Chapter 1: Abandoned Concubine in the Cold Palace, Fallen Princess

“Daughter, life in the Cold Palace is hard. Following your mother, you’ve suffered so much.”

As soon as Ah Bao woke up, she heard a woman crying softly beside her.

Her head was buzzing.

She had transmigrated into a book!

As the youngest King of the Underworld in history, Ah Bao had spent a century in the underworld doing nothing.

The underworld was too poor to support her any longer, so Old Hei and Old Bai persuaded her to reincarnate and face some tribulations.

They even promised her a highly prestigious princess identity, with luxurious clothing, fine food, and great wealth.

Looking at the dilapidated roof and the drafty paper-covered windows, Ah Bao was stunned!

Yes, she was indeed a princess.

But, damn it, how did she end up as a… fallen princess of a ruined kingdom? (⊙o⊙)…

This was beyond absurd! It was like absurdity itself had come knocking at her door!

Concubine De’s eyes reddened as she looked at the motionless infant in the swaddling clothes, tears streaming down her face. “Child, don’t be afraid. Even if your mother has only one breath left, she will protect you well and ensure you grow up healthy and safe.”

【It seems this is my real mother.】

Concubine De’s arms stiffened as she held Ah Bao, her face even paler from the blood loss after giving birth.

Her eyes widened in shock!

Where did that voice come from?

Concubine De glanced around, but the Cold Palace was in ruins. Besides her and the maid Zhilan, there was no one else.

She looked down at the baby in her arms.

Concubine De felt as if she had been struck by lightning!

Ah Bao turned her gaze toward Concubine De, her big eyes sparkling with admiration.

【As expected of the legitimate daughter of a great general’s family. Look at that poise—not at all like a concubine abandoned to the Cold Palace just after giving birth.】

Concubine De took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the waves of shock in her heart, and calmed herself down.

Even if this child was some kind of little demon, she was still her flesh and blood, born after ten months of pregnancy. She was her precious treasure.

【What a pity—I’m about to kick the bucket soon.】 Ah Bao’s little mouth pouted.

Concubine De’s heart skipped a beat.

“Kicking the bucket”… what does that mean?

Although she had never heard this phrase before, she had a bad feeling about it.

The book mentioned that the Tiansheng Dynasty, due to the reign of a tyrant, was destroyed in the forty-ninth year after a series of reckless actions by the male and female protagonists.

The Tiansheng Dynasty did indeed have a princess, but she was nameless and only lived for less than three hours after birth.

【Poor me. After I die, my mother will cry herself to sleep every day, living in sorrow until she eventually hangs herself in despair—such a tragic fate.】

Concubine De was utterly terrified.

Was her child really going to die?

“The Emperor has arrived—”

【He’s here! He’s here! The great tyrant has come with his blade!】

Ah Bao’s little hand trembled.

Concubine De instinctively held Ah Bao even tighter.

A tall, imposing figure stepped into the Cold Palace, but was caught off guard by what he heard.

The Emperor stumbled, nearly falling.

What was that voice?

“Your Majesty, be careful.” Li Yuqing, who followed behind the tyrant, quickly spoke up.

The tyrant turned to look at him, his dark eyes filled with a chilling menace.

Li Yuqing thought the tyrant was suspicious of the report he had made earlier.

He repeated his report, “Your Majesty, every word I said today is true. A celestial phenomenon has occurred, a sign of a disaster star descending upon the world!”

The tyrant entered the room, his ears filled with Li Yuqing’s prattling.

But there was another voice:

【I must say, scumbag dad sure looks decent enough.】

The tyrant’s gaze fell on the baby in Concubine De’s arms.

Dad?

This voice could only be coming from that child.

Was he hearing the thoughts of this baby?

As the ruler of a nation, the tyrant quickly composed himself after the initial shock.

Was he destined to be connected with this child?

【What a shame—scumbag dad is short-lived. He won’t live more than another ten years.】

The tyrant: He was in his prime, vigorous and strong!

The tyrant, with an impassive expression, extended his hand toward Concubine De, “Give the child to me.”

Concubine De instinctively held Ah Bao even closer.

She even forgot to pay her respects.

Eunuch Xi, who had sharp eyes, quickly stepped forward and took Ah Bao from Concubine De’s arms, handing her over to the tyrant.

As their eyes met, the tyrant looked at the tiny infant, and it seemed as though a small part of his hardened heart had softened.

Li Yuqing, unafraid of death, edged closer and continued his report: “Your Majesty, last night I observed the stars, and the royal offspring born today is a disaster star descended upon us. This is a great calamity for our Tiansheng Dynasty!

This little princess cannot be allowed to live. Your Majesty, for the sake of the eternal prosperity of the Tiansheng Dynasty, you must steel your heart and make an early decision. You absolutely cannot be soft-hearted!”

【Ha, old charlatan!】

【Scumbag dad, open your eyes and take a good look at this Li-whatever by your side. You probably don’t know that he’s actually a fraud who doesn’t even know how to read fortunes!

He bought his position as the Grand Astrologer through backdoor deals.】

The tyrant remained expressionless, but inside, his emotions were in turmoil.

This was the advantage of hearing the thoughts of his child.

Ha!

Now he knew.

【He and Concubine Li conspired to fabricate the lie about the disaster star, all to make you despise my beautiful mother.】

The tyrant’s gaze grew even darker as he looked at Ah Bao.

【This Li-whatever is a hidden danger that will contribute to the downfall of the Tiansheng Dynasty in the future.】

【He’s misled you more than a few times with that deceitful mouth of his.】

【Ah, I’m rambling on, but you can’t even hear me. Fine, let me die then. After all, ten years from now, you’ll become the ruler of a fallen kingdom.】

Fallen—fallen kingdom?

Very well.

Now he finally knew how he would meet his end ten years from now.

The tyrant instinctively tightened his grip on her, his arms suddenly applying more force.

Ah Bao felt like she could barely breathe.

【It’s over. I’m going to die.】

P.S.: In this story, everyone can hear thoughts, not just the protagonist’s parents (anyone related by blood to the protagonist can hear the thoughts).

Hope you enjoy reading~ Hugs~