After Transmigrating as the White Lotus Crown Princess - Chapter 2

The original owner, Ning Huan, and Mu Jinyu had met before.

It was said that the third young miss, in a fit of artificiality and disdain for this unfavored Crown Prince, had used words so stinging and nauseating that Mu Jinyu couldn’t eat for three days.

Ning Huan didn’t know exactly how the original owner had provoked him, but he found himself wanting to learn such effective methods.

He had always been sensitive to the cold. After stepping out, he wrapped himself in a fox-fur cloak. The snow-white fur, with its fluffy collar, framed his overly exquisite face, making him look strikingly out of place with his surroundings.

Upon exiting, he encountered the original owner’s half-sister and half-brother: the Second Miss and the Sixth Young Master of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion. Ning Yue, the Second Miss, was half a head shorter than Ning Huan. Ning Huan didn’t resemble them much; they both had rounder faces, while Ning Huan had a pointed chin and very little flesh on his face.

Ning Yue was not a legitimate daughter; her mother was a concubine. Having suffered at Ning Huan’s hands many times, she looked at him with guarded eyes. The Sixth Young Master, Ning Po, was only three or four years old—a round little “dumpling.”

Ning Huan liked children and beckoned to him: “Come here.”

Ning Yue didn’t dare provoke Ning Huan and pushed Ning Po: “Third Sister is calling you over.”

Ning Po was usually unfamiliar with Ning Huan because the original owner loathed children and never allowed them near. Holding a Nine-Linked Rings toy, he sniffled, looked up blankly, and slowly walked to Ning Huan: “Third Sister.”

Ning Huan gave a faint smile: “Have you solved it?”

Ning Po had been playing with the Nine-Linked Rings for a long time without success. He obediently handed it to Ning Huan: “No.”

Not long ago, Ning Yue had discovered that her fiancé was being seduced by Ning Huan, his eyes constantly fixed on him. Being of a timid nature, she didn’t dare provoke Ning Huan, fearing he might truly steal her fiancé and cause her engagement to be broken.

Ning Yue was only sixteen and wasn’t very cunning; she seemed quite honest. It could be said that Ning Huan’s “vibe” was entirely different from the rest of the Marquis Mansion.

In the morning, it was time to pay respects to the Madam.

Ning Po’s short legs followed beside his two sisters. Ning Huan didn’t hold his hand, so he walked by himself. When they reached the entrance of the Madam’s courtyard, Ning Huan suddenly turned and handed the Nine-Linked Rings back to him.

Ning Po sniffled, let out a “wow,” and looked at Ning Huan with adoration.

Because Ning Huan had actually solved it.

During the morning greetings, Madam Ning specifically cast a glance at Ning Huan: “Your marriage with the Crown Prince is approaching. During this time, do not go out to play.”

In this dynasty, there were few restrictions on women; there was no rule that a lady from a noble house should never leave the “inner chambers.” Since the original owner had thrived in social circles, becoming a “goddess” in the hearts of noble young masters, he naturally went out often. One day he’d go to the Prime Minister’s mansion to admire flowers with the Prime Minister’s daughter, only to “accidentally” meet the son of the house and bewitch him. The next day he’d have tea with a Princess, toss a glance at a young Prince, and leave the Prince daydreaming that the beauty favored him, thus falling under the Third Miss’s pomegranate skirt.

Relying on this world-toppling countenance, the original owner had never failed—except with Mu Jinyu.

Ning Huan thought about Mu Jinyu’s current state.

He should still be in a state of depression. After learning the truth about his birth, he was listless all day, feeling he was recognizing a thief as his father while worrying that the Emperor truly was his biological father. He was struggling, unable to escape this predicament.

Coupled with a marriage he couldn’t control—forced to marry a woman he loathed—Mu Jinyu was likely on the verge of madness. It was only after being tormented by the Crown Princess after marriage that Mu Jinyu would develop murderous intent toward everyone, and after his descent into madness, he would deliberately seek the throne.

Mu Jinyu—violent, suspicious, cold-hearted, and deeply lustful—was the quintessential tyrant. The book described his physical appearance as exceptionally fine. Ning Huan was already immune to good looks, yet he couldn’t help but wonder just how “fine” he was.

Upon coming out, Ning Huan pulled his cloak tighter. The sky was overcast, looking as if it were about to snow heavily.

Ning Po had jumbled the Nine-Linked Rings again. He followed timidly by Ning Huan’s side, hoping Ning Huan would teach him how to solve it.

Ning Huan was inexplicably reminded of his childhood, following behind his older brothers. But his health was poor; after breakfast, he needed to walk in the garden to aid digestion and didn’t have the energy to deal with the little fellow.

He tapped a finger on Ning Po’s forehead: “Tomorrow, perhaps.”

