VGAB Chapter 8

Yan’er had initially intended to be clever with her words. But when she met Qi Heng’s eyes, they were like a calm lake reflecting all of her attempts at deception.

All her thoughts of getting away with this vanished at that moment.

Zheng Er brought a chair, and Qi Heng sat down. Meanwhile, Yan’er began to ramble.

From her words, Qi Heng heard a completely different story from what he knew. In her version of events, Qi Yuyao was the main character. Even after being exiled for fifteen years, she remained kind and good-hearted. Upon returning to the Prince’s Mansion, she easily won the affection of everyone.

According to her account, with Zhao Jing’s persuasion, she was able to stay in the Prince’s Mansion. Because of this, Prince Chen and Lady Qin grew fond of Qi Yuyao. However, Zhao Jing was not satisfied. She felt that Qi Yuyao had stolen her identity and constantly targeted her until her actions were exposed, leading to Zhao Jing’s expulsion from the Prince’s Mansion.

In the end, Qi Yuyao lived a lifetime of ease and married a husband with exceptional character and talent, enjoying a peaceful life.

“No, that’s not how it happened,” Prince Chen’s spirit on the side furrowed his brow deeply. “It was clearly under the influence of Zhao Jing’s words that Lady Qin and I did not bring Yuyao back at all.”

Qi Heng lightly tapped the armrest of the chair with his index finger. “Are you saying this world is a book?”

Qi Heng’s voice remained calm, and his expression showed no signs of emotion. Yan’er swallowed hard, impressed by his mental composure. If she had heard that her world was nothing more than the pages of a book and that her fate was determined by someone else’s words, she was sure she wouldn’t have remained as composed.

Qi Heng had heard about the concept of parallel worlds from the soul he had inadvertently captured before. Moreover, he had his own experiences of reincarnation and traversing through time and space. At this moment, he had a fairly good idea of what was amiss with Yan’er. She must have had some extraordinary encounter.

After dying in her original world, her soul had been reborn in a parallel world through some extraordinary means. Armed with knowledge of the plot, she had attempted to alter their destinies.

Qi Heng lowered his gaze and looked at his right hand.

And she had indeed succeeded in that other world.

“Uh… I’ve finished talking, Your Highness. Can you… can you let me go now?” Yan’er cautiously spoke as she noticed his stern expression. “Yuyao might be worried if she can’t find me.”

Yan’er intentionally mentioned Qi Yuyao, hoping to remind Prince Chen of his beloved daughter and the importance of sparing her life.

“Yuyao is in the palace. Mother Empress has kept her there temporarily. She won’t be able to come back for a while,” Qi Heng replied.

Doesn’t this mean that even if she were killed, Qi Yuyao wouldn’t know?

Yan’er’s face turned pale.

“I didn’t say I was going to kill you,” Qi Heng tapped the armrest. “Can the plot you mentioned be considered alterable?”

“Really?” Relief washed over Yan’er’s face as if she had narrowly escaped death. Then she realized Qi Heng’s question. “Alter the plot?”

Qi Heng nodded and explained the peculiarities of Zhao Jing and the plot. He locked his gaze onto Yan’er’s face, unwilling to miss any change in her expression.

Yan’er was indeed not good at hiding her emotions. Even in the face of a life-threatening situation, she couldn’t conceal her confusion and shock after hearing Qi Heng’s explanation.

Why does this sound like one of those reincarnated female revenge stories popular in books? 

Could it be…

Yan’er’s eyes widened. Could she actually be in a fanfiction story where she mistakenly targeted the wrong female lead??

“Judging by Miss Yan’s expression, I believe you’ve found your answer?” Qi Heng spoke calmly. After facing a threat to her life and then encountering the icy beauty of Prince Chen, any romantic thoughts had vanished from Yan’er’s mind. 

As beautiful as ethereal beings might be, they could also be deadly. She was afraid of death.

“Miss Yan,” Zheng Yi intervened, fearing that her absent-mindedness might displease his master, “please speak.”

Yan’er snapped back to reality, about to say something when her stomach inconveniently rumbled loudly.

She instinctively covered her empty stomach, feeling the weight of all eyes on her.

Embarrassing.

“Let me die.”

Yan’er’s face turned crimson, wishing there was a crack in the ground she could disappear into right now.

Qi Heng glanced at Zheng Yi. “Go and prepare some food.”

“Understood.” Zheng Yi nodded and quickly made his way to the exit.

In about half an hour, he returned with a basket of steamed buns.

“We couldn’t prepare a full meal in such a short time, so Miss Yan’er can have these to fill her stomach for now,” Zheng Yi said in a hushed voice.

“Don’t call me Miss Yan’er; my last name is Zhao,” Zhao Yan’er scowled at him. She had thought Zheng Yi was a straightforward guy, but he had allowed someone to knock her unconscious with a stick. Why didn’t he use more peaceful methods, like drugging her?

Her neck still throbbed from the blow.

Zheng Yi lifted the lid of the basket and calmly said, “Miss Zhao, please eat while it’s hot.”

Zhao Yan’er was starving and didn’t care that Qi Heng was still present. She devoured three or four buns in a frenzy. She ate so quickly that she almost choked, but luckily, Zheng Yi had foreseen this and handed her a glass of water.

“Don’t think that by pleasing me, I’ll forgive you,” Zhao Yan’er shoved the cup into his hand, whispering threats under her breath.

She believed that Qi Heng was far away enough that he wouldn’t hear her softly spoken words.

