Don't Provoke the Black Lotus O [Transmigration Novel] - Chapter 53

53: Dilemma

Since being placed under house arrest, Jiang Ci’s attitude towards Xi Lingxue has been cold. Even when sharing the same bed at night, she would turn her back to her.

Xi Lingxue, however, was not angered by this. She ensured that Jiang Ci was well-fed and well-cared for, never mistreating her in any way.

Despite her anger, Jiang Ci never resorted to starving herself.

Because only by eating well could she have the strength to escape.

She was not one to sit idly by, so she had tried various methods to escape these past few days. She feigned illness, used the excuse of going to the restroom to slip away, or even attempted to break out by force. The doors and windows of the room had been repaired three times, but without exception, she was always caught by the guards.

Jiang Ci had borrowed Gao Yi’s martial arts skills, but she couldn’t take on so many people alone, especially since these were the elite guards personally selected by Xi Lingxue, the Princess.

The guards wouldn’t harm Jiang Ci, but they could wear her down. With a maximum of twenty or so guards, Jiang Ci was no match.

Who could fight against a group?

Perhaps after trying every method and realizing she couldn’t escape, Xi Lingxue stopped locking her up.

Jiang Ci was finally free to move in and out of the room, but her activities were still confined to the courtyard.

One day, while Xi Lingxue was out, Jiang Ci sneaked into the study.

The Princess’s residence was once the Dingyuan Marquis’s mansion, and the study was the same one she had used back then. Jiang Ci was surprised to find that it had been kept exactly as it was, almost unchanged.

Her desk was still as messy as ever, piled with various letters and drawings. Jiang Ci touched the desk—there was no dust, indicating it was cleaned daily. She flipped through the items on the desk, recognizing her own poorly written characters and the “guides” she had left for Xi Lingxue, all still there, not a single page missing.

Jiang Ci’s handwriting had improved significantly since then, and looking at it now felt like a lifetime ago.

Sitting at the desk, she felt a sense of déjà vu, as if she had returned to ten years ago, when she was still Gao Yi, and Xi Lingxue was still that stubborn, naive girl.

Jiang Ci sighed—there was no going back.

She remembered there was a secret room in the study where Gao Yi had kept her treasured weapons, a hobby of a military officer. Jiang Ci had only glanced inside once back then, but now she was curious—did Xi Lingxue have someone clean the secret room every day as well?

The candlestick on the wall was the mechanism. Jiang Ci tried to turn it, but perhaps due to its age, the mechanism was stiff, and it took a great deal of effort to move. Moments later, the bookshelf and the wall behind it flipped over, revealing a dark passage.

Jiang Ci took a candle and shone it inside. The floor was covered in a thick layer of dust, with no footprints in sight.

It seemed no one had been here for ten years. Jiang Ci even wondered if Xi Lingxue had yet to discover this secret room.

Just then, footsteps approached from outside, followed by a cool, feminine voice, “Is A Ci inside?”

It was Xi Lingxue.

Jiang Ci quickly retreated, turning the mechanism to close the secret room’s door.

The next second, the door was pushed open, and the woman entered the study, her eyes landing on Jiang Ci sitting at the desk, flipping through the drawings.

Xi Lingxue was momentarily stunned.

Ten years ago, everyone had told her it was impossible—that soul would never return.

She had refused to believe it.

Now, look—her A Ci was sitting right here, wasn’t she?

They could be together again, just like before. She had plenty of time to make up for everything, to fill in the regrets between them.

The woman slowly walked to the desk, her face as pale as frost, a faint smile on her lips, her eyes filled with tenderness. “A Ci.”

Jiang Ci’s gaze remained fixed on the drawings, not looking up, but at the sound of that gentle call, she couldn’t help but feel a pang in her heart.

Humans are not made of wood or stone—how could they not feel emotion?

Seeing this study, Jiang Ci admitted she was moved.

How could someone be so persistent, living in the past, trapped in their own prison?

“Xiaoxue,” Jiang Ci put down the drawings and said gravely, “If you love someone, you should at least give them the freedom they deserve.”

“Whatever you want, I’ll accompany you, fulfill your every wish.”

“Then let me go now. I have my own matters to attend to.”

Xi Lingxue’s gaze turned cold. “Are you still planning to find Helian Ping?”

