Volume One, Chapter Two: Why Won't You Back Off? Tell Me What Draws You In, and I'll Change!

Just now, Zhao Wujiang said nothing, but her mind was filled with his unspoken thoughts!

This guy first claimed he was quite handsome, then said he was Long Zhan’s man, and even said he would have four children with Long Zhan!

Damn it, bastard, what the hell does he take himself for!

At this moment, Zhao Wujiang was also puzzled. Why did Li Yunrui’s expression seem off?

Time is of the essence. Clearing his throat lightly, Zhao Wujiang wore a sincere expression and said, “As the princess said, this son is far unworthy. To avoid wasting the princess’s youth, I shall sign this letter now—henceforth, you and I shall have no further ties.”

Having said that, Zhao Wujiang quickly signaled the steward to bring paper and pen.

He then swiftly wrote:

“I, Zhao Wujiang, lacking virtue and talent,
am unworthy to wed the Seventh Princess.
Today, I voluntarily renounce the engagement.
The betrothal gifts from the Northern Town Prince’s mansion shall be regarded as compensation.
I hope the princess will kindly accept.”

The tone was humble, naturally evoking pity.

Li Yunrui’s expression grew even more complicated at this.

She never expected Zhao Wujiang to be so easy to deal with.

Without a word of rebuttal, he had already prepared the letter of disengagement.

This made her feel somewhat guilty.

After all, today was the seventh day memorial of the Northern Town Prince, and she had rushed here to break the engagement—was she being too overbearing?

Perhaps she should have negotiated with him first, to save some face for him?

While Li Yunrui was lost in such thoughts,

Zhao Wujiang had already proactively handed over the letter.

“Princess, please don’t stand on ceremony. Everything is as you wish. Here you go.”

A smile graced Zhao Wujiang’s face.

Under the sunlight, he appeared so natural, composed, calm, and elegant.

Little did anyone know, in his heart he was cursing.

[Hurry up and take it, Madam!]

[Why the hesitation?]

[I’ve already been so graceful about this; surely the story won’t change now?]

Zhao Wujiang’s face remained smiling. “Seventh Princess? Daydreaming? Take the letter. My father’s mourning is not yet over, and I must attend to matters. I won’t keep you any longer.”

But Li Yunrui had no mood to respond.

Instead, her mind was filled with a huge question mark.

Why could she hear his thoughts?

Could he really be her destined prince consort?

While still wrestling with these thoughts,

Zhao Wujiang’s inner voice came again.

[The old Zhao Wujiang was truly a fool.]

[The legacy left by my father is enough for me to live a carefree life for centuries!]

[The Great Xia treasury is nearly empty—why keep this woman around? To be a freeloader?]

[Better wait for that pretty boy Long Zhan to come win you over, to make you his plaything. Now scram!]

---

“You!” Li Yunrui snapped back to reality, gritting her teeth, “Zhao Wujiang! Dream on! You think you can just get rid of me that easily?”

Zhao Wujiang, who had thought he had settled things with Li Yunrui and altered the course of events, was dumbfounded by her words.

“Hm? What does the Seventh Princess mean?”

“What do you mean? You really want to break off the engagement?”

Before Zhao Wujiang could answer, he saw Li Yunrui staring at him with a face full of resentment.

In her eyes was a look of innocence and pitifulness, as if she had been discarded.

[What’s going on? Is this woman trying to forcibly stay and get me killed by Long Zhan?]

[Go find Long Zhan quickly. You’re just a tool for him to rise. Don’t bother me!]

Zhao Wujiang grew increasingly anxious, and on his face urged, “Maybe the princess is inconvenient today. Steward Chen, please take this and quickly escort the princess back to the palace.”

Before Steward Chen could reply,

Li Yunrui suddenly said, “I won’t!”

She was certain now that she could hear Zhao Wujiang’s thoughts!

But what troubled her even more was the content of those thoughts.

That damned man actually said she would become Long Zhan’s plaything, a tool for his rise?

Long Zhan—she had heard of him. A newly rising commander of the elite cavalry in the court.

What right did he have to make her, the dignified Seventh Princess, his tool?

Bah!

