Category: My Girlfriend is a Cold and Aloof Sickly Beauty

Chapter 32: Ragdoll Cat

After carefully adjusting the phone’s font to traditional characters, Xiao Luohan huddled under her covers and read the long article word by word.

In that world, menstruation wasn’t a “taboo.” Every healthy girl would have her first period when she reached a certain age. Even a special case like her, starting at seventeen or eighteen, wasn’t unusual.

There was no need to hide blood-stained undergarments while washing them. Having your period while attending a ceremony wouldn’t be met with scorn from men. Everything could be discussed openly.

Even the items used for menstruation were openly displayed on dedicated shelves in stores. After use, they could be discarded in the bathroom trash can without needing to be hidden.

Xiao Luohan opened the package of sanitary pads that came with the phone in front of Shizhu, and the two women, with a considerable age gap between them, studied its usage with interest.

“Shizhu, you can also use this when you have your period…”

“No, no! This is a gift from the ghost or spirit to Your Highness. I can’t—”

“But in the ghost or spirit’s world, everyone uses this, from young girls of eleven or twelve to elderly women in their fifties and sixties.” Xiao Luohan recalled Jiang Xue’s words, then added her own thoughts. “We are both women, and now we depend on each other. There’s no reason why you can’t use something gifted by the ghost or spirit.”

Jiang Xue knew that she and Shizhu were close. These words were both an indirect expression of gratitude and a way to make things easier for Shizhu.

Shizhu felt more than once that this princess didn’t have the airs of a princess at all.

Social status didn’t seem to matter much to her. Shizhu had only heard that it was only royalty in distress who acted this way, which showed how much hardship Princess Zhuìyù must have endured since childhood.

So she repeatedly expressed her gratitude, “I will definitely live up to Your Highness’s kindness!”

Princess Zhuìyù didn’t keep track of these small acts of kindness, but Shizhu would remember them for the rest of her life.

Jiang Xue had also mentioned in the precautions that some people might experience allergic reactions to sanitary pads. If that happened, Xiao Luohan should tell her, and she would send a different brand.

After changing into clean underwear and applying a sanitary pad, Xiao Luohan worried about an allergic reaction, her attention constantly drawn to it.

She didn’t know if the ibuprofen had a sedative side effect or if her body simply needed rest, but as she focused on it, she unconsciously drifted off to sleep.

When she woke up, it was already dusk.

She was annoyed that she had slept so soundly that she hadn’t even had a glimpse of a dream.

---

Jiang Xue sent another bowl of beef noodles to Xiao Luohan that evening, even adding extra meat.

She deserved good food during her period! She should eat more meat! Eat a warm meal and sleep well!

After sending the noodles, she asked Xie Xitong to watch the diary while she rushed to the supermarket downstairs and bought several brands of sanitary pads, day and night use, and also grabbed two large bags of brown sugar ginger date tea.

When she returned to their usual corner in the third-floor restaurant, Xie Xitong was still there, slowly eating her noodles. The empty bowl hadn’t been returned yet.

“You bought so much?” Xie Xitong asked, her cheeks puffed out. “Why not wait for her to finish and ask for more?”

“That’s too inconvenient.”

“But you could chat a little more,” Xie Xitong swallowed her food. “And you said it yourself, sending too much at once is a burden for the Third Princess.”

“This is different!” Jiang Xue argued, making up excuses with a straight face. “Look, there are so many brands of sanitary pads. How can she know which one she likes best without trying them all?”

“Just think of it as me sending her candy. Of course, I can send many different kinds of candy at once! Chocolate and milk candy are not the same, are they?”

“Okay.” Xie Xitong didn’t argue with her flawed logic. After finishing her soup, she suddenly asked, “Has there been any exciting progress between you two recently?”

If anyone else asked about progress, Jiang Xue would answer truthfully according to the actual situation, but when her friend asked, it usually meant gossip—it was always like this during their casual chats.

“She’s my transtemporal pen pal,” she emphasized seriously. “We’re not dating.”

“Who asked about that?” Her friend looked innocent. “I mean, have you opened up to each other more? Especially the Third Princess.”

Her expression puzzled Jiang Xue. Her intuition and understanding of her friend told her that her interpretation of “progress” wasn’t wrong.

“I think so.” To be cautious, Jiang Xue continued the serious topic. “During lunch break, I took her to the gardening club’s glass room, talked to her, and listened to her thoughts.”

She paused and clutched the plastic bag containing the sanitary pads. “She said… she has no future there.”

Actually, the process of reaching this conclusion had been roundabout, and she had brought it up first, then the Third Princess confirmed it.

“That’s true,” Xie Xitong nodded. “Over there, escaping is very difficult. Other than that, she can only try to please the noble ladies of the Daying royal family, and powerful women like the Empress and Empress Dowager.”

“But, not to mention how suffocating the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship can be in ancient times, and how ‘unqualified’ a princess from a defeated nation is to be the Crown Princess, if the Empress and Empress Dowager could actually help, you wouldn’t have had to travel through time and space to save her that day.”

“For now, it seems only the Emperor of Daying can restrain that dog of a Crown Prince. But you should know better than me, right? What price a woman has to pay to gain the favor of an emperor.”

Even though Xie Xitong hadn’t explicitly said it, Jiang Xue shuddered.

“Don’t worry, I’ve already made a promise to her,” she said, feigning confidence. “We’ll figure out how to travel through time and space and try to bring her here before… anyway, as soon as possible.”

“Before what?” Xie Xitong caught the key word.

“She’s a princess sent for marriage, waiting to be wed.” Jiang Xue didn’t want to elaborate, only emphasizing Xiao Luohan’s status.

With that, both fell silent.

The awkwardness was broken by the appearance of the empty bowl.

Before sending the noodles this time, Jiang Xue had specifically reminded Xiao Luohan not to wash the bowl, otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to explain it to the owner. Xiao Luohan obediently followed her instructions, only carefully wiping the area that had been in contact with the diary and placing a small handkerchief underneath.

“I’ll return it!” Xie Xitong volunteered. After returning the bowl, she lingered in the shop, playing with the dairy cow cat, creating space for Jiang Xue to talk to the Third Princess alone.

After greeting Xiao Luohan, Jiang Xue, with a serious expression, placed the packages of sanitary pads on the diary, one after another, watching them disappear and travel to another time and space.

Even if they had planned for the future, for now, let alone whether the disappearance of a princess sent for marriage would become the trigger for another war between Daying and Beiliao, the Third Princess was a loyal and righteous person. If she left, what would happen to Shizhu?

But if their hypotheses and speculations were correct, only Xiao Luohan should be able to cross over—the connection between the two worlds probably only existed between them; no one else had such a privilege.

As for the diary transportation…

Actually, she had already secretly tried it, leaving a note and feeling apprehensive about “what if I can’t come back,” without telling her older sister or Xie Xitong.

She could indeed stand on the open diary, but after stepping onto it wearing shoe covers, she wasn’t transported like an object.

She had thought it was because there wasn’t enough time, so she waited patiently for half an hour, but nothing happened. She took off the shoe covers, tried using thick paper towels to cover her feet, but it still didn’t work. Even the paper towels didn’t go through.

Perhaps the diary could only transport plants.

Then she could only pin her hopes on the dreams. Only when they were dreaming could they travel to each other’s worlds.

But neither she nor the Third Princess had any ideas about how to help Shizhu.

In her world’s terms, “this question is beyond the scope of the syllabus”—they hadn’t had much contact with society. Probably only a “working adult” like her older sister could give Shizhu advice.

When Jiang Xue came back to her senses, only a small portion of the sanitary pads remained.

On the other side of the diary, Xiao Luohan curiously arranged the packages in a row after sorting them by category, comparing their differences.

She could now recognize Arabic numerals and common letter abbreviations, but she had no reference for the specific values of “centimeters” and “meters.” After some thought, she took out the first package and used its values as a reference.

【How is it? Are they comfortable?】 Jiang Xue asked.

【A little uncomfortable at first, but they’re soft and convenient. I can just discard them after use, without Shizhu having to wash them.】

After writing this, she thought for a moment and added: 【Like the air conditioner, sanitary pads are also one of “mankind’s greatest inventions.”】

This was her first period, and also a more fortunate experience than other girls had.

She was weak and had been exposed to the cold, but the ibuprofen alleviated the abdominal pain that Shizhu was most worried about, leaving only fatigue, which could be recovered with rest. There was no need to hurriedly prepare menstrual cloths, as sanitary pads were much cleaner and more convenient. She had eaten ramen with lots of beef for dinner, and now Jiang Xue had sent her two large bags of brown sugar ginger date tea that only needed to be brewed…

She owed Jiang Xue so much. Repaying her with drawings and heartfelt words wasn’t nearly enough, was it?

While resting in bed, Xiao Luohan began to seriously consider how she could “repay her kindness” through dreams.

She thought for a long time, and finally, looking at the “Shiba Inu” plush toy beside her pillow, thought of Jiang Xue transforming into the large white cat.

The soft and warm creature, snuggling close to her, its pink paw pads small and cute, she had loved it so much, wishing she could keep the cat by her side.

