Chapter 66 All the stars and constellations have vanished; I depart from this place...

As she poured out her memories into her writing, Chi Ying's heart endured countless pains and struggles until she finally became completely numb and at peace.

Fate brings people together and fate separates them; what doesn't belong to her is futile no matter how much she clings to it or struggles to accept it.

She knew from the beginning that she was just a substitute and should never indulge in it, but she still failed to remember her identity and her mother's instructions. All the suffering she endured today was a lesson learned from her past delusions and infatuation.

She deceived herself by ignoring all the tenderness and affection that followed, repeatedly recalling those initial, nasty tests, those moments of walking on thin ice, and deepening the fear of the crossbow bolts that brushed past her on the night of her return visit. She tried to numb her will with this, telling herself that without all that followed, their lives would have been very different.

Meanwhile, Chi Yingyue's sarcastic remarks dragged their past sweetness and tenderness into the mire of reality.

"I really underestimated you. In just a few months, you managed to completely win over King Zhao. Your seductive skills are truly remarkable."

"Love-Inducing Scent? So it was through the Love-Inducing Scent that you got to have your first time. Looks like he didn't really like you that much?"

"You're a fake, and you even gave him your hair? How disgusting! What kind of couple are you?"

"He's blind, he can't even see your face, and this is what you call affection? If you can do it, then everyone can!"

...

Chi Ying was speechless, silently lowering her head and continuing to write.

Whether she likes it or not, or how much she likes it, from now on, it has nothing to do with her.

Chi Yingyue read through the entire book from beginning to end, and it was impossible for her not to feel jealous.

These sarcasm and ridicule were merely a few points of doubt that she had picked out from Chi Ying's account of their loving past.

She had also personally experienced so-called love, but in the face of King Xuan's situation and compared with others, this love seemed so pale and laughable.

King Xuan would visit her every few days, either to satisfy his desires or to be pleased by her sweet words. There was almost nothing else.

When her period started, she was in so much pain that she couldn't eat. King Xuan, probably realizing he couldn't be intimate with her, left after a short while, citing official business. But King Zhao was so considerate, even personally massaging her lower abdomen…

She even used the Love-Inducing Incense to mock Chi Ying, but after that, King Zhao doted on her for three whole days! Later, his favor continued, and they were inseparable, with King Zhao wishing he could stick to her every day!

Inside the hot spring resort, King Zhao personally played the zither and practiced swordsmanship for her, accompanied her on strolls through the city, and taught her how to use a crossbow for self-defense.

On the day of the Spring Festival, she begged him repeatedly before Prince Xuan risked taking her out to see the lanterns. However, considering her status and fearing that the Fu family would discover that he was keeping a mistress, the two did not even dare to walk side by side. She was pregnant at the time, and he even had to avoid suspicion when helping her. But Prince Zhao, who was blind, was willing to carry Chi Ying around to see the lanterns, and he was reluctant to let her walk even a few steps!

They had been so intimate, sometimes three to five times a night, but even a cup of tea's time was barely enough for King Xuan, let alone her. She still had to put on a show to please him, flatter him, and serve him...

No wonder Chi Ying was reluctant to change; such immense wealth and favor were something no one could bear to give up.

Seeing that her gaze lingered on the day of the Lunar New Year's Eve feast, Chi Ying guessed something and said softly, "You were the one with Prince Xuan that day, weren't you?"

Chi Yingyue's face twisted slightly. "So what if it is? Are you laughing at me?"

Chi Ying said calmly, "The imperial decree betrothed you to Prince Zhao, but you secretly seduced Prince Xuan. Now that Prince Xuan has lost power, you want to return to Prince Zhao's residence. Aren't you afraid that one day the truth will come out and people will find out that you have been cheating on him and that you have been doing something improper?"

Chi Yingyue's face flushed red and then turned pale with embarrassment and anger. "Prince Zhao is blind, and Prince Xuan is paralyzed on one side. They can't even leave the mansion. If you don't tell, who will find out?"

