I Don’t Want to Be the Heroine Anymore - Chapter 23

Mang Ke had never felt that a month could be such a long time.

During this period, she bought many things she had wanted before but couldn’t afford. Yet, after acquiring them, she realized they couldn’t bring her joy.

In her folder, she had taken photos of Xun Fangyun’s portraits and printed several copies. She didn’t understand why she kept forgetting Xun Fangyun’s face and could only rely on this method to forcibly remember her.

But the fading of memories was far quicker than she had imagined…

Thus, Mang Ke had never before anticipated the sound of a ringing phone so eagerly, even if it had been a whole month.

“Hello, Miss Mang Ke.”

The voice on the other end was still somewhat unfamiliar, but by the third time hearing it, she was beginning to grow accustomed to his tone.

“The new contract has been mailed to you. After a month’s rest, are you ready to embark on a new journey?”

Mang Ke felt the man spoke like an NPC in a game and couldn’t help but retort, “Tell me, is our world just a book too?”

“Haha, Miss Mang Ke, you’re quite amusing. Let’s leave the jokes aside. Please proceed with the next task.”

“Where am I going this time? Will I get to see Xun Fangyun again?”

“If fate allows, you will meet.”

“If fate allows… huh?”

————

The bustling city of Chang’an.

Dark clouds gathered, and snowflakes drifted down from the sky.

Mang Ke tentatively exhaled a breath, watching as it turned white upon contact with the cold air before dissipating.

She could hear the sound of falling snow and the lively cheers beyond the red walls and green-tiled palace.

Wave after wave, the sounds rose and fell.

Accompanied by the music of wind instruments and the singing and dancing of the people.

This was the prosperous Chang’an.

And Mang Ke was the deposed Empress, now confined to the Cold Palace.

“Your Majesty, it’s cold. Please come inside and warm yourself.”

A girl of about sixteen or seventeen stood behind Mang Ke, holding a lantern, her voice filled with concern. “No matter how long you stand out here, His Majesty won’t come to see you.”

Mang Ke glanced back at her, cupping her hands and blowing warm air into them before asking, “His Majesty… who is that?”

“Your Majesty…”

“Little girl, let me ask you something.” Mang Ke turned to face her. “Have you ever heard of a woman named Xun Fangyun here? She’s very beautiful, with jet-black hair, big eyes, and around twenty-something years old.”

“Your Majesty, what’s wrong with you?” The young maid looked worried. “This servant doesn’t know the person you speak of, nor have I heard that name. It’s snowing outside—let’s go back inside.”

Mang Ke’s hopeful heart sank instantly.

It seemed Xun Fangyun wasn’t here…

She brushed her hair aside and said to the maid, “Alright, it’s too cold outside. Let’s go in.”

Though she was a deposed Empress, she had once held the title, so Mang Ke’s living conditions weren’t as dire as one might imagine—just lonelier, with fewer servants.

The maid fastened the door, brushed the snow off Mang Ke’s clothes, and helped her change into a clean, soft outer robe.

Inside the cramped bedroom, a charcoal brazier burned warmly, filling the room with comforting heat.

Due to the open window for ventilation, Mang Ke could still hear the sounds of musical instruments playing outside, as if there was an especially joyous celebration.

“What’s happening outside?” Mang Ke asked the little maid from her seat by the bed. “Why is it still so lively so late at night?”

“Your Majesty…”

The little maid twisted her handkerchief and suddenly knelt on the ground with a thud, startling Mang Ke.

“Your Majesty, please don’t scare Xiao Lu like this anymore. Xiao Lu is so scared…” The little maid covered her face and began to cry, her sobs intermittent. “The Emperor is taking a new concubine. Xiao Lu knows you’re upset, but one can’t live only for others. Your Majesty, please look at Xiao Lu, look at the people around you.”

Xiao Lu’s eyes were red from crying. “Your Majesty, you’re a good person. You shouldn’t torment yourself… Wuwuwuwu…”

And with that, she started crying again.

Mang Ke: “…”

What? I just got here and I’m already being cheated on???

The Emperor… must be the Empress from the story.

That woman and I grew up together, innocent and carefree. We were betrothed at 14, married at 16, and yet after eight years together, our relationship was as fragile as walking on thin ice.

In this book, Mang Ke is the abandoned Empress, entangled in a back-and-forth with that fickle Empress, ultimately ending up together in a happy ending.

Counting on my fingers, now is precisely the time when the Empress is taking a new concubine.

“Alright, Xiao Lu, stop crying.” Mang Ke quickly walked over and crouched in front of her, patting the little girl’s head. “You’re not pretty when you cry. Since you’ve been advising me, don’t make yourself so sad either.”

Xiao Lu wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, sniffling. “The Emperor is a bad woman. If she doesn’t like Your Majesty, why did she marry you? She’s a bad woman, wuwuwuwu…”

Watching Xiao Lu cry and curse at the same time, Mang Ke couldn’t help but laugh. “Aren’t you afraid the Emperor will hear you cursing her like this?”

At these words, Xiao Lu immediately covered her mouth and cautiously looked around, her reddened little eyes making her look like a rabbit.

Mang Ke found the girl utterly adorable—honest and pure-hearted—and couldn’t resist teasing her. “Tell me, what’s the Emperor’s full name?”

Xiao Lu shook her head like a rattle-drum. “Xiao Lu can’t say. It’s disrespectful, and I’d be beheaded…”

Mang Ke pouted. “But you just cursed at her pretty harshly. Aren’t you afraid of being beheaded?”

“Th-that was because I care about Your Majesty, wuwuwuwu… Your Majesty, please don’t tell anyone. Xiao Lu is so scared, wuwuwuwu…”

“Alright, alright, I was just teasing you. Why are you crying again?”

Mang Ke patted Xiao Lu’s head, unable to suppress a smile. “I won’t say anything. Stop crying and go stir the fire in the brazier. We’re going to bed~”

Xiao Lu quickly stood up, rubbing her eyes. “Mm… Xiao Lu understands. Your Majesty, wait a moment. I’ll go warm the bed for you.”

Mang Ke: “…”

Being the Empress is really great—having such a pretty and obedient little maid to warm the bed for me.

Mang Ke felt quite pleased with herself. This time, it seems I’ve hit the jackpot.

Meanwhile.

In the E’cui Palace, the lights were bright, and singing and dancing filled the air.

Xun Fangyun sat on the dragon throne, one hand propping up her head in a fist, her dark expression giving no hint that today was supposed to be her wedding day with a new bride.

“Your Majesty.”

At that moment, a woman in a thin red gauze dress jumped down from the red drum at the center of the stage. Playful and adorable, she ran over with a radiant smile and threw herself into Xun Fangyun’s arms, nuzzling against her chest.

“Mmm, sister’s chest is so soft! It feels so nice to nuzzle against!”

Xun Fangyun pushed her head away with displeasure, her face cold as she said, “Go sit over there.”

The woman blushed but didn’t take offense, giggling as she sat down beside Xun Fangyun. As she settled, she plucked a grape from the plate in front of Xun Fangyun and popped it into her mouth, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons with laughter.

Looking at her expression, Xun Fangyun couldn’t help but think of Mang Ke.

But where in this vast sea of people could she find another Mang Ke?

Moreover…

Xun Fangyun lifted her head, gazing at the thick snowflakes drifting down outside the palace. She couldn’t suppress a long, wistful sigh.

The snow was so heavy.

So heavy it obscured her sense of direction.

Eight years had passed since she first became aware. Could she really still wait for Mang Ke…?