“Can I also turn into a cat?”

Before her consciousness drifted off, Xiao Luohan couldn’t help but wonder.

What kind of cat did Jiang Xue like the most?

It seemed to be called… a “Ragdoll”…?

---

As Jiang Xue was packing her bag after evening self-study, she caught a glimpse of white in the corner of her eye.

She paused, surprised, and looked down.

A beautiful Ragdoll cat was sitting quietly not far from her, its fur fluffy and clean, looking up at her.

Its eyes were like sapphires, precious and lively. Just being gazed at by it made Jiang Xue’s heart melt.

“Oh my! Where did you come from, little cutie?~” Jiang Xue immediately squatted down and picked up the Ragdoll cat, her voice becoming high-pitched and sweet. “How did you get lost here? Where’s your owner?”

The Ragdoll cat meowed softly and nuzzled against her.

“What are you doing, A-Xue?” Xie Xitong, who had been waiting by the back door of the classroom, poked her head in and asked.

“I’ve been ‘claimed’ by a little cutie.” Jiang Xue showed her the Ragdoll cat in her arms. “It’s strange, so late at night, how did a Ragdoll cat wander into our classroom?”

Xie Xitong took a long look at the “cat.” “…That’s true, it’s so late, we can’t let it sleep in the classroom. Why don’t you take it back with you and bring it back tomorrow morning to see if anyone claims it? Xixi is very possessive and will fight if I take it home.”

Chapter 31: First Period

Xiao Luohan didn’t reply immediately.

Unlike her outward composure, Jiang Xue was actually very nervous.

She was afraid she couldn’t save Xiao Luohan, and even more afraid that Xiao Luohan would continue to be trapped in that mire due to guilt.

But what she feared most was losing Xiao Luohan.

Living under another’s roof was like walking on thin ice. Every day of peace was a “gift” from others, and once they withdrew it or turned against her, she would have nothing left.

Moreover, Xiao Luohan lived in a “cannibalistic” feudal society and was a princess sent for marriage alliance.

To Beiliao, she was like a “holy maiden” sacrificed for the country, bound by shackles and unable to control her own fate. To Daying, she was probably just a tribute from afar, her life and death insignificant, at the mercy of those in power, who could send her from an icy abyss straight into hell.

“I’m sorry, I… I want you to come here.”

As she confessed her wish, Jiang Xue lowered her gaze, not daring to meet Xiao Luohan’s eyes.

She felt her cheeks burning—what she was about to say would likely negate all of Xiao Luohan’s efforts since she could remember.

But she was truly afraid, so afraid that she had to confirm it. Biting her lip, she finally said, “It’s my selfish desire for you to escape, and it’s my presumptuous assumption that… you can’t survive there.”

She couldn’t see a future for Xiao Luohan there.

The Crown Prince of Daying was utter scum, daring to cause such harm before the wedding. She didn’t believe that such a person would treat Xiao Luohan well after marriage.

Returning to her home country, Beiliao, was impossible. Moreover, if the Emperor of Beiliao had truly cared about Xiao Luohan’s well-being, this political marriage wouldn’t have happened in the first place!

As for escaping… Even for someone like Shizhu, who was healthy and experienced in worldly affairs, it wouldn’t be easy to make a living in that era. A princess who had been confined indoors due to illness for many years, with almost no contact with the outside world, where could she possibly escape to?

After speaking her mind, Jiang Xue’s heart pounded like a drum.

She had wanted to ask these questions for a long time but hadn’t found the right opportunity.

Separated by paper and words, she couldn’t, like her older sister, discern the writer’s emotional changes just from their handwriting.

But now, sitting face to face, she still couldn’t imagine how Xiao Luohan would respond. She was already thinking about how to salvage their friendship and offer help if it fell apart because of this…

“It’s not presumptuous.”

Xiao Luohan’s voice interrupted her thoughts, affirming her words. “I wouldn’t have survived anyway.”

Jiang Xue abruptly looked up, stunned, recalling what Xiao Luohan had written when they first met:

—【My mother said that this illness has been with me since birth. The old imperial physician, who has been called a ‘Hua Tuo reborn,’ determined that I would not live past eighteen.】

And Xiao Luohan was the same age as her this year, seventeen.

“Even without the illness, Daying wouldn’t tolerate me.” But Xiao Luohan’s next words made her feel even worse. “If it weren’t for Shizhu and you, I wouldn’t have survived that day.”

If the Crown Prince wanted to punish her, no one could interfere. Even if Shizhu was completely loyal, without the help of “ghostly powers,” even if she risked her life to carry her back inside, she wouldn’t have survived—the Crown Prince would never let a servant who had upset him go unpunished.

“I had planned to discuss escaping with Shizhu when my health improved, but the winter months in Daying can be deadly. We would have to wait until spring at least.”

Xiao Luohan sighed, also confessing her thoughts. “So, I set my sights on you.”

“You didn’t!” Jiang Xue blurted out. “If you really wanted to use me, you would have clung to me like a lifeline! Not maintain a friendly distance and even ask me, ‘Is it wrong to leave the past behind and embrace a bright future’!”

In her opinion, Xiao Luohan had so many emotional cards she could play.

From her illness and background to her current situation, each one could be a powerful moral burden. If Xiao Luohan wanted, she could easily guilt-trip her.

But Xiao Luohan only revealed a little information when asked. The important information she now knew was what she had painstakingly and cautiously coaxed out.

Xiao Luohan hadn’t used any of it to improve her own situation!

Seeing Xiao Luohan staring at her, her beautiful eyes wide and unblinking, as if she had been startled, Jiang Xue quickly sat back down, taking deep breaths and trying to calm her intense emotions.

“I mean, you…” she stammered, trying to explain. “Don’t think of it as using me. We both have our own selfish desires. Let’s just call it even, okay?”

“Okay.” This time, Xiao Luohan readily agreed.

“…Anyway, just tell me if you need my help. If you want to come here, I’m always prepared to support you.” Jiang Xue was still worried and added, “But how to completely come over is a problem. We still need to figure that out.”

Although Xiao Luohan could already come here through dreams, her existence was almost like a “ghost” that only a few people could see, and she would return as soon as the dream ended.

Just as this thought crossed Jiang Xue’s mind, she saw Xiao Luohan’s form begin to fade.

Speak of the devil!

Just then, the bell rang for the end of lunch break.

“I’ve heard this instrumental music before,” Xiao Luohan looked up at the black speaker on the wall. “But I don’t know its name.”

The MP3 player didn’t display song details.

“A Wish Across Time,” Jiang Xue replied.

“What kind of story is it about?” Xiao Luohan asked.

Seeing her form fading further, Jiang Xue bit her lip and forced a smile. “It’s a secret for now. I’ll tell you when you come here.”

---

When Xiao Luohan woke up, she felt a dull ache in her lower abdomen.

At first, she thought she had eaten something bad, or that the food had been poisoned with a slow-acting toxin, and hurriedly called for Shizhu, who tasted her food for her.

Shizhu was also startled, but she quickly composed herself and said seriously, “I’m not feeling any discomfort. Your symptoms… seem like you’ve started your period.”

Before Xiao Luohan could speak, she asked, “When was your last period, Your Highness?”

“I…” Xiao Luohan was stunned by the question. After a moment, she shook her head. “Never.”

She had grown up with her mother and had her elder sister’s frequent company, so she naturally knew what menstruation was.

But her health had always been poor. Just being alive was a blessing, and her period never coming, both mother and daughter knew the reason and hadn’t expected anything more.

She had thought Shizhu would be worried, but Shizhu was overjoyed. “Only a healthy body can have a period! Your Highness, your health is improving!”

Xiao Luohan didn’t understand why she said that—after waking up from the dream, she only felt the pain intensify, draining what little energy she had.

This confusion turned into fear when she saw the clothes Shizhu had changed for her.

She didn’t know why she was bleeding so much, not just blood, but also clots. Her body ached, she felt weak, and her lower abdomen was bloated and painful…

Had her liver ruptured? Was she nearing the end of her life, and Shizhu was only saying this to comfort her, to prevent her from being afraid?

She fearfully huddled under the covers. She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but there seemed to be a faint smell of blood in the bed.

To avoid the smell, she adjusted her position, covered her nose and mouth with the clean, cold side of the quilt, held her breath, and curled up tightly.

As if this could slow down the arrival of death.

So when Shizhu returned with ginger brown sugar tea and a stack of heat patches, she saw a “shrimp” curled up on the bed.

“Your Highness, you can’t do this, you need to breathe!” Shizhu hurriedly pulled back the covers, but for some reason, the usually obedient princess held onto them tightly.

“Then… then at least let me apply a heat patch for you, Your Highness!” Shizhu said helplessly. “This treasure is for when your period comes. It will warm you up and make you feel more comfortable.”

Xiao Luohan remembered that the heat patches were sent by Jiang Xue, stored together with the other things for keeping warm.

The thought of Jiang Xue was like grasping at a final lifeline.

She struggled to sit up, let Shizhu apply the heat patch, and then pleaded, “I want to talk to the ghost or spirit!”

If she truly was nearing the end of her life, she wanted to see Jiang Xue’s words one last time.