Chi Ying was too exhausted to say anything more. At this moment, Chi Yingyue only wanted to be her noble and precious princess again, and she couldn't listen to anything else.

However, in front of King Zhao, it was far more difficult to fool him by simply remembering some details of their interactions.

In order to appease King Zhao, Chi Ying mentioned that she did not like playing the zither, chess, calligraphy and painting, but preferred needlework, cooking and gardening. She could make desserts, recognized various flowers, mushrooms and wild vegetables, and had cooked for King Zhao many times.

However, Chi Yingyue is completely unskilled in housework. If she wants to appear competent, she needs to learn to make all kinds of snacks and dishes, at least learning what Chi Ying has made.

Having no other choice, Chi Yingyue had Xiangqin dress her up as a maid and follow Chi Yingyue to the kitchen. She would carefully observe the dishes Chi Yingyue had made before, and Chi Yingyue would assist her, memorizing the ingredients and steps, and learning some wok-flipping techniques.

However, it is extremely difficult to expect to make rapid progress in cooking skills and prepare a whole table of delicacies in just five days.

Chi Yingyue cursed and swore, her hands splattered with oil. She hated that Chi Ying had made her do complicated and difficult tasks in order to please the Prince Zhao, and she was afraid that Chi Ying was deliberately making things difficult for her!

After tasting the food she had personally prepared, Madam Yin had an indescribable expression on her face and could only sigh, "After you switch back, find an opportunity to come back and stay for a few days. Your mother will have Liu Mama teach you how to cook. If you still can't learn, then don't bother trying anymore. Just leave the cooking to the servants."

Chi Yingyue nodded; that was the only option.

As for the servants in the courtyard and the exotic flowers and plants in Shuyuzhai, Xiangqin will teach her to identify them one by one later. There is still more than a month to go, and she can make up for it before Prince Zhao returns.

There are also differences in their bodies, hair, skin, and physiques.

When Chi Ying was forced into marriage in place of another woman, all she had to do was eat more meaty food every day, take more baths, and apply more fragrant ointments to make her skin delicate and smooth, so that she would look like a proper young lady and be able to fool everyone.

Now, more than half a year has passed, and King Zhao can be said to have doted on her to the extreme and knows her like the back of his hand. However, he is blind and his knowledge of the person next to him can only come from her voice, breath and touch. This means that Chi Yingyue not only has to imitate Chi Ying's voice and tone, but also has to make every part of her body feel roughly the same as Chi Ying's.

Her voice was alright. Chi Yingyue would imitate Chi Ying's speech whenever she had free time. Although she often pretended to be gentle and timid just to embarrass Chi Ying, she did sound about 80% similar when she spoke seriously.

As for her body fragrance, Chi Ying had a faint orange blossom scent. Since King Zhao did not like strong fragrances, Lady Yin found a similar scent to replace it.

The most troublesome thing is the scar on Chi Ying's shoulder.

The whip mark below my navel has become barely noticeable thanks to consistent application of scar-removing cream, but the injury on my shoulder, which was left on Mid-Autumn Festival night, cannot be healed quickly even with the best ointment.

Thinking of the only solution, Chi Yingyue glared fiercely at Chi Ying: "Are you deliberately trying to hurt me?"

Chi Ying said, "If you think you can fool King Zhao, I have no objection."

In the end, Lady Yin gritted her teeth and made a ruthless decision, using a dagger to cut a wound on Chi Yingyue's shoulder that was similar in shape, but shallower than the wound Chi Ying had suffered before. She guaranteed that it would scab over and heal in ten days to half a month, and when Prince Zhao returned, there would be some traces when touched.

Even though it was just a shallow scratch, it made Chi Yingyue grit her teeth in pain, cold sweat pouring down her face, and her eyes filled with even more hatred as she looked at Chi Ying.

Once she has established herself in the Prince Zhao's mansion, she will definitely eliminate this vile woman and Aunt Xue completely, leaving no future trouble!

