Mistakenly Marked the Madly Beautiful Princess - Chapter 6

“Are you feeling any better?”

Ling Ya gazed worriedly at her sister lying in bed, unaware that in others’ eyes, she appeared even more fragile than the one confined to the bed.

The excessive concern puzzled Ling Yue. She was certain the other hadn’t been reborn like herself, but why this attention? In her previous life, they had no connection at all.

She lowered her gaze, her eyelashes casting shadows that concealed her emotions. “Thank you for your concern, elder sister. It’s nothing serious.”

Ling Ya coughed lightly, then discreetly moved farther away and turned slightly to avoid facing Ling Yue directly, afraid of passing on her illness.

“If you’re not ill, why do you remain in bed?”

Being forgotten had its advantages. Ling Yue didn’t have to face her so-called father every day, and even after lying in bed for three days, no one had commented.

However, Ling Ya’s daily visits to this remote courtyard over the past three days had attracted some attention.

Ling Yue sighed quietly to herself. Her refusal to rise these past few days was simply her way of avoiding reality.

She believed in her abilities to impress the Princess, but ultimately, it was the Princess who would determine her value. No matter how well she performed, if the Princess deemed it insufficient, death would still be her fate.

Enough of that for now.

Looking up and seeing her sister still waiting for an answer, Ling Yue changed the subject: “How has your health been lately, sister?”

The younger sister’s initiative brought a deeper smile to Ling Ya’s lips. She clutched the hand warmer in her palms. “The residence is warmer than the mountains, so I’m feeling better than before.”

After saying this, she sighed and began speaking in defense of Ling Fu: “With the frequent disturbances in Jing Dynasty lately, father has been unavoidably busy and may have neglected you.”

Ling Yue listened without any emotional reaction. Even in her previous life, she hadn’t cared about this familial bond, and after dying once, she cared even less.

Besides, both Ling Fu and Ling Ya had died early in her past life, leaving her as the sole survivor of the main Ling family line. When no one had faith in her, she had led the branch families onto the battlefield, proving to the world that the Ling family still endured.

Unfortunately, Ling Yue understood Lu Weiying all too well. Once the court stabilized, the Ling family’s significant contributions would inevitably become a thorn in the ruler’s side, likely leading to their complete eradication.

Remembering her former subordinates brought Ling Yue some sorrow, but Ling Ya misinterpreted her expression.

Mistaking her sister’s demeanor for sadness over their father’s neglect, Ling Ya suggested: “It’s not good for you to stay here all the time. Why not come out with me?”

Ling Yue had doubts about Ling Ya’s health. In her previous life, her sister had rarely ventured out, so why was she behaving so unusually in this life?

Curious, Ling Yue didn’t outright refuse but didn’t agree either, instead asking: “Where would we go, sister?”

Ling Ya produced a token from her sleeve, intricately patterned and exquisitely crafted, with the character “Lu” at its center.

“Aunt Qiu Ling from Her Majesty’s side gave me this token, saying I may enter and leave the palace freely from now on.”

Ling Ya seemed perplexed, as this was highly irregular.

She put away the token, her expression troubled and filled with concern for the future: “Her Majesty has summoned me to the palace tomorrow.”

Seeing that token stirred tumultuous emotions in Ling Yue. Though she was seeing it for the first time, she recognized it immediately.

In her previous life, after she had gone blind, Lu Weiying had given her this very token, and she had traced its patterns countless times with her fingers.

When her sight had failed, her other senses had sharpened, making Lu Weiying’s tone of pity painfully clear.

“I knelt for a long time before the Imperial Aunt to obtain this. Many in the court envy you, and now that you cannot see, the palace is safer than the outside world. I can also take care of you.”

The other party spoke with such deep affection that Ling Yue’s fear of the darkness eased somewhat, and she gradually grew more reliant on them.

But now, thinking back, what expression did Lu Weiying wear when she said those words?

It must have been disgust.

“Aunt Qiu Ling said I could bring someone of a similar age. I suppose that means you can come too.”

Ling Yue snapped out of her thoughts. She looked at her elder sister’s sparkling eyes and felt a chill in her heart.

Entering the palace was absolutely out of the question!

