When I finally reunited with my childhood sweetheart, Alexander "Xander" Sterling, he had a "Lucky Girl" by his side. She was the kingdom’s darling, caring for him deeply, her love rooted deep. Seeing me nestled in Xander’s arms, she cursed me as a seductress, stealing her beloved. "You're just a passing fancy for Xander. How can you compare to our five years of history?" I chuckled silently. "Sorry, darling. I'm not the new fling. I'm the one he never forgot." Chapter 1 The day Xander brought me back to the Kingdom of Zephyr, it coincided with the Mid-Autumn Royal Banquet. The King of Zephyr led his court to welcome us at the palace gates. Xander’s black coat fluttered, his long sword dripping blood, radiating an aura that screamed "stay away." I fearlessly wrapped my arms around his neck, a string of jade prayer beads winding through my fingers, leaving an ambiguous red mark on his porcelain-like neck. He bent down and lifted me up, submissive as a devotee. Everyone saw the person in the arms of the Duke of Sterling. Stunningly beautiful, dressed in light silk, hair soft and black, skin like porcelain. Wrapped in a white fox fur cape, half my face was hidden by the fluffy hood, revealing only my chin and exquisite lips. My entire being exuded a divine aura, untouchable, effortlessly drawing everyone's gaze. The crowd curtsied to me, but one person didn't bow, her tone displeased. "Where did this sickly beauty come from? Why does the King and all these powerful officials have to bow to her?" "Lady Tiffany, that is the most precious Princess of the Kingdom of Aethelgard, Seraphina. Her whole country worships her as a living goddess. She lives in a temple, sleeps on an altar, and enjoys the offerings of thousands." "I heard the Princess can predict fortunes and summon wind and rain. She once resolved a decade-long drought..." "So what? I represent the luck of Zephyr! Everyone knows I'm the King's lucky charm." I lifted a corner of my hood, revealing my eyes, and looked at the speaker. She was slender, wearing a yellow silk dress. Oval face, bright eyes shifting, a golden phoenix hairpin slanted in her hair. Tiffany Tang, the eldest daughter of Zephyr's Prime Minister. Though born of a concubine, she was the Tang family's most presentable daughter. Rumor had it Tiffany was blessed with incredible luck. Everyone liked her. Being close to her could turn misfortune into fortune; many nobles owed her favors. She’d find silver when she stepped out, accidentally save disguised officials on the road, and businesses under her name only made profits. The most miraculous event was during the King’s autumn hunt. A stag nearly charged him, but the moment Tiffany appeared, its antlers snapped on their own. She was titled a Lady for her sheer luck and had been pampered ever since. Tiffany’s gaze fixed straight on Xander. "Xander, you're finally back." Xander gave her a lukewarm look. "Something the matter?" Meeting Xander’s eyes, she blushed, acting shy. "The King issued a decree yesterday for me to marry you." Xander cast a cold, heavy stare at the King, curving his lips in a mockery mixed with indescribable ruthlessness. He scoffed lightly, his eyes sweeping over Tiffany blocking the way. "Move. The Princess gets cold." The air froze instantly. Probably no one expected the Duke of Sterling to show zero face. Tiffany looked me up and down suspiciously. "Is she really that cold? I've seen plenty of girls feigning weakness." Saying that, she reached out to lift my cape. Xander dodged her while holding me. She missed and dramatically fell to the ground. "Xander..." Xander’s cold, deep eyes swept over her, his posture holding me unchanged. "The Princess is royalty; she has no sister." His chilly gaze moved to the Prime Minister. "Randomly climbing social ladders—is this how the Prime Minister teaches his family? Maybe you should kneel here and let the autumn wind clear your head." With that, Xander held me and walked past Tiffany indifferently. My lips curved slightly. I pressed my forehead against Xander’s neck, lowering my lashes to look down at her. A fleeting eye contact. Tiffany’s face was pale; my eyes were full of smiles. There is a hierarchy between legitimate and illegitimate, let alone the heaven-and-earth difference between royalty and a noble's daughter. The officials stayed silent, not daring to look back. They followed into the great hall, leaving Tiffany kneeling alone outside, the cold wind howling. Chapter 2 Xander took me straight to the head table. Behind us, gazes converged. After a while, Tiffany entered