Mistakenly Marked the Madly Beautiful Princess - Chapter 46

The aftermath of a hangover was truly unpleasant. Ling Yue held her head as she sat up, opening her eyes to see Chun Tao keeping watch by her side.

The other girl was dressed so finely that Ling Yue didn’t recognize her at first glance. It seemed that during her absence, her elder sister had treated Chun Tao well.

Chun Tao, a light sleeper, was startled awake and smiled immediately upon seeing her. “Miss!”

“I’m back.”

Chun Tao’s eyes reddened. “It’s good that you’re back, Miss.”

“This little girl was very worried about you, asking me about your whereabouts every day,” Ling Ya’s voice carried a hint of teasing as she stepped into the room. She took Ling Yue’s hand with concern. “Is your head still aching?”

After sitting up for a while, Ling Yue felt much better. She shook her head and expressed her gratitude to Ling Ya. “Thank you, Eldest Sister, for bringing me back.”

Ling Ya covered her mouth with her sleeve and laughed. “Who said I was the one who brought you back?”

Ling Yue was surprised. At yesterday’s gathering, only she, the young couple Prince Wen and his wife were present. Wang Lan must have been dead drunk, and Wen Yuan Yuan, with her poor sense of direction, would only have led her deep into the mountains.

Could there have been someone else?

Ling Yue tried to recall the details of the previous day, and suddenly, a face appeared in her mind.

The Eldest Princess!

This was beyond flattering, it was overwhelming.

Ling Yue let out an awkward laugh and sighed. “I’ve troubled Her Highness.”

Seeing that she remembered, Ling Ya smiled, but her expression soon turned worried. She had learned many things from the emperor and knew that the Eldest Princess was not as gentle as she had once thought. She feared her younger sister might be at a disadvantage.

Sitting down, she asked gently, “Her Highness seems to treat you exceptionally well. What exactly is your relationship?”

Ling Yue paused mid-motion as she got out of bed. She looked into Ling Ya’s eyes and saw the concern there.

Touched, she reassured her, “Her Highness and I are merely in a ruler-subject relationship.”

Ling Ya was skeptical. The Eldest Princess had personally escorted Ling Yue back to the residence yesterday. If that were all, it might be understandable, but she had stayed and cared for her until late into the night.

It was hard to believe their relationship was merely that of a ruler and subject.

As Ling Yue put on her shoes, Ling Ya couldn’t help but add, “Staying close to the ruler is like staying close to a tiger. The imperial family rarely offers genuine sincerity. You must be careful in your actions, little sister.”

Ling Yue looked up and suddenly smiled. “I understand, Eldest Sister. Since you often stay by the emperor’s side, you should also be cautious.”

“His Majesty is benevolent.”

Ling Ya began dressing. Today, she still had to enter the palace. Before her official appointment, she remained the Eldest Princess’s imperial guard.

Hearing her sister’s words, Ling Yue smiled and said, “I think the Eldest Princess is also benevolent.”

Ling Ya was taken aback. “I—”

Ling Yue had already finished dressing when she suddenly noticed something am

There was simply no possibility between her and the Emperor she could sense the hint of disdain in his gaze whenever he looked at her.

Lingya gritted her teeth and spat, “Who cares!”

Unaware that her casual remark had troubled her elder sister, Ling Yue made her way to the palace. Upon entering the palace gates, she noticed that the maids and guards treated her with a newfound respect.

This respect was different from before. Previously, it had been due to the influence of the Princess Royal, but now, they were honoring Ling Yue herself.

Ling Yue’s mood lifted even further.

Walking briskly, she slowed her pace as she approached the Hall of Cultivation. Ling Yue dawdled until she reached the entrance, only to find the doors wide open, with a few young maids unaware of her presence.

The Princess Royal was discussing some matters with Qing Niao. Though it was called a discussion, Qing Niao’s troubled expression made it seem more like an interrogation.

Ling Yue’s timely arrival rescued Qing Niao, who eagerly stood up and said, “Ling Yue is here. I won’t disturb you two and will take my leave now.”

With that, she scurried away in a flash.

Ling Yue had intended to greet Qing Niao, but the other woman had fled too quickly.

“Come in.”

Snapping back to reality, Ling Yue stepped into the hall and took a seat. She began by expressing her gratitude, “Thank you, Your Highness, for sending me off yesterday.”

The Princess Royal pushed a plate of cherries toward Ling Yue. “Try some.”

The white porcelain plate made the cherries appear even more vibrant and tempting. As Ling Yue hesitated, the Princess Royal picked up the largest cherry and brought it to her lips. “Do you need me to feed you?”

“It’s not entirely out of the question, ah!”

Ling Yue hadn’t actually said anything, she had no idea how the Princess Royal had interpreted it that way. Hastily, she took the cherry and stammered, “I can manage on my own, Your Highness.”

The cherry was sweet, making her crave another.

Ling Yue glanced up and noticed the Princess Royal also picking one. What could she say? Royalty was royalty even eating a cherry was done with such elegance, making Ling Yue feel as though she were chewing like an ox.

Yet, Ling Yue found herself unable to look away.

She realized she often harbored disrespectful thoughts so frequently that she began to question her own character.

