Don't Provoke the Black Lotus O [Transmigration Novel] - Chapter 71

71: Fourteen Years Ago 1

…Another countdown!

A familiar yet eerie sensation washed over Jiang Ci. Her pupils contracted slightly as she instinctively pushed open the large door before her.

The light behind the door suddenly intensified, forcing Jiang Ci to shut her eyes. Just a moment later, the brightness returned to normal.

The air around her had changed—fresh and moist, nothing like the underground palace.

Jiang Ci snapped her eyes open and was stunned to find herself standing in the middle of a dense forest. Towering ancient trees stretched toward the sky, their lush canopies thick with leaves.

In the center of her vision, the countdown continued.

…Where the hell had she been transported to?

Jiang Ci was utterly baffled. She took a few steps forward when, suddenly, the sounds of a skirmish reached her from a distance.

After a brief pause, she quietly crept closer to investigate.

The clashing of blades grew clearer as she approached.

Jiang Ci hid behind a patch of waist-high grass and cautiously peeked out. The first thing she saw was a horse-drawn carriage. Its roof was adorned with golden tassels, and the body was wrapped in exquisite silk, exuding an air of luxury and grandeur. Whoever sat inside was undoubtedly someone of high status.

Dozens of masked assailants were attacking the carriage, but only two women were fighting back. One, clad in black, wielded her blade with fierce precision, while the other, dressed in white, moved with graceful agility. The two fought in perfect sync, complementing each other seamlessly.

Jiang Ci couldn’t shake the feeling that both women looked familiar—especially the one in white.

She focused her gaze just as the white-clad woman turned, revealing her face. A few loose strands of hair fluttered at her forehead, framing delicate, moon-like features that carried a hint of wild charm.

It was none other than Mo Sanqi!

Jiang Ci’s eyes widened in shock.

Master?! No…

This version of Mo Sanqi looked younger than the one she knew, and the weariness that usually clung to her was absent.

This wasn’t the Mo Sanqi she was familiar with!

Her gaze shifted to the woman in black—her striking beauty blending both fierceness and softness. It was a younger version of Pei Yun!

Jiang Ci stood frozen. Had the mountain god sent her into the past?

If so… could she change history?

If she could find Xi Lingxue now, maybe she could prevent everything that came after!

So this was the guidance the mountain god had given her!

Xi Lingxue could be saved!

In her line of sight, the countdown had already ticked past fifteen minutes.

Jiang Ci didn’t know what would happen when it ended, but with Mo Sanqi and Pei Yun busy fending off the assassins, she leaped into action.

Before moving, she quickly tied a handkerchief over her face, leaving only her eyes exposed.

Since she’d traveled to the past, it was best to stay low-key. She didn’t want those two recognizing her years later—that would be impossible to explain without being labeled a monster.

Better to be a mysterious figure, quietly altering fate!

With that thought, Jiang Ci vaulted onto the carriage and kicked away an approaching assassin. Clearly, the person inside was their target.

Both Pei Yun and Mo Sanqi shot Jiang Ci puzzled looks, surprised by her sudden appearance.

Mo Sanqi raised an eyebrow. “Not bad, girl. Your lightness skill is impressive.”

Jiang Ci: “…”

Of course it is. Who do you think taught me?

She didn’t respond, only giving a slight nod.

The current Jiang Ci had absorbed Gao Yi’s martial prowess, mastered Mo Sanqi’s secret techniques, and undergone rigorous training from Long Yin. Her skills were unparalleled among her peers.

With her help, the assassins were quickly driven off.

Pei Yun didn’t spare Jiang Ci another glance, immediately rushing into the carriage to check on its occupant.

Mo Sanqi, however, was deeply intrigued. She studied Jiang Ci closely, certain she’d never seen her before.

A young woman with such formidable skills—how had she never heard of her in the martial world?

“Girl, who are you?”

Jiang Ci smiled faintly. “Your destined one.”

Mo Sanqi shuddered, clearly misinterpreting her meaning. She glanced nervously at the carriage. “Don’t spout nonsense! You and I have nothing to do with each other!”

“Hard to say.” Jiang Ci’s eyes crinkled with amusement. “We’ll meet again in the future.”

“???” Mo Sanqi let out a disbelieving laugh. “Interesting… Let me guess—you’re here to save the princess? Are you also acquainted with Consort An?”

Princess? Consort An?

Jiang Ci froze for a second before whipping her head toward the carriage. “…Is Xiaoxue inside?!”

