1 Section 1: Survival Guide for the Villainous Female Side Character - Part 1

"The ceremony is complete - send her to the bridal chamber." A strange and sharp voice pierced my eardrums. I frowned subconsciously and reluctantly opened my eyes to a sea of red.

I instinctively wanted to lift my hand to pull away the red that blocked my sight, but I found that my body was unable to move.

Voices continued to echo in my ears:

"Congratulations to Prince Jin for acquiring such a noble lady…"

"Miss Hua and Prince Jin are truly a match made in heaven…"

…

It wasn't until my buttocks touched the bed and the noise around me gradually quieted down that I realized I finally had control over my body.

I couldn't wait to pull down the red veil, and finally, my eyes saw some other colors.

Looking down at the red veil in my hand: a bridal veil?

Then at my clothes: a phoenix crown and a wedding dress?

Looking up: an antique room with flickering candlelight.

I stiffly turned my neck and saw a beautiful maid, who looked about sixteen or seventeen.

She looked panicked, snatched the veil from my hand, and covered me again, "Miss, on your wedding night, this veil is to be lifted by the prince. How could you pull it down yourself? It's so unlucky!"

After my sight was once again occupied by red, I was stunned for a moment. Combining the noise I just heard, my brain slowly reacted.

Recalling the compliments I heard along the way: Prince Jin, Miss Hua…

Listening to them was quite familiar. The maid's voice echoed in my ears again, confirming my guess, "Miss, now that you have married into Prince Jin's mansion, it's not as free as in the Hua Mansion. The lady repeatedly reminded me…"

Prince Jin, Hua Mansion…

I tentatively opened my mouth, "Qian Zhi?"

"I am here."

After the response, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to suppress the urge to vomit.

Because the name I just called out… is the name of a maid in the novel I stayed up all night to read. So now I… have traveled through time?

Just because I stayed up all night to read a novel and couldn't help but doze off at work, I woke up and got married?

And the groom is the male lead in the novel I stayed up all night to read - Zhongye Lan.

As a 23-year-old woman who just graduated from university, it's the age when I should be showing my talents in society. How come I traveled through a book after a nap?

Suppressing my chaotic emotions, I pulled down the veil again. Ignoring Qian Zhi's resistance, I awkwardly said, "Qian Zhi, you… go and prepare some hot water for me. I'm… tired."

"But what about the prince…"

"He won't come." I interrupted Qian Zhi's words and walked straight to the mirror to start removing the phoenix crown.

Because the original owner of this body I traveled into is not the female lead in the novel… but the most disliked white lotus female second lead.

As the most disliked vicious female second lead in the novel - Hua Qian, she is as cunning and ruthless as all the vicious female second leads in romance novels. Today's wedding ceremony in the original novel is also her plot. She first drugged the male lead and pretended to lose her virginity to him, then pretended to commit suicide for her innocence and finally got her wish to marry into Prince Jin's mansion. It's the usual routine of all white lotus flowers.

Fortunately, although the male lead married her in the novel, he never touched her. Maybe the author has a psychological cleanliness, which also made me breathe a sigh of relief.

The maid Qian Zhi behind me hesitated for a long time but finally silently retreated and did as I ordered.

In the mirror of the dressing table left to me alone, there was indeed a strange face. The person in the mirror has picturesque eyebrows and eyes, showing a soft and weak posture, which is indeed the appearance that men like and women hate.

Walking like a willow, heart like a snake and scorpion.

These eight words are my comments on the female second lead after reading the novel. Her father is the current prime minister, and the Hua family is also a noble family. She was born soft and innocent, and she is proficient in all kinds of piano, chess, calligraphy and painting. But she played a good hand very badly.

The original Hua Qian and the male lead, Zhongye Lan, have known each other since they were young. It was due to a misunderstanding that he fell for her. The real female lead is named Mu Yao, whose father is the governor of a border town. Because of his outstanding political achievements, he was transferred to the capital to take up a post, which also started this triangular love tragedy.

Sitting in the steaming bathtub, my heart that had been hanging in the air did not relax at all.

On the one hand, I was shocked by the fact that I had traveled through the book for no reason. On the other hand, I was scared… The ending of the second female lead in the novel was very tragic. Because of her viciousness, the author arranged a tragic ending for her that was satisfying to the readers - she first fell into a brothel, and then died from a thousand arrows piercing her heart.

It felt great when I was reading it, but when it happened to me, it hurt just to think about it.

I blame the timing of my arrival here. Today's wedding can be considered a turning point in the novel. Because ten days after the wedding is the day when the female lead's family is beheaded. The charge is "treason", which was fabricated by the second female lead's father, Prime Minister Hua.

Before this, the female lead was not arrested thanks to the protection of her family. She wanted to seek help from the male lead but bumped into the wedding of Zhongye Lan and Hua Qian, who had always falsely claimed to be her good sister. In despair, she revealed her whereabouts and was hidden by the male lead when he noticed. After that, the female lead watched helplessly as her relatives were beheaded at the Meridian Gate. She began to swallow her anger and hide in Prince Jin's mansion, on the one hand deeply in love with the male lead, and on the other hand investigating the truth.

