Mistakenly Marked the Madly Beautiful Princess - Chapter 57

Knowing the Grand Princess disliked alcohol, Ling Yue didn’t touch the wine pot on the table and focused solely on eating the dishes. But even if she didn’t drink, others did, and the scent of wine at the banquet grew increasingly strong.

Ling Yue watched the Grand Princess with concern, only to realize her worry seemed unnecessary, the other woman was eating with a relaxed and composed expression.

As if sensing her gaze, the Grand Princess suddenly picked out the celery from her dish, placed it in Ling Yue’s bowl, and calmly continued eating the remaining meat.

Ling Yue stared blankly at the celery in her bowl, taking a long moment to process the fact that the Grand Princess was actually a picky eater.

Though it was a trivial matter, such small things felt surprisingly significant when it came to the Grand Princess, evoking a sense of “Even she does this?” Ling Yue wasn’t picky herself, but just as she was about to start eating, another pair of chopsticks swiftly dropped more celery into her bowl and retreated.

When Ling Yue turned to look, the culprit blinked innocently, wearing an expression of pure guilelessness.

As the “victim,” Ling Yue didn’t dare look any longer, the longer she stared, the more she became aware of her own improper thoughts. To suppress her flustered feelings, she focused on eating.

Just as she was eating, another portion of celery landed in her bowl.

Ling Yue was puzzled. If the Grand Princess didn’t like celery, why not just eat the meat? Could this be another one of her playful tricks?

Perhaps she wasn’t actually picky and was just teasing her on purpose.

Feeling a bit irritated by her own inner turmoil, Ling Yue deliberately picked up some celery and placed it in the Grand Princess’s bowl. The moment the celery landed, the Grand Princess’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

Then, with lightning speed, she transferred the celery right back into Ling Yue’s bowl.

The distance was so close that Ling Yue caught the unmistakable disgust in her eyes, confirming that she genuinely loathed celery.

Ling Yue couldn’t help but chuckle softly and decided not to trouble the Grand Princess any further.

This scene, however, appeared extremely irritating to Lu Weiying, who had drunk so much she was already intoxicated. Being drunk wasn’t so bad, it even numbed the pain somewhat.

She and Ling Yue had never interacted like this before. In the past, Ling Yue was either leading her in escape or struggling to return from the battlefield, always treating her with utmost respect and never crossing boundaries.

In her previous life, she had thought that was perfectly fine, but now she felt a subtle pang of jealousy, suspecting that the Ling Yue of her past life had never truly loved her.

With trembling hands, she poured herself another glass of wine, but just as she was about to drink it, someone snatched it away. An angry, low growl followed: “What are you doing?”

Emboldened by alcohol, she dared to confront even someone she usually feared. Lu Weiying put on a fierce expression, but before she could fully compose herself, her face turned pale, and she began to retch.

She was facing directly toward Princess An Yi, who dodged with evident disgust, watching as Lu Weiying wretched pitifully, producing only clear fluid.

She had already vomited once earlier in the day, emptying her stomach completely. Having been stimulated that evening, she had been drinking continuously without eating anything to cushion her stomach, so there was nothing left to bring up.

Princess An Yi found her utterly disgraceful. How could they possibly discuss state affairs today? She would inevitably have to take care of this drunkard tonight.

What was the Emperor thinking, sending someone like this as an envoy?

Amid the music and dancing, no one paid any attention to the dejected Lu Weiying. Their faces were all filled with laughter, making her seem all the more pitiable.

Ling Yue had sharp hearing or perhaps she was just too familiar with Lu Weiying’s voice so she noticed almost immediately. She lifted her gaze and looked over.

The hall was brightly lit, its originally warm hues suddenly turning scorching hot. Ling Yue stared at Lu Weiying’s face and was abruptly reminded of the venomous voice from her past life.

The light grew blinding. Ling Yue gripped her chopsticks so tightly that she only realized her loss of composure when they snapped in her hand.

She picked up the broken chopsticks from the floor and glanced nervously at the Grand Princess, softly apologizing, “I have been discourteous. Please forgive my impropriety, Your Highness.”

Somewhere along the way, the Grand Princess found her eyes constantly drawn to Ling Yue. She observed her every word and action, her heart aching at the despair and hatred that occasionally surfaced in Ling Yue’s expression.

Previously, she had been puzzled. In this lifetime, Ling Yue’s hatred should logically be directed at her father. Yet surprisingly, she displayed even more profound animosity toward Lu Weiying, with whom she had little interaction.

But now the Grand Princess understood. And with understanding came heartache.

She sighed softly, reaching out to stroke Ling Yue’s cheek. “It’s nothing,” she said with a faint smile. “You’ve done nothing wrong.”

These seemingly comforting words made Ling Yue’s eyes redden. Not wanting to become someone who cried for no apparent reason, she turned her head away and murmured, “Thank you, Your Highness.”

From the moment of her death in her previous life until now, Ling Yue had never understood what she had done wrong. Could someone so cold-hearted truly have taken out their anger on her because of her elder sister?

If it really was because of her sister, wouldn’t it have been simpler to just kill her outright? Why torment her like this?

A surge of bitterness rose within her. Ling Yue closed her eyes, finding unexpected solace in the familiar darkness. After taking several deep breaths, she regained her composure.

When she had lost her arm and eye in her previous life, she had similarly comforted herself: It’s alright, everything will get better.

Opening her eyes again, she stared blankly at the wine jug on the table.

“If you want to drink, then drink. But don’t get drunk.”

The Grand Princess was unexpectedly accommodating. Knowing Ling Yue’s conflicted nature, she picked up the wine jug and personally filled Ling Yue’s cup.

