Needed By Him

Chapter 8

The fake Qin Ruo, still dressed in her ill-fitting man’s attire, walked with a carefree bounce in her step, her energy as playful as a child’s. The bustle of the market had long since faded into the background, her stomach full and her spirit light. She twirled absentmindedly, the hem of her oversized robes brushing the dusty street as she hummed a tune under her breath.

Real Qin Ruo trailed behind her, weightless and unseen, her form growing more ethereal with each step the imposter took. It was as if her very essence was dimming in the bright, vivid world the fake Qin Ruo occupied. Her eyes drifted over the scene, the tired familiarity settling into her bones. She had seen this before—every movement, every turn of the head, every misstep.

Suddenly, a collision. The fake Qin Ruo stumbled back, her wide-brimmed hat nearly toppling from her head. Her playful expression froze as she looked up to find herself staring directly into the eyes of a man.

His appearance was striking—tall and graceful, with a gentle demeanor that radiated calm authority. His features were sharp yet softened by an air of kindness, his eyes warm yet unreadable, deep as the night sky. His movements were smooth, deliberate, not rushed or startled by the encounter. He was not girly, not delicate, but rather possessed a strength cloaked in gentleness, as if his power lay just beneath the surface, unnoticed by those who didn’t know where to look.

For a moment, the fake Qin Ruo stood frozen, her wide eyes betraying the sudden daze of being struck by his presence. But as quickly as the surprise took hold, her expression hardened. She pulled herself up straight, brushing off her robes as if the man were the one at fault.

“Young Lady! Are you alright?” Li Lei’s anxious voice broke through the brief silence as she rushed to her side. Her eyes were wide with concern, hands hovering nervously as if unsure whether to help or give her lady space.

The fake Qin Ruo waved dismissively, her tone light and unconcerned. “I’m fine, Li Lei. It was just a little bump.”

Li Lei’s brow furrowed, the worry still creased into her expression, but she obediently stepped back. The real Qin Ruo could feel her maid’s hesitation, the subtle shift in her posture that screamed unease. Li Lei was used to her lady being aloof and cautious, not this carefree, almost reckless version of her. But the fake Qin Ruo barely noticed, her attention snapping back to the man before her.

“Watch where you’re going!” she snapped, her voice sharp and accusatory. “Do you make it a habit of walking into others without so much as an apology?”

The man, rather than responding in kind, simply raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a soft, amused smile. There was no anger in his gaze, only curiosity, as if her rudeness had piqued his interest rather than insulted him.

Real Qin Ruo watched, her chest tight with the heaviness of familiarity. She knew this moment—this man. The son of Emperor Wei and Noble Concubine Xi, the third prince. Her prophetic dream had foretold this encounter long ago, down to the very tension in the air, the way the fake Qin Ruo’s sharpness seemed to spark something within him.

And yet, knowing what would come next, the real Qin Ruo felt nothing but a weary sense of inevitability. Her gaze, once sharp, had dulled with time, with repetition. This was her fate—her story played out by someone else, someone better suited to live it.

The fake Qin Ruo, still unaware of the man’s true identity, huffed and turned to leave, but not before he gently caught her arm, his touch light as a whisper.

“I must apologize,” he said softly, his voice rich and calm. “It seems I’ve interrupted your day.”

His words, spoken with such sincerity, seemed to disarm her anger, though the fake Qin Ruo tried to maintain her indignant posture. But something had shifted in the air between them, and even she could feel it.

Without a second thought, she latched onto his arm with a teasing smile, “Well, since you’ve interrupted, you can make up for it.”

Li Lei gasped softly behind her, shock crossing her face. Such boldness was unheard of, especially in broad daylight, but the fake Qin Ruo laughed it off, her playful demeanor undeterred by propriety.

Due to their interaction, where in ancient times it was unusual for women and men to have such boldness, they began to draw attention.

The clattering of utensils and soft murmurs filled the space as people exchanged curious glances. It was then that the fake Qin Ruo began to hear the whispers clearly.

"That’s the Third Prince…"

"Prince Wei Yu Zhao, isn’t it?"

"The gentle prince who has achieved so much at such a young age."

The fake Qin Ruo's realization hit her like a tidal wave as the name "Wei Yu Zhao" rippled through the crowd. Her pulse quickened, and the dismissive anger she had felt moments ago evaporated, replaced by a sharp curiosity. The man before her, the one she had scolded with such casual arrogance, was not just any noble—he was Prince Wei Yu Zhao, the third son of Emperor Wei and Noble Concubine Xi.