the hall wrapped in her father’s cloak, head bowed. The Prime Minister pleaded, "Tiffany offended the Princess and deserves punishment. But the autumn wind outside is piercing..." The King, pained, said, "Quick, let Tiffany take her seat." After Tiffany sat down, I sensed her venomous stare. I didn't care; let her look. There was a gold filleting knife on the table. I ran my fingertip along the sharp blade. Xander saw it but said nothing, only pulling my hand back and wrapping it in his palm. After a round of dishes, Tiffany said to Xander, "Xander, two years ago at the Mid-Autumn Banquet, we had this dish. I said I wanted to marry you in three years, and you didn't object. Do you remember?" She threw a provocative look at me. I understood Tiffany’s intent. Using old history to provoke me. I tilted my head, looking at her with a "so what" expression. Xander glanced sideways. "So you like being rejected in public. If I'd known, I wouldn't have saved you face back then." Tiffany froze. I wasn't surprised. Xander was never a "good" person. He didn't worship gods; he dared to pin a goddess beneath him. Xander raised an eyebrow, mocking smile tugging at his lips. "I don't like you. Stay away." Too blunt. It sounded like a threat. The King couldn't bear seeing Tiffany’s red eyes and tried to smooth things over fake-ly. "Xander, I know you're straightforward, so I won't blame you for your harsh words this time." Relaying on the King’s support, Tiffany said, "Xander, did you go to Aethelgard for this Princess? We’ve known each other for five years. Does that bond really lose to her stealing you away halfway?" Xander was born incredibly handsome. Phoenix eyes slightly upturned, a languid laziness between his brows. enchanting but always unapproachable. All of Zephyr thought only Tiffany matched the Duke. Even the King thought so. Xander shot a sharp look, freezing Tiffany to the bone. She looked away guiltily. While Xander wasn't looking, I reached for the gold knife again. A light slide. Blood welled from the cut, dripping down like red glaze on my pale fingertips. I secretly took the knife and hid it in my sleeve. Then I drank tea as if nothing happened. Just then, a mocking voice came from outside. "What nonsense is Miss Tang spouting? Don't bind Xander with your wishful thinking. He hasn't given you the time of day in five years. It's not even dark yet; why are you dreaming?" A noblewoman in a deep blue official robe embroidered with gold entered. The Duchess of Sterling, Xander’s mother. I called out to her, "Auntie." The Duchess looked at me, her gaze instantly softening. The slightly noisy banquet fell silent at her arrival. Tiffany bit her lip, pretending to be pitiful. "Then I am willing to give up the position of main wife and be a co-wife." The Duchess scoffed. "Our Sterling household has no intention of finding two daughters-in-law." The Prime Minister slammed the table, furious. "Duchess, that's bullying." The Duchess glanced nonchalantly at her bright red nails, then turned to the King on the high seat. "Xander and the Princess are childhood sweethearts. How can a latecomer compare? Though reunited after long, when the beloved arrives, irrelevant people should step aside. Your Majesty, don't play matchmaker and stuff just anyone into the Sterling house." Officials whispered, looking shocked. The matriarch of the Sterling house made it clear she didn't want Tiffany. How would this arranged marriage end? The King hadn't expected this, but his intent to matchmake was clear. "Duchess, Tiffany is Zephyr's lucky daughter. I watched her grow up. Marrying into your house is a joyous event. Why refuse? My decree is issued; I won't take it back." "The Prime Minister's eldest daughter, Tiffany Tang, will marry into the Sterling house as a co-wife on an auspicious day." A crisp crack. The white jade cup was crushed mercilessly by Xander. Though Xander always had a smile, I knew he hated being controlled most. I looked at Tiffany. She thought she won, casting a triumphant look at me. I curved my eyes. Something to play with. Wanting to fight a royal daughter raised in schemes and plots? Tiffany, are you really ready? Chapter 3 Tiffany deliberately picked a moment when Xander left the table to say to me, "Do you really think you, the new fling, can replace me, the old love?" I chuckled softly. "What are you laughing at?" "Sorry. I'm not the new fling. I'm the old love." I turned my prayer beads, the sound crisp, smiling lazily. "And you? You're just something that can't make it to the main stage." The Duchess was