Stealing the Alluring Heroine from the Battlefield [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 1

Summer days stretched long, and though the night was still indistinct, curfew was approaching. A group of riders passed through the inner city streets, moving swiftly and discreetly.

At the head of the group was a tall, handsome bay horse, its hooves striking the ground with agile grace. The horse snorted playfully, but it was the slender, upright figure on its back that truly captured the eye. The hands gripping the reins were pale and strong, like jade, and the dark hair that had been coiled in a jade crown now cascaded freely in the air. Though her face remained unseen, one instinctively felt that this must be a person of extraordinary bearing.

A young woman selling steamed buns silently withdrew her gaze, which had followed the riders through the streets. She covered her steamer and prepared to close up shop for the day, a irrepressible smile playing on her lips.

“The Eldest Princess is back from training outside the city walls. Even her riding is so remarkable. If only I could witness her martial arts firsthand one day…”

The riders galloped to a grand mansion in the eastern part of the city. The residence’s scale far surpassed those of nearby officials and nobles. Above the gate, five characters in the Emperor’s own hand proclaimed: An Guo Princess Manor.

Since the founding of the Great Rong Dynasty, the Eldest Princess, Rong Yu, was the only one granted the title “An Guo” and the privileges of an invisible prince. As she dismounted and prepared to enter the manor, her attendant, Fanghua, who had been waiting nearby, stepped forward.

“What is it?” Rong Yu asked, taking the handkerchief from her hand.

“Your Highness, the Emperor has been waiting for you inside for some time.”

“Mm.” Rong Yu wasn’t surprised and stepped into the residence.

Inside, Rong Teng toyed with a cup, glancing occasionally toward the door. Only when his gaze fell upon the woman playing by herself across the room did his agitation completely vanish.

The woman, who was sprawled on the table, pouted with obvious impatience. “When will the person you’re waiting for finally return?”

Even with such an expression, her vivid and beautiful face remained utterly captivating. Rong Teng’s heart fluttered as if tiny claws were scratching at it. He felt immensely fortunate that his impulsive decision to visit incognito today had led him to such a rare and peerless beauty.

The thought that he couldn’t take her with him yet caused a surge of frustration. But remembering that their plan was nearing completion, he decided to endure a few more months.

With a slightly fawning tone, he poured her a cup of tea and tenderly offered it to her. “My elder sister has a training ground outside the city. When she’s not busy, she often runs laps there. By now, she should be returning soon. Awu, be patient. My sister is kind and generous with her subordinates. Stay here with her for a while, and I’ll get you anything you desire.”

The servants in the room kept their eyes on their noses and their hearts on their minds, as if they hadn’t heard the 95th Emperor so humbly coaxing her. Of course, His Majesty had uttered countless similar sweet nothings throughout the afternoon, and the servants had grown numb to it.

It could only be said that facing Awu’s ethereal, goddess-like beauty—a beauty so dazzling it dared not be looked at directly—even the Emperor couldn’t escape its allure.

Awu, unappreciative, pushed the teacup away.

“Aren’t you the Emperor? Why are you hiding me here? You’re not much of an Emperor, are you?” Her eyes widened, and she pointed out his flaws with righteous indignation.

Such insolent words would have earned anyone else a swift execution, yet coming from her lips, they made it impossible to scold her. It was as if she were naturally meant to be imperious, as if her arrogance were her birthright.

Rong Teng’s head spun, and he nearly swept her off her feet and carried her back to the palace on the spot.

But then he thought of the Empress in the palace. Clenching his fist, he forced himself to suppress his impulse and replied with gentle, flowing words: “You don’t understand. Women are prone to jealousy. Awu, with your pure heart and my favor, you’d become the target of countless envious eyes. I must give you the best of everything, personally clear your path and elevate you to the highest position.”

Xiao Fuzi, the eunuch standing guard, felt a chill run down his spine, as if he had overheard something extraordinary.

It seems the palace is about to undergo a major upheaval… Who would have thought that after merely a private visit in disguise this afternoon, the Emperor would be so captivated by a girl who seemed to have fallen from the heavens? Though, now that I recall her appearance, it’s not entirely surprising…

As he pondered this, the maid Fanghua arrived to announce the Eldest Princess’s return.

Rong Teng’s heart leaped with joy. He quickly stood up. “Quickly, invite my sister in.”

Awu, showing little interest, idly fiddled with the rare antiques Rong Teng had sent over, her thoughts drifting.

Is this the Emperor you’re talking about? He doesn’t seem all that impressive.

Playing with him is like playing with a dog—boring.

The System recalled the Emperor’s foolishly infatuated expression that afternoon and fell into a moment of silence, unable to refute.

Host, your peerless beauty makes it only natural for you to captivate a mortal emperor.

Naturally. Awu felt a small surge of pride.

What should I do next?

The System swiftly skimmed through its instruction manual.

Simply make him utterly infatuated with you and continuously gain his favor.

What a tedious mission. Awu scoffed mercilessly.

The System fell silent.

Good luck, Host.

It was a vast, formless consciousness in the universe, and from its very creation, it had been programmed with a single mission: to find a host. Awu was its first.

The System still remembered their first meeting.

Awu had just recently taken human form and was still weak, even without a name, yet her arrogant temperament was already well-established.

System: Host, what is your name?