According to the plot development in the novel, what follows is the female lead Mu Yao awakening and starting to hit rock bottom and rebound. Under the protection of the female lead's halo, she not only found out the evidence of Hua's crimes, but also opened up with the male lead. In the end, with the help of the male lead, she presented her case to the emperor, resulting in the same fate for the evil Hua family, with the men being beheaded and the women becoming slaves.

I was so engrossed in my memories that I didn't notice the water in the bathtub had cooled down. It was the voice of Qian Zhi behind the screen that interrupted my self-pity.

"Miss… the prince… drank too much in the front hall. He was afraid of disturbing you, so he sent a message saying he would rest in the study tonight."

As expected, just like in the novel, the male lead should have found the female lead's whereabouts at this time, and the two are performing a tragic love drama.

I scooped up a handful of half-cool water and splashed it on my face, which made my chaotic mind a little better. So I got up and started to change clothes. I need to clear my thoughts, so I'll ignore them for now.

Although I don't know why I came here, the situation I need to deal with at present is not optimistic. Instead of thinking about some useless complaints, it's better to accept it quickly and seek a new way out. After all, I'm not the original Hua Qian, I can't just sit and wait for death.

So the first problem now is the female lead Mu Yao. The original Hua Qian did so many bad things, and Mu Yao just saw her true face. Even if I kneel in front of Mu Yao now and commit suicide in remorse, she may not forgive me, so I can only take a different path and plan slowly.

The second problem is the male lead Zhongye Lan. The reason he likes Hua Qian now is because he mistakenly thought that the girl he met when he was a child was her. Now only the person involved, Mu Yao, knows about this… and I do. This matter is like a time bomb, it must be told to Zhongye Lan from my mouth, because if it is said from Mu Yao's mouth, I'm afraid I'll be even more dead.

But in the novel, it took more than two hundred chapters of abuse for Mu Yao to tell him about this. Now I still have about a hundred chapters to change the plot, at least to change Zhongye Lan's view, it's best to make him feel indebted to me. In the future when I tell him about this, it can offset each other, otherwise if I run over to say it now, I'm afraid the violent male lead will directly take a knife and chop me.

The future is uncertain, I will go with the flow, I want… to live, this is my only thought after I traveled here.

After a restless night, it felt like I had only slept for a moment when Qian Zhi's voice rang out from behind the curtain.

"Your Highness, it's not early, you should get up, we need to go to the palace today."

This title was quite uncomfortable, and seeing Qian Zhi's beaming face, I felt very oppressed.

I had been worrying too much last night, and had only managed to sleep for two or three hours. Now my head was throbbing with pain.

I suppressed my discomfort and let Qian Zhi dress me.

But when I saw a wardrobe full of white gowns, I couldn't help but frown and ask, "Why are they all white?"

Qian Zhi looked at me in surprise and said, "Miss, don't you always like white?"

This white lotus really fits her character.

Just as I was about to ask Qian Zhi to order some clothes in other colors in the future, I suddenly heard a voice coming from outside the door, "The servant has seen the prince."

I turned around and saw a tall figure standing against the light. The morning sun shone through his silhouette and fell on the ground. I squinted my eyes and finally saw his face clearly.

This was my first meeting with my nominal… husband.

A cold face like thin ice gradually walked from the sunlight to my eyes. This face, against the sunlight, looked somewhat pale. When he stood in front of you and looked down at you, his gaze seemed to be like an ice blade that could pierce your heart.

He was indeed handsome.

Thinking back to the setting of the male lead, his temperament is the same as all romance novels, brutal and cold-blooded, but only tender to the one he loves. At first, because of a misunderstanding, he thought the second female lead was the one he loved, so he protected her. But after he found out who he truly loved and saw the true face of the second female lead, he regretted it and no longer cared about the second female lead, letting her live or die.

I saw Zhongye Lan in front of me take a step forward, and in a few steps, he was by my side. He said, "I drank a few more cups last night because I was having fun. I was afraid of disturbing you, so I slept in the study. Would Ah Qian blame me?"

Looking at his slightly evasive gaze, I recalled that Mu Yao should be hidden somewhere in this Jin Prince's Mansion. He has already fallen for the female lead, but he doesn't know it himself. It's really true that the one involved is confused.

There were countless thoughts flashing through my mind, but I didn't show any of them on my face. I performed a ritual that I had learned from Qian Zhi yesterday and said, "Your concubine dares not."

The more you say, the more mistakes you make. Before I figure out the situation, it's better to be cautious.

But as soon as the ritual was half done, a pair of large palms pulled me up. Zhongye Lan's palm was like a branding iron burning on my wrist.

At this moment, the affection in his eyes was sincere. Before he knew Hua Qian's true face, Zhongye Lan in the novel did truly care for her.

"There's no need for these titles between us, just call me as you used to."

Suppressing the urge to pull my wrist out of his hand, I looked up at him and smiled, just like the deliberately disguised gentle and pure Hua Qian.

