Mistakenly Marked the Madly Beautiful Princess - Chapter 53

The scenery outside the window kept changing, and Lu Weiying’s emotions were complex as she set foot once more on the soil of her homeland. In her past life, every inch of this land had belonged to her, but now she had betrayed it. She felt little guilt, only a deep sense of resentment. She let the carriage curtain fall and closed her eyes.

“Minister Lu, we’re almost at Rong City. How does it feel?”

The teasing voice from outside the carriage irritated her, forcing her to open her eyes. It was clearly meant to mock her.

Yet, she had no choice but to endure it. The person escorting her held a high position in the Northern Kingdom. If she retorted and ended up killed, no one would seek justice for her.

The longer she stayed in this life, the more Lu Weiying missed her past one. Back then, she could simply hide behind Ling Yue, and all her problems would be solved by her.

She had heard that Ling Yue had joined Lu He on the campaign, beheading the deposed crown prince of Xin and the young marshal. Ling Yue was no longer the timid, cowering Second Miss Ling of the past.

Lu Weiying wasn’t surprised by her achievements. In her past life, she had only intended to escape the palace but had unexpectedly discovered Ling Yue, a hidden gem. Coincidentally, the Grand Princess had been planning to depose the emperor at the time, so Lu Weiying had conceived other ideas.

But in this life, the Grand Princess had beaten her to it. Lu Weiying gritted her teeth in frustration.

The woman outside the carriage, seeing that Lu Weiying didn’t respond, couldn’t help but look down on her. However, she had never held any goodwill toward traitors.

She cracked her whip and rode to the front of the procession. The ruby on her forehead ribbon was less dazzling than her smile. She snatched the lead flag and raised it high, shouting, “Follow me!”

Lu Weiying knew this was trouble as soon as she heard the command. Sure enough, the carriage began to move faster, jolting violently inside.

Her stomach churned, and Lu Weiying desperately covered her mouth to keep from vomiting. If she did, she would surely become a laughingstock.

Because of this incident, the group arrived much earlier than planned.

Dawn was just breaking, and the gates of Rong City were still closed. After communicating with the guards, everyone waited outside.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the city gates opened. A group emerged to greet them, led by a woman in red riding a spirited horse. Her dark hair was simply tied with a red ribbon, her expression stern, and her demeanor valiant.

Her gaze swept past the crowd and fixed directly on the carriage in the middle of the Northern Kingdom’s procession. After a brief glance, she turned her attention to the person at the front of the group, another familiar face from her past life, the eldest daughter of the Northern Kingdom’s Prince Jing, Lady An Yi.

Ling Yue remembered her quite well: skilled in martial arts, with a decent character. Unfortunately, their allegiances placed them on opposing sides, destined to clash on the battlefield. Sadly, she had died young.

Sighing inwardly, Ling Yue approached and greeted her, “Are you Lady An Yi of the Northern Kingdom?”

Lady An Yi scrutinized Ling Yue up and down, a hint of doubt in her eyes. “So you’re Ling Yue? You don’t look the part. I imagined you’d be more robust.”

What a strange impression, Ling Yue thought, somewhat exasperated. Her voice remained calm. “You jest, my lady. His Majesty has prepared accommodations for all of you. Please follow me.”

Within the city, there was a designated guesthouse for foreign envoys. However, due to the internal strife and external threats Rong Dynasty had faced in recent years, the guesthouse had fallen into disuse. Now that it was being reopened, Ling Yue felt it was a promising new beginning. She led the group to the guesthouse, dismounted, and waited.

The carriage curtain slowly lifted as Lu Weiying stepped down from the carriage. Dressed in Northern Kingdom attire, she wore silver ornaments on her wrists and ankles that jingled softly with her slightest movement. The deep blue robe hung loosely on her, appearing too large, and it seemed she had grown noticeably thinner since their last meeting.

