Mistakenly Marked the Madly Beautiful Princess - Chapter 62

The once-empty palace now held many pieces of furniture, making it feel increasingly lived-in.

Ling Yue pondered for a moment, surmising that the Eldest Princess intended to reside here long-term.

A deep, indescribable joy welled up inside her. Seeing the princess rummaging through the bookshelf, Ling Yue obediently waited where she stood.

Soon enough, the princess returned with a book in hand. Perhaps intentionally, Ling Yue easily caught sight of the title.

It was actually a forbidden book!

Ling Yue couldn’t hide her astonishment. She never imagined the Eldest Princess would read such material shouldn’t she be drawn to more refined literature?

And what was that title? It seemed to depict the days and nights of the Eldest Princess and a young general.

After enjoying Ling Yue’s stunned expression, the princess pushed the book toward her and said with a smile, “Do you think this is because of your careless words that night? And this is only one of many.”

Trembling, Ling Yue opened the book, and the very first line made her blush.

Having lived two lifetimes as a proper and upright person, such content was entirely foreign to her. She couldn’t help but feel anger, both at herself and at the author.

Her voice deepened as she said, “This is too audacious.”

After fuming for a long while, Ling Yue couldn’t suppress her guilt. “This subject is at fault.”

The Eldest Princess took the book back, flipping through it with apparent enjoyment.

Seeing Ling Yue nearly red with anger, she couldn’t resist teasing, “Since you’ve erred, you must be punished.”

“This subject willingly accepts punishment.”

The Eldest Princess twirled a strand of hair by her ear and chuckled softly. “Then I sentence you to accompany me tonight.”

How could that be considered punishment? To Ling Yue, it was nothing short of a reward.

Ling Yue stammered, suppressing the reluctance in her heart as she said, “The punishment is too light. Please, Your Highness, assign a more severe one.”

The Eldest Princess replied, “Oh? You prefer it heavier.”

Why did that sound so wrong? Ling Yue felt as if her head might explode from the rush of blood.

Noticing her reaction, the Eldest Princess waved the book and said, “It’s written in the book.”

No wonder it sounded off.

At that moment, Ling Yue realized that the Eldest Princess didn’t seem offended at all in fact, she was reading with great relish.

Ling Yue couldn’t help but admire the princess’s broad-mindedness. Had it been her, she might not have been able to tolerate it. But then again, since the story featured the two of them as the main characters, perhaps it wasn’t so infuriating after all.

Seeing the princess still engrossed in the book, Ling Yue fought the urge to snatch it away. Such an act would be highly disrespectful, so she could only endure her shame and sit restlessly.

The Eldest Princess stopped teasing her and set the book aside.

“Alright, alright, why so tense? Did you have pleasant dreams last night?”

Ling Yue wasn’t sure how to answer. She gazed deeply at the Eldest Princess before replying, “Yes, it was a very good dream.”

“Good. Then my efforts in tormenting Qing Niao weren’t in vain.”

So it was Qing Niao who had made the pill, no wonder it was so effective.

Knowing that the Eldest Princess also struggled with sleep, Ling Yue asked, “Does Your Highness have such pills as well?”

Pastries and fruits were laid out on the table, but since Ling Yue’s arrival, the princess had lost interest in them. She tapped the table lightly with her fingers, producing a rhythmic sound.

She hadn’t used the pill herself; in fact, she had even stopped using the incense and medicines she once relied on.

Ever since learning about the rebirth, the Eldest Princess had begun to suspect that the dreams she experienced were memories from her previous life.

Eager to understand Ling Yue and uncover the events of their past life, the princess consoled herself that enduring the nightmares was a small price to pay.

Yet when she wished to dream, the nightmares vanished.

The princess wondered if she could glean some clues by subtly questioning Ling Yue or observing her habits and behaviors.

One peculiar detail stood out: Ling Yue was now left-handed, whereas intelligence reports indicated she had predominantly used her right hand before their first meeting.

But ever since then, she had consistently used her left hand.

This shift allowed the princess to deduce the approximate time of Ling Yue’s rebirth. As for the left-handedness, the princess harbored a grim suspicion.

Perhaps in her past life, Ling Yue had lost her right hand and had no choice but to rely on her left.

Her heart ached at the thought. The princess could scarcely imagine how much suffering that foolish girl had endured in her previous existence.

Noticing the princess’s gaze fixed upon her, Ling Yue sensed a deep sorrow in her eyes.

She couldn’t fathom what the princess was grieving over. Lately, she had been eating well, sleeping soundly, and living a life of unparalleled comfort.

Puzzled, she looked up and asked, “Your Highness?”

Realizing she had been lost in thought, the princess quickly returned to the original topic and smiled. “It’s settled then. Stay with me tonight.”

Given the princess’s insistence, Ling Yue found it difficult to refuse. Besides, with Ling Ya still in the palace, it was easy to find an excuse, she could simply say she was keeping her sister company.

Ling Yue nodded. “Very well.”

Delighted that Ling Yue had agreed to stay, the princess felt a surge of joy.

She had never felt lonely in the vast, empty palace before, but since meeting Ling Yue, her life seemed to have gained new color.

Whenever she heard news of Ling Yue growing close to Wang Lan and Wen Yuan, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of discomfort.

Such possessiveness felt excessive, and the princess feared her emotions might harm Ling Yue, so she made a conscious effort to restrain herself.

