She Was Written to Die, So She Seized the Throne Instead

The end of the year was approaching, and the Capital City was bustling. Not even the heavy, swirling snow could dampen the people’s enthusiasm for the coming New Year.

All sorts of New Year’s goods were being sent to the Capital City. The city gates were crowded with caravans of traveling merchants, and the common people were all busy shopping for their own festive supplies.

The taverns and theaters were especially lively.

Princess Jia Ruo had lived in the palace her whole childhood. After growing up, she followed her brother when he left, so she had never had the chance to experience the liveliness of the Capital City. Now that she was grown and had returned, she could finally have her fill of fun. For the past few days, she had been dragging someone around everywhere, her spirits high.

"Xue Zhi, hurry! Look at this, it’s so pretty! I love this one..."

"Wow, this one is nice too. It would look great on you."

Princess Jia Ruo had spent many years in her fiefdom, free from the many strict rules of the palace. Her personality was open and generous, spontaneous and free-spirited. The woman following behind her was dressed in a white robe with a veil covering her face. She had an excellent figure and a gentle, graceful air. Although her face was hidden, her visible eyes and brows were beautiful, leading one to believe that a great beauty must lie beneath the mysterious veil.

Seeing the sorrowful look on her companion’s face, Jia Ruo couldn’t help but ask with concern, "Xue Zhi, why are you unhappy? Are you not feeling well?"

The woman called Xue Zhi shook her head and said gently, "I’m fine. It’s just too crowded and noisy here."

Jia Ruo understood at once. "Then it’s perfect, there’s a teahouse up ahead. Let’s go sit there for a while."

Xue Zhi nodded gently. "Alright."

On the second floor, two figures sat by the window, nonchalantly watching the group of people pass by below.

Xiao Jingyi asked, "Imperial Sister, do you think that’s our Fourth Imperial Sister-in-law?"

Xiao Li toyed with her wine cup. "Tear off the veil and take a look. Then we’ll know, won’t we?"

Down below, someone had already followed the two women. Taking advantage of the crowd, they pretended to be pushed forward and swiftly snatched away the concealing veil.

"AHHH!!!"

A face covered in purplish-blue patterns was suddenly exposed, scaring a passerby who was walking toward them into a shriek.

The people nearby immediately looked over, and an uproar ensued. "Heavens, what’s wrong with her face?"

"I thought she was a great beauty, but she’s actually hideous."

"Shut up! Get lost!" Jia Ruo furiously drew her whip and lashed it toward the crowd. "Who did this?! Show yourself! Get out here!"

Xue Zhi covered her face and squatted on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. Jia Ruo vented her fury by wildly striking at the onlookers with her whip. "What are you looking at?! I’ll gouge your eyes out!"

A man in brocade robes arrived with his entourage. Without even glancing at Jia Ruo, he strode toward Xue Zhi, lowered his head, and coaxed her tenderly, "Don’t be afraid. I’m here."

He gently lifted her into his arms, thoughtfully pressing her head against his chest so no one could see her face. When he looked up again, his expression was frosty and severe. "Move!"

The guards cleared a path, and just like that, he carried her away under everyone’s watchful eyes.

Onlooker A: "What a powerful aura. Who is that?"

Onlooker B: "It’s no surprise you don’t recognize him. That’s Prince Yanping. He’s been in his fiefdom for several years and just got back."

"Wow, Prince Yanping! Is that his Princess Consort? I never heard that Princess Consort Yanping was hideous."

"Shut your mouth! Didn’t you see that murderous look on Prince Yanping’s face? Watch what you say, or you’ll bring disaster upon yourself."

----------

A guard came upstairs to report. "Princess, we’ve confirmed it is the missing Princess Chen. But she’s been disfigured. Below her nose is a patch of purplish-blue marks like a spider’s web. It’s quite terrifying to look at."

In truth, Xiao Li had already been fairly certain it was Liu Xueyin. Now that it was fully confirmed, a sense of resigned calm settled over her.

’So she really is still alive.’

