Don't Want to Lose

Houyun's climate was warm and humid. Though it was already mid-October, there was no hint of chill.

In a courtyard in the Houyun Imperial Palace, several artificial rocks stood in a lush green pond, with precious ornamental fish darting among them. Beyond the pond stretched rows of verdant willows.

The autumn breeze brought a pleasant coolness.

In a small pavilion, several young, pretty palace maids served tea and poured drinks. They had already washed an assortment of fresh fruit, which they fed to the person playing chess from time to time.

Who was playing chess right now?

It was Zhenling, dressed in pink silk Hanfu, and Yimo, dressed in rich golden robes.

Watching Zhenling enjoy the palace maids' attentions as she held a chess piece, brow furrowed while she hesitated over her next move, Yimo couldn't help saying, "Zhenling, you've adapted pretty quickly!"

"Girls from poor mountain villages like us may not have any other virtues, but we're good at adapting!"

"Before, I was Sakamoto's little maid."

"After doing it for a while, a whole month passed, and I really started thinking of myself as a little maid."

"And I was pretty happy, too!"

"I didn't even have time to think about living a life of luxury."

"But now, my words came true. Yun Yi really did become a little princess, and she's even going to marry Sakamoto!"

"Well, I don't have to work now, either. My status went up overnight, I've got people waiting on me, and I can eat whatever I want. Why wouldn't I accept it?"

As she spoke, Zhenling placed her chess piece and looked meaningfully at Yimo. "But Sakamoto, didn't you adapt just as quickly?"

"When people get kidnapped and forced into marriage, they usually cry, kick up a fuss, and try every way they