Mistakenly Marked the Madly Beautiful Princess - Chapter 9

The world was silent, the snow-covered courtyard dazzlingly white. The footprints left by that person last night had been smoothed over by fresh snow, yet Ling Yue’s heart remained unsettled.

Her meddling elder sister had gone to the palace early, leaving no one to disturb her, allowing her to calmly ponder some matters.

Leaning against the doorframe, Ling Yue held a hand warmer, her brow slightly furrowed as if troubled. Occasionally, snowflakes carried by the cold wind drifted under the eaves, and she reached out to catch them, watching as they melted into small puddles in her palm. The snowwater traced the lines of her palm, stirring up a flood of thoughts.

So many days had passed, and she still wasn’t entirely familiar with her own hands. After all, in her previous life, she had lost her right hand early on.

She raised her right hand and patted her cheek, the warmth from the hand warmer lingering on her skin. Over and over, she told herself, “Things won’t be worse than before.”

“Miss!”

Chun Tao’s cheerful voice cut through the wind and snow. Ling Yue looked up to see the young maid running toward her, carrying a spear taller than herself. The red tassel beneath the spearhead swayed with her movements. Watching her, Ling Yue couldn’t help but smile.

When Chun Tao reached her, she stomped the snow off her feet and casually brushed the snow from her hair with one hand. Ling Yue reached out to help but was refused, leaving her no choice but to watch helplessly.

After Chun Tao had dealt with the snow on her clothes, she proudly thrust the spear forward and said excitedly, “Miss, I’ve brought it! They didn’t give me any trouble.”

Ling Yue nodded. Though she didn’t understand why her elder sister was being so friendly, for now, it seemed beneficial and harmless. At the very least, the people in the general’s estate were no longer as sharp-tongued as before.

She handed the hand warmer to Chun Tao and took the spear to examine it. The material was ordinary, and there were even cracks near the base of the shaft. But that didn’t matter Ling Yue had confidence in her own abilities.

The moment she gripped the weapon, Chun Tao felt as though her mistress had changed, though she couldn’t quite pinpoint how.

Gazing at the snow-blanketed courtyard, Ling Yue curled her lips into a smile, leaped into the yard with the spear in hand, and unleashed a fierce assault that sliced through the wind and snow, astonishing Chun Tao under the eaves. As she moved through the snow, Ling Yue gradually regained the sensations of her past life. The swirling snowflakes before her seemed to transform into enemies from her previous existence, and she fought with increasing ferocity, each move imbued with killing intent. Even from a distance, it was enough to send chills down one’s spine.

Chun Tao took a slight step back. If she hadn’t spent every day with her mistress, she would have sworn this was an imposter.

After executing the final move, Ling Yue withdrew smoothly and casually tossed the spear, which embedded itself in a tree in the courtyard. The shaft vibrated incessantly, emitting a low hum. Chun Tao snapped out of her daze and excitedly approached Ling Yue as she walked back, her eyes filled with admiration. “Miss, you’re even more impressive than the master!”

Ling Yue found the girl’s carefree attitude somewhat amusing. “Aren’t you going to ask me why I know martial arts?” she asked, half-laughing.

Chun Tao was taken aback. “Chun Tao would never mistake her miss. Whether you know martial arts or not, you will always be my miss.”

Despite the freezing weather, a surge of warmth welled up in Ling Yue’s eyes. She didn’t want to cry, so she strode into the room, took a deep breath, and the urge to weep faded.

Sitting at the table, she poured herself a cup of tea. The clear tea reflected her image, and she stared at it for a long time, her thoughts drifting to the perilous world she now inhabited.

She set down the tea and turned to look outside. Chuntao was hopping under the tree, reaching up as she jumped, clearly trying to retrieve the spear lodged in the branches. Unfortunately, she was too short to reach it and could only stomp her feet in frustration on the snowy ground.

After a few more attempts, Chuntao returned to the room dejectedly, brushing the snow off her clothes and muttering, “Young Miss should be more careful. The General’s Manor is full of opportunistic people. Who knows if we’ll be able to get one next time?”

Though still young, she carried the worries of an adult. In her past life, this little maid had been just as nagging, especially after Ling Yue lost her eyesight and right hand.

Ling Yue lowered her head and asked softly, “Chuntao, what do you think of the Eldest Miss?”

Chuntao felt a sudden unease but answered honestly, “The Eldest Miss is very kind. Why does Young Miss ask so suddenly?”

Ling Yue couldn’t speak plainly sometimes knowing too much was not a good thing. She simply said, “Would you be willing to serve the Eldest Miss?”

