Holding the script, I want to give up.

Inside the inn.

Surrounded by maids, Shangguan Zitong changed her clothes and was helped into a sedan chair after dressing and grooming. They then set off towards the main gate of the palace.

At this time, Song Yao, the daughter of the Prime Minister of Dongchuan, wore no phoenix crown, only a flower hairpin. Her wedding dress was not bright red but pink. She rode in an ordinary sedan chair, not a palanquin, entering through the side gate of the Crown Prince's residence.

The people of Beiji came to the roadside along the route that the princess was to be sent to marry, all wanting to join in the fun and see what the little princess from Nanning looked like.

Such a grand wedding with ten miles of red bridal procession is quite rare. This brings to mind the eldest princess who came from Nanning three years ago. That event was far more elaborate than this little princess's.

"Oh, this little princess from Nanning is so pitiful. Even after all this, there's still no sign of Nanning making a move."

A waiter in the crowd, who had come to join the fun, said...

"Exactly, exactly. They can't even keep vigil over their deceased parents, yet they still have to come here for a marriage alliance. I bet things aren't much better in Nanning now."

"It was a woman," she said.

"Not only was the journey long, but she also suffered an assassination attempt, and I heard she barely survived. This princess's journey to marry into the government was truly tragic."

"A wandering traveler said."

"Unlike that concubine from Dongchuan, who is pampered by His Highness the Crown Prince."

A girl said.

"Yes, the former Crown Princess passed away at the age of eighteen, along with the former Crown Prince. I wonder if this little princess also..."

An old woman said.

On the bustling street, everyone was filled with regret.

......

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the wedding ceremony officially began.

Princess Ce: Discusses the importance of marriage alliances, describes Shangguan Zitong's character and appearance, explains the significance of marriage alliances, and finally emphasizes "a virtuous woman".

Proposal: At Shangguan Zitong's wedding, the proposal was made directly by "Beichen". There were no complicated betrothal, name inquiry, auspicious date selection, or wedding date setting in traditional weddings, nor was there the solemnity and seriousness of traditional weddings.

The wedding ceremony: Shangguan Zitong's prospective husband, Huangfu Hongxi, did not appear in person. Instead, Princess Beiji, Huangfu Junwen, came to fetch her and present the betrothal gifts.

Sending off the bride: Shangguan Zitong's sending-off ceremony was very sad and poignant, reminiscent of ancient wedding customs.

Changing from South to North: When Shangguan Zitong finally arrived at her destination after overcoming numerous hardships, she was greeted not by the proper etiquette between her and her parents-in-law, such as the custom of "washing and offering gifts" when a wife greets her husband, but by being asked to change her southern attire to northern attire.

After the ceremony, the guests continued drinking and making merry, and the banquet continued. Shangguan Zitong was then escorted to the Crown Prince's bedroom.

......

"Damn it, getting married is such a hassle. It's even more troublesome if you marry someone you don't like."

Shangguan Zitong pulled off the veil, revealing the dagger in her hand, which she then placed under her pillow.

"Huangfu Hongxi must be all lovey-dovey with Song Yao right now, should I go check on him? Maybe I'll get a sty?"

Shangguan Zitong got up and paced back and forth.

"Holy crap, it looks delicious, but why does it taste bland?"

She picked up the pastries on the table and ate them. After all, she hadn't eaten all day and was really hungry, so she could eat anything.

The host has lost their sense of taste.

"Huh? Why?"

Because you chose to save lives, you must bear the corresponding responsibility; your physical functions will gradually weaken.

Okay, that's right.

Shangguan Zitong continued eating the pastries on her plate.

After Yibo woke up, he followed the marriage procession and witnessed the whole process.

How could they treat the princess like this? She had few relatives left and was forced into a marriage alliance, only to be met with such neglect. No, he had to take the princess away from this cold and indifferent Crown Prince's residence. Yi Bai thought to himself.

"Your Highness, let me help you escape."

Yi Bai jumped out of the window and knelt down on one knee in front of Shangguan Zitong.

"Yibai, why did you still come along?"

"Saving you was no easy feat, how can you suffer with me any longer? How could you be so foolish? Quickly, take advantage of the fact that there are fewer people around and escape."

Shangguan Zitong put down the pastries in her hand, turned around and gently helped him up.

"I have said that I will always protect you, Princess."

Yibo looked at her with a determined gaze, as if he were about to join the Party.

Shh! Hide quickly.

Perhaps because the loss of her sense of smell and taste has amplified her other senses, her hearing is now extraordinary.

Yi Bai obeyed the order and used his internal force to fly to the roof beam.

[Mission: Seize Liu Yunwan's system.]

"What? Ahri, that's ridiculous!"

"What should she do if she doesn't have the system?"

This is not your responsibility, host. Just do as instructed.

"I can't even see her face, how am I supposed to steal her? By willpower or mental strength?"

Shangguan Zitong imagined a fantastical drama unfolding in her mind, and it was simply too exciting.

[They've arrived. Please prepare yourself, host.]

『? ? ? 』

Liu Yunwan climbed through the window and immediately grabbed Shangguan Zitong's hand, pulling her outside.

"Zitong, I'm here to help you escape."

"???etc."

Shangguan Zitong clung to the pillar, determined not to walk down the path.

The sleeping potion has been distributed.

