Don’t Change, Keep Wearing Women’s Clothing

Xie Shenhong had not been entirely complacent from the very beginning.

Initially, even without any magical ability, he harbored the ambition and conviction to forge his own path.

To aid him, Duanmu Yun illuminated a clear path forward:

“Shenhong, why don’t you enroll in the Four Directions Academy? It’s the finest institution in the kingdom, offering integrated education from middle school all the way to university. You can truly learn anything there!”

Unwilling to accept Duanmu Yun’s benevolence without earning it, Xie Shenhong promptly agreed.

He subsequently enrolled—as a girl.

“No, wait, why would I have to pretend to be a girl for school? This isn’t a girls’ academy, is it?”

Both before and after his transmigration, Xie Shenhong had always been biologically male, so his initial reaction was, understandably, one of staunch refusal.

“I apologize, Shenhong, but even I cannot simply usher someone without magical abilities into the academy. However, a girl from the Xie family coincidentally relinquished her spot… arranging for you to take her place was the absolute extent of my influence.”

Duanmu Yun persisted in her efforts to persuade him.

“Furthermore, I’m not asking you to live as a girl indefinitely; it’s merely a pretense for the duration of your schooling… what do you say?”

At the time, Xie Shenhong felt a pang of guilt for having supplanted the original owner, and being unfamiliar with Duanmu Yun’s true nature, he was swiftly swayed by her seemingly earnest persuasion.

Consequently, he began to immerse himself in the intricate etiquette of noblewomen, acquiring the knowledge deemed necessary for a young lady, and even diligently maintained his physique and appearance.

Both before and after his transmigration, he possessed an undeniable aptitude for cross-dressing, standing at a mere 164cm at seventeen, with a slender build and an almost imperceptible Adam’s apple. When combined with his naturally refined features, a magical alteration to his hair length, and a touch of embellishment, he transformed into an exceptionally charming figure.

Furthermore, Duanmu Yun treated him akin to a dress-up doll, meticulously preparing outfits of varying styles and colors for him each day. In short order, he became widely known throughout the school as “Princess Shenhong.”

“No, no, no, this attire is far too conspicuous, isn’t it? I’m a boy; I should be maintaining a low profile!”

Initially, Xie Shenhong did voice his objections.

“Shenhong, you must not forget that you are also a magic-less individual. Your attempts at subtlety will only invite others to perceive you as an easy target. Therefore, your course of action should be to display your inherent nobility, discouraging others from approaching you lightly, thereby allowing you to study undisturbed.”

Possessing, at his core, the impressionable mind of a seventeen-year-old boy, Xie Shenhong was easily swayed by Duanmu Yun’s seemingly “reasonable” justifications.

Yet, this strategy only proved partially successful.

He found himself utterly incapable of treating others with cold indifference or adopting an air of haughtiness; instead, he inadvertently became a beloved figure, cherished by many.

Even more alarmingly, numerous admirers harbored secret crushes on him, showering him with fervent love letters.

This phenomenon extended even to the senior students from both high school and university, none of whom were immune to his charm.

‘What in the world? Students should be focusing on their studies! And seriously, I’m just a middle schooler; you people are practically committing a crime!’

Of course, he would never utter such thoughts aloud to anyone.

Nevertheless, it was true that no one dared to mistreat Shenhong simply because he lacked magical abilities.

Regrettably, his charade eventually collapsed, leading to the exposure of his true gender.

“It’s alright, Shenhong. The Duanmu family and the Dongfang family will handle everything for you.”

The Vermilion Bird Kingdom was founded by the descendants of the ancient, unified Eastern empire, the “Four Directions Kingdom.”

Consequently, the most revered entities within the Vermilion Bird Kingdom were the Four Divine Beast Families.

The Duanmu and Dongfang families, both branches of the Azure Dragon Family lineage, were second in prestige only to the Nangong Royal Family within the entire kingdom.

With their formidable assistance, such a minor scandal was rendered utterly insignificant.

However, Xie Shenhong refused… or rather, that’s not quite accurate.

Ultimately, his refusal held no weight; in the end, the Duanmu family still intervened on his behalf.

“Shenhong, there’s no longer any need for pretense… Shenhong?”

Yet, he disregarded Duanmu Yun’s words, persisting in attending school dressed in female attire, and offered this explanation to others.

“This is all merely my personal preference.”

It had nothing to do with the Duanmu family.

The Duanmu family, though exasperated, was left with no choice but to devise a means to bear the consequences of his willfulness.

Everything was his fault.

****

His unconventional approach proved effective.

The public’s scrutiny shifted, no longer accusing the Duanmu family of wielding undue influence, but rather directing their scorn squarely at him.

“That disgusting fellow,” people would sneer.

Such was the judgment passed upon him.

He also found himself stripped of all his friendships.

It mattered little to him, for he had come to school to learn, to achieve something substantial, and to one day repay Sister Yun.