It was almost laughable, Lu He had never been so cautious in her actions before. She had become a version of herself she scarcely recognized.

Shaking her head, the princess recalled some matters Ling Ya had mentioned and set aside her complicated feelings. “Your mother’s coffin has arrived in Pengzhou.”

“Yes, but we still haven’t found anyone to tend the grave.”

Ling Yue frowned at the thought. Though her own duties kept her from leaving, she didn’t want to neglect her mother’s resting place.

The princess gently smoothed her brow. “Shall I recommend someone?”

Trusting the princess’s judgment, Ling Yue felt reassured that whoever was suggested would be reliable. She asked eagerly, “Who is it?”

“Sun Ru’an.”

Hearing the familiar name, Ling Yue was taken aback.

If it was Sun Ru’an, she had no doubts about her competence, but wasn’t this somewhat beneath her abilities?

Observing Ling Yue’s expression closely, the princess confirmed that Ling Yue must have known Sun Ru’an in her past life as well.

After all, this woman had once led a group of refugees to block the path of Ling Yue’s mother’s coffin on its journey home. Given Ling Yue’s devotion to her mother, while she might not seek revenge, she certainly wouldn’t go out of her way to help, let alone credit the emperor with the act of kindness.

Based on her understanding of Ling Yue, the princess surmised that it must have been Lu Ai from the previous life who had aided Sun Ru’an.

Watching Ling Yue, whose emotions were so transparent, the princess felt a wave of helplessness.

Her thoughts were far too easy to read. Seeing that Ling Yue still had reservations, the princess explained, “She requested this herself, saying she wanted to repay you.”

Ling Ya’s actions were still somewhat immature, and she accidentally leaked the information, so Sun Ru’an learned that it was Ling Yue who had helped their group without holding any grudges.

Being a person who understood gratitude, she stepped forward upon hearing that Ling Yue was troubled about guarding the tomb, offering to take on the task herself.

Ling Yue was slightly surprised. “Thank me? Does she know?”

“Yes, that’s how it happened.”

The specific reason was still not disclosed by the princess.

Ling Yue felt a heavy weight in her heart, as if she had taken something that did not belong to her.

“What’s wrong? Is this person unsuitable?”

Ling Yue quickly denied it. “No, it’s just that I have some concerns.”

In her past life, this person had been loyal to Lu Ai.

Ling Yue pondered over it repeatedly but couldn’t let go of the unease in her heart. Yet, she had no one to confide in.

Seeing her distress, the princess couldn’t help but offer comfort. “Whether you agree or not, she will go to Pengzhou. It is her own choice.”

“Besides, if it weren’t for you, she might have suffered on that river for many more years.”

That was indeed true. Ling Yue thought of her mother and finally relented.

She couldn’t help but reflect on the irony: in her past life, she had collected the other’s remains, and in this life, the other was determined to guard her mother’s tomb.

Ling Yue smiled faintly, feeling as though there was some unseen cause and effect at play.

Suddenly, she felt that she had been idling here for too long. She considered what she could do for the princess but then noticed a flute lying on a table at the side of the room.

The flute was a translucent green, clearly of great value, but that wasn’t what caught Ling Yue’s attention. She knew the princess detested the sound of flutes, and on the other hand, she recognized the flute itself.

She had dreamed many times of someone pouring wine before her grave and softly playing a flute. Though she couldn’t see the dreamer’s face, she could clearly recall the appearance of the flute.

Was it a coincidence? But how could there be so many coincidences?

Coupled with last night’s dream, Ling Yue’s mind grew even more unsettled. She found it absurd.

The white robes, the elegant fragrance of plum blossoms, and now even the flute matched only the voice was different.

The dreamer’s voice had been deep and hoarse, uncomfortably so.

Ling Yue’s thoughts were in turmoil. She desperately needed answers, but where could she find the person to solve this puzzle?

The princess noticed Ling Yue staring at the flute and assumed it must have been something important to her in her past life.

She walked over, picked up the flute, gently wiped the dust from its surface, and then looked at Ling Yue. “Does it seem strange to you?”

This time, Ling Yue did not deny it. “Yes. Didn’t Your Highness despise this instrument?”

The princess smiled indifferently. “I only hated it because the former tyrant favored it. Would you like to hear me play?”

Logically, it was improper for someone of her status to play for her, but Ling Yue knew the princess wouldn’t mind, and she wanted to verify something.

Without waiting for a reply, the princess lifted the jade flute, closed her eyes, and began to play softly.

The melody was elegant yet filled with sorrow.

Ling Yue’s heart skipped a beat, the tune was identical to the one in her dream.

Her emotions surged like a raging sea, though she couldn’t pinpoint what she was feeling. Many things she hadn’t understood suddenly became clear, yet they brought new confusion.

Ling Yue watched the princess, lost in her performance, but then recalled her cold, indifferent face from the past life.

Every encounter with her in the previous life had ended unhappily.

She also remembered how, every time she left Rongcheng, she would look back and see the princess standing on the city wall, watching her depart, silent as a statue.

Back then, she didn’t understand, and she even felt pressured, because when the Grand Princess had stood in that spot before, she would shoot arrows at her, forcing her to flee in disarray.

In her past life, she had also competed with the Grand Princess, but she was still no match for her. The cold, detached voice seemed to echo in her ears once more.

In her past life, the Grand Princess had said to her, “Hmph, slow.”

And now, in this life, Ling Yue smiled bitterly and murmured to herself, “Slow, am I?”

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