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Like a snake flicking its tongue, there was a hint of danger…
Li Yunli was in a state of chaos and confusion.
Why was there a strange man kneeling by her bedside when she woke up?
And why did he look as if she had bullied him, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears?
That afternoon, the autumn breeze made her body feel cold as she napped.
It wasn’t a peaceful sleep.
When she groggily awoke, her half-lidded eyes caught sight of a bowed head near her pillow.
She was instantly jolted awake!
Her eyes flew open to find herself in a completely unfamiliar place.
Shock overtook her as she instinctively turned her gaze toward the kneeling man.
The young man, seemingly around seventeen or eighteen, had long, unkempt black hair that obscured his face. His frame was slender, and he was clad in only a thin robe. His body swayed slightly, clearly exhausted from kneeling for too long.
Not only that, but through the sheer fabric of his robe, Li Yunli could see numerous unspeakable scars—on his neck, chest, even around his waist…
Her mind went blank.
What the hell had happened?!
Li Yunli had clawed her way through the corporate world, becoming a high-ranking executive. She had wealth and power but had always played by the rules, never once crossing any legal lines.
Something as scandalous as this—she hadn’t even imagined it, let alone experienced it!
Was this a setup by her business rivals? A sex scandal to ruin her reputation?!
No way!
Li Yunli abruptly sat up, but a rush of cold air hit her throat, triggering a violent coughing fit.
“Cough, cough…!”
Her throat burned with dryness, making it impossible to speak.
“Your Highness…”
The kneeling man extended his arms, lowering his head as he respectfully presented a porcelain bowl filled with a clear, golden liquid.
“The autumn air is dry. Please have some stewed pear juice to soothe your throat.”
His cautious demeanor made it clear—he was terrified of her.
Li Yunli was indeed struggling with her cough, and the sweet, hydrating pear juice was tempting.
However, this man’s behavior and attire were far too strange. Without fully understanding her situation, she resisted the urge and didn’t take the bowl.
Suppressing her discomfort, she sat up straighter and surveyed the room.
As soon as she moved, the young man shrank further into himself.
Beyond him, she saw a floral porcelain vase, an ornate wooden cabinet with intricate carvings, and a small table holding a fragrant teapot. The room was softly lit, its decorations refined and ancient. A censer in the corner released the calming scent of sandalwood.
Everything she saw was completely foreign to her modern world.
Had she… traveled through time?
Li Yunli frowned. At first, she suspected it was an elaborate prank.
But that thought didn’t hold up.
There were indeed people in her life wealthy and powerful enough to stage something this elaborate. But given her status, who would dare pull such a stunt on her?
If this wasn’t a joke… then what was it?
Could she really have transmigrated?!
Taking a deep breath, Li Yunli refocused on the young man before her.
They were the only two people in the room.
He was her only clue.
Forcing herself to stay calm, she pushed away her chaotic thoughts and ordered in a firm tone, “You. Look up.”
The young man flinched but obeyed hesitantly, lifting his face stiffly.
The moment their eyes met, Li Yunli’s mind reeled.
She didn’t recognize him.
That was her first thought.
Her second thought?
He was stunning.
His skin was pale as snow, his eyes like distant stars, and the delicate slant of his brows gave him an air of cool detachment. Yet, the slight tremble of his lashes and the faint flush at the corners of his eyes softened that aloofness, making him breathtakingly beautiful.
Li Yunli let out a cold laugh.
The young man immediately dropped his gaze and pressed himself lower, as if fearing for his life.
His reaction made her feel like some monstrous villain—a ruthless tyrant who devoured innocent victims without a second thought.
Why was he so afraid of her?
His submissiveness, however, reassured her of one thing—he was not a threat.
If that was the case, she needed to start with him.
Straightening her posture, she questioned him in a stern voice.
“What is your status?”
The young man flinched, then quickly responded while keeping his forehead to the floor.
“I… am Your Highness’s personal consort.”
Li Yunli’s frown deepened, a sense of foreboding creeping in.
“Your name?”
He hesitated for a brief moment before answering in a soft voice.
“Yun… Yun Chu.”
The name was spoken with uncertainty, but to Li Yunli, it was as loud as a thunderclap.
She didn’t recognize this person.
But she knew that name.
Li Yunli’s breathing turned shallow. She asked one final, decisive question.
“Who do you think I am?”
Yun Chu immediately bowed his head and answered without hesitation.
“You are the Grand Princess of the Great Chu Empire.”
His answer was instinctive—etched into his very being.
Meanwhile, Li Yunli sat frozen, her heart gripped by an icy dread.
A man named Yun Chu.
A Grand Princess of Chu.
She knew this scenario—
It was from Falling Clouds, the web novel she had been obsessed with.
In that novel, the protagonist, Yun Chu, was a fallen prince of a conquered kingdom. Captured by the enemy nation’s Grand Princess, he was reduced to a mere plaything, suffering years of torment.
But after a decade of endurance, he overthrew the empire and personally executed the princess, torturing her to death.
And now… Li Yunli was that villainous princess.
Her heart pounded.
Even with years of corporate experience, her nerves of steel wavered.
She carefully examined Yun Chu again.
Dressed in thin robes, he was shivering from prolonged kneeling. Despite his submissive posture, she knew his future—his hidden ruthlessness.
Yet, based on the novel, this was still the early stage.
He was not yet powerful.
Not yet connected to his hidden allies.
Not yet the terrifying man who would destroy her.
For now, he was still weak and alone.
A thought crossed her mind—should she kill him now?
No.
Not only had the previous emperor forbidden the execution of captured royals, but Yun Chu’s future revenge wasn’t just about her. His survival was tied to complex political struggles and long-standing grievances.
If she wanted to survive, she needed to outmaneuver him—eliminate his supporters before he could rise.
Mind racing, Li Yunli called out, “Zhi Lan.”
A maid in a soft pink dress stepped inside and bowed.
Li Yunli glanced toward the door and saw more attendants waiting outside.
She cleared her throat and issued her first command as the Grand Princess.
“The new year is approaching. Review the household records—I wish to determine this year’s rewards.”
Zhi Lan bowed again and left to carry out her orders.
Meanwhile, Yun Chu slowly made his way out of the courtyard, his legs numb from kneeling.
No one spared him a glance.
Yet, as soon as he stepped beyond the princess’s chambers, he straightened his posture.
Tall and graceful, his demeanor changed completely—gone was the fragile, frightened consort.
He gazed at the distant courtyard walls, where a ginkgo tree stood, golden leaves fluttering.
Just like before.
And she…
She was still alive, still the Grand Princess of Chu.
A slow, dangerous smile curled at the corners of his lips.
Like a snake flicking its tongue, there was a hint of danger.