The Times Spent in Pretense

Prince Ying placed ritual paper money for the dead into a clay basin. Raised his head as he gazed at his maternal grandfather’s memorial tablet.　　

His grandfather had treated him well. Although they had not had much time together, every time they did meet, his maternal grandfather would look at him with gentle eyes. Then he’d sneak a toy into his hands, toys civilian children were fond of.　　

He recalled that in his youth, his grandfather would carry him on his shoulders and take him along to purchase animal-shaped lanterns. Since his childhood, his mother wanted him to be perfect compared to his brothers, and his teacher always instructed him while regarding him in his position as the eldest prince.　　

Yet his grandfather would smile as he rustled his hair, saying he was the best child.　　

He choked with sobs, unable to hold them back. Knelt before the memorial tablet with his head lowered, silent tears flowing down his face.　　

“Your Highness, this must not be done.” The Tian family was panic-stricken. Although Prince Ying was a grandson of the Tian family, he was also an imperial prince. A ruler. In this world, how could a ruler kneel before his subject?　　　　

In an eager and chaotic way, everyone urged Prince Ying to stand. Respectfully escorted him to a side room to sit and rest.　　

Prince Ying did not want to make things difficult for the others, and so sat in the side room in a daze.　　　　

“Your Highness, something bad has happened,” said Changsui, a personal attendant of Prince Ying, rushing into the room. Noticing his full of sorrow, Changsui hesitated before saying, “Commandery Princess Fushou and Commandery Princess Jiamin have disappeared from the warmroom.”　　

“What did you say?” Shocked collided with Prince Ying. “Who would have the courage to abduct people in the Tian family estate?” 　　

“The Tian clan is keeping it secret for now, afraid that it will blow up. The other guests are unaware,” said Changsui. “But they have already dispatched people to report the situation to the palace.”　　

“Hurry and perform a proper investigation. Lock down the city gates.” Prince Ying could no longer waste any more time in his sorrow. Princess Shunan and her prince consort had married for many years, and only had one daughter as a result. Jiamin. If something happened to her, Princess Shunan would hate the Tian clan for certain.　　

Was the Tian clan just out of luck? Nothing good happened to them lately.　　‌

Just which of his brothers was harming him?　　

The moment Hua Liuli opened her eyes, a room full of cobwebs hanging from the ceiling came to view. She recognized something, then closed her eyes, feigning unconsciousness. 　　　　

What a pity that the person next to her didn’t seem to get the notice, turning around to sit up and scold her.　　

Hua Liuli was speechless.　　

What did this situation have to do with her? It wasn’t as if she were responsible.　　

Noticing that Commandery Princess Jiamin wanted to seize the opportunity to kick her, Hua Liuli rolled over in a flash. Shuddered as she sat up from the ground. “W-where am I?”

“Awake?” said a woman. Expressionless, she looked at Hua Liuli and Commandery Princess Jiamin. Turned her head and shouted, “Leader, they’re awake.”　

“Who are you? What do you want to do?!” Commandery Princess Jiamin shifted her gaze to the man who had entered the room, trying her best to push down her fear. She covered her chest with her hands. “Who sent you here?”　　　　

“Why are you covering your chest?” The man in black sat down on the ground. “I, your father, am a professional assassin. I only kill, not rape. Don’t scream like a chicken. I, your father, am very ethical. When you were unconscious, I specially had a female assassin watch over you. I didn’t even step through the door, so don’t look like I’m about to molest you.”　　

It was dusky outside. It should either be the evening or dawn right now. At the center of the room stood a statue of a god, the primary color difficult to discern. They seemed to be at an abandoned temple of a local god or a Shing Wong temple.　　　　

The land in the capital was expensive to the max. There was no way such a spacious temple would exist there. So their current location ought to be somewhere more remote, far from the capital.　　

Who knew how much effort it took to abduct them from the Tian family’s estate? But one thing was for sure: there were spies in the Tian family.　　　　

Whether it was because the capital’s law and order was too unsatisfactory or that she was too unlucky, Hua Liuli had sure enough experienced such a situation.　　

“Which of you is the commandery princess?”　　　

“She!” said Hua Liuli and Jiamin at the same time, jabbing a finger toward each other.　　