She had been hoping that the Grand Princess, busy with state affairs, would forget about her. How could she possibly go and parade herself before her? Did she have a death wish?

So, ignoring her elder sister’s pleading, Ling Yue replied bluntly, “I’m not feeling well. I can’t accompany you.”

Unexpectedly, this excuse made Ling Ya anxious. She grabbed Ling Yue’s hand and asked urgently, “Not feeling well? What’s wrong? What exactly happened the day you went missing in the palace? Did someone bully you?”

The barrage of questions made Ling Yue silently withdraw her hand. Remembering that day’s events, she turned over, facing away from Ling Ya, and pulled the blanket over her face, which was etched with despair.

However, this behavior only deepened Ling Ya’s misunderstanding. Filled with righteous anger, she vowed, “Don’t be afraid, little sister. Just tell me who bullied you, and I’ll make sure justice is served.”

Ling Yue’s lips twitched.

Could she say it? Did she dare?

What was she supposed to say? That on a dark and windy night, she took advantage of the Grand Princess when the latter was vulnerable?

Well, no that wasn’t quite right. That day, she had tried her best to restrain herself. It was more like the Grand Princess had taken the initiative. But saying she was the one who was bullied wasn’t entirely wrong either.

As her thoughts drifted, the gasps from that night seemed to echo in her ears once more.

Even in the throes of passion, the other party was remarkably restrained. No matter how unbearable it became, she only let out soft, low gasps.

Having been blind in her previous life, Ling Yue was accustomed to dark environments and was particularly sensitive to sounds. Even without sight, just hearing those sounds was enough to overwhelm her.

Later, a few rays of moonlight seeped through the gaps in the clutter, illuminating the rosy hue at the corners of the other’s eyes. Ling Yue was so captivated that she momentarily forgot to move.

“Keep looking, and I’ll gouge your eyes out.”

Ling Yue shuddered. The other’s voice seemed to transcend time, warning her even now. She touched her eyelids, not daring to dwell on it any further, her face twisting into a bitter expression.

What a calamity!

“Little sister, speak. I know you’re listening. Just tell me, and I’ll make sure justice is served.”

Annoyed, Ling Yue poked her head out from under the blanket and said resentfully, “Really?”

Ling Ya felt a surge of joy. Due to her health, no one had ever placed expectations on her since childhood. Now, being able to do something for someone filled her with satisfaction.

She replied confidently, “Of course. Tell me.”

Ling Yue smiled and softly uttered three words: “The Grand Princess.”

Outside, the snow continued to fall, but Ling Ya felt the temperature inside the room drop even lower than outside so low that her teeth began to chatter.

She asked in disbelief, “Who did you say?”

Ling Yue, who had been feeling stifled these past few days, suddenly felt a mischievous sense of satisfaction. The smile that had been on Ling Ya’s face now transferred to hers. “The Grand Princess.”

Ling Ya’s confidence vanished as quickly as it had come.

How could she dare to provoke that female demon, the Grand Princess? No wonder Ling Yue hadn’t stepped outside these past few days, she must have been terrified.

Seeing her elder sister’s face turn from pale to ashen, Ling Yue suddenly lost interest in teasing her.

She sat up, her gaze drifting into the distant emptiness as if she had cast aside all concern for her own life or death. “Sister, there’s no need to worry. I will take full responsibility for my actions and will never implicate any of you.”

Then, turning to Ling Ya with a smile, she added, “Thank you for caring so much about me.”

Ling Ya’s grip on the hand warmer tightened as she looked at Ling Yue’s innocent smile, a pang of guilt stirring within her. Just moments ago, she had truly been thinking about what would happen if Ling Yue brought trouble upon the Ling family even feeling a trace of resentment toward her.

Feeling ashamed, she contemplated silently before making a firm resolve. She reached out and took Ling Yue’s hand again, her expression resolute. “Don’t be afraid, little sister. Rest well.”

Then, with a strength that seemed improbable for someone as frail as she, Ling Ya pressed Ling Yue down until she lay back to sleep.

Ling Yue, unsettled by her sister’s expression, couldn’t help but utter a single word: “You?”

Ling Ya coughed twice, and as she thought of the decision she had made, a wave of sorrow washed over her. “You are a good sister, but I am not.”