Seeing her pale and distraught, Shizhu immediately went to grind ink.

---

Jiang Xue happened to have a math class that afternoon where she couldn’t “slack off.” After handing in the quiz, she opened the diary.

And she saw a series of alarming words:

【I’m afraid I’m not long for this world.】

Startled, without even opening her phone, she immediately asked: 【What happened? Did that dog of a Crown Prince do something again? Where do you feel unwell?】

Fortunately, writing the questions she wanted to ask in traditional characters wasn’t difficult and didn’t require the conversion software. However, due to her anxiety, her handwriting was so messy it looked like it was about to fly off the page.

Class wasn’t over yet, and the entire classroom was silent, except for the rustling of pens on paper.

But Jiang Xue was sweating profusely in this silence.

When had the Third Princess written this? Was it too late for her to notice? Was there still… time?

It wasn’t until she saw Xiao Luohan’s explanation that her heart settled back down, and she breathed a long sigh of relief.

This wasn’t surprising. Hearing about “that time of the month” and experiencing it were two different things. And usually, no one would specifically examine the bloodstains on sanitary pads or tampons thrown in the trash during a family member’s period.

Let alone Xiao Luohan, who was in ancient times, where such “artifacts” hadn’t been invented and physiological knowledge wasn’t widespread.

Jiang Xue immediately took out the ibuprofen she carried with her and sent it over, telling Xiao Luohan to take it for the pain. After class, she ran to Xie Xitong’s desk and asked, “Can I borrow a sanitary pad?”

“Isn’t yours due at the end of the month?” Xie Xitong was puzzled. “Are your hormones out of whack?”

“No.” Jiang Xue replied, tilting her chin towards her own desk.

Xie Xitong suddenly understood, rummaged through her bag, took out an unopened pack of pink sanitary pads, and reminded her with a smile, “Remember to tell her to change it every two or three hours.”

Along with the sanitary pads, Jiang Xue also sent her phone.

She specifically searched for an article explaining menstruation, and after confirming the content herself, showed it to the Third Princess.

【It’s not the end of your life. Shizhu is right. Your Highness’s body is recovering. Congratulations!】

【The principles of menstruation are all explained in this article. If you don’t understand any of the terms, just ask me. I’m studying biology, so this is also part of my studies.】

Taking advantage of the break, considering that this was Xiao Luohan’s first time, she also listed many precautions.

After writing everything, Jiang Xue excitedly sent a WeChat message to her older sister: 【The Third Princess has entered her “magical time”! The prescription is effective! Thank you, Dr. Qi! The Qi family is amazing!】

【Sword: Good.】

【Sword: You brought your phone to school.】

Jiang Xue: …

Although it didn’t matter that her older sister knew, being caught suddenly made her feel like a guilty thief.

Chapter 30: Ears Tinged with Pink

The “ghost” Xiao Luohan, hand in hand with Jiang Xue, floated into the dance studio.

As soon as she entered, she felt a wave of warmth. Glancing around, her gaze landed on the white cabinet in the corner.

That must be the “air conditioner,” right? People in this world used it to cool down and stay warm, calling it “one of mankind’s greatest inventions.”

Thinking this, her gaze shifted from the air conditioner to the most conspicuous woman in the crowd.

The woman was looking down at her phone, the sword dance music playing from it. She must be reviewing her movements.

Xiao Luohan stared at her, mesmerized.

She wanted to approach her, to hug her, to say something to her.

But she knew clearly—that wasn’t her elder sister, just Jiang Xue’s older sister, who resembled her elder sister.

“Sit there,” Jiang Xue said softly, moving a stool over. “I’m afraid they’ll sit on you during the break.”

Xiao Luohan came back to her senses, smiled faintly, and replied, “Okay.” She went to the designated spot and sat down, quietly observing.

Even with an “invisible audience member,” the rehearsal continued as usual.

She watched as Jiang Xue, holding the telescopic sword, joined the group, as if seeing another version of herself in a dream.

“You really don’t need to watch the video anymore?” she heard the girl playing the video ask.

“No, I’ve already learned it,” she saw Jiang Xue reply confidently. “Let’s do a run-through.”

The young woman wielded the telescopic sword with practiced ease. The slightly bulky school uniform didn’t hinder her movements, only making them look a bit comical, but all the details were in place.

Although it was clearly her first time dancing this part, she performed more proficiently than the others.

“Amazing! No need for practice at all!”

After this segment, one of the girls couldn’t help but exclaim, “I think we’re ready to go on stage now!”

The other dancers echoed her sentiment:

“Even if we get nervous and forget the movements, we can just glance at Jiang Xue!”

“A-Xue, you’re our savior!!”

The student who had been making mistakes hadn’t come to rehearsal after being asked to withdraw. Everyone knew about her lack of effort and resented it, but they didn’t gossip about her behind her back.

It was better to spend that time practicing and then go back for a nap.

“Then… shall we do another run-through from the beginning?” Jiang Xue didn’t dare be careless during the first run, putting all her effort into perfecting the details, and she was still a little breathless. “The solo dance is next. Let’s see what our reinforcement is capable of.”

Jiang Mei was already prepared. She took off her jacket and stood up, wearing only a close-fitting black thermal shirt, and nodded to Dan Yuanyuan.

The music for the solo dance started. She drew her heavy, plum blossom-carved sword and flawlessly replicated the dance movements from the video.

Jiang Xue’s sword dance solo had been adjusted by her. Only by understanding the original movements to a certain extent could she know how to modify them to best suit the dancer.

Compared to the slightly weaker Jiang Xue, her movements were more powerful and flexible, and she even added details to several key movements that enhanced the aesthetic appeal for a female dancer.

At first, when Xiao Luohan watched Jiang Mei’s sword dance, she couldn’t help but compare it to her elder sister’s, but as Jiang Mei got into the rhythm, she noticed the difference between the two.

If her elder sister was like a red fox, Jiang Xue’s sister was like a nimble black panther.

She was more reserved than her elder sister, concealing her sharpness, but at just the right moment, she would release it through her gaze and the aura of her movements.

Somewhat inappropriately, Xiao Luohan recalled Jiang Xue mentioning in her second-year diary, “My sister’s death glare is killing me.”

The music ended, and Jiang Mei finished with a flourish, sheathing her sword.

Applause erupted from somewhere, then spread throughout the room. Everyone was genuinely happy about the powerful reinforcement.

Xiao Luohan couldn’t describe her emotions at this moment. Her mind felt blank, and the scene and sounds before her seemed to fade away.

She felt like she was back in the fog, but now, warm light shone from above.

But she hesitated, unsure whether she should reach out and touch it, whether accepting the warmth and gentleness of that light meant betraying her past.

“What’s wrong, Your Highness?”

Jiang Xue’s voice suddenly rang out.

Xiao Luohan looked up in surprise. The next second, her trembling hands were held.

“We made a lot of progress today, and everyone has already left.” Jiang Xue explained. “Look, it’s just me, A-Xi, and my sister. If you’re not feeling well, you can leave the dream and rest, or you can talk to us to distract yourself.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she heard the click of Xie Xitong locking the classroom door.

“What’s wrong, Third Princess?” Jiang Mei, the only one who couldn’t see Xiao Luohan, put on her jacket and approached, asking with concern.

Being surrounded by the three of them, Xiao Luohan felt a little embarrassed. The feeling of being lost in the fog was dispelled by their words of concern.

“It’s nothing, I just thought of my elder sister.” But because of this, she hid her feelings even deeper. “You still have classes this afternoon, right? Don’t worry about me. I’ll walk around nearby and then go back.”

“Then I’ll go with you,” Jiang Xue said. “We agreed on this last time.”

Seeing her younger sister get up and pull on the air, Jiang Mei felt a little uneasy and was about to follow, but Xie Xitong stopped her. “Mei-jiejie, I thought of a new detail. Could you try dancing it again?”

Their eyes met, and Xie Xitong winked at her.

So Jiang Xue left the dance studio with the Third Princess alone.

There was no air conditioning outside, and the cold wind blew in through the large windows at the end of the corridor.

Jiang Xue put on her hood, tightened her scarf, and quickly put on her gloves.

“Let’s find a place out of the wind.”

She held Xiao Luohan’s hand and led her up the spiral staircase to a sunny glass room.

“Oh, it’s not open today.” Seeing the lock on the door, Jiang Xue said regretfully, “I wanted to take you inside to bask in the sun… Wait! Can you float through the wall?”

Xiao Luohan obediently tried, but the transparent glass wall blocked her.

“Hmm… I guessed you weren’t exactly like a ‘ghost’ after all.” Jiang Xue rubbed her chin and pulled out a chair from under the small round table in front of the glass room. “Come, sit here. Usually, no one comes here during lunch break.”

“What’s inside…?”

“Succulents, all kinds of cute plants with fleshy leaves. The gardening club takes good care of them.” Jiang Xue replied. “If you like any, I’ll get you a pot. Succulents are quite easy to take care of.”

Seeing Xiao Luohan nod silently, she hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Did something happen to Your Highness over there…?”

