After the system set its sights on the dragon throne, the princess started courting death every day.

At the third quarter of the hour of Chou-Hai.

Xiang An lay in bed, listening to the patter of raindrops hitting the leaves outside the window. Her gaze lingered on the intricately embroidered carpet on the floor, and her thoughts drifted away.

With a "click," the door opened, the faint sound standing out starkly in the quiet night. Light footsteps followed the sound without stopping, continuing straight to the screen in front of the bed.

Looking up, through the thin screen, Xiang An quietly observed the newcomer—a tall, slender figure in black robes with arrow-shaped sleeves, and beyond that… he couldn’t see clearly.

"Fu Qingbai greets the princess. May the princess be well. I apologize for any offense caused by my late-night visit."

Xiang An glanced at his fully covered clothes and asked with relief, "Is something the matter?"

Fu Qingbai cupped his hands in greeting: "What are the princess's thoughts on the matter of a marriage alliance?"

The clear, steady voice sounded exceptionally calm amidst the patter of rain outside.

Xiang An chuckled and blurted out, "Watch it standing up, watch it lying down, watch it sitting down."

She wouldn't take the conversation seriously until she figured out Fu Qingbai's purpose in coming late at night in the rain.

"..." Fu Qingbai was taken aback, then cupped his hands in apology, "What happened a few days ago was not something I was holding a grudge against you—"

Xiang An interrupted him, saying, "I was indeed angry about what happened that day, but I didn't blame you at all. You are Father Emperor's general, and it is your duty to protect Father Emperor. Holding me tightly was your action in a moment of panic, which I understand. There is no need to say more."

Although she was pinned to the ground and unable to move, and could not break free no matter what she did, Fu Qingbai used skillful force. Apart from difficulty breathing, inability to exert force, and a burning pain in her wrist for a long time, she was otherwise unharmed.

Given the circumstances, it was understandable that he wouldn't let go of her; there was nothing to be angry about.

What really angered her was that he appeared at just the right time, severely hindering her mission.

However, now is not the time for her to be angry. Now, a man and a woman are alone in a room late at night. Even if Fu Qingbai in front of her is a true gentleman and an upright person, gambling with one's own safety on people's kindness is no different from being a fool.

Especially when facing a general who has practiced martial arts for many years and whose strength is definitely greater than one's own, one cannot harbor any illusions.

Although she is a time traveler with an open mind, self-respect and self-love are the best course of action.

Xiang An had no interest in exchanging pleasantries with him and said directly, "Please tell me, General, why you are visiting so late at night."

The tension hidden in his words was obvious.

Fu Qingbai pursed his lips, then stepped back until he was at a distance where their voices could be heard as loudly as possible. He asked, "Does the princess wish to leave?"

"What do you mean?" Xiang An frowned, an unbelievable answer unconsciously popping into his mind.

Fu Qingbai: "If the princess does not wish to be married off, I may take her away."

His words matched the answer Xiang An had in mind!

Xiang An was stunned for a moment, and after a while, she asked, "Where are we going?"

After a brief moment of silence and contemplation, Fu Qingbai uttered those three simple words: "If the princess were—"

"Wait!" Xiang An whispered, "Turn your back."

Fu Qingbai did as instructed, bowing his head, turning around, and facing the wall.

Xiang An observed for a moment, and when he was sure that the man would not turn around, he quickly got up, picked up his outer garments from the hanger, and put them on one by one.

I opened one of the windows and cautiously looked out.

Outside, the heavy rain continued, with large raindrops pattering on the branches and leaves of the flowers and plants in the courtyard. Two lanterns hung on the covered bridge, halfway across the courtyard, their golden light making them appear like two small oranges in the dark rainy night. Four or five imperial guards in black armor stood in the light, weapons in hand, standing straight under the eaves, their eyes scanning back and forth in the courtyard, but no one paid any attention to them.

Safety.

He carefully closed the window, turned around to look at Fu Qingbai who was still facing the wall, moved a chair for Xiang An, sat back behind the screen, and cleared his throat: "Come back and continue."

Fu Qingbai did not move and continued to face the wall, saying, "If the princess does not wish to be married off, I can take the princess out of the mansion and hide her in the mountains and forests for the time being."

She was disgusted after hearing only half of the method, and she knew the principle of avoiding trouble if you can't afford to offend someone.

As early as the first night of her confinement, she knew exactly how many dog ​​holes were in the princess's residence.

If she wanted to leave, she would have left long ago. The reason she hasn't left is because she realized that leaving would be pointless; the mission wasn't completed, so leaving would be meaningless.

Since it's pointless, why would she abandon the luxurious life of a princess's mansion to live a life of hardship in the wilderness? Besides, there are still some things she hasn't figured out yet.

However, can Fu Qingbai know the truth about not leaving? Of course not.

Without hesitation, Xiang An pinched her thigh hard, her voice trembling with pain: "All land under heaven belongs to the king. Even if I can hide, how long can I hide?"

Fu Qingbai: "Princess, there is no need to worry. I have found someone skilled in disguise to take your place in the wedding. She will never put you in any danger."

Although the portraits resembled the person, there were still some differences. To avoid assassination attempts, the portraits of royal children were often even more distinct.

Although Fu Qingbai did not know the real reason why the emperor still wanted Princess Miankang to marry into the country despite knowing the situation, he had personally seen Princess Miankang's portrait and asked the person who was disguised, and was absolutely certain that he could disguise her.

Wow! You've found everyone; your plan is quite thorough.

Unfortunately, he'll have to be disappointed.

Xiang An sobbed, "A woman's marriage is a gamble. If I marry, I will have my father's support, and no one can do anything to me. If an ordinary girl marries someone thousands of miles away, how can she have a good life? If I let her marry in my place, my conscience won't allow it."

Fu Qingbai: "..."

Her feigned pitiful demeanor successfully silenced Fu Qingbai.

Xiang An was excited. Through the screen, she vaguely saw Fu Qingbai seemingly turn to face her. He said, "Princess, if you want to live, go; if you want to die, I will not stop you."

Stiff and indifferent.

Looks like I've angered them.

Xiang An put away her teasing intentions: "Thank you for your kindness, General. I have a question for you, please tell me: Before the marriage alliance, may I see my father one more time?"

Perhaps because she was too calm and the question was too unexpected, Fu Qingbai remained silent for a long time before solemnly saying, "Your subject does not know."

"One more thing: you've killed people—" Xiang An realized he had asked a stupid question halfway through his sentence. The number of people he had killed, even if counted in the thousands, was not small.

Her mind raced, and she rephrased the question: "If I were to live a life worse than death in the future, would you personally kill me?"

Fu Qingbai: "..."

This question seems foolish to Fu Qingbai, but it is crucial to Xiang An. The system stated from the beginning that a game can only be restarted after death.

There are many kinds of death, and the world is never short of ways to torture people.

Fu Qingbai paused for a moment: "...Princess, do you know what the most despicable thing in the world is?"

The question seemed absurd, but Xiang An didn't press for details. Instead, he teased him with interest, saying, "A stone in a latrine."

Fu Qingbai: "..."

Xiang An laughed awkwardly, "Hahaha, I was wrong, tell me, tell me, don't stay silent."

Fu Qingbai: "Human life. In the brokerage, three taels of silver can buy the life of a slave girl, and five taels of silver can buy the life of a servant. Therefore, human life can be called the cheapest thing in the world."