Mistakenly Marked the Madly Beautiful Princess - Chapter 48

On a dark and windy night, Ling Yue crept stealthily into the Hall of Self-Cultivation, only to find that she had arrived a bit too early, the Eldest Princess was not in her room.

To be honest, Ling Yue breathed a sigh of relief. She began to wander idly around the hall. The Eldest Princess did not reside here often, so there were relatively few personal items. It seemed more like she treated this place as an inn of sorts.

Inside the room stood a large sandalwood bookshelf, its volumes neatly arranged, mostly consisting of historical military strategies and biographies of notable figures.

Ling Yue felt the urge to browse through them but hesitated, feeling it would be improper to handle another person’s belongings. Her sense of morality made her abandon the idea, so she sat back down in the hall out of boredom. Yet, as soon as she grew still, her mind began to churn with restlessness. Helpless, she tapped her own head lightly.

In the midst of her distress, she heard footsteps. Ling Yue was quite familiar with that sound, so she straightened her back and looked toward the doorway. Just as she expected, the person standing there was the Eldest Princess.

“Your Highness.”

The Eldest Princess stepped inside and, seeing the other’s earnest demeanor, smiled. “You’ve come quite early.”

In truth, Ling Yue had dawdled at home for a long time, waiting until the sky was completely dark before setting out. She hadn’t expected that, in the Eldest Princess’s eyes, she was still considered early. Afraid of being misunderstood, Ling Yue quickly explained, “I only set out after dark.”

The Eldest Princess didn’t seem to care about her timing. She trimmed the lamp wick before sitting down, carefully studying Ling Yue’s face, then smiled again. “It must have been hard on you, little general.”

Though she said this, the Eldest Princess didn’t seem particularly apologetic. Unable to discern her emotions, Ling Yue replied honestly, “I am not wronged, but you have been inconvenienced.”

This back-and-forth about who was wronged felt strange, but Ling Yue didn’t know what else to say.

The Eldest Princess appeared in no hurry, as if she wanted to have a heart-to-heart with Ling Yue. “Little general, what kind of Earth Mystic do you like?”

“.A gentle one.”

“Why does Your Highness suddenly ask this?”

The Eldest Princess chuckled. “Just a sudden curiosity. You didn’t have to answer, really.”

It was a bit late to say that after she had already answered. In truth, Ling Yue herself felt confused. In the past, she had indeed preferred gentle types, but now she felt that answer might not be entirely accurate.

Sometimes, when she thought about her past life, she would wonder why she had fallen for Lu Weiying. In the end, she realized it didn’t feel like love at all more like a desperate attempt to repay kindness.

Because so few people had treated her well along the way, when she encountered someone who falsely claimed to love her, she couldn’t help but pour her heart and soul into reciprocating that affection. It turned out to be her inferiority complex at work again, she always felt she had to strive to be worthy of others’ affection.

With a sigh, she added, “Actually, I’d rather remain alone like this.”

That expression again, eyes devoid of light, brows tightly furrowed.

The Eldest Princess guessed that the other must be thinking about her so-called past life once more.

This time, it was a matter of emotions. Combined with the poisoned wine, the flames, and Ling Yue’s strange attitude toward Lu Weiying, the Eldest Princess had her own inference.

Could it be that Lu Weiying had deceived her emotionally, used her to ascend the throne, then killed her with poisoned wine and used fire to destroy the evidence? But Ling Yue had miraculously survived, escaping the flames, and then used some secret technique to return to the present?

If that were the case, what role did she, the Eldest Princess, play in this story? The only certainty was that she held some affection for Ling Yue, but the memories that surfaced last time suggested their relationship wasn’t particularly close.

Perhaps it was due to political differences, but Ling Yue’s talent evoked in her a mix of admiration and conflicted emotions, both love and resentment.

What was the meaning of the grave in her dream? Could it be Qing Niao’s grave? After all, the dream mentioned revenge, but why would she call Qing Niao “silly girl”?

The thought of herself calling Qing Niao “silly girl” sent a chill down the princess’s spine. Then, shifting her perspective, she wondered if it could be Lu Ai’s grave instead. It was possible she might have called Lu Ai “silly girl.”

The princess had fallen into a flawed line of reasoning, but for now, she couldn’t break free from it. She sighed inwardly, thinking, So, it turns out I care for my sister this much? It seems I do have the makings of a good older sister.

Having roughly pieced together Ling Yue’s past life, the princess understood that she had suffered from heartbreak. However, there was nothing she could do to help after all, she herself was a person of shallow emotions.

Their casual conversation came to an end, not because the princess didn’t want to continue, but because the poison in her body began to flare up. The sensation of overwhelming heat was unbearable, especially the intense discomfort at the back of her neck.

Clenching her fists, she instinctively endured it as she always had. But the more she resisted, the more vivid the images in her mind became. The Ling Yue before her transformed into the bullies from her childhood, laughing and jeering as they overturned the water vat she had been struggling to carry.

Staring at those detestable faces, she felt nothing but rage. She swung her fist, aiming for their faces, but the panicked expression suddenly shifted back to Ling Yue’s. Hearing Ling Yue urgently call out “Your Highness,” she snapped back to reality and withdrew her hand.

Forcing down part of the toxin, the hallucinations vanished. Only then did the princess notice the cracked teapot on the table. Inhaling the rich floral scent filling the room, she concealed the frustration in her eyes.

What exactly am I in this state?

Truthfully, she had never entertained such thoughts before, but for some reason, she didn’t want Ling Yue to see her like this.

Yet she soon realized her worries were unnecessary Ling Yue was barely conscious, her gaze dazed as she drew closer. When she was near, Ling Yue suddenly spoke: “Your Highness.”

The fact that Ling Yue could still recognize her filled the princess with pleasant surprise. “Yes, it’s me.”