Ling Yue watched her, and as Lu Weiying lifted her gaze to meet hers, Ling Yue was the first to look away. She feared she might not be able to control her emotions, especially since Lu Weiying now held the status of a Northern Kingdom envoy caution was necessary.

Lu Weiying did not miss the flicker of disgust in Ling Yue’s eyes. Unable to accept this reality, she stepped forward and called out, “Ling Yue.”

Her voice was pitiful so pitiful it was almost nauseating. Yet Ling Yue could not ignore her. She turned back with an impassive expression and asked, “What is it, Envoy Lu?”

Envoy Lu, not Fifth Princess. Lu Weiying understood the implication. Tears instantly welled in her eyes, but Ling Yue kept her head lowered, refusing to meet her gaze. In their past life, such an expression would have softened Ling Yue’s heart, making her set aside her pride to comfort her, a tactic that had never failed before.

Her voice grew hoarse, as though suppressing all the grievances in her heart. “General, do you resent me? But I—”

She left the rest unsaid, for many Northern Kingdom officials were present, especially Princess An Yi, who watched her with a mocking smile.

Ling Yue felt utterly repulsed. In her past life, she must have been blind to have loved someone so hypocritical and heartless. Yet, maintaining her composure, she replied calmly, “Envoy Lu, whatever decisions you make have nothing to do with me.”

Before Lu Weiying could say more, Princess An Yi interrupted with a scornful laugh. “If I recall correctly, Envoy Lu is the one who killed General Ling’s father. You’d best stop talking, I’m embarrassed for you.”

Lu Weiying had nearly forgotten that detail. In her memory, Ling Yue had never shown much affection for Ling Fu. She cautiously studied Ling Yue’s expression but found nothing revealing.

Ling Yue, preoccupied with the task assigned by the Grand Princess, clasped her hands and said, “Your rooms have been arranged. It has been a busy day, so I shall take my leave. Should you require anything, feel free to send for me.”

Princess An Yi nodded with a smile. “General, you may attend to your duties.”

Ling Yue mounted her horse and rode swiftly toward the imperial palace.

Princess An Yi watched her figure grow distant before turning back to see Lu Weiying’s expression of discontent. A thought crossed her mind, and she inwardly scoffed. Calculating the time, she sneered and reminded, “Overthinking won’t do you any good. You should worry about how you’ll endure what’s to come today.”

With that, she lifted the hem of her skirt and led her retinue into the posthouse.

Lu Weiying’s face paled further at the reminder of the pain. She wrapped her arms around herself, trembling at the thought.

Upon reaching the palace, Ling Yue hurried straight to the Hall of Self-Cultivation. She had walked this path so many times it felt like second nature, but the usually quiet palace was now filled with noise. From afar, she could hear Qing Niao’s voice.

“This one! This one looks good!”

Xiao Lizi’s voice was even louder as she shouted, “Aunt Yue doesn’t like green! Wear red!”

A sense of foreboding washed over Ling Yue. She cautiously entered the hall, only to find the typically serene space cluttered with clothes of every color imaginable.

Amid the pile of clothes, aside from the quarreling mother and daughter, sat the leisurely tea-sipping Princess. Ling Yue ignored the two who were arguing animatedly and went straight to the Princess, asking, “What’s going on here?”

The Princess set down her teacup. “We’re picking clothes for you. Which one do you like?”

“Don’t say anything about not accepting rewards without merit. Right now, you represent the face of the Rong Dynasty. Proper attire is necessary.”

Noticing the two below were still arguing, she coldly tapped the table. In an instant, Qing Niao and Yun Li fell silent, not daring to speak another word.

Ling Yue’s words of refusal were stuck in her throat. Staring at the pile of clothes, she felt her scalp tingle. Normally, she dressed casually and had never been so particular.

After picking for a while, she frowned deeply. Turning around, she saw the Princess smiling at her and said with some difficulty, “I don’t know how to choose, Your Highness. Which one do you think is better?”

Perhaps the Princess had been waiting for these words. She stepped down, her footsteps light and brisk, and walked purposefully to the most eye-catching dress. Holding up its sleeve, she smiled and said, “Try this one?”