Mo Sanqi gave her a strange look. “You didn’t know?”

You didn’t even know who was inside, yet you jumped in to help?

But the way she’d said “Xiaoxue” suggested a close relationship with the princess.

Weird. Really weird.

Jiang Ci immediately dashed to the carriage and yanked the curtain aside.

The three people inside startled.

Pei Yun’s hand had already flown to her blade, but when she saw the urgency and concern in Jiang Ci’s eyes—completely devoid of malice—she silently sheathed it again. Turning to comfort the frightened figure beside her, she said, “Your Highness, don’t be afraid. This young lady is the one I mentioned earlier. She’s here to help us.”

Jiang Ci stared at the girl in disbelief, realizing that this “Xi Lingxue” looked far more youthful—delicate and petite, like an exquisitely crafted porcelain doll. Her face was the size of a palm, her large, dewy eyes still flickering with traces of alarm.

Xi Lingxue’s lashes trembled as she gazed fixedly at Jiang Ci. After a brief pause, she murmured softly, “Thank you, elder sister, for saving us…”

Jiang Ci’s mind reeled.

Holy—

How many years back have I traveled?!

This Xi Lingxue looked like she was only fourteen or fifteen!

The maid beside her, Jin Yu, appeared even younger and frailer.

Pei Yun cleared her throat when she noticed Jiang Ci staring unabashedly at the princess. “This isn’t the place to linger. We should leave immediately.”

Jiang Ci snapped out of her daze. “Right… Let’s get out of here first.”

She volunteered to drive the carriage, sitting up front with Mo Sanqi. The two of them were each lost in their own thoughts, both trying to pry information out of the other.

Mo Sanqi didn’t reveal why they were in the wilderness, but Jiang Ci, familiar with the story, could guess most of it. Instead of heading back to the city, she immediately changed direction, speeding away from the capital.

Mo Sanqi grabbed her wrist, instantly alert. “What are you doing?”

Jiang Ci’s expression was grave. “We can’t go back! We can’t return to the palace!”

“Are you insane? She’s a princess! Are you trying to kidnap her?”

“Yes!” Jiang Ci said fiercely. “Since we’ve already escaped, we can’t let her return to that cage!”

At this point in time, Xi Lingxue hadn’t yet married that beast Gao Yi. If Jiang Ci could stop it now, none of the tragedies that followed would happen! She wouldn’t have to suffer so much!

Pei Yun heard the commotion outside and stormed out, pressing her blade against Jiang Ci’s neck.

“Where exactly are you taking us?”

At the end of the day, they didn’t know Jiang Ci and hadn’t fully let their guard down around her.

Jiang Ci had no choice but to pull the reins, stopping the carriage. She sighed. “General Pei, I know who sent these assassins.”

Pei Yun frowned. “Who?”

Jiang Ci hesitated, remembering Xi Lingxue was still inside. “Let’s talk somewhere else.”

The two stepped away, leaving Mo Sanqi to keep watch.

Once they were out of earshot, Jiang Ci said, “General Pei, take Xiaoxue away… Far from the capital, far from the palace. Let her stop being a princess and live as an ordinary person. Wouldn’t it be better for her to grow up happy and carefree?”

Pei Yun was taken aback before her expression darkened. “What… exactly do you know?”

After Consort An’s “illness-related death” Xi Lingxue’s circumstances had indeed worsened. She’d occasionally suffered under the Empress and Consort Yao’s mistreatment. But she was still a princess—how could she just leave? The entire realm belonged to the emperor. Where could she possibly go?

As they spoke, Xi Lingxue lifted the carriage curtain, peering at Jiang Ci from a distance.

Looking at that youthful, unblemished face, Jiang Ci’s heart twisted violently.

“I know everything…” She took a deep breath, steadying herself before meeting Pei Yun’s gaze. “You’ve been investigating Consort An’s death, suspecting the Empress was behind it, right? In truth, Consort Yao was also an accomplice.”

A beauty like Consort An had naturally been deeply favored by the emperor—and thus envied by the entire harem.

“What kind of influence do those two hold in court? Even the damned emperor turned a blind eye and hastily closed the case. Do you know how difficult it will be for you to exact revenge?!”

In the original story, Xi Lingxue had been dragged into endless schemes and intrigues while investigating her mother’s death. She had to climb higher, amass more power, to overthrow the Empress, the Crown Prince, Consort Yao—and even the emperor.

“The assassins today were sent by the Empress.”

