Chapter 7

The first time I met Pei Huai was in the second year after I transmigrated.

My novice task was only one-

Assist my legitimate elder sister in becoming empress.

When I first arrived, even though I was deeply favored, I was still full of fear, terrified that if I slipped up and exposed my identity, I would be burned alive as a monster by this era that believed in ghosts and spirits.

My parents loved me, but they valued my legitimate sister more, with her stunning beauty and outstanding talents.

My legitimate sister loved me, but she valued even more the power that could let her soar to the top in one step.

So I was always cautious, speaking as little as possible.

But at a peach blossom banquet, Lady Ming, who had always held a grudge against my legitimate sister, repeatedly mocked her, saying she was unworthy of being the crown princess. I couldn’t stand it and argued with her, but she pushed me into the pond.

That time, I truly thought I was going to die.

But I didn’t.

It was Pei Huai who saved me.

He draped a fox fur over my shoulders and, with just a few words, angered that lady half to death.

After she left, he turned back to look at me, his eyes curving in a slight smile.

“Little sister of the Shen Family, are you alright?”

His smile was incredibly beautiful.

Even more dazzling than the peach blossoms.

In that moment, my heart quietly skipped a beat.

He was Marquis Pei, the empress’s own nephew, unmatched in looks, of noble status beyond compare, with countless girls in Jing City secretly admiring him.

I was only twelve at the time, just awakening to love, so falling for him was nothing strange.

But it was only a crush.

Compared to Pei Huai, what I wanted more was to go home.

At most, I just wanted to look at him a few more times before I left.

To watch his heroic figure sparring with my brothers on the training grounds, to see him discussing court politics with my legitimate sister, to see him sometimes frown, sometimes smile lightly.

But no matter what expression, he was undeniably beautiful.

That day, I ran right into Pei Huai as he was about to leave.

I hurried to apologize.

But he raised his hand to straighten my hairpin, chuckling softly.

“Second Miss Shen, you are quite different from your siblings.”

“Very adorable.”

I looked up at him, and with just one glance, my face turned red.

The sunlight was just right that day, but it couldn’t compare to the warmth in his eyes.

I asked myself,

“Is it really just a crush?”

No.

I had fallen in love with him.

I could no longer deceive myself.

When I was sixteen, Pei Huai came to propose marriage.

“Second Miss Shen, I have admired you for a long time. I only wish to stay by your side forever, to grow old together. Will you marry me?”

He promised me a lifetime of devotion, promised to love and cherish me forever.

How could I bear to refuse?

So on the day my legitimate sister became empress, the system asked me, “The task is complete. Do you wish to leave?”

I refused.

Not even for a second did I hesitate.

The system seemed to have expected my decision, only sighing softly:

“A man’s infatuation can be spoken of, but a woman’s infatuation cannot be spoken of.”

At the time, I only felt indignant.

I never thought those words would become a prophecy.