After Being Marked by the Eldest Princess, I Got Pregnant with Her Child [Transmigration into a Novel] - Chapter 1

Night had fallen, and shadows danced beneath the trees.
Moonlight spilled over the stone-paved streets, casting a soft silver glow.

Prime Minister’s Residence

“Miss, if you don’t hurry, we’ll be late for the palace banquet!”

A crisp voice sounded nearby. The young maid rushed about, holding out a cloak as she spoke with urgency. Tonight was an important night. The Prime Minister was already waiting in the carriage.

The girl in front of Song Shujiu appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen years old. Her hair was tied in twin buns, and she wore a dark blue jacket with a pale pink pleated skirt. Her face was delicate and lively as she moved quickly to prepare her lady.

Song Shujiu stood frozen for a moment, her expression unreadable. She looked around symbolically, taking in the surroundings. The glazed rooftop, the red-lacquered windows, and beside the window, a carved pearwood dressing table. A few steps ahead, a round tea table with lotus carvings held a celadon vase decorated with painted flowers. Inside the vase, fresh blossoms glistened with dewdrops, as if someone had just cared for them. A celadon tea set was arranged beside it, every piece in perfect order.

She turned, and the beaded crystal curtain shimmered with light. The silk canopy above the bed draped softly, and the room was filled with a gentle fragrance. A hint of a pale green sheet peeked out from the edge of the bed. Everything in this room was elegant and refined.

The more she looked, the more familiar it all felt.

Not long ago, after a long and exhausting workday, she had squeezed onto the last train home. Finally able to relax, she had sat by the window and started reading a fast-paced web novel called Phoenix Favor. The author had jokingly called their own writing amateur, but before she knew it, she had become absorbed in the story.

Then it hit her.

Song Shujiu suddenly remembered. Wasn’t this the exact bedroom of the Prime Minister’s daughter described in the novel?

Phoenix Favor was a romantic novel written for women. She had only just started reading it, yet here she was, standing inside it.

Had she transmigrated into the book?

As that realization sank in, her apricot-colored eyes widened slightly. She did her best to hide the disbelief in her gaze.

The young maid in front of her… could it be Xiao Tao, the protagonist’s loyal personal servant?

“Miss? Miss?”

Xiao Tao waved a hand in front of her eyes, clearly concerned. Why did her young lady seem so dazed today? Could it be that the Prime Minister agreed to take her to the palace, and she was overwhelmed with excitement?

After all, this was the first time Miss would attend a palace banquet. Thinking of that, Xiao Tao felt more at ease.

She fastened a light blue cloak over Shujiu’s shoulders and scolded playfully, “The night air is chilly, and you’ve just recovered from a cold. You must not fall sick again, or I’ll be heartbroken.”

Song Shujiu stood still as Xiao Tao adjusted her clothes and tidied the corners. On the dressing table, a bronze mirror caught her eye. She leaned slightly and saw her reflection clearly.

No. Not hers.

It was the original owner’s face.

Heavens.

It looked exactly like her own. Apart from the ancient clothing, her features were identical.

This must be fate. Destined, even.

She had randomly picked up a novel, and somehow ended up inside it, in the body of a girl who looked exactly like her.

In the mirror, the young woman’s skin was like porcelain. Her brows were shaped like crescent moons, her eyes sparkled like autumn water. Her lips were soft and red, her teeth like pearls. Every movement was elegant and noble. Compared to her modern-day self as an exhausted office worker, she now looked ethereal, at least ten times more refined.

Clothes really do make the person.

Shujiu sighed inwardly.

Just then, Xiao Tao said cheerfully, “Miss, everything’s ready.”

Shujiu cleared her throat. “Then let’s go.”

Fortunately, she still retained some memory of the story. She was now in the Kingdom of Zhao. Her mother held the title of Prime Minister, and her parents’ marriage had been a political one. But despite that, they lived in harmony and treated each other with deep affection.

She stepped out of the room.

The courtyard was beautiful, with lush greenery, intricately stacked rockeries, and ponds surrounded by willow trees. Walking along a cobblestone path, she crossed a small stone bridge. Red and gold koi swam freely beneath her feet.

Servants passed by, nodding and bowing as they went.

Shujiu responded naturally. At the beginning of the novel, the character she now inhabited had only been described briefly. All that was known was that she was lively and outgoing, intelligent and charming. As the only daughter, she had been adored by both parents, and her temperament was unlike that of other reserved noblewomen.

At the front gate stood two majestic stone lions. A lavish carriage waited nearby. Shujiu stepped forward and pulled open the curtain.

Inside, Song Lan sat gracefully in a crimson official robe with narrow sleeves. Her expression was calm and dignified. When she saw Shujiu, the sternness on her face softened.

“Jiu’er.”

“Mother,” Shujiu replied sweetly.

Song Lan felt a warmth in her heart. “Let’s go. You remember all the etiquette I taught you about the palace banquet, right?”

“Yes. You told me before. Don’t worry, Mother. Once I enter the palace, I’ll act like a mute. If the emperor doesn’t speak to me, I won’t say a word.”

