Mistakenly Marked the Madly Beautiful Princess - Chapter 56

It was a rare day today, the imperial palace was unusually lively. The envoy from the Northern Kingdom had arrived, and even the Eldest Princess had broken protocol, preparing fine wine, song, and dance.

Ling Ya had not planned to go out, but the Emperor suddenly summoned her to attend the banquet. She had no choice but to comply.

However, she was preoccupied with worries along the way. The Emperor had long noticed her concerns. In truth, inviting her out was not the Emperor’s own idea, she was merely following the Eldest Princess’s instructions.

Thinking about how the Eldest Princess wanted to matchmake the two of them gave the Emperor a headache. Yet, she couldn’t refuse, and besides, Ling Ya had no such intentions, maintaining a polite but distant relationship.

Though she initially intended to feign indifference and pretend not to notice, the Emperor’s kind heart prevailed. Knowing that Ling Ya’s health was delicate and that she shouldn’t be burdened with worries, the Emperor finally asked, “What’s troubling you?”

Ling Ya noticed the Emperor’s gaze but didn’t know how to respond. After all, Lu Weiying was a member of the imperial family, and anything she said might be considered inappropriate.

Just then, the rabbit in her arms stirred, nearly leaping out. Startled, Ling Ya quickly tightened her grip, holding it securely before breathing a sigh of relief.

The Emperor’s attention shifted to the rabbit. She knew Ling Ya kept two rabbits, one weak but physically intact, and the other with a damaged front leg and eye.

Ling Ya had a particular fondness for the disabled rabbit, carrying it with her wherever she went, and this time was no exception.

Watching her gently stroke the rabbit’s head to soothe it, the Emperor couldn’t help but ask, “Why not replace it?”

Most people would think the same way. Ling Ya paused, then smiled bitterly and said, “If I abandon her, she’ll truly have no chance of survival.”

The Emperor admired kind-hearted people. Over time, she had come to realize that Ling Ya was a person with little cunning or scheming.

For the Emperor, this was reassuring, and unconsciously, her attitude toward Ling Ya had gradually softened.

She reached out and gently touched the little rabbit. It seemed to enjoy her touch, even lifting its head to sniff her fingers.

Feeling a slight tickle, the Emperor couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.

Ling Ya watched the person before her and suddenly felt the sense of distance between them fade. She couldn’t resist asking, “Your Majesty, do you like keeping pets?”

The Emperor suddenly realized she had let her guard down. She withdrew her hand and resumed her usual demeanor rarely smiling, as if she would never be happy.

The distance between them seemed to widen once more.

Ling Ya thought the Emperor wouldn’t answer the question, but after a moment, she heard the Emperor’s voice tinged with faint sorrow: “I do.”

She could only say she had liked it once, but later, such things became irrelevant to her. Day after day, she was buried in reviewing memorials and listening to the court officials bicker.

In the past, the most heated arguments were between Ling Fu and Wang Fu, and the Emperor had to act as a mediator to resolve their conflicts. Yet, neither of them held her in high regard, making it a truly painful experience.

Although Ling Fu was no longer around and the court had quieted down somewhat, troubles, big and small, never ceased.

Seeing the Emperor’s brows gradually furrow, Ling Ya felt a pang of pity for her. She looked down at the rabbit quietly nestled in her arms, thought for a moment, and then extended her hands, offering the rabbit to the Emperor.

The Emperor looked at her action, puzzled, and asked, “What is this?”

Ling Ya smiled gently. “Your Majesty, would you like to try raising it?”

The emperor initially intended to refuse, but the little rabbit suddenly stretched out its remaining front leg and gently brushed against her clothing, causing her to change her mind.

She took the rabbit from Ling Ya and cradled it in her arms. The rabbit did not struggle, lying there obediently and docilely.

Imitating Ling Ya, the emperor stroked its head. The soft, fluffy sensation delighted her, and she smiled again.

Ling Ya watched from the side, not disturbing her.

