My Queen, Become My Consort 1 E-Book

Xixi Meng

• Herausgeber: via tolino media
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

Looking at his magnificent and extraordinary appearance and strong chest muscles in the copper mirror, Sarah feels angry. “He” is a girl! The person in front of Sarah has a graceful figure but an ordinary appearance. Well, this is the first time she can see her own face clearly without using a bronze mirror. "You... you... are reckless! How dare you disguise as the Crown Prince!" Herself speaking such words is truly filled with joy. The Crown Prince attacked a common women at night? It wasn't the Crown Prince that was struck by thunder and lightning from heaven. On the contrary, the girl and the Prince exchanged their body!

Leseprobe

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.For permission requests, write to :[email protected]

MY QUEEN, BECOME MY CONSORT

First edition. January 3, 2024.

Copyright © 2024 Meng Xixi.

Written by Meng Xixi.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Also by Meng Xixi

Divine Noblelady's Mystique

Divine Noblelady's Mystique

My Queen, Become My Consort

My Queen, Become My Consort

My Queen, Become My Consort

Ⅰ

Table of contents

Chapter One: A Multitude of Mishaps in a Soul Swap

Chapter Two: The Hidden Crown Prince

Chapter Three: Distinguishing the Extraordinary from the Charlatan

Chapter Four: Unaware of the Blossoming Feelings

Chapter Five: Resolving a Thousand Worries with a Single Explosion

Chapter Six: Overseeing the Jiangnan Civil Service Exam

Chapter Seven: Exposing Cheating and Rebellion

Chapter Eight: A Twist of Fate and an Exchange of Fortunes

Chapter Nine: The Arrogant Emperor's Cunning Brother

Chapter Ten: Mutual Affection at the Lantern Festival

Chapter Eleven: Turbulence at the Beginning

Chapter Twelve: Framed and Entering the Cold Palace

Chapter Thirteen: The Emperor's Pregnant Consort

Chapter Fourteen: The Unfortunate Emperor's Difficult Expedition

Chapter Fifteen: Giving Birth and Defeating the Enemy Simultaneously

Chapter Sixteen: The Imminent Royal Selection

Chapter Seventeen: A Forbidden Love

Epilogue: The Wife Sings, The Husband Follows, Returning Home

Extra: Settling Century-old Regrets

Extra 2: Matters of Husband and Wife

Chapter One: A Multitude of Mishaps in a Soul Swap

Under the cloak of a moonless and windy night, a lithe shadow stealthily infiltrated the grand residence of a notable household, navigating expertly towards a lady's boudoir.

Once inside, the shadow, clearly a man from his build, produced a hemp rope as thick as a man's wrist from seemingly nowhere, his eyes gleaming with smug satisfaction. Whether he was a notorious seducer remained a mystery.

Approaching the bed step by step, the intruder plunged into the covers with the rope, swiftly muffling the person's mouth and binding them up expertly.

As the shadow straightened to admire his handiwork, he met the razor-sharp gaze of the bound woman.

Enemies meeting each other certainly intensified their mutual animosity. Sarah Shaw, bound to death, instantly recognized the poorly disguised Vincent Harris, the current Crown Prince, who hadn't even bothered to disguise himself for his nefarious deeds. Even covered in black cloth, those unique phoenix-shaped eyes were unmistakable in all of Alvah Kingdom.

"Greetings, Crown Prince," Sarah spat through clenched teeth, disbelieving that he would dare to proceed with his plan now that she had uncovered his identity.

"Dispense with the formalities," Vincent reflexively responded, then paused, realizing something was amiss. "Ah, wait... something's missing... Yes, this!" he exclaimed.

Pondering for a moment, Vincent produced a dirty rag from nowhere, extending his 'claw' towards Sarah's mouth with a mischievous grin.

Sarah's eyes widened in disgust, feeling nauseous at the sight of the rag, a sensation that only intensified as Vincent approached.

Just as Sarah steeled herself for resistance, closing her eyes and biting down hard, she felt an inexplicable whirlwind sensation, as if being forcefully thrown out. She felt powerless, unable to move. But in a blink, the sensation of floating vanished as if invisible hands had placed her back, leaving her slightly dizzy.

"What happened? Did he knock me out?" Sarah mumbled, holding her head.

Wait a minute! That's wrong! Wasn't she tied up? Why were her hands free? And why did the Crown Prince mimic her words so pointlessly?

"Whimper..." Confused, Sarah heard a familiar sobbing sound – her own voice!

Sarah widened her eyes in shock, instinctively rubbing them, and gasped: "Gosh!" What was happening? Why was her own face staring back at her? Looking down, she noticed the absence of her chest and her now masculine hands. Turning her head and flexing her fingers, she felt strength and agility – had she, Sarah, swapped souls with the Crown Prince she so detested?

After a moment of silence, the "Sarah" across from her, eyes blazing with fury, struggled fiercely to break free from the ropes. Despite her efforts, the tight binding was no match for a woman's physique.

"Don't panic... I'll untie you," Sarah offered, setting aside past grievances and quickly loosening the knots, even discarding the rag disdainfully, "Don't struggle! You'll hurt my wrists!"

Freed, Vincent leapt off the bed, incredulously staring at his "self."

A soul swap? Preposterous! And the worst part was Sarah’s unnerving calmness, showing no sign of shock at such a supernatural event.

"You... you... How dare you become me!" Sarah, speaking in a distinctly feminine tone but with male bravado, stood with her hands on her hips, looking utterly comical.