She wondered if she should visit a temple someday to burn incense and pray, hoping to cleanse herself of such impurities.

Noticing Ling Yue’s dazed expression, a flicker of amusement crossed the Princess Royal’s eyes.

Shifting to a more comfortable position, she propped her head on one hand and asked casually, “For this reward, aside from the position of general, I plan to add one more thing.”

Ling Yue immediately straightened up. “What does Your Highness mean?”

The Princess Royal fixed her gaze on Ling Yue’s face, as if anticipating her reaction. “I am aware of the matters concerning the Ling family. I can authorize the relocation of your mother’s grave. You may choose the new burial site yourself.”

After a brief silence, Ling Yue rose and knelt, kowtowing with utmost sincerity, her voice trembling with emotion. “Your servant thanks Your Highness!”

This was a surprise Ling Yue had never dared to hope for. In her previous life, she had tried to use her military achievements to have her mother’s grave moved but had been thwarted every time.

Back then, Ling Fu was still alive, and Lu Weiying, for various reasons, had advised her to endure.

Left with no other choice, Ling Yue had pleaded with the Princess Royal. She hadn’t held much hope, especially since they were political rivals at the time. Yet, the Princess Royal hadn’t mocked her, she had simply said one word: “Granted.”

In this life, however, the Princess Royal had considered the matter before she even had to ask.

A pair of hands helped her up, accompanied by a teasing remark that lightened the atmosphere: “Your forehead is all red from kowtowing.”

As she spoke, she reached out and touched Ling Yue’s forehead.

Whether it was an illusion or not, Ling Yue felt the touched area become noticeably more comfortable, though the close proximity made her heart race again.

The Grand Princess withdrew her hand. “I heard your name was given by your mother. ‘Yue’ such a lovely character. May you always be joyful and happy.”

Ling Yue thought of her mother. Indeed, that had been her intention when naming her, yet Ling Yue felt she had failed to live up to the name, living a life filled with insecurity and sorrow.

The Grand Princess blinked playfully. “Can you guess who gave me my name?”

Ling Yue was momentarily distracted. After a moment’s thought, she replied, “Your mother?”

“Correct.”

The Grand Princess returned to her seat. “‘He’, it means graceful and elegant. That was my mother’s hope for me, though I fear I’ve grown rather crooked.”

“Your Highness jests.”

The Grand Princess glanced at the cherries on the plate and smiled meaningfully. “Indeed, it was a jest.”

“Have you chosen a location for the reburial?”

Ling Yue nodded. “Yes. My mother wished to return to her hometown.”

“Pengzhou?”

“Yes.”

Pengzhou was indeed very far from Rongjing. Moving the grave would require considerable effort and expense, but fortunately, Ling Yue was no longer penniless.

With Ling Fu gone, she only needed to discuss the matter with her elder sister. There would be far less resistance than in her previous life, and with the Grand Princess’s support, it would be even more dignified.

If she remembered correctly, the Ke family in Pengzhou had no descendants left. Ling Yue planned to hire some tomb keepers to regularly tend her mother’s grave.

After she retired from official duties, she would return to Pengzhou to accompany her mother.

Seeing her deep in thought, the Grand Princess did not disturb her. She had little connection to family ties and didn’t fully understand such sentiments.

Still, she occasionally marveled at the bond between Ling Ya and Ling Yue.

Suddenly, she thought of her own timid, puppet-like sister, then shook her head.

Having finished that topic, the Grand Princess turned to her own affairs.

“Then it’s settled. Let me know what you need. There’s one more thing I must make clear to you.”

Hearing the Grand Princess’s serious tone, Ling Yue straightened her back. “Please speak, Your Highness.”

The Grand Princess tapped the table lightly with her knuckles. “The poison in my body is showing signs of acting up again, so I’ll need your assistance.”

Ling Yue had nearly forgotten about this. Over the past half-month, the Grand Princess had seemed perfectly normal more than capable of taking on not just ten, but a hundred opponents if needed.

She wanted to speak but found herself too tense, managing only a simple, “Mm.”

Seeing her nervousness, the Grand Princess couldn’t help but smile. “Then tomorrow night.”

Ling Yue felt her breath catch. “Mm.”

When she looked up, she saw the Grand Princess’s calm expression and suddenly felt a pang of resentment as if she were merely being used as an antidote.

“Your Highness.”

“Hm?”

“Never mind. May I return home to rest for the day?”

“Granted.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. I take my leave.”

After leaving the Hall of Cultivation, Ling Yue glanced back. The Grand Princess was eating cherries, seemingly unaffected. It felt unfair that something involving both of them seemed to matter only to her.

For some reason, her chest felt tight. Ling Yue turned and walked away.

Once her figure disappeared from sight, the Grand Princess stood and walked to the doorway.

In the courtyard, the withered trees were awakening to the spring breeze. Bare branches sprouted tender green buds, and occasional birds flitted by. Normally, their chirping would have annoyed her, but lately, the Grand Princess’s temper had softened considerably.

Settling back into her seat, the princess reached for a cherry from the plate only to find it empty.

She withdrew her hand, staring blankly at the barren plate and the fruit pit Ling Yue had left behind.

After a long while, she sighed softly and murmured to herself, “A past life, perhaps?”

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