After a moment, however, thoughts of Lu Weiying surfaced, stirring a sense of restlessness within her. But then she remembered that Ling Yue was also at the palace banquet, and that unease eased considerably.

Ling Yue was probably still in the Hall of Cultivating Nature.

Her assumption was correct. After changing her clothes, Ling Yue had remained in the Hall of Cultivating Nature.

The Grand Princess had yet to return. Ling Yue stared blankly at the maid cleaning by the door until a tall maid entered to replenish the incense and then left.

Ling Yue watched the thin, wispy white smoke rise from the three-legged beast-patterned incense burner. The smoke ascended to a certain height before gently dispersing, filling the room with its peculiar fragrance.

At first, it smelled pleasant, but as she continued to inhale it, Ling Yue grew drowsy. She forced herself to stay awake, mindful of her duties, but she couldn’t resist the overwhelming wave of sleepiness. Her eyes slowly closed.

Sleep was not always a good thing for Ling Yue, as she often dreamed. However, perhaps because of the Grand Princess, she seldom dreamed of the past anymore.

But this time was different. Perhaps it was because she was about to encounter Lu Weiying again, but the nightmares had returned.

This time, however, she didn’t dream of raging flames or poisoned wine. Instead, she dreamed of her sister’s resolute yet excited laughter, of Wang Lan’s mutilated corpse, and of Wen Yuanyuan’s white robes stained red with blood as she died with resentment.

And she dreamed, she dreamed of the Grand Princess crying.

But was that really the Grand Princess? She looked much more haggard and older than Ling Yue remembered.

Terrified, Ling Yue reached out to comfort her, but her hand was grabbed by someone.

She opened her eyes and returned to reality. The incense was still burning, the white smoke still rising. As she tried to lift her hand, she found she couldn’t move. Only then did she notice the Grand Princess sitting beside her.

The Grand Princess’s expression was grim. Ling Yue thought she had overslept and missed the appointed time, so she flusteredly apologized, “Your Highness, I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what?”

The Grand Princess released Ling Yue’s hand, her tone filled with concern. “You were just talking nonsense, shouting things like ‘don’t die.’ What did you dream about?”

Dreams are absurd, so telling the truth wouldn’t hurt. Ling Yue recounted her dream directly.

But when it came to the part about the Grand Princess in her dream, Ling Yue hesitated. She glanced at the Grand Princess’s face calm and composed, as if nothing in the world could break her.

Ling Yue stared for a moment, mesmerized. She caught herself in time and lowered her head, but soon her gaze returned to the Grand Princess. “Your Highness, is there anything you fear?”

Back in Hongshui Town, the Grand Princess had also slept restlessly, clutching Ling Yue’s hand and refusing to let go, tears streaming down her face.

What could she have dreamed of to make someone like her cry?

Upon hearing this question, the Grand Princess rested her left hand on her head, as if carefully recalling what she feared. As she moved, her sleeve slipped down, revealing the conspicuous red hair ribbon.

She hadn’t removed it.

A small thrill of joy stirred in Ling Yue’s heart, but she quickly chided herself for getting carried away. The Grand Princess was probably just too lazy to take it off for now.

The princess pondered the question seriously. It seemed there had never been anything she truly feared in her life. Even at her most vulnerable, she had always fought back. As she matured, she learned to exploit the kindness in human nature, and soon after discovered that malice could also be wielded as a tool.

Looking back, the harem had been a chaotic place, yet nearly every person there had been her teacher in some way.

She still remembered lying to Ling Yue, but having just come from Lu Weiying, the other’s reaction had confirmed some of her suspicions about her past life.

If she deceived Ling Yue again now, would she become just like Lu Weiying? Could Ling Yue truly withstand being deceived a second time?

She found it strange that she was hesitating so much that she even cared whether her lies might hurt someone. This was completely unlike her usual self, Lu He.

The decisive princess was wavering, but then again, Ling Yue had already inspired many firsts in her.

Meeting Ling Yue’s sincere gaze, the princess sighed inwardly and replied, “No.”

