The Shadowy Princess's Husband-Slave Consort (Transmigration) - Chapter 1

Under the hazy moonlight of a waning crescent, a large ship glided across the river, its wake shimmering with silver-white ripples that danced and shifted with the current, creating a scene of serene beauty.

A gust of wind stirred, causing dark clouds to drift across the sky and obscure the moon. At the stern of the ship, where no one was present, a long pole swung swiftly, striking the water with a muffled thud, sending dark waves splashing into the inky depths.

In the sudden silence, someone noticed the disturbance and shouted urgently, Someone’s fallen overboard!

In the murky depths of the river, the sound of rushing water filled Yin Xing’s ears. Tiny bubbles exhaled from his nose surged upward, and he glimpsed faint strands of moonlight filtering through the water, offering fleeting glimpses of light in the darkness before vanishing instantly, leaving him in despair.

Yin Xing’s eyes snapped open, wide and clear, as if he were about to suffocate. His breathing came in ragged gasps, and a throbbing pain gripped his forehead. His gaze drifted blankly across the spacious carriage and the matronly woman guarding him, his mind in turmoil.

Young Master, another headache and nightmare? Manager Chen, impeccably dressed and adorned with a valuable gold hairpin, set down the medicinal broth and retrieved a handkerchief to wipe the cold sweat from Yin Xing’s face. Once we reach the Capital, we must consult a physician about your headaches and memory loss, she murmured with concern.

Yin Xing warily tilted his head away from her ministrations, nodding slightly without speaking. He braced himself against the carriage wall, accepting the bowl of medicine. Reflected in its dark surface was a familiar, youthful face framed by bl00d-soaked gauze, a sight he still struggled to believe.

Since falling into the river days ago, Yin Xing had desperately clung to the hope that this was merely a bizarre nightmare born of National College Entrance Examination stress.

But the reality he faced was terrifyingly real. Even the bitter medicine, almost impossible to swallow, left his cheeks puffed out and his stomach churning.

Rest well, Young Master, Manager Chen said, her brow furrowing slightly. Without another word, she withdrew from the carriage, carrying the medicine bowl.

Yin Xing, his face pale, feigned exhaustion and closed his eyes without responding.

The carriage wheels rumbled along the official road, the ride far from smooth, even quite bumpy.

Yin Xing had repeatedly explained to the woman that he wasn’t her young master, but she dismissed it as amnesia caused by shock after falling into the water, tightening her guard even further.

Yet Yin Xing clearly remembered that the original owner of this body had been deliberately pushed into the water. Unfortunately, no one seemed to believe him, or perhaps they simply didn’t want to make a fuss.

The night had been dark, and the assailant’s strike swift. No matter how many times Yin Xing replayed the scene in his mind, he couldn’t make out the attacker’s features, only intensifying his throbbing headache.

Ugh! The carriage lurched violently, making Yin Xing dizzy. He pressed a hand lightly to his throbbing forehead, afraid to strain his mind further.

The assailant’s blow had been too severe. Yin Xing’s head still rang with a dull hum, and his vision occasionally went black. Compared to this, a concussion seemed like a minor injury. His greatest fear was internal bleeding, especially since this world lacked CT scan technology.

From what Yin Xing had gathered so far, the original owner of this body was a noble young master traveling to the Capital by imperial decree to attend a grand matchmaking banquet for the Wangchao Dynasty’s princesses. This meant he was likely a prospective candidate for Imperial Consort.

Yin Xing knew he wasn’t a man, and the woman accompanying him likely knew the truth as well. That’s why he never allowed anyone else to attend to his personal needs.

Without a doubt, this was a treasonous crime punishable by the confiscation of his family’s property and the extermination of his clan. Yin Xing felt utterly cursed by misfortune.

The carriages traveled day and night, under starlit skies and moonlit nights. The endless mountain ranges gradually gave way to towering city walls on the horizon. Yin Xing blinked his bright, round eyes, gazing through the small window at the distant, majestic fortifications, his heart heavy with complex emotions.

Although Manager Chen repeatedly reassured Yin Xing that not all noble young masters would be chosen as Imperial Consorts for the Wangchao Dynasty’s princesses, Yin Xing felt that entering the Capital was akin to ringing his own death knell.

After observing the group, Yin Xing noticed that only a small portion of the accompanying maids obeyed Manager Chen’s orders. The rest were court officials and soldiers escorting him on official orders.

The two groups remained unfamiliar with each other, and the court officials, tasked with supervision and protection, scrutinized Yin Xing’s every move—his meals, clothing, lodging, and movements.

