Volume One, Chapter Three: A Twist in the Plot—Ready for a Comeback?

[He’s coming, he’s coming—could it be that I truly cannot escape the fate of being wiped out by Long Zhan?]

Zhao Wujiang’s pupils flickered as his gaze fixed unwaveringly on Long Zhan, who had just led the troops inside.

Long Zhan’s face brimmed with confidence, embodying the image of a spirited young hero.

In his eyes, Zhao Wujiang was nothing more than an empty figure drained by indulgence, a worthless trash without the backing of the Northern Prince.

So Long Zhan didn’t even acknowledge Zhao Wujiang and strode straight toward Li Yunrui.

When he saw this breathtaking beauty, despite his efforts to conceal his desire, he couldn’t help but swallow hard.

To think such a stunning woman was betrothed to a scoundrel like Zhao Wujiang stirred his displeasure.

She should belong to me, Long Zhan!

“Princess, you seem frightened. Long Zhan will escort you away immediately.”

As he spoke, Long Zhan drew his sword, the blade sweeping across everyone in the Northern Prince’s mansion.

“Lock up everyone here, especially him!”

The sword tip aimed squarely at Zhao Wujiang.

Zhao Wujiang forced himself to steady his breathing.

This was his first time facing the protagonist of the story head-on; it was impossible not to feel nervous.

But the more intense the situation, the more one must remain calm.

“How dare you! This is the Northern Prince’s mansion—when have you had the right to act recklessly here?”

Before Zhao Wujiang could finish, the elderly steward, recently beaten, rushed out, trying to curry favor with Zhao Wujiang.

“Rest assured, Young Lord, I shall confront this scoundrel myself!”

But Zhao Wujiang’s gaze darkened, and—smack—

He slapped the steward’s face again.

“Commander Long Zhan acts for the Princess and everyone’s good. Why do you have to open your mouth?”

The steward’s ears rang.

He thought the Young Lord must be ill—gravely ill!

Previously, the Young Lord would have confronted these people head-on.

After all, with the Northern Prince as his backbone, whom did he fear?

What he didn’t realize was that Zhao Wujiang was protecting him.

In the original tale, the steward led the resistance and was swiftly killed by Long Zhan’s sword, accused of obstructing justice.

Had Zhao Wujiang not spoken up, the steward would already be dead under the sword.

“Everyone, do not move. Fully cooperate with the Cavalry Regiment.”

Zhao Wujiang finished and saluted Long Zhan.

“Commander Long Zhan, if you wish to take the Princess, please do. The Northern Prince’s mansion will cooperate fully.”

The household staff had been ready to draw weapons.

But upon hearing Zhao Wujiang’s order, their hearts sank.

Without the Northern Prince, the Young Lord seemed to have lost his spirit.

To be bullied by a mere cavalry commander and not resist—that was shameful.

Yet, what they did not know was that Long Zhan was even more uncomfortable than Zhao Wujiang.

He held the Emperor’s decree: if Zhao Wujiang dared to force the Seventh Princess, he was to be executed on the spot!

Long Zhan was waiting for Zhao Wujiang to resist so he could kill him and demonstrate his prowess before Li Yunrui.

He also hoped to win the beauty’s heart.

With imperial support, his future would soar like a meteor!

But now, Zhao Wujiang was far too cooperative.

This robbed him of any excuse to make a move.

“Won’t you resist? The Northern Prince’s heir, yet so powerless!”

Long Zhan’s tone was taunting, clearly trying to provoke Zhao Wujiang by reminding him of his status.

Though the Northern Prince had fallen, his remaining influence lingered. At least resist!

Zhao Wujiang was unmoved by the provocation and smiled.

“Right and wrong are known in the heart. Today, I have not stopped the Seventh Princess. Her coming and going are her own freedom. Why should I resist?”

This statement instantly placed Zhao Wujiang on the moral high ground.

Long Zhan immediately retorted, “Wrong! You coerced the Seventh Princess and scorn the royal family!”

Regardless of resistance, he would brand Zhao Wujiang guilty.

Today, Zhao Wujiang must die!

But Long Zhan failed to notice the disdain in Li Yunrui’s gaze as she looked toward him.

Is this the Long Zhan Zhao Wujiang kept mentioning?

Nothing special about him.

