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Huangfu Haobo was both furious and deeply disappointed.
Standing beside him, Feng Nan was even more upset—he wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear. "I did drug her, Your Highness," he said, full of regret. "But she woke up halfway through. She started struggling hard, and I panicked... so I knocked her out. After that, I was afraid she might wake up again, so I blocked her pressure points…"
"You even used acupuncture points on her?" Huangfu Haobo gave him a sharp glance. "Then why is she gone?"
Feng Nan winced and frowned. "I was afraid I'd hurt Miss Xiao if I used too much force, so I used the simplest pressure point method... it only lasts for an hour."
Huangfu Haobo closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. "Forget it. Honestly, I wasn't too proud of this plan to begin with. Since she's already escaped, maybe it's better to just let this whole thing go."
"I failed, Your Highness…" Feng Nan still didn't dare look up.
Huangfu Haobo started walking. "If you know you screwed up, go accept your punishment yourself." He took a few steps, then suddenly stopped and turned back. "Are you absolutely sure Miss Xiao didn't recognize you when you knocked her out?"
Feng Nan quickly raised his head. "I swear, Your Highness—she definitely didn't. If she had, I wouldn't have needed to knock her out in a panic."
"Alright." Huangfu Haobo nodded. "Since you're sure, I'll trust you one more time. But if anything goes wrong again… I won't forgive you."
Zisu hadn't walked far with Qinjian before a group of guards blocked their path. Startled, Zisu looked around, but Qinjian remained calm, so she forced herself to relax.
"Miss!" A young guard ran up to them. "We finally found you! It's already nighttime and the general and madam are worried sick that you and Qinjian haven't come home yet!"
Qinjian walked up timidly and called out, "Brother Wang…"
But the guard glared at her. "Qinjian, seriously? You're always with the young lady—you should be keeping an eye on the time. Do you even realize how late it is? The young lady just got back to the capital. She doesn't know her way around yet! What if something happened? Would you be able to take responsibility for that?"
Zisu couldn't help but smile. So that's why Qinjian had been acting weird earlier—just a young maid getting scolded.
When she saw Qinjian's face full of frustration and hurt, Zisu quickly stepped in with a warm smile. "Don't blame Qinjian, Brother Wang. I was the one who wanted to keep exploring. I lost track of time and dragged her along with me. It's my fault for making everyone worry."
The guard instantly bowed in embarrassment. "Oh no, Miss, I wouldn't dare blame you. As long as you're safe and nothing happened, that's all that matters."
Zisu's heart ached a little. If only that were true.The real Miss Xiao didn't just 'run into some trouble'... she lost her life. And I—
Her hands clenched involuntarily.
That bastard… I'll make him pay one day. I swear it.
When they got back to the General's Manor, Zisu couldn't help but be impressed.
So this is what a general's home looks like—damn, it's grand!
The front gate towered above them, covered in gold and purple accents. Thick red doors studded with bronze knobs, and a huge plaque above read "Grand General's Manor" in bold calligraphy.
Stone lions stood guard on either side, fierce and imposing. Armed guards in full armor stood at the entrance, intimidating enough to scare off any ordinary folk.
Inside the front courtyard, the lights were blazing. Zisu peeked around—everywhere screamed military. But the palanquin didn't stop in the front; it kept going, carried straight into the back courtyard.
"Reporting to the General and Madam—the young lady has returned!" someone shouted as soon as the palanquin arrived.
As soon as Zisu stepped out, she saw an older man with a commanding presence and tired eyes walking toward her. Beside him stood a graceful woman with silver-streaked hair, probably in her fifties.
The man grabbed her hand, his tone stern but not cold. "A'Li, finally! You snuck out just to play, and now it's nighttime? You scared your mother and me half to death!"
"Father…"For some reason, being scolded by this man didn't annoy her—it warmed her heart.
The woman came forward and gently pulled her hand away from the general. "Dear, she just got back to the capital. Of course she'd want to explore a little. She's home safe and sound now—don't be so hard on her."
She tugged on Zisu's hand and smiled. "You must be exhausted after wandering around. Come on, let's go inside. I've had all your favorite foods prepared just for you."
Zisu blinked hard, trying not to cry.
When was the last time anyone treated me like this? When did I ever have this kind of love?
Just as she was about to go in with the madam, the general barked out, "You two—hold it right there!"
They froze. Zisu turned and saw the general looking strict again.
He glanced at Zisu, then turned to the madam. "You can't keep spoiling her like this. This isn't the borderlands anymore. In the capital, things are different. Back there, the military controls everything for miles, so there was no real danger. But this is the capital—you know how deep the waters run here."
The madam went quiet for a moment, then turned to Zisu with a gentle smile. "Your father's right, A'Li. The capital really isn't like the border. You have to promise us you won't sneak out again, alright?"
Zisu was moved all over again. She lowered her head and replied softly, "I'm sorry, Father, Mother. I understand now. I won't run off like that again."
So this is what it feels like… to be loved by parents.
Even if they scolded her, it still felt warm.
After spending a few days playing the obedient daughter, Zisu finally pieced together her situation.
Turns out, in this life, her name was Xiao Li—only daughter of General Xiao Chaogui, one of the most powerful men in Ling Country.
Her father wasn't just any military man. He had the title of Lord Anjiang, and his influence stretched across the whole capital. From royals to merchants to outlaws, everyone wanted to curry favor with him.
Over the next few days, Zisu's memories slowly returned.
She remembered the happy days Xiao Li had spent living with her parents at the border. Not long ago, the general had a relapse of an old injury, so the family had returned to the capital for treatment.
And then there was Huangfu Haobo—the second prince of Ling Country, known as the Prince of War.
He had come to the General's Manor many times to propose marriage, but Xiao Li always rejected him. Clearly, she didn't like him at all.
But then—Zisu suddenly remembered something important.
Right before the body swap, the real Xiao Li had gone to eat at a place called Qingchun Tower, with none other than Feng Nan, the prince's personal guard.
She had a strong, instinctive fear of him—so strong that she'd try to flee on sight. But that day, before she could leave the restaurant, Feng Nan had already left first.
And after that—Her memories got hazy, followed by constant headaches.
Years of training and instinct told Zisu: something terrible had happened to Xiao Li that day.
She had probably died because of it.
Yes—based on everything she knew, it had to be Feng Nan who made the move. And the mastermind behind it all… was none other than Huangfu Haobo.
"Huangfu Haobo!"Just thinking his name made Zisu seethe.
If not for him, Xiao Li wouldn't have died. If not for him, Zisu herself wouldn't have been violated.
It was him. His twisted desires had destroyed two women.
Xiao Li was dead.But Zisu—Zisu from the future, now living as Xiao Li—she would never let him get away with it.
And the other man…
She looked down at the white jade pendant clenched in her pale fingers—the one that man had left behind that night.
She still didn't know who he was.But one day, she would find him. And when she did…
Neither of those two men would escape.
Thankfully, thanks to Xiao Li's memories, General Xiao and the madam hadn't realized their real daughter was gone.
But that didn't matter anymore.
Zisu made a silent vow—From today on, she wasn't the old Zisu anymore.
From now on, she was Xiao Li, daughter of the Great General.
And if Xiao Li's soul could still see the world from the afterlife, she would know:Even though she lost everything… this new life would take her place and protect their parents in her name.
"....."