, and her fears had manifested in her dreams…

The maid accompanying her today was Silver Moon. Seeing Gan Qiongying jolt awake, she immediately stepped forward. Though she hadn’t managed to stop her from drinking the cold soup, she at least brought her some mouthwash.

Softly, she reminded her, “Princess, it’s getting late. It’s time to head back. The people from the Princess Manor have already come to fetch you.”

Gan Qiongying was still lost in the terrifying, almost lifelike memories of her dream.

Reminded by Silver Moon, she jolted awake, suddenly remembering she still had plot points to follow!

She abruptly rose from the table and glanced toward the Huishui Riverbank. Sure enough, all the bustling festivities had already concluded, with only sparse lantern lights remaining. At this moment, a solitary figure stood by the riverbank railing.

That figure was Zhongli Zhengzhen.

And in the entire banquet hall, only Gan Qiongying remained.

After Gan Qiongying stood up, Zhongli Zhengzhen turned to look at her. In the dimming lantern light, Gan Qiongying thought she saw him smile, but the smile was truly unsettling.

“Go and find out how long the female guests have been gone, especially Princess Xue’e,” Gan Qiongying whispered urgently to Silver Moon, who then left two maids behind and hurried off to inquire.

Meanwhile, Gan Qiongying watched Zhongli Zhengzhen. Wearing a faintly contemptuous and arrogant smile, he walked toward her.

Stopping not far in front of her, his gaze swept over her with an invasive intensity before he said, “Has the Princess awakened?”

His voice was deep and pleasant—she had heard it before.

But now, as he spoke, his tone was light, carrying an ambiguous meaning that seemed to drift into the night air, sending a chill down her spine.

She looked up at Zhongli Zhengzhen, raising a hand to support her head. The two maids beside her immediately stepped forward, supporting Gan Qiongying on either side.

Gan Qiongying frowned subtly and whispered, “I accidentally fell asleep. My apologies.”

Her gaze drifted down from Zhongli Zhengzhen’s strikingly handsome, invasive face and settled once more on the jade pendant at his waist.

She remembered now—this was indeed her possession, a piece of emerald jade bestowed upon her by the Emperor, one she often wore. Its value was beyond measure.

Gan Qiongying felt a pang of regret, but it seemed she wouldn’t be able to retrieve it today. She still had plot points to follow—why hadn’t Silver Moon returned yet? Could it be that the female lead had truly run off?

On such a day, shouldn’t the male and female leads be entangled, unable to part from each other?

Gan Qiongying was growing increasingly anxious, mainly fearing that the plot might not unfold as intended. Her chest began to ache again.

But she couldn’t blame herself for falling asleep. Who would have thought that the male and female leads, who seemed utterly captivated by each other, wouldn’t find a private spot to talk alone?

If they had found a private place to chat, she could have just rushed over and pushed the female lead—simple as that!

Gan Qiongying never liked to dwell on self-blame, and as she looked at Zhongli Zhengzhen, a hint of resentment flickered in her eyes.

Unbeknownst to her, the lingering effects of the wine still colored her cheeks like peach blossoms, and her phoenix eyes held a captivating allure. That one resentful, almost shy glance she shot at him was enough to make even Zhongli Zhengzhen—a man with grand ambitions—momentarily lose his composure.

He had already planned everything for today. The best river-view room at the inn by the Huishui Riverbank had been reserved in advance. He intended to let Duan Rong taste a little sweetness tonight, so she would stop pestering the Consort and become even more devoted to him.

To achieve great things, a man must make sacrifices. He had always disliked Duan Rong’s overt infatuation—women should be reserved and dignified. No man would favor a frivolous or seductive woman.

While preparing for the banquet during the day, Zhongli Zhengzhen had been filled with disgust.

But when she arrived late in the evening, appearing melancholy and subdued, she hadn’t come to bother him or pick fights with the other ladies. This had actually lessened his annoyance toward her somewhat.

Moreover, he noticed that Duan Rong had grown wiser. Knowing that constant pestering no longer worked on him, she adopted a strategy of retreating to advance, even feigning drunkenness to legitimately linger until the very end of the banquet…

Zhongli Zhengzhen watched her feigned drowsiness and saw the unspoken resentment in her glare. It was clear she had deliberately stayed this late, her intentions obvious.

After all, she was a princess and a woman. Asking her to openly beg for intimacy was truly asking too much.

Zhongli Zhengzhen narrowed his eyes, a faint smile curling his lips as he reached out to brush aside the stray hairs at her temple. Just then, Gan Qiongying heard footsteps and turned to see Silver Moon returning.

Gan Qiongying immediately turned to greet Silver Moon, leaning close to hear her whisper that Princess Xue’e’s carriage was still parked at the corner of the street, not yet departed.

Silver Moon added, “Not far from here, there are also people from Princess Xue’e.”

She paused, then ventured boldly, “Princess, it seems to me that Princess Xue’e’s people are monitoring your movements.”

Upon hearing this, Gan Qiongying couldn’t help but laugh, and the weight in her heart instantly lifted.

How could Wen Xueling be monitoring her movements?

She was merely watching how her beloved treated this persistent pursuer, unwilling to leave.

This was perfect… She had just been wondering how difficult it would be to drag Wen Xueling out of her bedroom in the middle of the night and push her into the lotus pond if she had truly run off while she was sleeping.

Gan Qiongying turned back after a few steps and glanced at Zhongli Zhengzhen, puzzled as to why his expression had suddenly turned icy in the blink of an eye.

Of course, she hadn’t seen him miss his touch earlier, awkwardly withdrawing his hand and clenching it tightly within his sleeve.

“Um…” Gan Qiongying hesitated, scratching her temple somewhat sheepishly.

Zhongli Zhengzhen was displeased at being ignored. It was only after Gan Qiongying unconsciously avoided him and the mountain breeze brushed past that he realized he had been bewitched by her.

The reward he intended for her tonight was not intimacy.

Rather, he had obtained a drug that, when taken, could induce incredibly realistic hallucinations. With a little guidance, he could make her believe her infatuation had been reciprocated, thus buying himself more time.

However, Zhongli Zhengzhen quickly composed himself and expressed concern, “It’s too late. Why doesn’t the Princess rest at the Huishui Inn by the Huishui River?”

Zhongli Zhengzhen said, “I have already arranged a superior room for the Princess.”

As he spoke, he took a step forward as planned.

His ambiguous expression and suggestive gaze made it difficult for Gan Qiongying not to think in that direction.

But upon hearing his words and seeing him approach, Gan Qiongying instinctively took half a step back.

Zhongli Zhengzhen: “…” Was her half-step retreat serious?