Mistakenly Marked the Madly Beautiful Princess - Chapter 36

These past few days, Ling Yue had been excessively excited. It was one thing to serve the Grand Princess by pouring tea and fetching water, but she even rose before dawn each day to climb the city walls and observe the enemy forces across the way.

In her previous life, Ling Yue hadn’t participated in this minor conflict and had only heard that it was easily won. Logically, the Rong Dynasty should have been vulnerable after the snow disaster, making such an outcome somewhat unusual.

As the sun gradually rose on the horizon, the land began to regain its color, shifting from a dull gray to a bright clarity. By the river, the bright yellow banners bearing the Song character fluttered in the wind, and from a distance, the sheer expanse of them exerted an immense pressure.

Ling Yue tried hard to recall details from her past life but could only remember that Redwater Town had been breached, the defending general Li Min had narrowly escaped, and the county magistrate had died. She had only learned these snippets from discussions among the people at the general’s residence.

Just yesterday, she had been brimming with confidence, determined to become the Grand Princess’s sharpest blade, yet today she encountered an obstacle, the battlefield she was familiar with lay three years in the future.

Rubbing her throbbing temples, Ling Yue felt a wave of frustration. When Li Min ascended the city wall, she saw Ling Yue in this state and assumed the newcomer was intimidated by the sight of the battlefield. She couldn’t help but shake her head with a smile.

Even a prodigy needs time to grow.

Li Min walked over and stood beside her. “Do you know who is leading the enemy forces this time?”

Ling Yue naturally knew. The commander was Fu Huayi, daughter of the Marshal of the Xin Dynasty’s armed forces. In her past life, Ling Yue had crossed swords with her. How to put it? She somewhat looked down on Fu Huayi impatient and quick to anger, easily manipulated by Wen Yuanyuan.

But Ling Yue had always been humble. She gave a quiet “Mm” and said, “It’s Fu Huayi.”

Li Min gazed into the distance with a sigh. At twenty-seven, she was merely a minor city general, while Fu Huayi, at just twenty, was already a junior marshal of the Xin Dynasty. Fu Huayi had been fighting on the battlefield since she was twelve, her debut battle a great victory. In the eight years that followed, she had won far more than she lost. Her only two defeats were at the hands of the same person, and the Emperor of Xin had praised her as the Martial Star descended to earth, safeguarding his Great Xin.

Facing such a figure, Li Min had initially felt uneasy. But now that the Grand Princess had arrived, her worries vanished instantly after all, Fu Huayi’s two defeats had both been at the hands of the Grand Princess.

With her tense heart finally easing, Li Min smiled. “She’s a formidable opponent, but with the Grand Princess here, there’s nothing to fear.”

Ling Yue’s expression turned peculiar. She agreed with the latter part of that statement, but was the first part truly meant seriously?

Raising an eyebrow, she redirected her attention to the enemy forces across the way. With her sharp eyesight, she pinpointed Fu Huayi among the crowd. Fu Huayi was also observing their movements, and upon noticing Ling Yue’s gaze, she drew a hand across her throat in a provocative gesture.

Ling Yue: “…”

This felt rather unfamiliar. In her past life, Fu Huayi had been thoroughly subdued by her and wouldn’t have dared to make such a move.

Ling Yue chuckled, feeling not the slightest offense, only finding it utterly amusing. She tested the bow and arrows at hand, noting that their range was somewhat limited. Otherwise, she would have liked to try taking the enemy general’s head right from the city wall.

Having seen enough, Ling Yue turned to bid Li Min farewell and descended the wall.

Watching her hurried departure, Li Min couldn’t help but sigh. “Still too young can’t handle provocation.”

Ling Yue was unaware that her actions had been misunderstood. She immediately returned to find the Grand Princess, but upon reaching the doorway, she saw Qing Niao taking her pulse. She softened her footsteps as she entered the room and stood silently behind the Grand Princess.

Qing Niao’s expression was grave, her brows nearly knitted together. After a long while, she finally released the Grand Princess’s wrist and said irritably, “You’re not going to die just yet.”

The Grand Princess paid no mind to her tone. Turning to Ling Yue with a smile, she said, “Take a seat. How are things on the city walls?”

Ling Yue did not decline. She sat upright and reported in a formal, measured tone, “The soldiers are all very diligent. General Li was also there early.”

The Grand Princess nodded, seemingly satisfied. “That’s good.”

Seeing her in a pleasant mood, Ling Yue finally mustered the courage to make a request: “Your Highness, please grant me permission to join the battle.”

Qing Niao, who had been sulking, suddenly perked up and chimed in, “I think it’s a good idea. After these days of travel, your health has worsened again. It’s time you learned to let go, isn’t it?”

The Grand Princess remained silent, toying with a small object in her hand. It was not particularly refined, a doll woven from straw, dressed in white robes, with a small piece of paper attached to its face bearing the words “Grand Princess.”

Ling Yue was instantly furious, assuming someone had used witchcraft against the Grand Princess. Her face darkened. “Your Highness, where did this come from?”

A string was attached to the doll, and the Grand Princess tugged at it, swinging it carelessly. She seemed completely unbothered.

Placing the doll on the table, she smiled and said, “I found it on the road. But it’s quite cute. Should I make one for you too?”

Cold sweat trickled down Ling Yue’s forehead. She had never believed in such things before, but since her rebirth, she had developed a reverence for matters of gods and spirits. She hurriedly declined, “Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I have done nothing to deserve such a gift.”

