Chapter 2: The Crown Prince's Blind Date

Lan Xiaoyu was speechless. "Is this fucking what you should be worrying about right now? Go lighter, I can't breathe!"

Transforming a normally developing woman into a man was an especially agonizing method.

As she tightly bound her breasts, Lan Xiaoyu felt like she was weeping inwardly.

Fang Qingcheng was even more depressed than her. "Of course I care! Your body developed even better at seventeen than it did at your actual age back then. Holy crap, you really had the heart to bind them so tight? Aren't you afraid you'll bind them away forever?"

"Stop nagging. Besides this method, how else could I escape? That cold, wooden-faced General actually impersonated the Crown Prince to deceive me for so long, and that Crown Prince was even worse—playing the pig to eat the tiger. I treated him like a brother the whole time. Can you imagine if your buddy suddenly issued an imperial decree one day saying he was going to marry you?"

Just thinking about the way Zhou Lingtian looked at her when he was at the Prime Minister's residence made her shudder all over.

"But you didn't need to go as far as infiltrating the army, did you? If you're discovered, you'll be beheaded."

Having lived in ancient times for over a decade, the two of them knew deeply that this was life, not an acting performance.

However, Lan Xiaoyu was very confident. "My disguise skills come from my master's true teachings. With my current face, could you even recognize me as Lan Xiaoyu? Besides, the most dangerous place is the safest. That wooden-faced General definitely won't guess that I'm right under his command. And besides, they played me, so they can just wait for me to ruin them!"

Lan Xiaoyu gnashed her teeth.

But then, remembering what her master had said to her, her eyes instantly dimmed.

In this different time and space, the man who had treated her best had said, during her confession, that he did not like her.

It all started with the Crown Prince's selection of consorts a few days ago.

...

Great Yan Dynasty, the 40th year of Emperor Jing.

The Crown Prince's Villa. Today was the day of His Highness the Crown Prince's selection of consorts, commonly known as: a blind date gathering.

Lan Xiaoyu looked around. Seeing the beautiful women everywhere and noticing that none of the guards in the shadows were paying attention to her, she proceeded toward her target with relief.

As she walked, a gold-wire bell wrapped several times around her wrist let out crisp, tinkling sounds. The single *buyao* hair ornament in her hair swayed lightly, and beneath the bangs fluttering in the wind, a smooth forehead was revealed, upon which a single braid was rebelliously entwined.

She was not like the typical young lady of noble birth, brimming with ladylike grace and gentle dignity.

Using lightfoot technique, she quickly approached the pavilion in front of the Crown Prince.

However, guards immediately blocked her path. "This young lady may not proceed any further."

"Why? I've come to see the Crown Prince. Didn't they say the Crown Prince is selecting consorts today? How can he select them if he's hiding in there all by himself?"

The guard's mouth twitched slightly. Could it be that this woman intended to recommend herself?

Upon closer inspection, this woman was only in her sweet sixteen or eighteen, charming and lovely. However, the daughters and female relatives of the court officials who had come today were all exceptionally beautiful and stunning. In comparison, the woman before him seemed a bit too casual; someone whose even her attire wasn't dignified enough actually dared to dream of becoming the Crown Princess?

Lan Xiaoyu indeed hadn't dressed up at all; this was her usual look.

If it weren't for her master, she wouldn't have come to the Crown Prince's villa on such a hot day.

This selection of consorts was very casual and free; neither the Emperor nor the Empress were participating. However, all the young ladies were women raised in secluded boudoirs. Even if they wanted to catch a glimpse of the Crown Prince's true face immediately, their reserved nature prevented anyone from acting rashly.

But at this moment, when they suddenly discovered a girl who looked like a maidservant had actually approached the Crown Prince's pavilion, everyone was simultaneously shocked and jealous, yet they couldn't help but gather around.

The fourth young lady of the Prime Minister's residence, Lan Linglong, approached. Upon seeing that this woman was actually her own unruly sister, her expression instantly darkened.

...