Wen Shia's heart sank when he saw Xiang in Sun City Mountain. The woman standing before him looked like her, but everything else was different. Her kindness, her warmth, her very essence seemed gone. How could she lose her memory? How could such a transformation happen to someone so pure?
Did something happen to her that I don't know about? Wen Shia thought, troubled. I have to find out the truth.
Determined, he began questioning the locals, but no one gave him any answers. Frustrated and disheartened, he left the crowded streets and considered his options. At first, he thought about informing the Heavenly God of the situation, but he quickly dismissed the idea. "If the Heavenly God finds out, Jiang will be punished again," he reasoned. "No, I have to uncover the truth on my own."
Wen Shia decided to stay in Sun City Mountain. He found a small house in the village and resolved to stay there until he could figure out what had happened to Xiang. I will not leave without her, he vowed.
Every day, he asked the villagers about Jiang, but no one knew anything. Days turned into weeks with no progress—until one day, a young girl finally spoke up.
"That woman's name is Yang Zi," the girl explained cautiously. "She is the adopted daughter of the king here, and her marriage has been arranged with the prince. The wedding is supposed to take place soon."
The girl hesitated, glancing around before continuing. "But Yang Zi is dangerous. If she sees someone committing atrocities, she punishes them severely, often without mercy. Yet, oddly enough, she sometimes helps the poor and gives food to hungry children."
Wen Shia frowned. "What about the prince?" he asked.
"Oh, the prince is kind and gentle," the girl replied. "He treats everyone with respect. But people are worried about what might happen to this kingdom once Yang Zi becomes queen. No one knows what she's truly capable of."
As the girl finished speaking, her eyes widened in fear. Yang Zi was approaching them. Without a word, the girl hurried away, leaving Wen Shia standing alone.
He turned to face Yang Zi and, with deliberate boldness, called out, "Xiang! Wait for me!"
Yang Zi stopped in her tracks, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "I am not Xiang!" she snapped, her voice sharp and cold. She stepped closer to him, her glare piercing. "Do you want to die? Stop calling me by that name. My name is Yang Zi, and you will address me as such. If you dare call me Xiang again, I will cut out your tongue."
Wen Shia held her gaze, unfazed by her threat. As she turned to walk away, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward him. Without hesitation, he mounted his horse, pulling her up with him.
"Let me go!" Yang Zi shouted, struggling in his grip.
Villagers began to gather, shouting, "He's kidnapping the princess!"
Leaning close to her ear, Wen Shia whispered, "If you don't come with me quietly, you'll regret it. I know more about you than you think. I'll reveal the truth to everyone here, and your marriage will be ruined."
Yang Zi froze. "What truth?" she hissed.
He smirked. "I know about the birthmark on your waist and the scar on your back. Shall I tell them?"
Her eyes widened in shock. For a moment, she was silent before slapping him hard across the face. "How do you know these things? Have you been spying on me?!"
Wen Shia smirked faintly. "I am your master, your lover, your everything. You've hidden nothing from me, even if you don't remember it now."
Her voice trembled. "That's impossible. I don't know you. I don't remember anything about you."
"Do you even remember where you came from? Or who raised you?" he asked pointedly.
Yang Zi hesitated before responding. "I was an orphan," she admitted. "Someone adopted me, but they treated me terribly. My uncle, the king, saved me. His name is King DoXing."
She was about to mention the prince's name when she suddenly stopped. Her eyes darted away, as if remembering something. Without another word, she jumped off the horse and ran, leaving Wen Shia watching her retreating figure.
She's starting to remember, he thought. It's only a matter of time.