The Female Lead is Quite Unusual - Episode 58

When the founding emperor established the dynasty, he enfeoffed many feudal lords. Now that the emperor had passed away, these lords declared themselves kings one after another, no longer heeding the capital’s commands.

 

Driven to the brink of survival by the chaotic times, displaced refugees also formed several rebel armies.

 

Despite the dire situation, the capital remained a hotbed of covert strife and open contention. In the end, the few remaining children of the emperor perished one by one.

 

Lin Wan’s father had built a vast business empire, but in such turbulent times, recuperating and preserving strength was the way to endure. Lin Wan shut down many of the shops under her father’s name.

 

Yet the situation was far too chaotic. Even with preparations in place, Lin Wan still found herself frequently startled by the turmoil.

 

She purchased properties in various relatively stable locations, planning to move her entire family out of the capital if the situation turned sour.

 

Lin Wan did not hide these arrangements from Sheng Qian; she even bought residences for her in other places.

 

Sheng Qian seemed somewhat puzzled by Lin Wan’s actions, her beautiful eyes gazing at her with concern. “Sister, don’t worry. Even if the world falls into chaos, I will protect you.”

 

How could a delicate, fallen princess have the ability to protect her?

 

But Lin Wan was touched by her sentiment and did not voice her doubts outright. Instead, she smiled and reassured Sheng Qian, “I just thought that in the future, when we have time, I’d take you traveling. I was worried you might not be comfortable staying in inns, so I bought us our own houses in advance. Sheng Qian remained as easy to coax as ever.

 

After Lin Wan’s explanation, Sheng Qian indeed stopped questioning the matter.

 

Lin Wan had always harbored a lingering fear that Sheng Qian might suddenly regain her memories, especially when the emperor died. She worried that the event might trigger Sheng Qian’s memory recovery.

 

But Sheng Qian showed no signs of abnormality.

 

At the same time, as the escort agency’s business grew, Sheng Qian began traveling extensively with Hu Yi, spending over half the year on the road. Each time she returned, she would be noticeably thinner.

 

Lin Wan did not want Sheng Qian to live such an unstable life. After all, she now had the means to protect Sheng Qian and provide her with a secure existence. Yet, Lin Wan also understood that Sheng Qian, with her kind heart and sense of gratitude, felt guilty about being supported by Lin Wan. Her diligence in accompanying Hu Yi was her way of repaying Lin Wan for taking her in.

 

If Lin Wan forbade her from going, Sheng Qian, true to her nature, might become despondent.

 

Lin Wan felt like a worried mother wanting to forever shield Sheng Qian under her wing, yet rationally knowing that allowing Sheng Qian to socialize and develop her survival skills was the best protection for her.

 

Thus, Lin Wan could only suppress her heartache, preparing an abundance of delicious food for Sheng Qian upon each return, hoping to nourish her back to health.

 

She made thorough preparations. Even though she knew Sheng Qian was safe with Hu Yi, Lin Wan always equipped her with numerous self-defense items.

 

Lin Wan had originally thought Sheng Qian would never need to use these items.

 

However, contrary to her expectations, just before Lin Wan’s seventeenth birthday, one early morning before dawn, urgent knocking echoed at the side gate of the Lin residence. When the servants opened the door, they found an unconscious Sheng Qian.

 

Lin Wan had never seen Sheng Qian look so frail.

 

The moment she saw Sheng Qian’s condition, Lin Wan’s heart nearly stopped.

 

The physician they summoned prescribed medicine for Sheng Qian, saying her condition was extremely critical. If the high fever persisted, even if she eventually woke up, she might end up mentally impaired.

 

Strangely enough, despite Sheng Qian’s dire state, the fortune value above her head didn’t decrease but instead dropped to “55%.”

 

“It’s my fault for not taking good care of the young lady,” Hu Yi said, his eyes red-rimmed. “We were supposed to pass through a bandit den on our way. We originally planned to take our time and handle it cautiously, but the young lady insisted on rushing back to celebrate your birthday. She deliberately walked into the trap. Although we ended up wiping out the entire bandit den. She was severely injured.”

 

“I found a doctor for her at the border. If she had just rested quietly, nothing would have happened. But she insisted on rushing back, and on the way, her wounds worsened again. That’s why she fell into a coma.”

 

After hearing Hu Yi’s account, if Sheng Qian hadn’t been unconscious, Lin Wan would have truly wanted to give her a good scolding.