The Emperor, drinking tea at the high table, choked upon witnessing this scene. Covering her face with her sleeve, she coughed softly, afraid that if she coughed too loudly, her elder sister would notice.

The world has gone mad! The Grand Princess actually pouring wine for someone!

The Emperor could hardly believe her eyes. She pinched the back of her hand lightly, the slight sting confirming she wasn’t dreaming.

Ling Ya watched from nearby. Not daring to drink, she remained completely sober. The rapidly shifting expressions on the Emperor’s face amused her, but she struggled to contain her laughter out of respect for the monarch.

Noticing that the Emperor hadn’t touched the wine on the table, and recalling how much she usually enjoyed drinking, Ling Ya stood up to refill her cup.

To her surprise, the Emperor’s face instantly filled with panic. She glanced nervously at her sister, then placed her hand over Ling Ya’s, shaking her head slightly when Ling Ya looked up at her.

Seeing such fear, Ling Ya withdrew her hand and sat down, unable to suppress a smile. However, since the object of fear was someone as formidable as the Grand Princess, she couldn’t blame the Emperor for being timid.

Ling Yue looked at the full cup of wine before her. She downed it in one gulp, then smiled bitterly after tasting it. “It’s actually bitter.”

How could it be bitter? Most likely, her heart was too bitter.

Hearing this, the Grand Princess felt her killing intent barely contained. She forced a light laugh, though it came out strained.

When half the time had passed, the Emperor clapped her hands softly. The singing and dancing in the hall ceased instantly, and the performers bowed at the waist before retreating with lowered heads.

After scanning the room, the Emperor saw that Lu Weiying had already passed out drunk and knew his task was complete. With a concerned expression, she said, “It seems the envoy is unwell. Let us postpone today’s matters to another day.”

Princess An Yi nearly gritted her teeth in frustration upon hearing this, but since she was on foreign soil, she could only shoot a resentful glare at Lu Weiying. She rose and bowed, saying, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s consideration.”

The Emperor nodded lightly and waved a hand. “Then let us conclude today’s affairs. Everyone may withdraw.”

“Your servant takes leave!”

The Emperor left first with Ling Ya. Just before stepping out, she glanced at her elder sister and noticed she was pouring wine for General Ling. With a peculiar expression, she departed.

Princess An Yi had intended to take Lu Weiying with her, but the latter, for some stubborn reason, refused to budge no matter how hard she pulled. If she tugged too urgently, Lu Weiying would simply lie on the floor and throw a tantrum.

This was utterly humiliating, and An Yi was at a loss. The other reeked of alcohol, and she had no desire to carry her out of the palace. Moreover, only she and Lu Weiying had been permitted to attend the banquet had others been present, she could have ordered them to handle the situation. But that was merely a hypothetical.

Growing angrier by the moment, Princess An Yi kicked Lu Weiying on the ground, only to hear a soft chuckle.

Turning around, she found the Rong Dynasty’s Eldest Princess still present and froze, feeling the helpless embarrassment of being made a spectacle. She withdrew her foot and composed her anger. “Your Highness is still here?”

Not only was the Eldest Princess present, but Ling Yue was as well, the two always seemed to move together. An Yi looked at the pair sitting side by side, then at Lu Weiying lying unconscious on the floor, and a bold conjecture suddenly struck her.

Could it be that this aunt and niece were romantic rivals?

She glanced at Ling Yue again, whose face was flushed from drinking, giving her a unique charm. An Yi found the situation increasingly plausible and was reminded of the messy affairs in her own family. She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: Royal families are indeed chaotic everywhere.

The Eldest Princess smiled. “If the two of you are inconvenienced, you may stay here tonight.”

Hearing this, Ling Yue couldn’t help but look up at her, then quickly lowered her head again. That would be convenient, but Princess An Yi feared being assassinated in her sleep. She forced a smile and said, “It’s still early. We shall return to the embassy.”

Outside the window, the sky was pitch black. The Eldest Princess gave a faint, mocking smile. “Oh? Is that so?”

The lie was painfully obvious, and An Yi couldn’t help but feel awkward. Just then, Lu Weiying vomited again.

The stench of alcohol grew stronger, and An Yi couldn’t take it anymore. After a moment of hesitation, she made a decision. “Then I ask Your Highness to arrange rooms for us.”

At worst, she would take turns keeping watch through the night. With her skills, she might escape awkwardly, but she wouldn’t lose her life.

Ling Yue didn’t understand what the Eldest Princess was planning, but she had never been adept at strategy, and whatever the Eldest Princess intended must be right.

Noticing Ling Yue’s gaze, the Eldest Princess leaned in and pressed her forehead against Ling Yue’s. “You’re a bit warm. Let’s go, it’s time to rest.”

Ling Yue asked blankly, “Where to?”

The Eldest Princess glanced at Lu Weiying and smiled. “Naturally, to the Hall of Nurturing Nature. You go ahead. I’ll take the Princess to her accommodations.”

The Hall of Nurturing Nature had a main hall and two side halls. Ling Yue had stayed in one of the side halls when she served as a guard, so she didn’t think much of it. But Lu Weiying was different.

Her drunkenness seemed to have faded considerably as she struggled to turn over and look at Ling Yue. Yet Ling Yue’s gaze was entirely fixed on the Grand Princess, leaving no room to notice her.

The Grand Princess led Princess An Yi away first.

Only Ling Yue and Lu Weiying remained in the room. Ling Yue spared her a single glance before disregarding her completely, rising to her feet and leaving without another thought.

This attitude, so starkly different from their past life, only further provoked Lu Weiying. Summoning strength from somewhere deep within, she struggled to her feet, swaying unsteadily before steadying herself.

Step by faltering step, she made her way out, chasing after Ling Yue’s fading footsteps until both disappeared into the night.

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