Five Three examined the two girls in the room. One had an irritable temper, yelling and screaming. One shrank into herself as her shoulders continued to tremble, coughs spilling from her lips without end. A look, and it was obvious she was in poor health.　　

The Hua family was a family of generals. So the daughter they raised should be stronger.　　

“Are you Hua Yingting’s daughter?” Five Three’s gaze fell upon Jiamin.　　

“I’m not. She is,” said Jiamin, betraying Hua Liuli without even a thought.　　

“You…” Hua Liuli looked at Jiamin with a disbelieving gaze. Her eyes filled with tears, and she was nearly brought to a sob as she said, “Since you said I am, then I am.”　　　　

Following that, she turned to the two assassins. “I’m the one you are looking for. This commandery princess is innocent, so let her go.”　　

Five Three frowned. Why was it that the more he looked at her, the more wrong this felt?　　

Were the both of them lying? He took out the portrait that was stored in his bosom pocket. Examined it. He just could not tell which of them was Hua Yingting’s daughter.　　　　

They both had two pairs of eyebrows and two eyes. How could he tell?　　

“Leader, let’s bring both of them with us.” The female assassin laughed coldly. “Women, beautiful women, beautiful women of the nobility never say the truth. It doesn’t matter which one is the real Hua Liuli. As long as we take both of them to Young Master, Young Master can recognize the right one.” 　　

“We noble young ladies have offended you?!” retorted Commandery Princess Jiamin, not one bit happy.　　　　

“Apologies, I hate the rich.” The female assassin fished out a dagger and pointed it at her. “If you spout nonsense again, I’ll cut off your tongue.”　　

Staring at the sharp blade pressed against her neck, Commandery Princess Jiamin swallowed. “Actually, I hate the rich sometimes too.”　　

Hua Liuli turned her head to her. Why is the frank Commandery Princess Jiamin not frank with her words today?　　　　

“What are you looking at?!” said the female assassin after turning to Hua Liuli. “You noble girls are afraid of even a dagger. What use are you?”　　　　

“L-looking at how pretty you are,” said Hua Liuli, cutting a shy figure. “Big Sis Assassin, where did you buy your rouge? Why does the color look so good when applied?”　　

“What rouge? I don’t have the time to put on makeup like you.” The female assassin put away the dagger, expression remaining callous.　　

“You look this pretty even without rouge…” whispered Hua Liuli to herself, as if afraid the female assassin would grow unhappy. She dared not say any more.

Commandery Princess Jiamin turned her head to Hua Liuli. This shameless bootlicker can say anything just to stay alive.　　　　

The two clashed with their gazes. In the end, they both looked away.　　

A moment later, the female assassin brought over two bowls of food. Stuffed them into the hands of the two girls. “Eat!”　　　　

Soon after, Commandery Princess Jiamin discovered that Hua Liuli’s bowl had one more egg than hers. Had a few more slices of meat than hers.　　

Is this female assassin this shallow? She was only praised a little as pretty, yet the difference in treatment between me and Hua Liuli is this much? 

“Thank you, Big Sis,” said Hua Liuli, receiving the bowl and aiming a timid smile her way.　　

“Who’s your sister? Shut up.” The female assassin about-faced and left. A short while after, she threw a few wild fruits at Hua Liuli. Jiamin didn’t get any.　　

It rendered Jiamin speechless.　　

She understood now. That female assassin was that shallow. It turned out not only men fell for Hua Liuli’s sweet tongue. Women did as well.　　

But met with such a situation, Hua Liuli was calmer than Jiamin had anticipated. To her surprise, the other party did not cry and shout, and instead, finished that whole bowl of noodles that did not taste very good.

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Although she knew a bit of martial arts, it was a mystery how talented those two assassins were in that regard. It was also uncertain how many other assassins were around. What’s more, she had a deadweight like Hua Liuli by her side. As such, Jiamin did not dare to act rashly.　　　　

Once they had finished their meals, the female assassin tied up their hands and feet. Expression ice-cold, she said, “Don’t think about running away. Our people are all around here. If you do try, swords are merciless. If you’re not careful, you can lose an arm or a leg. Don’t blame me then.”　　