Ning Po let out an “oh” and said in a milky voice: “Po-er heard people say that Third Sister is getting married in a few days to the Crown Prince as the Crown Princess, is that right?”

The dynasty Ning Huan was in allowed marriage between men, and he didn’t reject the idea, but hearing that he was to be “married off” still felt quite strange.

“Who told you that?” Ning Huan raised an eyebrow. “You little bean sprout, what do you know about getting married?”

Ning Po thought for a bit: “It means you can have many, many little babies!”

Ning Huan: “Mm.” That, I cannot have.

Between him and Mu Jinyu, there would be the name of a couple but no reality of one. The reason Ning Huan was willing to play along was that Mu Jinyu would absolutely never do anything to him. They loathed each other, after all.

More importantly, Ning Huan couldn’t give birth. Mu Jinyu was capable of anything, but Ning Huan could bet his life that he absolutely could not give birth to a child.

Ning Po sucked on his finger, his large, dark eyes looking at Ning Huan. Children could already distinguish between beauty and ugliness, and he thought Ning Huan looked beautiful.

His short legs were tired from walking. Ning Po opened his arms: “Third Sister, carry me.”

Dieqing, standing nearby, nimbly picked Ning Po up. Leaving aside whether Ning Huan would carry the little guy, even if he did, children drooled and would get his clothes dirty. Dieqing was unwilling to let her fairy-like mistress carry a child.

Dieqing said: “Miss, I will take the Sixth Young Master back to the Nanny.”

Ning Huan nodded: “Go ahead.”

He happened to want to walk around the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion alone. The mansion wasn’t particularly large—much smaller than his own home. The book didn’t specify the status of the Dingyuan Marquis, but since the Emperor had betrothed Ning Huan to Mu Jinyu just to nauseate him, the Marquis was likely just an ordinary lord without much power.

There was a sizable lake in the back garden. It was currently frozen, but the ice wasn’t thick—just a thin layer at the edges. Light snow fell, reflecting the winter scenery, which had its own unique charm.

A man’s voice came from behind: “Third Miss—”

Ning Huan turned and saw a man in fine silk clothes who looked reasonably handsome. He was in his early twenties, an inch taller than the fifteen-year-old Ning Huan. Even in the dead of winter, he brought out a fan and fanned himself: “It has been a long time since I’ve seen the Third Miss.”

This man was Ning Yue’s fiancé, Tian He.

During their last meeting, Tian He had complained bitterly that the Second Miss, Ning Yue, was as dull as a piece of wood and couldn’t compare to the Third Miss’s intelligence and beauty. He had indeed gained the Third Miss’s favor then and even successfully touched her sleeve.

For the original owner, befriending his sister’s man was a thrill. For Tian He, laying hands on the “goddess” of every man in the capital—his fiancée’s sister—was also a thrill.

The winter chill inhaled into his lungs made him inexplicably uncomfortable. Ning Huan held a handkerchief to his lips, suppressing a cough. His pale, beautiful eyes fixed on Tian He.

The handkerchief didn’t suit him well, and Tian He also sensed something unusual. In just a short time, the Third Miss seemed to have become even more beautiful—though “beautiful” didn’t quite capture it. Regardless, it was a change he couldn’t put into words. Perhaps it was the “eighteenth transformation of a woman”; the Third Miss was still growing, looking different every day.

Ning Huan’s voice was very soft—not the usual sweet, waxy tone of a girl. His voice was somewhat cool and clear, intentionally lowered, making one’s heart feel tingly and itchy.

“Does Master Tian have a matter?”

Ning Huan turned to walk away. He walked ahead, and Tian He hurriedly followed: “Seeing Miss here alone, looking as if something is on your mind, I followed to see. If Miss has any worries, you may tell me, and I shall alleviate them for you.”

Ning Huan couldn’t help but laugh.

His laughter was low. Hearing it made Tian He’s heart flutter, thinking his words had made Ning Huan happy. In reality, being in this strange place, Ning Huan wasn’t happy at all. Not only was he unhappy, but he also couldn’t suppress the frustration in his heart. Having this dissipated playboy following him, calling him “Miss” every other second, was truly annoying.

“Things that make me unhappy—” Ning Huan looked at the icy lake water, a half-smile in his pale eyes. “First, my pearl hairpin fell into the water. Would you like to go down and retrieve it?”

Tian He’s face froze. In the middle of winter, asking him to go into that water—wasn’t that asking for his life? Ning Huan was beautiful, but dying for him was simply not worth it.

Ning Huan glanced back: “What? You’re unwilling?”

His exquisite face was framed by the fox fur, feminine and jade-white—his androgynous quality made him all the more special. Tian He had never realized Ning Huan was this charming before. For some reason, there seemed to be something eldritch in Ning Huan’s pale, clean eyes. As he watched, Tian He unconsciously moved closer to the water’s edge.