It was the answer Ling Yue had expected. She assumed the princess was hiding painful memories and didn’t dare press further. Instead, she said, “If Your Highness ever faces a difficult matter, you may command me.”

The princess knew Ling Yue was highly capable, but her eagerness to be of service was somewhat unsettling.

She didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she rose and extinguished the calming incense in the hall prepared for her by Qing Niao to help her sleep.

Unexpectedly, it had given Ling Yue nightmares, even though it only made the princess feel slightly drowsy.

She sat by Ling Yue’s side for a long time, holding her hand just as Ling Yue had once held hers. Gradually, Ling Yue’s agitation subsided, and she finally opened her eyes.

The princess had always liked seeing Ling Yue asleep, but she disliked the frown that often accompanied it yet the two always seemed to appear together.

Perhaps there really was something she feared after all.

With another soft sigh, the princess noticed that darkness had fallen outside. Turning back to Ling Yue, she said, “Let’s go. It’s almost time.”

Lu Weiying had arrived early and taken a seat somewhat close to the emperor, though he remained elevated above all.

In both her past and present lives, Lu Weiying had never regarded Lu Ai as worthy of attention. But this time was different Lu Ai was accompanied by Ling Ya.

Watching Ling Ya pass by, a flicker of astonishment crossed Lu Weiying’s eyes. The world had become so absurd it was almost beyond belief.

Resentment still simmered within her, but having been startled earlier by the princess, Lu Weiying’s focus had shifted to Ling Yue.

Even so, she couldn’t resist glancing toward the high platform, where Ling Ya held a rabbit in her arms, and her puppet-like aunt gazed at her with unmistakable fondness.

A surge of anger rushed through Lu Weiying. She turned away and gulped down a mouthful of wine.

Soon, she composed herself. Her target today was Ling Yue.

“Her Highness the Princess arrives! General Ling arrives!”

Lu Weiying paled at the announcement, then brightened at the mention of General Ling. But when she looked up, the Ling Yue she saw was entirely different from the one she remembered.

The Ling Yue of her memories was always busy, her face etched with the marks of battlefield dust, her expression tinged with unconcealed timidity.

But now, she was adorned with elegant hair and lavish robes, the hairpin in her upswept hair swaying gently, captivating all who laid eyes on her.

Lu Weiying couldn’t help but feel a stir of emotion, but the other party paid her no attention. Unable to resist, she called out, “Yue Yue.”

Just like in her past life, Ling Yue stopped in her tracks, but a single glance from Ling Yue shattered her illusions.

The face no longer held timidity or cautious flattery, only a condescending disdain.

She heard Ling Yue’s cold voice, “I am not acquainted with Ambassador Lu. It would be better to address me as General Ling.”

Her heart plummeted to the depths, yet the other party was right. She could only reply blankly, “Very well.”

Ling Yue took her seat beside the Grand Princess. As she glanced down, she noticed the table was filled with her favorite fruits.

She wanted to eat but had to consider the occasion, though the struggle was intense.

After all, she hadn’t eaten lunch and was genuinely hungry by now.

Just as she was battling her cravings, a soft chuckle came from the Grand Princess beside her. “Go ahead and eat. With me here, no one will dare say a word.”

The reassurance from someone of such authority was comforting. Ling Yue couldn’t resist the temptation, but she hadn’t eaten for long before the Emperor spoke, so her actions couldn’t be considered improper.

Suddenly, she felt something unusual at the corner of her lips and realized the Grand Princess was wiping her mouth. Noticing Ling Yue’s gaze, the Grand Princess withdrew her handkerchief and smiled, “Take your time.”

Ling Yue paused, then noticed the Grand Princess’s hair was slightly disheveled. She reached out to tidy it for her.

The scene was heartwarming, but in Lu Weiying’s eyes, it was unbearably glaring.

She downed another gulp of wine, as if she hadn’t come to discuss matters between the two nations but simply to drown her sorrows.

After just a few cups, she was already losing her senses.

Princess An Yi, seated beside her, snorted disdainfully at her pitiful state and moved farther away, drinking by herself.

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