Staring at the princess before her, Ling Yue hesitated. The princess’s lips were so close at first, she had thought they looked inviting, but then she remembered their relationship was merely one of mutual benefit, and a kiss seemed to carry a different meaning.

Summoning what little rationality remained, Ling Yue asked hoarsely, “What would Your Highness have me do?”

The princess found it amusing that Ling Yue would ask for instructions even in such a situation, she truly was a coward, yet there was something endearing about it.

The scent of cedar grew increasingly distinct. Up close, the princess could see that Ling Yue’s face was even more flushed than it had been when she was drunk, her lips painted in the same vibrant hue.

The princess reached out, wrapped her arms around Ling Yue’s neck, and pulled her down, whispering softly by her ear, “Then let’s start with a kiss.”

Crossing mountains and valleys, Ling Yue felt as though she were in a long, unending dream, one she never wanted to wake from.

Leaning down, she kissed away the tears at the corner of the princess’s eyes, feeling as though something within her had been filled.

Finally, she drifted into sleep, free from the nightmares of her past life. Yet she dreamed again, of the woman in white pouring wine and the sorrowful melody of a flute.

Some rejoiced while others grieved. After Lu Weiying’s defection, her life took a turn for the worse. The northern barbarians revered martial prowess, and since she lacked any skill in combat, she faced constant exclusion. Even though she had killed Ling Fu, her identity as a member of the Rong Dynasty’s imperial family still drew suspicion and distrust.

These circumstances could be changed gradually Lu Weiying believed she had the ability to do so. But the poison inside her tormented her ceaselessly. Every day at noon, the toxin would flare up on schedule, wracking her body with such agony that she writhed on the ground.

By now, she had grown emaciated beyond recognition.

Lu Weiying couldn’t understand it. In her previous life, despite some obstacles, everything had proceeded relatively smoothly. In this life, however, nothing seemed to go her way. Was it truly impossible for her to succeed without relying on Ling Yue?

Her past success had filled her with arrogance so much so that she believed her ascension to the throne was primarily due to her own intelligence. She thought that even without using Ling Yue, she could achieve the same results by manipulating others.

Today’s bout of pain had passed, but Lu Weiying was already dreading tomorrow. This kind of life seemed endless, and she knew exactly whose machinations had reduced her to this state.

A cold sneer twisted her delicate features, contorting them into something fierce and ugly under the influence of hatred. Through gritted teeth, she spat, “Lu He! You wretched woman! I will kill you! I swear it!”

With a crash, she swept everything off the desk.

After a while, she calmed down, only to be seized by a chilling cold. Memories of her past life haunted her like a nightmare, making her feel utterly powerless before Lu He. Frustrated, she clawed at her hair, tugging out a handful in her agitation.

Staring blankly at the long strands in her palm, she flung them away with a burst of fury.

Lu Weiying did not want to die. Suppressing the hatred in her heart, she resolved, “I must go back.”

Soon, dawn broke. Ling Ya stepped out of the palace where she was temporarily staying, followed by two young maids.

As was customary, she first had to visit the Hall of Mental Cultivation. But after taking a few steps in that direction, Ling Ya halted, snorted, and turned to walk the opposite way.

One of the maids couldn’t help but remind her, “Miss Ling, are you not going to see His Majesty today?”

“No. Say no more.”

The two maids exchanged glances. Since her attitude was so firm, they couldn’t force her and had no choice but to follow helplessly.

Still, they had to complete the task assigned by Aunt Qiu Ling. One of the maids signaled with her eyes, and the other slipped away quietly.

Ling Ya wandered aimlessly. The imperial palace was vast, yet it always left her feeling stifled and restless.

After walking for some time, she spotted a swing. Holding her rabbit, she walked over but soon found it inconvenient to keep carrying the animal, so she handed it to the remaining maid. Only then did she notice that one of the maids was missing.

Before she could speak, the maid explained, “Cai He had some matters to attend to at the Hall of Mental Cultivation.”

Though puzzled, Ling Ya couldn’t say much after all, she was merely a temporary resident in the palace.

Grasping the ropes of the swing with both hands, Ling Ya began to sway gently.

Due to her health, many things in life were beyond her reach, and people often looked at her with pity.

The mountain was tranquil, so quiet that she could lose herself in it. It felt as though she had been cast away, left to die silently in a place where no one would find her.

It seemed she was somewhat unwilling to accept it. Ling Ya didn’t want it to end like this. Every day, she fantasized about doing something worthy of praise, something that would leave her mark on the world, even if her life was limited.

But ever since she discovered that scroll, such thoughts gradually faded. She still had to atone for her sins.

Since she had to atone, she had to live well. Only by living could she help Ling Yue.

With a sigh, Ling Ya muttered to herself, “I’ll do my best.”

“What?”

The sudden voice startled Ling Ya. Before her appeared a pair of bright yellow boots within the imperial palace, only one person had the right to wear such footwear.

Truly, a lingering ghost.

Ling Ya rose and bowed. “Your Majesty, may you be at peace.”

Lu Ai keenly sensed something off about her, but she herself had been persuaded by Qiu Ling to come.

The air grew awkward for a moment. Suddenly, Lu Ai said, “Shall we go horseback riding?”

Ling Ya was shocked, the emperor could ride a horse!

Lu Ai appeared delicate and fragile, easily giving others such an illusion.

Annoyed by Ling Ya’s astonishment, Lu Ai retorted, “I’m not useless! Are you coming or not?”

“I’ll go!”

Ling Ya was genuinely curious. Setting aside her slight resentment toward Lu Ai, she followed without hesitation.

Their figures grew smaller in the distance, leaving only Ling Yue, standing atop the wall, utterly dumbfounded.

These two had never crossed paths in their previous lives!

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