Time was tight, and there was no time for breakfast, so I got into the carriage to the palace with Zhongye Lan.

All the way, Zhongye Lan's eyes were unfocused, probably thinking about how to arrange for Mu Yao.

Two people in a carriage, who are supposed to be the closest, but there is no intimacy at all. Zhongye Lan hasn't noticed yet, and I'm watching like a creator. Is it possible that the second female lead in the novel also noticed that Zhongye Lan had no intention for her, so she kept making mistakes?

I couldn't help shaking my head. I don't even have time to save my life now, let alone think about this?

The carriage suddenly stopped, we had arrived at the palace.

Zhongye Lan went out first, and I followed him, only to see him extend his hand towards me with a slight smile.

This beauty is indeed dangerous, this smile made me lose my footing and I almost fell.

Fortunately, Zhongye Lan was quick to react and stepped forward to steady my falling body, leaving me feeling embarrassed.

After all, I am twenty-three years old, how did I end up in the body of a seventeen-year-old girl, and even my skin has become thinner? I look like I've never seen the world before.

I silently followed Zhongye Lan all the way to the palace, and from a distance, I saw a bright yellow figure sitting on the throne, and he came over before we got close.

"Finally, my royal brother has arrived. Yesterday, I wanted to go to Prince Jin's mansion to congratulate you, but my mother persuaded me that she was afraid of disturbing you, so I gave up."

Hearing the voice, I slightly raised my eyes and saw a face that was five points similar to Zhongye Lan's. However, Zhongye Lan's face was aggressive like an ice blade, while this emperor was like a beautiful jade, with a soft and transparent gentleness.

This should be the second male lead in the novel, the current emperor - Zhongxi Wu, he is Zhongye Lan's imperial brother, in the future, he fell in love with Mu Yao at first sight, and even wanted to go against public opinion and make her the empress, thus starting a bloody brotherly feud.

I find that many authors have this kind of bad taste, it seems they all like to see brothers turn against each other for one person.

Speaking of which, there is also a third male lead in the text, Wu Shuomo, who is the prince of another country. In the beginning of the original novel, he almost got caught when he sneaked into the imperial city at night, and because Mu Yao unintentionally helped him, he was able to escape, so he also fell into this Mary Sue dispute.

Thinking about it this way, Mu Yao is indeed surrounded by the female lead's halo, and all three outstanding young men are smitten with her. And I am a clear contrast, thinking back, it seems that there is not even one person who truly cares for Hua Qian in the novel.

I suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable, this author is too biased, no wonder the second female lead is so vicious, the conditions are clearly so good but everyone only loves the female lead, after a long time, it's no wonder that she will become psychologically twisted.

Suddenly I heard someone gently touch me from behind, I turned my head and saw Qian Zhi's anxious face, I realized that Zhongye Lan and the others had already walked a few steps away, and I was still standing in place like a wooden post. It turns out that after they had finished their greetings, they went to the Empress Dowager's palace together, and I was forgotten in place because I was lost in thought, the two people who were talking and laughing in front did not notice that there was one less person beside them.

I quickly walked a few steps to catch up, Zhongye Lan probably thought I would follow him on my own, so he didn't remind me, and this Emperor Zhongxi Wu… didn't look at me from beginning to end, it seemed like he was deliberately ignoring me.

I entered the Empress Dowager's sleeping quarters and saw two people in splendid clothes sitting above. The one with wrinkles and half-white hair should be the Empress Dowager, and the other… should be the noble concubine who is favored in the six palaces in the novel, the emperor has not established a queen, so she is now the dominant one in the harem.

"Your son/Your concubine has seen the Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager smiled with a full face of kindness, looking very much like a good-tempered old woman. But I dare not take it lightly, after all, she is the woman who won the last round of palace fights.

Moreover, in the novel, she does not like Hua Qian, because as a woman in the harem, she always hates the trick of winning people's hearts with weakness.

Sure enough, after a few words, the Empress Dowager turned her gaze to me, changing her previous amiability: "Now that you have married into Prince Jin's mansion as you wished, you should settle down and be a good wife of Prince Jin in the future, and don't do anything that is not in line with your status."

The Empress Dowager and the Emperor must know the truth about Hua Qian's marriage, so they are not happy, so it is only Zhongye Lan in the world who can be tricked by Hua Qian, and everyone else is very clear.

It is indeed a routine used in abusive texts, at the beginning the male lead always believes in the second female lead.

After a night of contemplation, I have accepted this reality. It's too difficult to change my fate against the heavens, but it should be relatively easier to survive by changing someone's perception of me.

If it were the usual Hua Qian, she would definitely look at Zhongye Lan with grievance for help. So, the Empress Dowager's harsh words are probably intended to provoke me. If I show grievance, she can take the opportunity to reprimand me more.

"Empress Dowager, your teachings are engraved in my heart."

I looked directly at the Empress Dowager, trying hard to imagine her as a boss who was about to give me a raise, with a devout look in my eyes.

