NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 3:
Chapter 3: The Plot Has Changed—Is a Counterattack Coming?
[Here he comes… Am I really doomed to die at the hands of Long Zhan?]
Zhao Wujian’s pupils trembled as his eyes locked onto Long Zhan, who was leading troops into the Northern Guardian Prince’s Residence.
Long Zhan was brimming with confidence, looking every bit the heroic and spirited youth.
In his eyes, Zhao Wujian was nothing more than a hollow shell ruined by indulgence, a useless piece of trash who was nothing without the Northern Guardian Prince backing him.
So, Long Zhan didn’t even bother greeting Zhao Wujian. He walked straight toward Li Yunrui.
And when he saw this breathtaking beauty, even though Long Zhan tried to suppress his desire, he couldn’t help but swallow hard.
The thought that such a stunning woman was actually engaged to Zhao Wujian, a complete good-for-nothing, made Long Zhan visibly annoyed.
She should belong to me, Long Zhan!
“Your Highness, please don’t be alarmed. I’ll take you away immediately,” he said, drawing his sword as he spoke. The blade’s sharp edge swept across everyone in the Northern Guardian Prince’s Residence. “Arrest everyone here, especially him!”
The tip of the sword pointed directly at Zhao Wujian.
Zhao Wujian tried his best to steady his breathing.
This was his first time facing the protagonist of the novel—pretending not to be nervous was simply impossible.
But the more dangerous the situation, the calmer he had to be.
“How dare you! This is the Northern Guardian Prince’s Residence! Since when is it your place to act so arrogantly?!”
Before Zhao Wujian could say anything, the Old Housekeeper, who had been slapped earlier, suddenly charged out in an attempt to gain Zhao Wujian’s favor. “Don’t worry, Your Highness! I’ll hold this bastard off!”
But Zhao Wujian narrowed his eyes and—smack!—slapped him again.
“Commander Long is doing this for the princess’s and everyone’s safety. Why are you speaking out of turn?”
The Old Housekeeper’s ears rang.
He thought Zhao Wujian had to be seriously ill!
The Zhao Wujian of the past would’ve gone head-to-head with these people without hesitation. After all, with the Northern Guardian Prince as his support, who would he fear?
But what he didn’t know was that Zhao Wujian was protecting him.
In the original plot, the Old Housekeeper led the resistance and was immediately executed by Long Zhan with a sword through the throat—accused of obstructing justice.
If Zhao Wujian hadn’t stepped in, the Old Housekeeper would already be a corpse.
“No one is to move. Fully cooperate with the Imperial Cavalry.”
Zhao Wujian then cupped his hands toward Long Zhan. “Commander Long, if you wish to take the princess, please go ahead. My Northern Guardian Prince’s Residence will fully cooperate.”
The household had originally prepared to fight.
But after Zhao Wujian’s order, everyone felt a pang of emotion.
With the Northern Guardian Prince gone, it seemed their Heir had also lost his spine.
To let an Imperial Cavalry Commander bully him at his doorstep—and not even fight back?
But they didn’t know that it was Long Zhan who felt more uncomfortable than anyone.
He had received a direct decree from His Majesty: if Zhao Wujian dared to force the princess, he could execute him on the spot!
Long Zhan was waiting for Zhao Wujian to resist so he could strike him down and show off in front of Li Yunrui.
Maybe even win her heart.
If he could earn the support of the Royal Family, his future would soar to unimaginable heights!
But now, Zhao Wujian was cooperating too much.
So much so that he didn’t even have a reason to act.
“Aren’t you going to resist? The proud Heir of the Northern Guardian Prince, this is how useless you’ve become?”
Long Zhan’s tone held a clear taunt.
He was clearly trying to provoke Zhao Wujian—reminding him of his status.
Even though the Northern Guardian Prince had fallen, his former influence remained. He should at least show some fight!
But Zhao Wujian wasn’t affected at all. Instead, he smiled and said, “Right and wrong are judged by the heart. Today, I haven’t stopped the princess from leaving. Whether she stays or goes is her own choice. Why would I resist?”
This line instantly placed Zhao Wujian on the moral high ground.
Long Zhan immediately retorted, “That’s not true! You clearly forced the princess to come here, showing disrespect to the Royal Family!”
Whether Zhao Wujian resisted or not, Long Zhan had already decided to frame him. One way or another, Zhao Wujian had to die today!
But while he spoke, he didn’t notice the look of growing contempt in Li Yunrui’s eyes.
