I was engrossed in the world of "The Four Powerful Husbands of the Princess," chuckling at the absurdity of the villain emperor's powers. Supposedly, he could lay eggs through intimacy and steal a portion of his partner's abilities. Haha, what kind of lame superpower is that? I mean, what's next? Being able to cook instant noodles with his mind?
Sure, it became overpowered once he absorbed the protagonist's powers, but he was still the villain, destined for a doomed ending. Sorry, dude, we share the same name, but you're truly evil.
Just as I was about to finish the last chapter, my phone buzzed with an earthquake alert. My heart skipped a beat. I leapt out of bed, scanning the room. Wait, no—I need to evacuate! I dashed towards the door, knowing full well that elevators were a death trap during quakes. But my panicked brain overrode logic, and I found myself sprinting straight for the elevator anyway. Stupid, I know! I frantically pressed the button, praying it would arrive in time.
The elevator creaked open, and I stepped inside just as the shaking started. The cabin rattled like a toy in a washing machine.
"No... I don't want to die!" I wailed. My life was flashing before my eyes—I hadn't even spent all my money on handsome men yet! And why did I decide to live in a high-rise in Shanghai again? Tears streamed down my face like the Huangpu River as I clung to the walls for dear life.
When the elevator jolted to a sudden halt, I took a shaky breath to compose myself. Okay, maybe I'll survive this. Time to reevaluate my life choices... like living on the 30th floor in an earthquake zone. I'm handsome, unique, rich, and a genius—okay, okay, I'm just boosting my own morale!
As I lay there, trying to forget that I was trapped, one thought lingered: "I didn't even finish that novel." But what was the point now? The cables snapped, and the elevator plummeted.
"Why did they have to name the villain after me? He deserves to be killed by the Princess's four husbands!" I screamed as we fell.
CRASH!
The impact was agonizing. I lay amidst the wreckage, reaching for my phone as darkness crept in. People pried the doors open and found me. With my last breath, I whispered, "Help..."
When I slowly opened my eyes, I was staring at an ornate, unfamiliar ceiling.
"Where am I?" I sat up, looking around. The room looked exactly like a set from a historical drama or the novel I was reading. "Ha ha ha! Is this some kind of prank?" I laughed nervously, realizing I felt no pain whatsoever.
The grand doors swung open. A group of maids and eunuchs entered, bowing deeply.
"Greetings, Your Highness, Crown Prince Zhou Tianyi of the Zhou Empire!" one maid announced.
I stared at them, dumbfounded. "Can you... say that again?"
Crown Prince... Zhou Tianyi...
"No way!" My vision blurred, and I fainted dead away.
"Your Highness!"
When I When I woke again, I found myself lying on the bed, surrounded by palace doctors.
"The Crown Prince is merely shocked. He will awaken shortly."
I barely listened.
As I opened my eyes again, a striking figure stood beside my bed. It was Zhong Yi—the first of the future husbands described in the book. He was breathtakingly handsome, with features that seemed South Asian, and mesmerizing blue eyes that seemed to glow.
"You are awake, Your Highness," he bowed.
As clarity returned, panic set in. I realized my dilemma. I am the Crown Prince... and I am supposed to marry the very men's who became the Princess's Husbands—the same ones who killed the villain emperor in the story!
I need to escape. I'll do whatever it takes to avoid that fate!