The Female Psychology PhD Who Time Traveled to the Royal Harem

"Charge—"

"Kill them!"

Unlike the apparent calm of the imperial cities, the borderlands were forever a scene of flashing swords and blood-soaked battles.

The cavalry general had already led his troops to capture three cities of Goguryeo, greatly boosting morale and advancing with unstoppable momentum.

Meng Qingyu, having risen to the rank of deputy general through military achievements, was now tasked by the general to cut off Goguryeo's retreat and intercept the reinforcements from Fusang.

The official explanation was to intercept Fusang's reinforcements, but in reality, the cavalry general had received a letter from Third Yan, requesting that his father send men to Fusang to assist them. Their plan was on the verge of success.

The King of Fusang hosted a lavish banquet in honor of Third Yan, accepted his donations, and, to ensure Third Yan's loyalty, even granted him the title of Marquis of Zuoyi.

In flattering terms, he was a first-class marquis of Fusang; in less flattering terms, Tiao Taixinhua had spent his entire fortune to buy himself a leisurely and noble title, ensuring that his descendants would no longer be commoners but heirs of nobility.

Third Yan had been repeatedly invited into the royal court by Kawashuu Raisen, and his identity had completely won the trust of the King of Fusang.

They all believed that if Tiao Taixinhua and Koko Hisana were spies from Great Yan, they would have agreed to donate money and attend the banquet when Fusang first proposed it.

Instead, they had negotiated terms, sought maximum benefits, and only agreed to donate after the king granted him the title of marquis.

He was too shrewd, too focused on securing his future, leading the officials of Fusang to mistakenly believe that Third Yan was genuinely planning for the long-term welfare of his descendants.

All the "wealthy merchants of Fusang" at the banquet were imposters—they were all members of Great Yan's Black Armor Army.

The Fusang emperor, drunk and merry, looked at the group of young and capable "merchants" below and kept murmuring to his eunuch attendants: "Who says our Fusang is declining? Look at them... those young men, see how vast their businesses are? They've even secured a place in Great Yan. The dog emperor of Great Yan dares to look down on me? My son sought to marry his second princess, and he refused?"

"I'll just... ally with the Jin Kingdom. The princess of Jin... she's worthy of my son, hahaha..."

Shi Ruojun's gaze was fixed on the King of Fusang. The golden hairpin hidden in her sleeve had been sharpened to a deadly point, ready to pierce the king's neck. Her mission would then be complete.

Whether she could escape after assassinating the king was never a concern for her.

Being a general was important, but for her, the responsibilities and duties of a general mattered more than the title itself.

The Empress was right—the rise and fall of the nation was the responsibility of every citizen.

Even if she couldn't become the Eastern Expedition General, she would still ensure that the King of Fusang was harmed.

After much deliberation with Third Yan, they had decided to severely wound the king rather than kill him.

Only if the king was gravely injured would his hatred reach its peak, and he would despise his assailant.

Great Yan's plan to frame Goguryeo would then hold weight.

"Lady Hisana!"

Just as the tip of the golden hairpin was revealed, Shi Ruojun was grabbed by several Fusang noblewomen. The hairpin fell to the ground, and Shi Ruojun was pushed away from the king.

"From now on, Lady Hisana is one of us. Let's all take good care of her!"

"Lady Hisana, does your husband plan to take a concubine? My daughter..."

"Step aside! Lady Hisana, I..."

The golden hairpin on the ground was picked up by someone, who then approached the king step by step.

"No!"

Shi Ruojun screamed.

"Ahhh!"

"Assassin!"

"Thud!"

"Clang!"

The long golden hairpin, now stained with blood from the king's neck, fell from Wan Niang's hand and clattered to the ground.

Amidst the chaos, guards raised their spears and thrust them into Wan Niang's body.

A streak of crimson hung from her lips as she mouthed silently in Shi Ruojun's direction: "Run... run..."

No sound came out, but Shi Ruojun understood.

Third Yan acted swiftly, grabbing her hand and sprinting away. In the courtyard, the Black Armor Army shouted in Goguryeo: "Kill—"

Wan Niang, still clinging to life, let out a sinister laugh and cried out: "Long live Goguryeo!"

"Kill her!"

The King of Fusang, clutching his neck, struggled to give the order.

Li Dalang shielded Shi Ruojun and Third Yan. Once they were out of the courtyard, he pushed Third Yan forward and shut the gate: "Military Advisor, take General Shi back to Great Yan and report to the emperor. Tell him... tell him Wan Niang and Li Dalang... have fulfilled our duty."

Their purpose in living was to sacrifice themselves for Great Yan.

Wan Niang feared death more than anything. If he, her old companion, didn't stay with her now, she would be lonely.

They had relied on each other for forty years, long accustomed to each other's presence. He couldn't bear to leave her.

For forty years, bound by duty, he had never told Wan Niang that his feelings for her were real.

Even if they hadn't been forced to play the roles of a fake couple, he would have willingly married her in this lifetime.

He had to... tell her.

"No!"

Shi Ruojun closed her eyes. "I promised to bring Wan Niang back to Great Yan. I can't break my word!"

Third Yan knew that taking Shi Ruojun away now was the right decision, letting the remaining men cover their escape.

But...

Recalling their days in the fishing village, Wan Niang and Li Dalang had cared for them like real parents. Their laughter and joy felt like just yesterday...

He gritted his teeth and released Shi Ruojun's hand.

He supported her decision to bring Wan Niang back to Great Yan.

Even if... even if it was only her body.

"What is Fusang? Goguryeo is the only true ally of the Jin Kingdom. For our king, kill the old dog of Fusang!"

Li Dalang charged in, shouting slogans. Physicians rushed to tend to the king's wound.

The golden hairpin had struck deep. As Li Dalang fell beside Wan Niang, he reached for her hand: "Up the mountain... down the village..."

Wan Niang's fingers twitched weakly. She turned her head slightly and, seeing Li Dalang lying in a pool of blood, her eyes filled with tears: "I've... I've been killing fish all my life. Finally... finally it came in handy. Am I... am I impressive?"

Li Dalang laughed through his tears: "You're the most impressive, Wan Niang."

"I know... I know how deep to stab... so the fish... the fish can live a few more days."

That way, General Shi and the Military Advisor's plan could proceed smoothly.

General Shi was better at warfare, but when it came to controlling how long a fish could survive after being stabbed, Wan Niang was the best.

She ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‍had been killing fish her whole life.