Ling Yue looked at the intricate patterns on the dress. Even someone as unrefined as her could tell it was extraordinary. Instantly, she hesitated.

She glanced at the Princess and found her eyes full of anticipation. Though reluctant, Ling Yue’s heart softened, and she agreed, “Alright.”

Ling Yue went inside to change, while the Princess waited outside. The wait was rather long, and Qing Niao, gathering courage, teased the Princess with a playful expression, “Your Highness had already picked this one out, hadn’t you?”

The Princess gave her a faint glance, and Qing Niao quickly covered her mouth, though her eyes still sparkled with laughter.

Just as the Princess was about to teach the cheeky girl a small lesson, Ling Yue’s appearance interrupted her thoughts.

Ling Yue felt something was off, the collar was tight, her face felt hot, and the dress seemed heavier than what she usually wore. What made her even more uncomfortable was the stunned admiration in everyone’s eyes. Suppressing the urge to flee, she said, “I’ve changed.”

The Princess smiled. “How about this one? It looks lovely on you.”

Ling Yue, who had initially felt awkward, inexplicably felt a surge of joy at the Princess’s praise. Clutching the hem of her dress, she asked, “Really?”

The Princess chuckled. “Of course. It’s just that your hair looks a bit plain.”

Ling Yue had always tied her hair with a simple string easy and practical. Hearing the Princess’s comment, she reached up to touch her hair and said awkwardly, “Is it?”

The Princess stood up, walked to her dressing table, and pulled the stool back slightly. Turning to Ling Yue, she instructed, “Come here and sit down.”

Ling Yue obediently walked over, though a closer look would reveal her moving somewhat stiffly, her arms and legs out of sync.

Qing Niao found it amusing but felt it inappropriate for her and Yun Li to remain. Quietly, she pulled Yun Li along and slipped out of the hall.

Inside the room, Ling Yue was nervous. The reflection in the bronze mirror looked utterly flustered. The Princess untied her hair tie and draped it around her own wrist, then picked up a comb from the dressing table to style Ling Yue’s hair. Terrified, Ling Yue tried to stand up but was firmly pressed back onto the stool by the Princess, who seemed somewhat displeased. “Behave. I don’t want to hear any discouraging words.”

Ling Yue had no choice but to sit obediently. The other person’s movements as they combed her hair were incredibly gentle, and she nearly drifted off to sleep. However, as more and more hair accessories were added, the increasing weight gradually chased away her drowsiness. When she opened her eyes and looked into the bronze mirror, she could hardly believe the person reflected back was actually her.

Yet the Eldest Princess still seemed unsatisfied. She leaned in, pinched Ling Yue’s chin, and lifted her face. Then, she dotted a small beauty mark beneath the corner of her eye. The sharpness of Ling Yue’s beauty was softened considerably by this single touch.

“Not bad,” the Eldest Princess commented lightly, admiring her handiwork. But such a modest evaluation hardly did it justice.

Ling Yue, however, paid little attention to her own appearance. The distance between her and the Eldest Princess was too close, making her breath grow unsteady.

Fortunately, the Eldest Princess released her just in time and began tidying the cluttered items on the dressing table.

Just as Ling Yue managed to calm herself, she noticed two red ribbons slip from the other’s sleeve. Upon closer inspection, she realized they seemed to be her own hair ties.

After tidying for a while, the Eldest Princess turned and noticed Ling Yue staring at her sleeve. She deliberately set down the hairpin in her hand, raised her arm, and shook it gently. The red ribbons, wrapped multiple times around her fair wrist due to their length, stood out vividly against her skin.

With a smile, the Eldest Princess said, “One should not accept rewards without merit. How about I take these ribbons as compensation?”

The room was dim, but the Eldest Princess’s smile was dazzlingly bright. Ling Yue lowered her head, unable to face the turmoil in her heart, and softly replied, “Alright.”

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