Awu stretched lazily, stroking her fluffy tail. “I’ll just call myself me.”

System: That doesn’t seem to function as a proper name. Anyone could refer to themselves as “me.”

“But I am me,” Awu said dismissively.

[ System: You’ll need a more convenient name to navigate the human world. ] A virtual screen appeared, scrolling through explanations of why humans use names, how they address each other, and common naming conventions.

Annoyed, Awu didn’t even glance at it. She pointed at random. “Awu. I’ll be called Awu.”

The System was about to point out that “Awu” sounded too much like “Awu” (a sound often associated with a wolf’s howl) and that such homophones were generally avoided in human society, but Awu impatiently waved it away.

“Alright, let’s start the mission now.”

“I’m just so, so, so bored—”

System:Alright. Wu, that name suits her perfectly. The moment the system—which initially perceived her as nothing more than a mass of particles, devoid of gender—saw her, it knew that finding such a host would make completing the mission effortless. No one could resist the face so uniquely favored by the Creator.

Just like now, Rong Teng, while speaking respectfully to his elder sister, couldn’t help but steal glances at Awu. Seeing her petulant little gestures, a fond smile unconsciously curled at the corner of his lips.

Rong Yu also noticed his behavior. Fanghua had described the entire incident to her, emphasizing Awu’s beauty. It was indeed extraordinary if even her personal maid was so moved.

“Agreed,” Rong Teng said, but Rong Yu’s response was a curt two words.

“Wonderful, Sister! Don’t worry, she’s only staying with you temporarily. Once I’ve handled the palace affairs, I’ll take her back. If Awu needs anything at all, just send word, and I’ll have it sent from the palace immediately,” he added, his words tumbling out in a rush.

Rong Yu’s gaze turned cold. “What about the Empress?”

Rong Teng froze.

“I would never touch the Empress’s position,” he said, his voice tinged with resentment. “After all, we were young lovers once. I’ll grant her that dignity. But I am the Emperor. Can I not possess what my heart desires?”

He spoke as if he weren’t the same young man who had once been smitten with the Prime Minister’s daughter, visiting her family repeatedly to seek her hand in marriage.

It was worth remembering that the Prime Minister had initially wanted no part in the succession struggles.

Rong Yu merely nodded slightly.

A hint of awkwardness crossed Rong Teng’s face. “Sister, I’d advise you to avoid the training grounds outside the city for a while. It’s too conspicuous. Besides, if you stay in the palace, I can visit you more easily.”

Rong Yu remained silent, her gaze fixed on him.

Feeling the pressure, Rong Teng quickly added, “If you must go, you may. I’ll send word in advance if I need to leave the palace.”

“Mm,” Rong Yu murmured, lowering her eyelashes.

Not far away, Awu, who had been observing them with bored detachment, grumbled inwardly.

Do I really have to try and win over this Emperor? He seems so weak.

No power, no ability.

The System has calculated that the Emperor is the most powerful figure in this timeline. Since the System’s energy calculation is based on power x favorability, the host will get the best return by targeting him.

Him? The most powerful?

In the current timeline, the Emperor is in a period of laying low and biding his time. His mother was merely a palace maid, and her family has no influence. His rise to power was due to the support of the Prime Minister’s faction of civil officials and the military backing of the Eldest Princess. As a result, he is temporarily constrained. Calculations indicate that once the Emperor dismantles both factions and achieves peak centralized authority, he will become the most powerful Son of Heavenly Fortune in this timeline for the next 60 (sixty) years.

The System said matter-of-factly.

Oh, so he relies on the Prime Minister for civil affairs and the Eldest Princess for military matters. In other words, he has nothing of his own.

The System displayed a timeline chart. [ When the Son of Heavenly Fortune’s destiny is not yet at its peak, the Heavenly Dao will lend him fortune. Rong Teng is a qualified emperor; during his reign, he will enact many laws that allow the common people to rest and recover. ]

Awu rested her chin in her hand, watching Rong Teng and the Eldest Princess converse with indifference.

But if the Empress and the Eldest Princess join forces, he won’t be the most powerful anymore. Can’t I just… try to win over one of the women?

For a brief moment, the System felt like its program had encountered a bug, experiencing a human-like sense of speechless frustration.

This time and space adheres to a patriarchal hierarchy where men hold dominance over women. The probability of the event you’ve described occurring is extremely low.

Awu paid no attention to the system’s voice. After speaking with Rong Yu, Rong Teng turned to her, his eyes full of tender affection and reluctance. He held her hand and spoke many farewell words, but she didn’t hear a single one. She offered him a perfunctory smile, and the infatuated Rong Teng left with lingering reluctance.

Once the Emperor was gone, the room fell silent.

Rong Yu had no intention of staying long. She instructed Fanghua, “Take good care of Miss Awu.”

Fanghua bowed. “Yes, Your Highness.”

“Miss Awu, please follow me. This servant has already prepared a courtyard for you. Please come this way”

Awu remained rooted to the spot. Before Rong Yu could turn away, she reached out and tugged at her sleeve.

Rong Yu’s brow furrowed slightly as she looked down at her. “What is the meaning of this, Miss?”

“Am I not beautiful?” Awu tilted her face up, her eyes blinking like an endearing kitten, her gaze full of playful indignation.

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