The Female Lead is Quite Unusual - Episode 67

Lin Wan stayed in the small prayer hall for a while, feeling her emotions gradually settle amidst the haze of incense smoke before returning to her room.

 

A pile of matters awaited Sheng Qian to handle, and by the time Lin Wan returned, Sheng Qian had already gone out.

 

The palace maid guarding the door conveyed Sheng Qian’s message: “The princess said she learned many new dishes during her time away and asked you to wait for dinner, as she will cook for you when she returns.”

 

Lin Wan was momentarily stunned.

 

The Sheng Qian who had returned this time was exceptionally enthusiastic, like a peacock flaunting its feathers, seemingly eager to impress Lin Wan at every turn.

 

In the past, Lin Wan would have been delighted by Sheng Qian’s attentiveness, but now, the kinder Sheng Qian was to her, the more guilt Lin Wan felt in her heart.

 

Lin Wan had a gentle temperament, and the palace staff were not particularly afraid of her. Hearing this, they all laughed.

 

Some of the bolder ones even took the opportunity to tease Lin Wan: “The princess cares so much for you, Miss Lin. With such sisterly affection and the princess’s support, any husband you find in the future would surely remain devoted to you.”

 

Lin Wan curved her lips into a smile but did not respond: Women in this era always regarded marriage as the most important matter in life. She had no intention of changing their views, as this world had its own inherent order. Still, she hoped they would come to understand that even without marriage, women could live the lives they desired.

 

Moreover—

 

Recalling Sheng Qian’s clinginess, Lin Wan inexplicably felt that Sheng Qian might not agree to let her marry.

 

Overall, after overcoming the earlier awkwardness in the bathhouse, Lin Wan still felt immense joy about Sheng Qian’s return.

 

That evening, Sheng Qian returned later than Lin Wan had expected.

 

Those accompanying Sheng Qian said she had encountered a Ministry of Revenue official named Deng Ping, and the two had conversed so pleasantly that they lost track of time.

 

Lin Wan was familiar with Deng Ping and smiled at the news: “Deng Ping is a man of genuine talent. I didn’t expect the princess to have such a keen eye, discovering him so soon after her return.”

 

“Oh!” Sheng Qian’s eyes, however, showed no trace of the joy a wise ruler might feel upon discovering a capable subject. She pursed her lips and looked at Lin Wan. “Wanwan, what do you think of Deng Ping?”

 

“Deng Ping has been of great help to me lately. He handles matters meticulously and conducts himself with the grace of a gentleman. He is a promising talent.” Lin Wan carefully and objectively shared her opinion of Deng Ping.

 

“I didn’t expect Wanwan to hold him in such high regard.” Sheng Qian curved her lips into a smile, but her eyes held no warmth.

 

Seeing Sheng Qian’s expression, Lin Wan couldn’t help but frown: Could there be something amiss about Deng Ping?

 

Lin Wan reviewed her interactions with Deng Ping and found no cause for concern. Perhaps there was some misunderstanding between the two.

 

Just as she was about to discuss it with Sheng Qian, Sheng Qian had already changed her clothes and pulled Lin Wan into the small kitchen.

 

The two had always worked together seamlessly.

 

Sheng Qian cooked while Lin Wan assisted, and soon a table of dishes was prepared.

 

True to Sheng Qian’s word, she had learned some new recipes. The dishes were fragrant and delicious, making one’s mouth water.

 

“Wanwan, how is it?”

 

Sheng Qian poured herself a cup of plum wine. The amber liquid swirled in the jade-white cup, slightly moistening her vibrant lips and making her appear even more alluring.

 

Sheng Qian was in no hurry to eat. Instead, she sipped her wine slowly, raising an eyebrow as she smiled at Lin Wan.

 

“Super delicious!”

 

Lin Wan never hesitated to lavish praise upon Sheng Qian, showering her with an abundance of compliments especially for taking the time to cook despite her busy schedule. The heartfelt effort poured into this meal was deeply moving.

 

“That’s good to hear.”

 

Sheng Qian’s gaze remained fixed on Lin Wan’s face. Only after hearing Lin Wan’s words did she set down her wine glass, a smile curling at her lips. “It’s only natural. If Wanwan enjoys it, I’ll cook more often in the future.”

 

As if recalling something, her smile deepened. “It seems Wanwan’s tastes haven’t changed.”

 

“I’ve been worried for nothing, thinking you might have developed a preference for porridge lately.”

