Outside Zhou, Nian Xiaoyuan was treating Zhao Xue's injuries patiently. He didn't notice how Zhao Xue looked at him differently. Zhao Xue finds it complicated. She thought he was the greatest tyrant she ever met. But when she got stuck in Chun Meng's arms, she realized Nian Xiaoyuan had been patient with her. Chun Meng only wants what can benefit him. He wouldn't care for other's feelings. As for Nian Xiaoyuan, sure, he took her forcibly in the past, but that was because he got drugged by a courtesan. That was horrible for her but he treated it as a precious memory.

  "I'll carry you. There is a prefect nearby. We are still at the border so we need to move fast." Nian Xiaoyuan stood up after cleaning her wounded foot. He didn't wait for her to agree and carried her in his arms. Zhao Xue blushed lightly from their closeness. Only Lin Xingjin can hug her like this.

  "Nian Xiaoyuan, do you really like me?" she reluctantly asked. Nian Xiaoyuan nodded with a sly smile. "Then why are you courting Song Cha Hua? She's always after Lin Xingjin. Moreover, she is not pure anymore."

  "It's just a political marriage. Song Cha Hua was broken when the seventh prince canceled their engagement, so I decided not to take it quick but earn her trust." he carefully explained, mixed with lies and truth.

  "Nian Xiaoyuan, if you truly like me, will you do what I ask?" Zhao Xue came to a decision. She received a hum from Nian Xiaoyuan. "I want you to get rid of Song Cha Hua."

  "Too far?" Lin Xingjin asked as if ridiculing her. "You went too far, Song Cha Hua. If you don't bring Xue'er out, I will ruin your life."

  "Heh. Didn't you ruin it already? Starting from that day when you canceled our engagement without listening to me! Lin Xingjin, you caused me to be like this!" Hong Cha looked at him in disbelief.

  She turned her back and closed the door with a thud. A smile formed from her lips. Let the storm come, let the plot go, but the ending will be her choice. She will make sure Lin Xingjin will remember every moment he traumatized Song Cha Hua.

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  The next week, shocking news shook Zhou. Song Yue, the wise imperial tutor, was proven to be an act of treason, and evidence pointed out that he negotiated with Crown Prince Chun Meng. Song Yue was detained for his execution in a few days. His wealth was confiscated but his daughter was left untouched. It was Lin Xingjin who provided the false evidence but enough to convince everyone that it was true. Then, he used the excuse as Song Yue's disciple, he should at least leave his beloved daughter out of the mess. It is a display of mercy in other people's eyes but for Hong Cha, it is a punishment.

  In the original plot, Song Cha Hua was proven innocent and had nothing to do with Zhao Xue's disappearance. But in this case, Hong Cha took a risky turn and planted suspicion in Lin Xingjin's heart. She lost her father, she lost her home, she lost everything in a week.

  [Host, this is not good. This is why transmigrators are not allowed to provoke a male lead.]

  "It is fine. I'm just sorry for Song Cha Hua. I killed her father too early..." Hong Cha sighed heavily while walking back to her new home.

  It was fortunate she stacked enough money for her, and she bought a simple house, found a job, and started a new life. She looked up to the bright moon above. Its silky light was cold as it was winter.

  [Host, I have bad news.]

  "What is it?" Hong Cha paused in front of the door. Before she could hear System Wu's warning, the door opened and a rough hand pulled her inside. "W-who are you?!"

  Hong Cha was startled to see a stranger in her house. It was a middle-aged man with an ugly scarred face. He grinned deviously, showing his yellow teeth.

  "His Highness is magnanimous. He freed me from the jail and tasked me to have fun with you. Hehe." the man pounced on her as Hong Cha was pressed on the floor.

  "Lin Xingjin?!" she screamed in her head while avoiding being kissed.

  Hong Cha opened her mouth to speak when the man poured a white powder on her. She was forced to swallow the substance as the man started undressing. Her body went weak and her temperature rose. Hong Cha gritted her teeth. So this is how coldhearted Lin Xingjin can be.

  "Little Master is in trouble! Little Master is in trouble! Big Master Nian, save her!" Kong suddenly arrived in front of the door.

  Hong Cha almost forgot about the macaw. Ever since she lost her stable home, she ordered Kong to return to Nian Xiaoyuan's mansion.

  "Little girl, you want this sort of man?" just then, a figure stepped in. Nian Xiaoyuan was dressed in a black martial suit with his hair tied up and a veil covering his lower face. He is holding a sword that is still in its scabbard.

  "Head Minister!" Hong Cha was relieved he was here. She pushed the man off her and jumped behind a chair to hide her almost naked self.

  "Who are you to interrupt!? His Highness gave me permission to touch that useless girl!" the man was angered by the intervention. Nian Xiaoyuan narrowed his eyes. He moved fast like lightning. In a blink, he is already strangling the man.

  "Tell that stupid prince I can do it for him." Nian Xiaoyuan's tone was cold. He easily threw the man outside. The terrified prisoner scurried away.

  "Head Minister." before Nian Xiaoyuan could turn behind, a soft body stuck herself from behind. Hong Cha hugged him tightly while rubbing herself. She felt so uncomfortable, and her only medicine was this. "Head Minister, I need you. I was drugged."