A mere commander who governs the capital’s security and investigates officials—nothing more.

Since when did he have the right to bully the Northern Prince’s mansion?

[If I endure now, when my father returns, who will I fear?]

[But for now, I must bear it and see this woman safely away!]

Hearing Zhao Wujiang’s thoughts, Li Yunrui’s opinion of him shifted.

To endure what others cannot—that suggested he was not as worthless as rumored.

My father must be senile, inviting Long Zhan to cause trouble, which only gave Zhao Wujiang the chance to send me away.

Absolutely not!

Li Yunrui snorted softly.

“You are Long Zhan? Who said we were coerced?”

At her words, Long Zhan’s expression changed instantly.

Why would the Seventh Princess defend Zhao Wujiang?

His eyes involuntarily roamed over her alluring figure.

In the past, Li Yunrui might not have noticed, but now, she was wary of him.

“What are you ogling? It seems to me you’re the one with designs on us!”

“No! I have no such intention!” Long Zhan was stunned.

Zhao Wujiang was equally bewildered.

What is going on? Is the plot really like this?

Wasn’t it supposed to be that Li Yunrui would cry and plead, giving Long Zhan the reason to storm the Northern Prince’s mansion?

Zhao Wujiang’s inner voice made Li Yunrui lift her chin with pride.

Do they really think I’m just a pretty vase?

How could I ever side with an outsider against my own husband?

She glared fiercely at the cavalry officers.

“Hurry up and leave!”

Long Zhan snapped back to reality.

A cold gleam flickered in his eyes, as if using some mystical technique to peer into Li Yunrui.

Something’s off.

Could this Seventh Princess be under Zhao Wujiang’s spell?

Fine, fine—a scoundrel with some skill after all.

“Zhao Wujiang, what dark magic have you cast on the Seventh Princess? Confess truthfully!”

Long Zhan pointed at Zhao Wujiang.

“The Seventh Princess doesn’t understand the dangers of the world; don’t be fooled by this fallen scion!”

Long Zhan emphasized "fallen" before raising his hand.

“Men, by order of His Majesty, escort the Seventh Princess back first. As for Zhao Wujiang, I shall interrogate him personally!”

His domineering presence radiated as if he still controlled everything here.

[Is this what they call the protagonist’s aura? So impressive... Wait, damn, I’m the one about to suffer!]

Zhao Wujiang snapped back.

“Wait, Princess, you may leave, but I’ve done nothing wrong. Why interrogate me?”

Long Zhan smiled slyly, a hint of malice in his eyes.

“Routine procedure, Young Lord Zhao, please forgive me.”

Suddenly, Zhao Wujiang felt a tightening in his chest.

“Forgive? If you must question, do it here!”

“This place is inconvenient.”

“Are you trying to force a confession? Long Zhan, what are your intentions?”

“Intentions? I’ll be frank. Everyone knows you, Zhao Wujiang, are debauched and incompetent. With the Northern Prince down, your Zhao family has fallen apart. Why would the Seventh Princess come willingly? She was clearly abducted!”

No sooner had he spoken than the cavalry officers drew their swords.

Zhao Wujiang could no longer hold back.

Having read the story from the protagonist’s perspective, he never felt his worldview shattered.

But now, standing as the villain, he realized the protagonist treated others as less than human.

[You won’t let me survive, huh?]

[You’ll exterminate me, huh?]

[Fine! Then I’ll fight to the death!]

Hearing Zhao Wujiang’s resolve, Li Yunrui felt even more sympathy for him.

Long Zhan was simply unbearable!

“Whoever dares lay a hand on my husband!”

Li Yunrui stepped forward.

A voice of unwavering loyalty echoed throughout the Northern Prince’s mansion.

“I am Li Yunrui, the not-yet-wedded wife of Zhao Wujiang. Today marks the seventh day since the Northern Prince’s passing. As his daughter-in-law, is there any issue with me mourning here?”

“Whoever harms the current Prince Consort will be my enemy! Prepare to face the wrath of the Li royal family!”

For a moment, both Long Zhan and the cavalry officers froze.

Even Zhao Wujiang, who had raised a shovel ready to fight Long Zhan, was dumbfounded.

Suddenly, he felt a strange sense of achievement—as if living off someone else’s strength.