Hua Liuli copied Jiamin in not struggling, sitting in place in a well-behaved manner.　　

As if she was very pleased with their frightened reactions, the female assassin’s expression seemed to grow a shade more gentle. “You can say when you need to relieve yourselves.”　　

After she left, the dilapidated temple grew quiet.　　　　

“Just a while ago, you were intentionally trying to mislead her into thinking I was you,” scolded Jiamin. “You’re such black-hearted woman.”　　

“What do you know?” Hua Liuli rolled her eyes. “I was trying to save you, understand? They only want to abduct Commandery Princess Fushou, and apparently alive too. These assassins aren’t virtuous or benevolent people. It’s inconvenient to bring the both of us out of the capital. Can you guess what will happen to the spare?”　　

Not a word escaped Jiamin’s lips.　　

“Only death can guarantee no tracks. Do you want to die?”　　

Jiamin was completely speechless now.　　　

They lay down on the ice-cold ground. A good while later, Jiamin whispered all of a sudden, “Once we’re out of the capital, think of a way to escape. I will cover you.”　　

In the dark, Hua Liuli opened her eyes. “What about you?”　　

“I’m not as delicate and useless as you. Ever since I was five, I’ve practiced martial arts… I’m only doing this for Mistress Hua. It’s because of her that I’m saving your useless life.”　　　　

“So it turns out you worship my mother,” said Hua Liuli, realization striking her at once. “No wonder you said I was bringing down my family. So you’re jealous of me.”　　

“I’m not,” Jiamin spat. “I merely feel regretful for Mistress Hua. A heroine like her has a pretentious and scheming person like you as a daughter. It’s the sole stain on her life.”　　

“It doesn’t matter what you say. I am the daughter of the Hua clan. Daddy, Mother, and my brothers all dote on me. And they all say I am the world’s best daughter. It’s useless to be jealous of me.”　　　　

“You…”　　

The door burst open. Expression reminiscent of ice, the female assassin said, “If you two keep talking nonsense, you won’t need your tongues anymore.”　　　　

The two girls shut up.　　

Then the female assassin shut the door again. There were no sound of footsteps; where the assassins were hiding was anyone’s guess. 

Gradually, Jiamin’s confidence fell. This kind of assassin whose footsteps could not even be heard must have been trained in the art of killing at a young age. Must be highly skilled in martial arts. She was not their opponent.　　　　

Were the two of them destined to die by these assassins’ hands?　　

If she had to die, then she had to die. But why must she do so with the girl she hated?　　

Gazing at the pitch-black room, Jiamin almost stayed awake the whole night. On the contrary, the delicate Hua Liuli who could be knocked down by a gust of wind had slept soundly on the ground. With that thoughtless appearance of hers, if it wasn’t for the fact her arms and legs were tied up, Jiamin would have kicked her a couple times.　　　　

Before dawn, the assassins dragged the two of them to a shabby horse-drawn carriage. Who knew what it used to carry, but it smelled foul in there.　　

“Leader, the military is blocking all the main streets. We probably can’t leave.”　　

“How about we scratch up their faces? In any case, Young Master only said to keep them alive, not that we can’t harm them.”　　

The carriage rocked and swayed tremendously, to the point that Jiamin almost vomited. She feared she’d be tossed around until death midway on the road. So, without any better option, Jiamin unwillingly sat next to Hua Liuli. “Hey, if you’re feeling unwell, you can lean on me for now. I don’t want to sit next to a corpse halfway through the journey.” 　　　

Hua Liuli’s complexion proved very pale. Yet, her eyes were bright. “Do you know what I dreamed of as a child?”　　

“What are you playing at?” said Jiamin. Hua Liuli must be very ill that she’d be talking about some dream right now. She might as well faint before dreaming again.　　　　

“I dreamed that I would be a sickly beauty, one who would be recorded in history.” A sigh left Hua Liuli’s lips. “But it seems I must wake from this dream for now. It truly distresses me to the point that I can’t breathe easily.”　　　　

Commandery Princess Jiamin was the picture of confusion.　　

The assassins were preparing to scratch up their faces. But she still wanted to be a famous sickly beauty?　　

Committing suicide now to reincarnate quicker seemed more promising.　　

