Chapter 1: Rebirth

“Dog Emperor! I obeyed you by not killing myself, yet you made my father, brother, and son know I’m alive—only to become your bedwarmer?!” 

Shen Shurong trembled violently. How could the gentle Crown Prince she knew in her youth, now the ruler of a nation, be such a vile man? “If this is how it is, what difference does it make whether I live or die?” 

The man in dragon robes slowly approached. “‘Dog Emperor’? So that’s what you call me in your heart?” 

Slap! 

The blow sent Shen Shurong crashing to the floor, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. 

The emperor sneered coldly. “You should be grateful I haven’t tired of you yet. If you dare die, they… will all follow.” 

Tears of blood welled in Shen Shurong’s eyes, her face twisted with fury. “Dog Emperor! Tyrant! May you die a wretched death—I curse you! The Great Zhou Dynasty will surely fall by your hand!” 

…… 

“Junzhu^[1]“Commandery Princess” or “County Princess”; Shen Shurong’s noble title?” 

“Junzhu? Were you having a nightmare?” 

Shen Shurong felt someone shaking her arm and slowly opened her eyes. The moment she recognized the person before her, her heart lurched—Jin Xiaoniang? 

“Junzhu, it’s your servant, Jin Zhi! What’s wrong?” Jin Zhi shook Shen Shurong’s arm. 

She called herself ‘your servant’?

Shen Shurong sensed something amiss and began surveying the room. 

This was… her pre-marital bedchamber??? 

“Junzhu, you’re frightening this servant. Today is the Dowager Princess’s flower-viewing banquet—even the Xie heir will be attending! You haven’t seen him in so long…” 

Shen Shurong sat up abruptly, stunned to find her limbs responding freely. 

She had died—she was certain of it. Yet Jin Zhi’s words suggested she’d returned to a decade earlier. 

“Junzhu, the tribute kohl gifted by the Grand Princess makes the loveliest brows. Rise now, and let this servant adorn you.” 

Another maid, Yin Zhi, approached with a jewelry case, chiming in cheerfully: “Our Junzhu is Great Zhou’s peerless beauty—radiant even without cosmetics.” 

Still processing the impossible, Shen Shurong realized—if this was truly rebirth, she remained unwed. There was still time to change everything… 

— 

“Junzhu, this lilac cross-collared robe would accentuate your grace. The Xie heir might faint at the sight of you!” 

Once her makeup was done, Jin Zhi giggled while helping Shen Shurong select gowns. 

A cold glint flashed imperceptibly in Shen Shurong’s eyes before she calmly pointed to a pink breast-baring ensemble instead. 

Jin Zhi hesitated briefly but swiftly assisted her into the chosen attire. The blush silk complemented Shen Shurong’s snow-kissed skin, amplifying her delicate allure. When the outer robe settled, the tantalizing glimpse of décolletage beneath whispered of maidenly charm— 

“Junzhu, the matrons outside just sent word—the Grand Princess is waiting for you,” Yin Zhi said as she handed over the decorative shawl. 

Shen Shurong adjusted the shawl and stepped out resolutely. Today’s banquet would be where she took control of her own destiny! 

Upon boarding the carriage, Shen Shurong parted her lips in a sweet smile. “Grandmother, Yongjia is here.” 

Her grandmother was as beautiful as ever, though it had been years since she’d last seen her. 

Having grown up under the Grand Princess’s care rather than at the Commandery Prince’s residence, she had been doted on into a sheltered and naive young noblewoman. 

“You silly girl, why are you dressed so beautifully today?” The Grand Princess pinched her nose playfully. “You and Xie Yunzheng are to be married in two months—are you trying to outshine even the celestial immortals?” 

Shen Shurong nestled into her grandmother’s embrace, closing her eyes to savor the warmth of their bond. Today, she would show her grandmother just how worthy she was of marriage—on her own terms. 

The Grand Princess stroked her loose, ink-black hair. “Xie Yunzheng’s poem yesterday earned high praise from your grandfather. This match is a good one.” 

Everyone kept reminding her of Xie Yunzheng’s virtues. After their marriage, she too had basked in the envy of every noble lady in the capital. 

‘The Junzhu is so fortunate—her husband is favored by His Majesty.’ 