Although the five days were short, the two spent time together day and night, and Chi Yingyue began to resemble Chi Ying to some extent.

Madam Yin asked her to take a few steps and say a few words to observe, so Chi Yingyue imitated Chi Ying's soft and clear voice, moved closer to Chi Ying, and softened her voice to say, "'We are bound together as husband and wife, our love is unwavering,' so I cut this lock of hair to give to you..." She raised an eyebrow, tilted her head and smiled at Chi Ying, "How is it, does it look like me?"

Chi Ying felt a dull, stabbing pain in her chest, as if pricked by needles, but she dared not reveal a trace of bitterness on her face. She lowered her eyes, and the tears in her eyes flashed by, but she held them back in the end.

Lady Yin praised from the side, "It is very similar."

I had to add a few more words of advice: "Once you arrive at the Prince's residence, you must rein in your spoiled nature. You must not be impatient in anything, and you must not beat or scold the servants at will..."

Chi Ying silently walked to the window, facing the bleak cold wind, and dried the tears at the corners of her eyes.

Someone who looks so much like her, with the same tone of voice, incense, and mannerisms, will Your Highness treat her as another version of yourself, and treat her with the same affection and doting love as before?

Or perhaps, through the bright and vibrant princess, one can see the shadow of someone who once existed, until the passage of time washes everything away.

The night wind stung her cheeks. Chi Ying gazed at the dim lights in the courtyard, thinking that this was probably the last full night she would spend in the capital.

A bird fluttered its wings on the windowsill and lingered in front of her, seemingly reluctant to leave the small patch of warm yellow light shining from inside the room.

Chi Ying carefully cradled the bird's frail body, wanting to give it all the warmth of her palm, but at that moment, Madam Yin suddenly spoke from behind: "What are you doing?"

The bird was startled and flapped its wings and flew away.

Madam Yin's eyes narrowed: "What kind of bird is that? Are you tipping someone off?"

These past few days, she had been paying extra attention to Chi Ying's every move, forbidding her from leaving the manor and from having much contact with the guards. Just now, when she saw the bird fly away from Chi Ying's hand, Madam Yin subconsciously became alert.

When Chi Ying heard her ask about birds, she was momentarily stunned. But when she heard her say "information relay," her mind raced, and she didn't have time to respond.

Madam Yin was furious: "Aren't you afraid that I'll make Aunt Xue..."

“I did send a message out,” Chi Ying said, closing the window and turning around to interrupt. “But Mother, don’t worry. I’m just leaving myself and Mother a way out. I’m on good terms with a noble lady. I saved her life at the palace banquet. I just wrote to her to tell her the truth.”

Madam Yin's expression changed drastically: "What did you say?"

Chi Ying calmly said, "Mother, you can rest assured that she will keep the secret for me and the Chi family, provided that I send her a letter of reassurance when I arrive in Jiangnan. If she does not receive the letter, she will inform His Highness Prince Zhao of everything concerning the Chi family."

Madam Yin's features contorted in a ferocious expression: "You've been holding back this trick!"

Chi Ying said, "It's just that my mother's past actions make it hard to trust people, so I resorted to this desperate measure. As long as my mother and I stay safe on our journey, the secrets of the Chi family will never be exposed."

Madam Yin never expected to be tricked by her at the last minute, but she couldn't retaliate for fear of attracting attention, so she could only swallow her anger.

Chi Ying was obviously making things up, but she wanted to make Madam Yin think twice, so that Madam Yin wouldn't dare to do anything to her on her way out of the capital. Even if it turned out that she was lying in the future, by then she and her mother would have already settled down.

For a brief moment, I did think of Consort Zhuang.

But things have come to this point, and her mother is probably still under the watchful eye of the Chi family. She can't gamble with her mother's life, nor can she trouble Consort Zhuang to deal with these dirty affairs. After all, the Chi family deceived the emperor first, and Consort Zhuang may be powerless to do anything about it.