“No? What do you mean you won’t?” Zhao Wujiang grew a little flustered, the carefully maintained nonchalant image starting to crack.

[That woman, why won’t she let go?]

[Could she have learned that my father isn’t dead?]

According to the original story, in chapter two hundred, the Northern Town Prince indeed suffered a defeat at the border.

But his death was a ruse to deceive the enemy.

Later, he reorganized the army and crushed the barbarians invading northern Great Xia.

However, he learned that his only beloved son Zhao Wujiang had died in the capital.

Furious, the Northern Town Prince marched back and sought justice for Zhao Wujiang’s death.

But he was accused of treason.

Loyal to the emperor and country, he relinquished command to prove his innocence, only to become Long Zhan’s pawn once more.

[No, if this woman doesn’t leave, she’ll get my father and me killed!]

[No way!]

Zhao Wujiang immediately said, “Cough. As I said, I deeply respect women. Since the Seventh Princess came to break off the engagement, I, Zhao Wujiang, also decide to end this marriage. This matter is settled—no backing out, got it?”

Yet he noticed Li Yunrui frozen in place, her face shocked as if she had heard some earth-shattering secret.

Though angry at Zhao Wujiang’s mocking thoughts, Li Yunrui was no mindless princess.

The Northern Town Prince, holding military power, was actually still alive!

She recalled her father once saying, if the Northern Town Prince ever rebelled, he could succeed.

After all, the Zhao family was not of royal blood.

For a non-royal to hold kingship and command troops under the imperial clan was a feat in itself.

If she truly broke the engagement and humiliated Zhao Wujiang, wouldn’t she be giving the Northern Town Prince a reason to rebel?

---

That would mean the destruction of her Li royal family!

Besides, Zhao Wujiang was only a shameless rogue on the surface.

In truth, he was hiding a tremendous secret!

Could it be he had been concealing his true strength all along?

Li Yunrui’s thoughts spiraled, and she even wanted to slap herself, thinking she had nearly made a grave mistake by being blind.

“I said I won’t break off the engagement! Zhao Wujiang, you must marry me!”

“Not breaking off? How come? What attraction do I have for you? I can change!”

“Not breaking off means not breaking off. Our marriage has been arranged by my father and yours. It’s not a matter to be taken lightly.”

Zhao Wujiang was dumbfounded.

Weren’t you the one who wanted to break it off?

Now I’m the one making a joke of it?

Good heavens, this is version T0, right?

Li Yunrui was immensely pleased.

That damned man definitely didn’t know she could hear his thoughts.

That was perfect. After marriage, he wouldn’t be able to hide anything from her!

But Zhao Wujiang felt like hanging himself.

If you don’t break off the engagement, how am I supposed to change the story?

How do I avoid being stabbed by Long Zhan?

Even the villains want to survive, you know?

Zhao Wujiang pointed at his face. “Let me remind you again, I am Zhao Wujiang! What kind of person do you think I am?”

“A rogue.”

“And?”

“A shameless scoundrel.”

“...Then isn’t that reason enough? Break off the engagement!”

“I won’t!”

Li Yunrui declared firmly.

Her words made Zhao Wujiang take two steps back in fright.

“Not breaking off? Then why did you come here?”

“None of your business!” Li Yunrui tore up the disengagement letter Zhao Wujiang had just written. “Anyway, this princess has decided to marry you!”

This move was like a blind person trying embroidery—a complete mess that left Zhao Wujiang speechless.

“Let’s talk this through. Breaking off the engagement was a must. It’s just that there were too many people earlier. How about I kowtow to you now?”

Just then,

Outside the Northern Town Prince’s mansion, a cavalry squad thundered in.

The pounding hooves shook the ground, immediately causing the nearby citizens to scatter.

Inside the mansion, Zhao Wujiang and the others noticed the commotion and looked outside.

The leader of the cavalry leapt from his horse with a striking movement, clad in armor and moving with grace.

“Commander Long Zhan of the Elite Cavalry, by imperial order, is here to protect the Seventh Princess. Zhao Wujiang has been disrespectful to the princess and disturbed the peace of our capital. Seize him at once!”