Prince Ying placed ritual paper money for the dead into a clay basin. Raised his head as he gazed at his maternal grandfather’s memorial tablet.　　

His grandfather had treated him well. Although they had not had much time together, every time they did meet, his maternal grandfather would look at him with gentle eyes. Then he’d sneak a toy into his hands, toys civilian children were fond of.　　

He recalled that in his youth, his grandfather would carry him on his shoulders and take him along to purchase animal-shaped lanterns. Since his childhood, his mother wanted him to be perfect compared to his brothers, and his teacher always instructed him while regarding him in his position as the eldest prince.　　

Yet his grandfather would smile as he rustled his hair, saying he was the best child.　　

He choked with sobs, unable to hold them back. Knelt before the memorial tablet with his head lowered, silent tears flowing down his face.　　

“Your Highness, this must not be done.” The Tian family was panic-stricken. Although Prince Ying was a grandson of the Tian family, he was also an imperial prince. A ruler. In this world, how could a ruler kneel before his subject?　　　　

In an eager and chaotic way, everyone urged Prince Ying to stand. Respectfully escorted him to a side room to sit and rest.　　

Prince Ying did not want to make things difficult for the others, and so sat in the side room in a daze.　　　　

“Your Highness, something bad has happened,” said Changsui, a personal attendant of Prince Ying, rushing into the room. Noticing his full of sorrow, Changsui hesitated before saying, “Commandery Princess Fushou and Commandery Princess Jiamin have disappeared from the warmroom.”　　

“What did you say?” Shocked collided with Prince Ying. “Who would have the courage to abduct people in the Tian family estate?” 　　

“The Tian clan is keeping it secret for now, afraid that it will blow up. The other guests are unaware,” said Changsui. “But they have already dispatched people to report the situation to the palace.”　　

“Hurry and perform a proper investigation. Lock down the city gates.” Prince Ying could no longer waste any more time in his sorrow. Princess Shunan and her prince consort had married for many years, and only had one daughter as a result. Jiamin. If something happened to her, Princess Shunan would hate the Tian clan for certain.　　

Was the Tian clan just out of luck? Nothing good happened to them lately.　　‌

Just which of his brothers was harming him?　　

The moment Hua Liuli opened her eyes, a room full of cobwebs hanging from the ceiling came to view. She recognized something, then closed her eyes, feigning unconsciousness. 　　　　

What a pity that the person next to her didn’t seem to get the notice, turning around to sit up and scold her.　　

Hua Liuli was speechless.　　

What did this situation have to do with her? It wasn’t as if she were responsible.　　

Noticing that Commandery Princess Jiamin wanted to seize the opportunity to kick her, Hua Liuli rolled over in a flash. Shuddered as she sat up from the ground. “W-where am I?”

“Awake?” said a woman. Expressionless, she looked at Hua Liuli and Commandery Princess Jiamin. Turned her head and shouted, “Leader, they’re awake.”　

“Who are you? What do you want to do?!” Commandery Princess Jiamin shifted her gaze to the man who had entered the room, trying her best to push down her fear. She covered her chest with her hands. “Who sent you here?”　　　　

“Why are you covering your chest?” The man in black sat down on the ground. “I, your father, am a professional assassin. I only kill, not rape. Don’t scream like a chicken. I, your father, am very ethical. When you were unconscious, I specially had a female assassin watch over you. I didn’t even step through the door, so don’t look like I’m about to molest you.”　　

It was dusky outside. It should either be the evening or dawn right now. At the center of the room stood a statue of a god, the primary color difficult to discern. They seemed to be at an abandoned temple of a local god or a Shing Wong temple.　　　　

The land in the capital was expensive to the max. There was no way such a spacious temple would exist there. So their current location ought to be somewhere more remote, far from the capital.　　

Who knew how much effort it took to abduct them from the Tian family’s estate? But one thing was for sure: there were spies in the Tian family.　　　　

Whether it was because the capital’s law and order was too unsatisfactory or that she was too unlucky, Hua Liuli had sure enough experienced such a situation.　　

“Which of you is the commandery princess?”　　　

“She!” said Hua Liuli and Jiamin at the same time, jabbing a finger toward each other.　　

