After her transformation and rebirth, she manipulates the innocent and ruthless to overthrow the wor

It was the end of winter.

People everywhere are decorating the streets and alleys with lanterns and colorful decorations to mark the upcoming New Year, and the atmosphere is filled with the joy of celebrating the New Year.

Of course, the imperial city was no exception.

That year, Xiao Ran entered the palace with her father. It was her first time officially entering the palace. Perhaps due to her youthful naiveté, everything was new and exciting.

It was this novelty that led to them bumping into someone on the path through the plum blossoms.

He was a prince from a foreign land.

Beneath his bronze skin was a slender and toned body, and his exotic attire perfectly accentuated his noble bearing. However, his dark golden, shimmering eyes were...crying.

Xiao Ran was filled with doubt, so she secretly hid under the plum tree to peek.

Beside the prince was a thin guard who was gently wiping away his tears.

Xiao Ran could tell at a glance that it was not a guard at all, but a woman.

But why is this woman dressed as a guard?

After wiping away his tears, the foreign prince suddenly hugged the "guard" tightly, his lips parted slightly, and he whispered something. His words were in a foreign language that Xiao Ran could not understand.

Xiao Ran had initially been curious and wanted to find out why this handsome foreign prince was shedding tears, but now she could neither understand their conversation nor figure out what was going on.

A sense of boredom arose within her, and she decided to leave.

In that fleeting glance as he departed, she realized that the foreign prince seemed to have seen her.

The prince's eyes, which had been filled with endless melancholy, changed completely at that moment when she looked up.

She saw the tears welling up in his eyes, as if he had suddenly encountered dazzling starlight, and her eyes lit up instantly.

She didn't understand the meaning in those eyes at the time; she only knew to run away in a panic.

She was seventeen years old at the time, the age when she should be getting married.

So, at the palace banquet that year, Emperor Jingyang greeted each of his ministers one by one. When he asked about her father, his gaze fell on Xiao Ran, who was almost of marriageable age.

"Minister Xiao, I had the pleasure of meeting your eldest daughter today, and she has grown even more beautiful. I recall that your Wan'er is already my nephew's wife. I imagine your eldest daughter must be even more outstanding, and I imagine there must be quite a few suitors coming to your residence to propose marriage."

Although the conversation seemed casual and like a family chat, Xiao Ran instantly understood the deeper meaning behind the emperor's words.

This is clearly an arrangement to get her married.

But everyone in the capital knew that Xiao Ran was nothing more than a good-for-nothing in everyone's eyes.

Seeing her father's nervousness, Xiao Ran quickly stepped forward, respectfully cupped her hands in a bow, and said solemnly and sincerely:

"Your Majesty's grace moves me to tears."

"Although my daughter Xiao Ran is of marriageable age, her studies are not yet complete. I believe that she should prioritize her studies and that marriage should not be rushed. I humbly request Your Majesty to allow my daughter to continue her studies with focus, and that we may discuss marriage when she has achieved some success. I will be eternally grateful for Your Majesty's great kindness."

Low snickers came from all around. Whose daughter was seventeen and hadn't even finished her studies at the girls' school? What else could such a person be but a good-for-nothing?

Emperor Jingyang waved his hand lightly, a look of disgust on his face, and said, "Fine, if that's how it is, then so be it, my dear minister."

Then, wave after wave of performers took turns showcasing their talents. The dancers, with their graceful figures and light, gliding movements like butterflies flitting between the palace halls, moved with undivided passion. The musicians played their instruments with melody, sometimes like a gentle stream, sometimes like a sudden storm, perfectly complementing the dancers' movements. The emperor, seated on his throne, couldn't help but clap his hands in delight, his face beaming with joy.

However, Xiao Ran felt utterly bored, merely watching one group of performers after another perform with sycophantic fervor. Before she knew it, the palace banquet was drawing to a close, and just then, she saw a familiar face.

It was that foreign prince.

He was different from when he first met Xiao Ran. Now, his eyes no longer held the tears that shimmered like starlight; instead, they held an aggressive look.

He said respectfully, "Your Majesty, it is a great honor to be able to attend your country's banquet."

Having said that, he picked up his wine glass, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp. Then, still savoring the taste, he looked at the glass and slowly said:

"I have long heard that your country is vast and rich in resources, but I never imagined that even a small cup of Jade Liquor would be so delicious."

He slowly set down his wine glass, the wine he had just drunk seemingly swirling in his eyes. Then, he uttered a series of outrageous words:

"But my Western Xia Kingdom is not like that. Our country only has the brave and fearless Batel. None of them have ever tasted such delicious imperial nectar."

Everyone present understood that this prince was openly threatening Emperor Jingyang.

Not long ago, the border of Jing Kingdom was breached by the Western Xia Kingdom, and the people on the border were living in dire straits, unable to make a living and forced to flee in all directions in search of a way to survive.

In order to appease the people and stabilize the situation, Emperor Jingyang had no choice but to cede the city.

However, human ambition knows no bounds, which led to the scene of the Western Xia prince coming to attend the palace banquet.

"Then what do you intend to do?" Emperor Jingyang slowly stood up, and an invisible pressure emanated from his body.

In an instant, everyone in the palace felt this heavy pressure.

However, the prince standing in the center of the hall seemed oblivious, remaining calm and composed, showing no sign of tension or panic.

"I've heard so much about the abundance and treasures of Jing Kingdom along the way, I'm practically tired of hearing about it..."

The prince of Western Xia casually picked at his ear, then said unhurriedly, "I suppose your country has many beauties. I think she is quite good."

As soon as he finished speaking, the prince of Western Xia stretched out his arm and pointed straight in one direction.

Xiao Ran noticed that the direction the prince was pointing was right in her direction. She quickly looked around, wondering to herself which unlucky person had been targeted by this foreign prince.

But the next moment, she changed her mind.

Then the prince of the Western Xia Kingdom said in a loud voice:

"I'm referring to General Xiao's daughter, Miss Xiao Ran."