With a cold snort, Sarah offered no response.

"Stop laughing!" Vincent, now in a woman's body, felt as if he was living a nightmare.

Sarah shot him a sidelong glance, "Who asked you to be such a hypocrite? Bad deeds catch up with you, don’t they?" This nickname she had secretly bestowed upon Vincent Harris, the Crown Prince, was something she had harbored since childhood. But given the constraints of status, it was never voiced aloud. Now, finding herself in the body of the "Crown Prince," she relished the opportunity to speak her mind fearlessly.

"What sorcery have you used? Return my body this instant!" the hypocrite demanded, his eyes wide with disbelief at her audacity.

Sarah shrugged nonchalantly. "Honestly, I didn't do this. Maybe it's because you harbored ill intentions, and now it's come back to haunt you."

"If you didn't cause this, why aren’t you the least bit surprised?" he accused.

With an indifferent glance, Sarah replied calmly, "There's nothing to be shocked about. The world is full of oddities; one more falling into my lap is just a twist of fate." She wasn't the pampered Crown Prince, raised in the luxury of the palace. She was a relative of the Dowager Empress, living a life of drift and hardship. Having witnessed the absurdities of life, like families selling children and husbands forcing their wives into brothels, she found human follies far more disgusting than any supernatural happenings.

"You woman—"

Just as the hypocrite was about to pounce on Sarah in a fit of rage, a maidservant gently knocked on the door, inquiring, "Miss, I heard someone else's voice in your room... Is everything alright?"

"It's nothing. Just practicing male voices," the hypocrite quickly improvised, remembering his soul was in her body, "Don't disturb me without my order; you may leave now."

The maidservant, convinced by the genuine feminine voice, departed without suspicion: "Yes, I will take my leave."

"Quite the actor, aren’t we!" Sarah murmured softly.

"Likewise!" the hypocrite retorted promptly.

Losing interest, Sarah didn't respond but approached the mirror to examine her new "self."

Indeed, the hypocrite's phoenix eyes were captivating enough to enchant countless young ladies. His firm nose and stern lips, devoid of the eyes' softness, exuded masculinity. These features combined paradoxically on the same face, half alluring, half handsome, with a sense of mystery in his gaze...

As a woman, Sarah had been unremarkable, so seeing herself as a handsome man was startling.

"Enthralled by the Crown Prince's charm, are you?" the hypocrite gloated smugly.

"Nothing but a hideous shell!" Sarah quickly averted her gaze from the mirror, feigning disdain.

Frustrated, the hypocrite stammered before blurting out, "If you despise it so, return my body!"

"Wishful thinking!" Sarah retorted instinctively.

"Sarah! Are you saying you're not behind this? I command you for the last time, retract your sorcery!" the hypocrite stepped forward, attempting to grab Sarah by the collar, only to realize he was now significantly shorter... a painful revelation.

"I've told you! It wasn't me! Can't you understand plain speech? Besides, it's your original body speaking! Don’t you trust yourself?" Sarah’s outcry seemingly stunned the hypocrite. He stepped back, scrutinizing her serious expression, and pondered the evening's bizarre events. Indeed, there was no hint of foul play. If she had such powers, she could have exacted revenge at fourteen, not wait until now.

It seemed he simply chose the wrong day for wrongdoing.

"So, take me back to the palace now," the now composed hypocrite suggested.

"Take you back?" Sarah was perplexed, "You're the Crown Prince. Go back if you want; why ask me?"

Hypocrite rolled his eyes in exasperation but remained silent, fixating on Sarah.

Feeling uneasy under his gaze, Sarah backed away, guarding herself, "What are you planning?!"

"What could I possibly plan? You think I'd harbor desires for my own body?" the hypocrite roared in frustration.

Sarah paused, then realizing the implication, chuckled dismissively, "Oh, I forgot, my apologies... I truly didn't mean to imply you were a hypocrite! Really!" This was a label she had secretly given Vincent in her heart, never voiced due to their differing statuses. But now, as she inhabited the body of the "Crown Prince," she felt emboldened to express her long-held disdain.

The hypocrite, sensing the mockery in Sarah's words, didn't dwell on it, instead spoke seriously, "It's well past midnight. If the Crown Prince doesn't return soon, his absence will surely be noticed. Our souls have swapped, presenting many inconveniences, but as the heir apparent of Alvah Kingdom, any slip-up could lead to chaos in the realm."

Sarah understood the gravity of the situation. The founding emperor of Alvah Kingdom, fearing fratricide among his many sons, established a rule: only the Queen could bear a prince, and the eldest son must be the Crown Prince. Other concubines were forbidden to birth sons, and the palace even had eunuchs and maids tasked with administering abortion-inducing drugs.

The current emperor had only two princes, both legitimate, and one illegitimate daughter. Vincent, as the eldest, was the Crown Prince. Any mishap with him, given the scarcity of heirs and the younger prince's disinterest in state affairs, would inevitably lead to a precarious situation for the throne. The emperor's declining health only exacerbated the potential for chaos.

"I understand," Sarah replied, her tone unusually serious.

"You understand?" the hypocrite asked incredulously.

Feeling underestimated, Sarah retorted, "If you think I can't understand, why bother explaining it to me?"

"I didn’t think you would understand," the hypocrite answered frankly.

Sarah felt a rebellious urge to disrupt his future reign. Why did she always feel so irrational around the hypocrite?

"Enough teasing. Let's discuss how to return to the palace," the hypocrite suggested nonchalantly. "Ever learned martial arts?"

