She is the Side Character! — Watch Her Change her fate!

The guesthouse also had a smaller room. After listening to Ah Chen, it was allowed for Fan Shi and his companion to stay, with plenty of instructions given before entering the room.

"Sir, is she the Ninth Princess? She doesn’t seem bad at all," Song Jie, Fan Shi’s attendant, remarked, scratching his head. "She even let us come in to avoid the rain and arranged a room for us."

Fan Shi listened to the rain outside the window, which indeed was getting heavier. If they hadn’t come in, they might have gotten sick from the rain, so he said, "There are rarely people who are purely evil; seeking benefits and avoiding harm is human nature."

Just like before, when the County Magistrate’s daughter was sent to Bei Qi in her place, knowing that going to Bei Qi wouldn’t be easy, naturally, there would be thoughts of avoiding it.

She looks just about ten years old; how bad could she possibly be?

Usually, she is a princess, a ruler. If she sends a subject to death, no one would think twice, believing it to be rightful. Sending the County Magistrate’s daughter in her place, no one can object.

However, he always detested the nobility’s sense of entitlement. The nobles, believing themselves superior, would not hesitate to sacrifice countless lesser people if necessary.

Therefore, even though they temporarily share a guesthouse, they are not on the same path.

As for why he needs to go to Bei Qi this time, Fan Shi hasn’t figured it out yet. Since he still wishes to go once, he will go. He trusts his intuition, as there’s always a feeling that he would regret it for life if he doesn’t go to Bei Qi.

So he will go again. Perhaps there is something waiting for him in Bei Qi?

Considering the current world situation, could someone truly capable of saving the world be found in Bei Qi?

"Sir, even the Emperor has those noble traits you loathe. Are you sure you can really find the person you’re looking for?" Song Jie suddenly asked. Despite being only a teenager, his master is versed in martial arts and well-read, seeking someone who can change the world given the current state of affairs.

He left home to travel at the age of twelve, and five years have since passed, during which he met many people, some even invited him to join them. Unfortunately, none were the person his master sought.

"Sir, perhaps you won’t find that person you have in mind."

"Who becomes an Emperor without being aloof and arrogant?" Song Jie shook his head, laying out the wet items to dry. "If I were Emperor, I also wouldn’t care about other people. Contemplating having everyone’s life and death in my hands sounds quite thrilling."

Fan Shi turned around with a face full of disdain, "You’d better improve your handwriting. No Emperor scribbles like a chicken walking."

"It’s not necessary to have such a person," he muttered. "As long as change can happen, it’s enough. The Bei Qi Emperor may be tyrannical, yet Bei Qi remains reluctantly stable. Although the common people have a hard time, they’re still enduring. The people of Nan Qi, while the situation is not desperate, aren’t utterly bereft. However, those in the east are having a tough time; bandits rule the mountains, and lack of proper regulations leaves civilians suffering without even a chance to escape."

They don’t obstruct people coming or going. They haven’t since realizing it deterred anyone from going there. An agreement was reached, not letting locals escape under any circumstance but leaving outsiders alone.

However, if the current state continues, chaos is inevitable, and a capable person is necessary to stabilize the situation.

Yet, up to now, he hasn’t found such a person.

If there were truly such a person, he would tolerate the disliked traits if they could ensure peace, provide clothing to the people, and fill their stomachs. That would indeed make a good ruler.

"Sir, after five years out, you’ve changed a lot," Song Jie suddenly said. His master wasn’t this pragmatic before.

Fan Shi smiled faintly; he had changed because he was too naive before. But until now, he hasn’t found such a person. He’s still young and can wait, but many people under heaven cannot afford to wait.

"Ah, sir, if such people were easily found, would there still be trends of great chaos?" Song Jie shook his head.

Fan Shi thought there was truth to it—would such a person only appear when things become utterly chaotic?

The rain lasted five days before finally stopping.

As soon as the sky cleared, the convoy couldn’t wait to set off, having been delayed five days and couldn’t afford more delays.

Ah Chen got into the carriage, and as it started, she suddenly heard Fan Shi’s voice outside: "Thank you, miss."

The convoy didn’t reveal their identity, and even if Fan Shi had recognized it, he wouldn’t act on it to avoid trouble. While Nan Qi folk might not bother, Bei Qi people aren’t as reasonable.

"You’re welcome," Ah Chen replied, as they let her onto the carriage, Fan Shi and his companion were allowed out, preventing him from seeing her bound. Unbeknownst to them, he had already noticed.

Another three days of travel and they finally arrived in Bei Qi territory.

Inside the Bei Qi Third Princess Mansion, the Third Princess Song Yishui lounged on a chair, narrowing her eyes at Cui Jing standing before her, and suddenly sported an amused smile, "Just received news: the Ninth Princess from Nan Qi has entered Bei Qi territory. At the convoy’s pace, she’ll arrive by tomorrow. You really are unlucky to have been outwitted by her."

"Curious to see what this Ninth Princess looks like, I wonder how she compares to you."

Upon hearing this, Cui Jing trembled. Though the Third Princess spoke with a smile, she was a mercilessly cruel person. Upon arriving in Bei Qi, she was invited to the Princess Mansion and commanded to massage the princess’s shoulders and legs, and wash her feet. Having never done such things before, she refused.

Unexpectedly, the princess dealt her a slap that left her stunned.

Song Yishui even insulted her as a contemptible thing, reminding her that the Princess sent from Nan Qi was here to serve as a slave in Bei Qi.

Cui Jing originally thought that even as a nominal princess, life wouldn’t be easy in Bei Qi, but she wouldn’t lose her freedom, only to find herself enduring torment.

She couldn’t speak at the time, only endure it.

Not only did the Bei Qi Third Princess have various ways to use her, but other princes and princesses did the same, calling her to serve whenever they pleased. When they gathered, she was the source of their entertainment. She had never suffered such humiliation in her life.

Used as a servant day after day, enduring endless abuse and humiliation, she finally could speak, and also noticed she could tear away the prosthetic stuck to her face. Without considering the bigger picture, her only thought at that time was to escape from Bei Qi. When she realized their methods of torment were becoming excessive, she quickly disclosed her identity, removing the false face.

She explained that she was coerced in one breath, leaving her somewhat apprehensive.

After all, as the daughter of a County Magistrate, her identity was of little consequence to the Bei Qi princes and princesses.

Fortunately, they were intrigued and decided to keep her alive until the Ninth Princess arrived.

Her hatred for Song Chen was immense now.

The other always targeted her since they were young and now sent her to this place for suffering, depleting her every ounce of kindness and tolerance.

She didn’t owe Song Chen anything; why did she want to harm her so?

Thinking of Song Chen being sent over, Cui Jing felt a bit relieved.

Song Chen was the Ninth Princess; it was her mission, how could she avoid it?

It should be Song Chen herself who faces this.