Don't Provoke the Black Lotus O [Transmigration Novel] - Chapter 58

58: Crippled Legs and Broken Hands

Defeat is not shameful; what is shameful is the lack of courage to accept a challenge.

A Ta had always believed that Jiang Ci was nothing more than a pretty face, a delicate flower in a greenhouse. Once she arrived in Liang Kingdom, the harsh reality would teach her a lesson.

However, the young girl had stubbornly held on until now, single-handedly defeating eighteen challengers in a row. A Ta had been keeping count. He could tell that Jiang Ci was at her limit, and perhaps the next challenger would be the one to finally bring her down.

The girl’s legs were trembling, her forehead was scraped, and her face was covered in bl00d, but her eyes remained bright and determined. Her entire being exuded an awe-inspiring aura.

Although A Ta disliked Jiang Ci, he had to admit that she deserved respect at this moment.

The jeering crowd had also fallen silent at some point. Everyone was quietly watching this young noble from Yu Kingdom, and no one stepped forward to challenge her anymore.

She had finally made it through this ordeal.

Jiang Ci felt excruciating pain all over her body and couldn’t even tell which injury hurt more. As she relaxed, she finally couldn’t hold on any longer and collapsed.

Unexpectedly, she didn’t fall onto the cold ground but into a soft embrace.

Someone had caught her from behind.

Jiang Ci couldn’t speak; her consciousness was already fading. Before her eyelids closed, she caught a glimpse of a dark blue robe.

“Fool…”

Helian Ping bit her lip, holding Jiang Ci in her arms. She gently wiped the bl00d from the girl’s face with her sleeve, her heart filled with complex emotions.

She and Jiang Ci didn’t really have any deep connection; at most, it was a relationship of mutual exploitation.

At best, she had a slight fondness for Jiang Ci, nothing more.

The mountain god had guided her to Yu Kingdom, and she had gone. Then, by chance, she encountered the legendary “Little Lord Jiang.”

As if destined, when she met those star-like eyes, Helian Ping suddenly had a premonition that this was the person she had been looking for. Although she wasn’t sure how this powerless Jiang Ci could be of any help.

She believed in the mountain god and naturally assumed that Jiang Ci was special, someone capable of saving Liang Kingdom. She hadn’t considered that Jiang Ci was just a young girl in her twenties.

Jiang Ci could also get hurt and would have to endure more hardships than others.

Helian Ping wasn’t sure if she had made a mistake by dragging an unrelated person into this based on a ridiculous premonition.

Jiang Ci must have her own motives for doing this, but Helian Ping felt that since she had brought her to Liang Kingdom, she should protect her.

That’s why she had repeatedly advised Jiang Ci to endure and ignore the provocations. Nothing was more important than staying alive.

If it were her, she would have chosen to suffer less.

But Jiang Ci didn’t listen. She stubbornly held on like a fool.

She had indeed won, but at a great cost.

Helian Ping wondered how someone could be so stubborn.

Her heart ached, though she wasn’t sure why. All she knew was that from this moment on, she could no longer see Jiang Ci as just an ally.

Helian Ping said solemnly, “Jiang Ci is severely injured and unconscious. She can’t go to the palace. I’ll take her back to my residence first. Please inform the general.”

A Ta looked at her, wanting to help but feeling too ashamed.

He was partly responsible for this situation; it was his negligence.

Originally, they were supposed to meet the Empress of Liang Kingdom directly, but as soon as they entered the capital, this unexpected incident occurred.

The consort from Yu Kingdom, upon entering the capital of Liang Kingdom, had been “warmly welcomed” by the locals. She was repeatedly challenged on the streets and, after defeating eighteen people in a row, vomited bl00d and fell unconscious.

When the news reached Yu Kingdom, it shocked the entire court.

Now, when people talked about Little Lord Jiang, it wasn’t about her scandals but her heroic deeds in Liang Kingdom!

Overnight, Jiang Ci’s name spread far and wide, and storytellers embellished the tale, making it even more dramatic. Jiang Ci’s popularity in the Kingdom rivaled that of the young general Pei Shiyuan.

Of course, while some were delighted, others were troubled. The royal family of Liang Kingdom was particularly embarrassed.

Not only had they lost face, but this incident also seriously affected the relationship between the two countries, especially at a time when the Prince of Duan had been captured.

Yu Kingdom had already sent an envoy.