"Of course not! If I had, you wouldn’t have tied me up so easily," Sarah replied, finding his question redundant.

The hypocrite's lips twitched, conceding the point, then continued, "Well, since you're in my body now, you should be able to perform martial arts."

"How?" Sarah's eyes lit up, admiring those who could move effortlessly across rooftops since childhood.

"Open the window, stand in front, look up, and try taking a deep breath," he instructed gently.

Sarah skeptically complied, repeatedly staring into the dark sky, her shoulders heaving with effort, but felt nothing.

"Hey! Why isn’t anything happening? How clumsy is your body?" Sarah complained.

Hypocrite, containing his anger, explained, "Of course, it won’t work immediately. You need to feel the flow of energy within you, sense an upward force until your body feels light. Then, with a tip-toe push, you can leap upwards."

Sarah eyed him doubtfully but nodded and tried again. This time, she felt a different sensation, energy surging within her, her body eager to take flight.

"Ha!" With a push, Sarah leaped out of the window, landing shakily on the rooftop but still bursting with joy. She had always valued practical skills, knowing they could be her sustenance in uncertain times. Mastering martial arts meant she wouldn't be easily bullied.

"Come down," the hypocrite ordered coldly.

Sarah understood his rationale for teaching her martial arts; it was simply impractical to enter the palace in her current attire.

"If we ever swap back, can I retain this martial arts ability?" she inquired about her primary concern.

"I have no experience in this, how would I know?" the hypocrite replied impatiently. "Why are you, a woman, so keen on learning martial arts? You're like a shrew..."

Sarah didn't bother to defend herself. How could the Crown Prince understand the hardships of common people?

"Climb up," she said, crouching down for him.

"Hmm... this still feels odd," the hypocrite muttered, hesitating to let "himself" carry his own body.

"Then what do you want?" Sarah asked impatiently.

"Just carry me," he decided, closing his eyes to avoid the bizarre sight of being carried by "himself."

"You asked for it," Sarah said, lifting him effortlessly and admiring her agile physique in her mind.

Steadily carrying the hypocrite, she leaped out of the window, cautioning, "This is my first time carrying someone. Don't move around too much."

"..."

The hypocrite on Sarah's shoulder remained silent, feigning death. Sarah, unbothered, enjoyed the exhilarating sensation of leaping from rooftop to rooftop, eventually arriving at the palace gates.

"Definitely faster than a carriage ride," Sarah mused.

"Obviously!" the hypocrite finally sprang back to life, his tone harsh. "What are you waiting for? Leap over! I can't stand being carried like this any longer!"

The idea of a grown man being carried by a young woman was a ridiculous notion that, if known, would ruin his reputation as the Crown Prince of Alvah Kingdom.

Sarah swallowed hard, intimidated by the height of the palace gate, which towered over regular houses.

"Why insist on the highest point? Any lower section of the wall would suffice," the hypocrite muttered under his breath. In his original form, it would have been a simple task, but for Sarah, a novice, a fall could be catastrophic.

"I know that! I was just commenting," Sarah retorted, slightly irritated but swiftly moving toward a lower part of the wall and effortlessly leaping over with the hypocrite in tow.

"Ah!" Moments later, painful groans echoed within the wall, a literal illustration of 'cries heard far and wide.'

"You lack skill!" the hypocrite clambered up, taunting Sarah, who was still sitting on the ground.

Sarah hadn't expected to lose momentum mid-jump, resulting in a rather ungraceful landing.

"Hey, aren't you going to check if you've injured your body? Any disability isn't my fault!" she half-joked, knowing the fall wasn't serious.

"If you dare hurt me, I'll mark your face!" the hypocrite retorted, unable to hide his concern as he instinctively helped Sarah up.

Sarah dusted off her clothes, nonchalantly remarking, "If you become disfigured, you’re still the one marrying me."

The hypocrite was speechless, realizing how unexpectedly witty she was, unlike her usual demeanor that relied on her Imperial Grandmother's favor.

"Brother?" A male voice interrupted, startling Sarah. It was Oscar Harris, the hypocrite's brother.

Sarah's impression of Oscar was neutral, seeing him as a charming young man. Their interactions had been minimal compared to those with the hypocrite.

"Ah... Oh..." Sarah instinctively started to bow but remembered her current status and simply nodded in response.

"Brother..." Oscar, seemingly puzzled, pulled Sarah aside and whispered, "Didn't you plan to sell Miss Yun to a brothel? Why did you bring her back instead?"

Sarah raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance, "Did I say that? How could I send an innocent girl to such a place?"

"Brother, didn't you say that a haughty and plain girl like Sarah, even if sent to a brothel, would find no takers? Just let her work as a maid for a few months. Once Rylan Owen returns from mourning, you can bring her back to marry as Crown Prince Consort," Oscar explained, looking bewildered at the sudden change in his brother's demeanor.

Sarah's temper flared internally, but she had to maintain composure. "Brother? What are you thinking?" Oscar nudged her, breaking her train of thought.

"Oh, nothing," Sarah dismissed casually, "I've just decided not to wait for Rylan's return. I'll choose an auspicious day soon to marry Sarah as my official consort."

Oscar was dumbfounded, "Why? Brother, have you lost your mind?!"

Sarah's lips twitched at the brothers' casual manner of speaking, "Miss Yun, though not a beauty capable of eclipsing the moon or shaming flowers, possesses virtues of character, gentleness, wisdom, intelligence, and amicability..." She listed effusively until she noticed Oscar's complexion shifting from white to green, then to purple, begrudgingly concluding, "In short, she has won my heart, far surpassing that Rylan fellow."

