Reborn：Substitute Lover of the Prince

Lucy had just started her vacation, looking forward to a good rest. Little did she know that after binge-watching dramas for over ten consecutive nights, her heart suddenly stopped, and she died unexpectedly. To her surprise, she found herself transported into a novel she had read before, reincarnated as the character with the same name, Lucy. Fourteen years after the transmigration, the eccentric girl Lucy finally stepped into the original novel's "main plot." It was all because of her appearance resembling Prince Charles' white moonlight that she gained his favor and a marriage proposal. Consequently, Lucy had to participate in the empress dowager's banquet as the ridiculed "stand-in princess." During this palace banquet, she was about to face the original character's fate: humiliation and framing. Undaunted, Lucy was not afraid at all; she even found it somewhat amusing. "You're just a stand-in," they mocked her. The scornful voices behind her were a bit harsh, but they couldn't harm her in any substantial way. Lucy continued with her small actions, slyly stuffing a piece of lotus seed cake into her mouth. She sighed inwardly, acknowledging the exquisite taste of palace delicacies. Rumors spread that although Lucy had received an engagement from Prince Charles, he had another candidate in mind for his true queen. The whispers about Lucy being a "stand-in" had circulated widely among the people. Her nonchalant reaction disappointed those who were eager to see her distressed. "Just a country bumpkin who thinks being granted marriage will turn her into a phoenix on a branch? The owner of that voice behind me seems to be even more despicable," Lucy remarked, seemingly indifferent to the mocking laughter that followed. Unperturbed, Lucy remained seated, facing away from the crowd. She even took a sip of tea. "This 'future princess' is too arrogant!" Princess Cheapflata, fueled by anger, approached Lucy, ready to lay hands on her. "Stop your insolence, wench! Answer the princess's question," the maid not only verbally attacked Lucy but also tried to push her down to the ground. Could she endure this? "Those who call others 'wench' are usually the most despicable," Lucy calmly turned around, delivering a resounding slap to the cheek of the haughty maid. The maid, in disbelief, covered her reddened face. Lucy's retaliation had caught her off guard, and she dared not continue her insolence. Lucy, still with her back to the crowd, sat calmly, completely unaffected. To make matters worse, she leisurely took a sip of tea. "Who do you think you are? How dare you insult the princess in public!" The angered princess couldn't formulate a proper response, so she ordered her maids to attack Lucy. "You wench, behave yourself! Why won't you answer the princess's question?" The maid not only insulted Lucy but also attempted to physically push her down. Could Lucy tolerate this? "Those who insult others are usually the most despicable," Lucy turned around and delivered a resounding slap to the maid's face. The maid covered her swollen cheek in disbelief, realizing that Lucy was not someone to be trifled with. Lucy, with a mocking smile, said, "So, it's you, the princess. You really have a way with words. You can turn foul language into poetry with your tongue!" "Apparently, the princess Cheapflata is both beautiful and talented. Having seen you today, your appearance truly lives up to your name—Cheapflata, both cheap and flat," Lucy sarcastically commented. "Stop pretending to be ignorant," Princess Cheapflata sneered, her beautiful eyebrows slightly furrowed in disdain. "How dare you disrespect the princess? Do you know you've committed an offense?" "Princess, you didn't specify whom your words were directed at just now. How am I supposed to know it was meant for me?" Lucy blinked in confusion, feigning innocence. "Moreover, ignorance is innocence. I've never met the princess before. I thought the person behind me was an ill-mannered servant girl. How could I have known?" Lucy couldn't admit that she had choked on her tea and had to take a moment to recover. Such a situation would have damaged her prestigious image. "How dare you! Who do you think you are? How can you, a lowly country girl, think that being granted marriage will turn you into a phoenix?" Princess Cheapflata taunted. The noblewomen in the background echoed with mocking laughter. Lucy remained composed. "I am indeed from a humble background, insignificant and inconspicuous. The princess, with