Manager Chen disliked these officials and constantly warned Yin Xing to be cautious and discreet to avoid exposing his true identity.

However, it was clear that neither faction would assist Yin Xing in escaping marriage.

As the carriage slowly approached the towering city gates, likely for identity checks, the procession into the city moved at a snail’s pace. The surrounding area buzzed with activity. Yin Xing peered through the small window at the people in coarse cloth robes moving through the crowd, children particularly standing out.

Yin Xing paused, his gaze drawn to a little girl with her hair tied in a small bun. Her innocent face tilted upward, her eyes wide with curiosity as she stared at the carriage, her expression both genuine and endearing.

Here, this is a treat. Would you like some? Yin Xing offered a small dish of honeyed fruit, his voice soft and gentle.

Thank you, the girl said, unable to resist the tempting treat. She plucked a honeyed fruit and popped it into her mouth, her chubby cheeks puffing out as she mumbled, It’s so good!

The Capital’s security checks were thorough, causing the carriage to start and stop frequently. The girl eagerly chatted with Yin Xing, her words flowing freely without much logic.

The Capital is so beautiful! Where we live, it’s all broken-down thatched huts and muddy roads. It’s so easy to slip and fall when it rains.

Look at my new cloth shoes! Before, Mother only made straw sandals. They burned my feet in summer and gave me frostbite in winter. But yesterday, I found these pretty cloth shoes!

Father and Mother say you can make lots of money in the Capital. Are you here to make lots of money too?

Yin Xing silently shook his head, unsure how to respond.

Before long, the girl’s mother scooped her up and carried her away. The girl waved her small hand, grinning to reveal several missing teeth, her cloth shoes slightly too big and threatening to slip off. Yin Xing waved goodbye, unable to suppress a chuckle, his mood brightening for a rare moment.

Though he had inexplicably arrived in this world, he realized that the people here were also striving to live their lives to the fullest. Yin Xing began to think he shouldn’t simply resign himself to his fate.

Soon, the carriage entered the Capital. The main street connected to various market lanes, forming a vast network. Birds soared overhead, and distant pavilions and towers stood majestically, hinting at the city’s bustling prosperity.

Yin Xing gazed at the bustling streets, lined with shops and teeming with people, optimistically reassuring himself that at least he had transmigrated to a thriving dynasty, not the chaotic final years of a collapsing empire.

However, his newfound optimism quickly evaporated.

As the carriage rolled along, three or four children played nearby, merrily singing a nursery rhyme accompanied by playful gestures

The Princess chooses her Imperial Consort, one has no right hand, one has no left hand.

The Princess chooses her Imperial Consort, one has no right eye, one has no left eye.

The Princess is choosing an Imperial Consort, one without a right leg, one without a left leg.

Yin Xing watched the children jostle for the Princess’s attention, then laughingly act out the song’s lyrics. Some immediately covered their left or right eyes, while others switched their left and right feet, hopping around in a scene that was both joyful and unsettlingly bizarre.

Are all the Wangchao Imperial Consorts this tragically infamous?!

The court officials on horseback listened to the rhyme, their expressions growing grave. In the capital under the Son of Heaven’s gaze, rumors never arose from thin air where there’s smoke, there’s fire. It seemed turbulent times lay ahead.

After a long while, the carriages finally came to a steady halt. Yin Xing dismounted, finding himself before a luxurious inn heavily guarded by soldiers—more like a prison than a lodging.

Several accompanying court officials stepped forward to conduct the handover, each receiving official documents as if the prospective Imperial Consorts were high-profile criminals, leaving no room for error.

Yin Xing sighed inwardly, tilting his head to read the plaque above the entrance. He realized the script in this alternate world seemed to be a hybrid of ancient Western Zhou bronze script and Qin Dynasty small seal script, making it difficult to decipher.

Damn it, I’m illiterate here!

This is the residence specially prepared by the court for the Young Masters, an official announced sternly, his expression unyielding. Please come forward to collect your Imperial Jade Tokens. No female attendants are permitted, and each Young Master may bring only two servants. After the selection banquet in half a month, you may return to your private residences to await the Holy Decree.

Hearing this, Manager Chen was startled, his face showing his unease as he called out, Young Master, please wait while this old servant goes to the Marquis’s private residence in the Capital to select two servants to attend to you.

Manager Chen, there’s no need to worry, Yin Xing replied firmly. It’s only half a month. I can manage on my own. This is perfect for making my escape, he thought to himself.

Manager Chen had brought only maids along the entire journey, likely never anticipating such an arrangement.

With these words, Yin Xing stepped inside, reached out to claim his identity jade token, and showed no intention of wasting time allowing Manager Chen to prepare.