"Thank you so much! Are you in such a hurry to be reincarnated? Or is it for your performance review?"

Seeing that Liu Yunwan had stopped pulling her and was standing opposite her, Shangguan Zitong looked at her with a puzzled expression, waiting for her explanation.

She straightened her clothes and walked towards Liu Yunwan, saying, "Sister, I can't escape, and I shouldn't run away."

How can you possibly escape? The mission isn't even finished yet. Even if you escape to the ends of the earth, you'll just be teleported back to continue the mission.

"I'm capable of leading you now; you just need to follow me."

Liu Yunwan took her hand and said.

What? Why can't I say "I'll take you back to your original world"? Does such a thing as the Heavenly Dao really exist? What about the system then? Liu Yunwan wondered to herself.

"Sister, sit down and listen to me."

Shangguan Zitong grabbed her hand and led her to the table.

"Even if I complete all my missions, I will still stay in this world to spend the rest of my life. This is my destiny."

Shangguan Zitong sat opposite her and casually had the system sprinkle medicine into the wine pot.

"You shouldn't give up on yourself like this. At least try rewriting the script!"

Liu Yunwan grabbed her arm excitedly.

“I’ve tried it, and I’ve been sick, more than once.”

"I really can't change anything, please let me go. I'm really tired."

"I'll do whatever the system tells me to do. Isn't it better to be a couch potato? At least I can survive."

"I just want to survive."

Shangguan Zitong pried her hands away, saying weakly.

"What exactly happened to you? Why are you so downcast?"

Liu Yunwan frowned.

"That's a long story, I'll tell you another time. Sister, if you finish this drink, I'll bet I'll run away with you."

Shangguan Zitong got up, took the wine pot, and poured wine into the cup. When it was almost full, she put down the wine pot and pushed the cup to her.

Without a second thought, Liu Yunwan picked up her wine glass, downed it in one gulp, and collapsed onto the table.

"Sorry, you must have had a tough time lately. I shouldn't have said that."

Shangguan Zitong pulled the collar of Liu Yunwan's night clothes up to her collarbone and saw the blush-inducing hickey. She quickly closed Liu Yunwan's clothes.

"Even after all this, you're still thinking of me."

"Sister, I really... don't deserve it."

Shangguan Zitong swiped the screen to check her recent situation, and fell into deep thought as she looked at the screen full of mosaics.

"Damn it, Mu Rongyi is a real bastard."

"Ah Li, let's do it."

[System intrusion in progress.]

Liu Yunwan frowned slightly.

"Sister, don't be afraid, it will be over soon."

Shangguan Zitong smoothed out her furrowed brows with her hand.

[System merging in progress.]

Blood trickled from the corner of Liu Yunwan's mouth.

"Holy crap, what happened? Ahri, explain this! How did this person suddenly start bleeding?"

Shangguan Zitong hurriedly wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief and checked her condition.

[Merger complete, upgrading in progress.]

"...Your personalized service is a bit..."

I'm speechless, this system is awful.

Seeing that she was alright, with only a slight bleed at the corner of her mouth, Shangguan Zitong was relieved.

"Yibai".

"My subordinate is here."

"Take her to Shangguan Jin's place and protect her, okay?"

"Protecting her is protecting me."

Shangguan Zitong took out a bamboo flute from her waistband and handed it to him. "It's just right to return the bamboo flute to my brother. It's a pity to break such a beautiful bamboo flute. It's good to return it like this."

"...Okay...I will fulfill the princess's request."

Yi Bai helped Liu Yunwan up and was about to climb out the window.

"Wait, let's hide first, someone else is coming."

The two hid Liu Yunwan under the bed, while Yibai flew up to the roof beam and lay down.

"See His Highness the Crown Prince."

The maids outside the hall greeted Huangfu Hongxi as he arrived.

"No need for formalities. Has the Crown Princess retired for the night?"

"Your Highness, not yet."

When Shangguan Zitong saw Huangfu Hongxi about to push the door open, she quickly pulled out a dagger from under her pillow.

Knock, knock, knock—a knock sounded at the door. Shangguan Zitong gripped the dagger in her hand tightly.

Just then, a eunuch came over and whispered to Huangfu Hongxi, "Your Highness, the concubine is making a scene and needs you to go there now."

"I will go there right away."

Huangfu Hongxi paused in his act of pushing the door open, then turned around and said, "Are you all blind? The Crown Princess has already retired for the night. All of you, leave and don't disturb her rest. Why aren't you moving?"

"Yes."

Everyone was baffled by the insults, but they were all just ordinary working people, so they could only bow and quickly retreat.

After they all left, Huangfu Hongxi rushed to Song Yao's bedroom.

"...This person is really out of their mind. Can't they even pretend to be okay?"

Shangguan Zitong listened to Huangfu Hongxi's departing footsteps and remained silent.

Why did Shangguan Zitong feel like slapping Huangfu Hongxi across the face? He had already mentally slapped Huangfu Hongxi a few times.

"Yibai, quickly take your sister out."

Shangguan Zitong put down the dagger and casually threw it on the bed, then pulled Liu Yunwan out from under the bed and handed her over to Yibai.

"Yes, I will take your orders."

After Yi Bai and Liu Yunwan escaped from the Crown Prince's residence by climbing out of the window, they headed towards Nanning to find Shangguan Jin.

......