Wei Yu Zhao had long been the subject of admiration, both inside the imperial court and among the common people. He was known for his exceptional talents in governance, diplomacy, and military strategy. By the time he was twenty, he had already negotiated peace treaties that brought stability to border regions, while his economic reforms had revived entire provinces. His efforts had not only strengthened the empire’s wealth but also enhanced its standing among neighboring states.

People marveled at how Wei Yu Zhao handled statecraft with a delicate yet firm hand. His sense of justice and benevolence had earned him the title of "The People's Prince," and stories of his humility spread throughout the empire. When famine struck the southern provinces, it was Wei Yu Zhao who traveled personally to oversee relief efforts, winning the hearts of both the rich and poor alike.

This was in stark contrast to his elder brother, Crown Prince Wei Xi Xuan. The Crown Prince, though dutiful, had withdrawn from the political arena, spending his days in quiet Buddhist meditation. He had renounced worldly affairs, preferring a life of ascetic reflection over governing, which frustrated the ministers and officials who saw him as ill-equipped to rule an empire.

The court was divided. While tradition bound them to respect the Crown Prince, there had been growing pressure to remove Wei Xi Xuan from his position, and many voices openly supported Prince Wei Yu Zhao as a more capable heir. "The true ruler of the future," some had whispered behind closed doors.

The fake Qin Ruo, still reeling from the realization of who this man truly was, felt a jolt of excitement surge through her. Her modern sensibilities clashed with the ancient world around her, but one thing she had never experienced—not in her original life—was meeting a real prince. And here he was, Wei Yu Zhao, the third prince, the subject of so many reverent discussions in her body's memories, standing before her, gentle and poised, but undeniably powerful.

In her modern world, power came from wealth, from status, or from technological innovation. But this—this was something different. The raw, tangible influence that surrounded a figure like Wei Yu Zhao. There were no tech moguls or CEOs here, no corporate giants, just this man, standing tall, his mere presence capable of commanding respect from all who laid eyes on him. The idea of meeting royalty had always seemed so far-fetched in her previous life. She had watched shows and read about kings and queens, but this—this was real.

For the first time, the fake Qin Ruo felt a genuine curiosity blossom—a desire to prolong the meeting. She wanted to know more, to see what made this man the subject of so much adoration and admiration. What was it about Wei Yu Zhao that had these ancient women swooning and speaking of him in such glowing terms? She had to find out.

Li Lei, ever the loyal maid, tugged at her sleeve again, her voice tinged with worry. “Young Lady, please... this is the third prince. We should be careful.”

But the fake Qin Ruo dismissed her concerns with a flick of her wrist, her attention still riveted on the prince. "It's fine, Li Lei. Really," she said, her voice firm but laced with intrigue.

A modern girl meeting a real-life prince—it was almost too surreal. The fake Qin Ruo couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement, a thrill at the thought of what might unfold if she continued this interaction. A chance encounter like this was an opportunity, one that she wasn’t about to let slip away.

The real Qin Ruo, watching from her ethereal state, felt a pang of bitterness. She had always known this moment would come, had dreamed of it, and yet... it wasn’t her experiencing it. The fake Qin Ruo, with her playful demeanor and sharp tongue, had taken her place in this fateful meeting. And worse still, the fake Qin Ruo seemed to be relishing every second of it.

The small commotion caused by their encounter only drew more attention. Whispers spread through the crowd, people murmuring excitedly as they recognized the third prince. Some even looked at Qin Ruo’s disguised form with curiosity, wondering who this bold, oddly-dressed man who is obviously a girl was to have crossed paths with such an important figure.

In the midst of the crowd, The fake Win Ruo couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement. This was no ordinary meeting—this was something far bigger. And she wasn’t ready for it to end just yet.

"So," she said, a smirk playing at her lips, "you’re the third prince, huh?"Her words were casual, even a bit cheeky, but her curiosity surged.

Hearing those words, where a usual woman's reaction is to turn around and leave while the girl in from of him continue make Prince Wei Yu Zhao watched the strange woman before him with a quiet intensity, his usual calm mask slightly disturbed by an unusual feeling.

There was something about her—something refreshing, almost... captivating. Unlike the women of the imperial court, who adhered to etiquette and concealed their true personalities beneath layers of propriety, this woman seemed unbothered by any of it.

Her smirk, the playful glint in her eyes, the casual way she scolded him—it was all so unexpected. For a moment, he was left speechless, an occurrence that rarely happened.

"You don’t act like most women I know," he finally said, his voice steady but his words revealing his curiosity. His gaze softened, taking in the boldness in her expression and the way she stood, unflinching. “You’re... different.”