 

Lin Wan blinked, unsure where Sheng Qian had picked up such a mistaken notion. But as she took in Sheng Qian’s slender figure, she couldn’t help but ladle a bowl of soup for her and add some dishes to her bowl.

 

“You’ve been busy all this time. You should eat more too.”

 

“And if you don’t finish, don’t blame me for not letting it slide!”

 

Lin Wan had said it offhandedly, but Sheng Qian seemed to take it seriously, tilting her head with a hint of confusion.

 

“And if I don’t finish, what will Wanwan do to me?”

 

Sheng Qian leaned closer, her dark eyes fixed intently on Lin Wan, a glimmer of amusement dancing in their depths.

 

For a moment, Lin Wan was at a loss for words.

 

She mulled over Sheng Qian’s question seriously and realized she truly had no leverage over her anymore whether in physical strength, wealth, or influence, Sheng Qian had surpassed her.

 

After racking her brain, Lin Wan managed to come up with a half-joking punishment.

 

“If you don’t eat properly and take care of yourself, I’ll hide your imperial seal and leave you helplessly anxious.”

 

“What a fearsome punishment!”

 

Sheng Qian seemed taken aback by the response, but then a ripple of laughter escaped her, spilling from the corners of her eyes and brows. “I can’t let Wanwan punish me like that.”

 

Chuckling, she leaned against Lin Wan. Though usually poised and elegant while eating, she now seemed utterly relaxed, wrapping an arm around Lin Wan’s neck and drawing closer.

 

“But Wanwan, why go to such lengths?”

 

Lin Wan didn’t know why, but even though she had composed herself, Sheng Qian’s proximity. Her flawless beauty up close and the delight in her captivating eyes made Lin Wan’s heartbeat quicken involuntarily.

 

In that dazed moment, Lin Wan suddenly understood those prodigal sons who would spend fortunes for a beauty’s favor. Under Sheng Qian’s gaze, she felt as though she’d willingly offer her entire heart.

 

“Wanwan, just ignoring me would be the greatest punishment of all.”

 

Moreover, this beauty knew exactly what to say.

 

Sheng Qian leisurely scooped a spoonful of soup and brought it to her lips, her crimson mouth uttering words that made Lin Wan’s cheeks flush even hotter.

 

“Stop teasing!”

 

Lin Wan deeply regretted bringing it up and wanted to brush it off, gently pushing Sheng Qian away but she didn’t budge.

 

Sheng Qian, who usually paid the closest attention to Lin Wan’s moods, was acting entirely out of character.

 

Lin Wan looked up in surprise, meeting Sheng Qian’s beaming face.

 

Instead of pulling away, Sheng Qian leaned even closer, even winking playfully at Lin Wan.

 

“I just enjoy teasing Wanwan.”

 

The temperature on Lin Wan’s face rose once again. Without looking, she knew her cheeks had flushed as red as tomatoes. Gathering all her strength, she pushed Sheng Qian again but still couldn’t budge her.

 

Sheng Qian’s behavior was too strange. What had made her unhappy?

 

Recalling the evening’s events and Sheng Qian’s longstanding personality, Lin Wan’s gaze gradually filled with understanding as she looked at her.

 

“I was wrong,” she sighed helplessly, readily admitting her mistake. “I really shouldn’t keep treating you like a child anymore.”

 

Probably because she had once again regarded her as a child, Sheng Qian had become upset.

 

In Lin Wan’s mind, Sheng Qian had always been magnanimous and kind, never making others feel awkward. Yet, at this moment, Sheng Qian didn’t seem to be buying it.

 

Hearing Lin Wan’s words, Sheng Qian leaned close to her ear and chuckled softly.

 

“How can Wanwan say that?”

 

Sheng Qian sighed, her expression tinged with a hint of disappointment, but her mesmerizing eyes held clear amusement. “I wish Wanwan would treat me like a child forever, always caring for me.”

 

It seemed Sheng Qian wasn’t satisfied with the sincerity of her apology.

 

Yet, faced with Sheng Qian’s utterly captivating gaze, Lin Wan couldn’t think of any other words to placate her. She could only struggle to stay clear-headed and ask, as if pleading, “What do you want?”

 

For a fleeting moment, a trace of unmistakable helplessness seemed to flash in Sheng Qian’s eyes, and Lin Wan heard her sigh softly.

