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I only know one thing—I am Li Yunli.
“Get up. I’m exhausted.”
Li Yunli pressed her fingers against her temples, finally pulling the man up.
“Changling King is still out there, and Zheng Siyan—the man who poisoned me in my past life—is still on the run. We have a lot to do.”
Her voice was weary. Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Yun Chu suddenly lifted his head.
A complicated expression surfaced on his face. After a moment, he pushed down his guilt, yet his tone carried a hint of astonishment.
“In our past life… it was Zheng Siyan…?”
Yun Chu’s eyes widened, as if confirming what he had just heard.
Li Yunli hesitated, suspicion growing in her heart.
“You… didn’t know?”
From the few memories she retained of that time, it was indeed Zheng Siyan who had poisoned her when Yun Chu was absent.
But…
She looked at him. “Who did you think it was?”
Yun Chu’s gaze wavered, as if he was struggling to recall something. His fingers clenched tightly, knuckles turning white.
The last battle had been against the remnants of the Chu army. Before setting off, Li Yunli had begged him not to go.
He had thought that his insistence on going, his ruthless pursuit of the Chu army, had shattered her last hope—driving her to take her own life.
“I thought…” Yun Chu looked at her, his expression fractured and pained. “So… Your Highness never took your own life?”
Li Yunli frowned slightly.
Suicide? Her?
Yun Chu let out a bitter chuckle, almost self-mocking.
In the end, he couldn’t help but feel relieved.
Li Yunli looked at him, and in his expression, she understood everything in an instant. She let out a soft laugh.
“Years ago, when you were bullied by Wang Quan and the others, I avenged you. Now that I’ve been wronged by Zheng Siyan—will you avenge me?”
Yun Chu lifted his head.
“I will.”
His voice finally gained some strength, determination flashing across his face.
Li Yunli met his gaze. “In what capacity?”
Yun Chu faced her directly, finally understanding her deliberate guidance.
“As the consort of the Grand Princess, as the nameless general of Chu.”
Li Yunli finally let out a genuine smile.
The mask from that day when they left Yongzhou—she still had it.
“I should have died for my country. But I am not as resolute as my father and brothers. The life I cling to should belong to Your Highness. There should be no more princes of Wei in this world.” Yun Chu’s voice was soft. “The people of my old country are safe, the old army has found peace. If the Third Prince of Wei were to live, it would only bring disaster to the world.”
“So, staying here is best. The Grand Princess’s manor also lacks a Prince Consort.”
Li Yunli tilted her head, her tone casual and unserious.
Yun Chu’s breath caught, his eyes blank for a moment as he looked at her.
But after she said this, Li Yunli effortlessly changed the subject.
“It’s late. We should rest.”
She stood up and turned toward the bed.
Had she said that as a mere joke?
Yun Chu let out a bitter laugh.
His gaze followed her as she moved away, and suddenly, he spoke.
“Your Highness.”
Li Yunli paused in her steps.
“This time… I will be your blade.”
Li Yunli nodded lightly.
The difference between a sword and a shield was that one took the initiative to strike, while the other passively defended.
This time, he had failed to protect her—and she had no need for his protection.
He had always been a warrior. Becoming a blade suited him better.
At that moment, Li Yunli did not yet realize the self-deprecation in his words. She only took them as a solemn promise.
The two of them lay down once more, sharing the same bed.
That night was peaceful, lasting until morning.
Perhaps because his restless heart had finally found solace, Yun Chu slept especially long.
By the time Li Yunli woke up, her maid Zhilian came to report that Wu You from the Sitiantai had sent a visiting card and was waiting at the gate.
Even though the estate had been closed to visitors in recent days, Wu You held a revered status in Chu. The gatekeepers dared not refuse him outright, so they reported to the princess’s personal maid.
Zhilian, too, did not dare decide on her own and came to inform her master.
Li Yunli rubbed her face and muttered,
“Does he have the Eye of Heaven or something?”
“Lead him to the hall and have him wait. I’ll be there shortly.”
Zhilian bowed and left to make the arrangements.
Li Yunli yawned and prepared to get up—only to feel a tug at the hem of her robe.
She glanced down. Yun Chu’s hand was gripping the edge of her sleepwear.
“You’re awake?” she asked, trying to pry his fingers loose. “When did you grab onto me? I didn’t even notice.”
The man in bed remained silent. She leaned closer—he was still fast asleep.
She let out a breathy laugh. “Yun Chu, let go.”
Last night, she had refrained from doing anything, considering his injuries. But after a peaceful night’s sleep, he was now… acting spoiled?
Yun Chu furrowed his brows but showed no signs of waking. His grip, however, remained firm.
Unable to win against a man who wielded swords and spears, Li Yunli simply shrugged off her sleepwear, changed into her day clothes, and left for the front hall.
Wu You blew on his tea, taking a slow sip just as Li Yunli arrived.
“Your Highness.” Wu You stood and greeted her.
“You have quite the refined taste, Daoist Wu. Are you really the worm in my stomach?” Li Yunli’s greeting was half-hearted, but she dismissed the attendants upon entering, signaling her intent to speak in private.
Wu You smiled as he sat back down after she did.
“I know Your Highness has doubts. You may not wish to seek me out for answers, so I have come on my own.”
Li Yunli studied him.
“You once asked me, ‘How can one tolerate others slumbering beside their bed?’ Yet here I am, allowing him to share my bed once more. Are you here to persuade me otherwise?”
Wu You shook his head.
“Time and fate have changed.”
“In what way?”
“I once said that the Sitiantai does not serve anyone’s personal agenda. My master suggested Your Highness be removed from the line of succession because your soul was incomplete. Later, I warned you because your memory was lacking.”
He looked into her eyes.
“But now, Your Highness’s wandering soul has returned. Your memories are complete. This is not the same as before.”
Li Yunli narrowed her eyes.
She still did not fully believe the Sitiantai’s claim of neutrality—especially after the Empress Dowager openly admitted to manipulating them to strip her of her royal status.
Li Yunli chuckled. “Wu You, I promise not to touch the Sitiantai. So speak plainly.”
Though she didn’t entirely believe in fate, the man before her was undeniably perceptive. She wanted to hear what he had to say.
Wu You nodded.
“Can you remember everything past the third year of Yuanhe?”
Li Yunli’s gaze darkened.
He knew.
Her voice turned cold.
“What do you know?”
Wu You quickly raised his hands.
“Your Highness, please don’t misunderstand. I have never taken sides. I have always aided you—you know this.”
She remained on guard. “And yet you said my memories are complete?”
“Your soul has returned, Your Highness, but your fate once ended at Yuanhe Year Three.”
Li Yunli’s fingers clenched.
She had memories of another life—one where she had built an empire in the business world.
To her, she had transmigrated into a novel.
But Wu You’s words suggested otherwise.
Li Yunli laughed softly.
Perhaps it was simply a difference in perspective.
But regardless, he knew too much.
So, she smiled and answered lightly, “Who knows? I only know one thing—I am Li Yunli.”