The Prince Consort's Secret (GL) - Chapter 1

Night fell, quiet and serene.

This world was hazy and indistinct, yet everywhere shimmered with opulence. I lounged idly, a young maid fanning cool air beside me, another behind me kneading my shoulders—this kind of life, truly, was one of leisure and luxury.

Just as I was sinking into blissful enjoyment, the curtain in front of me was suddenly lifted. A blurred figure stepped into the room. I couldn’t make out her face, but an inexplicable surge of heat rushed through me. I glanced at the maids with a smile; they immediately understood, returning my smile and slipping out silently.

I jumped up and threw myself at the figure, wrapping my arms around her tightly. She resisted, though it felt more like feigned resistance than actual refusal. The fire in my chest flared higher. I held her down with force and kissed her without hesitation.

The kiss deepened—breathless, overwhelming. Just as my reason began to slip away, I acted on instinct, scooping her up into my arms and striding toward the bed. I could feel her breath hitching as if… annoyed?

Annoyed? Then why are you going along with it? Ha! I ignored her reaction. A few steps later, we reached the bed. Gently, I set her down—see, I’m already treating you kindly. Others would have just thrown you down! Amused by my own thoughts, I reached for her sash—

“Enough!” she snapped, her breath uneven. The next moment, a fist flew at my chest. My chest?! That’s just ruthless! I leapt back in shock, dodging the punch—but I jumped too hard and ended up falling flat on my back.

My mind screamed in panic, but it was already too late—

Suddenly, my eyes flew open.

Ceiling.

Dawn light trickled into the room. I reached for my phone: 6 a.m. Class starts at 8. Still an hour to sleep. But with a dream like that, there’s no way I could fall back asleep.

What the hell kind of dream was that? It was absurd, bizarre, and… kind of enjoyable? I’d never once thought I was into women. Am I secretly attracted to soft, cute girls? Even though I couldn’t see her face clearly, she seemed… quite pretty?

Ugh, what am I even thinking?

Feeling conflicted, I got up and headed for the bathroom—

Just as I climbed down, my roommate shot up with lightning speed, dashed past me, and slammed the door shut, throwing me a smug grin on her way in.

Seriously?! Do women need competition to motivate them to use the toilet? I don’t get it.

Resigned, I waited for my turn. When I returned to bed, that smug roommate grinned and teased, “What, can’t beat me and now you’re depressed?”

I flashed her a fake smile, then sighed. “I just had an erotic dream…”

Before I could finish, she perked up. “Really?! Who was it? Which guy?”

She immediately glanced at our other two roommates, worried she’d woken them up. I actually felt a bit better—if her first assumption was a guy, then I must still give off straight-girl vibes. Nice.

Just as I was feeling smug, she added, “Wait—shouldn’t I be asking if it was a guy or a girl?”

…Speechless. I stared at her righteous expression, mentally jammed, and just pulled the blanket over my head.

That dream… absurd as it was, it did feel kind of good…

Ashamed by my own sleazy thoughts, I sighed and shut my eyes, trying to clear my mind.

Didn’t expect to fall asleep again, but consciousness slipped quickly this time—deeper and deeper, like sinking into a bottomless pit. A place with no name, no light.

I don’t know how long I stayed in that void before a dull buzz of sound started to filter in—distant, chaotic, irritating. I struggled to awaken, and awareness slowly returned. That dream… the toilet battle… my roommate teasing me… it all came back.

Ugh. Another grueling day of med school ahead—

Wait, no. Judging by how I feel, I’ve been asleep a long time. It must be way past class time already. Could my roommates have felt guilty about waking me and just left for class?

Honestly, this morning’s lecture isn’t important anyway. I could easily skip it. My roommates are all top students, though, so I rarely get the chance. Could they really have let me off this time?

Then I heard voices—female voices. Oh, so they’re still in the dorm? Maybe class got canceled?

Excited by the thought, I suddenly noticed one of the women sounded like she was crying.

…Are you really that thrilled about not having class?

I figured it was time to open my eyes.

I focused all my energy and pried them open.

Buzzing in my head—then darkness.

What the hell? It’s still pitch black. Am I blind?

I reached up and felt my eyes. They were open.

Just then, a sharp cramp twisted in my gut. A deep, aching pang. Took me a moment to recognize the feeling—starvation.

Seriously? How long have I been asleep?

Dizzy, weak, and light-headed, small specks of color started flickering in my vision—like the symptoms of low bl00d sugar after fainting. After years of study, I finally get to experience it myself. Go figure.

