Chapter 2

My brother finally stopped pretending to be clueless and looked up, his voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe... we should just run?"

As soon as he said that, the eunuch leading the way turned around, smiling at us.

His smile looked gentle and kind, but his words made our backs go cold. "Honored guests, His Majesty has instructed that you rest well once you return to the General's Manor. Miss Parker, you are to depart in three days, right on schedule.

"There are guards stationed outside the manor. If you need anything, feel free to ask. But don't even think about running, there's no way you'll escape."

The more benevolent his smile, the more it sent chills down my spine.

My brother clammed up, my mom let out a sigh, and my dad started wiping his tears. Seriously, a guy in his forties, looking like a fool in front of the eunuch.

I looked up at the sky, it was bright blue, the clouds were pure white, and my mood was a mess.

Day one after time travel, and I already ended up as a military prostitute.

Who the hell wrote this script? Come out, I swear I wouldn't beat you to death.

It wasn't until we got back to the so-called General's Manor that I realized just how miserable the original family really was.

The original host's father had backed the wrong horse back in the day.

Back when the late emperor was still alive, it was nine princes fighting tooth and nail for the crown. He put all his chips on the eldest prince, who happened to be the current emperor's arch-nemesis.

And as if that wasn't enough, he went and hyped up the eldest prince at some palace banquet, saying right in front of everyone that the guy had the makings of a wise ruler.

Meanwhile, the current emperor was just a nobody prince, sipping his wine in the corner and catching every word loud and clear.

In the end, the eldest prince lost, the current emperor took the throne, and the old man was so freaked out that he faked being sick for half a year.

But the emperor didn't even bother with him; there was no punishment, no promotion, just left him hanging for seven whole years.

He thought that whole mess was ancient history.

Turns out, the emperor had a memory like an elephant when it came to grudges.

I looked around the General's Manor. It was pretty big, after all, he was still a general, even if it was just an honorary title, and he didn't actually have any real power.

But the place felt empty. There were fewer than ten maids and servants in total, and the furniture and decorations all looked kind of shabby.

"Looks like this place got looted, huh?" My dad looked around, clutching his head in agony.

He reached out and touched the vase in the main hall, but it was just a fake, wobbling as if it might fall over any second. "Not even a decent vase left in this place."

Jordan Stone, the butler, was an old guy in his fifties, looking so miserable his eyebrows were practically drooping off his face.

He let out a heavy sigh and explained, "I have no idea what happened. Early this morning, a bunch of soldiers barged in and hauled off everything worth a dime. Said it was... being confiscated."

My dad just stood there, lost for words.

My mom sighed. "Great, first day in ancient times, and we're already flat broke."

My brother lowered his voice. "Mom, keep your voice down. Someone might overhear."

I slumped into a chair, totally exhausted. "Who cares if they hear? We're all doomed anyway.

"Military prostitute, you know? Do you guys even know what that is? It's like..."

"Alright, alright, stop talking." Mom cut me off; her eyes were red again. She came over and plopped down next to me, grabbing my hand. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pushed you..."

Her hand was shaking.

Seeing her like that, my heart softened. I sighed and patted the back of her hand. "Forget it, Mom. You were just trying to do the right thing, even if it all went sideways. Who knows, maybe there's still a chance for a miracle or something."

"What kind of miracle?" My dad suddenly looked up, hope flickering in his eyes.

I thought for a second. "Like... what if the emperor just kicks the bucket out of nowhere?"

My brother choked on his spit, his face turning bright red. "Brielle, you're really bold."

"We're all doomed anyway, can't I at least get my kicks from saying whatever I want?" I rolled my eyes.

Jordan stood off to the side, his face twisted with all sorts of emotions. He looked like he wanted to say something, but in the end, just shut his mouth.

He was probably thinking, 'What is up with this family? They're about to be sent to their deaths, and they're still bantering?'

That night, we gathered around the dinner table, staring at four bland veggie dishes and a clear soup, no meat anywhere, and the rice was so coarse that it felt like chewing gravel.

"This food is way too terrible," I complained.

I poked at the plate of greens with my fork; the veggies were yellowed and limp, obviously leftovers. "Aren't people in time-travel novels always living it up, feasting on gourmet food?"

"That's for the MCs," my brother muttered gloomily, picking up some greens and chewing them with a look of pure misery. "We're the whole family who time-traveled, basically the type that gets wiped out together."

My dad put down his fork and said, "Don't lose hope. Let's talk this through and see if there's any way out."

"What else can we do?" Mom sighed. "There are soldiers everywhere outside. There's no way we can run."