As for which horse I’m actually the consort on, or who the princess’s father is, there’s no rush to ask for now. After all, whether it’s an emperor of the Southern Song or Northern Song, none of them are known for having a bad temper, nor do they have a habit of killing imperial sons-in-law. As long as I don’t go out of my way to court death, I don’t have to worry about my life for the time being.

“Where did Dalang learn this barbarian tongue? It’s so unpleasant to the ear…” The old woman didn’t react much to Thomas Foster’s explanation, but she was clearly displeased by Thomas Foster’s plain speech, even criticizing him to his face.

“I just forgot, that’s all. Not only did I forget people and things, I even forgot how to speak… If you don’t believe me, you can ask the princess. She’s already gone to the palace to fetch the imperial physician. I was just afraid I wouldn’t recognize anyone and make her too sad, so I wanted to ask someone first.”

Thomas Foster not only confirmed his general identity, but also that this body wasn’t his own. The voice was a bit rough, the arms and legs a bit thin, and he didn’t seem as tall as the original.

Looks like this time, my body didn’t come along in the transmigration—only my soul did. But that’s not a big problem; surely anyone who can marry a princess can’t be too bad-looking. Besides, after so many trips back and forth, switching things up a bit is actually kind of refreshing.

“You really can’t remember? …Have you ever met me before?” The old woman seemed a bit more convinced after this explanation, probably because Thomas Foster’s behavior today was indeed unusual.

“……” Thomas Foster shook his head honestly.

“Do you remember Li Siniang?” The old woman still wasn’t reassured and mentioned another name.

“……” Thomas Foster again shook his head honestly.

“What about Gao Niangzi, Sun Niangzi?” At this point, the old woman couldn’t be bothered to be cautious anymore. She took a big step forward and stared hard at Thomas Foster, as if trying to read something from his face.

“……” Thomas Foster simply leaned against the corridor pillar. Whether this body was good-looking or not was one thing, but its stamina was definitely lacking—just standing here for a while had him breaking out in a cold sweat.

“You forgot Cai Erniang too? Just the other night, you were all in the princess’s room…” The old woman, whether from excitement or heat, actually had a flush on her previously lifeless face, and her voice grew louder.

Chapter 3: Not a Man

“I say, madam, aren’t there any men in this courtyard? Why are all the people you’re asking about women? Don’t I have a father or brothers or something?” Seeing the look on the old woman’s face, Thomas Foster knew nothing good had happened between him and Cai Erniang and the others. He couldn’t let her keep asking, or things would get out of hand.

“The inner quarters are all womenfolk. Even the widowed consort lives here. Don’t be reckless!” The old woman’s face darkened, her expression turning stern again.

“Do you remember the two gentlemen, Su and Huang? Just the other day, you were drinking with them when you fell off your horse and got hurt.” Seeing Thomas Foster’s lack of reaction, the old woman pursed her lips and mentioned two men’s surnames. It seemed she didn’t like them much either.

“To tell you the truth, right now I only remember the princess you mentioned, a young lady in a green dress, and you. I can’t recall anyone else.” Thomas Foster reiterated his current state.

“You really can’t remember!?” The old woman stepped even closer, her face flushing even more.

“Really!” At this point, Thomas Foster really wanted to enforce some family discipline and give this old woman a beating—how could she be so naggy?

“Buddha bless… My princess has finally made it through! Dalang has finally come around! I must go buy offerings and accompany the princess to Xiangguo Temple to give thanks. Surely Buddha heard my princess’s prayers and, moved by her devotion, has bestowed this blessing…”

This time, the old woman didn’t mention any more names, nor did she pay any attention to Thomas Foster. Instead, she kept bowing toward the east, her face full of relief, with two old tears sliding down her cheeks.

“Am I really that hated? Getting kicked in the head counts as Buddha’s intervention!” Thomas Foster couldn’t hold it in anymore and strode off toward the other end of the corridor. Clearly, he wasn’t going to get anything useful out of this old woman—it was better to go look for someone else.

But it wasn’t a total loss; at least now he knew which city he was in. The old woman said she was going to Xiangguo Temple to offer incense—no need to ask, this was the Northern Song’s capital, Dongjing Bianliang, Kaifeng Prefecture!

As the saying goes, the more you know, the greater your curiosity. Upon learning he was in Dongjing Bianliang, Thomas Foster’s previously calm heart started to tremble a little.

The capital of the Northern Song—sooner or later, it would be conquered by northern tribes. If this was the reign of Emperor Huizong, he’d better start thinking about heading south. If he really ended up in a time of war and chaos, one swing of a blade and even eight reincarnations wouldn’t save him.

“Dalang, Dalang, wait for me, let me say a few more words…” As soon as Thomas Foster walked off, the old woman stopped bowing and hurried after him, seeing that calling out wasn’t working and simply reaching out to grab him.

“…I’ll ask, you answer. If you nag, I’m leaving!” In truth, Thomas Foster didn’t want to stop at all, but the old woman was too strong—or maybe this new body of his was just too weak. After struggling twice and failing to break free, he had no choice but to plop down on the corridor bench and pretend to have a change of heart.

“Alright, alright… I won’t say anything unnecessary!” At this moment, the old woman’s attitude toward Thomas Foster had changed by at least ninety degrees. She was much more respectful, her face beaming with smiles.

It was obvious she was truly happy. But the happier she was, the more Thomas Foster wanted to give her a beating. If she were a servant, she’d be fired on the spot—no way she could stay!