So this is the Long Zhan Zhao Wujian kept mentioning?
He doesn’t seem that impressive.
Just a minor commander, with authority to oversee capital affairs and inspect government offices—but that’s all.
Since when did someone like him have the right to swagger into the Northern Guardian Prince’s Residence?
[As long as I endure this, once my father returns, what do I have to fear from any of you? But for now, I must be patient—and get this woman out of here.]
Upon hearing Zhao Wujian’s inner thoughts, Li Yunrui’s view of him changed once again.
To endure what others cannot—maybe this man wasn’t as worthless as the rumors said.
My father really is getting senile. Bringing in Long Zhan only gave Zhao Wujian an excuse to send me away.
Absolutely unacceptable!
Li Yunrui gave a cold snort. “So you’re Commander Long? And who said I was brought here against my will?”
The moment she spoke, Long Zhan’s expression changed.
Why was the Seventh Princess defending Zhao Wujian?
His gaze involuntarily drifted across Li Yunrui’s alluring figure.
In the past, she might not have noticed. But now, she was already on guard.
“What are you staring at? If anyone here has ulterior motives, it’s you!”
“No! I would never!” Long Zhan was stunned.
And so was Zhao Wujian.
[What’s going on? Is this how the plot was supposed to go?]
[Wasn’t Li Yunrui supposed to cry and act pitiful, giving Long Zhan an excuse to slaughter the entire Northern Guardian Prince’s Residence?]
Hearing Zhao Wujian’s thoughts, Li Yunrui raised her chin with pride.
Did he really think I was just some empty-headed princess?
Why would I help an outsider harm my own future husband?
Li Yunrui’s eyes swept over the Imperial Cavalry. “What are you all waiting for? Get out!”
Long Zhan snapped out of it.
A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he seemingly activated some kind of spiritual technique to see through Li Yunrui.
Something’s wrong.
Could the princess have fallen under some spell from Zhao Wujian?
Alright then. So this piece of trash has some tricks after all.
“Zhao Wujian, what sort of dark magic did you use on the princess? Speak now!” Long Zhan turned the blame back on Zhao Wujian. “Your Highness, the world is a dangerous place. Please don’t be fooled by this fallen heir!”
Long Zhan emphasized the word “fallen” and raised his hand. “Men, by order of His Majesty, escort the princess back. As for Zhao Wujian—I’ll interrogate him personally!”
His domineering tone made it seem like he was still in control of the situation.
[So this is the power of the Protagonist’s Halo? Damn, he really looks cool… No wait, I’m the one about to suffer here!]
Zhao Wujian snapped back. “Wait! You can take the princess, but I haven’t done anything—what’s there to interrogate?”
Long Zhan smiled faintly, a bit sinisterly. “Just routine procedure. I hope you understand.”
Zhao Wujian suddenly clenched in fear. “Understand what? If you want to question me, do it here!”
“This place isn’t suitable.”
“You’re trying to torture me into a confession, aren’t you? Long Zhan, what’s your true intention?!”
“My intention? Fine, I’ll spell it out. Everyone knows you’re a debauched, incompetent mess. Now that the Northern Guardian Prince is gone, your Zhao family is falling apart. Why would the princess come here willingly? Obviously, you kidnapped her!”
As soon as he finished, the Imperial Cavalry began drawing their swords.
Zhao Wujian couldn’t take it anymore.
Reading the novel from the protagonist’s point of view never seemed that bad.
But now that he was standing in the villain’s shoes, he realized how inhumane protagonists could be.
[So you won’t let me live in peace, huh?]
[You want to destroy me completely?!]
[Fine then—if it comes to it, I’ll fight you to the death!]
Hearing Zhao Wujian’s inner thoughts, Li Yunrui felt even more indignant on his behalf.
Long Zhan had gone too far!
“Who dares lay a hand on my husband?!”
Li Yunrui stepped forward, her voice echoing through the entire Northern Guardian Prince’s Residence: “I am Zhao Wujian’s fiancée. Today is the seventh-day memorial of the Northern Guardian Prince. As the daughter-in-law, what’s wrong with me being here to mourn?”
“Anyone who harms the imperial son-in-law today will become my enemy—and face the wrath of the Li Royal Family!”
In that instant, Long Zhan and his troops were completely stunned.
Even Zhao Wujian, who had already picked up an iron shovel ready to fight to the death, stood there dumbfounded.
A strange sense of satisfaction washed over him—he felt like a man truly living off his wife’s power.