The Third Princess repeatedly coming to her in dreams was undoubtedly a huge step forward, but precisely because the frequency of crossing over and interaction upgrades had increased significantly, Jiang Xue was worried.

She believed that, whether it was friendship or love, relationships developed in stages.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the “progress” between them should be gradual, slowly getting to know each other.

But the Third Princess’s recent progress was really puzzling. Just looking at their chat logs in the diary, she felt that the Third Princess’s condition was as stable as ever, even improving.

If that was the case, why such a big leap in their interaction?

“Nothing happened,” Xiao Luohan answered without hesitation. “After you caused that commotion, no one has disturbed my peace.”

This answer seemed flawless, but Jiang Xue keenly sensed a hint of unease beneath the calm—Xiao Luohan’s lowered eyelashes were trembling slightly.

What was she afraid of? What was she afraid to say?

“But this peace might not last, right?” Looking into Xiao Luohan’s eyes, Jiang Xue couldn’t help but ask, “Your Highness is a princess sent for marriage alliance, but after arriving in Daying, you’ve been living in Wangmei Pavilion. I haven’t seen any scenes of the wedding in my dreams.”

She didn’t continue. With the Third Princess’s intelligence, she should understand what she meant.

This meant that the wedding probably hadn’t happened yet.

Her elder sister had died in the battle between Daying and Beiliao. To the Third Princess, the entire country of Daying was hostile.

And according to the agreement between the two countries, she was to marry the Crown Prince of Daying and become his consort.

Just thinking about it made Jiang Xue feel disgusted, especially considering the Crown Prince’s character, which she had witnessed.

The road ahead was undoubtedly a dead end. The Third Princess never mentioning the danger didn’t mean it didn’t exist.

Jiang Xue actually had many questions for Xiao Luohan.

Like what she had been thinking before, and why she had suddenly started opening up to her.

And what her plans for the future were, whether she wanted to escape Daying, or… try to come to her world.

But in the end, she didn’t ask any of these questions, only getting up from her seat and hugging Xiao Luohan tightly.

“I’ll start preparing slowly,” she said softly, her voice close to Xiao Luohan’s ear. “What kind of bedding and pillows do you like? What color? What material? Do you prefer simple room decor or lots of decorations? Or maybe a room full of cute plushies like the Shiba Inu?”

“Can you accept the clothes we wear? If not, I’ll take your measurements and have some everyday hanfu made for you. I have some one-size-fits-all cloaks in my wardrobe. I’ll take pictures and show you when I get home.”

The young woman before her clearly wasn’t threatening in any way, but Xiao Luohan’s breath hitched at her words, and her ear, close to the young woman, unconsciously turned pink.

“…Why are you asking these things?” she asked in a low voice, feigning ignorance.

“If you come over, I’ll take care of you!” Jiang Xue smiled. “Don’t underestimate me just because I’m still in school. I’ve saved up quite a bit of money from helping my sister during vacations and tutoring in my free time! When I graduate, I can find a part-time job…”

“Don’t you think I’m despicable?”

The unexpected question interrupted Jiang Xue.

A look of surprise appeared on her face, and then she met Xiao Luohan’s gaze, asking in return, “In what way does Your Highness consider yourself despicable?”

“Wanting to escape a dark and muddy environment, yearning for a more comfortable and secure place to live, and striving to reach it with the help of trustworthy people is, in my opinion, perfectly normal.”

“Those who truly care about Your Highness only wish for you to escape this sea of suffering as soon as possible, not hypocritically use all sorts of methods, speaking of righteousness and morality, saying ‘it’s for your own good,’ while keeping you in a place that everyone knows is terrible.”

Chapter 29: Did the Third Princess Really Come Through?!

That evening, as soon as Jiang Xue returned to her rented apartment, she slurped her noodles while video calling her older sister.

No matter how scared she was, she couldn’t put all the pressure of persuasion on Xie Xitong!

“Our New Year’s Eve gala performance is short of people,” she said straight to the point. “We need another person for the group dance, or a solo dancer.”

“Did the person who kept making mistakes leave?” Jiang Mei asked.

“No, well, it’s a long story.” Jiang Xue sighed. “She seems to be ‘unable to learn,’ but in reality, she’s just not taking it seriously! Plus, we’re all losing our lunch break, so we decided to replace her before the preliminary audition.”

“Today, A-Xi and I talked to her frankly. She said that as long as we can find someone to replace her, she’s willing to give up her spot. If not, then everything will continue as usual.”

“If she was truly a slow learner, we could understand, but her attitude of not caring is the most troublesome… I really don’t understand why someone who was so eager to sign up is now just going through the motions and saying ‘it’s the taking part that counts.’”

Jiang Mei hesitated, then decided not to speculate and continued, “Well, for these kinds of group activities, it depends on the individual’s needs and attitude. If you were all just ‘participating for fun,’ then just showing up on the preliminary audition stage and having a video as a souvenir would be enough.”

“Since there’s a difference in opinions now, and the other person’s attitude might drag the group down, then you need to make adjustments quickly.”

“Right, our goal is to perform on the New Year’s Eve gala stage, so the quality of the performance has to pass the preliminary audition.” Jiang Xue nodded. “You know that A-Xi and Yuanyuan are used to doing practice problems during lunch break. They’ve given up that time for this.”

She paused. “But that classmate has been practicing with us for a while. I don’t know if this adjustment will affect her mood…”

“Don’t feel too guilty about removing someone who isn’t suitable,” Jiang Mei said seriously. “When she chose to slack off, she didn’t consider your time and feelings either.”

“Moreover, your rehearsal time hasn’t been short. The preliminary audition is next week, and she’s still like this. Who knows what other problems might arise closer to the performance?”

Seeing her sister lost in thought, Jiang Mei took the initiative: “Do you want me to join the group dance or perform a solo?”

Jiang Xue was thinking about what to say next and didn’t react immediately, her noodle-slurping pausing.

She had originally planned to use the Third Princess’s “help” as a last resort if she couldn’t persuade her older sister, but she had skipped that step entirely?

“Your preliminary audition happens to be during my annual leave.” Jiang Mei explained calmly. “I also have time off on the day of the New Year’s Eve gala. I was planning to come and watch the performance, take some photos and videos of you for Mom and Mom.”

After finishing her last bite of noodles, Jiang Xue couldn’t help but ask, “Did A-Xi already talk to you about something?”

Otherwise, how could she have agreed so quickly? Her older sister’s vacation time was precious!

“Can’t it be my own idea?” Jiang Mei countered.

It was even better if it was her own idea!

Jiang Xue knew very well that compared to a reluctant agreement after much pleading, her older sister was most efficient and proactive when she took the initiative.

“Then it’s settled!” Afraid her older sister would change her mind, she quickly agreed. “If you join, I’ll fill in for the group dance. I really wanted to keep those large, sweeping movements in the original video, but my body can’t handle it. You’re perfect for it!”

As for the group dance movements, she had already learned them by observing during rehearsals. She just needed to practice to improve her proficiency.

Since the Third Princess also wanted to see her older sister’s sword dance, she would give her the best performance!

After hanging up the video call, Jiang Xue put away her dishes, sent messages to Xie Xitong and Dan Yuanyuan to report the progress, and then opened the diary.

【I’ve talked to my older sister! She agreed to perform the solo dance. I’ll show you the video later!】

The Third Princess always went to bed early and woke up early, so Jiang Xue left the message and placed the open diary on her nightstand. This way, she would see the Third Princess’s reply as soon as she woke up tomorrow morning.

---

When Xiao Luohan went out this morning, she felt it was even colder.

But she still wrapped herself tightly in her cloak, applied a heat patch, put on a woolen hat and scarf with pom-poms, and went to the courtyard to practice Tai Chi Sword, fully armed against the cold.

Her elder sister had often said that going out for a walk and exercising was good for her health, even in the depths of winter. If she felt cold, she could go back inside. By repeatedly trying this, her body would gradually adapt to the environment.

And she also wanted to adapt to the environment. If she could move freely in the cold wind, then when spring and summer arrived, she might be able to devise a plan with the Jiang sisters to escape the palace with Shizhu.

There used to be servants moving about in the courtyard, but since the “ghost or spirit manifestation,” all the servants assigned to Wangmei Pavilion, except for Shizhu, had kept their distance from her.

This was fine; she enjoyed the peace and quiet.

It was a sunny day today. As she wielded the telescopic sword, she habitually looked up at the plum tree.

A few early plum blossoms had bloomed, but very few, and their fragrance was also very faint. They were all on high branches, otherwise, she could have picked a few for Jiang Xue to smell.

After practicing for a while, she saw Shizhu passing by and, remembering that Shizhu had once brought her a plum blossom branch, stood on tiptoe to reach for the nearest bud.

It would be nice to have a plum blossom branch. It would bloom eventually, filling the room with fragrance.

“What are you doing, Your Highness?!”

Xiao Luohan had wanted to do it quietly by herself, but Shizhu, sharp-eyed, saw her and hurriedly dropped what she was doing to rush over.

Hearing that she wanted to send plum blossoms to the ghost or spirit, Shizhu immediately rolled up her sleeves. “I’ll pull down the branch!”