Chi Ying took a deep breath. Since she had decided to leave, she would stop making trouble. As long as she and her mother were safe and sound, it didn't matter where they were.

The following day was the birthday of Changyuanbo.

Although it wasn't a full birthday celebration, the family invited several uncles, brothers, and relatives from Madam Yin's family to cover their tracks. The banquet had three tables, and carriages were parked all outside.

Today, Chi Yingyue was the one who made an appearance at the banquet. She was gentle and beautiful, calm and generous. She was wearing the same begonia-patterned ruqun that Chi Ying often wore. Her every move was no longer as arrogant and domineering as before. The guards were waiting at a distance and did not notice anything unusual.

Aunt Xue was also in an inconspicuous carriage by the roadside. Chi Ying, disguised as an ordinary woman by Xiang Qin, followed the guests out from the side gate and boarded Aunt Xue's carriage.

The night was thick, the carriage curtain was lifted, and the face of a woman with a sallow complexion came into view. Even Aunt Xue was stunned for a moment, until she saw the woman's familiar features, and then she realized: "A-Ying?"

Chi Ying sat inside the carriage and then softly called out, "Mother."

The carriage rumbled through the streets toward the city gate.

The interior is simply decorated, narrow and cramped, but its excessive simplicity makes it go unnoticed.

Using the light filtering in when the carriage curtain was lifted, Chi Ying looked Aunt Xue up and down. Seeing that she was unharmed, she was relieved. With the travel permit prepared in advance by the Earl of Changyuan, passing through the city gate was not difficult; the guards glanced at it and let her through.

The wheels rolled over the frosty road, from the brightly lit streets to the deserted and quiet official road outside the city. The cold wind rushed in from all directions. Chi Ying took out bedding from the bag under the seat and wrapped herself and Aunt Xue in a thin quilt to keep warm.

It was only then, by the dim light of the carriage, that Aunt Xue noticed a glistening tear in her daughter's eyes. Upon closer inspection, she realized that her daughter's eyes were already brimming with tears.

"Ah Ying..." Aunt Xue sighed, her heart filled with sorrow. "It's all my fault for dragging you down, for making you marry in someone else's place. Now that things have finally settled down, you have to suddenly say goodbye to everything..."

Chi Ying shook her head. The calm she had been maintaining for so many days finally collapsed at this moment. Her pent-up emotions surged up, and she could no longer hold back her tears.

The changes of this year shattered the original tranquility of her life. Like a carefully woven dream, the days spent by his side were the most joyful time she had experienced in the past ten years, making her so immersed in it that she could not extricate herself.

But today we must say goodbye for good.

Husband, husband, let me call you husband one last time. I promised to wait for you to come back, but I failed to keep my promise. I will never hear the good news you promised again.

I'm sorry, I'm so sorry...

She was so focused on reciting the seemingly beautiful line, "We are husband and wife, bound by love and unwavering trust," that she forgot the poem had already foreshadowed a tragic ending.

The stars Orion and Orion have all set; I bid farewell here. [Note]

From now on, though the journey may be long and arduous, I only wish you all the best, that you may regain your sight soon, and see all the beauty in this world.

And also, forget about me.

...

Hejian, 500 li away.

Yan Xuecui was leading his guards in a battle against a group of assassins. The enemy was already showing signs of weakness. He drew his long sword and was about to kill one of the black-clad assassins when a sudden, excruciating pain shot through his chest, causing him to almost spasm.

A nameless fear surged into my heart at the same time.

In the instant his body froze, the assassin's cold arrow pierced through the air. He felt a sharp pain in his heart and could barely stand up. He endured the pain and used his sword to support himself as he dodged.

The arrow tip grazed past him, tearing his chest and leaving a trail of blood, while also knocking the purse he had hidden in his bosom to the ground.

-----------------------

The author's note: [Note] "We became husband and wife, our love and trust unwavering." "The stars of Shen and Chen have all vanished; I depart from this place." This is from Su Wu's "Farewell to My Wife."

50 red envelopes to continue comforting her [hugs][hugs]