The Empress Dowager didn't expect me to respond in such a neither humble nor arrogant manner. Her gaze flickered, and she stubbornly said, "Remembering is useless, you have to put it into practice."

I couldn't help but like this old lady. Her cute appearance of hating evil made me almost laugh. My soft spot is indeed strange.

"In the future, I will definitely match my words with actions and practice self-discipline."

I said these grandiose words without blushing. The Empress Dowager's face eased slightly, and even the emperor next to her couldn't help but glance at me.

The first step in the survival strategy of the vicious second female lead: Change the image.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the emperor and Zhongye Lan left to discuss state affairs. Considering that Zhongye Lan was raised by the queen from a young age, he naturally had a good relationship with Zhongxi Wu. At this time, Zhongxi Wu had not yet met the female lead, and the two had not turned against each other.

I listened to the Empress Dowager and Concubine Qi chatting with a fake smile. The Empress Dowager had always held a grudge against me in her heart, so she deliberately left me out. Concubine Qi also didn't dare to defy her and talk to me.

A group of people chatted as if I wasn't there. I didn't feel embarrassed at all. After all, every time I went out to eat with my bosses at the company, I tried my best to lower my presence. So, being a silent bystander like this, I was very proficient.

But I didn't sleep well last night, and my head was still throbbing with pain. I silently raised my hand to rub my temples, and then I heard the Empress Dowager's voice: "Is the Princess of Jin dissatisfied with what I said?"

My hand paused, and I met the Empress Dowager's slightly cold gaze.

I… just rubbed my head because I was distracted, what did they say?

Fortunately, before I could answer, the Empress Dowager spoke again: "You tell me, for a woman, what is important?"

My mind was spinning rapidly, and after thinking about the Empress Dowager's temperament in the novel, I hesitated for a moment and said: "In response to the Empress Dowager, the ancients said that a woman has four virtues: virtue, appearance, speech, and work."

"You also know that virtue is the first priority. In the future, you should cultivate yourself and manage your family well, and be a good helpmate for Lan'er." The Empress Dowager saw that my answer was standard and gave me a light reprimand.

As expected, she didn't like me and didn't miss any opportunity to preach. I had to atone for the mischief done by the second female lead.

"I will definitely remember." I bowed my head and made a respectful gesture.

Seeing the atmosphere was not good, Concubine Qi tactfully changed the topic and mentioned the new goldfish in the imperial garden pond.

The Empress Dowager was interested in the goldfish, so a group of people went out to watch the fish in a grand manner, and I obediently followed.

Looking at a group of people commenting on the fish in the pond, I felt a strange feeling in my heart. The women in the harem really lived a boring life. They were so happy just to see a few goldfish.

Some concubines wanted to please the Empress Dowager and kept crowding around her. I naturally stood in the corner.

Unintentionally, I felt as if the Empress Dowager had glanced at me. I looked over but didn't catch her gaze, so I thought I was just being paranoid.

Looking at the group of people by the pond, I suddenly thought of many novel plots about saving people in the water. Speaking of which, I also took a few swimming lessons in the modern world.

If the Empress Dowager accidentally fell into the water, and I could save her with my mediocre swimming skills, she would definitely change her previous impression of me. Maybe she could even become my backer, so that Zhongye Lan, who knew the truth in the future, would not dare to move me easily.

But this is just me thinking for fun. The Empress Dowager is not stupid, how could she jump into the water herself? Besides, I'm afraid no one dares to push her into the water.

I was amused by my wild imagination and wanted to laugh, but before I could laugh, a force suddenly came from behind me, and my smile froze on my face.

"Splash."

People should indeed be kind-hearted. If you have crooked thoughts, you will suffer the consequences, just like me now, I was punished just for thinking about it.

"Oh my God, the Princess of Jin has fallen into the water, someone come quickly."

Concubine Qi's cry of surprise came to an abrupt end.

Because she saw me swimming back to the shore on my own with a frog swimming posture, and then climbed up to the shore with the help of a maid.

The place where I fell was very close to the shore, so everything happened very quickly, so quickly that even the Empress Dowager was stunned.

"When did you learn this kind of…" The Empress Dowager struggled to speak, seemingly trying to find the right words to describe my swimming posture. It's early autumn now, and although the weather is not cold, I'm still shivering because I'm all wet.

Seeing my embarrassed look, the Empress Dowager stopped her questioning and ordered the maids to take me to change my clothes.

Although she dislikes me, she only reprimands me verbally and doesn't deliberately leave me to suffer. From this, it seems that this old lady doesn't have those petty tricks, and I also silently planned my future route of flattery.

I followed two palace ladies to a palace, and they quickly prepared hot water. I soaked casually, drove away the cold, and quickly got up to change clothes, after all, the Empress Dowager was still waiting.

Just as I put on my outer robe and sat in front of the mirror to dry my hair, I suddenly saw a woman standing silently behind me in the mirror.

How can this maid be so rude? I turned my head and saw her obviously different from the palace maids' gorgeous dress, I was stunned for a moment, and then reacted, looking at her indifferently.