Xiao Luohan was surprised by her attentiveness. Shizhu seemed to understand that she wanted to pick the branch herself. She only pulled the branch down to a height where Xiao Luohan could easily reach it.

She thanked Shizhu sincerely, carefully picked three branches of plum buds, returned to her room, sprayed them lightly with water using the Scream bottle, wrapped them in a clean white handkerchief, and opened the booklet.

It was then that she saw Jiang Xue’s message.

Xiao Luohan had actually already seen the video of Jiang Xue’s older sister’s sword dance solo, after accidentally opening the photo album.

But she still wrote an “Okay” in reply, placed the plum blossom branches on the booklet, and watched them disappear.

Jiang Xue, still in bed, was awakened by a familiar, faint fragrance. She murmured “Your Highness,” rubbing her eyes and following the scent.

Three unopened plum blossom branches lay quietly on the open diary on her nightstand.

Surprised and delighted, she struggled out of bed, threw on a jacket, and went to find a vase for them.

But she couldn’t find any empty vases. In the end, she quickly brushed her teeth, rinsed her glass, and placed the plum blossom branches inside.

“Remember to buy a small vase today! Thank you!” she specifically instructed Sister Cheng before leaving.

Sister Cheng didn’t ask why she suddenly needed a vase, but after dropping her off at school, she bought one and brought it home.

While washing the new vase, she noticed the flower buds in the glass and transferred them to the new vase, placing it on the table in Jiang Xue’s bedroom where the sunlight was best.

---

Jiang Xue arrived at the dance studio ten minutes early today.

As soon as she entered, she saw her older sister sitting alone in the empty room.

Jiang Mei was looking down at her phone, a telescopic sword resting on the stool beside her. Noticing Jiang Xue enter, she handed over the sword without looking up.

“Why are you here so early?” Jiang Xue took the sword, sat down next to her, and took out a bag of freshly bought sandwiches from her pocket. “Have you had lunch yet? Have some.”

“I’ve already eaten something. Keep it for your afternoon snack.” Jiang Mei said.

Jiang Xue knew she hadn’t eaten and insisted on putting the sandwich in her hand, her face serious. “Our training is very intense!”

Jiang Mei smiled helplessly, took the sandwich, tore it open in front of her, and started eating.

While waiting for the other students to arrive, Jiang Xue went to the bathroom.

When she returned, she saw a familiar figure standing by the door of the dance studio.

Hearing footsteps, Xiao Luohan instinctively looked up.

Jiang Xue couldn’t believe her eyes. She rubbed them with her wet hands and even pinched herself hard.

It hurt! This couldn’t be a dream!

But if she was awake, why was she seeing the Third Princess here?

“Jiang Xue,” she heard Xiao Luohan call her name. “We’re in a dream.”

Jiang Xue: …

Those were the words she had told the Third Princess, to remind her if she found herself in a dreamlike state during an interactive dream.

So, what was going on?

“I’m not dreaming,” she first refuted firmly. “But you might be dreaming and have come here, just like when I went to your side.”

Without waiting for Xiao Luohan’s response, she pulled her towards the classroom, wanting to see if her older sister could see the Third Princess.

…She couldn’t move her.

Jiang Xue turned around in surprise and saw Xiao Luohan frowning, looking down at her feet.

It must be the same problem she had encountered before—when she tried to move in the dream, her feet felt as heavy as lead.

She thought for a moment, using Xie Xitong’s suggestion: “If you can’t walk, then float.”

Xiao Luohan paused, then closed her eyes, as if trying to imagine floating.

It was almost time for lunch break, and the students for rehearsal arrived one after another.

Jiang Xue deliberately moved to the side. As she expected, no one looked at Xiao Luohan, even though she was so conspicuously dressed in ancient clothing…

She secretly glanced at Xiao Luohan—yes, her feet were off the ground. No one mentioned such an obvious supernatural occurrence. The Third Princess must be in the same state she had been in before.

“Let’s go, it’s warmer inside.” She was about to pull Xiao Luohan inside when a gasp came from behind.

“Did the Third Princess really come through?!” Xie Xitong covered her mouth, trying to suppress her exclamation. “I was just saying that casually yesterday…”

“You can see her?!” Jiang Xue was also shocked.

The two stared at each other for a few seconds. Xie Xitong looked towards the classroom and, seeing that no one else reacted, suddenly understood.

“Didn’t I tell you when we were little? I can see ‘dirty things.’”

“…I don’t remember that.”

“Because you wouldn’t have believed me!” Xie Xitong shrugged, her eyes scanning Xiao Luohan with interest. “And ‘dirty things’ are almost extinct now. Even if there are any, they’re not threatening. There’s no point in telling anyone except the elders in my family who understand metaphysics.”

“The Third Princess isn’t a ‘dirty thing’!” Jiang Xue protectively stood in front of Xiao Luohan. “She just came here in a dream, just like when I saved her.”

Seeing her friend’s gaze shift to Xiao Luohan’s floating feet, she said confidently, “Isn’t this what you taught me? If you can’t walk, then float!”

Chapter 28: Why Her and Jiang Xue?

Xiao Luohan hadn’t expected that even before showing Jiang Xue the contents of the notebook, just a short nap in the afternoon would bring her into Jiang Xue’s dream.

…No, it should be like “Hypothesis Two,” they entered the dream synchronously. Initially, she was practicing Tai Chi Sword in the courtyard of her own dream, and now she had been brought into Jiang Xue’s dream.

However, Jiang Xue didn’t seem to realize this.

Unlike her own awareness, Jiang Xue was truly dreaming, even pulling her along to rehearse and replace another girl.

In any case, since the dream had already formed, she would first observe the situation.

Xiao Luohan obediently followed Jiang Xue and agreed to her request, standing aside with the telescopic sword, waiting.

Jiang Xue just kept clapping for her, while the other girl started playing a sword dance video for her to watch.

Xiao Luohan had often watched dances and performances since she was young. When her elder sister practiced sword and spear dances, she would memorize the movements and even recreate them in her drawings afterward, which her elder sister would always happily take away.

She quietly and attentively watched the group dance video once. Seeing that Jiang Xue had turned the girl who kept making mistakes into a pigeon and set it free by the window, she directly took the girl’s original position.

“Let’s do a run-through!” the girl playing the video said.

Xiao Luohan joined the other girls for a practice run.

She moved freely in the dream. The large movements that would leave her breathless in the waking world were performed with ease here.

Compared to a solo dance, the group dance movements weren’t difficult. She just needed to coordinate with the others. Even if they made mistakes, they would make them together, focusing on the overall harmony.

Compared to the dances and performances she had seen before, the dance Jiang Xue and the others had chosen was, in Xiao Luohan’s opinion, several times slower.

The practice went smoothly. Just as Jiang Xue had said, she learned it after watching it once. During the actual dance, she focused her attention and didn’t make any mistakes.

When the group dance segment ended, she saw that Jiang Xue’s palms were red from clapping.

“I told you she could do it!!” Jiang Xue was excited. “See? Isn’t she amazing? Let’s have her join!”

Before the girl playing the video could respond, she suddenly disappeared.

Xiao Luohan froze, instinctively looking towards where Jiang Xue had been standing. Sure enough, Jiang Xue was also gone.

Just as she was feeling surprised, her consciousness sank, and when she opened her eyes again, all she saw were the bed curtains above her.

It seemed that Jiang Xue’s dream had ended.

---

Jiang Xue’s mind snapped back to reality when the politics teacher knocked on her desk. However, having just woken up, she couldn’t quite distinguish between reality and dream, thinking that her dream had simply shifted from the rehearsal room to the classroom.

“The classroom is too warm, I understand why you all doze off.” The politics teacher gestured towards the air conditioner with her workbook. “Stand up for a bit. Sit down when you feel more awake.”

Jiang Xue rarely got punished for sleeping in class. Even though she knew the politics teacher was kind and wouldn’t hold it against her, that she was only doing this to wake her up, and that it was okay to sit down immediately, she still nodded obediently, deciding to stand for ten minutes before sitting—she was in the last row anyway, so standing wouldn’t disturb anyone.

As her mind gradually cleared, she listened to the lecture while recalling the short dream she had just had.

Her resentment towards “rehearsals taking up her lunch break” had actually driven her to drag the Third Princess into her dream to replace someone!

Fortunately, it was just a dream. She had hoped the Third Princess could learn the dance after watching it once, and the Third Princess had fulfilled her wish instantly. Otherwise, it would have been like “throwing someone into the deep end,” and just like Dan Yuanyuan in the dream had said, she would have dragged a “poor soul” into it!

Jiang Xue’s relief lasted only until she opened her diary after class.

【”Hypothesis 3″ seems to be confirmed. We had a two-way interaction in the rehearsal dream.】

Reading this sentence, Jiang Xue’s now fully awake mind short-circuited.

So, that dream just now was an interactive dream? She had actually dragged the Third Princess into rehearsal?!

She had been so blunt with the Third Princess in the dream, but the Third Princess had not only agreed to her request but also danced the entire group dance segment along with the music!