Jealousy had long since warped the Empress beyond recognition. She hadn’t just wanted Consort An dead—she wanted her child gone too. Even if they survived this ambush, countless other traps lay ahead. Xi Lingxue’s marriage to Gao Yi had been part of her design!

But was revenge worth sacrificing herself for?!

Jiang Ci didn’t want Xi Lingxue to endure any of this. If she’d traveled back in time with the power to change things, why not stop it?

Revenge could wait. Once she transmigrated into Gao Yi and became the Marquis of Dingyuan, she could handle it herself! She was confident she could destroy those people.

Until then, Xi Lingxue should escape the capital and live a peaceful, ordinary life.

Jiang Ci pleaded earnestly, “General Pei, if Xiaoxue returns, she’ll suffer endlessly. She won’t even have a say in her own marriage! This is the perfect opportunity right in front of us—we can stop all of it together!”

Pei Yun fell silent. In truth, she’d already harbored suspicions about the Empress and the emperor.

She didn’t fully believe Jiang Ci’s words, but they shared one common goal: neither wanted Xi Lingxue entangled in this mess.

This was her dear friend’s only child. She didn’t want her risking her life either.

Pei Yun had originally planned to investigate Consort An’s death herself, but Xi Lingxue had been too stubborn to leave it alone.

After a long pause, Pei Yun let out a bitter laugh. “So you want to take her away now?”

“Yes.” Jiang Ci nodded. “The Empress doesn’t want her returning alive anyway, and the damned emperor doesn’t care that much about her. If she fakes her death or disappears, cutting ties won’t be hard.”

Xi Lingxue’s “disappearance” would be exactly what the Empress wanted. No one in the palace would come looking for her.

Pei Yun asked, “Where do you plan to take the princess?”

“As far from the capital as possible.” Jiang Ci glanced at the countdown in her vision. “I don’t have much time left. I’ll have to leave the rest to you, General Pei. Revenge can wait—I’ll find a way to handle it.”

Pei Yun stared at her in astonishment. “…Who are you?”

Why did she know so much? Why was she so invested in the princess’s well-being?

“I… received kindness from Consort An.”

Jiang Ci fell back on the same excuse she’d once used to deceive Xi Lingxue. Consort An had come from humble origins and cared deeply for the common people—countless had benefited from her grace.

The first part was a lie, but the sentiment behind it was genuine.

“I just want her daughter to be safe…”

…

When they returned, Mo Sanqi immediately sensed the shift between the two—as if they’d reached some kind of agreement.

She shot Pei Yun a questioning look, but the latter only said, “You take the princess and go.”

She had arrangements to make—to fake Xi Lingxue’s “death.”

Mo Sanqi’s expression tightened. She grabbed Pei Yun’s arm, lowering her voice. “Where are you going? We haven’t finished our conversation.”

She wanted to ask—whose child was Yuan’er, really?

Long Yin had always insisted the girl was hers, but Yuan’er looked nothing like her as she grew older…

With outsiders and a child present, Mo Sanqi couldn’t ask directly.

Outsider Jiang Ci and child Xi Lingxue: Eavesdropping intently without a word.

Pei Yun understood perfectly. She scoffed. “What’s there to say? The child has nothing to do with you. Stop pestering me.”

Go find your precious junior sister!

The mere memory of that incident reignited Pei Yun’s fury. She shook off Mo Sanqi’s grip and leaped away with a burst of lightness skill, vanishing into the distance in moments.

Mo Sanqi stood frozen, her hand still hanging mid air.

Xi Lingxue leaned out the carriage window, her fair skin and cascading black hair framing her large, shimmering eyes as she gazed at Jiang Ci. “Elder sister… Why did General Pei leave…?”

Her cool, delicate voice carried a hint of softness, making Jiang Ci’s heart melt.

This version of Xiaoxue is so adorable—she hasn’t been ruined by Gao Yi yet!

She had to prevent everything that came after!

“The General has urgent matters to attend to.” Jiang Ci’s voice softened as she reached out to gently pinch the girl’s tender cheek, her eyes crinkling with warmth. “Xiaoxue, be good and come with me. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

The handkerchief mask hid Jiang Ci’s face, leaving only her striking peach-blossom eyes visible—clear and bright.

Staring into those eyes, hearing “Xiaoxue” spill from her lips, the young girl felt herself drowning in a whirlpool of tenderness.

…

Jiang Ci whipped the horses into a gallop, speeding south, putting more and more distance between them and the capital. Beside her, Mo Sanqi sat like a soulless husk, physically present but mentally long gone.