The two of us were strangely silent for a long time. It's not that I deliberately acted mysterious, but I really didn't know who she was. What if I said something wrong?

Finally, the beautiful woman in the gorgeous dress spoke first: "Little sister Qian, you finally got what you wished for and became the Princess of Jin. As your sister, I am truly happy for you."

Sister?

I reacted very quickly. In the novel, Hua Qian is the only daughter of the Hua family, so Hua Xiang could only pick a girl from the Hua family's side branch to send to the palace, so I should call her my cousin.

But this cousin… is an important character in the novel that led to the extermination of the Hua family. She first used the power and help of Hua Xiang to climb higher and higher in the harem. Later, when she saw that Hua Xiang was weak, she stabbed him in the back and showed goodwill to the female lead, Mu Yao.

Of course, she didn't end well in the novel. This kind of wallflower, who goes high and low, is just a cannon fodder.

"Hua Meiren, standing silently behind people like this is really scary." I put down the cloth in my hand that was drying my hair and said.

Seeing my casual attitude, Hua Meiren's eyes flashed with a bit of disdain, but she still said with a smile:

"Little sister Qian, why are you so estranged now? Back then, the two of us had a very good relationship."

Although the Hua family deserved their punishment, and her betrayal could be considered as eliminating harm for the people, but she, this wallflower, only turned against the water for her own benefit, I still couldn't stand it. So I didn't answer, turned around, picked up the comb, and started to tidy up my hair.

From the mirror, I saw that her face clearly couldn't hang on when she was ignored, and I said: "Hua Meiren, since you have entered the palace, in the future, don't call me sister, I can't afford this… sister, so as not to make people laugh."

Only the women in the harem call each other sisters.

Although Hua Meiren's eyes changed several times, she still didn't lash out at me. After all, her own father is useless, just a small seventh-rank official, she relies entirely on the power of Hua Xiang to climb higher and higher in the harem.

"It was my mistake. I haven't seen the Princess of Jin for a long time. It was not easy to arrange to see you. I misspoke in a moment of intimacy." She replied in a flexible manner.

I felt a jolt in my heart, my hand holding the comb tightened, and I turned my head to ask her: "Arrange?"

Hua Meiren's face flashed unnaturally, but she still replied to me: "There are too many people around the Princess of Jin, and the Empress Dowager is also thinking about you. I wanted to talk to you about some personal matters, so I had to resort to this."

"Was it you who arranged for someone… to push me into the water?"

"There were experienced maids by the shore, they wouldn't let the Princess of Jin get hurt." Hua Meiren explained in a hurry, "There are too many spies in the harem, only in this way can we avoid suspicion."

My mind was spinning fast, and I felt colder and colder in my heart, even colder than when I fell into the water.

She is just a beauty, how could she dominate the harem alone? I remembered that the Empress Dowager seemed to glance at me vaguely before, could it be that she thought I was deliberately standing on the periphery to cooperate with Hua Meiren's actions?

I felt a surge of anger in my heart.

In the novel, the focus is on the plot of the male and female leads. As for the second female lead, Hua Qian, and the cannon fodder, Hua Meiren, they only briefly mentioned their collusion and the exchange of information, without detailing how they colluded.

Now that I have crossed over, it should be a supplement to the story outside the novel's scenario.

With a hundred thoughts in my mind, I immediately prepared to cut off any contact with Hua Meiren. The first reason is to cut off Hua Xiang's evil deeds in the harem, and the second is to deal with Hua Meiren, who has a narrow vision - a fence-sitter.

"Hua Meiren, your thoughts are too heavy. If there's something, you can talk to me directly. Why do you have to be so secretive?" I said coldly.

Hua Meiren was taken aback and said softly, "There are too many things in the harem, and some things still need to be reported to Hua Xiang…"

"Ridiculous!" I scolded her with all my might, "Has Hua Meiren lost her mind? Why does my father need to know about your affairs in the harem?"

Seeing my righteous words, Hua Meiren was stunned by me. Suddenly she smiled, walked a few steps closer with a bit of complacency, and said, "I have arranged everything here, no one will notice, Princess Jin can rest assured."

…How did she survive in the harem with such intelligence? It seems that in the novel, she lived until the Hua family fell, it should be all because the emperor deliberately indulged her, using her to lure out the Hua family, otherwise how could she live so long?

"Hua Meiren, I don't understand what you're saying. What words need to be so secretive?" I pretended to be confused, and with Hua Qian's good looks, I looked innocent.

Hua Meiren was irritated by my repeated playing dumb, and she said sarcastically, "Princess Jin is really forgetful. Wasn't it because you were infatuated with Prince Jin that Hua Xiang sent me into the palace and cultivated me so that I could assist him in the harem?"

Hearing this, I responded with three parts surprise and seven parts disbelief, "Hua Meiren, are you confused? You were the one who wanted to enter the palace. My uncle's official position was too low to help. My father helped you out of brotherly love. How did it become my father climbing up to power in your words?"