"Brother, are you sure about your decision?" Oscar finally managed to ask after a long pause.

Sarah nodded solemnly, feeling a newfound respect for Oscar's concern for his brother.

"Alright then..." Oscar sighed, leaning in mysteriously to whisper, "Just make sure she never finds out about your original plan, or you'll have no peace!"

Too bad she already knew...

"The Crown Prince understands, no need for your reminder. What are you doing wandering around so late?" Sarah replied irritably, immediately assuming the posture of an elder brother. "You don’t even resemble a prince!"

"As long as the Crown Prince looks the part, I'm just here to enjoy myself," Oscar teased, poking Sarah again.

Sarah's hand, initially poised to strike Oscar's face, swerved mid-air, descending heavily onto his shoulder with a thud. He spoke with profound earnestness, "Nevertheless, one must keep up appearances, if only to avoid worrying our Imperial Mother, understand?" Sarah's last words were uttered with a heavy nasal tone, an imitation of a hypocrite's manner of speaking, remembered and imagined.

"Understood, understood," Oscar laughed heartily, then inquired, "So, when shall this marriage take place?"

"Hmm... as sons, we should heed the Imperial Mother's wishes," Sarah responded. Despite his disdain for the hypocrite, he was clear on certain principles. Now, with their souls newly exchanged, the duration of this state unknown, it would be unwise to hastily set a date, potentially inviting trouble.

Oscar nodded thoughtfully, "Have you considered what will happen after a year?"

"A year from now, things will likely be far different. We can discuss it then," Sarah mused, little expecting that his words of deferral would prove prophetic a year later.

"Indeed," Oscar finally bowed respectfully to Sarah, "Then, this younger brother shall take his leave."

Sarah watched Oscar with a brotherly gaze, smiling amicably, "Alright, go then."

Oscar, somewhat surprised, left without further comment, leaving Sarah and the hypocrite alone.

"What did he just say to you?" the hypocrite, now deprived of martial arts and consequently his acute hearing, hadn't understood a word of their conversation and suspected his brother of unpleasant talk.

"Nothing much. Just your plans to sell me to a brothel," Sarah replied nonchalantly.

The hypocrite inwardly panicked, uncertain how this "young lady" might seek revenge.

"Let's go," Sarah said, preparing to head to the Crown Prince's chamber, only to find the hypocrite staring at her oddly. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Let's hurry," the hypocrite hadn't expected Sarah to react immediately and remained wary of her seeking an opportunity for mischief. Based on their three prior encounters, he regarded her as one to bide her time for revenge.

Thinking this, the hypocrite led the way to Sarah's chambers. Their reversed roles of woman leading man seemed odd from the outside, but the intricacies of impersonating each other weren't easily mastered overnight. This habit persisted until rumors of the "Crown Prince's fear of his wife" reached the hypocrite's ears, but that's a story for another time.

Meanwhile, Sarah pondered how to navigate this awkward situation and her future interactions with the hypocrite.

Silently, they approached the brightly lit Crown Prince's palace, where a figure quickly approached, exclaiming, "Crown Prince, you've returned!"

The hypocrite instinctively started to respond, but Sarah, reacting swiftly, stepped in front, realizing the person was addressing her.

"Silence!" she gestured for quiet, taking the opportunity to scrutinize the newcomer—a young, clean-faced eunuch, handsome in his own right but paling in comparison to the "stunning" hypocrite.

"I deserve death," the eunuch quickly realized his mistake in addressing Sarah in her night attire and hastily apologized. "Crown Prince, please enter the palace, lest you be seen—oh, this is..."

Sarah glanced at the hypocrite, unsure how to "introduce" her.

The eunuch's smile turned suggestive, "I understand! Crown Prince, please enter with this... lady!"

This was a disaster. The eunuch had misunderstood. In the liberal Alvah Kingdom, expressing romantic affection was straightforward, and elopements were common. For the Crown Prince, soon to command a harem of beauties, bringing a woman to the palace at a marriageable age was considered late 'blossoming'—hardly scandalous or shocking.

Unable to correct the eunuch's impure thoughts, Sarah reluctantly nodded and noticed the hypocrite, unhesitatingly, following the guard up the steps. She chuckled and followed, unfamiliar with the Crown Prince's chambers and careful not to reveal her unfamiliarity.

"Alright, Alan, you may leave now." As soon as they entered the bedroom, the hypocrite dismissively waved away the eunuch.

Seeing Alan's troubled glance towards her, Sarah nodded, signaling him to leave. The less contact they had, the less chance of their ruse being exposed.

"Finally, we're in the clear for now..." Sarah sighed with relief once Alan had left, casually finding a seat.

The hypocrite watched her pour tea for herself and take several sips, murmuring under his breath, but ultimately refrained from any outburst, settling across from Sarah.

"What do you plan to do now?" Sarah asked after quenching her thirst.

"Not much," the hypocrite replied, leisurely sipping his tea.

Sarah bristled at this, "What do you mean by that?" She wondered how he had managed to maintain his position as Crown Prince with such an attitude over the years.

But what Sarah didn't know was that the Crown Prince, except in dealing with her, whom he found utterly disagreeable, was meticulous in all other matters.

"What would you like to do? Do you know how to switch us back?" the hypocrite retorted. Seeing her startled reaction, he continued, "For now, we must stay close to each other, never out of sight, to prevent any slip-ups. As for the wedding, if we can't switch back within a few days, we... will have to proceed with it. This way, the 'me' of the present can rightfully remain in the palace."