‘Heir Xie’s household is so orderly, with only one concubine and one maidservant.’ 

‘Heir Xie’s poetry and paintings won first place—what luck the Junzhu has!’ 

Gradually, she had become intoxicated by these superficial praises, running herself ragged for his sake—even persuading her grandmother to open the family coffers for him.

Back then, all she had wanted was for him to achieve his ambitions and gain the favor of the Dog Emperor—now  still the Crown Prince! 

And what had she gotten in return? He had faked her death and personally delivered her to the imperial bed!!! 

From that moment on, she became the tyrant’s plaything… 

Shut away from the sun! 

Stripped of name and identity! 

Shen Shurong closed her eyes. After all these years, she had long mastered the art of masking her emotions. 

The corners of her lips curled slightly as she spoke in a voice both sweet and shy: “Yongjia has heard—Big Brother Zheng is truly the most remarkable.” 

The Grand Princess hugged her precious granddaughter close, stroking her shoulder. “With him protecting you, your grandfather and I can rest easy when our time comes.” 

A cold glint flashed in Shen Shurong’s eyes. 

Oh yes, he protected me so well! 

—

The Grand Princess’s carriage traveled down Vermilion Bird Avenue. Meanwhile, on a parallel street, two men on horseback rode toward the same destination. 

“Xie Er, why refuse my invitation to go horseback riding only to attend some frivolous gathering for young ladies?”

Xie Yunzhao ambled along at a leisurely pace, not bothering to urge his horse forward. Distracted, he replied, “You’re not getting any younger, yet you’re still unattached. An occasion like this is perfect for you.” 

Lu Ziqian kicked his leg—right where it still ached from the old injury. “You’re a year older than me and equally single!” Then, as if struck by a thought, he added, “Wait—are you here to find a match?” 

Xie Yunzhao’s eyelids drooped. “I’m not. I’ve already told my parents—I’ll remain a bachelor for life. No point ruining some decent girl’s future.” 

Lu Ziqian nearly laughed. Was he still hung up on his sister-in-law? “Hey, look—isn’t that the Grand Princess’s carriage approaching?” 

Xie Yunzhao’s pulse spiked. He snapped his gaze toward the road—and sure enough, it was. 

The two men dismounted and stood respectfully by the roadside, waiting for the carriage to pass. They bowed in greeting, and the attending matron inside returned the courtesy on behalf of the household. 

As the carriage rolled away, Lu Ziqian craned his neck for a lingering glance. Had Xie Yunzhao orchestrated this “chance encounter” with Yongjia Junzhu? “Your sister-in-law must be in that carriage too.” 

“Don’t call her that,” Xie Yunzhao grumbled. “They’re not married yet.” 

Lu Ziqian smirked. “Two months might as well be two blinks of an eye.”

“Two months is still time, isn’t it? At any rate, she isn’t yet.” Xie Yunzhao swung himself back onto his horse, his heart simmering with unspoken frustration. 

—

At the Dowager Princess’s flower-viewing banquet, the elder matrons and their daughters-in-law gathered to enjoy the opera—its drawn-out, melodic strains holding little appeal for the younger generation. 

The youth congregated in the rear garden instead: young masters composing poetry, maidens chasing butterflies and adorning their hair with blossoms. 

Shen Shurong parted ways with the Grand Princess and strode without pause toward the garden. The vibrant blooms lining her path paled in comparison to the radiance of a single person in her mind. 

She halted by the lakeside, scattering handfuls of fish food. Carp, drawn by the scent, swarmed beneath the ripples. 

Jin Zhi’s eyes darted around in confusion. Why is Junzhu only feeding fish instead of seeking out Heir Xie? 

Then her gaze landed on an unexpected arrival. “Junzhu, the Second Young Master  Xie is approaching.” 

Shen Shurong continued her feeding, undisturbed. Every unfolding moment mirrored her past life. 

Today’s events might seem mundane—but his presence here had only ever meant one thing: he came because I would be here.

“They say the Prince’s Manor raises the finest fish—thought I’d take a look.” Xie Yunzhao’s gaze lingered. Pink suits her… No—only she could make it worthy. 

Lu Ziqian yanked his sleeve, hissing, “You’re her future brother-in-law! What are you doing?!” 

—