…

When Jiang Ci woke up, she was lying on a large, soft bed. She tried to move slightly, but her bones felt as if they had been shattered, sending sharp pains through her body.

Jiang Ci glanced at her arms, both wrapped in thick bandages, making them twice their usual size.

“The doctors in Liang Kingdom are really overdoing it…”

She struggled to move, trying to sit up, when Helian Ping entered the room.

“Oh? You’re awake? Don’t move!” Helian Ping hurried over and pressed her down, scolding, “You’re so badly injured, yet you still won’t stay still! Do you know your arm is fractured?”

After bringing Jiang Ci back to her residence, Helian Ping had summoned the royal physician and personally supervised the application of medicine, even insisting on extra layers of bandages. These past few days, Helian Ping had been taking care of Jiang Ci herself. She had just stepped away for a moment when Jiang Ci woke up.

“I know, I studied medicine myself,” Jiang Ci said helplessly. “I just wanted to get the Life-Saving Pill…”

The Life-Saving Pill was a miraculous medicine given to her by Mo Sanqi. It had extraordinary effects in saving lives and healing injuries, allowing for faster recovery.

Helian Ping nodded and immediately sent someone to fetch it.

Jiang Ci noticed that Helian Ping had removed her mask, probably because she didn’t need to wear it at home.

This was the second time Jiang Ci had seen her face. The first time was in Yu Kingdom, when Helian Ping had likely sneaked out, dressed as a commoner. It had been dark then, and Jiang Ci hadn’t seen her clearly, only that she was beautiful.

Now, in broad daylight and up close, Helian Ping’s features were exquisitely defined, with a captivating charm and an exotic allure. Her face was truly stunning.

Jiang Ci couldn’t help but stare a little too long.

Meeting her gaze, Helian Ping quickly looked away, her heart inexplicably flustered. She turned her head and said, “What… is there something on my face?”

“No,” Jiang Ci wanted to laugh, unsure why Helian Ping was suddenly acting shy. “How long was I unconscious? What’s the situation outside?”

“Three days. You fought so hard that the people of Liang Kingdom now respect you deeply. My sister has asked you to rest and recover, and our wedding has been postponed for three months.” Helian Ping snorted, “Well, Little Lord Jiang, are you satisfied with this outcome?”

Jiang Ci could tell Helian Ping was still angry at her for not heeding her advice. She smiled and said, “Very satisfied. See? It’s a win-win situation. Everything is under my control~”

In truth, she had just been unable to swallow her pride and hadn’t thought that far ahead.

She didn’t want to be treated like an object, subjected to cold ridicule. When the challenges came, she had wanted to make an example of them and curb the arrogance of the Liang people.

If she wanted to establish herself in Liang Kingdom, she needed to make a name for herself. How could she let herself be looked down upon from the start?

They say that circumstances create heroes, and she certainly needed to create her own momentum.

Wasn’t that why she had come here—to seek an opportunity?

Unlike the stable situation in Yu Kingdom, Liang Kingdom was embroiled in internal strife. The Empress was in need of capable generals, and perhaps after a few years of struggle, Jiang Ci could rise to a high position.

For Jiang Ci, this was undoubtedly a shortcut.

During the month she had been under house arrest, Jiang Ci had come to realize that she craved freedom and power. She never wanted to live a life where she was at the mercy of others, unable to resist.

She loved Xi Lingxue, but that love would eventually turn to hatred under the weight of bondage.

Fortunately, Xi Lingxue had ultimately let her go, giving her the chance to pursue what she wanted and follow her own path.

…

Thanks to Mo Sanqi’s Life-Saving Pill, Jiang Ci recovered quickly. In just a week, she was back on her feet, though her fractured right hand still needed at least another month to heal.

However, Jiang Ci pretended to be severely injured. This way, she had a reason to delay the wedding even further.

“If a fractured hand isn’t enough, let’s say my leg is broken too. We can even get a wheelchair. Hah, with that, even the Empress might not want to marry you off to me. The wedding could be postponed indefinitely.”

Helian Ping: “…”

She was speechless, but the excuse was indeed effective.

If the consort were a cripple, it would be an embarrassment to the royal family.

So, on the day of the audience with the Empress, Jiang Ci arrived in a wheelchair.

Helian Ping pushed her from behind, nearly exhausted before they even reached the palace.

