Volume One, Chapter Seven: I Am Princess Zhaoyang

The two elder sisters hurried over at the sound, and the whole family embraced each other, weeping over Zhu Xiaozhi’s recent ordeals. After a long while, Zhu Xuanli finally wiped away his tears.

“In a few days, we will accompany the imperial envoy back to Chang’an. You must be careful not to cause any trouble, especially you, Xiaozhi.”

Still unsettled by the drastic change in his youngest daughter’s temperament that day, Zhu Xuanli pointed a finger at the smooth forehead of Zhu Xiaozhi to remind her.

“As a princess and an imperial prince, every word and action is under scrutiny. Your father is a powerless emperor, so all I can do is urge you to be cautious with your words and deeds.”

Standing nearby, Lü Yuan nudged him in the waist with her elbow.

“No matter how you look at it, life is much better than before. The emperor’s title should be changed accordingly.”

Zhu Xuanli chuckled as he ruffled Zhu Xiaozhi’s soft hair.

“But this is only in the presence of family.”

Having been exhausted throughout the night and finally settled, Zhu Xiaozhi’s eyelids began to droop, all of which Zhu Xuanli noticed.

“We’ve barely slept these past few days searching for you, and you’ve endured so much alone. Living in the Liu household must have been nerve-wracking, and I’m sure you haven’t slept well either. It’s best you rest early.”

Zhu Shiyue stepped forward and gently supported her weary little sister’s head as she leaned against her shoulder.

“I’ll take Xiaozhi to wash up first. Father, mother, Zhenzhen, Xianzhi, you all get some rest without worry.”

Zhu Xiaozhi’s head tilted, resting on her sister’s soft shoulder, the faint scent of soap pods enveloping her as she slipped into a deep sleep.

When Zhu Xiaozhi woke, her first thought was, “Oh no, the alarm didn’t go off today—I’ll be late for the broadcast!”

Her daily routine was to wake at ten in the morning, leave precisely at eleven, return to her one-bedroom rental at one o’clock, shower, read a little, and then climb onto her one-point-two-meter bed at three to sleep, rain or shine.

But today, upon opening her eyes, she found herself inside a very low thatched hut, the eaves so low they seemed within reach if she sat up.

Beside her were two other beds crowded together, and in the corner, a small wooden cabinet with three drawers. The tiny room was cramped but meticulously clean and orderly.

Right—because she had touched that mysterious book the old woman handed her, her soul had traveled back a thousand years to the Chu dynasty, becoming the daughter of the fallen King Ai of Chu.

Her modern body had perished from the loss of consciousness; there was no returning.

How was she to survive here? According to official history, the Chu kingdom would fall in ten years, bringing devastation and death upon all.

Moreover, the interface that appeared in her mind indicated Zhu Xuanli’s death would occur five years from now—why five years earlier than the real historical record?

Could it be that her arrival had already altered history?

Lost in thought, Zhu Xianzhi’s lazy voice came from behind the wooden door.

“Wake up! Father and mother are waiting outside. We need to discuss our departure for Chang’an.”

Zhu Xiaozhi washed her face and rinsed her mouth with the basin he brought, then the two went together into the low main room.

“What does Minister Pei mean? Why can’t we leave for Chang’an yet? Why not set off first and meet the imperial envoy carrying the edict en route? Isn’t that the same?”

The young Minister of Rites, dressed plainly in white today, with his right half of the face bandaged, stood facing a map, pointing out the layout.

“From Fanyang to Chang’an, the route either passes through Luoyang or Taiyuan. Taiyuan houses the Longxi Li clan, and Luoyang is home to the former Empress Dowager’s retainers. Both are unfavorable for His Majesty and the family. It is safer to wait for General Gao, who escorts the imperial envoy under Princess Changle’s command, to arrive at Fanyang. Then, the two groups can join forces and depart together.”

Zhu Xuanli’s face was drawn tight with worry.

“But we don’t dare offend General Ning of Fanyang either. Last night, his gaze upon the imperial jade seal was sharp—Minister Pei must have noticed it too.”

“Ning Dehai is ambitious, but his power is not yet sufficient. He is no match for the factions in the Eastern Capital or Taiyuan. Naturally, he wouldn’t make the first move to seize the jade seal, lest he become the tender prey among the wolves.”

So the turmoil that would rage for decades was already showing its first signs now. Yet most chose to bury their heads in the sand like ostriches, as if ignorance could prevent the cold-blooded politicians from launching one war after another.

Zhu Xiaozhi and Zhu Xianzhi overheard these few remarks outside the door. Once the children entered, the topic shifted from serious politics to domestic matters.

“Xiaozhi, Xianzhi, come look at the titles Minister Pei has prepared for you.”

“Shiyue is titled Princess Linzhen, Jizhen is Princess Yong’an, Xiaozhi is Princess Zhaoyang, and Xianzhi is Prince Zhao.”

It was her—Zhu Xiaozhi remembered clearly that in the brief history of Chu, Princess Zhaoyang was a conspicuous and pitiful scapegoat.

After her brother’s death, she constantly clamored to become the crown princess. Yet she not only forcibly seized commoners in the streets but also openly plundered villagers' estates. Her arrogant behavior earned her a terrible reputation, and ultimately, her life.

Princess Zhaoyang was eventually executed on charges of patricide and usurpation, ridiculed and cursed by people even a thousand years later.

If she were the one making the decisions, surely she would not end up so.

Seemingly pleased with the decision, Zhu Xuanli held the roster and nodded repeatedly.

“Each title suits my heart perfectly! But Xiaozhi, you are nearly fifteen and still going by ‘Xiaozhi,’ your childhood name. It was fine when you were common, but now your status is noble—you should choose a more fitting name.”

In ancient times, when a girl turned fourteen, she celebrated the coming-of-age ceremony and was then eligible for marriage. A new name was typically chosen to mark the transition from her original family to becoming a wife and mother.

When the Chu emperor was deposed, the whole family was exiled to Lingnan. During the rough and lengthy carriage ride, the empress endured a difficult labor, giving birth to twins.

The name originally reserved for the newborn boy was chosen first. At that moment, a broken branch fell by the roadside, nearly piercing the carriage roof. In haste, the girl was named “Xiaozhi” (Little Branch), chosen somewhat arbitrarily and inspired by the omen.

The modern Zhu Xiaozhi knew nothing of the origin of her name, but it was her sole tie to the modern world, the only proof that another Zhu Xiaozhi had once lived vividly.

If even this last trace were erased, who would she truly be?

She took her father’s arm, swaying it left and right, awkwardly trying to coax him.

“Father, everyone’s used to calling me ‘Xiaozhi,’ and I like the name myself. Let’s keep it for now.”

Her father’s broad hand covered her small, soft one.

“Then we shall keep it for now. When you marry, you can choose a new name.”

After the heirs entered the room, Pei Zai turned away to avoid them but found no chance to bid farewell and stood awkwardly.

Lü Yuan glanced at him and reproached her husband.

“How can the emperor say such things in front of outsiders?”

“Outsiders? Minister Pei risked great danger to bring the imperial jade seal and protect us from thousands of miles away. Last night, he helped rescue Xiaozhi. He is a great benefactor of the Zhu family.”

With that, Zhu Xuanli’s gaze darted slyly between Zhu Xiaozhi and Pei Zai.

“By the way, Minister Pei seems close in age to Xiaozhi. I wonder if he is betrothed?”