Five Three examined the two girls in the room. One had an irritable temper, yelling and screaming. One shrank into herself as her shoulders continued to tremble, coughs spilling from her lips without end. A look, and it was obvious she was in poor health.　　

The Hua family was a family of generals. So the daughter they raised should be stronger.　　

“Are you Hua Yingting’s daughter?” Five Three’s gaze fell upon Jiamin.　　

“I’m not. She is,” said Jiamin, betraying Hua Liuli without even a thought.　　

“You…” Hua Liuli looked at Jiamin with a disbelieving gaze. Her eyes filled with tears, and she was nearly brought to a sob as she said, “Since you said I am, then I am.”　　　　

Following that, she turned to the two assassins. “I’m the one you are looking for. This commandery princess is innocent, so let her go.”　　

Five Three frowned. Why was it that the more he looked at her, the more wrong this felt?　　

Were the both of them lying? He took out the portrait that was stored in his bosom pocket. Examined it. He just could not tell which of them was Hua Yingting’s daughter.　　　　

They both had two pairs of eyebrows and two eyes. How could he tell?　　

“Leader, let’s bring both of them with us.” The female assassin laughed coldly. “Women, beautiful women, beautiful women of the nobility never say the truth. It doesn’t matter which one is the real Hua Liuli. As long as we take both of them to Young Master, Young Master can recognize the right one.” 　　

“We noble young ladies have offended you?!” retorted Commandery Princess Jiamin, not one bit happy.　　　　

“Apologies, I hate the rich.” The female assassin fished out a dagger and pointed it at her. “If you spout nonsense again, I’ll cut off your tongue.”　　

Staring at the sharp blade pressed against her neck, Commandery Princess Jiamin swallowed. “Actually, I hate the rich sometimes too.”　　

Hua Liuli turned her head to her. Why is the frank Commandery Princess Jiamin not frank with her words today?　　　　

“What are you looking at?!” said the female assassin after turning to Hua Liuli. “You noble girls are afraid of even a dagger. What use are you?”　　　　

“L-looking at how pretty you are,” said Hua Liuli, cutting a shy figure. “Big Sis Assassin, where did you buy your rouge? Why does the color look so good when applied?”　　

“What rouge? I don’t have the time to put on makeup like you.” The female assassin put away the dagger, expression remaining callous.　　

“You look this pretty even without rouge…” whispered Hua Liuli to herself, as if afraid the female assassin would grow unhappy. She dared not say any more.

Commandery Princess Jiamin turned her head to Hua Liuli. This shameless bootlicker can say anything just to stay alive.　　　　

The two clashed with their gazes. In the end, they both looked away.　　

A moment later, the female assassin brought over two bowls of food. Stuffed them into the hands of the two girls. “Eat!”　　　　

Soon after, Commandery Princess Jiamin discovered that Hua Liuli’s bowl had one more egg than hers. Had a few more slices of meat than hers.　　

Is this female assassin this shallow? She was only praised a little as pretty, yet the difference in treatment between me and Hua Liuli is this much? 

“Thank you, Big Sis,” said Hua Liuli, receiving the bowl and aiming a timid smile her way.　　

“Who’s your sister? Shut up.” The female assassin about-faced and left. A short while after, she threw a few wild fruits at Hua Liuli. Jiamin didn’t get any.　　

It rendered Jiamin speechless.　　

She understood now. That female assassin was that shallow. It turned out not only men fell for Hua Liuli’s sweet tongue. Women did as well.　　

But met with such a situation, Hua Liuli was calmer than Jiamin had anticipated. To her surprise, the other party did not cry and shout, and instead, finished that whole bowl of noodles that did not taste very good.

Don’t support theft; read this at sleepchaser’s wordpress.

Although she knew a bit of martial arts, it was a mystery how talented those two assassins were in that regard. It was also uncertain how many other assassins were around. What’s more, she had a deadweight like Hua Liuli by her side. As such, Jiamin did not dare to act rashly.　　　　

Once they had finished their meals, the female assassin tied up their hands and feet. Expression ice-cold, she said, “Don’t think about running away. Our people are all around here. If you do try, swords are merciless. If you’re not careful, you can lose an arm or a leg. Don’t blame me then.”　　