Chuntao’s eyes instantly reddened. She dropped to her knees with a thud, tears streaming down her face as she choked out, “Does Young Miss not want me anymore? If I’ve made a mistake, please punish me, but don’t send me away.”

Flustered, Ling Yue helped her up, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes as if soothing a child. “Alright, alright, it’s not that I don’t want you. It’s just that I’ve offended a very dangerous person, and my life is uncertain now. Staying with me would put you in danger.”

Chuntao sobbed uncontrollably, but upon hearing the explanation, her fear turned into a forced bravery. “Then I can’t leave you even more! I will protect you, Young Miss!”

“Who exactly is trying to harm you? Please tell me, I’m not afraid!”

Seeing the little maid’s tear-reddened eyes, Ling Yue didn’t dare bring up sending her away again. Instead, she fell into a troubled silence.

Noticing her mistress’s distress, Chuntao changed her approach. “If Young Miss doesn’t wish to say the name, could you at least describe their appearance?”

Appearance?

For some reason, Ling Yue recalled the image of that person smiling while uttering threats, the moonlight flowing through her hair, making her skin appear as pale as snow. If it weren’t for the fact that she was Lu He, Ling Yue might have been captivated. But because it was Lu He, all she felt was terror.

Yet…

Ling Yue pressed a hand to her chest, feeling the rhythm of her heartbeat, and sighed with downcast eyes. “The moonlight truly is beautiful.”

Chuntao tilted her head in confusion. “Huh?”

Just then, a voice called from outside the door: “Second Young Miss, the Fifth Princess requests your presence.”

Ling Yue clenched her fist, suppressing the turmoil within as she replied, “I’ve caught a chill and am unfit to receive guests.”

The commotion outside made her fall silent. She could hear footsteps approaching light and unsteady, yet firm. Having lost her sight in her past life, she was familiar with sounds. It was clear that Lu Weiying had come herself.

A pair of peach-colored embroidered shoes accompanied Lu Weiying’s gentle voice as she stepped into the room. “Second Young Miss, are you unwell?”

Unwilling to look at her, Ling Yue bowed in greeting and kept her head lowered, deliberately brushing off the other’s concern. “My health has always been poor. I woke from a nightmare yesterday and caught a chill. Your Highness is of noble stature, it would be best not to risk falling ill.”

Seeing Ling Yue keep her head down, her demeanor exactly as it had been in the past life, Lu Weiying felt somewhat reassured. Yet, the spear embedded in the tree in the courtyard still left her with lingering doubts.

The snow had fallen too quickly, covering all traces on the ground. A single weapon alone couldn’t explain much after all, this was the General’s Manor.

Countless thoughts raced through her mind. As Lu Weiying saw the other person lower her head, she couldn’t help but think of Ling Ya again. She had encountered Ya’er today, but the other party seemed to deliberately avoid her, after a brief greeting, she left, making it difficult to even exchange a word.

Having tasted the benefits that power brings, how could Lu Weiying easily give it up? Ling Fu held military authority and doted on Ling Ya the most, while Ling Yue, though not favored, possessed outstanding talent. Choosing either would be a good start.

Privately, Lu Weiying looked down on Ling Yue. The other’s appearance was ordinary, she lacked refinement, and her personality was dull and wooden far from matching Ling Ya’s place in her heart. Yet, she couldn’t stake all her bets on one person. In comparison, Ling Yue was easier to manipulate.

Lu Weiying glanced around and feigned concern: “Second Young Lady lives here? It seems a bit too humble.”

Ling Yue could hardly stand the other’s hypocrisy. Suppressing the urge to strangle her, she replied calmly, “My father is an honest official and holds me to the same standards. Yet, I’ve never been deprived of three meals a day, clothing, or transportation.”

Lu Weiying’s smile froze at the corners of her mouth. The words were technically true, but they felt oddly unsettling.

Truth be told, the cold palace she had once lived in was worse than this place, and her freedom had been restricted, with clothing and food routinely withheld.

Lu Weiying scrutinized Ling Yue, but the other kept her head lowered, appearing utterly timid. Dismissing her suspicions, Lu Weiying smiled warmly and extended goodwill: “Actually, we’ve met before. From the first glance, I felt a connection, as if we were kindred spirits. I made time today specifically to visit you.”

The other’s insincerity made Ling Yue’s skin crawl. She clenched her fists, trembling from the effort to restrain her impulses. Yet, this reaction was mistaken by Lu Weiying for fear. Disdainful inwardly but gentle on the surface, Lu Weiying’s every word of concern sounded so genuine, as if she truly adored this powerless general’s illegitimate daughter.

