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

Bei Qi Prime Minister’s Mansion.

"Master, we should depart now. Your Majesty has specifically asked for your presence at the palace banquet. Today, you must also meet with the Nan Qi Ninth Princess. You have no choice but to go. If you don’t leave now, you won’t make it in time." The Prime Minister’s wife wiped her tears as she urged him. She knew that her husband was unwilling to attend such events, but since Your Majesty had named him specifically, he had no choice.

Remembering the time when they got married, her husband was so spirited and ambitious. That young man still imprinted in the depths of her heart. At that time, he said he would change Bei Qi.

As long as he climbed high enough, he could bring change.

Now, although he is the Prime Minister, he is powerless to change anything.

It’s because Your Majesty needs him; otherwise, he wouldn’t know how many times he would have died by now. He is not afraid of life and death, but he has many concerns and weaknesses: her, their children and grandchildren, the Xue Family, and the people of Bei Qi. If he truly courted death, Your Majesty’s wrath would bring disaster upon all of them. Although Your Majesty doesn’t force him to do crazy things, he must do what a Prime Minister should do.

He is not yet fifty, but his hair has already turned white, surely due to constant worries.

"News has it that Your Majesty summoned all the people from Nan Qi." Xue Shanhuai took his official hat, trembling as he put it on, tears glistening in his eyes. "Wife, I truly feel helpless."

He can’t save Bei Qi, nor does he have the power to rebel.

Your Majesty uses him but does not trust him, keeping him under constant surveillance.

Watching him go from ambitious to powerless seems also to be Your Majesty’s amusement. If he ever made a wrong move, it wouldn’t be him who perished, but his family. His eldest son and third daughter both died because of him.

He now truly finds survival impossible, and seeking death equally so.

He cannot die, for if he did, all related to him would die, and the ordinary people of Bei Qi would suffer even more. If he remains alive, at least he can still do something.

"It’s alright, you’ve done wonderfully, saving many people." The Prime Minister’s wife supported his arm, "You’re still the same Xue Shanhuai I know."

"Wife, I’m leaving now."

"Alright, I will wait for your return." The Prime Minister’s wife stood at the doorway, waving with a smile.

Xue Shanhuai glanced back, wanting to tell her not to wait and to rest early, as he was expected to return late at night. But knowing she was persistent, he said instead, "Don’t wait outside in the evening; stay indoors to avoid catching a cold."

"Alright." The Prime Minister’s wife replied, maintaining her smile.

For over thirty years, it had been the same. When he departed, she always saw him off at the door, and knowing his return time, she always waited for him to come back safely.

Seated in the carriage, Xue Shanhuai packed away all sentimentality.

Your Majesty summoned him to attend the palace banquet, purely because he knew Xue Shanhuai couldn’t stand these things, calling him to endure the torment, also wanting him to get used to them, to understand that everything is not to be resisted, taking it as amusement. He couldn’t get used to it; he couldn’t agree with the insane behavior of the Bei Qi Royal Family.

Tonight, the Nan Qi Ninth Princess and those from Nan Qi might not have an easy time.

The Nan Qi Ninth Princess should be able to survive, but others are uncertain.

Alas, he sighed deeply.

He didn’t know how much longer such days would last. He felt powerless to change anything but hoped there would be someone capable of doing so.

Cui Chen and Cui Jing had already escaped far from the capital. Both had disguised themselves, appearing ordinary now, and with the identities prepared by the Third Prince Song Yuheng, their journey went smoothly.

During a rest, Cui Jing couldn’t help but look towards the direction of the Bei Qi Capital, her eyes complicated.

"Stop thinking about it. That Song Chen deserved this fate. It’s fine if she suffers by herself, but to bring harm to you as well." Cui Chen said, "Jing’er, just forget everything here when you return."

"She is the Emperor’s daughter. Back then, our parents really couldn’t ignore her needs, and it nearly got you killed, but we can’t trouble the emperor. This isn’t our parents’ fault; it’s the Emperor who is unreasonable and Song Chen who is too malicious." Cui Chen was angry, "Who would still pledge loyalty to this cursed emperor? If it weren’t for the discovery by Bei Qi, they might have directly replaced you with her."

"Brother, stop talking." Cui Jing dared not explain Cui Chen’s misunderstanding of her thoughts. Anyway, it’s all in the past; some thoughts should remain unspoken.

With the absence of Song Chen, the Cui Family could regain peace.

Right now, she’s more worried about whether the Emperor will hold her accountable.

"From Father’s attitude, Your Majesty should be quite angry, mainly at Song Chen; if her actions provoke Bei Qi and it leads to war, the consequences would be unimaginable, not involving you." While saying this, Cui Chen still held some worry.

But at this moment, they could only return first and see how things unfolded later.

The Emperor shouldn’t act against the Cui Family; if he intended to punish them, he would have done so long ago.

Cui Jing thought the Emperor of Nan Qi might not be aware of the details of her situation in Bei Qi.

Besides, this incident really originated with Song Chen, and the blame should indeed fall on her.

She felt slightly relieved, thinking of tonight’s palace banquet where Song Chen will meet the Emperor, uncertain of what might happen, feeling a bit of schadenfreude.

It’s what Song Chen deserves to endure.

Imperial Palace Garden.

Ah Chen had arrived, but the Bei Qi Emperor Song Kuo had not yet appeared.

Many people surrounded her, several familiar faces, all scrutinizing her, some even with amused smiles.

When Song Yishui arrived, she searched through the crowd and immediately spotted Ah Chen, walking up to her with a smile. She intended to speak to Ah Chen, but her gaze was suddenly drawn to the person beside "Cui Chen."

"Who is this?" she asked arrogantly.

Someone immediately responded beside her, "In response to the Third Princess, this is Cui Chen, Cui Jing’s second brother, accompanying the envoy to bring Cui Jing back."

Such matters couldn’t possibly be concealed.

"Oh, Cui Jing’s second brother. No wonder he’s good-looking." Song Yishui appraised him from top to bottom and smiled, "After the palace banquet, you will come back with me to the Princess Mansion."

"You can resist."

"But it’s of no use." Song Yishui smiled happily before looking at Ah Chen, "You wouldn’t plead for him, would you? Even if you pleaded, I wouldn’t let him go. You are like a clay Bodhisattva crossing the river, unable to ensure your own safety, let alone care for others."

"If the Third Princess wants Cui Chen, I indeed won’t intervene." Ah Chen replied in such a manner, but this person wasn’t Cui Chen, so it was certainly not acceptable.

Song Yishui snorted, "You are sensible this time. I won’t bother you for the moment. You just try to get through tonight’s palace banquet."

"I have heard Father is considering something," she leaned in closer to Ah Chen, "You must bear it."

"However, those around you probably won’t be protected." Song Yishui recalled this, her gaze falling on Cui Chen, "If you wish to survive tonight, you should stick to my side from now on, otherwise, I can’t save you either."