Her Highness The Princess Comes from A Thousand Years Ago - Chapter 6

Towering buildings rose all around them, while streams of traffic filled the roads.

The sun had not yet set. Golden light spilled from the sinking sun in the west, giving Li Mingyue the faintest trace of familiarity.

After enduring shock after shock inside the small apartment, the overwhelming impact of confronting this vast city of steel for the first time was no less intense.

There were countless people dressed in peculiar clothes, metal boxes racing back and forth, noisy and bustling streets, and structures of reinforced concrete soaring out of the ground.

If someone told her she had arrived in the realm of the gods, she might very well have believed them.

Her Highness behaved exceptionally well. She remained close beside Shen Yanbing every step of the way. Although the strange sights made her nervous and she could not resist looking around, she did not let any unusual expression show on her face.

Shen Yanbing’s apartment was not far from the university, but the campus itself was large, with considerable distance between its buildings, so she usually drove inside.

Today, however, she only needed to visit her office and sign a document. Since she also wanted to show the ancient woman a little of the modern world, she chose to walk.

Along the way, she introduced Li Mingyue to traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, cars, and buses. She led her across the road and onto a shaded sidewalk beneath the trees.

Li Mingyue was somewhat frightened by the vehicles passing back and forth and stayed extremely close to Shen Yanbing.

Bincheng was a coastal city, and its summers were hot. Fortunately, considerable care had been put into the greenery throughout the city. Birdsong could occasionally be heard along the tree-lined paths, where drooping branches cast shifting shadows.

Bincheng University, where Shen Yanbing worked, was an ordinary undergraduate institution. However, thanks to its excellent location and the strong recognition its graduates received in the job market, it consistently attracted good students.

“This is a university—a place where people study and learn.”

Li Mingyue followed the direction Shen Yanbing indicated and recognized the flowing calligraphy carved into a massive stone monument:

Bincheng University.

She looked up at Shen Yanbing. “Are you studying here?”

“I teach here.”

Several students nearby glanced over. Shen Yanbing did not explain herself further. Instead, she looked toward the crowd of people dragging luggage behind them after finishing their examinations and preparing to leave campus.

“They’re all students.”

Li Mingyue nodded, secretly astonished.

Young men and women around her age came and went, laughing and chatting in groups of three or five. In the Jing Dynasty, commoners usually could not read more than a few characters, let alone attend school.

At this age, most of them would already have been married and raising children.

The buildings at Bincheng University were very modern and meticulously maintained. When Li Mingyue followed Shen Yanbing into one of them, cool air immediately swept over her and dispelled the agitation caused by the blazing sun.

Even the ice used to cool the imperial palace could not compare with such comfort.

When Li Mingyue considered that this was a kind of life everyone in the modern world could enjoy, she could not help feeling emotional.

Shen Yanbing’s desk faced those of several other lecturers. A rosewood-and-glass bookcase stood between them, and every desk was piled high with documents and materials.

At the moment, only Shen Yanbing and Li Mingyue were inside the office.

“It resembles the study of an academy teacher,” Li Mingyue said as she stood before the desk and quietly surveyed the room.

She carefully identified several slogans hanging on the walls and committed them to memory. Her behavior was indistinguishable from that of a quiet, ordinary modern student.

A real student soon hurried into the office. As he handed over a report, he apologized to his lecturer.

“I’m really sorry, Professor Shen. The Academic Affairs Office suddenly informed me that your signature absolutely had to be added!”

Shen Yanbing smiled. “It’s fine. The important thing is getting it approved. Make sure you complete everything properly over the summer.”

The student nodded vigorously. His eyes could not help drifting toward the young woman standing nearby in a Western-style dress with her hair tied in a ponytail.

After Shen Yanbing signed the document, he said awkwardly, “I’m really sorry for troubling you, Professor Shen. Let me treat you to dinner.”

Li Mingyue looked over when she heard the word “dinner.”

Shen Yanbing waved her hand. “It’s all right. Don’t you still have one more exam? Focus on preparing for it.”

The student had no choice but to leave with a respectful smile, suppressing the urge to ask the young woman’s name.

She looked quite young, probably a first-year student.

As he walked away, he regretted his earlier hesitation and silently prayed that he would have another chance to see her.

