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

"Since it’s Consort Mother’s health that needs you, I reluctantly consent to this matter. But don’t think that becoming a princess allows you to go over my head."

"Don’t attempt to get close to Father Emperor and Consort Mother." Ah Chen dropped the carriage curtain, leaned against the cushion, and refused to speak further with Cui Jing.

Though she returned to handle some matters and didn’t spare Cui Jing’s face, she wouldn’t act as Cui Jing expected.

However, Cui Jing became anxious and couldn’t hold back for a day, showing up directly in front of her.

She was, of course, aware of Cui Jing’s intentions.

Compared to Cui Jing, she was more curious about what Song Chong and Consort Li would do next. She wouldn’t follow the Commissioner’s original path; she was now going to deal with the Cui Family and Cui Jing. Without those leverage points, how would they deal with her?

Could they really tolerate her enjoying wealth and prosperity under the guise of the Ninth Princess?

Song Chong and Consort Li were not so large-hearted.

When the Commissioner returned at that time, they seemed to be doting and indulging her, but in truth, they had no real affection for her. Didn’t they know something was off about her? Of course, they did, but they didn’t care, perhaps they even thought she was taking their daughter’s place.

So whether or not Cui Jing was sent to Bei Qi, Song Chong and Consort Li were not pleased with her holding that identity, even if Cui Jing couldn’t reclaim it, they wouldn’t give it to someone else.

The Commissioner was merely the daughter of an official, while they were the lofty Emperor and Consort Li. Could they be concerned about her life, death, joys, or sorrows?

Didn’t they know that given the circumstances at the time, any slight difference shown to Cui Jing would arouse the Commissioner’s dissatisfaction and anger? They knew but didn’t care.

What did her dissatisfaction and resentment have to do with them?

Watching her step by step towards destruction, they seemed to tolerate it, but in reality, they secretly pushed her towards a dead end.

Cui Jing looked towards the carriage curtain, her expression unpleasant this time.

Indeed, Father and Consort Mother recognized her as their adopted daughter only because she was blessed and could improve Consort Mother’s health, not for any other reason.

Song Chen’s words cut into her heart like a knife.

At this moment, Cui Jing felt incredulous that someone like Song Chen was the real princess, and why she was not the true princess.

But she soon came to her senses, recalling the humiliation she suffered in Bei Qi, quickly dismissing that thought; the identity of the Ninth Princess wasn’t necessarily a good one.

The more she thought about it, the more upset she became. She was bullied in Bei Qi, yet Song Chen went there and suffered no hardship. Bei Qi was soon destroyed by Canglan Country, and Song Chen was treated well for two years.

Even so, she didn’t think being the Ninth Princess meant she could be treated like Song Chen.

She had heard that initially, when Song Chen met the Bei Qi prince and princess, she beat them, which sparked their interest and prevented them from hastily doing anything to her, allowing her to escape a calamity. As for her, she couldn’t do what Song Chen did.

Was she really not as good as Song Chen?

Cui Jing was upset again.

From a young age, except in looks, Song Chen couldn’t compare to her in any aspect.

While Cui Jing was indulging in all sorts of thoughts, they entered the palace.

After all, being the most doted-upon daughter returning, Song Chong, having finished his work, was already waiting at Consort Li’s side. Neither of them was particularly willing, but the act had to be completed, as Song Chen still held the identity of the Ninth Princess.

"Your Majesty, Your Grace, the Ninth Princess has returned."

Hearing this, the two immediately put on smiles.

Ah Chen walked in, noticed the smiles on their faces, and with a smile of her own, ran over: "Father, Consort Mother."

"Finally got to see you both."

"It’s been over two years, and I’ve missed you greatly."

Thinking of awarding you a cup of poisoned wine.

997, sensing Ah Chen’s thoughts, remained silent—was this a case of outwardly not matching inner thoughts? How apt.

[Don’t think bad thoughts about me, I can hear them too.] With a smile on her face, Ah Chen communicated with 997.

The sudden voice startled 997: [Host, I’m off to work! Checking on other missionaries.]

"It’s good you’re back." Song Chong said, his eyes even slightly reddened, truly appearing as a father fond of his daughter.

Consort Li, holding Ah Chen’s hand, wiped away tears: "Chenchen, you’ve suffered these past two years, and it’s all because your Consort Mother was useless, unable to protect you."

"Consort Mother, I haven’t suffered, not one bit." Ah Chen said instead, her smile bright, "When I first went to Bei Qi, they indeed intended to torment me, but how could I just wait to be bullied? At that time, I thought, since I wasn’t going to survive anyway, I might as well fight back. When they came for me, I took them out on my own initiative."

"Those Bei Qi people were truly peculiar; after I beat them, they weren’t angry but said they weren’t in a hurry to play with me, waiting for later, so I waited calmly until the reception banquet called by the Bei Qi Emperor."

"Who knew during the banquet something would happen—Bei Qi was overturned, ending the state of Bei Qi, and the princes and princesses who tried to oppress me were shot by the Emperor of Canglan Country. Naturally, I escaped with my life. Later I was treated well, never suffering at all.

"You needn’t worry anymore."

"I heard the Father Emperor had people investigate the news. You should know these things by now? Seeing me here safe and sound should set your minds at ease."

Song Chong and Consort Li, of course, knew, but seeing her healthy and full of smiles, clearly living well, made them feel very uneasy inside.

Jing’er over there had been bullied to death; how come Cui Chen had such good fortune?

On the surface, however, they had to appear grateful, albeit feeling very uncomfortable.

"Father, Consort Mother, have you accepted Cui Jing as your adopted daughter?" Ah Chen asked again.

Cui Jing was outside the door, hearing Ah Chen mention her, couldn’t help but perk up her ears, wondering what Song Chen intended to say about her.

Hearing this, Song Chong, immediately conceiving a plan, was about to praise Cui Jing to stir Ah Chen’s anger, but Ah Chen didn’t give him the chance to laud her, speaking first, "She already told me the reasons. Initially, I was a bit upset that you recognized her as your adopted daughter and wanted to grant her the title of princess. But seeing as it concerns Consort Mother’s health, I won’t dwell on it. Everything should be for Consort Mother’s health; recognizing her as an adopted daughter is fine, just an adopted daughter, after all. She’s only for treating Consort Mother’s illness, I won’t begrudge her that. You couldn’t possibly love her more, could you?"

With her having said everything, the words Song Chong intended to compliment Cui Jing with were rendered inappropriate, even his smile was a bit stiff.

Seeing them mute, Ah Chen wasn’t planning to let up.

"Father, Consort Mother, you wouldn’t prefer Cui Jing, would you? Not as the Cui Family people do? Even though they said they wanted to use Cui Jing as a shield, it wouldn’t be a pleasant feeling."

Song Chong said, "Of course not, you are indeed my daughter."

"Indeed, Chenchen, don’t let your imagination run wild." Consort Li added.

They were merely trying to send away this troublesome Song Chen; sincerity was absent from these words, little did they know Cui Jing was outside the door.

Ah Chen let out a satisfied smile, turning to the door, "Cui Jing, come on in, you heard it now, right? Father and Consort Mother favor me."

"You’re originally a subject’s daughter; to gain Father and Consort Mother’s acknowledgment as an adopted daughter and become a princess is already a great blessing. You wouldn’t begrudge Father and Consort Mother’s affection, would you? You have your own parents, no need to compete with me."

Song Chong and Consort Li’s faces changed; was Jing’er outside?

Detestable, this Song Chen was utterly detestable.

Why hadn’t she been dealt with by the Bei Qi people?