The Wheel Of Transmigration - Chapter 14: 01.13: Weimin Ru

Once they arrived at the capital of the Ru empire, Qiangda, Murong Jieli couldn’t help but peek out of her sedan’s window in admiration. The Fan empire’s capital, Beiwei, was incredibly and noticeably smaller than here. Vitality flowed in Qiangda as laughter and freedom rang in the streets. Such a precious place, it was no wonder that Ru Xueling eyed the throne so much.

To be the emperor of such humble and joyful people, it was a blessing. Ru Weimin noticed her wide and admiring eyes and chuckled.

Murong Jieli blushed scarlet and avoided his teasing gaze.

The people cheered once they noticed the imperial horse that Ru Weimin rested upon. It was clear to see that they loved their emperor.

***

Once they arrived at the palace doors, a beautiful girl wearing a blue hanfu waved cheerfully as she regarded Ru Weimin. Her rosy cheeks were an indication of her innocent crush as she looked at Ru Weimin.

“Weimin-ge!” The girl called out affectionately.

“Zingxiu,” Ru Weimin said calmly, “Why are you standing in front of the gates in such a chilly weather?”

Truly, the weather wasn’t cold, but Murong Jieli could sense the worry and affection behind it. She laughed bitterly for assuming this Ru Weimin wouldn’t have multiple women like the previous Ru Weimin in the last lifetime. It seems like he wasn’t in love with her much like the story intended… she truly had screwed things up.

”’You’re doing good on the sad ending, honey.”’

‘Gay.’

”’Why yes, I am happy to see you suffer.”’

Murong Jieli cleared her throat as both Ai Zingxiu and Ru Weimin turned in her direction. Ai Zingxiu widened her eyes at the gorgeous girl but gaped when her cousin introduced her as his fiance. “What…” Ai Zingxiu said amazed, “y-you’re engaged?”

Ru Weimin nodded, “As of the imperial banquet, Murong Jieli, the second daughter of the left prime minister, is my fiance and will be my wife in approximately one month.”

Ai Zingxiu gasped at how soon their wedding was going to take place before her heart clenched in pain. Her cousin that she had adored as a child was going to get married to someone that wasn’t her… As much as she wanted to brood and be bitter over the thought, she knew that eventually, this would’ve happened. After all, her cousin had never shown any interest in her in the first place.

She mustered a smile on her face despite her heartache, “Congratulations!” Her cheerful smile showed no indication of her inner turmoil, “Future cousin-in-law is very pretty.”

Murong Jieli smiled in appreciation at the young princess who showered them with her enthusiasm. She never expected the princess to react in such a way. She expected the princess to be a usual, clich character that became easily jealous because her crush was taken away, more commonly known on the Central Realm as a yandere.

Ai Zingxiu clapped her hands together as she used one arm to loop with Murong Jieli’s arm. “I’ll show you around!”

“T-That’s not necessary”

“Excellent,” Ru Weimin interrupted, “I was going to show her around myself, but since you volunteered, then be my guest.”

Ai Zingxiu pulled Murong Jieli away before she could hesitate or disagree, hence the duo of young girls went around the capital, visiting multiple places with shadow guards tailing them. Murong Jieli knew about the shadow guards due to Xiao Fu complaining about his privacy being invaded by emo guards in their black getups.

After two hours of wondering Qiangda, Ai Zingxiu and Murong Jieli sat in the Vermillion Ruby Teahouse and quietly watched the humorous play that was commencing on the first floor. They were currently on the second floor, reserved for the nobility and the rich who could afford a table and a tea set.

Ai Zingxiu watched as Murong Jieli giggled as she regarded the silly antics of the actors in the play. She watched as Murong Jieli’s dark and luscious hair fanned her heart-shaped face that held a pair of gem-like eyes.

Such a beautiful person, she, unfortunately, could never compare no matter how much she wanted to.

Ai Zingxiu was regarded as the most beautiful in the entire empire, but after seeing Murong Jieli, she knew that title no longer belonged to her… Ai Zingxiu realized that once people realize such a goddess was to be their empress, they’d forget all about their support for her to be married to her cousin…

“Ai Zingxiu,” Murong Jieli called out, interrupting the princess’ thoughts. “Can I call you Zingxiu?”

Ai Zingxiu nodded as Murong Jieli smiled, “Then you can call me Jieli. I’m very happy that you showed me around today… Such a beautiful country, it is a paradise that the gods and goddesses have blessed on the mortal realm.”

Ai Zingxiu felt immense patriotic pride swell in her chest as she nodded enthusiastically, “Yes! I’m very happy I could help you.”

Murong Jieli nodded as she asked, “For such a beautiful girl, whoever is your betrothed must be very lucky.”

”’What are you doing!? You’re walking on thin ice… Do you want the girl to explode?”’

‘No, I want to test to see if she harbors negative feelings for me.’

Ai Zingxiu blushed at the comment and shook her head, “I originally meant to marry a minor prince from the Fan empire, and even meant to go to the banquet that my cousin was in; but before I could departure, my cousin changed his mind and told me he’d cancel my engagement and that I should stay here.”

”’Ah, the handsome boy wishes for a harem. I don’t blame him, she’s so pretty after all”’

‘Shut up.’ Murong Jieli interrupted Xiao Fu before he could finish.

”’Geez, so salty. I’m supposed to be the salty one in this relationship, what happened to your pure self?”’

‘She’s dead. And if you don’t shut up and don’t stop nagging me in my head, you’ll be dead too.’

Xiao Fu shivered and remained quiet, preferring not to speak any longer.

“That’s great!” Murong Jieli said with as much enthusiasm as she could conjure. When in reality, she wanted to stay away from the princess and her cousin.

Ai Zingxiu nodded, “Yes! Although I believe I’ll be in a different engagement soon enough… I am only a princess and my duty is to my empire; to be as beneficial as can be.”

Murong Jieli’s eyes softened as she grabbed Ai Zingxiu’s hand, “We’re both in this together. I have to marry a stranger as well.”

Ai Zingxiu blushed as she remembered this beauty was indeed suffering like her. Not only in a foreign country, but with foreign yet somewhat similar customs and a stranger husband as well. She may know her cousin, but that didn’t mean this pretty girl did. Sympathy filled her heart as she nodded, agreeing with Murong Jieli’s words, “We’re in this… together.”

And thus, a friendship bloomed between the two girls as they headed back to the palace.