After Swapping Bodies, the Princess and I Became Each Other’s Cheat Code - Chapter 2

Meanwhile, in the ancient imperial palace, Chu Yue gradually stopped struggling in the icy pond, her consciousness fading. At this critical moment between life and death, a mysterious and extraordinary light flashed, and Jiang Tian’s soul crossed time and space, swapping bodies with Chu Yue.

Jiang Tian felt as if she were floating in a void of primordial chaos, her ears filled with indistinct voices that seemed to come from the distant heavens, now near, now far.

“Your Highness the Princess… Your Highness the Princess…”

Who was speaking? Why were they calling her “Princess”? She strained to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt as heavy as lead weights, impossible to lift.

“The Imperial Physician says the Princess was merely startled and will awaken soon,” a stranger’s voice said, filled with worry and concern.

With a final surge of effort, Jiang Tian forced her eyes open. The harsh, blinding light made her instinctively shut them again. After a long moment of adjustment, she cautiously tried again. This time, she finally saw her surroundings: an exquisitely carved, ancient sandalwood bed draped with gold-embroidered silk curtains that billowed gently in the breeze, releasing a faint, calming sandalwood aroma. Several young women in ancient attire knelt beside the bed, their faces alight with surprise.

“Where… where am I?” Jiang Tian murmured, her voice so hoarse it startled even herself, as if she hadn’t spoken in ages.

“The Princess is awake!” A round-faced maid shrieked with delight, her eyes wide with surprise. She immediately turned and shouted toward the door, “Quickly, inform Her Majesty the Empress! The Third Princess has awakened!”

Jiang Tian bolted upright, a wave of dizziness washing over her. She had to steady herself, pressing a hand to her forehead to regain her composure. Glancing down, she saw she was wearing a plain white inner robe, clearly of ancient design, made of soft, delicate fabric that looked unmistakably expensive. But what truly terrified her was that this wasn’t her own body at all!

These hands were as pale and smooth as jade, with long, slender fingers and perfectly manicured nails painted a delicate pink. Her own hands, calloused from years of holding cameras and phones, were now completely smooth and unblemished.

“A mirror… give me a mirror!” Jiang Tian shrieked in panic, her voice trembling with fear and confusion.

The maid Ling’er hastily brought a bronze mirror with both hands, respectfully presenting it to Jiang Tian. Jiang Tian took the mirror, but her hand trembled uncontrollably. When she saw the face reflected in the mirror—identical to her own yet radiating an unfamiliar aura—she froze in shock.

“This isn’t me…” Jiang Tian’s grip loosened, and the bronze mirror clattered onto the silk quilt with a dull thud, as if sighing at this bizarre transmigration.

Jiang Tian struggled to recall everything that had happened yesterday: the malicious comments, the out-of-control car… It all felt so real, yet so distant. She pinched herself hard—it hurt! This wasn’t a dream. Had she really transmigrated to ancient times and possessed the body of a princess?

Just as she was overwhelmed by fear and confusion, Ling’er’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “Your Highness the Princess, it’s time for your medicine.” Ling’er carefully approached the bed with a bowl of steaming, dark herbal broth, her face showing a mixture of concern and anticipation.

Jiang Tian wrinkled her nose. The intensely bitter smell of the medicine churned her stomach, nearly making her vomit. “Can I not drink it?” she pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation.

Ling’er looked conflicted, a flicker of worry in her eyes. “The Imperial Physician ordered it, saying Your Highness caught a chill from falling into the water. This medicine will dispel the cold and strengthen your constitution. Besides, the Empress will be visiting you soon. If she finds out you refused to take your medicine…” Ling’er trailed off, but the unspoken threat hung heavy in the air.

Resigned, Jiang Tian pinched her nose, held her breath, and gulped down the entire bowl of bitter medicine in one go. The moment the liquid slid down her throat, her entire mouth and throat were flooded with bitterness, and she nearly gagged.

“Your Highness is so brave,” Ling’er said quickly, handing her a plate of candied fruits with a smile. “Eat these to mask the bitter taste.”

Jiang Tian popped a few candied fruits into her mouth. The sweetness spread across her tongue, finally diluting some of the bitterness. She glanced around the room, which was far grander than she had imagined. The furniture was all carved from the finest solid wood, each piece exquisitely crafted and radiating luxury and opulence.

Jiang Tian’s voice trembled as she pointed at Ling’er. “Everyone else, leave. Only you stay to attend to me.”

