Mistakenly Marked the Madly Beautiful Princess - Chapter 14

After returning to the estate, Ling Yue tied up her horse and, upon entering, immediately ran into Ling Fu. His face was dark, and as soon as Ling Yue stepped inside, he barked, “Where did you learn martial arts?”

Winning the top honors should have been a joyous occasion, but as her father, Ling Fu showed no trace of happiness, only wariness in his eyes.

Given the Ling family’s power and influence, it was no surprise they were well-informed. Ling Yue had long anticipated this reaction. She sneered, her gaze fearless, or rather, she didn’t even regard Ling Fu as worthy of her concern.

“Since Father pays me no mind, your daughter must look out for herself.”

Ling Fu was furious. With Ling Ya not around, he raised his hand, intending to teach this daughter of his a small lesson.

Just as the slap was about to land on her face, Ling Yue could even feel the gust of wind it carried. He had struck with vicious intent, if that slap connected, her teeth would surely be lost.

Ling Yue grew somewhat angry. She reached out, grabbed his wrist, and squeezed hard. Ling Fu’s expression instantly turned dramatic. Bound by the dignity of a general and a father, he refused to cry out in pain, but beads of cold sweat disobediently trickled down.

His attempts to struggle only intensified the agony. He roared, “You insolent wretch!”

Ling Yue watched his pained expression and curled her lips into a smile. “Father still remembers I’m your daughter. How touching.”

If she applied any more force, Ling Fu’s hand would be crippled. Not wanting to cause herself unnecessary trouble, Ling Yue chose to release him.

Pale-faced, Ling Fu clutched his wrist, his mind roiling with shock. This second daughter, whom he had always despised and ignored, possessed internal energy far surpassing his own.

He glared at Ling Yue with pure malice, as if she were not his daughter but a sworn enemy.

A flood of sinister thoughts raced through Ling Fu’s mind. Having been entrenched in court politics for so long, he was not merely a warrior.

Ling Yue simply watched him. Having lived a second life, she understood this father of hers all too well.

In her previous life, after Ling Ya’s death, Ling Fu had pinned all the blame on Ling Yue, frequently assigning her to carry out extremely dangerous missions under the lofty pretense that a general’s daughter should lead by example.

What a hypocritical excuse. Unfortunately for him, Ling Yue had a knack for survival, while Ling Fu, after Ling Ya’s death, lost his fighting spirit and carelessly met his end from a stray arrow.

But he was nothing more than a clown in her eyes, unworthy of her attention. Now that she had aligned herself with the Grand Princess, it was better to focus on how to handle that formidable lady.

Ling Yue had no desire to engage with him further and strode directly into the estate. All she wanted now was to enjoy a comfortable cup of hot tea.

As she passed by Ling Ya’s room, however, she heard the sound of weeping and couldn’t help but pause.

“Waaah! Little sister, go in peace. Your elder sister will never forget you.”

“Miss, please don’t cry. The Second Young Lady will surely appreciate your kindness from beyond the grave.”

Growing increasingly suspicious, Ling Yue knocked on the door. “Elder Sister, I’m back.”

The commotion inside ceased, and the door soon opened. The maid who answered wore a stunned expression, stammering, “Second Young Lady.”

Ling Yue spotted a small black jar near Ling Ya’s feet, a familiar object used for burning paper offerings to the deceased.

Ling Ya awkwardly kicked the jar aside, but on her table lay unfinished paper money, waiting to be burned.

Guilt over her mistake made Ling Ya wring her hands incessantly. Unlike Ling Fu, she lacked his cunning and had genuinely believed her younger sister was unlikely to return alive.

Ling Yue entered the room and sat down opposite Ling Ya, staring until the other girl resembled an ostrich with its head in the sand.

Her expression softened into a teasing smile. “Does Eldest Sister truly have so little faith in me?”

Lingya coughed anxiously, wanting to explain but finding no way to do so.

The maid hurriedly fetched medicine from the cabinet and fed it to Lingya, who gradually recovered.

Seeing her sister’s face as pale as paper, Lingyue stopped teasing and asked with concern, “How have you been lately, Eldest Sister?”

Still trembling from the violent coughing, Lingya forced a bitter smile and shook her head without speaking.

Lingyue’s heart sank. Unconsciously, she thought of the renowned physician who was on good terms with the Princess. Would she have a chance to meet him in the future?

Lost in thought, she was interrupted by a maid rushing over.

“Second Miss, there is an imperial decree. You are summoned to the main gate.”

By the time Lingyue arrived, Ling Fu was already kneeling.

It was Eunuch Sun delivering the decree again, but this time his attitude was excessively obsequious, unlike before.

Just as Lingyue was about to kneel to receive the decree, she was stopped.

“Ah, the Princess said you are injured and need not kneel in gratitude. Second Miss need only accept the rewards.”

Lingyue was speechless. Although the competition had been perilous, she had only suffered a minor scratch on her neck, finer than a strand of hair.

With a wave of Eunuch Sun’s hand, two guards brought forward a spear with a crimson shaft and a silver tip.

“This is a token of the Princess’s regard.”

Lingyue’s pupils contracted at the sight of the spear. It was the weapon she had wielded in her previous life, a reward from the court after she lost her hand. She never expected to obtain it so easily in this life.

Ling Fu was equally shocked. The weapon was one of the divine arms forged by the founding emperor, crafted by the nation’s finest artisans over a year. For the Princess to bestow such a gift showed how highly she regarded Lingyue.

He trembled uncontrollably, overwhelmed by fear and resentment. If only Lingya were healthy, he thought, this honor would have been hers.

Lingyue paid no mind to their emotions, her attention wholly captured by the crimson weapon.

