The villainous female supporting character becomes a heartthrob, and the powerful man successfully r

"Brother Chi'an, my elder sister has advised Father to send me to the grasslands for a political marriage, and we should not see each other again."

Inside the carriage, Xia Jiaojiao, dressed in a pink dress, threw herself into Xie Chi'an's arms, crying her heart out.

The handsome young general clenched his fists, his eyes filled with anger and helplessness.

"Jiaojiao, don't be afraid, I will definitely help you."

He spoke softly to comfort her, a hint of unfathomable emotion flickering in his eyes.

At this moment, Xia Jiaojiao looked up at him with teary eyes and said, "Brother Chi'an, the Qixi Festival is coming soon. Can you go to the lantern festival with me?"

As she spoke, she gently wiped away her tears, like a white lotus about to shatter: "I know I shouldn't have tried to take you from my elder sister, but I'm about to go to the grasslands, and I'm afraid we'll never see each other again in this life. I can't bear to part with you."

Xie Chi'an's eyes reddened, but he agreed without hesitation.

A moment later, he watched the carriage leave, and his whole demeanor returned to calm and composure.

"Jiaojiao, in this life, I will definitely make it up to you."

Xie Chi'an murmured softly, recalling his experiences from his previous life.

He and Princess Xia Ying were childhood sweethearts and were forced into marriage by imperial decree. Xia Jiaojiao, as the youngest princess, went to the grasslands for a political marriage, but a few months later, news came that Xia Jiaojiao had died.

Xie Chi'an couldn't accept this devastating news. He and Xia Ying blamed each other and frequently clashed, causing chaos and unrest. The two argued about divorce several times, but the emperor, for the sake of stability in the court, did not agree.

The two became a completely resentful couple.

After a fire broke out at the Xie residence, Xie Chi'an rescued Xia Ying, but he himself was trapped under a roof beam and was unable to escape.

On his deathbed, he said to Xia Ying, "If there is an afterlife, I only wish we could be strangers, each living our own lives in peace. Xia Ying, I owe you nothing anymore. I'm going to find Jiao Jiao."

Xie Chi'an opened his eyes again, back to when he was twenty-one, before Xia Jiaojiao's arranged marriage. His eyes shone with joy, overjoyed. It was wonderful; he could finally save Jiaojiao!

"Brother Chi'an, is your reunion with your beloved over?"

A cheerful voice rang out, and Xie Chi'an turned around. His brow relaxed a little after he saw who it was.

"Brother Congxun, what a coincidence."

After saying that, he reached out and shook hands with Ao Congxun, their fists bumping as a sign of friendship.

Ao Congxun was a businessman Xie Chi'an met—he came from the grasslands, so Xie Chi'an paid more attention to him. After getting to know him, he found that Ao Congxun had a cheerful personality, and the two became friends.

The two agreed to go to a restaurant for drinks. As they walked, Ao Congxun attracted many scrutinizing glances.

His hair was slightly curled at the front, and his bronze skin and muscular physique accentuated his untamed spirit. His deep-set features had an exotic charm, and his narrow, phoenix-shaped eyes were dark and bright, revealing a sharp edge, like a lurking black panther ready to pounce at any moment.

He wore a cross-collar brocade robe with a belted waist, exuding both nobility and arrogance.

"Brother Congxun, I have a favor to ask of you. Do you have time?"

Since seeing Ao Congxun, Xie Chi'an suddenly had a new thought. In his previous life, Ao Congxun returned to the grasslands, and the two lost contact.

In this life, he will make good use of this connection to avoid Xia Jiaojiao's inevitable death.

Ao Congxun: "Chi An, don't be so polite with me. I owe you a lot for your help with the transactions these past few days. If you ever need anything, I certainly won't stand idly by."

After Xie Chi'an bowed and thanked him, he said, "I hope you can help me tell someone about life on the grasslands, so that she knows that people from the Central Plains would die if they lived there."

"Chi An, you're exaggerating a bit too much."

"Congxun, Jiaojiao was pampered since childhood, but her older sister is determined to send her away for a political marriage. I have never seen such a cold-hearted person."

Xie Chi'an spoke with deep sorrow, while Ao Congxun gave him a strange look and said, "Wasn't the marriage alliance decided by the Emperor? The Princess's word doesn't count. Do you and the Princess have some misunderstanding?"

