Mistakenly Marked the Madly Beautiful Princess - Chapter 38

The Blue Bird left, leaving the Eldest Princess alone in the room.

Normally, she wouldn’t dwell on such matters. She had always been alone, accomplishing everything by herself, and she was accustomed to this way of life.

But now, an unexpected presence had intruded into her life. Though she wanted to drive it away, she couldn’t bring herself to do so, even though the other person’s character was the type she disliked the most.

Ling Yue was too straightforward and upright, completely different from her.

She was a liar, a madwoman.

The Eldest Princess sighed and gazed out the window at the pitch-black night. Suddenly, she felt the urge to take a walk. As she wandered outside, she unconsciously found herself in front of Ling Yue’s room.

The light seeping through the window indicated that Ling Yue was still awake. She had intended to leave, but her hand, as if with a will of its own, knocked on the door.

Ling Yue was studying the terrain around Red Water Town. Having learned from Wen Yuanyuan in her past life, she often thought about using the terrain to outmaneuver others.

Knock, knock.

Ling Yue snapped out of her focus on the map, feeling puzzled since it was already late.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me.”

Hearing the Eldest Princess’s voice, Ling Yue hurriedly stepped forward to open the door. Without ceremony, the princess strode into the room.

Noticing the map on the table, the Eldest Princess smiled faintly. “Have you come up with a plan?”

Ling Yue was very familiar with the enemy general. Since the two had not yet faced off, Fu Huayi was bound to underestimate such a young and unknown opponent.

This suited Ling Yue perfectly.

She grinned confidently and said, “Your Highness will see for yourself tomorrow.”

For some reason, the Eldest Princess found her demeanor quite pleasing. However, she wasn’t in the mood to discuss such matters tonight. She swept her skirt aside and sat down, then gestured to Ling Yue. “Sit.”

Ling Yue dared not disobey. She obediently took a seat and cautiously asked, “Has Your Highness come so late because you don’t trust me?”

Slowly rolling up the map on the table, the Eldest Princess tossed it aside.

Seeing Ling Yue’s anxious expression, she inexplicably felt displeased. There was always a barrier of status between them, preventing the closeness she shared with others.

Frowning with dissatisfaction, she said, “There’s no need to be so reserved. Tonight, we’ll only discuss personal matters.”

Though she said this, Ling Yue remained tense, so much so that she didn’t know where to put her hands and feet.

As Ling Yue failed to relax, the Eldest Princess’s expression grew increasingly stern.

Ling Yue’s mind raced, and suddenly, an idea struck her.

She began hypnotizing herself while staring at the Eldest Princess’s beautiful face, repeating over and over in her heart: This is a big cabbage.

After countless repetitions, it actually worked. Ling Yue marveled inwardly: What a beautiful cabbage!

Finally, her tension eased, and she spoke fluently and cheerfully, “What would Your Highness like to talk about?”

The Eldest Princess sensed something odd but couldn’t read minds. If she could, she would probably have been amused.

But what to talk about?

Over the years, her life had been thrilling yet monotonous, with few interesting stories to share.

Since she couldn’t talk about herself, discussing others would have to do.

The Eldest Princess settled on the unfortunate Blue Bird as her topic.

After a moment’s thought, she broached the subject with today’s events. “What did the Blue Bird say to you?”

Since it was nothing inappropriate, Ling Yue recounted everything in detail.

The Eldest Princess was moved not by the other’s desire to serve the people, but because her own influence had played a part in the reason the Blue Bird drew her sword.

To the Princess, Ling Yue’s words were merely a display of loyalty, and she understood that. Yet, she couldn’t help but feel pleased.

It seemed she had become someone easily appeased.

The Princess sighed inwardly at her own simplicity but let it be, smiling as she remarked, “She was trying to guide you.”

Ling Yue nodded. “Physician Yun may seem careless, but she gives the impression of being wise.”

Wise she was, but burdened with even more sorrow.

The Princess realized then that even her subordinates were skilled at deception and had been hiding the truth for so long.

It was unlikely that Qing Niao’s friend had died of illness; it was probably a vendetta killing, most likely a massacre of an entire family. Otherwise, the child wouldn’t have been entrusted to her.

Moreover, Qing Niao had never spoken of it, suggesting the enemy was no ordinary foe likely someone from beyond the borders of Rong.

Though Qing Niao had never asked for vengeance, the Princess pieced together the likely scenario based on her own deductions.

A case of such magnitude would surely be recorded in the official archives. She would investigate it later, tracing back to the time of the incident.

Noticing the Princess seemed preoccupied, Ling Yue hesitated before asking, “Your Highness, is something troubling you?”

Snapping out of her thoughts, the Princess concealed part of the truth. “I was thinking about how to help a friend.”

Ling Yue was surprised, surprised that the Princess even had friends. After a moment’s thought, she ventured, “Is it Qing Niao?”

The Princess was momentarily speechless at Ling Yue’s sudden perceptiveness, then remembered she only knew Qing Niao.

Since the guess was out, the Princess saw no need to hide it. She offered rare praise: “Clever. But let’s keep this between us.”

Pausing, she added with a laugh, “Does this count as our secret?”

Ling Yue sensed something more in her words, but having been teased by the Princess so often, she assumed this was just another jest.

Her cheeks flushed slightly, thankfully hidden in the dim light. Ling Yue pledged earnestly, “Your Highness need not worry. I will not speak of it.”

Wanting to assist Qing Niao as well, she pressed on, “Is there any way I can help?”