Song Lan nodded, the smile in her eyes deepening. This was exactly why her daughter was so clever. After all, the palace was nothing like home.

The carriage began to move. The sound of horse hooves echoed on the stone road as they headed toward the seat of power.

The Kingdom of Zhao was celebrating the coronation of its new emperor. A grand feast had been prepared for the officials.

Shujiu stepped out of the carriage and gazed up. The palace was vast and majestic. The rooftops were covered in golden glazed tiles with green edges. The central dome shimmered with gold. Inside and out, dragons and phoenixes were painted and carved into every surface, glittering in the candlelight.

After taking her seat, Song Lan exchanged pleasantries with other officials. Shujiu, thanks to her mother’s status, was seated among the honored guests near the front.

The grand hall was bathed in brilliant light. Silk draped from the ceilings, and enormous lanterns cast a warm glow across the golden walls. At the very center stood eight towering screens, each carved with dragons, a symbol of supreme authority.

Beside the dragon throne sat an empty golden seat. The gold-threaded tablecloth was embroidered with peonies and birds. Golden plates, silver bowls, jade chopsticks, and porcelain cups were all arranged with perfect care. Shujiu glanced at it curiously. That wasn’t the empress’s seat, and it was even more prominent than her mother’s.

Who could it be for?

She looked around, but no one seemed bold enough to sit there.

The banquet began. Dishes were presented one by one, each exquisitely crafted. The hall was filled with the aroma of wine and flowers. Laughter echoed. The mood was bright and festive.

“The emperor arrives!”

A sharp voice rang out at the door, and the hall instantly fell silent. The officials rose in unison and bowed deeply toward the golden figure entering the room.

“Long live the emperor.”

Shujiu looked up for a brief glance and was stunned. The young emperor was breathtakingly beautiful.

She wore a magnificent dragon robe adorned with jewels. Her long hair was tied high, and a brilliant headdress rested on her head. Elegant and regal, she was exactly how Shujiu imagined the heroine in the novel.

She gasped inwardly. Truly the child of dragons and phoenixes.

The empress took her seat. Her phoenix-like eyes swept across the room. When they paused briefly on Shujiu, she looked away without a word.

Her voice was calm and steady. “You may rise.”

She spoke a few polite words, saying that as the new emperor, she was hosting this banquet to celebrate with all her loyal officials. She hoped everyone would eat well, drink well, and enjoy themselves.

Shujiu’s mother stepped forward to offer congratulations on behalf of the officials. The head eunuch clapped his hands, and dancers entered the hall. Music began to play as their long sleeves fluttered like flowing clouds.

The golden light of the palace reflected off every dish in front of her. Honey-glazed lotus seeds, shrimp wrapped in phoenix tails, emerald-leaf sticky rice, golden venison, and jars of fine wine. Shujiu’s eyes sparkled. Ever since she arrived in this world, she hadn’t had a proper meal. Now, faced with so much delicious food, she no longer tried to hold back. She ate to her heart’s content.

After eating and drinking her fill, Shujiu glanced again at the empty seat near the emperor. It was still unoccupied.

Could it really just be for decoration?

In television dramas, the emperor and empress usually sat side by side. But this young emperor was unmarried. Who was that seat meant for?

Still curious, Shujiu lifted her golden cup and took another sip. Her cheeks were now tinged with a gentle blush, like the first peach blossoms in spring. Her fingers traced the surface of the table as if stirring ripples across still water.

Inside the palace, everything had begun to blur. The banquet had reached its peak.

Song Shujiu wobbled to her feet, drunk and flushed. Her body felt hot all over. Even the once-elegant music now sounded noisy and overwhelming. The instruments clashed in her ears like a chaotic swarm.

She stepped outside, where the night breeze cooled her face. Shaking her head slightly, she realized how poorly she handled alcohol. Her delicate body swayed unsteadily, and she wandered forward without direction. The winding, narrow palace corridors stretched on endlessly. After circling a few times, she found that she couldn’t remember the way back.

But she wasn’t overly concerned about being lost. What truly unsettled her was the strange reaction the wine had triggered in her body. A scorching heat seemed to surge through her veins, leaving her restless. She desperately needed a cool place to calm down.

She braced herself against a wall and continued forward.

Suddenly, she stumbled and bumped into something solid.

“Ugh—”

Losing her balance, she fell to the ground and looked up. In front of her stood an ornate sedan chair surrounded by seven or eight palace maids. The head maid, dressed in the uniform of an imperial attendant, scowled and snapped, “How dare you?”

Still dazed, Song Shujiu stood up. Her starry eyes were clouded, unfocused, and tinged with a dreamy laziness. She hadn’t even figured out what happened before she was being scolded. Turning her head, she glanced at the center of the sedan. Her eyes lowered slightly, her lashes casting flirtatious shadows.

Under the moonlight, the sedan stood out strikingly from its surroundings. A soft champagne-colored curtain hung gracefully, revealing only a vague outline of the person inside. From a distance, it looked both ethereal and alluring.

