HCB Chapter 757 The Princess's Marriage (1)
Chapter 757 The Princess's Marriage (1)
"Princess, the water is ready. Shall I assist you in taking a bath?"
Just as Zhong Ning regained consciousness, she heard voices in her ear.
She subtly turned her head slightly and saw a maid standing beside her, looking meek and obedient.
It seems that this princess is me right now.
"Pour me a cup of tea first."
Upon hearing this, Liuli didn't ask any further questions and turned to pour tea.
At this moment, Zhong Ning was sitting upright in front of the classical dressing table, and through the not-so-clear bronze mirror, she could roughly see her current appearance.
The original owner was strikingly beautiful, the kind of beauty that was flamboyant and eye-catching, and she wore elaborate and exquisite headdresses.
A gorgeous royal blue ancient costume made her look elegant, noble, and stunningly beautiful.
However, there was a hint of fatigue in his eyes, and he didn't seem to be in a good mood.
She is currently in a palace within an ancient imperial palace.
"Princess, the tea is here." Liuli walked over, carrying a teacup in both hands.
Zhong Ning took it and casually sipped it: "Go take a bath."
"Yes."
This time, she arrived in a fictional ancient world.
The Nine Continents are divided into four kingdoms: Lingjiang Kingdom, Southern Mirror Kingdom, Western Lan Kingdom, and Snow Moon Kingdom.
Not long ago, the four countries, due to years of friction, began to fight one after another.
First, the Southern Mirror Kingdom and the Western Mirror Kingdom fought, ending in mutual destruction.
Snow Moon Kingdom, taking advantage of the chaos, seized several cities belonging to both countries.
Although the Snow Moon Kingdom came with great momentum and seemed to have the upper hand, it was ultimately defeated by the Lingjiang Kingdom.
All countries suffered heavy losses, but Lingjiang Kingdom was the strongest and suffered the least, thus becoming the leader of the four countries.
Therefore, each of the three kingdoms sent a princess to Lingjiang Kingdom for a marriage alliance, as a gesture of cessation of hostilities and peaceful coexistence.
The emperor of Lingjiang Kingdom, who is also the male protagonist of the world, Shangguan Xi, ascended the throne at a young age and the government was always controlled by the regent Shangguan Xi.
He endured years of hardship, taking each step with care, and secretly developed his power under the control of the regent.
The female protagonist of the story, Bai Wanning, is a princess sent by the Southern Mirror Kingdom to the Lingjiang Kingdom for a political marriage. Within two years of entering the harem, she began to enjoy the emperor's exclusive favor.
The story mainly revolves around the male and female protagonists joining forces to fight against the villainous regent and ultimately vying for the throne.
The original owner of Zhong Ning's body was Xue Chanyi, the princess sent by Xueyue Kingdom to Lingjiang Kingdom for a political marriage.
Princesses who were sent to marry foreign rulers were all out of favor, including the female protagonist.
Emperor Xue Rui of Xueyue Kingdom is a stubborn, cunning, and heartless man.
He had many concubines and children in his harem. Apart from a few favored ones who received some attention, he had little affection for the others and did not care about them.
The original owner's mother died early, and she was just a princess who was not very favored and was pushed out for a political marriage.
Furthermore, the emperor did this so that the original owner could go to the marriage alliance smoothly and so that he could control the movements of Lingjiang Kingdom later.
Even the personal maid that the original owner brought with him for the marriage alliance was replaced with someone who obeyed him and placed by the original owner's side to serve as a monitor and messenger.
What good can come of the princess being discovered as a spy?
After receiving the memories, Xue Chanyi opened her eyes and found herself sitting in a bathtub, soaking in the tub.
"Princess, His Majesty may come to Jinglan Palace tonight," Liuli reminded her as she scooped hot water into the bathtub with a ladle.
"Liuli," Xue Chanyi said in a calm tone.
For some reason, Liuli felt her heart skip a beat when she heard the voice; she didn't think she had ever felt this way before.
She raised her head with some doubt and trepidation: "What are your orders, Princess?"
Xue Chanyi didn't look at her, and said in a calm tone, "You also come from the palace, and are my father's person. You shouldn't have been left without being taught manners."
Upon hearing this, Liuli's expression changed slightly, and she quickly knelt down: "This servant is guilty, I do not know what mistake I have made, please enlighten me, Your Highness."
She thought that the emperor had sent her to the princess's side, but the princess disliked her, so she started to make things difficult for her after arriving in Lingjiang Kingdom.
Although I am following the princess on the emperor's orders, I am not usually killed at will.
But if the princess is determined to make things difficult for her, there's nothing she can do.
Just as Liuli was lost in thought and her head was drooping lower and lower, she heard a light, airy remark that made her breathe a sigh of relief.
"I am currently in the harem of Lingjiang Kingdom and have been granted the title of Consort Yan. It is inappropriate for you to still call me Princess."
Yesterday, the emperor of Lingjiang held a banquet in the palace to welcome the envoys and the three princesses who were to be married off to him.
All three were brought into the imperial harem and made concubines. The female lead, Bai Wanning, was made Consort An, and Princess Xuanyuan Na of Xilan Kingdom was made Consort Kang.
One of them was a gentle and charming woman, and the other seemed to be in good physical condition because of her martial arts training.
It's likely that the emperor bestowed these titles upon them based on his first impression of them.
The original owner was bestowed the title of Consort Yan because of her most beautiful appearance; Yan means beautiful.
Liuli said in a low voice, "It was my oversight. Thank you for your reminder, Your Highness."
"Raise your head and look at me."
Liuli was puzzled, but she still did as she was told. As soon as she raised her head, she met a pair of deep eyes.
"The water's getting cold, get ready to get up," Xue Chanyi said, turning her gaze away.
As someone serving her, one still needs to be loyal and serve her alone.
Liuli's eyes glazed over for a moment, then quickly regained their clarity: "Yes, Your Majesty."
As she stood up, all she could think about was that the Empress was the person she would serve forever.
Xue Chanyi got out of the bathtub and was wrapped in silk by Liuli. After the water on her body was dried, she was helped to put on her nightgown.
As soon as the two entered the palace, a young palace maid came in from the doorway, looking delighted.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty, His Majesty will be staying at our Jinglan Palace tonight."
Xue Chanyi smiled slightly: "I understand. Go and make preparations."
Thinking about the male lead's appearance, he was indeed good-looking, but she didn't like him.
And she's not even twenty years old yet, and she already has so many women. She has no interest in sleeping with women who aren't clean.
The palace now has not only an empress of illustrious birth and a favored concubine, but also several other concubines.
These concubines were the only means by which the emperor, controlled by the regent, could win people over.
He doesn't like any of them, but he pretends to like them very much, appearing affectionate on the surface but indifferent in reality.
It was all for his own purposes, to exploit the family influence of the concubines.
Shangguan Xi will only love the female lead, and later he even disbands his harem for Bai Wanning.
It wasn't really a disbandment. The female lead was favored, so others were naturally jealous and would take action. Shangguan Xi certainly wouldn't show them any mercy.
The original owner was one of those who were jealous. Because she was deceived by the emperor's affection and turned against him, she was foolish enough not to see reality.
Out of jealousy for the favor shown to the female lead, Bai Wanning, he plotted to frame her, but was ultimately ordered to commit suicide by the emperor himself.
All I can say is that this is yet another classic formulaic novel written by some unknown author.