my mother’s best friend. Xander and I were betrothed before birth. Later, my mother died, our countries fought, and I lost contact with Xander. Reuniting now was an opportunity I had plotted for years. A mere illegitimate daughter, where did she get this mysterious confidence to provoke me? My plain words seemed to hit a nerve, twisting Tiffany’s somewhat delicate features into ugliness. It was midnight when we arrived at the Sterling estate. On the way back, the Duchess cursed the foolish King the whole time. Xander carried me through the corridor. Passing a pear tree blooming like clouds, I tugged his collar to stop. I looked up with interest at the snowy tree. "What are you looking at?" Xander asked, looking down. I smiled and lifted my chin. Xander followed my gaze. Under the moonlight, a mottled brown snake was coiled on a branch, hissing, slowly creeping toward a clueless sparrow. Xander sighed with a smile. "You're not cold anymore." I coughed symbolically. Xander signaled the guard behind him. A flying knife shot straight out, piercing the snake's head. The sparrow startled and flew away. I said somewhat sadly, "The snake could have had a full meal." Xander’s brows were picturesque as he looked down at me. "Careful it doesn't bite you." Frowning, I leaned on Xander’s shoulder and instructed the guard, "Cut a cross on the seven-inch mark. It's easier to peel the skin." The guard looked at my retreating smiling face and shuddered for no reason. The maids lit the stove, burned silver charcoal, and lowered the layers of gauze curtains around the gold-thread bed. But curled under the quilt, I still felt cold all over. In the latter half of the night, I felt the bed dip. A hand reached under the covers, and the next moment, my cold feet fell into a warm palm. I propped myself up, but before I could speak, Xander’s addictive voice sounded. "Warming you up." I rarely walked. My feet were well-kept, white and delicate like cold jade. A little carelessness would leave a red mark. Xander kneaded them like treasures, his palm covering my cold knees, protecting them with just the right pressure. "Princess, warm yet?" I reached out, wrapping my arms around his neck, innocent and pure. "Is the Duke seeking favor from this Princess?" Xander leaned in. The dim candlelight coated his face with a shadow, sharp and wickedly handsome. Suddenly, he grabbed my waist, one hand turning my chin. His warm breath sprayed on my neck, voice lowered. "Yes. Princess, reward your subject well." With that, he pushed me into the bedding. For a moment, it felt like falling into soft clouds with nowhere to leverage. I closed my eyes tight. But Xander chuckled low and acted like a gentleman all night. Except for being a "bed warmer," he did nothing. When I woke up, Xander wasn't there. Only Anin was guarding me. She was brought from Aethelgard, serving me for five years. "Princess, the Duke prepared a hot spring for you. He said it relieves your cold sickness and helps your legs. Maybe with more soaking, the Princess can walk." I nodded, and Anin easily lifted me in her arms. My leg disability was known to few. Being carried was something I was used to. The hot spring water misted up, red gauze floating. I crossed my arms, submerged in the steaming water. Suddenly, a noise outside. Anin got up quickly. "I'll go check." Not long after, the door was smashed open. Several servants barged in, and standing behind them was Tiffany. Cold air rushed in. I hugged my arms and moved deeper into the pool. Tiffany, dressed gaudily, paced in slowly. She curtsied respectfully to me, smiling with pursed lips. "I came today to move my things into the Sterling estate early. Heard the Princess was here, so I came to pay respects." "Get out." A wicked smile appeared on Tiffany’s lips. She sniffed the medicinal scent in the air, speaking sweetly. "Why doesn't the Princess stand up? Can't you?" She pulled a letter from her sleeve and waved it. "This is a letter from the Eldest Princess of Aethelgard. Turns out the Princess is a cripple who can't walk. And you were meant to be a gift to someone else, but you tricked Xander into bringing you to Zephyr." I looked up, my gaze turning cold. Winona... she was in league with Tiffany? Tiffany suddenly approached me. "Princess, why so distant? Why hide so far away? We need to look out for each other in the future." Saying that, she reached out to grab me. Just as her hand was about to touch me, my eyes darkened. I grabbed her arm, my slender fingers finding a fatal pressure point through her clothes, and struck