Sarah listened in silence. What else could they do? They were both trapped in this predicament, like grasshoppers on a string. Any mistake could plunge the palace into chaos. She didn't doubt the Crown Prince's abilities; if they couldn't switch back, her life would likely be safe. But the fate of those entangled in this affair and aware of it remained uncertain...

"Are you satisfied with this arrangement?" the hypocrite asked, his face a mask of smiles but his eyes cold.

"There's nothing to be dissatisfied with," Sarah replied with a bitter smile.

The hypocrite sneered, "Exactly! Isn't this what you wanted?"

Sarah laughed, her voice tinged with sarcasm, "What I wanted? Don't assume everyone is eager to cling to your high branch!"

"Really?" the hypocrite replied, his tone neither warm nor cold. "Now that things are settled, don't you think it's hypocritical of you to say that?"

"Yes, I am hypocritical! Even if I did covet the title of Crown Prince's consort, it's still better than someone who could concoct the 'brilliant idea' of selling me to a brothel," Sarah retorted, initially intending to explain the misunderstanding caused by the Dowager Empress's matchmaking but losing her temper at the hypocrite's attitude.

"Hmph, I only regret not succeeding! You should have been sent there to learn what it's like to be a proper lady! With your disruptive behavior, who would dare to marry you?" the hypocrite exclaimed angrily.

"I've been to such places before..." Sarah was taken aback by his accusation of her being troublesome, then chuckled softly.

Prejudices are indeed terrifying. The hypocrite was wrong; Sarah was no stranger to the hardships of a brothel...

"What did you say?" the hypocrite asked, clearly taken aback.

"I once spent a long time in Krystina," Sarah said, her gaze drifting past the hypocrite, as if seeing long-past memories.

She remembered being just over eleven years old when her father, the sole provider, fell ill, depleting their meager savings. With no relatives to turn to, her one-year-old brother needing care, and lacking any skills, young Sarah had no choice but to seek work in Krystina, the capital's most bustling brothel. The matron, pitying her young age and resilience, reluctantly took her in as a maid.

To avoid being turned away, Sarah worked tirelessly. Within a month, her delicate hands became rough and dark, never complaining about the heavy labor. Older maids bullied her, and she remained silent. Lecherous clients and servants leered and groped, and she could only dodge and suffer in silence. Luckily, her youth and plain looks only drew passing interest from those seeking the more attractive courtesans.

Thus, she endured two years in the brothel, until the Dowager Empress recognized their impoverished family, freeing Sarah from her servitude and elevating her to a better life.

The hypocrite looked at "his" hands, still rougher than those of ladies raised in luxury, realizing she was telling the truth.

"No wonder you're so fearless," the hypocrite murmured, his anger dissipating like ice melting in his heart, replaced by a cold calmness. Though his words were still not kind, they lacked their earlier venom.

Sarah inhaled deeply, "So, you see, places like brothels, where ordinary women fear to tread, I've been to. Nothing frightens me anymore. At worst, I'll just revert to being poor again. But what truly terrifies me is the thought of my family suffering because of me."

She divulged her vulnerability to the hypocrite, hoping to secure his promise in return.

The hypocrite, clearly not expecting Sarah to reveal her cards with such boldness, promptly displayed his decisive nature, "Rest assured, with me around, no matter what happens, your family will be safe." In truth, Sarah's family was not large, comprising only her elderly father and a young brother, barely ten years old.

"Thank you," Sarah said, rising and bowing respectfully to the hypocrite.

The hypocrite seemed somewhat unused to Sarah's thorough politeness, and added, "However, until we switch back, you must follow my arrangements without question!"

"Alright," Sarah hesitated briefly before nodding in agreement. She believed the hypocrite was not foolish enough to act recklessly.

Feeling like a punch had landed on a pillow, the hypocrite deflated. Was it possible that Sarah's lack of argumentation was making him uncomfortable?

"Enough for today. We're both exhausted. Let's sleep," the hypocrite said, shaking his head in irritation, and stood up to head to the inner chamber.

"Wait!" Sarah called out to him. Although his "Let's sleep" carried an ambiguous tone, she wasn't naive enough to misconstrue his intentions, but...

The hypocrite turned back impatiently, "What now?"

"I am the Crown Prince now..." So, she should be the one sleeping in the inner chamber...

The hypocrite's face clouded over instantly, "So what?" Where was he supposed to sleep?

"I think... it might be more appropriate for you to sleep in the outer chamber..." Sarah swallowed hard and said bravely. She knew how difficult it would be for someone who had always lived as the Crown Prince to accept such a situation, but circumstances demanded it.

"I understand," the hypocrite gritted his teeth and turned to walk to the outer chamber, reminding Sarah, "Do not touch anything in the inner chamber, understood?"

"I understand," Sarah quickly nodded, her attitude eager to please, as the hypocrite huffed quietly and headed to the outer chamber. She finally breathed a sigh of relief and walked into the inner chamber.

Looking around, the Crown Prince's bedroom was far less opulent than the outer palace, simple and unadorned, without excessive gold, silver, or valuable antiques. A modest bed was placed in the center, a wooden desk on one side with several books strewn about.

Curious, Sarah flipped through a book, surprised to find that the hypocrite read not idle literature, but books on governance and statecraft, annotated in his hand.