The Grand Princess seemed to be in high spirits. Gazing at Ling Yue’s face, she said, “From now on, be more like you were today.”

Ling Yue was puzzled. “I am dull-witted, Your Highness. Please enlighten me.”

The Grand Princess tossed the doll into Ling Yue’s lap, then walked into the inner chamber, her voice trailing behind her: “From now on, think more about what you want. I grant your request. Do not disappoint me.”

Ling Yue carefully tucked the doll into her robes. On the battlefield, she had always been supremely confident. With unwavering assurance, she replied, “Your Highness need not worry.”

With matters settled, Qing Niao felt relieved. She looked at Ling Yue with a smile and, seeing her still standing there dazed, suggested, “Shall we take a walk?”

Having nothing else to attend to, Ling Yue agreed.

Hongshui Town was still shrouded in an atmosphere of sorrow and tension. Everyone was busy with funeral arrangements for their loved ones. Even when they caught sight of someone as striking as Ling Yue, they merely glanced briefly before wiping away their tears and continuing their mourning.

Qing Niao sighed as she observed the scene. “The world is too full of suffering.”

Then, turning to Ling Yue with a smile, she said, “Soon, we may have to address you as General Ling.”

This serious side of Qing Niao made Ling Yue uncomfortable, yet it also aligned more closely with her memories of the divine healer from her past life. Still, this version of Qing Niao seemed burdened with far more sorrow.

Feeling inexplicably uneasy, Ling Yue replied, “Nothing is certain yet, Physician Yun. Please don’t tease me.”

Qing Niao laughed heartily. “How can you call it teasing? I believe you are destined to become a legend of this era.”

Ling Yue wasn’t used to being praised, yet she couldn’t help feeling pleased. Still, she responded modestly, “You flatter me. In an era that already has someone like the Grand Princess, I’m merely a firefly beneath the bright moon.”

Suddenly, Qing Niao stopped. She touched her damp hair and gazed at the fine drizzle, her eyes growing misty.

Ling Yue hadn’t brought an umbrella either, but this light rain wasn’t bothersome. However, since she had company, she felt she should ask. Softly, she inquired, “Shall we head back?”

Qing Niao snapped out of her thoughts, concealing the emotion in her eyes as she shook her head. “No need. Let’s keep going. We shouldn’t let the rain trap us.”

Ling Yue sensed deeper meaning in those words. She didn’t know Qing Niao well, only that she’d been quite lazy as a child. But the present Qing Niao couldn’t be called lazy; if anything, she seemed overly energetic.

Walking in silence felt lacking. Remembering Qing Niao had an adopted daughter, Ling Yue decided to bring it up. “I heard you mention having a daughter before?”

Qing Niao’s expression instantly softened. With a tone that sounded critical but was actually boastful, she said, “Yes, a lovely girl. She’s always playing with swords and spears, but unlike you, she’s all show.”

Seeing her brighten, Ling Yue quietly relaxed and continued, “If she’s interested in martial arts, I could teach her.”

“That won’t be necessary. Blades and arrows have no eyes, I just want her safe.”

The conversation ended there. Ling Yue wasn’t particularly skilled at small talk, so they walked on in silence for a long while.

The sound of crying pierced through the rain. Sometimes Ling Yue wondered if heaven itself disapproved of such scenes. She also thought about whether it had rained when she died in her previous life, and if anyone had mourned for her.

Most likely not. Those who would have mourned her had gone before her.

“Ling Yue, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

Noticing Qing Niao’s serious expression, Ling Yue set aside her wandering thoughts. “Please, go ahead.”

Qing Niao stopped walking, looking Ling Yue up and down before asking, “Why do you draw your sword?”

Ling Yue was taken aback. Why did she draw her sword?

In this life, it was for the Grand Princess but upon reflection, that didn’t seem entirely right. Or perhaps it was only part of the answer.

In an instant, countless images flashed through her mind, most from her past life.

Initially, she hadn’t harbored any grand ambitions, quietly following her mother’s teachings to remain hidden. Then she met Lu Weiying. At first, she had no particular thoughts after all, even a fallen princess was still a princess, far beyond the reach of an unloved concubine’s daughter like herself.

But they kept crossing paths, and time after time, Ling Yue saved her. Lu Weiying drew closer, expressing her affection.

No one had ever looked at Ling Yue that way before. At first, she was apprehensive, but Lu Weiying sought her out repeatedly, speaking of the future of the Rong Dynasty’s people. Amidst the turmoil of the times, Ling Yue was moved. She believed Lu Weiying was different from the spoiled nobles that she would make a good emperor.

Yet back then, what she truly wanted remained unclear. It wasn’t until she stepped onto the battlefield and witnessed the displaced and suffering that she understood why she drew her sword.

Hatred was too terrifying, it made her forget so much. As the saying goes, a single leaf can block one’s view.

Though it sounded foolish, she hadn’t drawn her sword for Lu Weiying, nor for fame and fortune. She simply believed that by stepping forward, she could save many lives.

Ling Yue let out a heavy breath and turned to look at the people of Hongshui Town. A child, too young to understand, knelt by a coffin, their little head nodding drowsily. Beside the child, a woman cradled their head against her chest. Amid the drizzle and weeping, the child slowly drifted to sleep in her arms.

Ling Yue had found her answer. With resolve, she declared, “For the people.”

The Blue Bird’s stern expression softened into a smile. “What a foolish answer,” it said, “but that’s just like you.”

Support