The dizziness was particularly severe this time, likely due to entering a new world.
Shen Jianxi leaned against the wall in an alley, her back supporting most of her body. She hunched over, gazing at this new world.
Before her lay an old, narrow street, deserted and covered in ruins and dust.
She straightened up and stumbled towards the street, her steps unsteady due to the dizziness.
On both sides of the dilapidated street were broken walls and ruins.
Shen Jianxi walked along the street for ten minutes without seeing a soul. The scenery ahead became increasingly desolate.
The wind whistling past her ears sounded like a baby's cry. The sun was completely obscured by heavy dark clouds, and the road and walls were splattered with blood.
This cold and eerie place sent shivers down her spine, and she couldn't help but quicken her pace.
Her clothes were tattered, a stark contrast to her fair, delicate skin. A strong gust of wind swept by, and Shen Jianxi shivered uncontrollably from the cold.
She crossed her arms over her chest, her shoulders hunched, trying to find some warmth.
The place was too quiet. To boost her spirits, she started singing softly. As she ventured further into the desolate and bloody landscape, Shen Jianxi's soft humming turned into open singing.
"The house is on fire, I take pictures; life is chaotic, I sleep~" (From: Wang Qiqi - "Life Attitude")
"Yo? There's still someone alive here?" Her singing attracted patrolling soldiers. The leader waved to the others behind him and walked towards Shen Jianxi. "Let's go take a look!"
"—Stress and hardship don't bother me, at worst, I, I, I..."
Suddenly, so many people and horses appeared before her. Her social anxiety kicked in, and she froze.
"At worst, you what?" The leader's curiosity was piqued. He dismounted and stared at her with interest. The other soldiers followed suit and dismounted, spontaneously surrounding her.
Shen Jianxi: ...
"Hmm? Why did you stop singing?" The man looked determined to hear the rest. Shen Jianxi glanced at him, then at the others, her gaze finally settling on the cold glint of their swords. Realizing there was no escape, she sensibly decided to finish the song.
"—Stress and hardship don't bother me, at worst, I'll, I'll..." Under the pressure, her mind went blank. She couldn't remember the rest of the lyrics. But the man in front of her was staring intently. Bracing herself, she closed her eyes and shouted three words, "...hang myself!"
The man in front of her paused, then burst into laughter.
"Hahahahahahaha—You little lady are quite amusing. This general likes you!"
Just as Shen Jianxi was silently celebrating her survival once again, the man suddenly reached out towards her. As she tried to struggle, two soldiers behind her grabbed her hands, leaving her no choice but to watch as the man's hand caressed her face.
The man's fingertips were calloused. Even though his movements were gentle, it still stung.
Seeing that his actions had left white streaks on the beautiful young woman's face, he awkwardly withdrew his hand, gestured to the two soldiers, and she was then bound and lifted onto a horse.
The man mounted his horse, gripping the reins. "Little lady, don't move around. If you fall and scratch that beautiful face of yours, it would be too much of a loss!" With that, he whipped the horse's hindquarters.
After a bumpy ride back to the camp, the man dismounted and, without pausing, carried her to the most luxurious tent.
Apart from the few soldiers present earlier, no one had seen her face along the way.
Shen Jianxi was still wondering if today was a bad omen for entering an alternate world as she was unceremoniously placed on the bed, her vision swimming. She had been carried around the entire time.
Outside, she could hear the soldiers' boisterous shouts. However, once inside the tent, the man abandoned his earlier eagerness. He first summoned someone and spoke to them in a low voice, then cautiously checked the surroundings of the tent. After confirming no one was eavesdropping, he returned.
Just as Shen Jianxi was utterly bewildered, the man untied her hands, then bowed with clasped fists and knelt, "What commands do you have for me here?"
Shen Jianxi: ???
"Hm?" Unaware of the situation, Shen Jianxi decided to play the role of a quiet person, speaking less to avoid mistakes, only slightly raising the end of her voice, making it unclear whether she was angry or questioning.
Her simple sound made the man bow even lower. Thinking she was angry, he quickly apologized, "I did not know Your Majesty was here. This subordinate has offended you greatly just now. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."
6.
Absolutely brilliant.
Shen Jianxi cupped her fist against her lips, hiding the uncontrollable smile that was forming.
She coughed lightly, stood up, and feigned support. The man immediately stood up.
"My loyal minister, there is no need for apprehension. I..." This was the first time she had referred to herself in this way, and Shen Jianxi felt somewhat unaccustomed to it. Fortunately, her acting skills were decent, and she quickly continued, "My loyal minister, you also know that at present... Alas! This trip, I, must come."
Her words were ambiguous, but the man immediately understood her meaning. He said solemnly, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. The Qin family army will always be Your Majesty's sharpest blade. It's just that..."
The man hesitated, and seeing that she did not object, he continued, "It's just that the Third Prince is currently in the army. Although I have already ordered the disposal of those few soldiers who saw Your Majesty just now, it is still not safe here. This humble servant knows Your Majesty's worries, but Your Majesty must remain in the palace to preside."
"The faction of the Fourth Prince is coveting power. If they learn that Your Majesty is not in the palace, they might seize all power!"
Shen Jianxi listened to the man's earnest advice with a serious expression, appearing to be listening attentively. In reality, she felt completely disheartened.
In just one encounter, several lives were lost. All she wanted was to impersonate someone and seize the opportunity to escape. Although, based on the general's words, it wasn't difficult to guess that their emperor might look like her, whether the emperor was in the palace or not would be known with a simple inquiry, and she couldn't possibly hide it.
What a worry.