Chapter 43: Does Your Family Sell Knives?

After sending the others away, Han Yao grew even more excited.

“Goddess, is it really you? I’m your die-hard fan!”

“Ah?” Chen Xingmiao’s mouth opened slightly in surprise, her face full of astonishment. After a pause, she said, “Thank you.”

“Goddess, how did you get in here? Do you have a special power? A secret space?”

Han Yao’s rapid-fire questions pierced Chen Xingmiao’s heart one by one.

“Seventh Princess, does your family sell knives?”

Han Yao was stunned by Chen Xingmiao’s sudden counter-question, and the excitement on her face instantly froze. But her passion for her idol quickly brought her back to herself, and she awkwardly smiled. “Hehe, Goddess, I’m just too excited, sorry. But seriously, don’t you have any of those things?”

“Don’t you have them?”

Upon hearing the counter-question, Han Yao nodded earnestly.

Wait, why don’t I have anything? Maybe the female lead should be someone else!

Chen Xingmiao felt as if the sky had fallen.

“So, Goddess, how did you get in here?” Han Yao pressed on.

“I’m not sure either. I just slept and when I opened my eyes, I was here.”

Chen Xingmiao slowly came to her senses, her expression weary and helpless. She sighed softly, her voice tinged with hoarseness and confusion.

“What a coincidence! I also opened my eyes and suddenly became a princess!”

“Is that so… really…”

So it’s all about falling asleep to cross worlds in this script?

Chen Xingmiao’s lips curved into a bitter smile as she silently vented in her mind.

“But now that I’ve found the Goddess, it’ll be easier to get back. Goddess, you have to marry my imperial brother quickly.”

Han Yao took her hand again, her eyes sincere, not at all joking.

“Is your condition for returning really that simple?”

Her heart cracked again. So she’s the only one suffering?

“Yes, as long as I reach the happy ending. Before that, I can run around and meet all the handsome men here!”

Her defenses shattered—this was pure torment.

Seeing Han Yao so excited, Chen Xingmiao felt a bit guilty for dampening her spirits.

“Goddess, please marry my imperial brother soon!” Han Yao said again, face full of anticipation. “I also want to experience what a crown prince’s wedding is like.”

Chen Xingmiao forced a smile. “Although your task is simple, I... am already married.”

At Chen Xingmiao’s words, Han Yao’s smile froze instantly. Her eyes widened in disbelief. “Married? How could that be? To whom?”

“To Xiao Ziyu, the illegitimate son of the Xiao family.”

As soon as she said this, Han Yao froze for a moment, gasping sharply like she was rooted to the spot.

Chen Xingmiao hurried forward to support her. “Are you okay?”

Han Yao waved her off, but the emotions in her eyes trembled violently, making her shiver uncontrollably. She forced a faint, bitter smile.

“Goddess, how could you marry that villain? Don’t you know how many people he’s killed? He’s a demon!”

“I know, but I have to complete the task. I have to protect him and stop him from turning evil, so I can only keep him close.”

Chen Xingmiao’s expression remained calm as she sighed softly.

“Goddess, that’s too risky! He’s cunning and ruthless. What if your protection only angers him and accelerates his descent into darkness? Then what?”

Han Yao grew more agitated, gripping Chen Xingmiao’s arm tightly.

“I know, but he’s still okay for now, and I need to earn ten thousand points to get back.”

“Ten thousand? Goddess, you’re really suffering. But don’t worry, my main task is to help you—just ask if you need anything. I have plenty of special powers!”

Chen Xingmiao was originally grateful, but that last remark stabbed her heart again.

She might be the most unfortunate female lead among all who have crossed over.

She tugged at the corners of her mouth, forcing a smile more painful than tears.

Suddenly, a crucial question flashed through her mind. She whipped her head around, staring intently at Han Yao, asking urgently, “How do you know Xiao Ziyu is the villain?”

“I’m the original author, but maybe because we crossed over, many plotlines don’t match my original setting.”

“You’re the author?” This time, it was Chen Xingmiao’s turn to be astonished. Her eyes widened, filled with disbelief and amazement, her mouth slightly agape.

She never expected the author she had been complaining about for days to be standing right in front of her.

Chen Xingmiao stood frozen, her mind racing with countless thoughts as she looked at Han Yao with a complicated mix of emotions.

“So, you must know a lot about the plot’s direction, right?”

After coming back to herself, a glimmer of hope kindled in her eyes. She fixed her gaze on Han Yao as if clutching a lifeline.

Han Yao smiled bitterly, nodding but showing signs of distress.

“Theoretically, Xiao Ziyu should have already turned dark and destroyed the Chen family by now, and your relationship with Han Xu should have progressed rapidly. But the plot is all messed up.”

Chen Xingmiao frowned deeply, lost in thought. “No matter what, having you here gives me some hope.”

“All right, enough about that. Goddess, come back to my chambers. There’s so much delicious food here that I’ve gathered.”

Han Yao smiled brightly, linking her arm with Chen Xingmiao’s and giving it a playful shake.

At the mention of food, Chen Xingmiao’s eyes lit up instantly.

Indeed, two food lovers are the best match.

So, Han Yao dragged Chen Xingmiao along, their steps stumbling as they rushed toward the chambers. The two laughing and teasing as they dashed along the palace path stirred a breeze in their wake.

Behind them, Chun Tao lifted her skirt, struggling to keep up, panting heavily, her cheeks flushed.

She was utterly exhausted and had to stop under a tree, hands on her knees, gasping for breath as she watched the two figures disappear, helplessly shaking her head.

Once Chun Tao caught her breath and jogged into the chambers, she saw Chen Xingmiao and Han Yao already seated before a table laden with delicacies, enjoying themselves heartily.

The air was thick with tempting aromas. The table overflowed with exquisite pastries, steaming dishes, and crystal-clear fruits brought as tribute from the Western Regions.

“Miss, Seventh Princess, I just can’t keep up with you two,” Chun Tao said, wiping sweat from her brow, feigning a scolding tone.

Chen Xingmiao muffled a piece of pastry in her mouth and slurred, “Chun Tao, come eat with us! Don’t waste it.”

Han Yao looked on with a hint of envy and sighed softly, “You really have a great mistress-servant relationship.”

“That’s all thanks to you, writing me such a loyal sister,” Chen Xingmiao teased with a smile.

Chun Tao stood beside them, utterly puzzled by their conversation, eyes wide as saucers. She could only laugh awkwardly and scratch her head.

The trio stayed in the chambers all day, causing passing palace maids to peek in, wondering why the princess’s quarters were so lively today.

Just as everyone was enjoying themselves, Chen Xingmiao suddenly seemed to remember something. She jumped up urgently.

“Oh no, what time is it? I have to go pick up my husband from school!”