Hua Liuli copied Jiamin in not struggling, sitting in place in a well-behaved manner.　　

As if she was very pleased with their frightened reactions, the female assassin’s expression seemed to grow a shade more gentle. “You can say when you need to relieve yourselves.”　　

After she left, the dilapidated temple grew quiet.　　　　

“Just a while ago, you were intentionally trying to mislead her into thinking I was you,” scolded Jiamin. “You’re such black-hearted woman.”　　

“What do you know?” Hua Liuli rolled her eyes. “I was trying to save you, understand? They only want to abduct Commandery Princess Fushou, and apparently alive too. These assassins aren’t virtuous or benevolent people. It’s inconvenient to bring the both of us out of the capital. Can you guess what will happen to the spare?”　　

Not a word escaped Jiamin’s lips.　　

“Only death can guarantee no tracks. Do you want to die?”　　

Jiamin was completely speechless now.　　　

They lay down on the ice-cold ground. A good while later, Jiamin whispered all of a sudden, “Once we’re out of the capital, think of a way to escape. I will cover you.”　　

In the dark, Hua Liuli opened her eyes. “What about you?”　　

“I’m not as delicate and useless as you. Ever since I was five, I’ve practiced martial arts… I’m only doing this for Mistress Hua. It’s because of her that I’m saving your useless life.”　　　　

“So it turns out you worship my mother,” said Hua Liuli, realization striking her at once. “No wonder you said I was bringing down my family. So you’re jealous of me.”　　

“I’m not,” Jiamin spat. “I merely feel regretful for Mistress Hua. A heroine like her has a pretentious and scheming person like you as a daughter. It’s the sole stain on her life.”　　

“It doesn’t matter what you say. I am the daughter of the Hua clan. Daddy, Mother, and my brothers all dote on me. And they all say I am the world’s best daughter. It’s useless to be jealous of me.”　　　　

“You…”　　

The door burst open. Expression reminiscent of ice, the female assassin said, “If you two keep talking nonsense, you won’t need your tongues anymore.”　　　　

The two girls shut up.　　

Then the female assassin shut the door again. There were no sound of footsteps; where the assassins were hiding was anyone’s guess. 

Gradually, Jiamin’s confidence fell. This kind of assassin whose footsteps could not even be heard must have been trained in the art of killing at a young age. Must be highly skilled in martial arts. She was not their opponent.　　　　

Were the two of them destined to die by these assassins’ hands?　　

If she had to die, then she had to die. But why must she do so with the girl she hated?　　

Gazing at the pitch-black room, Jiamin almost stayed awake the whole night. On the contrary, the delicate Hua Liuli who could be knocked down by a gust of wind had slept soundly on the ground. With that thoughtless appearance of hers, if it wasn’t for the fact her arms and legs were tied up, Jiamin would have kicked her a couple times.　　　　

Before dawn, the assassins dragged the two of them to a shabby horse-drawn carriage. Who knew what it used to carry, but it smelled foul in there.　　

“Leader, the military is blocking all the main streets. We probably can’t leave.”　　

“How about we scratch up their faces? In any case, Young Master only said to keep them alive, not that we can’t harm them.”　　

The carriage rocked and swayed tremendously, to the point that Jiamin almost vomited. She feared she’d be tossed around until death midway on the road. So, without any better option, Jiamin unwillingly sat next to Hua Liuli. “Hey, if you’re feeling unwell, you can lean on me for now. I don’t want to sit next to a corpse halfway through the journey.” 　　　

Hua Liuli’s complexion proved very pale. Yet, her eyes were bright. “Do you know what I dreamed of as a child?”　　

“What are you playing at?” said Jiamin. Hua Liuli must be very ill that she’d be talking about some dream right now. She might as well faint before dreaming again.　　　　

“I dreamed that I would be a sickly beauty, one who would be recorded in history.” A sigh left Hua Liuli’s lips. “But it seems I must wake from this dream for now. It truly distresses me to the point that I can’t breathe easily.”　　　　

Commandery Princess Jiamin was the picture of confusion.　　

The assassins were preparing to scratch up their faces. But she still wanted to be a famous sickly beauty?　　

Committing suicide now to reincarnate quicker seemed more promising.