TGPSAC – Chapter 10

Having said such words, Chi Wan felt a little awkward herself. For someone who had never even been in a relationship to confess to a person she had just met, and in such a cheesy way at that—the introvert in her shattered quietly.

Chi Wan’s personality wasn’t inherently introverted; she just disliked talking to people who weren’t on her wavelength, which made her seem somewhat withdrawn. But this was truly her first time confessing to anyone.

Her confession, however, made Yu Jiuzhou feel nauseated. Did this scum really have the right to say such things?

To want something was to obtain it at all costs, regardless of whether the other person liked it, regardless of the trouble it caused them?

As for Chi Wan’s claim that she was a lone soul occupying the scum’s body, Yu Jiuzhou believed it for a fleeting moment, for she, too, was a lone soul who had returned.

But she felt it was more likely that this scum, Chi Wan, had been reborn just like her. Knowing her own fate, she was now trying every trick in the book to curry favor with her after coming back to life.

The more Yu Jiuzhou thought about it, the more certain she became. When Chi Wan died, Prince Bao’an had not yet ascended the throne, so it was unknown who ultimately became emperor. Chi Wan certainly wouldn’t have known that she and Prince Bao’an would end up fighting for control of the Great Zhou regime.

Reborn, and not knowing the outcome of the succession struggle, Chi Wan must have thought that by sticking with her, the Grand Princess, she wouldn’t die so quickly. Only those with value could live longer.

This, Yu Jiuzhou concluded, was the reason for Chi Wan’s fawning.

“Absurd!” Yu Jiuzhou gave Chi Wan only that single word.

An unusual flush appeared on Yu Jiuzhou’s pale face. It certainly wasn’t shyness; it was more likely from anger.

Chi Wan immediately stood up. “Your Highness, don’t be agitated. It would be better for me to administer the needles for you.”

Only by obediently receiving acupuncture could she recover faster.

Yu Jiuzhou stared at her coldly, her hand under the quilt already gripping the hilt of a dagger. “Get out!”

This person had learned medicine from who-knows-where and actually dared to use it on her.

Chi Wan was already a meter away from the bed. “Your Highness, it’s not good to avoid treatment out of fear.”

Seeing Yu Jiuzhou’s expression grow increasingly grim, she looked earnestly into her eyes, trying her best to appear sincere. “I’m really not that scum. Whether Your Highness believes me or not, I will prove it to you.”

“I will not harm you, I will not deceive you, and I will not hold you back.”

Yu Jiuzhou’s hand, clenched around the dagger’s hilt, paused. She naturally didn’t believe Chi Wan, but with her years of experience, she could tell that Chi Wan wasn’t lying. It seemed she truly believed what she was saying.

How could that be possible? Unless Chi Wan had some other scheme.

Yu Jiuzhou had been the Grand Princess for many years. She was exceptionally intelligent and had learned much from the struggles for imperial power, giving her a unique understanding of the human heart.

A person rotten to the core does everything for their own benefit.

Chi Wan also knew that some things couldn’t be achieved overnight. Her gaze flickered to the hand Yu Jiuzhou had hidden under the covers.

For Yu Jiuzhou to dare be alone with her in the heated chamber, she must have come prepared.

“I know you won’t believe me for now. I only ask that you give me a chance. I’m even willing to stay by your side and serve you.”

A PhD holder, transmigrated to ancient times to serve a woman—it was truly something else. Chi Wan still had many things she wanted to do. What she most wanted to do upon arriving in this era was to study ancient medical arts, compare them with what she had learned, and hopefully, like the great predecessors of Chinese medicine, benefit all people.

Chinese medicine had developed over thousands of years and possessed its own unique charm. Chi Wan was willing to dedicate her life to it, but if she died, she wouldn’t be able to do anything.

Yu Jiuzhou’s icy gaze swept across Chi Wan’s face. “I am the Grand Princess of Great Zhou. Would I be lacking for attendants?”

Chi Wan was at a loss for words. “I know medicine.”

“I have Qiu Lai.”

Chi Wan didn’t know how skilled Qiu Lai was, nor could she claim her own medical skills were superior to others. She was just particularly good with prescriptions, acupuncture, and massage.

What else? She couldn’t possibly say she was in great shape and could be a bodyguard, could she? Xia Qu was a proper martial artist. Besides, Yu Jiuzhou had all sorts of talented people around her.

So what advantage did she have that would allow her to stay?

Chi Wan wanted to say that her massage techniques were absolutely top-notch. Everyone who tried them said they were amazing, feeling reborn and instantly lighter after a session. But Yu Jiuzhou would surely never let her touch her.