Even the shadow seemed enchanting to her hazy eyes. Swallowing, Shujiu stepped forward and approached the curtain. The night was cool, but her chest burned like wildfire. Her hand reached out and lifted the curtain.

“Impertinent.”

A sharp voice shouted. A guard with sharp brows stepped forward, her whip already half drawn from her waist. Who was this girl, acting so recklessly before the palace?

She didn’t recognize the face. Could this girl be from outside the palace?

Realizing what day it was, the guard hesitated slightly. At that moment, the person inside the sedan gave her a signal with her eyes. The guard immediately stepped back and fell silent.

A golden hairpin nestled in dark hair, bright red lips against porcelain skin, and long lashes framing eyes that were narrow and deep as night. Her gaze was cold and unreadable, filled with veiled sharpness, like mist that could not be grasped. She wore a robe of rich sapphire silk embroidered with golden peonies. Draped in crimson silk, she sat quietly in the sedan, more elegant and untouchable than the moon above. Even the subtle crease of her brow carried an air of innate indifference.

Shujiu was mesmerized.

A sudden scent of bl00d hit her nose, breaking the trance. She saw that the woman’s hand, hidden beneath a wide sleeve, was bleeding. Crimson dripped between her fingers, staining her robe and pooling at the hem of her skirt.

Shujiu felt something pierce through her mind. The sharp red against that pale wrist, the contrast of sapphire and gold—it should have been disturbing. But instead, it carried a strange and dangerous allure.

Her breathing quickened. Her cheeks were flushed, her body trembling. That icy white skin seemed to drown her in its glow. Her drunken eyes blurred with heat. Her mouth went dry.

Without thinking, she rose on tiptoe and pressed a soft kiss to the woman’s lips.

A collective gasp sounded around them.

Overhead, night birds circled above the palace, their harsh cries adding a chill to the already somber night. Time seemed to freeze.

Her lips were cool and soft. For Shujiu, it felt like an outlet for the storm inside her. That burning sensation surged again, stronger than before. Her legs buckled beneath her, and the faint scent of poppies on the woman’s body teased her senses—dark, intoxicating, surreal.

Her hands gripped the woman’s expensive robe. In a sudden motion, Shujiu stumbled backward, pulling her out of the sedan. They tumbled until Shujiu’s back hit the nearby palace wall, her chest rising and falling with every ragged breath.

In the wide corridor, the lamps flickered faintly.

The woman did not resist. She moved slowly, looked at Shujiu’s reddened face, and chuckled softly.

“So eager.”

“Don’t you feel it too?” Shujiu’s voice was hoarse, trembling, almost pleading.

Why did her body feel like it was about to explode? She had only had a few cups of wine. Could the palace liquor be this strong?

The woman tilted her head. Her eyes gleamed with amusement as she slowly studied Shujiu’s disheveled state.

“Where does it hurt?”

Her voice was low and rich, smoother than any wine Shujiu had tasted that night. Shujiu whimpered softly, her brows drawn, legs trembling. Her entire being was responding to that voice.

She tilted her head again, hair falling messily around her face. There was an itching, tingling feeling just behind her left ear, as though something beneath the skin wanted to break free.

Her ear?

The woman noticed her discomfort and reached out, gently brushing aside Shujiu’s hair. Leaning close, she looked just behind her ear. There, faintly, was a heart-shaped red mark glowing against her skin.

The light scent of wisteria began to spread from the mark.

A smile touched the woman’s lips.

“So it’s your first time.”

She looked back at Shujiu.

“Rest here for a while. You’ll feel better.”

As she spoke, she withdrew her presence, taking with her the unique scent of poppy that had been comforting Shujiu’s body like a soothing balm. Without it, the heat returned in full force, overwhelming and unbearable. Instinctively, Shujiu reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her back into an embrace.

“No… please,” she whispered. Her body trembled violently.

The cold palace walls offered no comfort. The scent of wisteria grew stronger, flooding her senses until it drowned everything else.

Shujiu clung to her, her voice soft and pleading.

“Help me.”

“How would you like me to help?” the woman asked, her expression composed and regal. Her pace slowed, allowing herself to be held.

Their eyes met.

Shujiu’s face was flushed, her gaze hazy and full of longing. Her black hair fluttered in the night breeze, adding to her already enchanting presence.

So desperate, so beautiful, so easy to claim.

The woman lifted Shujiu’s chin, her voice teasing.

“I fear you’ll regret this.”

In her heart, Shujiu screamed, Regret? Not a chance. She just wanted to escape the burning inside her before it consumed her alive.

Their lips met again. Shujiu clung tightly to the woman’s sleeve, only to have her wrist firmly gripped and pinned back against the lacquered red wall. The woman scoffed softly.

“You don’t even know what you’re doing.”

Then she said no more.

Her kiss deepened, and the spreading scent of wisteria was drowned by the overwhelming fragrance of poppy. One scent consumed the other.

The sky above sparkled with stars. A soft breeze brushed across their cheeks.

From a distance, the guard named Qishi looked up stiffly at the moon.

She had no idea what she was supposed to do now.