Qiankun Continent.
Capital of the Tianqian Dynasty.
Residence of the Border Guarding Prince.
Gentle Breeze Courtyard.
Sigh!
“Why is it that when other people transmigrate or reincarnate, they immediately get a system? Why is it that I’ve been reborn for more than ten years and still haven’t gotten one?”
“No system I can still accept, but why did I turn into a cripple the moment I regained memories of my past life, losing all ability to cultivate martial arts?”
“I thought that after a life of suffering, being reborn as a young prince in this life would let me finally enjoy some peace and wealth. But I ended up a cripple.”
Qiu An lay on a recliner, gazing at the sky and muttering to himself, his face full of gloom as he thought about his future.
In his past life, Qiu An suffered from uraemia. He couldn’t work like a normal person and had to rely on dialysis and odd jobs, eventually dying from over exhaustion.
When he first awakened in this life and realized he had been reborn into the ancient world he loved—and as a young prince no less—he had been overjoyed, thinking he would live a life of glory and riches.
But that joy quickly faded.
Before he regained his past life’s memories, he had been a martial arts genius—reaching the Martial Sect level before the age of twenty and was even about to break through to the Martial King realm.
But just before his breakthrough, he was ambushed by an assassin.
Not only was he gravely injured and left in a coma, but his meridians were shattered and his dantian destroyed, making him less than a Martial Disciple—essentially a cripple.
Qiu An didn’t know whether to thank or hate that assassin.
Without the assassination, he might have become one of the empire’s top figures.
But then, he might never have regained his past life’s memories.
Ever since he became a cripple, the once lively residence of the Border Guarding Prince turned eerily quiet.
The once-endless stream of matchmakers disappeared without a trace.
“Your Highness, the Princess Consort requests your presence in the garden,”
A boy in a green robe approached.
“Hm? Qiu Jian, do you know why my mother wants to see me?”
Qiu An didn’t move from his recliner, still looking up at the sky.
Though he asked, he more or less knew why.
Just a few days ago, the Princess Consort had said he was of age and should marry.
Now asking to meet in the garden could only mean one thing.
“I don’t know, Your Highness. Nanny Rong only said that the Princess Consort wants to see you immediately.”
Qiu Jian bowed.
“Alright, I’ll go.”
Qiu An sat up and started walking toward the garden, with Qiu Jian following behind.
Garden of the Prince’s Residence
“Princess Consort, do you think the young prince will like them? And more importantly, will they take proper care of him after marriage?”
Nanny Rong looked at five tall, sturdy women standing under an osmanthus tree, then turned back to the Princess Consort with worry.
Sigh.
“I know these girls might not be to An’er’s liking,” the Princess Consort said. “But the daughters of high-ranking officials all look down on him now. They think a cripple like him doesn’t deserve their daughters.”
“These five girls are the daughters of generals loyal to the prince. All the beautiful ones are already married—only these five are left.”
“If the noble daughters won’t marry the young prince, perhaps we should—”
“No,” the Princess Consort cut her off.
“While these girls may not be stunning, they are all daughters of third-rank generals. Their families are full of strong men. Even after the Prince and I pass, they will be able to protect An’er.”
“You’re truly doing all this for his good. Let’s hope he understands your intentions.”
Nanny Rong sighed.
“Ha! Talking behind my back again, Nanny Rong?”
A familiar voice came from behind her.
She turned and immediately bowed. “Greetings, Your Highness.”
“Please rise.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Greetings, Mother.”
Qiu An bowed to the Princess Consort.
“No need for formality, An’er. Come, sit by Mother.”
“Yes, Mother.”
He sat down beside her.
“Mother, what were you and Nanny Rong discussing? Sounds like it concerns me.”
“You’re right. Mother picked five girls for you—look and choose the one you like, and I’ll go propose marriage immediately.”
She pointed toward the five women under the osmanthus tree.
“All are carefully chosen by Mother. If you marry one, you can soon have children. While I’m still young, I can help raise them.”
Besides wanting Qiu An to have companionship, she also hoped for grandchildren.
Since he was crippled now, the best option was to train the next generation to inherit the prince’s title.
Qiu An looked at the five women—and gave a bitter smile.
Do they all believe big hips mean better fertility?
Comparing their arms to his, they looked stronger than him.
“Mother… must I choose one?”
“You must! Choose today—or don’t call me your mother again!”
Realizing she was serious, Qiu An knew he couldn’t escape today’s ordeal.
“Please don’t be angry, Mother. I’ll listen.”
Hearing this, the Princess Consort smiled.
“An’er, Mother is only doing this for your good. They may not be the prettiest, but they come from military families. Even if your father and I pass away, you’ll still be protected.”
“I understand, Mother. I’ll listen.”
He nodded and looked again at the five women—but his mind was racing with ways to get out of this.
Though he seemed idle and aimless all these years, he had made secret preparations.
Even without his parents, he could survive.
“An’er, you’ve been looking for a while. Have you chosen?”
The Princess Consort’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.
“This is a lifelong decision. Let me think a bit longer.”
“You’re just stalling. I’ll give you half a stick of incense more. If you still haven’t chosen, I’ll pick for you.”
“Yes, Mother. I’ll choose seriously.”
He looked back toward the tree—then suddenly froze.
Standing by a stone table beneath the tree was a tall girl in a green maid uniform.
Her slim waist looked like a delicate ribbon—barely the width of a hand.
She was carefully setting pastries on the table, her every move graceful—completely unlike a typical servant.
“Mother, you said I could choose any girl under the osmanthus tree, right?”
“And you’d agree no matter who?”
His eyes never left her.
“You’ve decided?”
She looked surprised.
“Yes, but you haven’t answered my question.”
“Any girl under that tree—if you like her, I’ll agree.”
The Princess Consort replied without hesitation.
“Which one did you choose?”
Just then, the maid finished setting the table and turned to leave.
“Mother—I choose her.”
Qiu An stood up and ran toward the maid.
The Princess Consort turned to look—
And was dumbfounded.
Qiu An was holding a maid’s hand and calling out:
“Mother! I choose her to be my Princess Consort!”
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