 

But then Sheng Qian moved even closer, picked up the soup bowl from the table, and brought it to Lin Wan’s lips, her voice taking on a coquettish tone again.

 

“Let me feed you some soup, Wanwan.”

 

Lin Wan instantly understood: Sheng Qian was indeed upset because she had been treated like a child.

 

She had regarded Sheng Qian as a child, and now Sheng Qian was turning the tables by feeding her soup, making Lin Wan seem more like the child instead.

 

Feeling even more convinced of Sheng Qian’s childishness, but to escape this awkward situation, Lin Wan had no choice but to nod.

 

It was just a few sips of soup, after all—

 

Unfortunately, Sheng Qian seemed to see through her thoughts. It wasn’t just about feeding her soup; as she drank, Sheng Qian began asking questions to tease her.

 

“Wanwan, can you tell which herbs were added to this soup?”

 

With Sheng Qian leaning in so close to feed her, enveloped in her scent, Lin Wan was flustered and blushing, unable to focus on the taste at all. Naturally, she couldn’t answer.

 

So, another spoonful of soup was brought to her lips.

 

This time, Lin Wan tried hard to concentrate, blocking out the distraction of Sheng Qian’s gaze. She slowly drank the soup, attempting to discern the ingredients.

 

Sheng Qian wasn’t in a hurry either. She sipped her own soup leisurely, watching Lin Wan with an amused smile.

 

This time, Lin Wan identified several ingredients, but the soup contained unexpectedly many seasonings, and she couldn’t pinpoint them all.

 

So, she took several more sips and finally managed to identify all the added ingredients.

 

By then, the bowl of soup was empty.

 

Only then did Sheng Qian seem thoroughly pleased and released Lin Wan, slowly starting to taste the other dishes.

 

Finally, the little ancestor was satisfied!

 

Lin Wan breathed a sigh of relief, not daring to speak anymore. She prepared to bury herself in her meal, afraid that saying the wrong thing might upset Sheng Qian again.

 

But as she lowered her head, Lin Wan’s eyes widened. She had only just realized that she and Sheng Qian had finished that bowl of soup using the same spoon.

 

At the time, she had been too focused on savoring the ingredients in the soup to notice.

 

Bringing it up now would seem too deliberate, especially since Sheng Qian might not have given it much thought.

 

Still, the gesture felt overly intimate.

 

Though she told herself not to dwell on it, Lin Wan couldn’t help the blush that crept up her cheeks. For the rest of the evening, she felt distracted and unsettled.

 

That night, Sheng Qian slept in the side room that Lin Wan had prepared for her earlier.

 

Lin Wan glanced out the window several times. Sheng Qian’s room was still lit.

 

Instinctively, Lin Wan wanted to urge her to rest early, but for some reason, she suddenly felt too timid to face Sheng Qian. And perhaps because of Sheng Qian’s status, the other palace servants were too deeply intimidated to dare remind her to sleep.

 

After a moment’s thought, Lin Wan decided to take matters into her own hands. Unable to resist, she pushed open her window and tossed a small paper ball toward Sheng Qian’s window.

 

Sheng Qian, as expected, noticed the movement and opened her window from inside.

 

“Qianqian, go to bed now!” Lin Wan deliberately put on a stern face, hoping to intimidate her.

 

“I can’t sleep without you beside me,” Sheng Qian replied, now more confident and unyielding.

 

She leaned out the window, lips curved in a playful pout, her gaze pitifully fixed on Lin Wan. “Why don’t you come over and keep me company?”

 

“Don’t joke around!”

 

Lin Wan shot her a glare and, before the heat in her cheeks became too obvious, quickly shut her window, unwilling to let Sheng Qian see her flustered.

 

Even so, leaning against the closed window, Lin Wan couldn’t help but listen for any sound from Sheng Qian’s side.

 

Outside, Sheng Qian sighed softly. “Wanwan, you’re getting crueler by the day!”

 

Her tone was full of grievance, tinged with a sigh, as if Lin Wan had truly wronged her.

 

Fortunately, Sheng Qian’s voice soon lost its coquettish edge. Seeming to sense that Lin Wan was still paying attention, she softened her tone and whispered gently, “Wanwan, I’ll stop teasing. Go to bed now. You’re only wearing a thin robe, be careful not to catch a chill.”

 

Sheng Qian always kept her word.

 

Soon after, Lin Wan heard the sound of Sheng Qian’s window closing.

 

Then, the light in Sheng Qian’s room went out.