 

Her birthday wasn’t such a big deal. Why did Sheng Qian have to be in such a hurry?

 

But with Sheng Qian unconscious, Lin Wan couldn’t reprimand her. Knowing that Sheng Qian disliked others getting too close, Lin Wan had no choice but to stay by her side herself, tending to her day and night without even changing her clothes.

 

Sheng Qian had been away for two months and had grown even thinner, making her face appear especially small. At fourteen, a girl is like a budding flower, and Sheng Qian, having grown taller, looked even more slender. She had shed the childish innocence and now carried a delicate beauty of a young maiden.

 

How could such a fragile and beautiful flower withstand the harshness of the outside world?

 

Lin Wan deeply regretted her previous leniency.

 

Filled with anxiety and heartache, she secretly resolved that once Sheng Qian woke up, even if she was unwilling, she would stop her from running off to remote places again.

 

Strangely enough, according to Hu Yi, Sheng Qian was usually difficult to medicate when she fell ill. She would refuse medicine from others, which led to the rapid deterioration of her condition.

 

But perhaps her subconscious remembered Lin Wan’s presence. Lin Wan had prepared to force the medicine down her throat, yet when she fed her, the unconscious Sheng Qian was unusually compliant, drinking every drop Lin Wan offered.

 

Soon after, the medicine took effect.

 

Sheng Qian’s small face flushed bright red from the fever, and she kept tugging at her collar, calling out “Sister.” Fine beads of sweat dotted her forehead. Afraid she might touch her unhealed wounds, Lin Wan had to tie her hands to the bedpost with a soft cloth and continuously wiped her sweat, trying to bring down her fever.

 

Even though she knew Sheng Qian couldn’t hear her, Lin Wan responded to every call of “Sister.”

 

It wasn’t until midnight that Sheng Qian finally calmed down and fell into a deep sleep.

 

Lin Wan breathed a sigh of relief and fetched a basin of clean water to place by Sheng Qian’s bedside. She had originally intended to stay awake all night watching over her, but after a day of busyness and anxiety, she couldn’t help but doze off by the edge of the bed as soon as she sat down.

 

In her drowsy state, she had another dream.

 

She dreamed of what happened after Sheng Qian’s death in the original worldline.

 

The intrusion of refugees into the original body’s home was no accident: it was a scheme devised by Li Si, whom the original body was infatuated with, presented to the Prince of Yunyang’s estate. At that time, the Prince of Yunyang’s estate was short on military funds, and Li Si mentioned the immense wealth of the original body’s family.

 

The Prince of Yunyang’s estate coveted the Lin family’s fortune but feared that outright plunder would invite criticism and hinder their succession to the throne. So, the Prince of Yunyang dispatched soldiers disguised as refugees to exterminate the original body’s entire family.

 

After the male protagonist Gu Ze ascended the throne, stepping over the blood of millions, the turmoil did not cease.

 

He could pretend for a while, but not forever, and soon revealed his true nature of treating human lives as worthless. He favored sycophants and distanced himself from virtuous ministers. The court officials dared not voice their anger, and his impatience for quick success left him utterly incapable of quelling the waves of internal strife that swept the nation.

 

Lin Wan always felt as though an invisible hand was pushing the country rapidly toward its doom.

 

Not long after, neighboring countries that had long coveted this land launched an invasion. The nation fell into ruin. Instead of planning a defense, Gu Ze attempted to flee the capital with his close followers. However, before they could even pass through the city gates, a well-equipped army suddenly appeared and captured Gu Ze and his entourage in its entirety.

 

At the end of the dream, Gu Ze was pinned to the ground by soldiers with swords and blades. From his perspective, all he could see was a pair of blood-stained embroidered shoes amidst the crowd of soldiers.

 

The one leading the army was a woman?

 

“Sister.”

 

The dream abruptly ended there as Lin Wan heard Sheng Qian’s soft voice calling out to her.

 

Lin Wan opened her eyes to find that Sheng Qian had woken up at some point and was staring at her without blinking, her gaze somewhat peculiar.

 

Meeting Lin Wan’s eyes, Sheng Qian’s expression immediately turned utterly innocent, a faint blush even coloring her cheeks.

 

She blinked, her gaze falling on the cloth strip binding her wrists. Seemingly lost in thought for a moment, Sheng Qian’s eyelashes fluttered as she whispered, “Sister, what is this?”

 

“Now you’re scared?”

 

Sheng Qian was finally awake!

