Chapter 546: Lost Memory Fragments—Aston Gu'ai (Part IV)
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Whether it was the end of the journey or the energy had simply reached its limit, Ye Qinghan was genuinely curious about what would happen next to Xiao Ai. But in a flash of white light, the two traversed time once more.
Once again, they found themselves in the princess's bedchamber. Visibly, Xiao Ai had grown significantly taller. Yet even after thousands of years, she remained only at the height of a middle schooler. Her current increase was still quite limited.
Xiao Ai's life could be described as perfect—at least up until now, it had been carefree and unburdened.
Counting the days, Xiao Ai had last seen Su Cheng two years prior. That time, Su Cheng and Xun Ye had come together to Soul-Seizing City—or rather, the royal capital of Aston—to handle some affairs.
Calling it "business" sounded a bit off—it was more accurately about taking over defense duties. Though that phrasing sounded even worse, it was the reality.
But Xiao Ai knew none of this. She didn't even realize that for a princess like her, this was no small matter.
Back then, Xiao Ai had hidden herself away, stealing a distant glance at Su Cheng. He was just as handsome as in the photographs, and she was thoroughly satisfied.
The thought of marrying her prince at fourteen filled Xiao Ai with excitement.
But at that moment, Xiao Ai didn't know this was all just a dream. When Xun Ye grabbed her by the collar and lifted her up, she was still lost in Su Cheng's handsomeness.
Fortunately, Xun Ye dismissed her as a starstruck little princess. Otherwise, if he had secretly disposed of her, things would have been far more troublesome…
Over the next two years, Xiao Ai prepared herself for marriage, diligently honing her skills. Dance, swordsmanship, military strategy, and household management filled her schedule to the brim—all to become an exemplary queen.
Yet life is unpredictable, and all her beautiful dreams would bid Xiao Ai a final farewell today.
The photo frame on the table lay face down. Even without looking, Ye Qinghan knew it held Su Cheng's picture.
It was the fourteenth day since King Aston's death in battle. Her mother was busy and had only instructed her to stay indoors and not wander off.
Xiao Ai didn't care for her father, nor did she feel much toward him. After all, she was a princess, and her father's so-called affection was nothing but a performance. Xiao Ai might be young, but she wasn't stupid.
But the most crucial thing was that her father often beat her mother, especially in the last two years…
She had witnessed her father assault her mother more than once. Those rabbit ears, which normally only allowed her to touch them as a reward, were now being violently yanked by her father. Her mother’s cries were barely audible, only faint whimpers and sobs seeping through the door.
Xiao Ai witnessed it all. Truthfully, the fact she hadn't gone outside to set off firecrackers in celebration was already showing considerable restraint.
She never asked her mother why, because she knew her mother loved her. She knew she would only get a lie in response, so it was better not to ask.
Even if no one told her, or if she were cast out of the palace.
she understood that her days as a princess were numbered.
As she always said, she was a child, but no fool.
Moreover, though none of those teachers particularly liked her, they were all raising her according to the queen's standards.
Many of these tutors had even been personally selected by the concubine queen, who claimed to be deeply impressed by her and believed she possessed the qualities to become queen herself.
Over these fourteen days, many people had left her side, including the maids who had always served her—many had fled.
Yet she heard that the palace itself was far safer than the outside world.
For these fourteen days, she had been engrossed in reading a book. It was an intriguing story about a talking kitten.
But she clearly wouldn't see the ending. Just a moment ago, a long sword pierced her maid, and over a dozen men clad in armor burst into her bedchamber.
"Let me go! How dare you intrude! Ah! Release me!"
She was merely a young girl who had practiced swordsmanship for a few days. Against well-trained armored soldiers, she naturally had no strength to resist.
After a few desperate struggles, she was dragged away by her hair.
Xiao Ai's heart-wrenching screams left Ye Qinghan and Li Shiyao frozen in shock. Ye Qinghan knew Xiao Ai wasn't some pampered young lady, but he never imagined…
…that something like this could happen? Would the Master come to rescue Xiao Ai? After all, Xiao Ai was the Master's queen!
Exchanging a glance, the two briefly considered their options before rushing out to see what would happen next.
The guards clearly had no inclination toward chivalry, as evidenced by Xiao Ai's agonized screams.
Tossed into the Council Chamber like a piece of luggage, Xiao Ai pressed her still-throbbing pink-haired head as she slowly sat up.
The council chamber was nearly empty now. A stranger sat upon the throne, while below it stood her mother and a burly, battle-armored general who looked like a fierce demon.
Seeing Xiao Ai tossed inside, Chi Yao's expression darkened. She moved to approach, only to be kicked down by the general.
"You are no longer the queen. You are my spoils of war. Is that not clear?"
Such were the rules of the game. As a woman, Chi Yao could only await her fate. She felt no regret—regret would serve no purpose.
But Xiao Ai hadn't done anything wrong. Xiao Ai…
This was the scene Ye Qinghan and Li Shiyu encountered upon arriving. They could imagine the endless torment and humiliation awaiting Chi Yao—death would be her best fate.
Perhaps one's appearance reflects one's heart. Li Shiyu felt that everyone in this room, except for Xiao Ai, was nothing but a pack of beasts.
Yet she and Ye Qinghan could do nothing but watch helplessly. They watched as the bone-chilling glint of a blade reflected off Xiao Ai's chubby cheeks, used to blackmail her mother.
Right before Xiao Ai's eyes, Chi Yao was bestowed upon the general who claimed the primary credit for the victory—that fat, pig-faced beast standing nearby.
Chi Yao believed this was her deserved fate, though she hadn't anticipated it happening so swiftly—before she could arrange everything.
The queen's humiliation needn't wait for another day; the crowd was already eager to witness her groveling.
To amplify the spectacle, officials and guards were summoned into the grand hall to witness the unfolding drama.
A golden beam pierced through the general's body, followed by several more magical incantations. Yet they seemed to strike only mist and clouds, utterly ineffective.
Li Shiyu gasped for breath, her chest heaving violently. She couldn't utter a single word, her eyes filled with nothing but shock.
Ye Qinghan slowly supported Li Shiyao, who seemed on the verge of collapse, sighing helplessly.
But at that very moment, Li Shiyu's body suddenly trembled violently, and she stumbled backward several steps!
"Shiyao, what's wrong?" Ye Qinghan hadn't anticipated the Holy Maiden's reaction…
Compared to her earlier shock, Li Shiyu's face now bore only terror!
"Senior Sister, it's Lord Gu Ai!"
"What are you talking about?" Ye Qinghan was baffled, only to see Li Shiyao pointing at Xiao Ai, her face twisted with terror!
"Senior Sister, can't you see? Xiao Ai has changed. The one before wasn't her—this one is the real one!"
"Senior Sister, believe Shiyu. This is the real one. This is the Xiao Ai we know!"
Ye Qinghan was utterly bewildered. What did that mean?
What did "this one is the real Xiao Ai we know" even mean? Could Li Shiyu's eyes truly see things she couldn't?
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