The light sect is around six hundred kilometers away in the south of the empire. Arthur chose to use the White elk horse. In seconds they can reach two hundred kilometers per hour in flat areas, coupled with this carriage made specifically for them, they were are already halfway back.
Zhi Rui was alone on her carriage, calmly looking through the windows, as the scenery passed fast.
Slowly she closed her eyes, thinking to herself.
'Zhi Rui? what a beautiful name. Twenty years old even, so much potential.'
Smiling, She closed her eyes to inspect inside of her. Only a small silver gem-like object was on her chest. 'What a relief.' she thought.
"The old Zhi Rui, only reached the very first step, forming a core to connect with the world. I don't have to undo anything and can go on freely from here. But why she only reached the very first step?'
Zhi Rui frowned looking deeper onto her memories, she found the answer
'So the pitiful girl wanted to learn everything from the light sect? so naive.' she thought.
"So pitiful." Zhi Rui whispered with a grin.
Something reflected at the corner of her eyes, there was a mirror on the corner of the carriage
'I better see myself in full.'
Standing in front of the mirror, she reached for the robe she was wearing and tore it all off in one pull. Seeing the person on the mirror she couldn't help but laugh again.
'Taller than most girls. long ebony hair, making her emerald eyes shine with vigor. A natural slightly red lips. Healthy white and smooth skin, plentiful breasts a little more than most women would have at this age. hourglass figure. If there is one defect it's that she ate too little. But you can see clearly how sinful this body will look as soon as you get more food in.' Zhi Rui though.
'With such outstanding beauty. Did she dare to hide it? for the sake of virtue? What a sin.' Zhe Rui shook her head.
Without wearing anything, she walked back and seated on the carriage's couch, dangling one leg above the other.
'I gave away my soul, for the mere chance to capture another person's conscience and take the body. Luckily the little girl wore the neckless one week after my death, and my mind was still strong. Though, still, if it were an elder or somebody strong-willed, I would've ceased to exist.'
Thinking of the possibilities she could not hold herself any longer, the excitement of breaking free, the rage from the times of torture, everything came out.
"Stupid girl! You had every option to choose from, and you still chose slavery! Still chose to live as a servant! and for what!? To prove yourself worthy of some god's light? you gave up your free will for the sake of nothing!
Eight years of being trained and used as a whore!
Before they decided I'm brainwashed and beautiful enough to be used as a puppet tower maiden.
Forty years chained in that tower doing their biddings.
They gave bits of cultivation related information so I had hope and endured and did not end things on my own. Just when I realized I was being fed that hope for nothing and decided to the most damage possible, they took me down! There's absolutely nothing that is worth that price!"
She did not know at wich point she changed focus to herself. She was breathing heavily and gnashing her teeth, But the world outside the window, gave her joy, and lust, unabashed and insatiable lust, for everything that she had never enjoyed and everything that she can possibly obtain. The desire to eat the best food and see the most beautiful things.
She had nothing before, but now that she is Zhi Rui; she'll take everything.
Calming down, Zhi Rui started to think of her situation. As someone who had studied and observed a lot of power struggle for forty years. She has more insight than a young girl. The youngest princess Wang lei gu of the empire appearing out of nowhere and taking her place, it's part of a bigger scheme.
She used her memories and started brainstorming.
'Cheng Feng yuan the young general also my father who came victorious from a war with great merits. His name is on everybody's mouths.
If he wants to raise his power, now is the best time. So he sent his daughter to the Light sect to be an elder's personal disciple, Making his position on the kingdom more strong.'
"Not that" Zhi Rui mumbled and shook her head. 'Too simple, Too direct.
It's too easy, almost an act of common sense. His target is in another place. He just came back with merits, he gained the right to request something from the emperor himself.
But the general didn't go to the palace and did not ask for anything. Only directly sending his daughter to light sect. The emperor wouldn't want his general to have a position with a strong outsider. He rather sent his publicly most doted upon daughter to the enemy, than allow his general to have a leg outside the country's control. This way he's making the enemy think they have an advantage because of his daughter. and he's also forcing General Cheng Feng Yuan to seek power within the kingdom.'
Zhu Rui looked out the windows, pondering.
'Rather than foreseeing this move from the emperor, General probably just sent me there. If the emperor made his move then he would spread the news making justified to be daring with his request. And the emperor will have to grant it. If the emperor did not make his move, then he would get a daughter supported by the light sect, and even if the emperor were agitated there wouldn't be retaliation because it's the light sect, so he wouldn't lose either way.'
'But, what bold request will ensure his demand for power, and guarantee the emperor won't move against him in the future?'
Zhi Rui was taping on her windowsill, suddenly she stopped, paralyzed remembering her image on the mirror, she smirked.
'As her father, he saw his daughter's face.
It does not matter to whom he offers my hand. As long they see me, they'd accept. This together with his right to a request. He can marry me to the most favored prince and with the generalissimo's support, the prince will receive the throne thus assuring the Cheng family's future.'
Zhi Rui started to tap the windowsill again and spoke in humor.
"So the old man wants to use this beautiful chess piece; unfortunately, there's no benefit for me in that deal. If the prince is not a cut sleeve he's sure to accept immediate marriage, which will cage me in the palace, getting outside only with permission and a few times a week. even if he doesn't demand marriage, an engagement would put me under the eyes of the Imperial family. The marriage has its perks but it would take all my time"
Over the window, she could see the sun setting and the southwest tribes. The convoy is reaching the capital.
"I need to get strong. I'll need time and the resources of this empire, so I can leave here and roam freely. Once I become strong enough, it won't be too late for uprooting the light sect."
'Since the emperor did his move, he will summon father soon, might even be tomorrow. I don't have time to convince this father of mine to not use me like a chess piece. amiably.
So the rough way will have to do.'
"Young lady we reached the south gate, please be patient soon we'll be home," Arthur said from outside
Zhi Rui sighted the gate, she already knew what to do.
Even though it's an extreme risk and will bring the ruthless general fury.
She was entering the city with a childlike smile.