Zheng Yi hesitated, but he still didn’t tell her that what she considered a quiet whisper could be heard by them. Martial artists naturally had keen senses.

Qi Heng lifted his gaze and glanced at both Zheng Yi and Zhao Yan’er, his expression inscrutable.

Reluctantly, Zhao Yan’er shuffled her steps closer to Qi Heng. “Thanks to Your Highness for arranging the steamed buns. I’ve eaten my fill.”

Qi Heng looked at her and said indifferently, “Now, Miss Zhao, please share your answer.”

“I suspect…” Zhao Yan’er’s tone was somewhat uncertain. “Based on what you’ve told me, that Zhao Jing should be a reincarnator. In our world, apart from this kind of story following the original plot, there’s another type of story where malicious female supporting characters seek revenge after being reborn. Zhao Jing’s behavior resembles the female leads in these ‘malicious female supporting character rebirth for revenge’ stories.”

“‘Malicious female supporting character rebirth for revenge’?” Qi Heng tapped the armrest. Thinking that he might not understand, Zhao Yan’er went on to explain the typical characteristics and plots of these types of stories.

“I understand,” Qi Heng stood up, and one of the armored guards by his side removed the chair. “I’ve finished my questions. Miss Zhao, you may leave now.”

Upon hearing these words, Zhao Yan’er finally relaxed her tense body. She realized her palms and forehead were covered in sweat. In this eerie dungeon, she had somehow broken into a sweat.

Qi Heng took a few steps but turned back. “Since you have a good relationship with Yuyao, go back and prepare yourself. I will send someone to escort you to the palace.”

Zhao Yan’er didn’t want to go to the palace. The palace often involved countless ceremonies and rituals, and one mistake could lead to severe consequences. However, she didn’t dare to refuse. She feared that if she did, Qi Heng might see her as disobedient and take drastic measures.

Qi Heng glanced at her indifferently. “Since I’ve ordered you to enter the palace, rest assured that I will ensure your safety. Furthermore, I won’t let you do anything in vain.”

Zhao Yan’er naturally trusted Qi Heng’s assurance. After all, in the original plot, Qi Heng’s influence had already infiltrated the various palaces. She felt at ease and was no longer opposed to going to the palace.

“I’ll go back and prepare.”

“Zheng Yi, you will escort Miss Zhao to the palace.”

“Yes,” Zheng Yi agreed, but Zhao Yan’er was startled. She discreetly glanced at Qi Heng, who maintained his aloof expression. It didn’t seem like he had noticed anything between her and Zheng Yi.

So… he probably didn’t find out, right?

Zhao Yan’er wondered uncertainly.

Qi Heng and Zheng Yi left the dungeon, and the warmth outside gradually dispelled the eerie atmosphere of the dungeon. As soon as they emerged, a guard approached to report that General Qin Yue, the Duke of Dingguo, had arrived and was waiting in the front hall.

Qi Heng’s expression darkened suddenly because his senses detected that Zhao Jing had already arrived at the front hall.

“Um… Although General Qin Yue is Qin Shi’s elder brother, he’s different from her. He has always been supportive of our side,” the Spirit of Prince Chen floated beside Qi Heng. Seeing his gloomy expression, the spirit thought Qi Heng might have some issues with Qin Shi. He wanted to speak positively of Qin Yue, but for some reason, he felt a bit intimidated by his otherworldly self. Even though they were the same person, something about this world’s version of him made him uneasy.

Upon hearing from one of the palace maids that her uncle, General Qin Yue, had arrived, Zhao Jing decided to approach him. In her previous life, her uncle had always treated her kindly. Although he had been stationed at the border for some time, in this life, Zhao Jing was determined to win over the goodwill of her uncle as well.

Her uncle had been even more caring toward her in this life, and Zhao Jing believed that he would be on her side just like he had been in her previous life. She didn’t think her uncle would mind her new status, and she was eager to improve her relationship with him.

Furthermore, she knew about certain events that had transpired after her uncle had been stationed at the border in her previous life. She could use this knowledge to help her uncle and avoid unnecessary risks.

“General, please have some tea,” she greeted him politely.

In the front hall, Qin Yue, dressed in casual military attire, lounged in a chair with an easygoing demeanor. He was naturally good-looking, and the years of warfare had given him a rugged and martial aura that set him apart from the pampered city gentlemen.

The serving maid, her face slightly flushed and her voice as soft as a mosquito’s, carefully placed a cup of tea by Qin Yue’s side without making a sound.

Qin Yue, however, paid no attention to her. He occasionally glanced at the door, where only one or two maids were sweeping fallen leaves. He picked up the teacup and took a sip, wrinkling his brow as he muttered, “This tea is too bitter. By the way, when will your lord return?”

“Uncle.”

Zhao Jing saw a serving maid talking to Qin Yue from a distance and hurriedly entered the hall, calling out in pleasant surprise.

Qin Yue turned his head and instinctively replied, “Oh, it’s Princess Huimin…”

But then he stopped, furrowing his brow. He suddenly remembered that Zhao Jing was no longer Princess County; his true niece was someone named Qi Yuyao.

“Why has it been only a few days, and Uncle no longer recognizes me?” Zhao Jing pretended to be upset, but deep down, she was secretly pleased that Qin Yue still referred to her as a Princess.

See, her efforts to gain favor were paying off.

“Of course not,” Qin Yue shook his head. “I just remembered that you’re no longer Princess Huimin, so it’s not appropriate to address you as such.”

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