“Believe it or not, that boy is going to ask around about you as soon as he gets back.”

Inside the office, Shen Yanbing smiled faintly and teased Li Mingyue in a half-joking tone.

Li Mingyue looked surprised. “Why?”

Had she failed to disguise herself properly? Had he seen through her so easily?

“He was obviously interested in you.”

Li Mingyue could not understand, so Shen Yanbing had to be more direct.

“He likes you.”

Li Mingyue became even more confused and frowned.

“But I only just met him. We didn’t even speak.”

Shen Yanbing laughed. “In the modern world, liking someone is inherently a rather superficial thing.”

After speaking, she studied Her Highness, who stood with dignified posture and a bright, striking face.

“All you need to do is stand there looking beautiful.”

Li Mingyue turned her head away and said softly, “I don’t like that.”

It was the first thing she had openly said she disliked since arriving in the modern world.

Shen Yanbing chuckled but did not contradict her. She led Her Highness out of the academic building.

She suddenly thought of her ex-girlfriend. That woman had once said she was not accustomed to the disposable nature of modern romance and longed instead for a love in which two people remained together for a lifetime.

The evening glow outside was beautiful. The sky burned red, though several skyscrapers piercing the clouds blocked the view of the sun setting behind the endless layers of cloud.

Shen Yanbing suddenly said, “Since we’re here, I’ll take you to buy a few books.”

Li Mingyue nodded, anticipation rising in her heart.

She had lived in a prince’s residence outside the imperial palace from childhood. The teacher who instructed her had been exceptionally learned. After returning to the palace when she was older, she had even been permitted by her imperial father to study at the Imperial Academy. Her academic performance had surpassed that of most princes.

The knowledge in this world far exceeded everything she understood, but rather than defeating her, it greatly intensified her desire to learn.

As Shen Yanbing walked toward the bookstore on the Bincheng University campus, she once again warned Li Mingyue not to speak carelessly once they entered.

The campus bookstore was not large. It mainly sold commonly used textbooks and supplementary materials for students, with very few books for general reading. Since the holiday was approaching, the shop was also extremely quiet.

Books filled several walls.

Li Mingyue stared at them curiously, looking over one volume after another, until she noticed the unfolded world map hanging behind the cashier’s counter.

She stood motionless and stared without blinking. Only after a long while did she recognize it as a map.

Did they live on a circular piece of land?

Shen Yanbing had already selected a simplified-and-traditional character dictionary and a copybook for practicing handwriting. Seeing Li Mingyue puzzling over the map, she also picked out an atlas.

“Most of the books here aren’t very suitable for you.”

After paying, Shen Yanbing led Li Mingyue outside.

“I’ll take you to a proper bookstore next time.”

Most of the materials here were intended for university students. What Li Mingyue needed were more accessible books for ordinary readers.

Li Mingyue knew nothing about such matters and simply nodded.

She had accumulated many questions she wanted to ask, but since they were outside, she had no choice but to suppress them.

The sun had completely set, and the sky had grown dim. Shen Yanbing decided to take her directly to a restaurant for dinner.

Li Mingyue watched as she entered an ordinary little establishment and ordered one meat dish, one vegetable dish, and two portions of fried rice.

It was a popular neighborhood restaurant. Although the space was small, it had been cleaned thoroughly, and carved wooden partitions separated each table from the next.

“Is this a food shop?” Li Mingyue asked when no one was nearby.

Shen Yanbing returned carrying a small plate of cold appetizers.

“Yes, though we don’t call them that anymore.”

Li Mingyue recalled the sign she had seen when they entered:

West District Country-Style Restaurant.

Shen Yanbing had told her that this area was Bincheng’s West District.

As for “country-style dishes,” Li Mingyue temporarily understood it to mean vegetables grown in the soil—though she did not know why that needed to be emphasized.

The dishes and fried rice were served quickly.

Shen Yanbing was still replying to messages on her phone. When she glanced up, she saw Li Mingyue curiously picking up a chili pepper from one of the stir-fried dishes and placing it directly into her mouth.

Shen Yanbing immediately knew something was wrong.

“…Spicy.”

As expected, Li Mingyue’s entire face scrunched up. She opened her mouth and breathed out rapidly, frowning as she asked, “Can this truly be eaten?”