Once the other palace maids had filed out, Jiang Tian seized Ling’er’s wrist. “Now tell me the truth. Who are you? Who am I? Where is this place? Who is the current Emperor?”

Startled by her sudden action, Ling’er dropped to her knees with a thud. “Your Highness the Princess, spare me! I am Ling’er! I don’t know what I’ve done wrong…”

“You’ve done nothing wrong,” Jiang Tian said, taking a deep breath and forcing her voice to sound less panicked. “I… This Princess can’t remember much after falling into the water. I need you to tell me everything from the beginning.”

Ling’er looked up, seeing genuine fear and confusion in her Princess’s eyes. She carefully rose to her feet and leaned close to Jiang Tian’s ear, whispering, “Your Highness’s given name is Chu Yue, the Third Princess of Great Chu, and the Emperor and Empress’s most beloved daughter. The current Emperor is known as Emperor Chuyuan, and his reign is called Jinghe. This is the sixteenth year of the Jinghe era…”

As Ling’er spoke, Jiang Tian felt the world spin. She had somehow transmigrated to a dynasty that never existed in history! Images flashed through her mind: the car hurtling toward her, the venomous comments on her phone… Had the “Jiang Tian” of the modern world already died?

“I… How old is This Princess? Do I have any siblings?” Jiang Tian forced herself to ask, fighting the dizziness.

“Your Highness celebrated her nineteenth birthday last month,” Ling’er replied, counting on her fingers. “Your Highness the Crown Prince is your Imperial Brother, born to Noble Consort Zheng. The Eldest Princess died young. The Second Princess Chu Hua and Fifth Princess Chu Rou are also daughters of Noble Consort Zheng. The Fourth Prince is frail and sickly, raised in the imperial retreat…”

Jiang Tian seized on the crucial information. “So Noble Consort Zheng has one son and two daughters? What about Her Majesty the Empress?”

Ling’er’s expression darkened. “Her Majesty the Empress only bore the Eldest Prince, who died young, and… Your Highness the Princess.”

Jiang Tian gasped. The power dynamics of the palace were now crystal clear: Noble Consort Zheng had a brood of children, while the Empress had only her. No wonder Noble Consort Zheng dared to be so arrogant!

“Then Noble Consort Zheng is…” Jiang Tian ventured cautiously.

“She’s the Crown Prince’s mother, the Emperor’s most favored concubine,” Ling’er whispered, lowering her voice. “On the surface, she’s kind to the Princess, but in reality…”

Alarm bells rang in Jiang Tian’s mind. This was a full-blown palace intrigue drama unfolding before her very eyes—and a hundred times more brutal than any TV series. Here, failure meant losing her life!

“Ling’er, tell me,” Jiang Tian asked, her voice tight, “what kind of person… is This Princess usually?”

A flicker of surprise crossed Ling’er’s eyes, but she answered truthfully: “Your Highness the Princess has been exceptionally intelligent since childhood, mastering the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. You are the Emperor’s greatest joy. However…” She hesitated, “Your nature is too gentle, and you are often bullied by the Second Princess and her sisters.”

Jiang Tian narrowed her eyes. It seemed Princess Chu Yue was the quintessential “white lotus” character—talented but lacking the will to fight back. No wonder someone had pushed her into the water!

“And what is This Princess’s relationship with the Empress?”

“The Empress…” Ling’er chose her words carefully, “is very strict with Your Highness. Since the Eldest Prince’s untimely death, Her Majesty has placed all her hopes on you.”

Jiang Tian’s heart sank. This was the classic “tiger mom” scenario. She suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for this princess she had never met.

“I… How did This Princess fall into the water?” Jiang Tian asked tentatively, trying to recall how characters spoke in historical dramas and striving to sound like an ancient princess.

Ling’er glanced around cautiously, ensuring no one was nearby, before lowering her voice. “The Second and Fifth Princesses invited you to admire the fish, and then… you fell into the water. Fortunately, patrolling guards heard the commotion and rescued you in time.” Ling’er’s voice carried a hint of anger and resentment, indignant at what had happened to her princess.

Jiang Tian narrowed her eyes. Ling’er’s words confirmed her suspicions—the original owner of this body had indeed been framed.

“Your Highness the Princess, Noble Consort Zheng has sent someone to inquire after your well-being,” a eunuch’s shrill voice announced from outside the door.

Jiang Tian and Ling’er exchanged alarmed glances. Ling’er leaned close to Jiang Tian’s ear, whispering urgently, “Your Highness, be careful. Noble Consort Zheng has always been at odds with the Empress. Her visit can only mean ill intentions.”