“Sorry about this,” Jiang Ci said, comfortably touring the Liang palace as if it were a park. She couldn’t help but laugh, “I didn’t realize your palace was so big, and there’s no one to guide us.”

When she had met Xi Tingyue, at least there had been a steward to lead the way.

Helian Ping rolled her eyes, “I know this palace like the back of my hand. Who needs a guide? Besides, I don’t like having people follow me around. It feels like they’re spying on me.”

After a pause, she added, “I regret it now.”

If she had known Jiang Ci would be this heavy, she would have called a servant to push the wheelchair!

Jiang Ci: “You’re just too weak. Look how thin you are—A4 waist. You should eat more.”

Helian Ping: “Whatever. I don’t care about your ‘A4’ nonsense.”

The two of them walked and stopped, taking breaks along the way.

…

This visit to the palace was merely a formality. The Empress and the Empress Dowager both wanted to meet the consort Helian Ping had chosen.

Helian Jun sat high on the throne, dressed in magnificent black robes, exuding majesty. She and Helian Ping were not born of the same mother and only shared a slight resemblance. She was a composed beauty.

Behind her sat the Empress Dowager, separated by a beaded curtain, overseeing the proceedings. A tall, thin eunuch stood nearby, likely the one Helian Ping had mentioned—Hong San, the top martial artist in Liang Kingdom.

Jiang Ci thought to herself how miserable the Empress must be, having these two watching her every move during court sessions. How unsettling!

Jiang Ci hadn’t expected to encounter the Grand Priestess of Liang Kingdom here—Mo Sanqi’s junior sister and her own martial aunt, Long Yin.

Long Yin wore a mask similar to Helian Ping’s. Her tall figure was draped in dark robes, and her slender, pale fingers held a staff. She exuded an ancient and mysterious aura.

Jiang Ci couldn’t see her face, but based on her figure and skin, one might mistake her for a twenty-year-old.

Indeed, like her master, her martial aunt also appeared very young.

During their first meeting, Jiang Ci hadn’t revealed any tokens of the Xiaoyao Sect, so Long Yin didn’t know she was Mo Sanqi’s disciple. She merely glanced at Jiang Ci a few times and said nothing.

She was wondering if this person was the “foreign object” the mountain god had pointed to.

Jiang Ci quickly averted her gaze and said loudly, “Your subject, Jiang Ci, greets the Empress and Empress Dowager of Liang Kingdom.”

Being in a wheelchair had its advantages—she didn’t have to kneel.

As soon as Jiang Ci entered the hall, everyone began scrutinizing her.

The girl was beautiful and skilled in martial arts, but her legs were severely injured, possibly permanently crippled.

The Empress Dowager spoke slowly, “No need for formalities.”

The meeting was merely a formality, with a few polite questions about Jiang Ci’s injuries.

As expected, the Empress Dowager subtly expressed her dissatisfaction, hinting that Helian Ping should choose another consort.

At this point, Helian Ping followed the script they had prepared earlier, putting on a show of deep affection, her eyes brimming with tears, “Your daughter only wishes to be with Jiang Ci for life. I will marry no one else!”

Helian Ping thought to herself: What was I thinking?

Jiang Ci struggled to squeeze out a tear and could only admire Helian Ping’s acting skills once again. She was truly outmatched.

“Ping’er, don’t worry. I will work hard to recover and stand again!”

Empress Dowager: “…”

Grand Priestess: “…”

Helian Jun, who knew the truth, used their performance to delay the wedding. The wedding would be postponed until Jiang Ci’s legs healed. Until then, Jiang Ci would not be considered the official consort.

This visit to the palace was a success for Jiang Ci.

In the eyes of the Empress Dowager, Jiang Ci, despite her martial prowess, was now crippled and posed no threat. Naturally, her guard was lowered.

Only Empress Helian Jun knew that this person was highly skilled, cunning, and, most importantly, ruthless.

“By the way, the envoy from Yu Kingdom will arrive tomorrow. There will be a banquet in the palace.” Helian Jun smiled, her eyes hinting at something deeper. “Jiang Ci, you should attend as well. They are your colleagues, after all. It will be a good chance to catch up.”

The envoy from Yu Kingdom?

Jiang Ci was momentarily stunned, a sense of foreboding washing over her. She felt there was more to the Empress’s words than met the eye.

Who could she possibly catch up with…?