“Your humble subject thanks Her Highness for this grace.”

With that, she eagerly took hold of her old companion.

Eunuch Sun, seeing her obvious delight, flattered, “The young lady’s valor matches this weapon perfectly.”

After some further pleasantries, Eunuch Sun finally departed with his retinue.

Eager to test the spear and recapture the feel of her past life, Lingyue left immediately, ignoring Ling Fu’s complex and venomous gaze.

She practiced with the weapon in her residence until her clothes were soaked with sweat, reluctantly stopping only when it grew dark.

After carefully storing the spear in her room, she felt it wasn’t enough. After some thought, she tore an old garment and wrapped it around the shaft.

Then she pondered where to place it.

“It seems you like it very much.”

The amused voice came unexpectedly. Lingyue turned to look.

There was Lu He, sitting sideways on the windowsill, the moonlight gently kissing her face as she smiled at Lingyue.

Lingyue was less frightened than before. After setting the spear aside, she greeted, “Your Highness.”

Lu He gave a faint hum, gracefully flipping down from the window and landing softly. She approached slowly, her gaze eventually settling on the side of Lingyue’s neck.

Quietly withdrawing her gaze, Lu He sat on Lingyue’s bed and looked at her. “Have you considered moving out?”

With her extensive network of informants, Lu He was well aware of Ling Fu’s intentions. Normally, she wouldn’t interfere, but there was no harm in stepping in this time.

This girl was so amusing keeping her close to tease occasionally would relieve boredom and save Lu He the trouble of visiting every day.

Ling Yue didn’t react immediately, feeling somewhat troubled: “Your humble servant is short on funds and cannot afford to purchase a house.”

“Did Your Highness come here tonight just for this?”

Lu He didn’t answer her question, instead casting a disdainful glance at the house.

Then she lowered her voice, coaxing: “How about moving into the palace?”

Though the words were ordinary, because of the awkward incident between them, Ling Yue couldn’t help but overthink.

Her earlobes quietly turned red, and she appeared flustered: “Thank you for Your Highness’s kindness, but I am too lowly to accept such an honor.”

Lu He played with her cascading long hair, taking in Ling Yue’s nervousness. In an instant, she understood what the other was thinking.

This little girl is quite innocent.

But Lu He was a mischievous troublemaker, so she released her hair, stood up, and stepped closer to Ling Yue, one step at a time.

Though frightened, Ling Yue didn’t dare move, only her eyes darting around helplessly.

The faint scent of plum blossoms made her heartbeat quicken uncontrollably.

Finally, she couldn’t resist pleading: “Your Highness.”

Seeing the other’s crimson ears, Lu He mercifully let her off. At that moment, only half a step separated them.

Lu He was in high spirits. “It’s not like I’m going to eat you.”

Ling Yue: “…”

It must be said, the Eldest Princess truly was an unrestrained Earth Xuan.

Just as she was at a loss for words, the moonlight by the window was blocked by a masked figure hanging upside down.

“Master, Qing Niao is waiting in the palace.”

It seemed this masked person was the Eldest Princess’s death guard, but who was Qing Niao? The Eldest Princess seemed to hold her in high regard.

Lu He was somewhat surprised. Under normal circumstances, the other wouldn’t return so quickly unless she had already been on her way back before receiving her letter.

Returning early was just as well.

Lu He gave Ling Yue a meaningful look, making her heart race with anxiety.

Without a farewell, Lu He leaped out the window and left.

She hurried back to her bedchamber at top speed. The hall was brightly lit, and a woman in coarse linen clothing sat at a desk to the side.

Hearing the sound, she turned around, her smile weary: “Xiao He.”

Lu He sat opposite her, unable to resist asking: “Didn’t you go to see your daughter off?”

“I changed my mind. It’s better if she stays by my side.”

Under the candlelight, the woman’s expression carried a loneliness that Lu He couldn’t comprehend. This was not the spirited Qing Niao she knew.

This quack doctor had even less conscience than she did.

Feeling uneasy, Lu He grew serious: “If you need help, just say the word.”

Qing Niao merely shook her head, as if unwilling to continue the topic, and instead brought up Lu He’s affairs: “Don’t overthink matters regarding the Ling family girl. I think that young lady is quite good, and you’re not getting any younger.”

Lu He scoffed: “You think Ling Yue is good? Have you met her?”

Qing Niao fell silent, mumbling: “I haven’t.”

Lu He felt this woman had gone mad. She forced a smile and said, “Neither of us is married. I’m twenty-seven, you’re thirty-two, if anyone should go first, it’s you.”

Then she feigned regret: “We’re friends, after all, and I haven’t properly planned for you. In a few days, I’ll gather all the good Heavenly Qians in Rong Chao for you to choose from.”

Qing Niao felt a chill run down her spine. She knew Lu He was trying to irritate her and couldn’t help but surrender: “Alright, alright, I was wrong. Check my pulse first.”

Lu He obediently extended her hand. After taking her pulse, Qing Niao’s expression brightened with delight: “The toxin has diminished significantly, with no other side effects. Why don’t you just go along with that little girl?”

Seeing Lu He’s expression darken, Qingniao quickly explained, “Just kidding.”

The long journey had truly exhausted her. Qingniao yawned, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

Lu He waved her away impatiently.

Soon, she was alone in the room. Staring blankly at the flickering candle flame, she saw Ling Yue’s face reflected in the firelight.

Before she could even mock herself for it, the face in the flames was scorched into black charcoal.

Startled, she stood up, only to find nothing in the candle flame.

Sitting back down, Lu He rubbed her temples. “It must be the hallucinations again.”

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