Before nightfall, they found an inn to rest, eating a simple meal. Afterward, Xi Lingxue returned to her room to bathe, while Jiang Ci was dragged into drinking by Mo Sanqi.

Now that she’d successfully taken Xi Lingxue away from the capital, altering the original plot, Jiang Ci finally felt at ease. But her time was running out—she still had to sleep tonight. Maybe when the countdown ended tomorrow morning, she’d vanish on the spot?

Xi Lingxue had gone to bathe, leaving Mo Sanqi to insist on sharing drinks with Jiang Ci. This time, Pei Yun’s rejection had cut deep. After just three bowls, Mo Sanqi’s face was already flushed.

When she reached for a fourth, Jiang Ci stopped her. “Mas—ahem—Senior Mo, is there some misunderstanding between you and General Pei?”

“Misunderstanding?” Mo Sanqi shook her head. “She made herself perfectly clear.”

She’d asked both Long Yin and Pei Yun, and the only thing proven was that she was the fool.

Jiang Ci said, “But I get the feeling General Pei was speaking out of anger. What if she meant the opposite?”

Mo Sanqi lifted her bleary eyes, her drunken exhale ruffling the loose strands of hair on her forehead.

“The opposite?”

If Pei Yun said they were unrelated, did that mean they were?

If Long Yin said they were related, did that mean they weren’t?

What kind of nonsense is this?!

Mo Sanqi waved her off and downed another large bowl.

Jin Yu watched curiously, licking her lips as if the wine looked tempting.

Xi Lingxue disliked being attended to while bathing, so Jin Yu had come to find Mo Sanqi and the others instead.

Jiang Ci turned and, seeing how painfully thin the girl was—clearly malnourished—felt a pang of pity. She pulled a small bottle from her sleeve and handed it over.

“Here. ‘Vitality Pills.’ Take one a day—they’ll strengthen your body.”

Jin Yu hesitated, not daring to accept it. “Her Highness says we mustn’t take things from strangers…”

Jiang Ci raised an eyebrow. “Am I a stranger?”

Jin Yu thought for a moment, then shook her head.

Jiang Ci smiled and pressed the bottle into her hands. “Take them. You need to be healthy to care for Her Highness. Otherwise, she’ll end up looking after you.”

Jin Yu blinked obediently and immediately swallowed a pill.

Jiang Ci patted her head approvingly. “Just one a day, got it?”

“Yes, yes.”

When Xi Lingxue finished changing, her gaze immediately sought out Jiang Ci in the inn’s common room. As if sensing it, Jiang Ci turned to meet her eyes.

Fresh from her bath, the young beauty’s fair skin glowed with a delicate pink hue, radiant and pure.

Jiang Ci vaulted upstairs in a flash, quickly ushering Xi Lingxue back into their room as if hiding a precious treasure.

Mo Sanqi, too drunk to care, turned to see Jin Yu chewing on something. “What’re you eating?”

Jin Yu answered honestly, “Vitality Pills.”

Mo Sanqi froze, baffled.

What? Vitality Pills?

Weren’t those exclusive to the Xiaoyao Sect? Since when could a little maid rattle off their names so casually?

Her alcohol-addled brain struggled to process this. “You’re lying…”

Jin Yu glared. “Am not! The elder sister gave them to me! Here, try one if you don’t believe me!”

“Yeah, right. I’m not eating random stuff.” Mo Sanqi smirked, swaying slightly as she dangled the wine jug teasingly. “Hey, wanna take a sip? It’s really good…”

Jin Yu swallowed hard, unable to resist temptation. She grabbed the jug and took a big gulp, instantly turning red.

Within moments, her body burned with heat, her head spinning as she collapsed onto the floor.

Mo Sanqi laughed, wobbling unsteadily before slumping into her chair. “Pathetic, kid. One sip and you’re done?”

Jin Yu’s mind had already gone blank, her body unbearably uncomfortable.

What to do when uncomfortable?

Take medicine.

Acting on instinct, she fumbled out the Vitality Pills and began pouring them into her mouth.

…

Meanwhile, Jiang Ci led Xi Lingxue back to their room and closed the door firmly behind them. Turning, she said, “Xiaoxue, you must be more careful in the future. As a Kunjun, you need to be wary—many Qianjun are vile creatures.”

Xi Lingxue tilted her head up, studying Jiang Ci silently before murmuring, “I haven’t differentiated yet… How does elder sister know I’ll be a Kunjun?”