Ascending...

Nuwa stared at her reflection on the bronze mirror.

She was wearing a long blue colored dress, the front jacket and the cuffs of her dress only had bamboo leaves embroideries with green colored thread, matching with her strikingly mesmerizing eyes and beautiful pink colored skin.

She covered her face with a plain blue silk veil, made her seemingly beautiful aura more alluring and mysterious. Her long silky black hair was rolled up into a bun.

Nuwa always disliked wearing too many accessories because she believed that she'll look like a clown, as a result, her bun was only decorated with a simple golden hairpin. She loved the hairpin because it was the first gift she received from Princess Liena. As a result, Nuwa always used it as a memento.

"Lady Mei, It's time to visit the imperial court."

Nuwa's personal little maid's soft reminder snapped her back to reality. Nervously responding to her maid, Xiao Anhao, she left her residence.

Nuwa was taking rather small footsteps. Her maidservants and some bodyguards were following her behind respectfully. Her height was a little bit of tall compared to the girls around her age. Since she was still thirteen, her body had yet to mature. However, the elegance of her domineers made it hard to guess her actual age which arouses men with more curiosity.

As she reached the imperial courtyard, Nuwa's heartbeats started to beat faster, making her head a little dizzy. She stopped in front of the huge imperial courtroom door and tried to calm down by taking deep breaths.

The gatekeepers started to give Nuwa weird looks, she had been standing there like a fool for so long. Nuwa sensed their peculiar stares as she coughed to clean the awkwardness.

Clenching her fists for self-encouragement, Nuwa finally stepped inside the imperial courtroom and discovered the room was almost empty. Only a handful of people were sitting. However, she discerned all them, because they were the prominent ministers and royalties who knew her real identity.

"This Lady pay respects to the Emperor."

She politely curtsy. Nuwa knew today she was the center of attraction as all the pairs of eyes were observing her each movement she was making. Nuwa gulped in nervousness and enhanced her level of cautiousness. She couldn't afford to make a single mistake. But wait a moment! Why did she feel some murderous glares? A discomfort feeling started to rise in her heart.

King Lin coughed to divert the room attention since he also felt bad vibes, so he hurriedly made an announcement.

"This King shall lead today's court since Emperor father isn't feeling well. Everyone is already aware of the current situation so... This King doesn't think that it's needed to be explained..."

King Lin took a deep breath. The people present the room knew the main reason behind being summoned so they nodded in approval.

"We have decided that from today onwards, Lady Mei shall officially become a part of the imperial family. We are adopting her as our daughter and bestowing her as the Princess position."

The silent room suddenly filled with peoples shocked gasps and murmurs. They couldn't believe His Highness will take things into so much higher level and give Nuwa the most prestigious position that anyone could ever dream of. They started to loudly discuss with each other when strangely looking at Nuwa. Their eyes were filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.

"If His Highness allows then may this servant say something?"

One of the advisors courageously asked. After getting permission from King Lin, he proceeded,

"We don't know this girl's origin, her integrity. What if she suddenly does something that will disgrace our kingdom? How can she become a Princess! Does she fit for this position? And what if she betrays us?"

Nuwa bit her lower lips in embarrassment when King Jingze was getting mad inside. He knew some snakes will refute and make a ruckles on their decisions, even blackmail them later. As a result, both brothers planned to call these people to officially confirmed Princess's death and also replacing the princess's position to Nuwa.

Of course, it was to avoid future problems and also to mark down each face and give a clear warning that, they will eliminate whoever tries to betray or spread rumors about Liena's death news.

"Are you recommending a better candidate then, advisor?" King Jingze scoffed.

"Mei has closely followed my niece for three years, so how can she disappoint us? Don't worry, this king can personally assure you, the new princess is more well behaved than all of your family's Di daughters."

People again became surprised at King Jingze's arrogant comment when the advisor's face turned green to purple in deep shame. He was insulted in front of so many people. He was a relative of the Zi family so of course, he could guess what King Jingze was indicating. He didn't want to be more humiliated in front of such a crowd. He tried to lower his existence by keeping silent.

"Since nobody is disagreeing, then it's final then. Princess Mei will depart the day after tomorrow to marry Emperor Qiu."

Emperor Lin announced the final decision as he glanced at Nuwa's silhouette. He didn't bore any feelings for Nuwa so he was relieved that the kingdom's unstable situation can be resolved by this little scapegoat.

Nuwa shakily received the decree and the marriage token from King Lin's hand and stared at them. Her hands were feeling heavy.

And her mind was in turmoil...

She realized that she was permanently ascended on the path of 'shadow princess'.

There was no turning back now.

Nuwa's existence finally died.

She was not Nuwa anymore.

She would never be...

[Note: Unedited chapter.]