I was definitely lying down. Whatever was above me, it wasn’t a ceiling. A blurry figure sat nearby.

With great effort, I turned my head. Several people stood at the bedside. I struggled to speak, to let them know—

“…Hungry…”

My voice was barely a whisper. I didn’t even know if it made a sound.

Someone propped me up. A spoon touched my lips. Food!

I opened my mouth, swallowed—it burned its way down, making my bl00d feel alive again. I devoured spoonful after spoonful, frustrated by how slowly they were feeding me.

After the fourth or fifth bite, I couldn’t wait anymore. I grabbed the bowl and spoon with trembling hands and slurped it straight from the bowl.

One bowl down. I exhaled in relief.

Then the second.

By the third, I had enough strength to look around.

And froze.

What was this place?

Above me hung a pale green gauze canopy, embroidered with grand, intricate designs. That bird… was that a phoenix? Silken tassels swayed gently beneath.

I turned my head. The man beside the bed looked mature and commanding, yet still youthful. Sharp eyes. Furrowed brow. Robes embroidered with suns, moons, and mountains.

Stunned by his aura, I realized—

This guy was definitely some kind of ancient emperor.

Wait. Did I actually die in a toilet battle and wake up in another world?!

Transmigration… It took me a second to process, but I accepted it quickly enough. I had no lingering attachments. Life is life, wherever you land. And judging by the luxury, this new life wouldn’t be so bad.

The emperor calmly wiped the corners of my mouth with a handkerchief.

Oh wow. Looks like I’m favored!

But wait… am I his concubine? Or worse, a male lover?

I realized I didn’t even know if I was a man or woman now. Sitting up was hard, but maybe I could check my hairstyle?

Fumbling, I reached up. A woman’s bun.

Okay—so I’m a woman.

So then, am I his concubine? His daughter? His sister?

No idea. And in my current weak state, no one could blame me for not bowing yet.

Looking around, I saw maids sniffling, and what seemed like imperial physicians in red official robes. Looked like Song Dynasty fashion. Or at least some historical-fantasy setting. Definitely not the Qing Dynasty.

Thank god—no pigtails.

While I was puzzling things out, a low, urgent voice spoke near my ear:

“Yu Rou, how are you feeling?”

What?

My heart skipped a beat. That name… was my name in my previous life.

What kind of transmigration is this?

I turned to look at the emperor. His features looked a lot like mine.

No way. I was just an orphan on some mid-tier planet under the Galactic Empire. Could he be my biological father? Did I somehow return to my origin world?

This was getting way too complicated.

Still, I had to answer the emperor’s question. I told him honestly, “Hungry…”

He chuckled softly. “Don’t worry. Eat slowly. Too much too fast will upset your stomach. Weren’t you on a hunger strike? Hungry now, are you?”

His gentle teasing made me feel warm. Wow, the original owner of this body dared to go on a hunger strike against the emperor? Bold.

Still, the way he spoke, the concern in his tone… I was moved.

I’d never known what parental love felt like until now.

Just then, the emperor turned to the side and said, “Physician, check the princess’s pulse.”

Princess?

PRINCESS?!

Oh thank god. I’m not a concubine!

Delighted, I figured it was time to show respect. As I struggled to rise, I murmured, “Your Majesty…”

Before I could finish, a hand pressed me back down.

“No need,” the emperor said with a smile. “Now you remember your manners?”

He’s too kind. Honestly, I have no idea what court etiquette even looks like…

A refined, scholarly-looking physician stepped forward. He laid a cushion by the bed, where I placed my hand. Then he laid a strip of elegant cloth over my wrist and pressed his fingers gently to it.

I couldn’t help but admire his technique. I studied medicine too, but I could never check a pulse like that!

Three minutes passed as he took both hands’ pulses. Finally, he withdrew and bowed:

“Your Majesty, the princess’s pulse is stable. She will fully recover after resting and eating a little more.”

The emperor waved a hand, dismissing him.

Well of course I’m fine. It was just a hunger strike. I’ve seen plenty of girls faint from dieting and bounce right back after a bowl of porridge.

Still, I couldn’t help but marvel at the fuss being made—palace life sure is different.

I scanned the room. Teary-eyed maids, silent doctors… and then I noticed the young physician from earlier. A flicker of guilt flashed in his eyes before he composed himself again.

Strange. What’s he guilty about?

Just then, the emperor looked at me again and smiled faintly. “Now that you’re better, let’s talk. Are you really that displeased with the consort I selected for you?”