She claimed her name was Ruanruan. Cuihua’s parents spent a lot of money to investigate and discovered that the real name of the Wan Dynasty’s Princess Jialan, who married for alliance, was Su Zhiruan.
After learning about her true identity, Cuihua’s parents were stunned for a long time.
Ever since Su Zhiruan appeared, there were quite a few speculations in the village. Most villagers, when gathered together for idle chat, believed that she was a young lady of distinguished background, possibly the daughter of a local landlord or even the prefect.
After all, it was evident from her extraordinary beauty and bearing that she was not the daughter of an ordinary small household. But while there was much speculation, no one knew her exact identity.
Now that Cuihua was mistaken for a princess, her parents carefully considered the matter. The only anomaly was the jade pendant that Cuihua suddenly brought back with her. In a mountain village, such a rare treasure was unheard of. Connecting all these clues together, the answer was obvious—the suddenly appearing Miss Ruanruan was indeed the Wan Dynasty’s Princess for alliance.
Cuihua’s parents, with tearful eyes, looked at Su Zhiruan, pleading with her to step forward and bring Cuihua back. Cuihua’s mother almost fainted onto the ground, her eyes filled with grief, "Noble... Your Royal Highness, as long as you can bring Cuihua back, we common folk are willing to exchange one life for another. My husband and I are willing to serve you as cattle or horses."
"That girl Cuihua was spoiled by us from a young age, but her nature is not bad. If she truly enters the royal capital, she will certainly be recognized." Cuihua’s father also shed tears, hoping Su Zhiruan would bring Cuihua back.
Su Zhiruan took a sip of tea, her face expressionless. After putting down the teacup, she shook her leg slightly, "Alright."
"Thank you, Noble—" Cuihua’s parents, upon hearing this, were extremely excited and were about to kneel to Su Zhiruan. Read full story at novel✦fire.net
"Wait a moment, I haven’t finished," Su Zhiruan promptly stopped their actions. Her fingertip caressed the patterns on the teacup, then she gave them a look, "Since you found me, you know that I am the Wan Dynasty’s Princess for alliance to the Wang Dynasty, undertaking a long journey for the stability of the two nations."
"But currently, it is not me you should be looking for," Su Zhiruan stood up, her hands behind her back as she stood in front of the window, "She sought me out, wanting to take on this identity and proceed to marry into the royal family in the royal capital."
Upon hearing this, Cuihua’s parents’ faces turned pale.
If it were in the past, they naturally wouldn’t believe such nonsense. But since Cuihua’s wish to marry Ji Xiaoyuan was dashed, Cuihua’s parents noticed their daughter undergoing some changes, making it difficult to understand her intentions.
The former Cuihua was also was sensitive and suspicious, but she didn’t have many thoughts. Cuihua’s parents were half-believing and half-doubting Su Zhiruan’s words.
Su Zhiruan, unconcerned, smiled, "You can just ask her."
Cuihua’s parents looked at each other in dismay.
Cuihua’s chest heaved as she looked at her parents in disbelief. Her voice softened, and she repeated.
"Father, Mother, is it she who asked you to persuade me?"
Cuihua’s mother was heartbroken. She wanted to step forward to hold Cuihua’s hand, but Cuihua dodged it warily, causing a nameless disappointment to rise in her mother’s heart.
The daughter they had raised from a young age now was willing to trade her identity for wealth and power, impersonating a princess. If discovered, it would be a crime punishable by extermination of nine generations. They dared not think, nor believe it could be true. The atmosphere among the three of them was in a deadlock.
"Hua’er, you’re too young to understand. How could the royal family fail to recognize who is truly the princess? If anything goes wrong, our entire family will be punished. It’s a matter of life and death."
"Your father is right. You should return this identity promptly. Then your father and I will take you to a secluded place, where no one can find us. When the nobles forget, we’ll return, find you a husband, and live a harmonious life as a family."
Cuihua’s eyes flickered, showing hesitation.
But such thoughts shifted quickly, in the span of a breath. She looked at her own hands.
The family had never lacked food or clothing, nor did they make her freeze or starve. Although she was a girl, she wasn’t ignored or oppressed by her brothers like other girls in the village. To be fair, this was already more than enough.
At home, she would help with work, but her parents cherished her and couldn’t bear to see her suffer or tire, so her hands were much fairer than those of other working girls.
But now, after impersonating this princess identity for only a few days, the county magistrate and many wealthy people around her had sent her all kinds of rare objects and skincare creams she had never seen before. In just a few days, her hands had become white and tender, adorned with a white jade bracelet. Even her nails were dyed and polished by maids, looking beautiful.