"You're not to touch anything in here, remember?" The hypocrite's voice suddenly echoed in her ears. Startled, Sarah put down the book, chastising herself for not keeping to their agreement, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Yawning, she returned to the bed, pulled back the curtains, pressed the soft bedding, and prepared to undress for sleep, feeling relaxed.

However, the moment her black nightwear hit the floor... In the outer chamber, the hypocrite, still debating whether to resign himself to the hard, uncomfortable bed, heard a startled gasp from the inner room...

"What happened?!" the hypocrite rushed in, anxious, only to find Sarah standing unharmed, no assassin in sight. His concern stemmed from the frequent assassin visits over the years. Although Sarah now possessed his martial prowess, she was untrained in its use, and her lightness skills were barely developed, which could put her at a disadvantage. But he had forgotten that his current body was devoid of any martial strength, potentially putting him at even greater risk...

"You're scaring ghosts for no reason?!" the hypocrite finally burst out.

Sarah turned around, speaking slowly, "No, it's... your... clothes..."

The hypocrite looked at the nightwear on the ground, then back at Sarah, only clad in her undergarments, her top unbuttoned. Realization dawned, and he couldn't help but laugh.

"What's so funny!" Sarah exclaimed, visibly upset.

The more Sarah lost her composure, the more comfortable the hypocrite felt. He was not accustomed to her usual calm and collected demeanor.

"Humph!" Finally stopping his laughter, the hypocrite cleared his throat and said, "Yes, the Crown Prince has a fine physique, but there's no need for such a fuss."

At this, Sarah's face flushed, and she lowered her head, remaining silent. She felt aggrieved, but she dared not and could not show it in front of the hypocrite, unsure of how he might take advantage of her vulnerability.

Noticing her reaction, the hypocrite's expression softened almost involuntarily, "I didn’t mean... cough... to belittle you. I was just trying to lighten the mood."

Sarah suddenly looked up, surprised. Was he explaining himself to her or apologizing? Either way, for the hypocrite, it was an unprecedented act.

"Cough cough... You really don’t have to feel awkward. Just... don’t look down, and you’ll be fine," he said, noticing her gaze and advising awkwardly.

Sarah snorted softly, at a loss for words. Whether to thank him or scold him, his words, no matter how they were phrased, sounded roguish.

"Did you hear me?!" the hypocrite couldn’t help but raise his voice. He despised being ignored.

"I heard you..." Sarah replied reluctantly, her voice barely audible.

But the hypocrite didn’t hear her and, thinking she was bold enough to ignore him, shouted again, "Did you hear me or not?!"

"I heard you! I heard you!" Sarah exclaimed in frustration, not backing down, "And you’re not allowed to look down either!"

The hypocrite was taken aback, seemingly stunned by her words, "What did you say?"

"I said you’re not allowed to look down!" Sarah muttered under her breath, "You’re nothing but a rogue..."

"You..." the hypocrite finally understood her curse and burst into laughter again, "Ha ha—ha ha—this is too funny..."

"Why are you laughing?!" Sarah pointed to her head, demanding an explanation.

"How old are you to forbid me from looking down? Is there something worth seeing?" the hypocrite managed to stop his laughter, but soon broke into a fit of chuckles again.

Sarah was infuriated, feeling insulted by his remarks.

"I am of age!" she protested loudly. Unlike him, she didn’t mince words or beat around the bush.

"Oh?" the hypocrite teased, stroking his chin thoughtfully, "Yes... otherwise, how could we be getting married this year?"

"Right, right!" Sarah stuttered, sensing his insinuations and malicious intent.

The hypocrite, with a mischievous grin, "suggested," "So, since we’re going to be husband and wife eventually, wouldn’t it be alright for me to take a look now?"

"You! You..." Sarah stammered, unable to find the words to express her outrage. She felt like the hypocrite was her born nemesis, infuriating her to no end. Not only did they have to endure each other's company, but they even underwent this bizarre soul exchange – truly a stroke of misfortune!

Satisfied with Sarah's inability to retort, the hypocrite finally let her off the hook, "Alright, alright! I have no interest in a child like you, rest assured. I won’t look down, and besides, this body isn’t mine. It feels awkward..." He even looked a bit green by the end of his sentence.

Sarah found his last statement most convincing and nodded in agreement, "That’s true." She believed that even if the hypocrite was a rogue, he wouldn’t lay a hand on 'himself'.

"Alright... then you should leave. I need to rest," Sarah politely issued an eviction order.

The hypocrite's face darkened again, "The bed outside is hard and small."

"Why not make do?" Sarah suggested with a smile.

"You go and make do!" the hypocrite commanded, "You're certainly more adaptable to such bedding than I am."

Sarah quickly shook her head, "How can it be that the Crown Prince sleeps outside? That won’t do!"

"So quickly forgetting what you promised me?" the hypocrite scoffed, finding her both troublesome and disobedient.

"Even though I agreed, you can't just arrange things randomly," Sarah countered softly.

The hypocrite nonchalantly justified his reasoning, "How is this random? Imagine, the Crown Prince's fiancée encounters a villain, and in a life-threatening situation, the Crown Prince happens to rescue her. Frightened, the Crown Prince's fiancée spends the night in his bedroom, while he, out of deep concern, guards the outer chamber. How’s that?"

"Alright then..." Sarah figured his reasoning was plausible enough, providing a good explanation for why the Crown Prince's fiancée would be in his palace – killing two birds with one stone. She couldn’t argue.

Agreeing verbally, Sarah stepped out, thinking it was better not to get too used to the comfortable bed, lest she struggle to adapt back to harsh living conditions one day.

