Zhao Jingwan had been so hungry these past few days that her stomach felt stuck to her back. She couldn't even step outside for a breath of fresh air.
Her wrist ached from all the copying, yet not a single page was satisfactory. The maids couldn't go out to beg the Old Madam for help.
Looking at the crumpled paper on the floor, she wondered when she would ever be let out. Would that old scoundrel intend to keep her locked up forever?
Thinking more wouldn't help. The food delivered was worse each day, and they explicitly told her it was her General father's decision.
She began to feel a little scared. The original host had been raised as a proper young lady, after all.
With her abysmal handwriting, had they already noticed something? Would General Zhao throw her out and burn her?
The thought sent goosebumps all over her body, and her clothes were soaked with sweat.
"Mama, I want to go home, *sob sob*~ I'm so scared. Am I even the heroine of this world? Everyone else who transmigrated had a golden finger, why don't I? God, you're unfair."
Tears dripped onto the paper. Great, this page was also copied in vain.
She angrily crumpled the paper and threw it on the floor, then collapsed onto the desk, sobbing uncontrollably.
Her personal maid had also been transferred away. Guarding outside was a woman she had previously saved, who had sold herself to bury her father.
These past few days, Jun Jiuli had forbidden anyone from speaking to her. Zhao Jingwan felt her sanity slipping.
The maid who brought her food didn't even make eye contact. She placed the food down with her head bowed and left in a hurry.
That night, a shadow snuck into the General's mansion. It moved skillfully towards Jun Jiuli's study. Just as he was about to pry open the door bolt.
Two flying darts accurately struck his cheeks.
"Who's there?"
Chen Jiayu fled, clutching his face, as guards holding torches surrounded him. He was fast and soon disappeared into the darkness.
"Master, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Make sure you catch that little thief."
"Yes, Master."
The entire General's mansion was brightly lit, with guards patrolling every courtyard. Chen Jiayu had nowhere to retreat and no way to escape, so he slipped into a courtyard whose name clearly indicated it belonged to a girl.
This Hantan Courtyard had the fewest maids and servants and was located in a more secluded spot. It was unlikely to be the courtyard of General Zhao's concubines.
It was probably the courtyard of the General's unfavored second daughter. He picked a random room and unexpectedly saw such a beautiful sight.
Zhao Jingwan's back was to him, and she hadn't noticed anything amiss. Chen Jiayu rushed forward, pressing a dagger against Zhao Jingwan's neck.
Zhao Jingwan's heart was pounding wildly. She was ecstatic. A turning point had arrived; the male lead had truly come to her. She really wanted to turn around and see if he was handsome.
Her heart screamed with joy, completely forgetting her current predicament. Chen Jiayu was also piqued by this woman, and at this moment, he wasn't panicked at all.
"Aren't you afraid?"
"Young master, rest assured, I will never scream. I smell blood. I assume you are injured and wouldn't want to cause more trouble."
Chen Jiayu's thin lips curved upwards as he pressed the dagger a little harder. With a slight increase in force, Zhao Jingwan would surely meet her end.
Seeing her remaining calm even in this situation, Chen Jiayu felt a bit of admiration.
"What an interesting little wildcat."
The sound of hurried footsteps approached from outside. Chen Jiayu whispered, "What to do, I believe the second miss has her own plans."
"Does the young master intend to stand there so boldly?"
"What are Miss's suggestions?"
"Of course..."
As she spoke, she suddenly stood up. Chen Jiayu saw a flash of white. He had never seen anything like it and was momentarily stunned.
Zhao Jingwan's heart was pounding with excitement. This was like a historical drama coming to life, and she was cheering herself on.
She wrapped her arms around Chen Jiayu's neck and pulled him into the bathtub. Chen Jiayu's heart was racing. Seeing the beautiful scene before him, he felt a stir of emotion.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Chen Jiayu held his breath, not daring to show his face. The bathwater was filled with rose petals, which were just enough to conceal him.
"Second Miss, are you in there?"
Zhao Jingwan deliberately stirred the water, asking, "I am. What is it?"
"An assassin has infiltrated the mansion. We were wondering if there was any disturbance in Second Miss's area."
"No, there isn't. You should check elsewhere."
"Second Miss, we are under orders from the General to thoroughly search every corner of the mansion. We hope Second Miss will not make things difficult."
"Hmph, a bunch of dogs who use a chicken feather as a military order. Do you dare to be so disrespectful to my elder sister? I am bathing, are you going to barge in?"
"Then we will wait here until Second Miss finishes bathing."
Seeing their persistence, if she waited any longer, her male lead would drown.
Zhao Jingwan considered for a moment, then immediately got up, put on her clothes, and opened the door with a displeased expression.
"If you want to look, come in and look. I told you, and you still don't believe me. Hurry up and don't delay my rest."
"Yes."
The group searched every nook and cranny, but no one expected there to be a problem in the bathtub.
The room was spacious, and the search took a full incense's time. Seeing the people leave, Zhao Jingwan immediately reached into the bathtub.
She grabbed Chen Jiayu's hair and pulled him up. Chen Jiayu gasped for fresh air; he had almost suffocated.
"This little brat has excellent swimming skills."
"Since you wish to stay so badly, then stay for a while longer."
"Young Master, are you alright?"
Under the guise of concern, Zhao Jingwan pulled off Chen Jiayu's mask. She hadn't expected the wound to be on his face.
The two holes on the sides had turned pale from being soaked, and the flesh was somewhat everted. Fortunately, the bleeding was minimal, otherwise, the bathwater would have been difficult to dispose of.
However, given his height, his features were also handsome. The wound didn't seem serious and should heal in some time.
Staring at the jade pendant at his waist, she wondered which noble young master this might be. Zhao Jingwan now regretted not observing the male guests more carefully at the banquet that day.
It was all Madam Zhao's fault for telling her not to look too boldly. Madam Zhao had been watching closely that day, and she hadn't even seen the faces of those men clearly.
Otherwise, she would definitely know who her prince charming was now. He might even be a prince.
Seeing Chen Jiayu struggling to breathe, Zhao Jingwan steeled herself and kissed him.
She knew how to perform artificial respiration. Chen Jiayu watched the woman's face magnify before his eyes.
Her skin was fair and flawless, and he could clearly see the fine downy hairs on her face. Her lips felt so fragrant and soft. His heart was pounding so fast, as if it didn't belong to him.
Before he fainted, countless thoughts raced through his mind, all culminating in the resolve that he must marry this woman.
Zhao Jingwan was a bit confused. Shouldn't he have gotten better? Why did he pass out? Fortunately, he wasn't dead.
After taking a lot of time, she got up and dragged him to the bed. Blushing, she changed his wet clothes.
She took out the finest wound medicine from the cabinet and applied it to Chen Jiayu, carefully bandaging him.
After bandaging, she felt he looked even more handsome. This damn fragile and aloof aura filled her mind with fantasies, and she was so excited that she only fell asleep late into the night.