Hua Meiren was stunned by my "exquisite" acting skills, as if she had never seen me before. I tried to make an even more heartbroken look, and before she could reply, I said, "Considering that you are my cousin, I won't tell anyone about this incident of falling into the water, and I won't pursue it. I just hope that Hua Meiren won't play such tricks in the future and hurt our past feelings."

Who can't push the blame away? It's good to cut off any contact with her at this opportunity. The Hua family is guilty, Hua Xiang is indeed a bad person, but she can't be allowed to add fuel to the fire.

"Is Princess Jin possessed today? If it weren't for your infatuation with Prince Jin, how could Hua Xiang send me into the palace to pave the way for him?" Hua Meiren, who was repeatedly rebutted by me, finally lost her temper and spoke out.

I covered my heart and made a painful look, bringing Hua Qian's weak white lotus image to the extreme, "Hua Meiren, your words really hurt. I am indeed only devoted to Prince Jin, but if my father really wanted to arrange someone in the harem, there are so many beautiful women in the Hua family, why would my father choose you? You once said that you were deeply in love with the emperor, and my father helped you out of consideration for his brotherly love. It's a pity that my father's kindness was misunderstood."

Hua Meiren's face turned red with anger because I not only twisted the facts, but also called her ugly.

Before she could refute, I spoke again very seriously, "In the future, I will advise my father not to make exceptions again and again because of brotherly love. Since Hua Meiren is still infatuated with the emperor, don't put your thoughts elsewhere. The principle of being faithful to the end doesn't need me to teach, right?"

After finishing speaking, I went out to find a maid to comb my hair with my hair loose. I walked very fast, not giving her time to react.

Just as I walked out the door, I vaguely saw a bright yellow shadow flashing around the corner. I was about to go over and check when I heard a maid calling me. After all, I just showed such righteousness, I'm not worried about eavesdroppers, so I pretended not to know and followed the maid to tidy up my appearance.

After combing my hair, I followed the maid back to the Empress Dowager's palace. As soon as I stepped over the threshold, a tall figure rushed in front of me, and at the same time, a pair of big hands gripped my shoulders.

"Are you okay?"

Seeing Zhong Yelan scanning me from head to toe with concerned eyes, I silently chanted in my heart:

This is the heroine's man… This is the heroine's man…

After brainwashing myself, I pretended to shyly lower my head, hiding my eyes that had no feelings: "The prince need not worry, I am fine."

The words came out of my mouth before I realized something was wrong. The word "I" was too smooth, I should call myself "concubine".

However, no one pointed out my improper title, and the strict Empress Dowager actually started with a smile: "If it weren't for me stopping him just now, I'm afraid Lan'er would have run to the side hall to find his princess. He really doesn't trust me."

Zhong Yelan didn't bother to be polite, and complained half-heartedly: "A good person was handed over to the Empress Dowager and something happened in less than half a day. How can I rest assured?"

"You really are heartless, forgetting your mother after getting a wife." The Empress Dowager pretended to be angry, but there was no anger in her eyes.

Her gaze softened when she looked at me, indeed… I bet right.

"What's so lively? What did I miss?"

Zhong Xiwu opened the curtain and walked in, and everyone quickly knelt to salute. He didn't have the slightest imperial air, and he smiled and waved to sit next to the Empress Dowager.

"Your royal brother is married, and he only has his wife in his eyes, and he starts to teach me, an old woman."

The Empress Dowager opened her mouth to Zhong Xiwu with a smile.

Zhong Xiwu looked at me, his gaze stopped for a moment before he took it back, and I followed Zhong Yelan into the seat with my eyes on my nose and my heart.

After the Empress Dowager laughed for a while, she waved at me: "Qian girl, come here."

The atmosphere in the room paused, many people, including Zhong Yelan, looked surprised, curious about why the Empress Dowager suddenly became so close to me.

I walked over honestly.

When I got closer, the Empress Dowager suddenly pulled up my hand, took off a white jade bracelet from her wrist, put it on my wrist and said: "This was rewarded to me by the late emperor, now I give it to you."

I was shocked and hurriedly declined: "How dare I…"

But before I could pull my hand out, I was tightly held by the Empress Dowager, and she said again: "I know you are a sensible child, knowing what to do… Since I have given it to you, you just accept it."

Looking up at the Empress Dowager's meaningful eyes, my heart jumped. Her hand full of fine lines patted my back, as if it was patted on my heart, feeling particularly heavy.

This is a favor, and… a warning, sure enough, the drowning incident just now is not simple.

"The Empress Dowager's kindness, the Princess of Jin should accept it." Zhong Xiwu also spoke from the side.

I had to bow my head and agree, clearly feeling the different gazes coming over, making my back sweat thinly.

After a nervous lunch, I left the palace, and the Empress Dowager didn't say anything more.

In the carriage.

Zhong Yelan suddenly said: "Ah Qian seems to be quite favored by the Empress Dowager today, I have never seen the Empress Dowager so close to you."

I was stunned, the meaning of this sentence is, he has always known that the Empress Dowager does not like me, so today the Empress Dowager is good to me, he noticed.

