Her tears ceased. Bai Meili slowly withdrew away from me.

I stared back at my mother with a blank expression. I leaned to her ear and whispered: "That's why.. every year, on my birthday, I only wish for one thing."

"In the next life, I wish a good person will become my mother."

Bai Meili subconsciously took a step back. As her face marked by unbelief, the woman gasped; covering her lips with both hands. "X-Xin'er.. You.."

Indifferently, I turned away from Bai Meili then shifted my attention to my personal maid. "Jin'er."

Removing Jin'er's hand from my sleeve was quite challenging. I smiled to her patiently. "Take care of the Madam for me, okay?"

Despite the tears on her face, her Janice Wu-like beauty didn't even diminished a bit. 'Ah my heart. My belle!'

General Ming suddenly spoke: "My lady."

When he saw me nodding my head, the general bowed, clearly pleased. He turned to his men and said: "Bring the carriage here."

"Yes."

'Ah. I am the best green-tea villainess of all time. Goodbye! My job is done here. I can't wait to leave this perverted novel. I'm going back to my world. Hurry! Where's the legendary poison tea?'

The trip to the dungeon was uneventful and smooth. The carriage was moving slowly. I sat up straight. I'm surprised that the ride didn't trigger my motion sickness. Maybe it's because of the fancy and comfortable padded seat and even the readied refreshments.

I'm kinda curious. When did they even arranged this first-class carriage?

'What is this?'

General Ming looked so prepared. 'You bet, it's suspicious!' There's something fishy going on here.

It seemed they're watching the movement of the Prime Minister manor. The royal guards must have waited on the sideline and anticipated our next action. Hence, they caught us in the act. Caught us even before we tried to flee.

'Am I really a criminal?'

With all these royal guards escorting me, treating me so gently and bowing their heads respectfully; why do I feel like I'm a princess instead? The red carpet treatment were too much to me okay.

Are we really going to the dungeon? After peeking from the window, I noticed something weird about the road were taking. It looked so.. familiar to me. I ignored it, it's dark. I might be wrong. But something doesn't feel right in here.

'Eyy, no way. I'm not that unlucky, right?'

Thirty minutes later, I stood still in front of a certain palace; gaping stupidly at the familiar palace plaque. Yōng means eternal and shôu means longevity.

'Author-san, can you tell me why am I here at Yongshou Palace?'

I almost want to hug the horses and beg them to take me back to Prime Minister manor. So frustrating! Where's the dungeon? Where's the legendary poison tea? How about my most awaited ending?

'What the hell is this?'

The next moment, I found myself inside of that certain palace. The palace servants were serving me enthusiastically. They helped me bath and dressed. I'm afraid I'm going to get used to this place and this VVIP treatment.

They even put delicious foods in my own bowl. The palace meals were too delicious. So fragrant. Ah, the savory roast duck whispered to me: 'Stay here. Stay here. So you can continue eating us.'

Staring at the ceiling, I shook my head. No, I can't be tempted like this. 'Stay strong, Shishi.'

Later, my body was covered by a soft homely blanket. Then, I closed my eyes to sleep. 'Is it okay for me to be this calm? I think I'm forgetting something. Ahg, it's late. Sleep for now.'

When I opened my eyes again, it was already past lunch. 'Mother of Pearls! I slept like a log.'

I spent the whole afternoon at Yongshou Palace like I was in the Prime Minister manor. The palace servants provided me my favorite stack of romance books and different kind of desserts for me. The atmosphere was peaceful and quite.

While I was licking my chopsticks, a thought came to me: 'This.. There's really something wrong in here.'

"Qiuyue."

I noticed that more and more royal guards were appearing on the palace ground. They were on full combat as if they're preparing for battle. They were armed and alert.

"Yes, my lady."

Qiuyue was easy to the eye. This palace servant was cute like a hamster. I just want to squish her cheeks. I faked coughed, asking her: "Where is he? I'm asking about His Highness Nan King?"

I frowned when Qiuyue obviously avoided my eyes and she started shuffling her feet. "That.."

"Is he okay?"

My green-tea acting started rolling. I displayed a distressed expression and at the same time, I softened my voice like that of a marshmallow. My eyes watered a little bit. "You see, I'm worried."

'Worried my plain face.' Who would believe that when I was burying my face just now with deserts. My stomach looked pregnant because of that.

"No. No, my lady. Please don't be upset."

"No. I want to cry."

"M-my lady, please don't cry." She knelt. "His Highness Nan King ordered us to serve you well. To entertain you. To make sure you're happy these days. If you cry, His Highness will have our heads."

"What's with the guards?"

"They.. are for your protection, my lady. The grand palace is in chaos right now. Enemies of His Highness Nan King are everywhere."

Ahm, care to tell me what's that gonna do with me? I'm just an innocent bystander. Ayyo! My bad. Let me rephrased that; I'm just a plain-face villainess, waiting patiently for my death ending.

'Leave this villainess alone.'

Suddenly, out of nowhere, the tip of a sword was on my neck. Qiuyue screamed.

Immediately, the royal guards were alerted. They surrounded us and drew their swords to the female lead.

"L-lady Chu. What do y-you think you're doing to wàngfêi?" Qiuyue asked, nervous and fearful.

"You dare touch our wàngfêi? You don't want your life anymore!"