Rebirth: The Time-locked Girl

Princess Yongle, Xiang Ke, was the youngest child of her generation, growing up adored by all her elders.

When Princess Yongning passed away, Xiang Ke was only three years old.

But the Xiang Imperial Family always had excellent genes, and by the age of three, Xiang Ke was already able to fluently recite the poetry of Fu Guang.

Xiang Ke remembered early, she had great respect for Princess Yongning, her elder sister, and also saw Xiang Lan as a role model, striving to learn.

As the Emperor, Xiang Chen must protect the citizens of Fengyuan City.

As an elder brother, he naturally must safeguard his younger sister.

Yet upon hearing Ye Wanlan talk about going to fetch Princess Yongle, Xiang Chen indeed panicked.

If he were to die, it wouldn't be such a big deal.

Zhaozong the Emperor guarded the state gates and moved the capital to Fengyuan.

As Zhaozong's son, it's only right for a king to die for the country.

But Xiang Ke, being only a nine-year-old princess, shouldn't bear any responsibilities; merely surviving would be enough.

Xiang Qingtian and Xiang Mingyu both fell silent, their faces shrouded in worry and sorrow.

Finally, it was He Jia who first broke the silence: "Yongle is a princess of Daning. Even if she's that young, how could she leave at a time like this?"

Xiang Chen was suddenly stunned.

Indeed, their surname is Xiang.

The Xiang Imperial Family's pride and backbone, undefeated for six hundred years.

"Though that's true..." Xiang Mingyu sighed, "Yet no matter what little Yongle did, we as her elders would all feel pained."

The royal children mature early, but age nine should nevertheless be a carefree time.

Xiang Qingtian suddenly said, "That couple over there, mind your influence, there are still minors present."

"Huh? Uncle Wang talks about me?" Xiang Chen stammered, "I... Though I haven't come of age yet, Aunt said I'd marry this year, but just..."

Xiang Mingyu: "Don't mind your Uncle Wang, he's never serious all day long."

This commotion relieved the somber atmosphere considerably.

Lin Fanyin suddenly awoke, she pushed Xie Linyuan away, retreating a few steps, her expression indifferent: "Sword Saint, restrain yourself."

Xie Linyuan looked at his empty hands, he pressed his lips together, speaking haltingly: "Ah Yin, I think we need to talk about some things."

On the surface, he was the carefree Sword Saint of the Jianghu.

Passing through clusters of flowers without a leaf sticking.

But only facing Lin Fanyin, he was particularly stubborn.

While alive, his heart might have countless words unsaid, only able to drown sorrows in alcohol when emotions arose.

But once dead, many things suddenly became clear.

Xie Linyuan realized life is finite, he doesn't want to merely peek at Lin Fanyin secretly in the future; instead, he wants to stand beside her openly.

Lin Fanyin ignored him, walked to Hua Yingyue's side, and sat down.

"Ah Yin, I haven't asked yet, how come the Sword Saint came with you?" Hua Yingyue raised an eyebrow, "With his nature, who knows in which corner of the Jianghu he'd be at this moment."

Lin Fanyin paused in silence: "The Northwestern and Southern Frontier fell, he sent word to tell me to wait for him, though, how could I wait?"

She is the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Sound Sect, bearing the last line of defense.

Even waiting a second longer would mean countless deaths.

Hua Yingyue's smile faded bit by bit: "Yes, we couldn't possibly wait."

"He once told me, he didn't want to see me." Lin Fanyin said calmly, "But ironically, I ended up dying in her arms."

Ultimately, she didn't guard Fengyuan.

Hua Yingyue asked softly: "Won't you forgive him?"

Lin Fanyin didn't answer this question, merely smiled slightly: "He's a hero."

Publicly, she never blamed Xie Linyuan.

With the Sword Saint in Jianghu, ruffians could be eradicated.

Privately, indeed she's difficult to forgive Xie Linyuan.

Xie Linyuan's words "I want to see you no more," hurt her more than ten years.

Hua Yingyue didn't say much to persuade her: "Ah Yin, don't be sad, soon you'll see Ah Lan, cheer up."

Hearing this, Lin Fanyin then showed a hint of a smile.

"Thus it seems Brother Xie carries heavy responsibilities." Yan Shunhua curled her lips, "Although I've little interaction with Princess Fan Yin, her nature is headstrong, sometimes even harder than King Qin."

Xie Linyuan laughed bitterly at these words: "I thought... We've reconciled, earlier she even told me if I'd arrived earlier, she could have played Battle-Breaking Music for me."

"But we've all been saved by Yongning, there's a long road ahead." Yan Shunhua said lightly, "Maybe afterward, Brother Xie can make Fan Yin Palace Master change her heart."

Xie Linyuan nodded silently.

It can only be that way.

His duties have been fulfilled, he's indebted neither to Jianghu nor the people.

But he first wronged Lin Fanyin, for this he should atone.

At this moment, Fengyuan City was already deserted.

Enemies had advanced, reaching Yongle Palace.

Ye Wanlan once again saw, at just nine years old, Xiang Ke quietly stood in the grand hall, neither hiding nor dodging.

She not only didn't leave, but even before the enemy arrived, buried gunpowder around.

The fuse was herself, with just a spark, no one could escape Yongle Palace.

But the enemy didn't know yet.

The leading general laughed and told Xiang Ke to kneel and beg for mercy; only if it pleased them would they let her go.

Jun Muqian saw the fire: "What is she..."

Yan Tingfeng softly said: "Princess Yongle self-immolated at Yongle Palace, perishing with the enemy."

Still just a brief mention in the history books.

A dozen words, yet they narrate the entirety of Xiang Ke's life.

Flames soared, everyone's eyes welled with warmth,

Amidst the raging fire were the invaders' curses and wails.

Flesh dead, Xiang Ke's spirit detached.

She watched her body burn away, but killing many enemies pleased her.

Xiang Ke floated in the air, resting her chin: "Sigh, if my Imperial Brother knew, he'd be mad at me, I dare not face him."

Xiang Chen had several military generals escort her out, but of course, she couldn't just leave.

As a princess, one who fed on the people's abundance, she ought to bear the responsibilities of a princess.

If her life were the price, even to kill one invader, it would be enough.

Xiang Ke sighed maturely, talking to herself: "Wonder if the Imperial Elder Sister would do if it were her, I'm still not as good as the Imperial Sister, sigh..."

"If the Imperial Sister were here, she wouldn't do better than you." Someone gently embraced her, "Our Yongle, who killed so many enemies, is truly impressive."

Xiang Ke's eyes widened, her tiny palm-sized face full of disbelief.

She slowly lifted her head, her voice trembling fiercely: "...Imperial Sister?!"

It wasn't the face she knew, but she believed, this was Princess Yongning.

"It's the Imperial Sister." Ye Wanlan smiled, holding her hand, "Imperial Sister takes you home."

They, will ultimately reunite.