Yet he seemed unaware: “I will gift Miss a new set of jewelry. Don’t worry about the one that fell in.”

“New is not as good as old. I want the one in the water.”

As soon as he spoke, Tian He’s foot slipped on some crushed ice. His body suddenly lurched, the ice shattered with a splash, and he involuntarily plunged into the water.

Snow was still falling. A bit of fine snow landed on Ning Huan’s long eyelashes and quickly melted into water droplets.

He pursed his pale red lips, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes: “The second thing that makes me unhappy is my sister’s fiancé harassing me. Master Tian, do you not know that men and women should maintain proper distance?”

Tian He’s face was cut by the ice. He was so angry he wanted to curse Ning Huan as a “little whore,” because this was supposed to be a mutual attraction—if the other hadn’t given him the chance before, he wouldn’t have dared to offend the goddess in everyone’s hearts even if he had the heart of a lion. But seeing the other’s countenance was so exceptionally good—so good it was startling—the words died on his lips.

Moreover, this wasn’t something to boast about. If Ning Huan made a scene, his marriage with the Ning family might be canceled. The Ning family was now related to the Crown Prince; if Mu Jinyu ascended the throne, the Ning family’s status would surely rise. Though Ning Yue wasn’t as beautiful as Ning Huan, she was gentle and virtuous—a suitable woman to take home as a wife. Tian He was actually quite fond of her.

Ning Huan watched him struggle in the water. Unfortunately, the water wasn’t deep and wouldn’t drown anyone. Ning Huan pulled his cloak tighter and continued walking forward.

Not far away, a small eunuch in a blue robe followed behind a man wearing a fox-fur greatcoat. The little eunuch was dumbfounded. He truly couldn’t understand how this young master of the Tian family, while talking to the prospective Crown Princess, had somehow ended up in the water.

The little eunuch muttered: “Should we rescue Master Tian?”

The man before him stood tall and elegant, with a peerlessly handsome face. Unfortunately, his eyes carried a hint of gloom, giving off a “don’t mess with me” vibe. He was very tall but excessively thin, looking as if he were suffering from a major illness.

Mu Jinyu’s voice was ice-cold: “No.”

The little eunuch was named A-xi. A-xi gazed at Ning Huan’s figure and couldn’t help but say: “Miss Ning has grown taller again. I wonder what she eats; she grows so fast.”

A-xi wasn’t tall. Having suffered in the palace during his early years, he had a small stature even as an adult. Seeing the slender and tall Miss Ning, he was filled with envy.

Mu Jinyu let out a cold laugh. He had no favorable feelings toward Ning Huan.

During a palace banquet a while ago, Mu Jinyu and Ning Huan had crossed paths and some unpleasantness had arisen. Ning Huan had cried and made a scene, drawing many people over. The next day, even the palace maids were whispering that the Crown Prince was petty enough to argue with a woman.

Mu Jinyu had several younger brothers. Prince Yue, Mu Jinming, was born of the Imperial Noble Consort and was highly favored by the Emperor. On the day of that palace banquet, Mu Jinyu had noticed Ning Huan staring fixedly at Mu Jinming, as if trying to attract his attention.

If Ning Huan wanted to “climb over the wall,” Mu Jinyu wouldn’t stop him; he didn’t care about Ning Huan at all.

He’d just uproot everything when the time came.

Dieqing returned after sending the Sixth Young Master back and immediately went to find Ning Huan. She had prepared a small hand warmer. For some reason, she felt Ning Huan seemed to be fearing the cold, dressing more heavily than a few days ago.

Ning Huan took the cloisonné copper hand warmer from Dieqing. His mind involuntarily drifted to his own older brothers. Knowing he was sensitive to the cold, they had specifically commissioned a hand warmer from a famous craftsman in Chu this year. Unfortunately, before it could reach the capital, he had arrived in this place.

The incense tablet in the copper warmer emitted a faint white lotus fragrance. Ning Huan tucked it into his sleeve. He hadn’t slept much last night, and weariness suddenly surged. He let out a lazy yawn and said: “Let’s go back and sleep.”

After all, maids were more nimble than male servants. None of the attendants who previously followed Ning Huan were as meticulous as Dieqing. It was also fortunate that Dieqing was a newcomer; otherwise, having spent too much time with the original owner, she would easily have been able to tell the difference in the current Ning Huan.

He gave a few more instructions: “Go and inquire within the mansion later to see if anything has happened.”

That fellow Tian He had fallen into the water; he wouldn’t die, but whether he’d make trouble was unknown.

Dieqing replied: “Yes, I will go find out later.”

She assumed Ning Huan wanted to inquire about the Crown Prince’s whereabouts—a girl being shy and embarrassed to say it out loud.