Flames blazed skyward at Jinming Temple. Chen Niannian and Jiang Yao were both trapped in the north wing. Jiang Yao looked at Chen Niannian with contempt. “So what if you’re the most beautiful woman in the capital? So what if you’re the prime minister’s only daughter? Before Shen Han became crown prince, I was the one who cared for him in the cold palace and stayed by his side. I gave him the courage to go on living. Do you think the crown prince loves you? He cares about the power behind you!”
Chen Niannian stared at Jiang Yao, who was going mad in the blaze, and was overcome with fear. Just then, she heard Crown Prince Shen Han calling out, “Chen Niannian! Chen Niannian, where are you?” Like a drowning person spotting a piece of driftwood, Chen Niannian rushed toward the exit. But Jiang Yao pretended to shove her down, then pushed a display stand onto her and laughed. “Chen Niannian, look at those flames! Hahahaha! The fire is going to burn us both to death. I’m dying to know whether Shen Han will save you or me!”
When Shen Han carried Jiang Yao out of the fire, the flames had already burned Chen Niannian’s calves. She screamed in anguish, “Shen Han, please, save me!” Shen Han paused with Jiang Yao in his arms. Jiang Yao clung to him, and he came to his senses. “No matter what happens to you, no one can take your place as crown princess.”
“Hahaha! I never thought loving you would bring me to such an end. If I get another life, I’ll drink your blood and eat your flesh!” The temple collapsed, and Chen Niannian, the prime minister’s daughter, burned to death in the flames.
Reborn into a new life, Shen Han held Chen Niannian tenderly and said, “I just want to hide you away, so no one else can ever see you.”
Chen Niannian scoffed, playfully putting a hand on Shen Han’s shoulder and breathing warm air against his ear. “Get lost!”