She’d had a premonition, so she wasn’t shocked or surprised. She just felt like shit.

She had killed Liu Xueyin with her own hands. A full bottle of crane’s beak red poison—enough to kill ten bulls. She had even seen the woman die with her own eyes. But then Liu Xueyin had vanished into thin air, and now, here she was, alive.

’It feels like I bought fake poison.’

’So, if Liu Xueyin is alive... what about Lu Yanzhi?’

If Lu Yanzhi was alive too, she would truly have a breakdown.

’What’s the difference between them and cockroaches you can’t kill?’

’I can’t kill myself, I can’t kill the main characters, and I can’t leave. This feeling of being in prison is going to drive me insane at any moment.’

Xiao Li gestured for the guard to withdraw. Just as the guard was about to close the door, it was kicked open. A long whip, whistling with intense killing intent, shot through the doorway.

Rong Qing swung his saber to intercept it but was a step too slow.

CRACK!

The whip struck Xiao Jingyi squarely in the chest. Even through his thick clothes, the sound was painful to hear.

Rong Qing engaged the attacker in combat. Xiao Li pushed aside Xiao Jingyi, who had shielded her, and glanced at his chest.

Xiao Jingyi grinned. "I’m fine, Imperial Sister. It just hurts a little."

Xiao Li didn’t answer him, turning her head to look at the doorway.

The one fighting Rong Qing was none other than Jia Ruo from downstairs.

Rong Qing didn’t care one bit whether she was a princess or not. She had attacked his master, so he would fight her with all his might.

Jia Ruo had recognized Xiao Jingyi the moment she saw him, but Rong Qing’s every move was ruthless, forcing her to retreat step by step.

It wasn’t until her guards came up and blocked him that she had a chance to catch her breath.

"Fifth Imperial Brother, it’s me, Jia Ruo! Tell him to stop!"

Xiao Jingyi remained silent. His chest was burning with pain; he was in no mood to help her.

Jia Ruo was furious and flustered. She could only roar at Rong Qing, "I am Princess Jia Ruo, Prince Yanping’s sister! If you dare to harm me, my brother will never let you get away with it!"

Rong Qing turned a deaf ear. His great saber sliced down with a gust of wind, severing Jia Ruo’s whip.

Jia Ruo didn’t even have time to mourn her beloved whip before the long saber was pressed against her neck. The chilling blade, freshly stained with the blood of her guards, gleamed even brighter.

The smell of blood filled the air, bone-chilling and unnerving. The blade was pressed so tightly against her skin that the slightest pressure could end her life. Jia Ruo felt the genuine threat of death, and the hair on her body stood on end.

"Fifth... Fifth Imperial Brother..."

She didn’t want to die.

If she were calm, she would be certain that Xiao Jingyi wouldn’t dare kill her. But right now, she couldn’t calm down.

The sound of hurried footsteps came from the stairs. Two guards cleared the way, and Prince Yanping, Xiao Jingzhao, arrived.

His gloomy eyes fell upon Jia Ruo with the great saber at her neck, and his expression grew so dark it looked like it could drip water.

"Release her!"

Rong Qing didn’t move an inch. The other guards beside him didn’t retreat a single step either.

After someone told Xiao Jingzhao who was inside, he roared, "Xiao Jingyi, get your ass out here!"

Xiao Jingyi was terrified. ’Imperial Sister, save me!’

Although that’s what he was thinking, he still strode out. His Imperial Sister remained silent, so he had to be the one to face this. Even though he wasn’t the one who did it, taking the blame for his sister couldn’t really be called taking the blame.

He forced a fake smile onto his face and walked out. "Second Imperial Brother, what brings you here?"

"My, Imperial Sister, what are you doing here?"

’This situation... is a mess. I’m not strong enough. Even taking the blame is going to be difficult.’

Xiao Jingzhao looked at Rong Qing, then at Xiao Jingyi. His gaze fell on the space behind him as he said grimly, "Did you think you could just hide? Xiao Xuanyang!"