Mistakenly Marked the Madly Beautiful Princess - Chapter 2

The red lanterns hung throughout the mansion dispelled the chill brought by the snow. Ling Fu stood at the entrance, leading a crowd of servants, his resolute face unusually softened with a trace of tenderness.

Ling Yue stood behind her father, carefully studying his back as memories of her past life involuntarily resurfaced. In that life, after her elder sister’s suicide, Ling Fu had lost his will to fight. Depressed and disheartened, he had died under enemy arrows. Later, she had taken over his position and driven back the enemy forces within three months.

Withdrawing her gaze, Ling Yue felt little affection for this father.

In the snow-blanketed world, the sound of hoofbeats drew nearer, accompanied by the gentle jingling of silver bells. The first to come into view were armored soldiers, escorting a simple carriage in their midst. The bell sounds emanated from the chimes hanging around the horses’ necks.

As they approached the mansion’s gate, the fully armed soldiers orderly split into two columns, allowing the carriage to halt right at the entrance.

A pair of hands deftly lifted the carriage curtain, and a black-clad maid with a high ponytail and a sword at her waist swiftly alighted. She then reached out a hand toward the carriage’s interior.

Seeing her elder sister again brought Ling Yue some joy. Although deeply cherished, her sister was not spoiled; she carried a proud spirit within her bones. Yet, the two of them had never been particularly close.

Ling Ya was helped out of the carriage. She had been sheltered from the wind throughout the journey, and the carriage interior was lined with fur. But the moment she stepped out, the cold wind greeted her, and she couldn’t help covering her face as she coughed.

Ling Fu had already rushed forward. Seeing his beloved daughter in discomfort, he commanded unhappily, “Quickly, help the young lady inside.”

A flurry of people crowded around Ling Ya, ushering her into the mansion. In the chaos, someone shoved Ling Yue, but she was steadied by Chun Tao. Soon, the once bustling scene quieted, leaving only Ling Yue and her little maid, Chun Tao.

Even if she hadn’t grown indifferent to life and death, Ling Yue wouldn’t have been troubled by such neglect. But Chun Tao, being young and impulsive, couldn’t contain her frustration, feeling sorry for her mistress being overlooked so easily.

“It’s just a cough, and they’re this worked up,” Chun Tao muttered.

Ling Yue, hearing her careless remark, covered the girl’s mouth with her hand and shot her a warning glance. Only then did Chun Tao settle down.

The mansion was thrown into disarray by the eldest young lady’s return. Ling Yue wove through the commotion and obediently retreated to her own quiet corner.

Sitting on her bed, she pondered what had happened at this moment in her past life.

According to her memories, after this, the Grand Princess, having heard of General Ling’s daughter’s return, summoned their entire family to the palace. It was during this visit that she encountered Lu Weiying, who was being beaten by palace maids. Normally one to avoid drawing attention, Ling Yue had acted on a moment of compassion and rescued her.

Later, to repay the kindness, Lu Weiying persistently sought her out. At first, it seemed harmless, but as time passed, many events unfolded. Lu Weiying repeatedly risked her life to protect Ling Yue. Having never known such care before, Ling Yue began to feel that being with her might not be so bad.

But once one foot stepped in, the other was bound to follow. In the end, she abandoned her principle of living a low-profile life and leaped headfirst into the whirlpool of imperial power struggles. That leap had lasted thirteen years.

Ling Yue narrowed her eyes, concealing the sea of blood and vengeance within them. She was already growing impatient to meet Lu Weiying again.

In the study of the general’s mansion, Ling Ya lay on a recliner covered with animal pelts. The black fur made her face appear even paler, like an exquisite piece of porcelain that would crack with the slightest pressure.

The faint aroma of tea hung between father and daughter, a delicate barrier. In Ling Fu’s eyes, his heartache was unmistakable.

This daughter resembled her the most, yet he never expected she would inherit her frail health so completely. He had sought out renowned physicians far and wide, but none could offer a solution. All he could do was care for her meticulously, praying she would live as long as possible.

Out of the corner of her eye, Ling Ya sensed her father’s concerned gaze. She smiled faintly and said, “Life and death are fated, Father. There’s no need to worry.”

Ling Fu merely shook his head. He pushed the teacup on the table further away and sighed. “We must still seek help from the Grand Princess. With her methods, she will surely be able to locate that eccentric miracle doctor.”

The mention of the Grand Princess made Ling Ya freeze for a moment. Frowning, she said resolutely, “Father, think carefully. The Grand Princess is unpredictable and volatile. One misstep could bring disaster upon our entire household. This is far too risky.”

Just thinking of that person made Ling Fu’s hands and feet turn cold. As a highly decorated general, ordinary people would think twice before crossing him. But that madwoman cared not for consequences. After killing someone, she could swiftly find a replacement, often even more capable than the last.

She was also notoriously vindictive. She kept neither male nor female companions, yet her striking beauty attracted many bold suitors. The most infamous incident involved a prince from a neighboring kingdom who, relying on his status, insulted her with vulgar remarks. The Grand Princess had him executed on the spot and personally led troops to sack his capital.

To this day, the royal family of that kingdom toiled as slaves, performing the most grueling labor. The Grand Princess would occasionally visit, and if she caught anyone slacking off, she would casually whip them.

The more Ling Fu thought about it, the more his legs trembled. He discreetly pressed a hand to his thigh and wiped the cold sweat from his brow. But when he lifted his head and saw his daughter’s pale face, he felt this risk was one he had to take.

Having secretly made up his mind, Ling Fu pondered how to arrange a meeting with the Grand Princess. However, her whereabouts were unpredictable, and the chances of finding her were slim. This left him at a loss.