her noble status, naturally has a significant say in her words." "However, this engagement was sought by the prince, and the imperial decree was issued by the emperor. Your noble words won't change anything," Lucy sighed helplessly, gesturing with her hands. "Princess, if you have objections to the arranged marriage, and your words carry such weight, why not discuss it with them? Maybe you can annul the marriage?" Lucy's clever response surprised even herself. With a sincere and polite smile, she looked at the princess. If the engagement could be annulled, it would be wonderful. It would save her from the clutches of Prince Charles, the galaxy's number one scoundrel. She would have to thank the princess for that! "You wench! Despicable creature!" Princess Cheapflata was at a loss for words. Frustrated, she ordered her maids to attack Lucy. "What are you doing? A noblewoman speaks with words, not with violence!" Lucy, who was actually afraid of pain, thought that if a fight were to break out, she wouldn't have the upper hand against so many "enforcers." It would be unfair to be outnumbered. How about... "Is the referee here? I'd like to request a one-on-one match, or maybe even 1v5. I can handle it!" Lucy was ready to roll up her sleeves and fight. But then, a eunuch's long, drawn-out announcement broke the tension: "The empress dowager has arrived." The defiant crowd immediately bowed and paid their respects. The surroundings became eerily quiet. Could it be that Prince Charles's biological mother, Lucy's "prospective mother-in-law," had arrived? Lucy respectfully bowed and pressed her whole body firmly against the ground, adopting an attitude that suggested she dared not make a sound. The empress dowager was dressed in a red ceremonial gown adorned with luxurious golden peonies, emphasizing her graceful figure. Her exceptionally fair skin, comparable to snow, contrasted sharply against the red robe. It was hard for anyone to believe she was already in her forties. Lucy, from a distance, thought the woman was exceptionally elegant, enchanting, and, unfortunately, felt a stirring sensation in her heart. Oops, was this what being smitten felt like? "The princess Cheapflata, Prince Charles is your uncle, and Lucy is your future aunt. Is this how you speak to your aunt?" scolded the empress dowager. She reproached the princess while gently caressing the jade armor on her slender finger, playing with the finely carved ruby gemstones embedded in the armor. Having coldly observed for a while, the empress dowager had witnessed the provocation and false accusations against Lucy. Seeing Lucy 's meticulous observance of etiquette and her apparent nervousness, the empress dowager temporarily considered her a clever and well-mannered girl. Although she wasn't satisfied with Lucy's family background, the empress dowager couldn't tolerate her son's fiancée being insulted and falsely accused for no reason. "Princess Cheapflata, you have insulted others and spoken out of turn. You are confined to your residence for three months. Lucy, for your insolence and provocations, you are to spend three months in reflection at the ancestral temple, copying Buddhist scriptures every day as punishment." Princess Cheapflata's wailing was loud and irritating. The empress dowager, showing signs of impatience, waved her hand to have the princess escorted back to her residence. Lucy, with a respectful bow, kept her body close to the ground, maintaining an appearance of not daring to lift her head. The empress dowager, wearing a crimson robe adorned with golden peonies, returned to her position. Lucy peeked at her and inwardly sighed. She was indeed a beauty, elegant and charming. Oh no, she felt a bit infatuated! "Anna, Princess Cheapflata's mother, taught her daughter poorly. She is confined to her residence for three months. Cheapflata, for your disrespectful behavior and talking back, you are to spend three months in the ancestral temple, copying Buddhist scriptures daily as a form of penance." Princess Cheapflata's cries were loud and disturbing. The empress dowager, displaying signs of impatience, motioned for the princess to be escorted back to her residence. Lucy, with a respectful bow, maintained her posture close to the ground, giving the impression that she dared not lift her head. The empress dowager, wearing a crimson robe adorned with golden peonies, returned to her position. Lucy glanced at her and sighed inwardly. She was indeed a beauty, elegant and charming. Oh no, she felt a bit infatuated!