“What does Helian Ping have to do with this?” Jiang Ci frowned, looking up to meet her gaze. “I am an independent person, not someone’s possession. What’s the difference between keeping me here and keeping a pet?”

The woman bit her lip, her pale fingers tightening slightly. Of course, she understood these principles. She knew Jiang Ci had been dissatisfied, and these past few days, Jiang Ci hadn’t given her a single kind look.

“I just want to ask you, will you still go find Helian Ping?”

In the Kingdom of Yu, Xi Lingxue feared no one. Because no one could take A Ci away from her.

But Helian Ping was different.

She was the Princess of Liang. If she chose Jiang Ci as her consort, no one could stop her.

Even if Xi Lingxue wanted to fight, she would have to weigh her strength.

She couldn’t control such a risk, so she was terrified. She was afraid that if she let go, Jiang Ci would no longer belong to her.

“Yes.”

Jiang Ci had no intention of lying. Even if she said “no” would Xi Lingxue believe her?

She was the deputy envoy of reception, and it was inevitable that she would have to interact with the Liang delegation. Moreover, she had already explained the misunderstandings to Xi Lingxue. It was her freedom to see whoever she wanted.

If she and Xi Lingxue were to start over, this basic freedom and trust were essential.

“I can’t agree to that.”

“Xi Lingxue!”

Jiang Ci slammed the table and stood up, just as the woman stepped forward, leaning in. Jiang Ci took two steps back, her back hitting the wall.

Their lips met, Xi Lingxue’s breathing rapid as she forcefully intertwined their fingers.

She thought, even if it meant hatred, she would keep this person by her side.

“Ouch—”

A sharp pain shot through her lower lip, and Xi Lingxue tasted a hint of bl00d.

Jiang Ci had bitten her.

…

After the failed communication, Jiang Ci was confined for another half-month, completely unaware of what was happening outside.

During this time, no one came to see her. Of course, it was likely no one knew she was here, or even if they did, who would dare to barge into the Princess’s residence?

Her relationship with Xi Lingxue had also unilaterally reached a freezing point. No matter what the other said, Jiang Ci remained cold and indifferent.

On good weather days, Xi Lingxue would take her for a walk in the backyard.

The saplings she had planted back then had now grown into towering trees.

Xi Lingxue said, “A Ci, look, by the end of this winter, we can enjoy the plum blossoms together.”

Jiang Ci replied, “Really? I don’t actually like flower viewing.”

“Then would A Ci like to dance? A waltz?”

“I’ve forgotten how. I can’t dance anymore.”

“It’s okay, I can teach you. Give me your hand.”

“I’m tired. Maybe another day.”

Jiang Ci used refusal to express her dissatisfaction, as if this were a battle to see who would break first.

But the woman was more patient than she had imagined.

Jiang Ci realized that Xi Lingxue might really keep her confined forever.

Was this love? Or some twisted form of possessiveness?

Just thinking about it made Jiang Ci feel suffocated.

One day, while Xi Lingxue was away, Jiang Ci went back to the study.

She hadn’t managed to enter the secret room last time, but now she finally had the chance to search it thoroughly, looking for any handy weapons that could help her escape the Princess’s residence.

Unfortunately, it was filled with sharp weapons like swords and knives. They were inconvenient to carry, and she couldn’t just kill all of Xi Lingxue’s elite guards.

After some deliberation, Jiang Ci settled on a dagger. It was sharp enough to cut through iron, compact, and she could hide it in her boot.

After leaving the secret room, Jiang Ci made sure to wipe the dust off her shoes, trying not to leave any traces.

The courtyard was patrolled by guards from all directions, but within this area, Jiang Ci was free to move around. Over the past few days, while strolling, she had taken note of potential hiding spots, places to dig, and even memorized the guards’ patrol routes.

Now, as soon as a patrol passed, she hurried to the base of the wall and started digging with the dagger.

Of course, she couldn’t stay too long—the patrol would return. Jiang Ci could only dig a little at a time, hoping to eventually create a hole big enough for her to crawl through.

As she dug, she kept an eye on her surroundings, her heart racing.

This was just like a prison break!

Escaping this courtyard was only the first step. If she wanted to avoid detection and escape the Princess’s residence, she might have to dig many more holes.

After digging for a while, Jiang Ci calculated the time and realized the patrol that should have returned was nowhere to be seen.