Coming to her senses, Jiang Xue immediately apologized: 【I’m sorry! The rehearsal was making me anxious, and even my dreams were about finding someone to replace the “slacker”…】

If it weren’t for Dan Yuanyuan being too lazy to teach someone from scratch, she and Xie Xitong really would have replaced the girl. It was wasting everyone’s lunch break!

【It’s alright. It was my first time dancing with so many girls my age. Thank you for the dream.】

The brushstrokes didn’t seem to mind, and they were flowing freely. It seemed the Third Princess was truly happy.

Jiang Xue’s heart ached for her again. She now knew that the Third Princess had been frail since childhood. Even if there were opportunities for girls to dance together in ancient times, the Third Princess would probably only be a spectator.

【Were you tired in the dream?】 she asked.

【No, all the movements were very easy.】

【Then… if we have this kind of interactive dream again, I’ll take you to experience other things!】 Jiang Xue quickly promised.

She had been too sleepy and careless this time. The next time she saw the Third Princess in a dream, she would definitely greet her properly!

However, they had just been discussing how to achieve two-way interaction in their dreams a few days ago. How had they succeeded so quickly?

If she had to find a reason, it could only be that the Third Princess had suddenly opened her heart to her.

But their chat logs from the past few days had been calm, nothing but casual chatter about daily life and reports of her safety.

Xiao Luohan had promised to show her her past experiences over the weekend, and she had been waiting patiently, but she still hadn’t received the notebook!

Jiang Xue couldn’t figure it out and was too embarrassed to directly ask the Third Princess if she had finished writing. After some thought, she continued her previous message: 【If you find that I’m very… dreamlike in the next dream, please remind me, otherwise, you’ll just be following my random thoughts!】

Today, she had impulsively dragged the Third Princess to rehearsal in her dream. Next time, she might suddenly decide to take the Third Princess to the clock tower outside the school to feed pigeons.

That’s how dreams were, bizarre and illogical. Their development couldn’t be predicted with conventional logic.

【Okay, but even following your random thoughts is quite interesting.】

The Third Princess’s reply warmed Jiang Xue’s heart. She couldn’t help but open the notepad app on her phone and actually start planning “where to take the Third Princess in the next dream.”

Even though her older sister was worried that frequent exposure to the good things in her world would make the Third Princess more aware of the darkness of her own reality, she still decided to use the Third Princess’s true feelings as a reference.

Moreover, the interaction in the dream had quietly upgraded again, which meant that the “connection” between them was deepening. The “miracle” her older sister had hoped for might actually come true one day!

---

Jiang Xue continued with her classes, while Xiao Luohan opened the notebook containing her past experiences, her gaze lingering on the small, carefully written line.

—【If possible, I want to go to your world.】

The “connection” between them seemed even more wondrous than Jiang Xue’s hypotheses.

Their transtemporal communication had been going on for almost half a month. Before she wrote down her wish to go to the other world, every dream had been one-sided. Now, because of her selfish desire, it had become a two-way interaction.

She pondered for a long time, but couldn’t find an answer. Just then, Shizhu came in with food, and she quickly asked her to bring the brand-new politics textbook from the bookshelf.

When Jiang Xue sent her the textbooks, she had told her that if she needed spiritual strength, she could find it in the books.

She patiently flipped through the pages, her attention finally landing on the chapter about “idealism.”

“Consciousness is the origin of the world, consciousness determines matter.”

“Objective things, even the entire world, depend on the subjective spirit of people.”

After carefully studying these words and rereading the classifications and definitions of “idealism” several times, Xiao Luohan vaguely understood something.

Their thoughts… or rather, their desires and obsessions, would materialize and influence their dreams.

But for some reason, her own consciousness seemed to occupy a larger domain in this materialization.

When she wanted to get closer to Jiang Xue, to that world, the invisible shackles in the dream would loosen a bit.

At first, she was an observer, then it “upgraded” to one-sided interaction.

And now, it had become a two-way interaction.

—From beginning to end, the biggest change had been in her.

Jiang Xue, on the other hand, stood firmly on the other side. As long as she had a “need,” Jiang Xue seemed to always extend a hand towards her.

But why her and Jiang Xue?

Besides the diary as a transtemporal medium, was there another “connection” between them?

---

Jiang Xue didn’t know that Xiao Luohan had thought so much. After another class, she received Xiao Luohan’s safety report and immediately called out to Xie Xitong, who was getting water, to talk about the interactive dream.

It was PE next, with free activities. Xie Xitong listened to the details with interest while operating the water dispenser.

“A reinforcement, huh? I hadn’t thought of that before.” She pondered, then said half-jokingly, half-seriously, “But the Third Princess probably won’t make it in time, unless she comes over tonight and recovers overnight. If you really want to replace someone, I’ll be responsible for persuading the reinforcement, and you go persuade Yuanyuan.”

“Who’s your reinforcement?” Jiang Xue gave her a suspicious look. “And the preliminary audition is coming up soon. Otherwise, why do you think Yuanyuan is so reluctant to replace anyone!”

The preliminary audition was next Wednesday, they really didn’t have time to work with a newcomer!

“Someone like the Third Princess, who can learn a dance after watching it once, and not only cooperate with other dancers but also guide everyone when necessary…” Xie Xitong deliberately kept her in suspense. “Don’t you have someone like that at home?”

Jiang Xue froze, and after thinking for a moment, realized that her older sister actually did have time off before the preliminary audition!

Her older sister usually saved up her annual leave and took a whole week off to relax when it was about to expire.

But she hadn’t mentioned this to her friend. How did Xie Xitong know?

“…Then good luck with that,” she said without much hope. “I wouldn’t dare ask my sister to give up her vacation and join our shenanigans.”

That being said, while Xie Xitong went to play badminton, Jiang Xue couldn’t help but tell Xiao Luohan about the development: 【A-Xi and I have decided to replace someone. That dream gave her the inspiration to “find a reinforcement,” but the person she wants to ask is my older sister.】

【To be honest, I’d really like to perform on stage with my older sister. It’s our last chance in high school, and it’s quite meaningful to me.】

【Even if we switch parts, her doing the solo and me joining the group dance, that would be fine too.】

Xiao Luohan didn’t reply.

【But my sister might not agree,】 Jiang Xue continued writing. 【She rarely takes long vacations, and according to her usual practice, she doesn’t get involved in anything extra during her vacations.】

【If that is your wish, I will help.】

Xiao Luohan’s words surprised her. 【I also want to see my sister dance the sword again, on this meaningful stage.】

Chapter 27: I Want to Go to Your World

Jiang Xue had restricted Xiao Luohan from accessing certain apps for a reason.

For example, WeChat, QQ, and Contacts. If Xiao Luohan accidentally touched something and sent a message to her two mothers or teachers, the fact that she had brought her phone to school would be exposed. Being lectured was a minor issue; having her phone confiscated would be a major one.

As for Notes, there was nothing sensitive there.

Since she dared to send her phone over again, she was prepared for the Third Princess to look through everything.

Besides, there was nothing in Notes except for the two hypotheses. In terms of privacy, it wasn’t as detailed as her diary!

She did have a rough idea for a “Hypothesis 3,” but she felt it needed more refinement, so she hadn’t written it down, only sharing her initial speculation with her older sister and friend. Now that Xiao Luohan had asked, she twirled her pen, hesitating.

She was actually very concerned about her older sister’s words.

—”If you can’t find the connection, or the pattern, then no one can predict when your intersection will end.”

—”Glimpsing the warmth of another world, but forever unable to reach that light, only to be trapped in a cage forever… for the Third Princess, this might not be a gift, but the cruelest punishment!”

After the “kneeling in the snow” incident, Jiang Xue had a deeper understanding of these words.

Because of this, she didn’t know if she should tell the Third Princess about the uncertain hope too early.

Just like when she had considered “whether standing on the diary could also transport someone,” but ultimately only left it at the “thinking” stage, she couldn’t give the Third Princess a glimmer of hope and then extinguish it, forcing her to face reality.

【Not yet! Besides, Hypotheses One and Two have no theoretical basis. I just wrote them down for myself because I didn’t know who else to talk to about these things.】

Having written this lie, Jiang Xue rested her head on the desk and sighed softly.

Waiting for the Third Princess’s reply became agonizing.

When the wake-up bell rang after lunch break, she opened the curtains beside her, letting the afternoon sunlight stream in and fall on the diary.

Then, she saw new writing:

【Then, would you have time to listen to my “Hypothesis 3”?】

Jiang Xue’s eyes widened. Taking advantage of the newspaper reading class, she quickly replied with an “Okay.”

It was rare for the Third Princess to be so proactive in wanting to tell her something!

She deliberately sat up straight, patiently waiting for the rest of the words to appear, stroke by stroke.

【Hypothesis 3: The deeper the interaction, the closer the dream interaction becomes to two-way.】

【Based on Hypotheses One and Two, and the most recent dream, I boldly speculate: When we are both willing to open our hearts to each other, we can interact consciously in the dream.】

The Third Princess even imitated her format and wording, and specifically underlined “both” and “consciously.”

Jiang Xue stared at the word “both,” feeling that the Third Princess probably had more to say.

Except for the uncertain hope, she had always been open with the Third Princess. But after several dreams, their interaction was still one-sided.

