I was shocked, pointing at my own nose, “I pulled you onto the bed?” Shang nodded honestly. I frantically grabbed my hair, “Was I crazy? Oh my god!” I suddenly felt an urge to go berserk. “I pulled you onto the bed, so you should be a gentleman and not completely devour me! T^T Wuwu…” Shang looked innocent: “But I didn’t do anything!”
I was stunned. Little Shang… so pure… damn, I’m actually thinking about this now! I quickly threw the blanket far away, dressed, and checked the bed for any traces. Shang looked at the blanket I’d thrown on the floor, sweating, and said, “Actually, you don’t need to check. You were the one who undressed last night. I promise I did nothing. Just look – your lower body’s clothes aren’t even off.”
Haha, right, why didn’t I think of that? Huh?! So that means… “You… you know I’m a woman?!” Shang nodded, “I knew long ago, when you were working as a bodyguard. I had people investigate your background. The only daughter of Chancellor Ling.” I was embarrassed. Little Shang is so cunning. “But why didn’t you expose me?”
Shang got out of bed, straightening his clothes. “You wanted to play, so I’ll play along. But I won’t expose you; I just wanted you to reveal yourself naturally.” Resuming his emperor’s demeanor, he approached me, lifting my chin. “Since you’re exposed, the crime of deceiving the emperor is now established!”
My face changed dramatically. Why didn’t I consider such a thing in the palace?! “So… what do you want?” Shang’s smile was more sinister than the King of Hell. “I want you to be my concubine.” I was furious. “You want me to be your concubine just because you say so?! I won’t! Even if you’re a virgin, I won’t!”
I quickly put on my shoes and fled out the door, leaving Shang stunned. It was just a joke, was that necessary? However, he noticed a small booklet on the bed and thought it wouldn’t be right to look without permission, so he placed it on the bookshelf, thinking he’d return it later.
I took some less-traveled shortcuts back to my room, changed into women’s clothing, and dressed as Yan Ling had taught me. I marveled at my reflection—I’m actually a beautiful woman! A true example of beauty and wisdom combined!
My purpose in coming back was simple: pack my bags and leave. I’d earned enough salary, and it was time to go home. I’d been in the palace for over two months. As they say, plan your year in spring, so in this beautiful spring, I’d better escape the imperial palace! If I’m constantly being threatened with charges, there’s no fun in staying. Deceiving the emperor is a serious crime—it could cost me my head!
Thinking about this made me shiver. There wasn’t much to pack anyway; I had only brought some clothes and my precious bag. I neatly folded my work clothes and placed them by the bed, tidying the blankets as well. Since I’m leaving, I shouldn’t cause too much trouble. As for the precious sword Shang gave me, I decided to keep it as a memento or for self-defense. It’s quite valuable, and only a fool would return such a treasure.
I rummaged through my drawers and pulled out the writing materials that hadn’t been used in years. I opened the ink, picked up the brush, and started writing. What I was writing? Just some old farewell lines, but since it was for Xiao Shang, I was especially careful. After finishing, I looked at it and thought, “Not bad at all!” My calligraphy skills from modern times weren’t learned in vain—these characters are no less than those of the ancients!
The letter was written, the luggage was packed, it was time to go. I’d soon be chased by someone. Who knew I’d be so unlucky today, running into that brat Mo Ran right after leaving. He looked at me with wide eyes, mouth agape, “Han… Han?!”
He stared at my women’s clothing, unable to believe I was a woman. He exclaimed, “Oh my God!! I’m not a man anymore!!” I responded, “Huh? What are you talking about?” He kept three meters away, shocked: “You… you’re a woman?!”
I nodded: “Yes!” Mo Ran quickly hid in a corner, drawing circles. Suddenly, he stood up, pointing at me, trembling: “You… you’re a woman?!” I managed to stand up, pretending to be calm. “If I’m a woman, then you’re not a man.”
Recalling this made me laugh, “Ha? You actually believed what I randomly said that night? You’re too funny!” Mo Ran looked at me like a wronged child, “Daddy, you tricked me! So you’re not my dad, but my mom!” I nearly spat blood, “When did I say I was your mom!”
“Furious, I leaped with my lightness kung fu, flying out of the imperial palace, thus beginning my journey of fleeing from justice.
(Someone named Ling: Haha, Little Han Han is naughty, fleeing from justice… Female Lead: Go away! Don’t interrupt my work! Now that I’ve escaped, what will Shang do? And what about Mo Ran? Hehe, all will be revealed in the next chapter!)
[Volume One – Encounter: Chapter Eleven – Familiar Stranger.]
I’ll say my lightness kung fu was no joke, bouncing and jumping to Qingyang Town in Zhen Ming Kingdom. The first time I heard the town’s name, I almost died laughing. Qingyang? A shampoo brand – modern people would hear it and think, “Oh, Qingyang Shampoo is this town’s specialty?” But Qingyang Town, though small, has everything to eat, play with, and use! After all, it’s a small town bordering Ning Yue Kingdom, so of course it’s prosperous!
Though I love money and earning more than spending, if it’s money I’ve earned for myself, I’m quite generous. After an afternoon, my precious luggage was considerably lighter. Thinking back, I can’t even remember what I spent so much silver on. Seeing the silver slip away so quickly was truly painful! Who knew the hotel accommodation in Qingyang Town was so expensive!
So, after careful consideration, I decided, “I’ll sleep outdoors tonight!”
“Sleeping on the street would be embarrassing, so I’ll find a forest and sleep under the largest tree!” Thus, I chose the biggest tree in a forest outside the town, sat down, hugged my luggage and precious belongings, and fell asleep.
When I woke the next day, I found myself lying on a soft bed, with a young hero sleeping beside me. Why call him a hero? Because he was wearing a mask! Only… who is he? “Wow!!!!!!” I screamed. If you fell asleep under a tree and a strange man randomly picked you up, and you woke up in an inn, what would you do?! Even though I knew he hadn’t done anything to me.
The stranger was awakened by my noise, saw that I was awake, and said, “Good morning, miss!” I yelled at him, “Good what morning?!” The stranger scratched his head, “Oh, it’s already so late. Good afternoon, miss.” I was furious, “Why do you still have this bad habit of picking up strangers?!”
The stranger propped his chin and looked at me, saying, “Miss, how can you say that? I saw you unconscious under the tree and kindly rescued you to the inn.” I shot back: “I was sleeping! Not unconscious! How can you not distinguish between sleeping and fainting? I chose to sleep outdoors of my own will! Mind your own business!” The stranger laughed awkwardly, “Sorry, I didn’t know you were resting.”
I snorted coldly, hands on my hips, turning away, “If a simple apology could solve everything, what would we need constables for?” The stranger was speechless. I raged, “I say it does! You disagree?!” He quickly smiled apologetically, “Agree, absolutely agree. It’s getting late. Shall we go down for breakfast?”
Although a mask covered his upper face, I could tell he was probably good-looking from his exquisite mouth. But why did his smile feel so familiar? Just as I was lost in thought, he waved his hand in front of me, “Miss?”
I turned back, glaring at him, “Stop with the ‘miss’ – it doesn’t sound nice! I have a name! I’m Ling Xiaohang, and you?” He tilted his head and thought before saying, “I’m called Wind.” I asked, “What’s your surname?” He looked troubled, “It’s not convenient to reveal.”
