The inn was surrounded by the army.
From the moment Chu Qianli and her companions discovered the large contingent of soldiers rushing towards them, to the moment they were encircled, only a short time had passed, barely enough for one stick of incense to burn.
This speed, for this era, was practically divine!
It was evident that the leader of this force must be an extraordinary individual!
However, Chu Qianli never imagined that the person who would arrive would be... her!
"The Crown Princess?" Long Ziyue immediately led the soldiers of Long Teng Kingdom forward. "Greetings, Crown Princess."
The Crown Princess?
Chu Qianli gazed from afar at the woman seated on horseback, unable to recover her senses for a long time.
That demeanor, those eyes, those features, that smile!
They were identical!
The woman who had caused chaos and killed her during a mission, her senior sister, Jiang Xinghe!
Their eldest senior brother had told her not long ago that Jiang Xinghe was dead.
At the time, Chu Qianli hadn't felt much, after all, she was no longer in that era.
There was no longer any opportunity for revenge.
But now, Jiang Xinghe was right before her?
"A'li, A'li?" Long Ziyue called out for a while, "A'li!"
Chu Qianli finally snapped back to reality. When she looked up again, the woman on horseback happened to cast her gaze her way.
Their eyes met. Chu Qianli had already composed herself, but the woman showed a hint of surprise.
Yet, it was only a fleeting surprise, and then she dismissed it.
Her gaze towards Chu Qianli was one of complete unfamiliarity.
That was right, after her transmigration, her appearance had changed.
Although she was still called Chu Qianli, it was not the same body.
Even if that woman truly was Jiang Xinghe, she wouldn't be able to recognize her.
"Chu Qianli?" The Crown Princess rode her horse closer to them, her gaze fixed on Chu Qianli.
It seemed she was somewhat interested in her.
However, it was only a slight interest. Chu Qianli saw no trace of recognition in her eyes, as if seeing someone from ancient times.
Was this truly Jiang Xinghe, or just a woman who looked exactly like Jiang Xinghe?
But her bearing, and even the spirit in her eyes, bore a striking resemblance to Jiang Xinghe.
Her second senior sister was a formidable figure.
Back then, on the Wolf Domain's Renowned List, their eldest senior brother remained aloof, while the top position belonged to Chu Qianli.
But the strength between the first and second ranked was not far apart.
In fact, Chu Qianli ultimately died at Jiang Xinghe's hands.
Simply because she trusted her!
If the Crown Princess before her was indeed Jiang Xinghe, then this Crown Princess would be incredibly difficult to deal with.
However, was transmigration really that common?
Could it be that she was just someone who looked alike?
Chu Qianli collected her thoughts, took a step forward, and replied neither subserviently nor arrogantly, "I am indeed Chu Qianli. Greetings, Crown Princess."
But she did not bow.
Greeting was a matter of courtesy, but bowing was unnecessary. She was not yet a citizen of Long Teng Kingdom.
If one day she were to become a citizen of Long Teng Kingdom, it would certainly be the Crown Princess bowing to her!
The Crown Princess glanced at Chu Qianli. This young girl was so composed upon seeing her, showing no hint of deference.
This was quite rare.
"Ziyue, why did you return without informing this Princess, so I could send someone to welcome you?"
Long Ziyue quickly and respectfully replied, "I intended to enter the palace to pay my respects to His Majesty and the Princess upon my return. However, I was concerned about my mother's health and planned to visit the royal manor first."
Although her attitude was good, she clearly stated her intention: she wanted to return to the royal manor first.
After all, the Prince of Ding's ill health was no secret; everyone knew about it.
As a daughter, it was only natural to visit her mother first.
Just as the Crown Princess was about to speak, she saw the door of a side room not far away open, and a figure clad in simple white slowly emerged.
The moonlight illuminated him, his plain and elegant attire fluttering gently in the evening breeze.
His silver hair perfectly framed his flawless features, bestowing upon him a beauty that seemed to belong only to the heavens.
The reins in her hand suddenly loosened.
Her gaze locked onto him, and from that moment on, all else in the world vanished in her eyes!
In all her years, this was the first time she had experienced the feeling of her heart being moved!
The Crown Princess's breath hitched as the man in white with silver hair approached.
"Crown Princess..." Long Ziyue turned his head and also saw the white-clad, silver-haired man walking towards them.
Then, looking at the Crown Princess's expression, she had clearly fallen into a daze.
Long Ziyue felt a sense of unease and gently nudged Chu Qianli with his elbow.
The Crown Princess had taken a liking to the Fifth Prince. This Crown Princess was notoriously difficult to deal with.
Not only did she wield considerable power, holding a position second to none in the court, but most importantly, she was decisive and sharp-witted!
For the Fifth Prince to attract her attention was not a good omen.
Chu Qianli instinctively moved back to Feng Wuya's side and supported him. "Wuya, why did you come out?"
The place was surrounded by the army; it was impossible for Feng Wuya not to come out.
However, A'li's gaze seemed a little strange.
"Who is this..." The Crown Princess stared at the hand Chu Qianli used to support Feng Wuya, her fingers tightening slightly.
A killing intent instantly filled her eyes.
Long Ziyue's unease intensified.
"This is the Prince of Xiaoyao from Bei Ming Kingdom."
"Prince of Xiaoyao?" The title was not widely known, so the Crown Princess couldn't recall it immediately.
A maid beside her whispered, "Princess, it is the Fifth Prince, Feng Wuya."
"Wuya... the name is truly beautiful, and the person is also truly handsome."
The Crown Princess, making no attempt to hide her admiration for Feng Wuya, immediately leaped off her horse and strode towards him.
"Prince Wuya, I am Long Xinghe, the Crown Princess of Long Teng Kingdom. It is a pleasure to meet you!"
Long Xinghe!
Chu Qianli's heart tensed.
Even the name was so similar.
Looking at her brows at such close proximity, she indeed resembled Jiang Xinghe more and more.
But was transmigration really that probable for two people?
Could these two people have transmigrated to the same era and then met again?
Could it be that destiny truly existed in the unseen?
Feng Wuya said faintly, "The pleasure is mine."
"Prince Wuya, I see you do not seem to be feeling well. I presume this place is not suitable and has caused you discomfort."
Long Xinghe waved her hand, and a troop of soldiers immediately rushed forward.
She smiled, "My villa is not far from here. Perhaps you would allow your people to rest at my villa for a day, and tomorrow, I will personally accompany you to the palace to meet Her Majesty the Empress?"
The visitor was a guest. Since they had arrived, it was only proper to meet the Empress, as per etiquette.
However, going to her villa, Chu Qianli suspected, had ulterior motives.
Just as Chu Qianli was about to refuse on Feng Wuya's behalf, she was surprised when Feng Wuya nodded and calmly said, "Then I shall trouble the Crown Princess."
Long Ziyue and Chu Qianli exchanged glances, stunned.
The Fifth Prince... had actually agreed?