The hypocrite had expected more resistance from Sarah but watched in surprise as she obediently left. Looking at her retreating figure, he sensed a vulnerability, even in his larger frame. Was he being too harsh? This alarming thought took him aback – when had he ever been so sympathetic? Or was it an instinct not to mistreat his own body?

"Wait!" he called out to Sarah impulsively.

"What now..." Sarah started to turn back but suddenly felt a numbness at the back of her neck and lost consciousness.

The hypocrite rubbed his sore hand, finding it inconvenient without his internal strength. While complaining, he frowned and dragged the unconscious Sarah back into the inner chamber...

Chapter Two: The Hidden Crown Prince

Few could believe that overnight, the Alvah Kingdom experienced three earth-shattering events: firstly, the souls of the reigning Crown Prince and his consort swapped; secondly, the Crown Prince's consort unexpectedly appeared in his bedchamber one fine morning; thirdly, the Crown Prince, who had long resisted this marriage, made a complete U-turn and urgently sought an auspicious date for the wedding.

But indeed, these three events had occurred! The halls of the Dowager Empress were rarely crowded like this.

"Greetings to Imperial Grandmother," Sarah was dragged to the Dowager Empress's presence early in the morning by Hypocrite, who was disguised as the Crown Prince.

"Hmm?" The Dowager Empress was slightly taken aback by this greeting and turned to Queen, who also wore a puzzled expression. She then managed a strained smile and said, "It seems that my grandson and his consort have grown quite close. But why does my precious grandson seem distant now? Hehe."

Sarah and Hypocrite were startled, realizing that they had forgotten even the minor details like addressing each other correctly after the identity swap.

"Imperial Grandmother, please don't be offended. It's because Sarah is so eager to become your daughter-in-law that I mistakenly addressed her that way. I wanted to cover for her, but I forgot that our voices are completely different..." Sarah quickly came up with an explanation.

"It seems that our stubborn Crown Prince has finally had a change of heart! It must be thanks to Sarah's charm!" The Dowager Empress laughed heartily. At her age, all she hoped for was that her descendants would have a loving and harmonious marriage, have many offspring, and enjoy familial happiness together. Seeing her grandson and his consort treating each other with respect and care even before their formal marriage made her feel relieved.

Queen nodded and teasingly scolded her son, "Indeed! Although the Second Prince has never shown much interest in politics since childhood, he has been quite reassuring when it comes to marriage matters. But the Crown Prince's marriage has been hanging in the balance for too long, which has truly worried me!"

"Imperial Mother is right. Your child won't let you worry like this in the future," Sarah replied. Her mother had passed away early, and her half-brother from her father's side had abandoned them, leaving Sarah with little experience of a mother's affection. Queen's kind smile and affectionate look towards her now sent a shiver down her spine, and she struggled to suppress her emotions.

Queen was slightly surprised and sighed, "It seems that people who are about to get married are indeed different. My son has grown up."

"From what I've observed, Crown Prince has always been filial to you, Imperial Mother, but sometimes he struggles with how to express it," Hypocrite interjected suddenly.

"That's true," Queen nodded, reminiscing about the past. "I remember when you were a child, there was one time when Imperial Mother fell seriously ill, and it happened to be on your birthday. Imperial Father had arranged a celebration for you, but you rushed back to see Imperial Mother midway. Afterwards, Imperial Father made you transcribe poems and essays as punishment, saying that you lacked perspective."

"Imperial Mother still remembers that?" Sarah replied with a forced smile. It seemed that she needed to brush up on the subject of her "childhood" with Hypocrite when they returned.

"Come, come, Sarah, come closer for me to see," the Dowager Empress beckoned Hypocrite forward. "I heard you were in danger last night?"

Hypocrite obediently approached, lowered her head, and replied softly, "Thanks to the timely intervention of the Crown Prince, I was saved."

Sarah couldn't help but shiver at the sight. Hypocrite's bashful demeanor was unnervingly convincing. Could it be that this was the type of woman he preferred? To be so demure and timid, even when stating a simple fact. It seemed she couldn't fit into his "vision" as a man.

"Oh... you've experienced many hardships since you were young, wandering outside for years. In the future, after marrying Vincent, you'll only have to enjoy a life of luxury!" The Dowager Empress first expressed sympathy and then chuckled as she thought of the upcoming marriage.

"Is it enjoying a life of luxury, or enduring hardships?" Sarah thought inwardly.

"I was actually thinking of asking Imperial Grandmother and Imperial Mother for a favor," Sarah took the opportunity to speak. "I've been outpaced by my younger brother, who already has a wife and concubines. So, I hope to marry Sarah as soon as possible. I wonder what Grandmother and Imperial Mother think?"

Upon hearing this, the Dowager Empress couldn't contain her excitement. "That's wonderful! This is what I've been waiting for. Bring her into the family sooner so that I can hold my grandchild! Queen, what do you say?"

"Imperial Mother is right," Queen agreed. "Let Imperial Mother decide on the auspicious day."

"Good, good. According to me, there's a favorable day early next month. Do you think you can wait that long?" The Dowager Empress teased Sarah and Hypocrite with a playful expression.

Sarah, feeling a bit awkward, reminded herself that she was now in a male body. She cleared her throat and said, "Imperial Grandmother, your decision is excellent. However, I have one more request, and I hope it can be granted..."

"What is your request? Please tell me," the Dowager Empress said, showing an attitude of willingness to grant any request.