 

Lin Wan felt a wave of relief inside but kept her expression stern on purpose, deliberately not loosening the cloth binding Sheng Qian, and said coldly, “I’ll only untie you when you learn to take better care of yourself.”

 

Seeing Sheng Qian bite her lip and lower her head, Lin Wan couldn’t help but continue, “We’ll have many more birthdays to celebrate together in the future. Why did you have to take such a big risk just to rush back.”

 

“Sister, I was wrong.”

 

Lin Wan had expected Sheng Qian to remain stubborn for a while longer. After spending so much time together, Lin Wan had come to understand the temperament of this delicate, fallen princess. Sheng Qian might appear soft and easy to persuade, but in reality, she had her own firm convictions and rarely changed her mind once she’d decided on something.

 

Sheng Qian continued softly, “I shouldn’t have been so reckless and gotten myself injured.”

 

Her gaze was earnest as she looked at Lin Wan. “If I were to lose my life because of this, and you forgot about me afterward, even if I became a ghost, I would never find peace.”

 

“Enough, enough! Knock on wood!”

 

Lin Wan was pleased with Sheng Qian’s attitude but couldn’t bear to hear her say such things. She cut her off sternly, then felt that she might be coming across too harshly since Sheng Qian had already admitted her mistake. In a somewhat stiff tone, she added, “I hope you remember this lesson. If there’s a next time, I won’t bother with you anymore.”

 

“There won’t be a next time.”

 

Sheng Qian looked at Lin Wan with a gentle gaze. Though she was younger than Lin Wan, there was an inexplicable hint of indulgence in her eyes.

 

As if recalling something, Sheng Qian lifted her chin slightly. “After this ordeal, I will definitely be able to protect you properly in the future.”

 

Lin Wan, however, frowned.

 

Sheng Qian’s words still carried a trace of pride, clearly indicating that she still prioritized Lin Wan’s safety over her own. It seemed that if a similar situation arose again, Sheng Qian would still not hesitate to put herself in danger.

 

Lin Wan did not need Sheng Qian’s sacrifice.

 

Meeting Sheng Qian’s wide-eyed gaze, recalling how she had been at death’s door earlier, Lin Wan couldn’t hold back and swatted Sheng Qian’s bottom!

 

“I’ve never hit you before,” Lin Wan’s strike wasn’t heavy. It was merely meant to convey her anger. Yet, seeing Sheng Qian’s flushed face and tear-filled eyes, after the initial surge of fury, Lin Wan couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt.

 

She hardened her expression, thinking that since things had already started, there was no reason to stop halfway. She tried to make her voice sound as cold as possible: “In the past, I would have dismissed such words as a child’s jest, but you’ve grown up now, at the age where marriage arrangements are being considered. I don’t want to hear you say such things again.”

 

“I know you’re kind-hearted, always thinking of others,” she said, meeting Sheng Qian’s tearful gaze earnestly. “But in these chaotic times, kind people are often taken advantage of. More than kindness, Qianqian, I want you to learn to think of yourself. Nothing is more important than your own well-being.”

 

Sheng Qian clearly disagreed, biting her lower lip tightly, her face flushed, her eyes shifting through a range of emotions.

 

When she spoke again, her voice carried a clear edge of gritted teeth.

 

“What if what I want to do is something you’re unwilling to allow?” Sheng Qian’s gaze was deep and intense, even slightly hoarse. “Would you still think my wishes are more important?”

 

The princess’s desires were all too easy to guess likely another self-sacrificing plan to help others, fearing Lin Wan’s opposition.

 

“In my heart, nothing matters more than your safety and happiness.” Lin Wan didn’t want Sheng Qian to sacrifice herself for others, but she also didn’t want to stop her from doing good. She could only sigh and offer a compromise: “Even if what you want to do goes against my wishes, if you truly desire it, I will try to understand and help you.”

 

“Lin Wan, you said that yourself.”

 

Perhaps the spanking had severely wounded the princess’s pride. She was clearly furious, her eyes misty with tears, even refusing to call her “sister.”

 

She glared at Lin Wan and sneered, “Don’t you dare regret it later!”

 

Sheng Qian was likely too angry to speak, pressing her lips together and lowering her head without another word.

 

The stalemate between them didn’t last long.

 

Soon, Qingqing knocked on the door: “Miss, the congee is ready. You haven’t rested all night. Shall I feed Miss Qianqian?”

 

Sheng Qian’s eyelashes fluttered, and she glanced up at Lin Wan.