Perhaps her older sister’s speculation could complete “Hypothesis 3”: For a deeper connection between them, the key lay in the Third Princess’s willingness.

【These days, I will try my best to recall my past and record it in the notebook you gave me. I’ll give it to you during the weekend.】

Jiang Xue’s worries quickly became reality.

She could already sense the Third Princess’s hidden determination.

If revealing her scars could deepen their “connection,” if it could open the spacetime channel and allow Jiang Xue to take her away from that world, then no matter how bloody and unbearable those scars were, the Third Princess would do it.

But… how painful must that be? It even made the Third Princess feel that she shouldn’t talk about it during Jiang Xue’s school days, but wait until the weekend when she had more free time.

She tightly held onto the “uncertain hope,” not wanting it to hurt or discourage the Third Princess, but the Third Princess herself brought up this hope!

Newspaper reading class was short, and students were already moving around the classroom, getting water, going to the bathroom, preparing for the afternoon classes.

Jiang Xue tightened her grip on her pen. She edited the words she wanted to say to the Third Princess several times in the notes app on her phone, but couldn’t form a complete sentence.

“What’s troubling you again?”

Xie Xitong’s voice came from behind. “Let me hear it.”

As if grasping at a lifeline, Jiang Xue quickly got up and leaned closer, explaining the situation in a low voice and at a rapid pace.

Her friend listened attentively, blinked, and then suddenly raised the glass in her hand. “You think of her as too fragile. Actually, look, a glass can also withstand boiling hot water!”

“Since she brought it up with you, it means she’s already mentally prepared. Otherwise, with her personality, you wouldn’t have seen those words, right?”

“It’s a good thing she’s willing to try. Otherwise, your hypotheses would be like ‘Schrödinger’s cat.’ You can’t know the cat’s state until you open the box. And she actually cares a lot about that state.”

The bell rang for the end of newspaper reading class. Xie Xitong finished speaking and returned to her seat, leaving Jiang Xue to make her decision.

But Xie Xitong’s words had awakened her.

She realized that both she and her older sister had made a mistake: treating the Third Princess like a delicate flower that needed careful protection.

The Third Princess was indeed frail and sickly, but she wasn’t so fragile that they had to tiptoe around her during normal conversations.

It was their protectiveness that was excessive, out of politeness or simply “not wanting to make the Third Princess sad,” that they had presumptuously confined the Third Princess within a certain boundary.

But as Xie Xitong had said, the Third Princess cared more than anyone about the state of “Schrödinger’s cat.”

—Whether she could escape her current world and carve out a true path to survival was of utmost importance to the Third Princess.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xue had her answer.

【Okay, I await Your Highness’s story.】

She only told the Third Princess that it was a “story” of the past, and she was the listener.

No matter what the “story” was like, she would treat it seriously and strive to weave a future for its protagonist.

---

Wearing her earphones, accompanied by soothing instrumental music, Xiao Luohan opened the blank notebook.

When Jiang Xue had sent the books, she had also sent some commonly used pens and paper from her world.

Ballpoint pens didn’t require ink and were very convenient. But for some reason, Jiang Xue couldn’t see the words she wrote in the booklet with a ballpoint pen, so she had to switch back to a brush.

However, words written on drawing paper and in the notebook were exceptions.

Shizhu wouldn’t let her sit at the desk for too long, so Xiao Luohan sat in her warm bed, holding the notebook and ballpoint pen.

She would recall for a while, write for a while, and use simple stick figures to represent the parts she couldn’t write.

For some reason, she couldn’t remember many things from the past, only vaguely recalling that it was bitter and painful.

But with her mother and her elder sister’s occasional visits, those difficult days seemed to have only soft colors.

The withheld supplies, money, and charcoal would soon be returned, and the life-saving medicine wouldn’t be interrupted for too long.

While other noble ladies didn’t visit, her elder sister would.

Her elder sister would sit with her in the simply furnished courtyard, pointing out the ever-changing clouds in the sky, sometimes a flock of geese passing by.

They had protected her so well, making her believe that her short life would peacefully burn out in this flickering, gentle light.

However, after the battle between Beiliao and Daying, she had lost both her elder sister and mother, abruptly awakening from this dream.

Her elder sister had died in battle. Although her mother was still alive, from the moment she left the cold palace and stepped into the carriage for the marriage alliance, she knew that they would never see each other again.

Thinking of this, Xiao Luohan felt despicable.

This young woman, whom she had never met before, treated her with such pure kindness, wanting to give her everything she had.

She sent her various supplies to keep warm, books to entertain her, life-saving medicine, saved her in a dream, caused havoc in the emperor’s palace for her…

Everything she did was just to make her life a little better in this foreign land.

But she was going to use this pure and flawless kindness to escape this world—the world that had taken her elder sister and mother, the world without a future.

She didn’t want to be married off to Daying, the country that had killed her elder sister, didn’t want to marry the Crown Prince of Daying, who might have dealt the final blow to her elder sister, didn’t want her elder sister, even after death, to return as a red fox, worrying about her.

Besides Jiang Xue, how else could she escape?

Surrounded by enemies, there was nowhere to run.

She didn’t know if Jiang Xue had noticed her selfish intentions, or how much she had noticed. She tightened her grip on the pen, and finally, with a resolute heart, added her true feelings in the corner of the “story”:

【If possible, I want to go to your world.】

---

Jiang Xue had been busy with rehearsals during her lunch breaks these past few days.

Their rehearsal time was limited. Since it was their senior year, besides lunch break, there was no other time they could spare. But the preliminary audition was approaching, and the group dance was still messy. Dan Yuanyuan had to increase the rehearsal frequency from every other day to every day, hoping to develop “muscle memory.”

To prevent stage fright during the preliminary audition, they decided to treat every rehearsal like a real performance, so everyone had to go through the entire routine from beginning to end.

Jiang Xue, who usually napped during lunch break, now had that time occupied. Plus, the sword dance solo consumed a lot of energy, which affected her concentration in the afternoon classes.

Today, she had been listening to the lecture on politics, taking notes and highlighting key points, but her eyes had unconsciously closed.

She was once again standing in the courtyard of Wangmei Pavilion. Not far from her, a young woman in a gray cloak, holding a silver telescopic sword, was slowly dancing.

Jiang Xue was too sleepy. Having just watched the group dance practice, she only followed the young woman’s movements for a few moves before her eyes closed and her head started to nod.

Half-asleep and half-awake, she was still thinking that if the Third Princess could come here, they wouldn’t have to work so hard during rehearsals, and they could probably finish in one go.

The Third Princess had learned Tai Chi Sword by herself and had become so proficient so quickly!

So she forced her eyes open and called out to the young woman’s back: “Come with me?”

The young woman’s movements paused. She looked over, a little dazed, and asked tentatively, “…Where to?”

“Let’s go rehearse!”

As soon as Jiang Xue finished speaking, the surrounding scene changed.

She was back in the rehearsal room, where Dan Yuanyuan was correcting the mistakes of the student who kept messing up the group dance.

That student’s situation was a bit complicated. She desperately wanted to be on stage, so when Dan Yuanyuan was looking for participants, she had volunteered, saying she would join to make up the numbers, so they could start rehearsing sooner.

But she was truly just making up the numbers. Her mind would go blank during practice, and she couldn’t remember Dan Yuanyuan’s repeated, step-by-step instructions.

Dan Yuanyuan, unable to bear it any longer, had privately and tactfully tried to persuade her to withdraw, but was met with a “It’s the taking part that counts,” which left her with nothing to say but a polite smile.

Jiang Xue directly pulled Xiao Luohan to Dan Yuanyuan. “She can dance, she’ll learn it after watching it once! Let that other person go back to studying. She can take her place!”

Dan Yuanyuan was stunned. “Where did you find this poor soul?”

“What poor soul! This is a powerful reinforcement!” Jiang Xue looked at Xiao Luohan and gave her a thumbs-up. “I believe in you!”

“Okay.” As she wished, the young woman agreed without hesitation.

Chapter 26: The Phone

It was two days later when Xiao Luohan received the new watch and the stun gun.

She could tell at a glance that the watch was valuable and couldn’t bear to keep it with her, so she placed it in her brocade pouch and continued using the previous digital watch.

As for the stun gun, after carefully reading the instructions, she asked Shizhu to secretly bring her a piece of raw meat. Closing the doors and windows, she tested the stun gun on the meat.

“Zzz!!”

A purple electric arc flashed, accompanied by a grating sound, making Xiao Luohan instinctively recoil and Shizhu almost cry out in surprise.

They stared at the raw meat, where a noticeable scorch mark remained, faintly emitting a burnt smell.

“…Princess, if this ‘ghostly power’ accidentally hits a vital point like the neck, it could cause immediate fainting, or even death!” Shizhu couldn’t help but warn.

“I won’t use it unless my life is in danger!” Having witnessed its power, Xiao Luohan was both shocked and frightened, and quickly assured her.

But amidst the fear, she felt a sense of confidence.

This way, even weak and defenseless, she had a chance to protect herself.

Shizhu found a jade box, and together, they carefully stored the stun gun inside, placing it on a bookshelf where it wouldn’t be easily seen.

