After Being Marked by the Eldest Princess, I Got Pregnant with Her Child [Transmigration into a Novel] - Chapter 4

Song Shujiu leaned against the small window, gazing at the artificial mountains and flowing water outside, but her spirits remained low. Since returning from Lanyue Pavilion, she had barely spoken a word.

That night, that person was… Yan Chen, wasn’t it?

A princess of the nation sneaking off to a brothel and indulging in such wild antics, what if she had accidentally uncovered her secret? Wouldn’t her life in the princess’s mansion be doomed from then on?

How unlucky to transmigrate into a novel only to end up with such a fate.

With her entry into the mansion scheduled for the next day, Song Shujiu sighed repeatedly in her heart. Meanwhile, Xiao Tao, oblivious to her worries, continued packing their belongings as if nothing were amiss. That silly girl had no idea what was going through her mind.

When those long, phoenix-like eyes had leaned close, drifting past her like a wisp of smoke, Song Shujiu had suddenly shuddered.

What was wrong with this body? The surges of overwhelming sensations came and went unpredictably, yet they always spiraled out of control whenever she encountered that person.

Facing the impending challenge of entering the mansion, Song Shujiu pondered silently. This was supposed to be a novel, but the unfolding events were completely different from what she had read. It was probably her reckless interference that had sent the plot spiraling into chaos.

Here, she had no idea how to find a way out. But as long as she was alive, if Yan Chen gave her trouble, she could always run.

Weren’t legs made for escaping?

No fear.

Ha.

With that thought, Song Shujiu’s low spirits lifted once more.

Princess’s Mansion

Aunt Mei presented the financial report from the previous quarter to the person seated above. Yan Chen skimmed through it with an indifferent gaze, her tone flat. “Nanny, this is still far from enough.”

Aunt Mei smiled awkwardly. “This old servant understands. I will find ways to expand the business and recruit more girls.”

“The frontlines may appear peaceful, but beneath the surface, treacherous currents stir. During the late emperor’s reign, war was waged against the Kingdom of Li. Though a five-year truce was signed in the end, that agreement is about to expire.”

The Kingdom of Li harbored wolfish ambitions, while the Kingdom of Zhao was vast and rich in resources. How could they be content with just a corner of it?

Li was a latent threat.

Aunt Mei’s face darkened with concern, and even the others nearby, like Huamei, grew indignant. The Kingdom of Zhao was a land of propriety and civility, while Li was barbaric and ruthless. Over the years, they had openly and covertly annexed countless smaller states. If not for Zhao’s formidable military strength, which allowed them to hold their ground, they would have long been swallowed up.

As for the Kingdom of Yue, their stance remained ambiguous and their relationship with Zhao had always been an enigmatic mix of friendship and hostility.

“Ten years ago, to solidify ties between Zhao and Yue, Her Majesty once considered sending Yue’er for a political marriage.”

Yan Chen reminisced. She and Yan Yue were twins.

Yet fate had decreed that one would be born healthy while the other frail and fragile. Yan Yue required the nourishing energy of the imperial dragon day and night, so a substitute had been found to marry in her stead.

All these years had passed, and that person was now in Yue. She wondered how they were faring.

After the war with Li, the entire Kingdom of Zhao needed time to recuperate. The people could no longer endure the heavy taxes and suffering brought by war.

The nation needed to recover. Everyone yearned for stability and harmonious development.

But wolves lurked on all sides, watching greedily. Even from her secure position, she still had things she must protect.

“Once my martial arts advance further, if Li dares to attack, I’ll volunteer to lead the charge and slaughter them until not a scrap remains. Let’s see if they still think we’re easy prey!”

Huang Ying from the Four Histories suddenly spoke up, her face flushed with fervor, fists clenched into balls.

The others exchanged glances and burst into laughter at her words, easing the tense and somber atmosphere somewhat.