If Ling Ya’s health hadn’t been deteriorating so rapidly, with her life clearly hanging by a thread, Ling Fu would never have considered turning to the Grand Princess for help.

Just as he was lost in thought, hurried footsteps echoed from outside. The study door was knocked upon, and a panting servant’s voice reported from beyond, “General, Eunuch Sun has brought an imperial decree. His Majesty summons you to the palace with the eldest and second young ladies. Eunuch Sun mentioned that the Grand Princess will also be present.”

Ling Fu’s spirits lifted, it was as if a pillow had been delivered just as he was feeling drowsy. He took his daughter’s hand and went out to express his gratitude.

Ling Yue knelt behind her father. She had always been this quiet, easily overlooked. Now, kneeling silently to the side, she observed the scene unfolding in the household.

Watching Ling Fu and Eunuch Sun exchange pleasantries, the heavy stone in Ling Yue’s heart finally settled. She still harbored some wariness about her rebirth, but everything happening now was exactly as it had been in her previous life. This outcome was for the best.

Yet, if she could be reborn, was it possible others had been reborn as well?

Lost in thought, she unconsciously straightened her back, a habit from her past life. But this small action caught the attention of some present.

Ling Ya watched her younger sister, who was frowning in deep contemplation, and noticed a certain heroic spirit in her demeanor. She was naturally surprised. She returned home every year, yet this sister always kept her distance, head bowed, to the point where Ling Ya could hardly recall her face. Now, upon closer observation, she realized her sister had grown into a striking, valiant beauty.

Ling Ya felt a trace of envy and an involuntary desire to draw closer. She proactively called out Ling Yue’s name: “What’s on your mind, Yue’er?”

The sudden voice startled Ling Yue. Seeing her sister showing concern for her out of nowhere, she felt puzzled this scene had never occurred in her previous life. In that lifetime, Ling Ya had only looked at her properly right before her death. Could it be that Ling Ya had also been reborn?

But if she had been reborn, why would she bother building a relationship with her?

Suppressing the countless questions swirling in her heart, Ling Yue lowered her head and replied with restraint, “Yue’er has never entered the palace before, so she’s feeling a bit anxious.”

The reason was so perfectly reasonable that Ling Ya believed it without hesitation. Noticing how few hair ornaments her younger sister wore, she casually pulled a gold hairpin from her own hair and pressed it into Ling Yue’s hand, smiling gently. “Don’t be afraid. Just stay close behind me tomorrow.”

Ling Yue stammered her thanks, but the hairpin felt far too extravagant. As she reached out to decline, Ling Ya suddenly began coughing.

In an instant, a flurry of servants rushed to support Ling Ya and escort her indoors. The commotion faded into the distance, leaving only Chun Tao and Ling Yue standing alone in the courtyard.

The gold hairpin was heavy, its body intricately woven with golden filaments forming a swallow that held a red gem in its beak.

Ling Yue had little interest in such gold and silver trinkets, but nothing from her elder sister’s possession was ever of poor quality. Still, this hairpin looked strikingly familiar in her past life, Lu Weiying’s jewelry box had contained an identical piece, though she never wore it, only occasionally taking it out to polish with care.

Back then, Ling Yue had deliberately avoided meeting her elder sister’s gaze, so she never paid attention to her accessories. She had only heard that Ling Ya had accidentally lost a gold hairpin in the palace. Since one couldn’t freely enter the palace, the matter was simply dropped.

Staring at the hairpin in her hand, Ling Yue let out a cold laugh. In truth, everything had been so obvious, it was just that she had been blind, not only in sight but in heart, unwilling to notice.

It had all been an act from the very beginning. That Lu Weiying had loved her elder sister, Ling Ya, all along.

Chun Tao spoke up somewhat awkwardly, “The young mistress is actually quite kind.”

Though the young maid was naive, this time she wasn’t wrong Ling Ya truly was a good person. How could someone who sacrificed her life for the sake of the battlefield be wicked? It was only her frail health that limited her; otherwise, she might have become a renowned general.

Returning to her room, Ling Yue stared at the hairpin a while longer before locking it safely inside her jewelry box.

She stood by the window, gazing out at the plum blossoms blooming vibrantly by the wall. A playful mood took hold, and she stepped outside to stand beneath the plum tree. The faint, cold fragrance mingled with the winter chill made her narrow her eyes unconsciously. But staring too long at the vast stretches of white began to strain her eyes.

Ling Yue cherished her eyesight dearly and immediately retreated back inside.

As dusk slowly fell, thoughts of what might happen tomorrow made Ling Yue decide to conserve her energy. After a simple wash, she lay down on her bed. Perhaps due to her overactive mind, fatigue quickly set in, and she drifted into a dream.

In the haze of her subconscious, Ling Yue saw her own tombstone. The grave was aged, yet the weeds growing atop it carried the fresh vitality of spring.

The cold fragrance of plum blossoms filled the air as a figure approached from afar, pouring a bowl of clear wine before her grave.

A wordless sorrow pressed down, suffocating. Ling Yue couldn’t make out the face of the person dressed in white, but judging by their silhouette, it seemed to be a woman.

She had no memory of such an acquaintance.

Ling Yue wanted to draw closer, but the more she tried, the more a force pushed her away. Afraid to move recklessly again, she could only watch the grieving woman from a distance.

The woman remained silent, setting down her wine cup before drawing a flute from her sleeve and bringing it to her lips.

The melody that flowed forth was mournful, carrying boundless fury and regret, along with a deep, hidden longing beneath it all.

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