Feeling suspicious, she stopped and went to investigate. To her surprise, she found the guards had all been knocked out. Jiang Ci checked their breathing—they were alive, just unconscious.

She was astonished. Who could have such skill to infiltrate this place silently and take down the guards so swiftly?

Just as she was pondering, someone tapped her lightly on the shoulder.

Jiang Ci gripped the dagger tightly, immediately stepping back and turning around, ready to defend herself. But what she saw was a familiar face.

“Hey, disciple, long time no see?”

Jiang Ci blinked, staring at the disheveled woman with messy hair, before finally exclaiming in joy, “Master!!!”

“Shh, shh,” Mo Sanqi waved her hand, “Any louder and you’ll alert the whole place.”

“Sorry, I’m just so excited!” Jiang Ci put away the dagger, beaming. “Where have you been? Are you here to rescue me? Let’s go quickly, Xiaoxue will be back soon!”

Mo Sanqi stood still, holding her back.

“I’m not here to rescue you. I just came to check on you.”

Jiang Ci was stunned. “W-what do you mean?”

Mo Sanqi sighed. “You should stay here. It’s dangerous outside.”

“Master, are you joking?”

“Do you know what’s happening outside?”

“No, I don’t.”

Mo Sanqi paused, pursing her lips. “I guess that girl hasn’t told you anything.”

Jiang Ci guessed that “that girl” referred to Xi Lingxue. Indeed, Xi Lingxue hadn’t shared any news with her, leaving her completely isolated in the residence.

Mo Sanqi gave her a complicated look. “Helian Ping has named you as her consort. She won’t return to Liang until she finds you.”

Jiang Ci’s sudden disappearance had already caused a stir. With Helian Ping’s actions, the whole city was in an uproar.

The Empress had ordered a nationwide search.

But in reality, seeing her elder sister’s calm demeanor, she had guessed a thing or two.

Xi Tingyue had appointed Jiang Ci as the deputy envoy of reception because she admired her courage and wanted to nurture her. Now, she thought, this woman was truly a femme fatale!

For the first time, Mo Sanqi spoke seriously, “Don’t think being a Liang consort is something good! In the past, they were bullied—it’s no better than here.”

During her time at the Honglu Temple, Jiang Ci had read many documents and had some understanding of the situation.

Liang was known for its fierce and bold people, or to put it bluntly, they were barbaric!

Moreover, Liang was internally chaotic, unlike Yu, which was unified and cohesive.

Helian Ping, a Princess, couldn’t escape the surveillance of her envoys, let alone an outsider like Jiang Ci.

In Liang, the status of a consort was extremely low.

Jiang Ci was mentally prepared. Over these days, she had thought a lot. Compared to being trapped here, she would rather venture out.

What did it matter if she went to Liang?

Helian Ping’s words had struck a chord with her—she needed an opportunity.

Perhaps deep down, Jiang Ci was someone who loved to stir things up and take risks.

Jiang Ci could see that Helian Ping didn’t truly fancy her—she needed her.

They both needed each other to escape their current predicaments.

Otherwise, Helian Ping wouldn’t have gone for a staged kiss. She could have made it real, making the bait more enticing.

But Helian Ping’s deliberate approach had instead revealed her true intentions.

This “consort” was nothing more than a collaboration, an opportunity.

“Master, take me away,” Jiang Ci said firmly. “I know Liang is dangerous, but I’ve made up my mind.”

However, to her surprise, Mo Sanqi shook her head.

“If you’ve decided, I won’t stop you. But you need to get out of here on your own,” Mo Sanqi said. “If you can’t even handle this small matter, then forget about going to Liang. Just stay here quietly.”

With that, Mo Sanqi leaped onto the roof and disappeared in an instant.

“Damn it…”

Jiang Ci was shocked. What kind of master was this, just leaving like that? At least teach her some martial arts!

Forget it, she thought. She hadn’t been counting on Mo Sanqi anyway.

But Jiang Ci wondered, just how dangerous was Liang that Mo Sanqi had come to warn her?

Moreover, Mo Sanqi seemed to know a lot about Liang!

Jiang Ci didn’t give up on her escape plan. Perhaps this time, heaven was finally on her side.

Trapped in the residence, she had no way to contact the outside world. She never expected that one day, she would run into Huang Fu here.