 

Only then did Lin Wan return to her bed and lie down, yet sleep felt miles away.

 

Every time she closed her eyes, Sheng Qian’s sweet, coquettish face appeared before her. Lin Wan’s heart raced wildly, and the warmth in her cheeks lingered for a long time without fading.

 

Tossing and turning, Lin Wan knew this state of mind was utterly wrong. If she continued spending time with Sheng Qian, she might lose control of her heart.

 

Before Sheng Qian’s return, Lin Wan had felt no particular stir when reading her letters. She had thought her emotions were neatly tucked away.

 

But face to face with Sheng Qian, it felt as though everything was spiraling out of control, her heart refusing to obey.

 

No matter how beautiful Sheng Qian was, she was not someone Lin Wan could ever covet.

 

If Sheng Qian were to discover that her beloved elder sister harbored such improper thoughts toward her. How heartbroken she would be?

 

Lin Wan bit her lower lip, and for the first time, the thought of leaving Sheng Qian crossed her mind.

 

Now holding great power and possessing 100% luck value, Sheng Qian faced no threats in this world and no longer needed Lin Wan’s protection.

 

But Lin Wan couldn’t make up her mind immediately. With Sheng Qian having just quelled the internal strife and everything in need of revival, she felt she should at least stay and help for the next two months, until things were back on track before leaving.

 

Weighed down by her thoughts, Lin Wan tossed and turned for most of the night, only falling asleep as dawn approached.

 

Yet even her dreams offered no peace.

 

Lin Wan dreamed of Sheng Qian.

 

But the dream was hazy, set in modern times, and Sheng Qian wasn’t called Sheng Qian, she went by “Bai Yin”.

 

In the dream, she and Bai Yin, who looked exactly like Sheng Qian, were legally married. She couldn’t recall how they had ended up together, but she vividly remembered Bai Yin’s obsessive possessiveness, dragging her through the living room, the garden, the car engaging in wild and reckless acts.

 

What was even harder to accept was that she was the one in the submissive role, and she was gradually beginning to enjoy it!

 

“Bai Yin, no more.”

 

Lin Wan couldn’t bear to face the version of herself in the dream, convinced that her hidden desires for Sheng Qian had spawned such an overly sensual dream. She desperately tried to wake up, but the more she struggled, the deeper she sank into the dream.

 

“Wanwan?”

 

It wasn’t until a hand gripped her chin and a voice, gritted as if suppressing something, sounded beside her, accompanied by a chilling cold from behind, that Lin Wan jolted awake from the dream.

 

When she saw Sheng Qian’s face, so close that her eyes seemed to hold frost, Lin Wan couldn’t distinguish dream from reality for a moment. Mistaking Sheng Qian for the Bai Yin from her dream, about to do something shameful to her, she instinctively shrank back into the bed.

 

“Don’t!”

 

Her voice sounded less like a refusal and more like a coquettish plea.

 

In an instant, the fury in Sheng Qian’s eyes intensified. Her fingers, hanging at her sides, clenched into fists, yet she let out a soft, low laugh, her voice turning unnervingly gentle: “Wanwan, who is Bai Yin?”

 

Only then did Lin Wan realize she had woken from the dream.

 

But how could she dare say that Bai Yin was the star of her erotic dream and looked exactly like Sheng Qian?

 

To reveal that would lay all her dirty, hidden thoughts bare before Sheng Qian…

 

So Lin Wan lowered her head, not daring to meet Sheng Qian’s gaze, took a deep breath, and stammered, “You misheard. I didn’t call out any Bai Yin.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

Sheng Qian’s gaze was profound as she watched her. Even without looking up, Lin Wan could feel the intensity of her stare.

 

For a moment, Lin Wan felt as if Sheng Qian had seen right through all her thoughts, making her heart grow even more guilty, her head sinking lower and lower.

 

“Then it must have been my mistake.”

 

Fortunately, Sheng Qian ultimately believed her lie and considerately tucked the blanket around her. “I was about to leave when I heard you calling out ‘no, no’ in a strange tone. I was afraid something had happened to you, so in my panic, I broke the window to get in.”

 

“You won’t blame me, will you, Wanwan?”

 

Lin Wan hadn’t expected Sheng Qian to hear the shameful sounds she’d made in her dream. Too embarrassed to even glance at Sheng Qian’s expression, she wished she could vanish into the ground and merely murmured a soft “Mm” in response.