Xiao Luohan took down the Lessons for Women book that hid the English-Chinese Dictionary. Jiang Xue had gone back to school, and she also had to continue learning about that world.

“Remember to watch the time, Your Highness!” Shizhu, knowing that the book hid something valuable, reminded her. “You’ve just recovered from a serious illness, and you’re still very weak!”

“Yes, the ghost or spirit sent me ‘time’ to remind me to rest more.” Xiao Luohan smiled and showed her the white digital watch.

She tried to synchronize her schedule with Jiang Xue’s class time, leaving a message in the booklet every two classes or so to report her safety.

However, Jiang Xue would often “slack off” during class, telling her about things happening around her, which she would read casually.

【A flock of pigeons flew past the distant clock tower, circled around, and then landed on the clock tower in unison.】

【A-Xi was called up to solve a math problem because she was sleeping in class. Her process was completely wrong, but somehow, the answer was correct. The teacher suspected she had memorized the answer beforehand. I don’t think so; it’s just her talent.】

【The biology genetics problems put a lot of people to sleep again. “Homozygote” is waking them up one by one.】

【The guard dog visited our class again! If it’s still there after class, I’m going to pet it!】

Xiao Luohan was now familiar with some slang words like “rua” (pet). Seeing the joyful, almost cursive letters, she smiled, thinking of the large white cat that had snuggled against her.

After that incident, although they both had dreams, they hadn’t dreamed of each other again. To be honest, Xiao Luohan felt a little disappointed.

Jiang Xue was trying to find the “connection” between them, and she also hoped for new clues to appear soon.

She was originally someone without a future. On the journey to Daying for the marriage alliance, she had lifted the curtain and looked out the window, only to see a vast expanse of fog, and her heart had been similarly clouded.

For others, the marriage alliance might be a way out, but for her, it was a life-or-death situation.

Just then, a ray of light from another world had shone upon her.

Even though hope was slim, she still strived for it. Besides resting and replying to Jiang Xue’s messages, she studied.

She had to get closer to that world, closer and closer…

Having no path behind her, she had to reach for that light for herself and Shizhu!

Just as this thought crossed Xiao Luohan’s mind, something flashed before her eyes.

She looked over in astonishment. A “board” emitting a bright light appeared on the booklet, about the size of her palm, with thin lines flickering on it.

Xiao Luohan held it in her hands, puzzled. She found that the words on it were clearly Jiang Xue’s last message, except that the characters were all horizontal, just like in the books Jiang Xue had sent.

She examined it for a long time, observing the glowing slab from all angles, caressing its smooth, snow-scene-decorated back, and looked at the booklet curiously. Not seeing any explanation from Jiang Xue, she traced the glowing slab onto a piece of paper and asked:

【What is this?】

---

Jiang Xue held her breath.

After her deskmate went abroad, she had been sitting alone in the last row. Although playing with her phone during class was usually unnoticed if she hid it behind a stack of books, when she was too excited, her vigilance would decrease.

With her guard down, no deskmate to “keep watch,” and the student in front of her asleep, under these multiple debuffs, she was finally caught red-handed by the teacher.

She heard footsteps stop beside her, and the next second, a deliberately lowered, gentle female voice came from above: “Jiang Xue, what were you playing with just now? Show it to me.”

Although their biology teacher, “Homozygote,” was usually easygoing, she was terrifying when serious.

Hopefully, the phone she had hurriedly tucked into the diary had already been transported!

With this thought, Jiang Xue resignedly picked up the diary and shook it vigorously in front of “Homozygote.”

Yes! Only two pens fell out!

She didn’t dare look at “Homozygote’s” expression. Fortunately, “Homozygote” didn’t make things difficult for her. She just patted her shoulder twice and continued walking to the front to wake up the sleeping students.

Jiang Xue didn’t dare open the diary until class was over.

Inside, there was a simple drawing of a phone, and a line of brushstrokes was being written:

【What is this?】

Jiang Xue: …

She hadn’t expected to introduce the phone to the Third Princess under such embarrassing circumstances.

Without the simplified/traditional character conversion software, she wrote very slowly. Afraid she wouldn’t be able to finish explaining the basic functions during break time, she asked the Third Princess to return the phone first.

This was even more awkward. It was the first time she had asked the Third Princess to return something she was interested in.

But the Third Princess seemed quite happy: 【It’s alright. This object seems far more powerful than the MP3 player. It definitely requires a detailed introduction!】

It was indeed much more powerful. The MP3 player was just a “condensed” version of one of the phone’s functions.

Jiang Xue quickly drew the icons of several commonly used apps, explained their usage, and told the Third Princess where to set the system font, changing all the characters to traditional for easier viewing.

Finally, remembering Dr. Qi’s instructions, she reminded her: 【My doctor has asked for pictures and videos of your tongue coating several times. Remember to take them!】

Even though she knew how attractive the phone was, far surpassing the English-Chinese Dictionary, Jiang Xue still sent her phone over again.

It was time for rehearsal at noon today, so let the phone temporarily keep the Third Princess company!

---

After switching the font, Xiao Luohan began exploring the phone.

She kept Jiang Xue’s words in mind, not daring to click on any icons she was curious about, only opening the ones Jiang Xue had drawn in the booklet, one by one, to check their contents.

A red background with a white “translate” character, a green background with a white imprint, a pink background with white letters, a blue background with a large “K”…

Each one dazzled her. The green reading app with the white imprint seemed the simplest. Clicking on a drawing would show neatly formatted text, all popular novels from that world.

After browsing, she tried taking a clear picture of her tongue coating, then a video of her face.

But while saving the video, she accidentally touched something in the corner, and suddenly, a dense collection of historical photos appeared.

Xiao Luohan wasn’t sure if this fell under the “don’t click” category. Wanting to avoid causing trouble for Jiang Xue, she instinctively tried to press the back button.

But as her gaze inadvertently swept over a certain photo, her finger froze, and then, as if losing control, she clicked on it.

Her elder sister.

Even though the clothes and makeup were vastly different, she recognized her elder sister at a glance.

Her elder sister and the Empress looked almost identical, the only difference being that her elder sister had a more heroic air.

In the photo, her elder sister was holding a long sword carved with plum blossoms, her gaze as sharp as a hawk’s. However, she was wearing loose clothing, and the background wasn’t snowy, but indoors.

Xiao Luohan couldn’t help but scroll down—it was a video. Jiang Xue had just taught her that a white triangle in the center of a black circle indicated a video file.

She clicked on the video, and accompanied by flute music, she saw her elder sister calmly wielding the long sword, dancing alone.

When the music ended, she was stunned.

It was as if her elder sister had come back to life.

Shizhu entered with snacks and saw her staring blankly, tears streaming down her face. She hurriedly put down the bowl and dishes and approached, wiping her tears with a handkerchief. “What’s wrong, Your Highness?”

Xiao Luohan came to her senses, turned off the phone screen, and shook her head with a smile. “It’s nothing, I just saw a touching story.”

But if her elder sister was already in that world, then what was the red fox that had guided Jiang Xue before?

She couldn’t figure it out. After Shizhu left, she couldn’t help but turn on the phone again, enter the unlock code, and continue scrolling through the photos, trying to find more clues.

【Hypothesis 1: The conditions for entering the dream are related to the degree of our interaction.】

The photos of her elder sister were gone, replaced by an image with black text on a white background, which caught her attention again.

It seemed to be Jiang Xue’s summary of the patterns of those dreams.

Xiao Luohan read it carefully, and scrolling down, she indeed found 【Hypothesis 2】.

She was surprised by Jiang Xue’s perceptiveness and even more surprised by their tacit understanding—although the wording was different, their lines of reasoning were very similar.

Because of these two hypotheses, she eagerly scrolled further, trying to find 【Hypothesis 3】.

But the images with black text on a white background ended there. Further down were the drawings she had sent, which Jiang Xue had photographed and saved on her phone.

Xiao Luohan sighed regretfully and finally pressed the back button.

She would ask Jiang Xue when she returned from rehearsal.

---

Jiang Xue’s rehearsal today didn’t go smoothly.

First, the computer in the borrowed classroom malfunctioned and wouldn’t turn on. After switching classrooms, because the mirror was positioned opposite to the previous classroom, one of the students in the group dance kept making mistakes.

According to Dan Yuanyuan’s plan, they should have moved on to the next stage today, but they were stuck on the current one.

“Can’t you just split yourself into two?!”

Dan Yuanyuan was getting impatient and complained to Jiang Xue during the break. “One of you performs the sword dance solo, and the other one replaces that clumsy extra!”

Jiang Xue, who usually observed during rehearsals because of her special solo part, didn’t dare say anything, but an image of the Third Princess dancing gracefully appeared in her mind.

“I wish I could!” she said meaningfully.

But she could only wish. How they could achieve two-way interaction in their dreams was still a mystery, let alone crossing time and space.

Back in the classroom, as soon as Jiang Xue sat down, she noticed that her diary was slightly bulging. Opening it, she found her phone had been returned.

The Third Princess had also left a new message: 【Do you have a “Hypothesis 3” now?】