 

Lin Wan felt she understood Sheng Qian’s meaning: joking around in private was one thing, but given Sheng Qian’s personality, she definitely wouldn’t want others to see her tied to the bedpost.

 

The princess still needed to recuperate and shouldn’t be driven to illness by anger…

 

Thinking this, before calling Qingqing in, Lin Wan naturally untied Sheng Qian.

 

“Sister, you haven’t slept all night. Go rest now!”

 

After Qingqing entered, Lin Wan intended to feed Sheng Qian herself, but Sheng Qian pressed her lips together and said, “Qingqing can wait nearby. I can eat the congee on my own.”

 

Lin Wan had always been the type to yield to kindness rather than coercion. She hadn’t expected Sheng Qian to speak to her so soon or to show concern for her health. A flicker of regret stirred in Lin Wan’s heart: perhaps she shouldn’t have hit Sheng Qian earlier. The child had grown up and already had a sense of pride. Moreover, Sheng Qian cared about her, which was why she had said those words.

 

But what was done was done.

 

Lin Wan could only reply with a stiff “Okay,” but instead of resting, she went out to call for a doctor.

 

Sheng Qian woke up, her fever had subsided, and after the doctor confirmed that she was out of danger, Lin Wan finally felt a weight lift from her heart.

 

After seeing the doctor off, Lin Wan walked around the screen separating their two rooms and returned to her own, lying down to sleep.

 

She slept deeply and comfortably, waking up in the afternoon.

 

Remembering how Sheng Qian had taken the initiative to speak to her earlier, Lin Wan guessed that her anger had likely passed. Hoping to make amends, she personally cooked a variety of dishes for Sheng Qian, who, to her credit, finished everything Lin Wan had prepared.

 

Lin Wan breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that the matter was finally behind them.

 

Sheng Qian’s recovery turned out to be much faster than Lin Wan had anticipated.

 

Lin Wan had thought the delicate princess would need a long time to recuperate, but after just a few days of bed rest, Sheng Qian was able to get up.

 

However, Sheng Qian’s pride proved to be greater than Lin Wan had imagined. Although Sheng Qian’s attitude toward Lin Wan remained unchanged, perhaps to prove she was no longer a child, she stopped calling Lin Wan “Sister” in the days that followed and began addressing her as “Wanwan.”

 

Reflecting on how her actions that day had likely wounded the delicate princess’s pride, Lin Wan, not considering herself a rigid authority figure, allowed her to do as she pleased.

 

While Sheng Qian was recovering, news spread throughout the country.

 

Over the years, no matter how turbulent other regions had become, the largest tribe in the southwest, the Leyi Tribe, had always remained peaceful.

 

The Leyi Tribe had developed rapidly in recent years, its military strength now on par with that of the Yunyang Royal Manor.

 

The tribal chief governed the territory with meticulous order and refrained from involving himself in regional conflicts. Merchants had grown fond of traveling to this haven for trade, which in turn led to escort agencies frequently making trips to the southwest.

 

It was widely assumed that the Leyi Tribe would remain a bastion of peace, the last sanctuary in the land. However, conflict had recently erupted there as well.

 

The chief wanted to pass his position to a girl of unknown origin, sparking dissent and rebellion among certain factions within the tribe. To everyone’s surprise, the girl possessed thunderous tactics and, within three months, defeated all the rebel forces, conquering the entire tribe with her capabilities and securing her right to succession.

 

People were intensely curious about the girl, but rumors claimed she had been severely injured during the campaign. The chief had placed her under protection, and no one was permitted to see her.

 

Speculation ran rampant that the girl was the chief’s illegitimate daughter.

 

Upon hearing the news, Lin Wan shared it with Sheng Qian as gossip and echoed popular opinion: “That girl must indeed be the chief’s illegitimate daughter. That’s why he went to such lengths to insist on her becoming the next chief.”

 

“Although the rumors say she’s very capable, it’s possible the chief helped her behind the scenes.” Lin Wan sighed with worry, feeling that the future prospects of the Leyi Tribe looked grim.

 

If turmoil were to engulf the Leyi Tribe as well, Lin Wan would inevitably have to cut a significant portion of her business.

 

“The chief didn’t help her.”

 

Sheng Qian, who had just returned from there, seemed to know more. Pressing her lips together, she replied, “She isn’t the clan leader’s illegitimate daughter either. She’s the daughter of the clan leader’s sister.”

 

“Don’t worry, we can still continue trading in the southwest. The Leyi tribe won’t cause any more disturbances.”