The fake Qin Ruo, still basking in the excitement of her discovery, leaned in slightly, her smile widening. "A woman? What do you mean? I am a man". She tried to make her voice deepened but its only make her more adorable.

Prince Wei Yu Zhao chuckled, "You really think you look like a man?" He laughed while looking at her up and down.

Hearing his words make the fake Qin Ruo know that her disguise is totally seen but she didn't back away and chinned up, "Of course I am a man. I don't care what you think".

She wasn’t like the real Qin Ruo at all, the spirit of whom watched helplessly nearby. The real Qin Ruo would have been reserved, cautious, avoiding eye contact or standing in the shadows. But this fake Qin Ruo had taken the reins of her body and was now navigating this world with an ease that seemed almost supernatural. She was playful, confident—things Qin Ruo had never allowed herself to be.

And Wei Yu Zhao found himself intrigued, drawn into this whirlwind of energy that seemed to surround her.

There was a freedom about her, a spark that set her apart from the countless others he had met in court. She didn’t seem burdened by the rigid rules of nobility, nor did she care about the usual formalities. It was... refreshing.

"You're not afraid of speaking your mind, are you?" he mused, his lips curving into a soft smile.

"Why should I be?" she shot back, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

Li Lei, who stood by nervously, couldn’t hide her concern. She had never seen her young lady behave this way, and though it was far from improper—at least by the standards of the disguise—there was something almost alarming about how freely she was talking to a prince.

Yet, as Li Lei glanced between the two, she saw the prince’s gentle smile, the way he didn’t seem offended, but rather... entertained.

"You truly are unlike anyone I’ve ever met," Wei Yu Zhao murmured, his expression softening further. He couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something about her—a sense of freedom, a carefree spirit that he hadn’t encountered before.

In the imperial court, women were always calculated, careful, and refined. But this woman, who had brazenly bumped into him and then scolded him without hesitation, was so different. So... genuine.

The fake Qin Ruo laughed lightly, noticing the warmth in his voice. She leaned back slightly, still holding that same air of confidence, though inwardly she felt a bit smug. “I guess I’ll take that as a compliment too,” she said, her tone cheeky.

Wei Yu Zhao chuckled under his breath, feeling a stir of something unfamiliar—a new emotion that tugged at him. He wasn’t sure what it was, but he found it increasingly difficult to tear his gaze away from her.

It was rare for someone to stand out like this. In a world of courtly perfection, she was raw, and that rawness was undeniably captivating.

The crowd around them had begun to murmur more, drawn to their conversation, and whispers floated in the air.

"Who is she?"

"That bold young lady dares speak so casually with the prince?"

"But His Highness... he seems amused."

As the fake Qin Ruo picked up on the hushed chatter, she noticed how every pair of eyes was now fixed on them. She could feel their curiosity, their confusion.

Her lips twitched as she turned back to Wei Yu Zhao, her voice dropping a notch lower. "Seems like we’re causing quite a stir."

Wei Yu Zhao nodded, unperturbed by the eyes on him, but more amused by the fact that she noticed. "It appears so. But then again," he tilted his head slightly, "perhaps it’s because you’re causing a stir, not me."

She blinked, her smirk broadening. "Maybe I am," she teased, enjoying this back-and-forth far more than she’d expected.

In her past life, she had never been one for small talk or playing with the formalities of aristocrats. She had lived in a world where titles didn’t hold the same weight, where royalty was something you read about in history books or saw in movies.

But this—this felt real, and the thrill of it all only spurred her further. Here she was, a modern woman, having a casual conversation with a prince, no less.

Wei Yu Zhao observed her again, the corners of his lips lifting ever so slightly. There was an undeniable charm to her straightforwardness, a vitality that seemed to radiate from her with every word, every smile.

Most people, when they realized who he was, would grow stiff and anxious, but she—she didn’t seem to care. It was as though she was seeing him not as a prince, but as... just a man.

And it was refreshing.

The real Qin Ruo could only watch, trapped in this bizarre scene that felt both familiar and foreign. She had always known of Wei Yu Zhao’s accomplishments—his achievements in governance, his ability to inspire loyalty among the people, the way the women of the court whispered about him with admiration.

His name had been on everyone’s lips in her boudoir memories. But to see him now, standing there, entertained by the soul who had taken over her body, made everything feel... hollow.

As for the fake Qin Ruo, her mind was already whirling. This was far too interesting to end now. If she played her cards right, this meeting with the third prince could lead to... something more. And who could resist a chance to meet a real prince again?

Her smile widened, filled with the spark of adventure. "I have a feeling this won’t be the last time we meet, Your Highness."

Wei Yu Zhao’s eyes gleamed with intrigue. "I certainly hope not."