“Of course.” Shen Yanbing quickly poured her a glass of water. “But the Jing Dynasty probably didn’t eat much of it.”

She did not know what period the Jing Dynasty corresponded to, but chili peppers most likely had not spread there yet.

Li Mingyue drank the water and gradually recovered. She then watched Shen Yanbing call someone over and order another bowl of egg-drop soup.

“Do people here not use silver… money when eating?” she asked.

She did not seem to have seen anyone take out the so-called paper currency.

“We already paid.”

Shen Yanbing considered how to explain and pointed at her phone.

“The money is inside this. I scan the restaurant’s QR code with it, and the payment is transferred to them.”

After saying that, even she felt the concepts were far too difficult for someone from ancient times.

She sighed. “Learn gradually. You’ll understand eventually.”

Li Mingyue could only nod. She began eating the remarkably flavorful fried rice but still could not resist asking, “Is this meal expensive?”

Shen Yanbing was pleased that Her Highness had taken the initiative to concern herself with the hardships of ordinary people.

“No. Altogether, it costs a little more than fifty yuan.”

Using the opportunity, she gave Li Mingyue a basic introduction to the currency system and made a rough comparison with the silver and copper coins used in ancient times.

After more or less understanding, Li Mingyue still frowned.

“That is not inexpensive.”

She said solemnly, “That would be enough for an ordinary family in the capital to live on for several days. Common people generally would not eat at a restaurant without good reason.”

Shen Yanbing felt helpless.

“In modern cities, ordering delivery and eating outside are both very common. Cooking takes too much time and energy.”

Li Mingyue did not understand. She neither nodded nor shook her head.

“Can you cook?” Shen Yanbing simply asked directly.

Li Mingyue froze for a moment, then shook her head.

Ordinary women in ancient times were naturally expected to cook, but Li Mingyue was a princess.

Whatever she wanted to eat would be prepared and served by senior maids and palace attendants.

“Would you like to learn how?” Shen Yanbing continued.

Li Mingyue hesitated.

Cooking in the Jing Dynasty required lighting a fire and burning wood. It was tiring work. In the modern world, however…

She worried that she would ruin everything.

Seeing her reaction, Shen Yanbing smiled and pointed toward the food on the table.

“Keep eating.”

Li Mingyue lowered her head and silently continued her meal, feeling somewhat miserable inside.

Without the title of “princess,” it seemed she had nothing at all.

She did not know how to do anything.

Shen Yanbing was never especially attentive while eating. Once she stopped looking at her phone, her gaze repeatedly drifted toward the young princess.

Sitting at a modern table in a chiffon dress with her hair tied in a ponytail, Li Mingyue looked no different from a modern young woman.

Of course, she sat far straighter than most people and possessed an exceptionally distinguished bearing.

Although she was still unaccustomed to many things, reaching this point after only a single day was already remarkable.

“Do you know what the greatest difference is between you and an ordinary person here?”

Shen Yanbing set down her soup spoon, crossed her hands, and rested her forearms on the table.

Li Mingyue looked up. She carefully finished chewing the food in her mouth, considered the question for a moment, then shook her head.

She felt there were far too many differences between herself and modern people.

Shen Yanbing did not bother with empty abstractions and went straight to the most practical issue.

“There is no record of you ever living here. You don’t have an identity card.”

“Identity…?”

Li Mingyue tilted her head and listened to Shen Yanbing’s explanation. At last, she understood the fact that she effectively did not exist in this world.

“You can’t pass the various checks conducted by the public security authorities. You can’t attend school, find a job, take a high-speed train or an airplane, or even register a mobile phone account under your real name.”

Li Mingyue looked dispirited.

She had originally believed that once she learned enough about the modern world, she would be able to live here properly, become independent as soon as possible, and stop troubling Shen Yanbing.

“Then… how can I obtain an identity?”

Her eyes dimmed, but she still asked for help.

Shen Yanbing could not offer any solution. For a person with no history or records whatsoever, obtaining household registration would be extraordinarily difficult.

She explained the difficulties to Li Mingyue. As someone who had once belonged to the ruling class, Li Mingyue found the situation difficult to describe.

In the Jing Dynasty, it would have required nothing more than a single command.

She continued striving to adapt to this democratic society governed by law, a thousand years beyond her own time.