crushing

Gao Yuan's mind was in turmoil; frankly, he really didn't want to bring this Princess along.

This Princess, who had returned from that scandalous forbidden affair, might end up cuckolding him in the future.

But given the current situation, he probably couldn't leave without her. He also worried she might be a spy planted by the Emperor.

While Gao Yuan was still hesitating, a female official stepped forward and handed him a small letter tube.

Gao Yuan was startled. Although he hadn't experienced it personally, he knew this was a secret decree from the Emperor. He immediately took it respectfully and stepped aside to open it.

The content was simple, just one sentence: Take Zhao Xiyaos informal address out of Luoyang, the further the better.

Gao Yuan understood instantly. The Emperor wanted to support the Third Prince's ascent to the throne, so if the Princess remained at the heart of power, she would inevitably become a stain on the Third Prince's reputation.

At the same time, it was also possible that he didn't want his beloved daughter to become a sacrificial lamb in the power struggle.

Sighing, Gao Yuan put away the secret decree, turned, and bowed to the Princess's magnificent carriage.

"Since Her Highness wishes to travel with me, please transfer to my carriage."

The female official nearby looked puzzled.

"Why?"

"Her Highness's imperial carriage is too conspicuous. It's inconvenient for travel and more likely to attract the greed of petty criminals."

The female official wanted to argue, but Zhao Xiyao spoke up.

"In that case, I shall change carriages."

Hey, he didn't expect this Princess to be so reasonable. It seemed life wouldn't be too hard in the future.

Thinking this, Gao Yuan stepped aside and bowed to the imperial carriage, waiting for his lawfully wedded wife to alight.

As the curtain was lifted, Princess Roujia of Great Qian, Zhao Xiyao, dressed in bright red palace attire, stepped out. Gao Yuan looked up and saw his wife for the first time, and was stunned by a single glance.

Gao Yuan had always believed there were two types of beautiful girls. One was a harmonious beauty, where every feature met aesthetic standards, looking very pretty at first glance.

The other type had something unique that left a deep impression.

Perhaps a single feature wouldn't look right on its own—the mouth might be a bit too big, the eyes a bit too small, or excessively large—but together, they were unforgettable.

In comparison, he preferred the latter, and not because of some high-brow concept like 'the beauty of imperfection.'

It was because he had seen too much of the former on the internet and TV in his original world.

Those stars and influencers were all stunningly beautiful, but he'd forget them in a heartbeat.

Instead, it was the distinctive beauty that left a deep mark on the mind.

But the girl before him clearly didn't fit into either category.

She looked like the kind of beauty where every aspect met aesthetic standards, yet every individual feature seemed capable of leaving a lasting memory.

But upon closer inspection, he realized that all the beautiful features combined were even more stunning than any single part.

Her thick, jet-black hair was tied up and adorned with various magnificent jewels, but one could feel its silk-like smoothness at a glance.

A pair of soul-stirring eyes, large and bright, surely met everyone's aesthetic ideals.

Under thick, long eyelashes, those black pupils shimmered with light, making it easy for a man to drown in that dark abyss.

Bright eyes and white teeth—with bright eyes, naturally came white teeth.

Her upper teeth lightly bit her lower lip, clearly frowning slightly at the current situation.

But those pink lips, which truly deserved the description of 'cherry-like,' were as delicate and gorgeous as a peony, making one want to steal a kiss while not daring to approach and desecrate them.

In short, just those few glances from afar made Gao Yuan's heart, which had been like dead ashes due to the current situation, pound wildly.

Only fair skin could highlight such pinkness. Her swan-like, smooth neck was adorned with pure gold jewelry, clearly in a style exclusive to the imperial family.

Such luxurious jewelry and the bright red palace dress could not outshine the girl's own allure.

The curves that even the wide robes couldn't hide were neither abrupt nor subtle, possessing a hazy temptation.

Though he couldn't personally measure those legs beneath the skirt, Gao Yuan could guarantee they were longer than his very life.

It was a pity her jade-like feet were hidden under the skirt; otherwise, as a serious enthusiast, Gao Yuan would definitely have wanted to take them out and admire them.

If beauty were divided into many categories, Zhao Xiyao's impression on Gao Yuan was that of a presence that crushed everything with the most unreasonable perfection.

"To be so breathtakingly beautiful, no wonder the original Host in the book would sacrifice everything for this woman."

Honestly, in the original book, if Gao Yuan hadn't given the black iron token to the Third Prince, how could that guy have pacified the chaotic world in just ten years and finally ascended the throne?

"Forget it, even if I can't 'eat' this woman, having her around as eye candy isn't bad."

Thinking this, Gao Yuan pointed to his own family's small County Duke-level carriage and said:

"Your servant Gao Yuan greets Her Highness. Please board the carriage."

Indeed, compared to the Princess's imperial carriage, his County Duke-level carriage could only be called a small carriage.

As for Zheng Wan and Song Yao, they had long since alighted and were respectfully inviting Zhao Xiyao to board.

To his surprise, Zhao Xiyao actually gave a simple return greeting to the two women, her face expressionless as she spoke in a soft, gentle voice.

"There is no need for such formality, sisters. From now on, we must look out for one another."

"Uh..."

Hearing Zhao Xiyao call the two women 'sisters' like that, Gao Yuan was truly embarrassed.

Logically, the two women had been bestowed by the Emperor to be his Concubine. Although Concubine were legally protected minor wives, they were still minor wives, and according to the rules, they were 'sisters' in the household.

However, both women were in their early twenties, older than Zhao Xiyao, and just a few days ago, they were his sisters-in-law.

Seeing Gao Yuan so embarrassed he was practically curling his toes in his boots, the considerate Zheng Wan immediately smoothed things over.

"Please board the carriage first, Elder Sister."

Zhao Xiyao didn't linger; she nodded and led her maids onto the carriage first.

Gao Yuan's carriage was a decent size, so it wasn't too crowded for the three women and three maids to sit inside.

However, seeing Zhao Xiyao's cold expression, everyone felt awkward. They didn't say a word the whole way, engaging in a game of staring at each other.

Gao Yuan changed to another carriage; he would rather squeeze in with his family guards than stay in that carriage which might turn into a battleground.

The Gao Family's procession expanded once again. Although they abandoned the Princess's imperial carriage and guard of honor, the necessary standards were still maintained.

Ten carriages were filled with Zhao Xiyao's daily necessities, along with over a dozen maids and, of course, the hundred guards from the original Princess's manor.

The procession of several hundred people headed south in a grand fashion, moving further and further away from the majestic and bustling capital, Luoyang.

The first stop of Gao Yuan's journey was Wancheng in Nanyang, known as the number one commandery in the world. He wanted to see the place where Chancellor Cao's one-night stand cost him three of his best men.

Of course, the ultimate goal was the Southwest. Only there could he truly stay away from the soon-to-arrive chaotic times.

But just as they had traveled a short distance, a translucent screen appeared before Gao Yuan's eyes, and then a long-awaited electronically synthesized voice rang in his mind.

"Detected that the Host has changed the original plot line. The Path of Life has officially begun. Please choose the path you wish to take in the future:"

"1. Death to all overachievers, lying flat is the way. Choose to become a peerless 'salted fish'. Simply check-in while lying flat every day to receive rewards;"

"2. My fate is determined by me, not by heaven. Are kings and generals born to their titles? Choose to become a capable minister in times of peace or a hero in times of chaos. Activate the Life Events module;"

"3. How can a great man born between heaven and earth live long under others? Choose to step onto the Path of the Emperor. Activate the Emperor System."

The system has arrived...