Li Chenxi followed Duang Xiaoting out of the Royal Palace. The sunlight outside was brighter, and the warm rays bathed her, but they did little to dispel the unease in her heart. She walked behind Duang Xiaoting, filled with doubts and tension—though she had decided to take this opportunity to learn more, she knew the challenges ahead would be more complex than she had imagined.
Duang Xiaoting said nothing as they walked, her pace steady and her presence commanding. It was as though she had everything under control. Her silence made Li Chenxi uneasy, but she knew she had to seize this chance.
Finally, they arrived at an open area outside the palace. The grounds were filled with various flowers and plants, and high walls surrounded the space, making it the most tranquil part of the Royal Palace. Li Chenxi noticed that the layout of the garden was unlike the ones she had seen in the modern world—ancient and elegant, exuding a sense of seclusion from the rest of the world.
"General, are you really bringing me here to see this?" Li Chenxi couldn't help but ask. Her voice was low, filled with uncertainty.
Duang Xiaoting glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at her lips, but she said nothing. Instead, she gestured to a pond in the distance. "Come, let's take a walk around. I have some things to tell you."
Li Chenxi hesitated for a moment but followed her nonetheless. They walked to the edge of the pond, the surrounding quietness almost suffocating. Only the gentle lapping of the water against the stone steps could be heard. Duang Xiaoting suddenly stopped and turned to face her, her eyes glowing with a deep intensity.
"You are not just a simple princess, Chenxi," Duang Xiaoting's tone was unusually calm, but it sent a jolt through Li Chenxi. "You did not cross over just to enjoy a life of luxury and wealth. You need to understand, this Royal Palace is not as simple as it seems."
Li Chenxi listened intently. She knew that what Duang Xiaoting was about to say would be crucial to her future fate.
"This palace hides many secrets," Duang Xiaoting continued, her eyes scanning the surroundings as though measuring the weight of her words. "Everyone here is fighting for their own interests. The apparent harmony is nothing but an illusion—beneath the surface, currents of intrigue flow constantly. You've only just arrived and don't yet understand this, but soon, you'll start to notice that nothing here is truly safe."
Li Chenxi's heart skipped a beat. She had already sensed that the Royal Palace was far from simple, but Duang Xiaoting's words heightened her sense of caution. She reminded herself to remain vigilant at all times.
"You'll face many choices here," Duang Xiaoting's gaze became sharper. "Not just the power struggles within the palace, but external threats as well. I know you are not a naïve woman, so if you need help, I will assist you."
Li Chenxi paused for a moment before nodding. She understood that she had no way out now, and that Duang Xiaoting's help would be key to her survival in this world.
"General, thank you," Li Chenxi said softly, a determined gleam in her eyes. "I will prepare myself."
Duang Xiaoting remained silent for a while, as though pondering whether to say more. Finally, she smiled faintly. "Your decisions are important, Chenxi. Remember, whatever choice you make, never forget your true objective."
The two of them walked along the pond for a while longer, and gradually, Li Chenxi's thoughts began to clarify. She realized she needed to grow quickly—not just to survive in the Royal Palace but to carve out a place for herself in the impending wars and political struggles. Her future was filled with too many uncertainties.
As she continued to contemplate, the sound of galloping hooves suddenly reached their ears. Li Chenxi and Duang Xiaoting both turned in unison to see a man riding towards them at a fast pace. He was dressed in dark armor, with a sharp gaze and an air of command, clearly someone returning from the frontlines.
Duang Xiaoting's brows furrowed slightly. She murmured, "It's him."
"Him?" Li Chenxi asked, confused. "Who is he?"
Duang Xiaoting did not immediately answer. Instead, she smiled faintly and said, "You'll find out soon enough."
The man quickly approached, dismounted from his horse, and walked up to them. His gaze immediately locked onto Li Chenxi, his eyes carrying an air of subtle disdain.
"Princess," he spoke in a deep, resonant voice. "I heard that you've just woken up. How is your health?"
Li Chenxi sized him up, sensing a certain aloofness in his demeanor. His calmness was laced with an air of criticism. Her intuition told her that this man was no simple character and could be a formidable opponent.
"Thank you for your concern," Li Chenxi replied with a polite smile, her tone gentle, but her mind was on high alert.
The man seemed in no rush to speak further. He nodded slightly and then turned to Duang Xiaoting. "General, the situation outside has changed. The enemy's movements seem to be shifting. We must act quickly."
Duang Xiaoting's face darkened slightly, as if she sensed an impending crisis. Her gaze shifted to Li Chenxi. "Chenxi, the situation in the Royal Palace is growing more complicated. You need to prepare yourself."
Li Chenxi's mind raced, and she finally realized that she was not only facing the intrigues of the palace but also external wars and turbulence. The question was—could she find her place in this complex chess game?