As dusk fell…

    Lanterns illuminated every corner of the palace grounds under a brilliant moon. Wu Sanniang was confined in a small residence, heavily guarded in such a way that one could enter but not leave. She changed into regal attire, her silk garments shimmering and trailing on the floor, and her gold hair ornaments became chains that bound her.

    Her duty as a prisoner was to practice manners and postures to resemble Princess Wen Cheng as closely as possible.

    Before her was a table laden with exquisite dishes that dazzled the eyes: a large golden bowl at the center surrounded by braised bird's nest duck, seafood hotpot, steamed chicken, stir-fried venison, lychee in clear syrup, and sweet wine. Wu Sanniang had never seen such ornately presented and fragrant food before, but she could barely eat, merely pushing the food around on her plate.

    "Please, Princess, try the braised veal, a favorite of the princess, wouldn’t you?"

    "I don’t eat beef."

    "Your favorite, have you forgotten? Please enjoy." The maids treated her in every way as Princess Wen Cheng, having tested the food for poison before serving it to her. This only added to Wu Sanniang's worries about her father and her friend Ping Ping, who had disappeared without a trace. After enduring and pretending to comply for so long, Wu Sanniang finally decided to speak up.

    "I want to know if Ping Ping, my friend, is alright."

    "There is no friend of the princess named Ping Ping. It is time for rest. Tomorrow, you must depart for Yan Region at dawn. This way, please." The maids did not respond to her queries. A fake princess had no right to make demands beyond what was assigned. Everything was predetermined. Wu Sanniang thus began to understand her place through their indifference.

    How could she possibly escape from this dire situation?

    Her slender frame tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. How could a young woman alone prevent a war without raising suspicions from Lian Wang or the people of Yan? If they discovered she was leaking information to Lian, or if she was caught executing an assassination ordered by Lian Wang, she would certainly die. What would become of her father if she died?

    Wu Sanniang eventually fell asleep in tears, only to be awakened by a line of maids carrying trays of golden regalia, standing motionless like statues. Li Cuipin, the chief court lady, parted the curtains, meeting Wu Sanniang's gaze and nodding.

    "The more foolish, the more at ease."

    She whispered while arranging Wu Sanniang's long hair. Wu Sanniang suddenly devised a survival strategy. She met Li Cuipin's gaze through the reflection and remained silent. Soon, Wu Sanniang was fully dressed as a high-ranking royal, her hair styled into an elaborate swan shape and adorned with glittering pearl pins, her face veiled with a red silk embroidered with golden auspicious patterns, radiating a formidable aura. The servants and maids bowed deeply and inadvertently.

    The daughter of a humble noble had become Princess Wen Cheng in full, with no possibility of turning back.

    Wu Sanniang remained calm as she bowed to her father in her own name, bidding farewell as she prepared to leave for a distant land. Her gaze was empty, knowing she was no more than a disposable pawn. Surrounded by strangers, her heart sank into fear and anxiety.

    Yet, as the dawn's light broke on the horizon and a strong gust of wind brushed against her, a whisper of hope came with it. The wind slightly lifted her veil, the golden sunlight reflecting in her eyes, bathing the wide palace courtyard in a magnificent golden glow.

    Is this not what she has been hoping for from heavens? The duty to stop wars and fill the fields with golden rice, like the paintings in her father's study room. Could she truly make this dream come true?

    Wu Sanniang thus raised her head, resolute.

    Come what may, I will not die.

    The bride's departure ceremony was hastily conducted. The Yan Region sent a general and some unimportant nobles to attend. Wu Sanniang did not care as she was about to step into the carriage, she spotted a familiar face among the group of maids following the procession.

    Ping Ping!

    Finding an old friend in a distant land was like rain in a parched desert. Wu Sanniang was startled and moved to approach her friend, but Li Cuipin grabbed her arm and shook her head in warning. It was not just Ping Ping who had been selected; Jiu Meixiang was also among the maids, her face angry and resentful, unwilling to hide it. Of course... she had high hopes, who would have thought that Lian Wang would order her to be a servant? If it was to serve the real princess, she might have reconciled herself, but to bow to Wu Sanniang and leave her home to struggle was too much. Jiu Meixiang then glared fiercely, before being met with a sharp gaze from Li Cuipin, and she had to restrain herself and hide her emotions.

    Jiu Meixiang quietly listened to the sound of the procession as her aspirations were not for a position or wealth as before, but now she wished to torment Wu Sanniang until she begged for death!

    ....................

    Ping Ping looked scared and kept her head down silently, refusing to speak. Wu Sanniang seized the opportunity when the bride's procession stopped to change horses, calling Ping Ping to help her change clothes. Li Cuipin, seeing Wu Sanniang's intentions, said nothing. She whispered a reminder to be cautious, then clapped her hands to send the other maids out of the room. When it was just the two of them, Ping Ping burst into tears and sobbed.

    "Did they hurt you? How did you end up as a maid?"

    "I...I... When I woke up, I was bound hand and foot and brought here to the palace. I'm scared, Niang’er, I want to go home."

    "I'm scared too," Wu Sanniang embraced her friend tightly, trying to comfort both her friend and herself. "I'm here with you; you don't have to be afraid. I will not leave you, and I won't let anyone bully you. From now on, you stay by my side. We must go back to Ma Jiang together."

    "Mm, I will help you with everything."

    "How heartless... Have you forgotten about me?" Jiu Meixiang entered, carrying a tray of tea and slammed it on the table, glaring at Ping Ping and sneering at the fake Princess Wen Cheng. "Be careful. I will be watching you. I want to see the look of agony on your face when you hear about Wu Shi Huang being flayed alive!"

    "If you want, I can show you the latrine pit behind the station."

    "Do you dare?!"

    "Have you still not realized whether I dare or not?"

    Jiu Meixiang was still holding grudges from a previous humiliation in a mud pit. When confronted by Wu Sanniang's calm face, she turned away in irritation. Ping Ping, who was naturally timid, was even more unable to calm her mind in the presence of the fierce Jiu Meixiang. Wu Sanniang, however, was different. She glanced over the dozens of maids sent by Lian Wang, knowing each was tasked with watching and reporting her movements.

    "What should we do, Niang’er?"

    "We must survive, Ping Ping... Survive one day, gain another day; survive ten days, gain ten days. I will never give up."