“I also know the Five Arts (五術, wǔ shù).”

Martial arts (武術, wǔshù)?

Everyone knew this scum could trip over her own feet. Just a few days ago, she had gotten into a fight and couldn’t even beat a half-grown child.

The Five Arts Chi Wan spoke of were the Daoist arts of Mountain, Medicine, Destiny, Divination, and Physiognomy. She specialized in Medicine but knew a little about the others.

Seeing Yu Jiuzhou’s disbelief, she didn’t explain further. Then, another use for herself came to mind. “After this ordeal, Your Highness’s body will be even more uncomfortable during your Rain and Dew Period. I can completely stabilize Your Highness’s scent.”

What kind of upstanding Qian Yuan talks about a Kun Ze’s scent like that? It was practically harassment!

Yu Jiuzhou: “Get out!”

Chi Wan: “?”

“Rest assured, Your Highness, I will definitely serve you well.”

The way a Qian Yuan stabilized a scent was through marking. Her words only further convinced Yu Jiuzhou that she wanted to mark her. In that moment, she wished she could kill this scum on the spot.

So she grabbed a pillow and prepared to throw it.

Without another word, Chi Wan turned to leave. As she reached the door of the heated chamber, she suddenly remembered something and immediately turned back to ask, “I need to leave the residence for a bit. Is there anything Your Highness would like me to bring back?”

The only response Chi Wan received was a pillow thrown by Yu Jiuzhou. It was a jade pillow, and it wouldn’t be a light blow. The ancients were fond of jade and wooden pillows; no wonder their cervical spines were so healthy.

Chi Wan quickly exited the heated chamber. Yu Jiuzhou closed her eyes, calming the anger in her heart while pondering Chi Wan’s behavior and words from today, her expression unreadable.

After Chi Wan left, Chun Gui entered. “Your Highness, the Fuma seems a bit strange. Not only is she unlike her former self, but she even knows medicine.”

But the former Fuma had committed every evil deed imaginable, resorting to all sorts of disgusting tactics to marry the Princess. Even if she had saved Her Highness, it was a mistake she herself had caused in the first place.

Chun Gui had something else to report, which hadn’t been convenient to say with so many people around. “Yesterday, Prince Bao’an also brought news that someone has been using the Princess’s Residence’s banner to annex commoners’ fields, and even drove someone to their death.”

Yu Jiuzhou frowned. She knew about this. The victim’s family member had slammed their head against the palace walls and died. His Majesty the Emperor had no choice but to order the Grand Court of Revision to investigate the case. The investigation revealed that the Princess’s Residence was responsible. In the end, the court only executed the estate’s steward. Even though she was not directly involved, the dirty water had been splashed on her.

The act was committed by the Marquis of Huai’an’s family, using the name of the Princess’s Residence. Simply because Chi Wan was the Fuma, all the blame fell on her.

“Protect that family and arrange for them to report the crime to the authorities. Also, send two secret guards to follow Chi Wan. Report every single detail of her actions to me.”

Since she had been reborn, Yu Jiuzhou did not want to be so passive. It was better to have everything under her own control.

Chun Gui was a little surprised. The Princess hated hearing anything about the Fuma, so why would she issue such an order now? But she didn’t dare to question it and went to carry out the command.

She had also heard something from the servants below and immediately reported back, “Your Highness, someone said the Fuma is going to the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence.”

The Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence?

Yu Jiuzhou was silent for a moment. “Find out what Chi Wan is doing back at the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence.”

She was wondering: was Chi Wan a lone soul who had possessed the body, or was she the original person, reborn?

For Chi Wan to suddenly return to the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence at this time was very likely related to the annexation of the fields. In her previous life, she had discovered that the Marquis of Huai’an’s family was behind it, but the evidence had been destroyed. However, the person who drove the victim to their death was the Marquis’s heir, not Chi Wan. Yet at the time, Chi Wan had stepped forward and claimed she had done it under her orders.

This led the outside world to firmly believe that the Princess’s Residence was annexing commoners’ fields.

If Chi Wan was reborn, she would definitely return to the Marquis’s residence to prevent this incident from happening. The matter had a huge impact on her as well; she had only escaped consequences because of the Princess’s Residence’s protection. Reborn, she should understand that besides being the Fuma, she was nothing. She couldn’t possibly walk the same old path this life.

If Chi Wan was reborn just like her, then she had to be eliminated as soon as possible. A ruthless glint flashed in Yu Jiuzhou’s eyes.