I originally thought that he didn't say anything when he saw me being taught by the Empress Dowager, just because he didn't know the Empress Dowager's hostility towards me, but he knew it all along.

In an instant, the gap is apparent. Indeed, as the second female lead, in order to satisfy the audience's hatred for evil, I have to shoulder everything myself.

Although Zhong Yelan professes his love for Hua Qian, the details reveal something amiss.

Now, I feel more and more that Hua Qian's villainization is complete, perhaps due to Zhong Yelan's attitude.

Facing his probing gaze squarely, I suppress my goosebumps and speak softly, "It's because of the prince that the Empress Dowager loves everyone in the house."

Perhaps Zhong Yelan realized his slip of the tongue, he didn't ask further, but smiled and held my hand in comfort, "It's not because of me, Ah Qian is so good, anyone who understands should know."

My hand stiffened, I tried to control it, didn't shake off his hand, and showed a standard smile of a white lotus.

The second step of the survival guide for the vicious second female lead: Endure what ordinary people can't endure.

Returning to the Prince's residence, Zhong Yelan promptly retreated to his study to attend to official matters, while I retreated to my bedroom for rest. After all, spending an entire day on edge in the palace was truly exhausting.

However, it seemed some individuals were not content with my peaceful repose.

"Lady, it's already late, and the Prince hasn't come to visit. I've prepared some nourishing soup for you. Why don't you take it to the Prince?"

The speaker was Li Maomao, my maid who had accompanied me as a bride. She was deeply loyal to Madam Hua, my mother.

While her intention might have been to offer the soup, her underlying motive was undoubtedly to encourage me to court the Prince's favor. I felt annoyed and retorted, "The Prince has official matters to attend to. I shouldn't disturb him."

Upon hearing my words, Li Maomao's face immediately clouded with disappointment. She persisted, "Lady, how can you not understand? On the wedding night, the Prince didn't return to our room. If he continues to sleep elsewhere, others will mock you. You were adept at captivating men's hearts in the Hua mansion. Why have you lost your cunning now? You should know..."

"I'll do it, I'll do it!" Interrupting Li Maomao's relentless lecture, I reluctantly acquiesced.

Li Maomao nodded approvingly and watched me leave with an encouraging expression.

Dragging my weary body, I arrived at the study with Qianzhi. Upon entering, I saw Zhong Yelan holding a brush and engrossed in writing. Upon seeing me, he put down the brush and inquired, "Why are you here, Ah Qian?"

Gesturing for Qianzhi to present the soup, I replied, "I heard that the Prince is busy with official duties. I've ordered the servants to prepare some nourishing soup. Please don't overexert yourself, Prince."

After a moment of silence, Zhong Yelan responded, "Thank you for your kindness. The Emperor has assigned me another task today. I fear I'll be quite busy for the next few days..."

His words were a tactful way of informing me that he wouldn't have time for me. This was welcome news to me. I promptly replied with understanding, "It's quite alright, Prince. You should focus on your work. I'll take my leave now."

Qianzhi, standing beside me, mirrored Li Maomao's disappointed expression. Zhong Yelan also seemed surprised by my abrupt departure. He hesitated and said, "I... I wasn't trying to rush you away."

"I've already delivered the soup, so I'll take my leave now. Take care of yourself, Prince," I hastily said before exiting the study.

Now that my mission was complete, I could finally return to my room for rest.

"Lady..."

"Please, don't speak," I interrupted Qianzhi before she could utter another word. I had no desire to hear any more lectures.

After returning to my room and finishing my bath, Qianzhi approached me with a red gift list. "Lady, please take a look. This is the gift list for the return visit to your parents' home."

My hand paused mid-stroke while brushing my hair. That's right, there was the ancient custom of "returning to one's parents' home after three days of marriage." This meant that I would soon encounter the biggest villain in the novel, Hua Qian's father, the current Prime Minister Hua.

As a villain, his fate was sealed with a bad ending, and it was unlikely that I could turn him back to the path of righteousness. Therefore, I would have to devise a way to minimize the number of crimes and dirty dealings he was involved in, so that when he fell from power in the future, the crimes he committed wouldn't implicate the entire family. After all, I was now also a member of the Hua family, and our fates were intertwined.

The third day after our wedding was the day of returning to my parents' home. Early in the morning, I was once again roused from bed by Qianzhi. These ancient people are really diligent, aren't they? It's not even daylight yet.

After half an hour of getting ready, Zhong Yelan appeared. After breakfast, we boarded the carriage together and set out.

However, halfway through our journey, a guard suddenly knocked on the carriage and whispered something in Zhong Yelan's ear.

Seeing the unmistakable loss of focus in Zhong Yelan's eyes, I immediately understood. As described in the novel, at this moment, Mu Yao had escaped from the Jin Wangfu while Zhong Yelan was accompanying Hua Qian to her parents' home. She had narrowly escaped being captured by the soldiers, fortunately arriving just in time for Zhong Yelan to rescue her.