 

Though Lin Wan didn’t understand why Sheng Qian was so certain, considering her steady and reliable nature, she trusted her words without question.

 

“Then should we buy a house in the Leyi tribe’s settlement too?” Lin Wan suggested enthusiastically. “It really is safer there than other places.”

 

Sheng Qian shook her head, casting a deep glance at Lin Wan. “No need.”

 

As if worried Lin Wan might act on her own, she added, “I saw a residence with an excellent view over there and bought it.”

 

Lin Wan hadn’t expected Sheng Qian to quietly arrange everything. A sense of relief washed over her, accompanied by a feeling of pride, as if watching a daughter grow up. She sighed warmly, “That’s good. If you’re short on money, just let me know.”

 

“Someday, when there’s a chance, I’d love to visit your house, Qianqian.”

 

Lin Wan said it casually, almost as a polite remark.

 

Sheng Qian narrowed her eyes, a faint smile curling her lips as she made a sincere promise.

 

“There will be a chance.”

 

Lin Wan still had to accompany Madam Lin to a banquet later. After checking on Sheng Qian, she walked around the screen to her own room to change.

 

The setting sun slanted through the window lattice, casting Lin Wan’s faint, blurred shadow onto the screen. From Sheng Qian’s angle, she could clearly see every movement Lin Wan made on the other side.

 

Sheng Qian knew she should look away, yet somehow, her gaze remained fixed. Unbidden, the dream she’d had while feverish from her injury resurfaced in her mind.

 

In the dream, Lin Wan had married a man with a blurred face.

 

Consumed by jealousy, she had killed that man.

 

In the dream, Lin Wan hated her hysterically, so she had bound Lin Wan to the bed with silk ribbons and done all sorts of unforgivable things to her.

 

That’s why, upon waking and finding herself lying in bed with her hands restrained, she had felt a moment of disorientation.

 

Yet she realized she wasn’t repulsed as she usually would be instead, there was even a faint trace of anticipation.

 

She had long been corrupted, and she knew far more than Lin Wan imagined.

 

As a child, a eunuch, seeing her delicate and lovely yet neglected by the emperor, had harbored ill intentions toward her. If not for Hu Yi’s secret protection, that eunuch might have succeeded.

 

When her neglectful mother heard about it, she sneered and tossed her a booklet, telling her to learn about the filthiest things in the world.

 

She read it, vomited for two days, and afterward loathed anyone coming near her.

 

But ever since meeting Lin Wan, strange emotions had stirred within her repeatedly. When Lin Wan touched her, she felt no disgust.

 

Over the years, everything she had planned had unfolded step by step as intended: the emperor died, having learned of Huang Fu and the Yunyang Prince Manor’s betrayal, his face twisted in agony and ugliness.

 

Now the Yunyang Prince Manor, flushed with success, would soon step into the spotlight, only to gradually spiral toward ruin.

 

And all these years, under the guise of escorting goods, she had gradually reconnected with her uncle. The war they had now ignited had been long in the making.

 

Hu Yi had likely spoken half-truths and half-falsehoods to ensure Lin Wan would take good care of her. Her injuries were sustained during the suppression of the rebellion, not for Lin Wan’s sake. However, since she remained unconscious and refused medicine from anyone else, Hu Yi had no choice but to send her back.

 

After this battle, she had effectively gained complete control over the Leyi tribe.

 

If she wished, she even had the power to contend for the entire realm.

 

 

 

This was what her uncle wanted to see. He had always wished for her to command armies and dominate the world, yet she felt no joy in it. Instead, she even thought it would be better to remain a simple rich girl by Lin Wan’s side.

 

She had always believed she was merely toying with Lin Wan as an amusing plaything, but this dream had starkly reminded her.

 

Her feelings for Lin Wan were more than just the affection one might have for a pet.

 

She had developed desire for Lin Wan.

 

She wanted to do the things she had done in the dream to Lin Wan, or, if Lin Wan was willing, she wouldn’t mind if Lin Wan did those things to her instead.

 

But she knew all too well that if she were to confess directly, Lin Wan would surely reject her, and it might even ruin the harmonious relationship they now shared.

 

Sheng Qian closed her eyes, a strange, bittersweet emotion surging in her chest. She pressed her lips together.

 

Let it be for now!

 

She would stay by Lin Wan’s side, maintaining the identity of a sworn sister.

 

One day…

 

Remembering the scenes from her dream, Sheng Qian lowered her gaze and bit her lower lip.