The Princess gazed into her eyes so sincere and endearing, like a puppy she once raised.

With that thought, she almost imagined a wagging tail behind Ling Yue.

Blinking, she saw nothing.

Suppressing a sigh, not wanting to discourage her, the Princess replied, “Not yet. If there’s a way you can assist, I’ll certainly let you know.”

A satisfied smile spread across Ling Yue’s face. “I’m glad if I can be of help to you both.”

Her smile was infectious, and the Princess felt the weight in her heart lighten almost imperceptibly.

Such moments of ease were rare for her.

Ling Yue stared, captivated by her smile her usual composure failing her in that instant.

Realizing she had been staring too long, she lowered her head, not daring to look again, inwardly scolding herself.

How could she entertain such improper thoughts toward Her Highness!

Ling Yue, you are disloyal and treasonous!

After berating herself fiercely, she finally calmed down but kept her eyes averted from the Princess.

To mask her embarrassment, Ling Yue changed the subject awkwardly: “Your Highness, if you ever need anything, you can always turn to me.”

Her shyness was unmistakable, and the Princess couldn’t resist teasing her further, seizing the opportunity.

She drawled meaningfully, “Oh? Anything at all?”

The other’s insinuation made Ling Yue spring to her feet, her back ramrod straight. “Your Highness, this… this…”

She stammered for a long while without managing to articulate anything coherent.

The Grand Princess deliberately put on a deeply disappointed expression. “Ah, I never thought the words of the Second Lady Ling would prove unreliable.”

Though fully aware that the Grand Princess was deliberately provoking her, Ling Yue couldn’t help but feel flustered.

Combining her past and present lives, she was particularly terrified of disappointing the Grand Princess’s expectations.

Driven by this mindset, she closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, and declared, “They count! Of course they count! Your Highness can always come to me.”

Ling Yue’s expression, as if marching bravely to her death, amused the Grand Princess, who finally relented and let her off.

As night had fallen, the Grand Princess decided not to disturb her further. Rising to her feet, she smiled and said, “You should rest now.”

Ling Yue was taken aback. After all the mental preparation she had made, the Grand Princess was simply letting her go.

But the Grand Princess had already stepped out and vanished into the night.

Ling Yue sat down, feeling that the Grand Princess had been somewhat unusual today. It wasn’t her late-night visit that was strange, but rather how little she had teased her tonight.

Ling Yue shuddered. “What’s wrong with me?”

Wasn’t less teasing a good thing? Could it be that she had developed the same undesirable habits as those incompetent nobles?

She clutched her hair, unable to accept the thought.

Her ability to console herself was strong, and she began to brainwash herself again: “It’s fine, it’s fine, it’s fine.”

Her mood somewhat calmed, Ling Yue sighed in relief. After a quick wash, she lay down on the bed.

The moment she closed her eyes, the Grand Princess’s every smile and frown flashed before her. Startled, she opened her eyes and sat bolt upright.

Her heart was pounding wildly, and she felt it was utterly untimely, only adding to her troubles.

She tried lying down again, but within seconds, she sat up once more.

“No, no! I can’t calm down at all!”

Her hair a tangled mess, Ling Yue had no choice but to get out of bed and pace around the room.

After walking for a while, she attempted to sleep again, only to sit up once more.

Ling Yue was nearly driven mad by this torment. In such a state, she’d rather have nightmares, at least she had to be asleep to dream.

She walked to the table, poured herself a cup of water, and drank it, hoping to calm herself down.

Unfortunately, it didn’t work.

Ling Yue smiled wryly. “To be this audaciously captivated, Ling Yue, you’re beyond saving.”

Perhaps it was due to excessive energy, but Ling Yue decided to run a few laps in the courtyard. Once exhausted, she would naturally fall asleep.

No sooner said than done. Ling Yue gently pushed the door open and stepped outside.

After running two laps in the courtyard, she heard faint noises, as if someone was speaking.

Ling Yue stopped, listening intently. Following the sound, she discovered it was coming from the Grand Princess’s room.

Ling Yue hesitated. Someone like the Grand Princess shouldn’t be in danger.

But the sound from inside the room came again, this time closer. Ling Yue heard it more clearly and realized it was the Grand Princess’s voice.

It seemed as though she was having a nightmare.

Did the Grand Princess have nightmares too? Did she have fears?

Ling Yue was curious, but remembering that these were private matters, she decided to leave.

Yet, after taking only a few steps, she heard a dull thud from inside the room. Worried, Ling Yue knocked on the door. “Your Highness! Your Highness!”

There was no response.

In her anxiety, Ling Yue kicked the door open and rushed in. Familiar with the room’s layout, she quickly found the Grand Princess.

The other person lay on the floor beside the bed. Ling Yue held her in her arms and, after checking to confirm she was unharmed, felt relieved.

It seemed she had simply fallen out of bed due to a nightmare.

Ling Yue carefully lifted her and placed her back on the bed. Just as she was about to leave, she realized the princess was holding her hand.

After a few unsuccessful attempts to free herself, Ling Yue considered waking her but hesitated, unwilling to disturb her rest.

As she struggled with indecision, she heard the princess murmur in her sleep, “Ling Yue.”

Surprised to find herself in the princess’s dream, Ling Yue responded softly, “I am here.”

In her sleep, the princess’s furrowed brow relaxed slightly, though her grip tightened, and she pleaded in a low, fragile voice, “Don’t go.”

Ling Yue had never heard the princess sound so vulnerable before. Though unsure what she was dreaming about, her heart softened nonetheless.

“Alright.”

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