With this thought in mind, I spoke up, "Prince, if you have matters to attend to, please go ahead and take care of them. I'll return to my parents' home and wait for you there."

"But how can I do that?" he said, though his eyes betrayed his hesitation.

Sighing inwardly, I maintained a casual expression on my face and said, "I've already said it, Prince. You should just agree."

After weighing the situation, Zhong Yelan apologized to me and left. Qianzhi, who was standing outside the carriage, was so angry at my actions that her face turned green.

As Hua Qian's personal maid, Qianzhi was naturally mean and vindictive in the novel, but she was still loyal to me, so she wasn't entirely hopeless.

The carriage suddenly came to a halt, causing me to stumble and almost fall out. As soon as I sat back down, I heard Qianzhi, whom I had just praised in my heart, scolding angrily, "Who is this beggar who dares to block the carriage of the Jin Wangfu? Doesn't he want to live?"

...Truly a villainous behavior.

I heard a pleading middle-aged man's voice from outside the carriage, "This beggar stole my silver and ran in panic, accidentally colliding with your noble carriage. I'll take him away now."

Subsequently, there was a flurry of punches and kicks, along with muffled groans.

Qianzhi's voice rang out again, presumably angered by Zhong Yelan's departure, so her words were increasingly unfriendly, "Take him far away to beat him. Don't let your filth contaminate our carriage."

The pleading voice came from outside, but there was no sound of the beaten man begging for mercy.

I sighed. Qianzhi was still young and had picked up bad habits from her previous mistress, Hua Qian. She reminded me of the arrogant and bullying characters on TV. But given her loyalty, I was willing to try to correct her mindset.

"Qianzhi, who gave you permission to call others 'beggar' like that?"

I parted the carriage curtains and stepped out. If I just left now, wouldn't it confirm my arrogant and bullying image?

Qianzhi was startled and quickly came over to say, "Why did the Lady come out? I can handle this matter. Don't let these lowly people taint your eyes, Lady."

"If I hear you addressing others like that again, you'll be fined a month's salary," I said coldly.

Qianzhi looked aggrieved but didn't say anything more. I bypassed her and walked over to the group of people.

I saw a child crouched on the ground, about ten years old, filthy and half-naked, so skinny that he reminded me of the African refugees I had seen in pictures. Standing next to him were two men who looked like henchmen, and a middle-aged man with a smiling merchant-like appearance, presumably the one who had spoken earlier.

"You say he stole your silver?" I asked.

The merchant quickly replied, "Madam, I was here on business and walking on the street. Suddenly, this beggar bumped into me, and my money pouch was gone. I don't know what trick he used, but I searched him thoroughly and found nothing."

"You didn't find your money pouch on him?" I raised my eyebrows and asked.

The merchant explained, "These beggars are all tough and unyielding. They won't reveal where they hid the money pouch unless you beat them up."

Ignoring the merchant, I walked over to the child and knelt down to ask, "Did you steal his money pouch?"

The merchant tried to speak again, but I gave him a stern look, and he fell silent.

After a long wait, a voice as quiet as a mosquito was heard, "I...didn't."

"He's lying! It was this little brat..."

"Shut up," I interrupted the merchant's explanation. "First, you haven't found the money pouch. Second, you haven't caught him in the act. How can you just rely on your empty words?"

The merchant was at a loss for words, not knowing how to rebut me.

Indeed, human lives were so cheap and worthless in ancient times that no one cared about the beggar being beaten up. If it weren't for the child bumping into my carriage, he might have been beaten to death.

But what could I do with such corrupt ancient beliefs? Could I change things alone?

"If you insist that this child stole your money pouch, we can report to the magistrate and let him decide. But if there's no evidence to accuse him, the consequences of your beating him will be more serious than just paying for medical expenses," I said.

The magistrate would naturally favor the Prince's Mansion, and the merchant was not foolish. He immediately took some silver from the henchmen, smiled, and handed it to the beggar, claiming that he had mistaken him.

I didn't bother with him anymore and let him go.

Looking at the child who had been crouched on the ground the whole time, I knelt down again. His wrist, which held the silver, was so skinny that it seemed like a thin layer of skin hanging on a skeleton.

Feeling a bit of compassion, I spoke in a softer tone, "What's your name?"

I vaguely heard a "Zhou" from his mouth, and I said, "Do you have the surname Zhou? The silver the merchant gave you should be enough for you to wash up and have a good meal. There are too many people here, and even if I gave you silver, I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to keep it. I see that you're very patient despite your young age. If you want to find a job to support yourself in the future, you can come to the Prince's Mansion and look for me. I mean what I say."

He kept his head down, seemingly in pain, and I didn't say anything else. I called over a guard to accompany him to the clinic... afraid that the merchant might come back and retaliate.

Now I have to establish a positive image for myself to pave the way for future mishaps at the Prince's Mansion.

As I got into the carriage, I felt a gaze on my back. Always having a keen intuition, I followed the feeling and looked in one direction, only to see a partially closed window of a tavern with no figure in sight.