hard. Tiffany suddenly went numb, half her body twitching uncontrollably. The sharp pain from her shoulder made her crash to the ground, hair ornaments scattering everywhere. Pathetic. The sudden change scared her. Tiffany sat paralyzed by the pool, panic-stricken pupils reflecting the delicate girl behind the mist. Eyes hiding ruthlessness, with a faint smile, saying to her: "Get the hell out." Tiffany scrambled up, grimacing. As she turned, she looked back, eyes widening as if she caught my secret. She pointed at my exposed white arm, gasping. "You don't have a shougong sand mark!" (Note: A traditional mark of virginity). My face remained calm, but she laughed with increasing schadenfreude, shouting at me. "You lost your chastity long ago, yet you dare cling to Xander!" She shouted outside, "Someone come! Everyone get in here!" No one outside dared move. Tiffany’s voice grew harsh. "Dare you disobey me?" The servants looked at each other, heads bowed, shuffling in with eyes glued to the floor. I moved to the thickest part of the mist, sinking into the water to cover myself, arms crossed tightly. Anin had been gone for a long time. "You haven't seen Aethelgard's most noble Princess, have you? Come, open your eyes and look." Tiffany smiled ambiguously. "Whoever sees the clearest, I'll ask my father to promote you. Beautiful maids, houses, fields—you name it!" Greed stirred in the men. They looked up, gazes wandering. Behind the mist, snowy shoulders and jade-like skin were faintly visible. Someone wavered but was afraid. "This is... the most precious person raised by the power of a nation. We dare not..." "Nonsense! She's just a high-class courtesan sent to please an enemy country! The Sterling house has strict morals. If others find out, the whole estate's reputation will be ruined." Tiffany seemed to think of something and smiled. How could she miss this chance? She turned to run out, shouting, "Aethelgard's Princess is loose! Committing adultery with low-class men..." A sharp sound of a sword being drawn cut off Tiffany’s words. "You dare call this Duke low-class?" Then a loud slap. The Duchess was furious. "Bastard! Uncouth thing! What do you think my house is? Who let them in? Drag them out and execute them!" The door was kicked open, cold wind howling. Xander’s figure was tall and slender, radiating terrifying authority. The servants Tiffany brought were blinded on the spot. Three killed, one left covering his eyes, rolling on the ground screaming in blood. Xander walked slowly into the pool, placed the sword in my hand, and hugged my waist from behind. He guided me step by step back to the edge, looking down at the servant. "Princess, the fastest way to kill someone is to slit the throat." He held me, his chest vibrating gently as he spoke. I nodded slightly. The next instant, Xander guided my hand to ruthlessly slash the man’s throat. I stared blankly at the red pool. The person behind me held my waist tight, protecting me. Wet hair outlined a graceful figure. Water droplets rolled down, dripping onto my shoulder like morning dew. Suddenly, my chest tightened. The smell of blood surged in my throat. I looked down and vomited a mouthful of black blood. Chapter 4 After Tiffany’s scene, I vomited blood on the spot, expelling the Cold Gu poison. I was sick for half a month before waking up. I remember the last time I was this sick was five years ago. My sister Winona fought me for power and personally broke my kneecaps. Later, fearing I’d regain power, she force-fed me cold medicine to ruin my body completely. Back then, Winona pinched my chin and told me a cruel truth: "You were a pawn from the start. A delicate gift raised with the highest standards by Father to pave the way for my brother." From then on, I realized countless people around me wanted to harm me. If everyone wanted me dead, I had to fight for myself. I knew the value of biding my time. So I found a Cold Gu. After taking it, my body became weak and afraid of cold. The Wei family relatives used this to petition Father to hand over everything I had to Winona. After giving away immense power and wealth, I became fish meat on the chopping block in others' eyes. Memories flashed by. I slowly opened my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose, propping myself up against the headboard. Anin rushed over, kneeling by my bed, sighing in relief. "Princess, you're finally awake." I smiled faintly at her. "Made you worry." Anin presented a secret letter, carefully watching my expression. "It's from His Majesty." I couldn't be bothered