"I wonder if it would be possible for Sarah to stay in the palace before the auspicious day?" Sarah's heart was full of uncertainty, not knowing how the Dowager Empress would react to such an unreasonable request.

Surprisingly, the Dowager Empress only looked slightly surprised and readily agreed, "Very well, get familiar with the palace environment first. It'll save trouble in the future. Young people are impatient, after all!"

Seeing the Dowager Empress's expression of "I knew you couldn't wait," Sarah couldn't help but shiver again. She hadn't expected the old Dowager Empress to be so open-minded, with none of the conservatism that one might expect from someone of her age...

"Then I thank Imperial Grandmother very much!" Sarah wore a joyful expression and half-jokingly made a deep bow to the Dowager Empress.

Both the Dowager Empress and Queen smiled kindly. However, as Sarah's gaze swept over Hypocrite, she noticed a trace of a cold smile on his face. She had rarely paid attention to him in the past, but his cold smile now seemed to carry a unique charm.

"Today, let's have Sarah stay here overnight. You can come to visit this old lady tomorrow to discuss the wedding," the Dowager Empress suddenly became enthusiastic. "Sarah hasn't visited the palace much in recent years, always in a hurry. Many things were left unsaid."

Sarah inwardly sighed and couldn't think of a reason to refuse the Dowager Empress. Would she be able to handle this day without Hypocrite's support?

"But..." Hypocrite hesitated and appeared to have something to say.

"What is it?" The Dowager Empress leaned forward slightly and asked.

Hypocrite teased her, pretending to hesitate, "Originally, the Crown Prince disliked Sarah very much. It was only because of the Dowager Empress's decree that Sarah obtained the title of 'future Crown Prince's consort.' Crown Prince knew how much he detested people who sought to gain favor through association with the powerful. Initially, he misunderstood Sarah as a vain woman. Now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, Sarah doesn't want to trouble you constantly, as if she's taking advantage of being a distant relative... After all, it's not suitable for women from outside the palace to stay overnight in the palace and make a big deal out of it."

Sarah listened to this with confusion. Hypocrite's words seemed to lack logical coherence, and she couldn't discern any cause-and-effect relationship between not staying overnight and the Dowager Empress.

Apparently, the Dowager Empress couldn't understand either, perhaps she was a bit confused. She didn't press further and simply said, "Alright, you're quite considerate, my child. It's been hard for you all these years, living cautiously. When you become the royal daughter-in-law in the future, you should carry yourself confidently, do you understand?"

"Yes, Sarah understands," Hypocrite quickly bowed and expressed her gratitude.

"Take your time. One's temperament is formed from an early age, and it won't change overnight," Queen chimed in. "Sarah, you don't have a palace room yet. There's a moderate-sized palace right next to Crown Prince's residence that used to be occupied by Rylan, who was a companion reader from your childhood. She's away in mourning now, and it'll be some time before she returns. You can stay there temporarily. I'll have someone tidy it up later..."

"No!" Hypocrite almost instinctively objected, forgetting her current identity. How could she let Sarah, a fierce and aggressive woman, take over Rylan's residence?

"Sarah?" Queen was a bit surprised by such a strong objection to her suggestion, and she had a hint of a smile.

Sarah quickly intervened to defuse the situation, "Imperial Mother, Sarah understands that Rylan was my companion reader since childhood. I don't want to take someone else's place. That's why I opposed it. Isn't that right, Sarah? You were too reckless!"

"Yes..." Hypocrite lowered her head again to conceal her displeasure. In Queen's eyes, her performance of "admitting her mistake" was quite convincing. Queen didn't demand an outstanding and accomplished daughter-in-law; she just needed someone who was well-mannered, filial, and understanding of the bigger picture.

"Very well! It seems we have a sensible child here," Queen nodded approvingly and gave Hypocrite an appreciative glance. "But Rylan won't be returning for a while, and by the time she does, your wedding will have already taken place, and her room will soon be available again. Don't worry too much; let's leave it at that."

This time, Hypocrite had no opportunity or grounds to object.

Sarah breathed a sigh of relief and cast a resentful glance at Hypocrite. She couldn't understand why he was so impatient and couldn't help but make his infatuation with someone so obvious in front of everyone.

Thus, what seemed to be a satisfying engagement in the eyes of the two elders turned into an unsavory farce for both Sarah and Hypocrite. Back in the Crown Prince's residence, as expected, Hypocrite began to taunt Sarah with sarcasm, "The Crown Prince seems to be quite comfortable and respectable!"

"It takes one to know one," Sarah had no intention of arguing with Hypocrite and coldly retorted, trying to avoid direct confrontation. "Now is not the time for quarrels. Let's think about the future, shall we?"

"For the future, you can think about it as much as you like!" Hypocrite's words carried hidden meanings. "No need to drag me into it and pretend to be the good one..."

"What do you mean?" Sarah had no intention of arguing, but she wasn't one to tolerate repeated provocations.

Hypocrite made it clear, "Who was it that took advantage of the Dowager Empress and my mother and pretended to be virtuous? Saying things like not wanting to take someone else's place. Every word sounded reasonable, but each one was insincere!"

"Regardless, now we are tied together by a single rope. I hope you, Crown Prince, won't deliberately find fault with me like this." Sarah took a deep breath and reminded herself not to engage in a quarrel. She even refrained from addressing Hypocrite as "Hypocrite."

Hypocrite was apparently caught off guard by Sarah's repeated tolerance and her lack of a confrontational attitude.

---ENDE DER LESEPROBE---