“Tomorrow, I will enter the palace. You must stay well at home.”

Ling Yue grew even more confused, but the mention of the palace suddenly reminded her of Lu Weiying. That woman would stop at nothing to achieve her goals, and she already had some history with Ling Ya.

Ling Yue had always been cautious by nature. Even though she had been reborn, she didn’t assume everything would go smoothly. As long as Lu Weiying remained a presence, there were far too many possibilities for things to go awry.

Watching her sister’s retreating figure, Ling Yue called out, “Sister!”

Ling Ya trembled all over, but upon hearing her sister’s voice, she suppressed her fear, turned back, and smiled. “What is it?”

Standing before the vermilion door, Ling Ya was enveloped in a vibrant red cloak, her overly pale face half-hidden beneath the fiery hood as she offered a gentle, reassuring smile.

That smile was exactly the same as the one she had worn before her death in Ling Yue’s previous life.

Ling Yue’s breath caught, and she spoke with utmost seriousness. “Sister, when you enter the palace, be wary of the Fifth Princess, Lu Weiying.”

The name was unfamiliar, but Ling Ya knew of the Fifth Princess. Considering that this person might have done something to harm Ling Yue or could even be connected to the recent incident involving the Eldest Princess Ling Ya felt an immediate dislike for her.

She nodded. “I’ll remember.”

Ling Yue watched her sister leave, yet the weight in her heart remained heavy.

She sighed. “Perhaps I’ve been worrying too much lately. I should rest more.”

The next day, Ling Ya entered the palace early. Qiu Ling treated her with great consideration, but she couldn’t shake her unease as she sat among the attendees.

The Emperor, seated at the head of the hall, remained silent, his expression grim.

But Ling Ya was too preoccupied with her own thoughts to notice.

After a while, Qiu Ling’s voice rang out again: “May the Eldest Princess be at peace.”

Ling Ya grew even more nervous. She followed the others in paying respects, and once the Eldest Princess had taken her seat, she mustered her courage, knelt, and pressed her forehead to the floor. “I beg Your Highness to forgive my younger sister!”

Lu He had intended to reprimand her disobedient royal sister upon taking her seat, but this unexpected interruption gave her pause.

She studied Ling Ya, her mind racing with conjectures, and finally concluded that Ling Ya seemed to know too much.

Her tone turned icy. “Did she tell you?”

Ling Ya trembled, pressing herself even lower, yet she continued to plead for her sister. “My sister has always been timid since childhood. If she offended you, it must have been due to someone’s scheming. I beg Your Highness, in light of her youth, to forgive her mistake.”

With a casual wave of her hand, Lu He signaled to Qiu Ling, who promptly escorted the Emperor out of the hall.

Now, only Ling Ya and Lu He remained in the room.

Lu He descended from her high seat, watching Ling Ya tremble uncontrollably with fear.

So terrified to this extent.

In her memory, the Ling sisters weren’t particularly close. Could the intelligence have been wrong?

She stopped in front of Ling Ya, her voice cold and low. “What did she say to you?”

Ling Ya was so tense she could barely breathe, but she recounted everything nonetheless.

Hearing that the other party had been hiding at home like an ostrich for three days, Lu He found it amusing.

That girl Ling Yue was clever, with a good grasp of the situation. In a moment of life-threatening danger, she had thought to demonstrate her strength as a strategy.

Her martial skills were not weak, and she was sharp-witted. Having concealed her abilities for so many years, it was clear she acted with caution.

One had to admit, she had gambled correctly.

But the feeling of being manipulated was deeply unpleasant. Lu He had been so busy these past few days that she had nearly forgotten about this person.

Now, however, she remembered.

At that moment, Ling Yue suddenly felt a chill run through her entire body. She wrapped the blanket tightly around herself but still felt cold.

Irritated, she sat up and gazed at the heavy snow outside her window. For some reason, her predicament came to mind once again.

Ling Yue had never believed in gods or buddhas, but now she clasped her hands together and prayed devoutly, “If the divine truly exists, this humble believer, Ling Yue, is willing to abstain from meat for life in exchange for the Grand Princess forgetting the past.”

The wind howled even more fiercely, who knew if this heartfelt plea would reach the ears of the gods?

Support