Memories of her past life overlapped with the present, but surprisingly, Ling Yue gradually calmed down. Mimicking Lu Weiying’s demeanor, she offered a grateful smile, echoing the shadow of her former self with emotion: “Thank you.”

Seeing that familiar expression, Lu Weiying was reminded of the early days in her past life. A flicker of guilt passed through her heart, but it soon vanished, replaced by smug satisfaction.

Struggling to suppress the urge to smirk, she smiled gently and said, “Then I’ll visit you again in a few days.”

Ling Yue wore an expression of overwhelmed flattery, waving her hands in refusal: “Your Highness is of noble lineage. How could you waste your time on someone like me? It’s not worth it.”

Lu Weiying patted Ling Yue’s shoulder in response: “I think you’re worth it.”

The exchange of hollow pleasantries finally ended as the other departed.

Ling Yue’s expression instantly shifted. Disgusted, she removed her outer garment and instructed Chun Tao: “Chun Tao, prepare water. I need to bathe.”

Chun Tao picked up the discarded outer garment from the floor and promptly agreed. Just as she was about to put it away, her young mistress added, “Burn that one in your hands.”

Chun Tao examined the garment thoughtfully for a moment, then carried it outside. After a while, she returned with a bucket of water and continued fetching water until the bathtub was filled. Then she withdrew, standing outside the screen. Listening to the sound of water from within, Chun Tao asked, “Does Young Miss dislike this princess?”

The sound of water paused. Shortly after, Chun Tao heard her young mistress’s weary voice: “Yes.”

Ling Yue was truly exhausted. This body was far from the condition she had in her previous life on the battlefield. Wielding the spear during training had drained too much of her energy, and after dealing with Lu Weiying for so long, she was both physically and mentally spent.

Chun Tao must have been tired today as well. Ling Yue opened her eyes and called out softly, “You may go now. I’d like to be alone for a while.”

Chun Tao was deeply concerned, but she understood that her mistress needed some quiet time, so she obediently withdrew. As she left, she closed the door and considered shutting the window but remembered the charcoal fire inside, fearing an accident, so she left one window slightly ajar before departing.

Once alone, Ling Yue couldn’t help but let her mind wander. She allowed herself to sink until the water covered her nose, slowly releasing the breath she had been holding in. The gurgling bubbles made her feel a little better.

The water temperature was just right, and the sensation of being enveloped by it felt perfect, as if she had fallen into someone’s warm embrace.

But it still didn’t seem enough. So she continued to sink, curling up at the bottom and hugging herself tightly, as if seeking comfort. Of course, she had no intention of dying, she just needed to release her anger and exhaustion.

Feeling that the pent-up frustration in her heart had mostly dissipated, Ling Yue wanted to rise out of the water. But as she lifted her head, she caught a glimpse through the water’s surface of the Princess’s unsmiling face. Startled, she gasped and choked on the water.

She scrambled to her feet, coughing uncontrollably. “Cough, cough, cough!”

The icy touch on her spine sent shivers down her entire body, and the Princess’s voice made her scalp tingle. “It seems you don’t wish to die.”

Ling Yue frantically pushed away the hand that was patting her back, then realized she wasn’t wearing any clothes. For a moment, she didn’t know where to cover herself and could only hug her chest while crouching back into the water. She looked at the Princess, who wore a faint, ambiguous smile, and said in near despair, “Your Highness, could you please step away for a moment?”

Lu He sat on the edge of the bathtub, trailing her fingers through the water without caring that her sleeves were soaked through.

Ling Yue was far from relaxed; she was utterly mortified. This time was different last time, the room had been too dark to see clearly, but now it was brightly lit.

How did this person appear so mysteriously?

Ling Yue felt her composure on the verge of shattering. Seeing that the Princess showed no reaction, she couldn’t help but speak up again, “Your Highness.”

Her voice trembled slightly from sheer panic. Lu He stopped playing with the water and looked directly at Ling Yue. “Granted.”

Then she retreated behind the screen. “No need to get up. I’ll leave shortly.”

Hearing this, Ling Yue sat back down. After calming herself, she asked, “What brings Your Highness to see me?”

Lu He glanced at her soaked sleeves and suddenly smiled. “The matter of your enrollment in the military examination has been arranged. You may go.”

With that, Lu He slipped out through the window.

Ling Yue was left bewildered. Did she really need to deliver such a message in person?

Meanwhile, Lu He, walking in the cold wind, shook her head and muttered to herself, “Have I truly gone mad? Why would I handle such a trivial matter myself?”

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