"Xia Ying is jealous of Jiao Jiao's favor and strongly urges His Majesty to send her on a political marriage. As for her and me—well, let's not talk about that anymore. Brother Cong Xun, I hope you can persuade her and make her realize her mistake."

Ao Congxun thought for a moment and then agreed. However, he was slightly surprised when he heard Xie Chi'an say that he would attend the Qixi Festival gathering.

After all, he knew a lot about Central Plains culture. The Qixi Festival is also known as the Girls' Festival, when young women go out to visit lantern fairs and pray for blessings. Many young women would also make appointments with their beloved to release lanterns together, praying for unwavering love and a smooth married life.

"Chi'an, on such an important day, aren't you going to be with the Princess?"

"I have a date with Jiaojiao."

Upon hearing this, a hint of disdain flashed in Ao Congxun's eyes, though he didn't show it on his face.

"Alright, I'll go in your place."

Xie Chi'an thanked him repeatedly. Thinking of Xia Ying's difficult behavior in his previous life, he advised, "Brother Congxun, the Princess has a strange temper. If you can't handle her, get out of there in time."

"Don't worry, I have a way."

Ao Congxun gathered some information about Princess Xia Ying. Some said she was aloof, quiet, and eccentric. Others said she wasn't as fortunate as the younger princess, who was favored.

Some people even say that marrying the eldest princess will bring bad luck to the entire family.

"In that case, I will finish this quickly on the Qixi Festival. Princess, please don't blame me, I owe someone a favor."

That evening, as Ao Congxun was settling his bills at his residence, several burly men walked in, placed their hands on their chests, and bowed in greeting.

"Chanyu, everything is ready."

"Has the Chanyu set off back to the grasslands?"

Ao Congxun stopped writing and said, "We can set off after the Qixi Festival."

*

On the day of the Qixi Festival, Ao Congxun arrived at the shore of Qinghu Lake with the token given to him by Xie Chi'an. There was a magnificent pleasure boat moored there, guarded by five or six armed guards.

"Your Highness, I am a friend of Brother Chi An. He was unable to attend due to other commitments and specifically asked me to apologize to you."

After Ao Congxun finished speaking loudly, a maid stepped out of the boat, and he handed her the token. A moment later, he received permission and stepped onto the boat.

As he stepped inside, his gaze was drawn to a figure sitting by the window.

His eyes were fixed on the spot, revealing his shock.

He held his breath, unable to believe that such a fairy existed in the world!

She wore a light blue dress, ethereal and graceful. She possessed a delicate, lotus-like beauty, with skin as white as snow and eyes like stars, like a fairy descended from the moon palace.

At this moment, her eyes were smiling, as bright as peach blossoms, and she slowly opened her mouth, her voice as melodious as a clear spring.

"Please have a seat, young master."

Ao Congxun finally calmed down and struggled to look away. Xie Chi'an's words and the information gathered from the common people came to mind again.

Is he domineering and enjoys making things difficult for others?

He was deceived? Why would Xie Chi'an deceive himself? Was it because he was afraid that the dazzling pearl would attract more plunderers?

Thinking this, Ao Congxun felt resentful, and his words carried a hint of "tea" in them.

"The Qixi Festival is very important. It was Chi'an's fault for not arranging time to accompany the princess. I came here to make amends for his mistake."

Xia Ying smiled gently, instructed the maid to serve tea, and carefully examined Ao Congxun, her eyes full of admiration.

"Young master, what is your esteemed name? I see you do have a certain air of the grasslands."

Ao Congxun straightened his clothes and regretted his careless choice of a dark brocade robe.

"My name is Ao Congxun. I am indeed from the grasslands. I have come to the Central Plains specifically to purchase goods and work as a small traveling merchant."

Xia Ying said, "My father mentioned that the grasslands are windy and the winters are tough. If Young Master Ao has any needs, please feel free to ask. As a princess of the Great Chu, I will definitely help you."

Her voice was gentle, and her manner was easygoing; she was nothing like the unreasonable and domineering person Xie Chi'an had described. Thinking this, Ao Congxun completely forgot her previous plans.

"Thank you, Princess. I... do have something to ask of you."

Ao Congxun: Although we have enough supplies, it wouldn't hurt to have more, right?

Warriors awaiting their return to the grasslands: Great Chanyu, are we going home? Can we even go home?