Huamei covered her mouth with a handkerchief, giggling coyly: “I say we shouldn’t bother forming any immortal squads or intelligence networks. Just send A Ying out alone, and everything will be solved.”

Yan Chen raised an eyebrow, the usually indifferent corners of her eyes tinged with amusement.

“Agreed.”

Seeing everyone’s teasing expressions, Huang Ying grew anxious: “What are you all saying? I’m serious! If Li Kingdom comes to war, won’t you fight?”

As a citizen of Zhao Kingdom, she would never back down.

“Of course we wouldn’t actually send you out alone. With your limited skills, would you even last in a fight?” Hong Chou, who had been silent until now, blinked and cleared her throat, her eyes brimming with laughter.

Huang Ying was the youngest of the four, lively and naïve, having never witnessed the true horrors and ruthlessness of the battlefield or the iron-fisted tactics employed in the power struggles between nations.

She believed her fervent passion alone could shape the outcome she desired.

At present, Zhao Kingdom’s military required vast amounts of funds and provisions for supply.

The national treasury appeared peaceful on the surface, but only because they served the Eldest Princess and knew the underlying issues.

Over the years, the Eldest Princess had secretly established numerous teahouses and taverns, engaging in plenty of underground dealings for what purpose, they all tacitly understood.

“By the way, everything is stable at the Prime Minister’s residence. Miss Song seems to be preparing to enter the manor tomorrow.”

Song Shujiu, that delicate, soft-spoken girl.

As if recalling something, Yan Chen’s expression softened, her voice inexplicably gentler: “She hasn’t endured much hardship. Prepare a clean, comfortable room for her.”

Aunt Mei bowed and nodded, saying, “Understood.”

So this was why the Princess had been recruiting guests at Lanyue Pavilion, it turned out she was targeting the Prime Minister’s daughter. That night, Seventeen had mentioned their relationship seemed particularly unusual during the palace banquet.

Aunt Mei clicked her tongue inwardly. This newcomer might very well be a little ancestor she’d have to pamper.

Once all arrangements were settled, Hong Chou opened the medicine chest she carried and changed Yan Chen’s bandages.

“Your Highness, you shouldn’t exert this hand any further.”

She removed the gauze from Yan Chen’s left wrist, injured during the ambush outside the city that night. The identity of the assailant remained unknown. “Have Seventeen keep watch, in case spies have already infiltrated the city.”

To know your enemy is to win every battle their intelligence network spanned the entire nation, with operatives planted not only in Zhao Kingdom but also in neighboring hostile states. Moreover, both sides had infiltrated each other.

This recent ambush made Yan Chen narrow her eyes in contemplation. It seemed some were growing restless, testing the waters.

The corners of her lips curled upward, disdain dripping from her expression. If they couldn’t kill her, they shouldn’t blame her for striking back.

“Miss, take your time.”

Song Shujiu stepped down from the carriage, assisted carefully by Xiao Tao. The majestic, grand residence before her was far more imposing than her family’s Prime Minister’s estate even the stone lions were larger and more exquisitely crafted.

Facing south, a massive plaque bore the bold inscription: “Residence of the Eldest Princess.”

Xiao Tao carried bundles of luggage while Song Shujiu glanced at the towering steps. Just then, the gates suddenly swung open, revealing the flamboyant face of Aunt Mei.

The two locked eyes, Song Shujiu froze.

Aunt Mei offered an awkward smile, nodding as she walked past. What rotten luck, she had just been heading to Lanyue Pavilion to handle some business when she ran straight into her.

She wasn’t sure how the Eldest Princess would take this.

Song Shujiu’s heart skipped a beat. Good heavens, this was serious, what kind of mess had she stumbled into?

The madam of Lanyue Pavilion had just walked out of the Eldest Princess’s residence.

Just think about Yan Chen’s face back at Lanyue Workshop, and now look at this magnificent mansion gate. Damn, Yan Chen is truly impressive, he’s got all kinds of talents under his roof.

Incredible.