to read it and tore it to pieces. My father favored sons over daughters and was shallow and incompetent. He was an unfavored prince back then. My mother was a general's daughter. He obeyed her every whim to gain my grandfather's favor. Using my grandfather's power, he seized the throne. But once Emperor, he changed. He became close to Consort Wei's relatives. After Mother died, Consort Wei took over the harem, and her children became the favorites. I became a knife in his hand, just like he used my mother. The people of Aethelgard believed in gods. I was the god he created. Under the guise of consolidating power, he pushed me onto the altar, making me bestow divine right upon him in front of the world. He gave me supreme theocratic power above kingship in name. Whatever he wanted to do, he used my mouth. No one dared oppose him. Gradually, those wolves staring at me thought I was done for. How could a crippled princess trapped in a cold, empty temple turn the tables? They relaxed their vigilance. My chance came. I used faith to bind hearts and cultivated claws in the court. Silently growing power, eroding the unpredictable court like termites. But my methods didn't beat the seasoned Emperor. He found my rebellious streak. So when Consort Wei's stupid son provoked the neighbor, attracting enemy iron cavalry to the city walls, he didn't hesitate to offer me as a gift to the enemy army. That day, when the maid told me to run, it was too late. I drank the drugged tea, legs too weak to stand, consciousness fading on the altar. Winona, with her innocent face, gloated. "Don't blame me, sister. What if you resisted and hurt him? We couldn't afford that." Indeed. Nothing showed sincerity like offering Aethelgard's most precious goddess. Before leaving, she stuffed a green porcelain bottle in my hand, giggling that if I couldn't bear it, this poison would help me end it. I smiled mockingly at her retreating figure. She was going to be disappointed. Because I had planned this day for a long time. I was the one who encouraged my brother to deploy troops. Consort Wei's son was pedantic and arrogant since childhood. A little trick provoked him to challenge the neighbor. But the neighbor had quietly submitted to Zephyr two years ago. So the person coming to "collect the gift" today would be a Zephyr official—my childhood sweetheart, Duke Alexander "Xander" Sterling. Through the haze, I saw a tall figure enter the temple. Footsteps approached, step by step up the high platform hung with prayer lanterns. The next moment, I was lifted. He kissed my temple, whispering, "I'm here." I looked up, weak. "Insolent." I felt his breath hitch. He laughed low, hoarse and bewitching. "This is insolent? What to do then? This subject wants to blaspheme the god. What is the crime?" His voice made my heart tremble. He held my waist. The next instant, we rolled onto the altar. With ancestors behind us and gods painted on the ceiling, we threw propriety and status to the wind, wantonly entangled under thousands of lights. Anin called me several times before my thoughts returned. She brought a cup of hot tea and took a porcelain bottle from her waist. "Princess, time for medicine." "Not taking it." Anin froze, looking up at me in confusion. I fingered my prayer beads and flashed her a brilliant smile. The whole house praised my loyal servant—it was Anin who found the Duchess and Xander to solve the crisis that day. But no one expected Anin to die the day I woke up. Those who saw Anin said she died of a slit throat, deep and instant. The room was quiet. Hearing I wouldn't take the medicine, Anin nodded. When she put the tea back and turned around, I held the gold filleting knife to her neck. She turned, seeing me standing straight before her, and finally couldn't help mocking, "So the Princess isn't crippled. You've been faking it. Of course, how could the legitimate Princess be a weak lamb?" I hooked my lips, looking innocent. "Born in the center of power, raised on schemes, even if I wanted to be a lamb, I couldn't." Anin was sent by Consort Wei to monitor me. She reported my every move for five years. Not long after she fell in a pool of blood, two figures in black landed at the door. I sat by the bed, wiping the blood from the gold knife with a handkerchief. Softly: "I'll rely on you two from now on." The Long siblings. Famous assassins on the leaderboard. A cold female voice sounded abruptly: "Princess, that Tiffany isn't behaving." I laughed. "I know. I'm waiting for her new tricks."
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