The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 115p2

Chapter 115: Taken Home by the Princess Part 3 (2)

When Qin Yang stormed into Xie Baiyi’s bedchamber, sword in hand, he was sleeping with a concubine and was startled awake.

Qin Yang looked at the concubine, who bore a slight resemblance to her, and said coldly, “Leave now, and I’ll spare your life.”

According to what he had told the palace staff, this concubine was a tool to make Qin Yang jealous and agree to become his Empress.

Without needing further prompting, the concubine left without a word.

Qin Yang said, “I know why you want to marry me. Because of my followers, your throne isn’t secure as long as they live.”

His secret exposed, Xie Baiyi’s face paled. Even if he wanted to defend himself, he couldn’t, Qin Yang’s sword pressed against his neck, silencing him.

“Now you’ve guessed correctly, your reign is over. I’m here to take your life.”

Qin Yang issued the order: “Take him away, execute him, and display his head as a warning to others.”

The hundred-day reign of Emperor Xie Baiyi ended with his head on a spike.

After restoring the Yu Dynasty, with most of the royal family members executed, Qin Yang, after three refusals, ascended the throne.

But her ending was: unable to find an antidote, exhausted from managing state affairs, she drowned three years later after falling into the water in a delirious state.

Qin Yang’s death was sudden, without any edict, and the Yu Dynasty never had another capable ruler.

Thus, the kingdom fell into chaos and was divided.

Tao Ning understood: “The world consciousness wants a monarch, but it doesn’t care who, and Qin Yang can’t die.”

520 said, [That seems to make sense.]

So the problem was, Tao Ning spread her hands, “I’m a criminal’s descendant, confined to the imperial retreat, I can’t find the princess, and she wouldn’t believe a criminal’s descendant anyway.”

520: [That also makes sense.]

Then it might as well just log out and abandon the mission.

One day, still recovering, Tao Ning stared at the rapidly decreasing progress bar and asked a question.

The progress bar had been at 80% when she first arrived, but it had been steadily decreasing, almost below 50%.

Without her training memories or any reference cases, no matter how intelligent Tao Ning was, she couldn’t make bricks without straw.

Tao Ning said, “How did my future self complete missions?”

520 thought for a moment, summarizing Tao Ning’s past actions: [Kill if possible, and if necessary, ensure complete annihilation, leaving no trace.]

Tao Ning: “…”

She suddenly stood up and frantically searched the room, only finding a few copper coins. Having bought winter clothes, she had very little left.

Rewards were less frequent in the imperial retreat than in the palace. Only during festivals or special occasions would there be bonuses.

And even then, after being skimmed by the chief eunuchs and stewards, very little reached the lower ranks.

520 asked, [What’s wrong? What are you looking for?]

It curiously looked at the few copper coins on the table, not even enough for a string of cash. Descendants of criminals weren’t entitled to an allowance, having one was already fortunate.

Tao Ning said seriously, “I’m wondering how much it costs to hire an assassin. I’m not good at fighting, and I can’t leave this place.”

520: […]

The meager savings Tao Ning had accumulated weren’t needed.

Because the princess arrived. Tao Ning remembered that the story began with Princess Regent Qin Yang accompanying the emperor to the menagerie, where she was disfigured, triggering the subsequent events.

Tao Ning didn’t have the ability to single-handedly storm the tiger enclosure and kill all the tigers, especially the three large white tigers. She would just become their meal.

The imperial retreat became lively, the stewards bustling around, giving orders.

With the emperor and Princess Regent visiting, palace maids and eunuchs were needed to serve them, performing tasks like serving food and tea, and cleaning.

Tao Ning, with her pleasant appearance, was chosen by Steward Tang to serve food, postponing her cleaning duties.

Tao Ning was happy to relax, listening attentively to Steward Tang’s instructions.

Steward Tang said, “My injury hasn’t fully healed, so I can’t serve before the Emperor. You have to be alert and don’t make any mistakes.”

Tao Ning felt there was a hidden meaning in his words.

The previous times the emperor visited alone, Steward Tang had said, “His Majesty loves lively and eloquent people, so you shouldn’t serve him, it doesn’t matter if you miss out on the reward.”

But with Qin Yang’s arrival, he chose Tao Ning to serve and even instructed her to be alert.

On a beautiful spring day, the emperor and Princess Regent arrived at the retreat. The staff were preparing to kneel and welcome them at the gate.

But the princess’s decree arrived first, instructing them to keep things simple, no need for formalities.

So they dispersed, and Tao Ning, unable to see the princess, waited in the courtyard.

The banquet was held in the rain garden, and the eunuchs were busy setting up.

The two nobles, having heard of the beautiful scenery of falling petals like rain, wanted to see it for themselves.

Shi Qing and Tao Ning were assigned to serve the princess, presenting the dishes. The retreat was unusually generous, having prepared new spring outfits for the palace maids and eunuchs.

Shi Qing’s hands trembled with anger, not even glancing at the new clothes, and she said indignantly, “I remember this rain garden. Some picky noble complained about the fallen petals ruining the scenery and ordered you to clean them up, not a single petal allowed to remain.”

Slamming the table, Shi Qing continued, “And now they say the rain garden’s beauty lies in the falling petals, these nobles, their minds change every day!”

Tao Ning poured a glass of water, placed it before her, and said gently, “Shi Qing, walls have ears, be careful what you say.”

Shi Qing immediately fell silent.

The next day, during the banquet, palace maids in light green dresses served dishes accompanied by music.

Tao Ning and Shi Qing worked together, one carrying the dishes, the other serving them, their eyes lowered, not daring to look directly at the nobles.

Shi Qing, who had complained about the nobles’ demands last night, was now nervous with the princess so close.

The princess, dressed in a gold-embroidered jacket, shimmered in the spring sunlight.

Although also a woman, the princess was different. She held political power, the power of life and death over the people.

Her mere presence exuded an aura of authority, making people dare not meet her gaze.

It was said that the princess had executed officials who opposed her rule, and even some palace maids and eunuchs… I must serve her well.

The more nervous she was, the stiffer her voice became. After serving a plate of pastries, Shi Qing said softly, “Your Highness, please enjoy.”

The princess, however, was watching the dancers, their graceful movements like celestial beings descending to earth.

Hearing Shi Qing, she simply hummed in acknowledgement.

Shi Qing’s hand trembled, almost dropping a plate of peach crisps.

These were the princess’s favorite, and Shi Qing’s face paled, imagining a thousand ways to die.

Just then, a hand reached out, catching the plate and placing it on the table.

Tao Ning, her eyes still lowered, said, “Your Highness, please enjoy.”

Not only Qin Yang, but also her Grand Historian, Cui Hong, and the other attendants looked over, surprised.

They hadn’t expected this quiet palace maid to be so skilled, her movements too fast to be seen.

“Wait.” Qin Yang stopped Tao Ning.

She looked away from the dancers, her gaze fixed on Tao Ning’s face. After a moment, she asked, “What’s your name?”

Qin Yang’s voice was different from what they expected, like melting snow, cold and clear, not arrogant.