Seeing this, Manager Chen’s expression darkened, his eyes filled with gloom.

As the setting sun cast long shadows, the Capital was silently enveloped by the night. The corridors were eerily quiet, the flickering candlelight casting hazy shadows as patrolling guards marched past in formation.

Yin Xing had just tossed a makeshift rope—fashioned from torn bedsheets and mosquito nets—out the window. Peering down, he felt a dizzying sense of height and took a deep breath.

Fortunately, the room wasn’t far from the outer wall. Yin Xing dared not look down again and continued his descent until he landed clumsily on the ground, his legs still trembling.

His heart pounded like thunder, a mix of exhilaration and lingering fear coursing through him. He turned and sprinted away, unaware that flames were beginning to rise from his residence, soon erupting into panicked shouts and cries.

In the Capital at night, the city gates were already closed, but Yin Xing noticed that many market districts remained brightly lit. Alone in the bustling crowd, he felt utterly lost.

Where should I go in this unfamiliar world?

Perhaps because he was still near the Fresh Flower Quarter, a faint floral fragrance drifted on the breeze, calming his nerves slightly. After a moment’s thought, he turned toward the market district closest to the city gates, hoping to find a way out of the city by morning.

Unexpectedly, Yin Xing realized several figures were relentlessly pursuing him from behind, their intentions clearly hostile.

He froze, then darted sideways, his heart pounding with the certainty that someone was trying to kill him!

Or rather, someone is hunting down the original owner of this body, and I’m just the unlucky bystander.

The crowd surged around them, yet the pursuers, who had converged to surround him, failed to spot Yin Xing. Their eyes were fixed on the fallen flowers scattered on the ground and the flower-laden carts.

Yin Xing curled up and burrowed into one of the fragrant flower carts. His legs trembled, and he felt dizzy, but he dared not move, terrified of being discovered and losing his life.

He didn’t know how long passed before he jolted awake from a fitful sleep. The flower cart had stopped. Cautiously, he peeked out, his eyes met with a riot of blossoms—even the corridors were piled high with potted flowers.

The scene before Yin Xing was so dreamlike that he climbed out of the flower-laden carriage, petals cascading from his body with every movement. He struggled to walk, lifting the hem of his long robe and tiptoeing to move forward.

Perhaps due to the late hour, the garden was deserted. Unable to find an exit, Yin Xing cautiously peeked into a nearby building. To his surprise, not only the floor but also the tables, chairs, and tea tables were covered in fresh flowers—an utterly bizarre sight.

Hello? Is anyone there? Yin Xing called out softly, turning his head only to bump his forehead against something hard. Tears welled up in his eyes from the pain, but then he saw a golden carp swimming in mid-air before him. Am I seeing ghosts?!

But when Yin Xing reached out and touched the smooth, cold surface, he realized it was an entire wall of glass—what the ancients called liuli. The golden carp, its tail swaying gently, pressed against his palm, docile and endearing.

How adorable! Why is there only one fish living here? Yin Xing murmured, his brows curving into a smile as he observed the creature.

As soon as he spoke, a slender figure with wide, water-blue sleeves materialized within the liuli. Her features were slightly distorted by the rippling water, making them impossible to discern.

Then, a serene, unhurried female voice drifted from behind Yin Xing Then why did you dare to trespass here alone?

Help! What kind of horror movie female ghost plot is this?!

Yin Xing broke out in a cold sweat, too terrified to turn around. He stammered, his eyes squeezed shut, I-I’m sorry! I accidentally trespassed and got lost, that’s how I ended up inside. I swear I meant no harm!

Is that so? The voice remained calm, devoid of anger or resentment, yet tinged with a hint of regret.

Yin Xing, never one to overthink things, cautiously opened his eyes. The elegant figure reflected in the liuli had already vanished, and a faint lamp had appeared in the room.

The female ghost sat alone at the table, admiring the flowers. Though her expression was unreadable and her features indistinct, she resembled a serene Ghost Orchid, its beauty most captivating in the dim light.

But seeing her shadow, she must be human!

This is the first time I’ve seen so many flowers in someone’s home, Yin Xing ventured, trying to ease the awkwardness with a friendly tone. It’s easy to accidentally step on them.

Hmm, then you should be careful, the woman replied, her gaze lowered as she gently touched the blossoms. If you damage any of the flowers, you’ll be killed.

Yin Xing’s bright smile froze on his face. He stared at the enigmatic woman, her demeanor so kind yet her words so chilling, and wondered if he’d misheard.

Killing someone over flowers? She must be joking, right?!