“Why does a waste like you even bother coming to school?”

Yet, ironically, he was not as resilient as he had once believed himself to be.

He ceased attending school altogether.

Whenever confronted with Duanmu Yun’s genuine concern, he invariably met her gaze with a nonchalant smile.

“My objective is to acquire knowledge, and with how advanced computers are nowadays, there’s simply no need to attend school. Besides, the information within the school library has recently begun to be digitized, hasn’t it?”

Duanmu Yun attempted to persuade him on several occasions, but eventually, she ceased her efforts.

Nevertheless, his student status remained preserved.

Duanmu Yun was patiently awaiting his change of heart.

Yet, the mere thought that his enrollment had been maintained through the extensive power and influence of Duanmu Yun only solidified his resolve against returning to school.

Three years elapsed in this manner, and just as he presumed that life would continue its stagnant trajectory, the empire launched its invasion, rendering everything irrevocably altered.

His former petulance, cowardice, and escapism were all reduced to a bitter jest.

Consequently, in this reborn life, Xie Shenhong would, in all likelihood, resume his schooling, even without Lyte’s prodding.

This was primarily to ease his family’s worries.

Naturally, he would still don female attire.

After all, it was now his “personal preference.”

It had nothing to do with anyone else.

Furthermore, he had finally come to a clear understanding.

The reason Duanmu Yun would adopt a magic-less individual like him, and why both the Duanmu and Dongfang families were willing to back him, was unequivocally that they had discovered early on his unique ability to charge the Hai Zhu Doll.

Duanmu Yun had him learn various feminine knowledge and noble etiquette, accustoming him to female attire, all so that once he transformed into the Hai Zhu Doll, he could embody the image of Hai Zhu more convincingly in the public’s perception.

Even Duanmu Yun’s self-sacrifice in his previous life, allowing Xie Shenhong to escape, was likely motivated by her viewing him, her “power bank,” as the sole hope for a reversal of fortune.

Indeed, Duanmu Yun’s motives were far from pure, her words laced with deceit.

Nevertheless, Xie Shenhong remained grateful to her, understood her plight, and was willing to contribute his utmost efforts on her behalf.

After all, he genuinely considered Duanmu Yun family, deep within his heart.

He was simply that foolish.

He accepted this truth.

However, towards Lyte, his sworn enemy, he harbored no such benevolence or tolerance.

He had initially believed that Lyte was aware of his connection to the Duanmu family, and intended to leverage it to get closer to Duanmu Yun, thereby laying the groundwork for a plan three months hence.

Yet, to his utter astonishment, the fellow appeared utterly oblivious to everything. This realization instantly ignited his fury.

More than cunning adversaries,

He despised those hypocrites who, completely unaware of their true nature, deluded themselves into believing they were performing good deeds!

Not to mention, Lyte was merely engaging in these actions to cultivate the image of a benevolent philanthropist.

It was, quite frankly, utterly nauseating!

****

“What’s happening today? Why has Princess Shenhong suddenly returned to school? And why did she immediately start arguing with Lord Lyte upon her arrival?”

“Could this signify some emerging dispute between the Duanmu family and the Huangfu family?”

“I’m not sure, but after all this time, Princess Shenhong is still so stunningly beautiful… what a pity he’s a boy.”

“Do you think perhaps he was always a girl, merely feigning masculinity to test us?”

“I have no idea, but regardless, it seems we’re in for quite a spectacle.”

Regrettably, Xie Shenhong afforded these onlookers no further opportunity for spectacle. After Lyte awkwardly managed to stammer out a single “I’m sorry,” he simply turned and exited the classroom.

Making his way to the rooftop, a place deserted at this hour, Xie Shenhong, now having regained his composure, couldn’t help but let out a weary sigh.

‘I acted impulsively again. I truly am…’

Just as the bystanders had surmised, whether he intended it or not, his every action implicitly represented the Duanmu family.

When he eventually transformed into the Hai Zhu Doll, he would, moreover, come to embody the entire Vermilion Bird Kingdom.

Thus, his conduct needed to be more composed. Despite this realization, the mere thought of Lyte still made his teeth ache with simmering hatred.

But even so, he had no intention of leaving school.

For that morning, when he announced his decision to return to school, the sheer delight on Duanmu Yun’s and his sister’s faces had been immeasurable.

Duanmu Yun, in particular… her heart must have been filled with profound shame and regret.

Xie Shenhong refused to allow his loved ones to experience such emotions again due to his own perceived incompetence.

‘Perhaps I’ll borrow some books from the library to pass the time…’

Acting on this thought, he headed there, only to find an unexpected visitor upon his return to the rooftop.

The visitor possessed iconic radiant blonde hair and a rare blue knight’s uniform, seldom seen within the school.

Xie Shenhong’s carefully quelled emotions reignited with a furious blaze.

“What are you doing here?”