 

Following Sheng Qian’s words, she looked toward the broken window and, sure enough, there was a large hole in it.

 

“Of course, I don’t blame you. I was trapped in a nightmare, and if it weren’t for you, I’d still be stuck in that dreadful dream.”

 

Lin Wan spoke softly, yet the thought of leaving Sheng Qian’s side grew even stronger in her heart: Sheng Qian was still young and didn’t understand what kind of dream she had just been having, which was why she had made those strange sounds.

 

Once Sheng Qian grew older and started a family, she would naturally understand.

 

How would Sheng Qian view her then?

 

Fortunately, Lin Wan had guarded her secret tightly. Sheng Qian didn’t know that the Bai Yin in the dream was her.

 

“Wanwan’s window is broken, so I’m afraid you won’t be able to stay here for the next couple of days. How about you sleep in my room for now, and I’ll take the study.”

 

Sheng Qian seemed unaware of her unusual emotions and continued to show concern for her. In contrast, Lin Wan felt increasingly tainted and unworthy.

 

“There’s no need. There are so many rooms in the palace. I can just pick one and tidy it up.”

 

Remembering what Sheng Qian had said earlier, Lin Wan thought it would be better to keep her distance in this state. She added, “You’re about to ascend the throne, and in the future, your future husband will live in this courtyard. It wouldn’t be proper for me to stay any longer. Since I’m moving out now, you can take the opportunity to renovate the room.”

 

However, after a long while, Lin Wan received no reply from Sheng Qian.

 

Unable to resist, Lin Wan finally looked up, only to widen her eyes in shock.

 

Sheng Qian had turned away, seemingly suppressing tears, biting her lower lip tightly as tears welled in her eyes, making her look utterly pitiable.

 

“Qianqian, what’s wrong?”

 

In Lin Wan’s memory, Sheng Qian rarely cried. Seeing her like this, Lin Wan felt as if her heart had been squeezed, aching with unbearable tenderness.

 

Setting aside her tangled thoughts, she wrapped her arms around Sheng Qian’s shoulders and asked gently, “Did I say something wrong? I’m sorry, Qianqian.”

 

Instead of calming her, Lin Wan’s words seemed to unleash Sheng Qian’s sorrow. A tear traced its way down her cheek.

 

Sheng Qian’s eyes were vacant, her tears held back with effort, making her resemble a crystal doll—fragile, as if bearing immense grievance and on the verge of shattering.

 

Lin Wan’s heart ached so fiercely it felt as if it might break! Frantically wiping Sheng Qian’s tears, her own voice trembling with emotion, she pleaded, “Qianqian, what’s really wrong?”

 

Sheng Qian bit her lip even harder before finally meeting Lin Wan’s gaze, her voice barely a whisper.

 

“Don’t blame yourself, Wanwan. It’s my fault.”

 

Sheng Qian smiled bitterly. “I’ve always known that once I take this position, I’ll become isolated, with no one left to confide in.”

 

As she spoke, another tear fell. She seemed embarrassed and turned her head away.

 

“But I still wanted to force it.”

 

“I thought you and I were different.”

 

“I believed that if I treated you well enough, you would stay by my side forever. After all, you once promised me.”

 

“Now I realize it was nothing but wishful thinking.”

 

“But—”

 

Sheng Qian turned back, her gaze fixed on Lin Wan’s face, her eyes filled with unmistakable pleading. “Wanwan, I still don’t want you to leave me. I have nothing left.”

 

“If there’s anything I’ve done wrong, I’ll change it. Please don’t go too far away. If you don’t want to see me, I can avoid you during the day.”

 

Sheng Qian seemed to want to say something more, but Lin Wan, with tears streaming down her face, interrupted her.

 

“Qianqian, how could I ever distance myself from you? It’s because of me that you’ve reached this position. How could I abandon you when you need me the most?”

 

Lin Wan bit her lip, overwhelmed by a wave of guilt: she had been too selfish. She had only considered her own feelings, focusing solely on suppressing her abnormal affection for Sheng Qian, without ever considering how much Sheng Qian relied on her.

 

No wonder Sheng Qian had been trying so hard to please her lately. She must have sensed Lin Wan’s avoidance.

 

Lin Wan had never imagined that Sheng Qian, who now appeared proud, noble, and in possession of the world, could feel so insecure deep down.

 

But thinking about it, it wasn’t surprising. After all, Sheng Qian had witnessed too many partings.

 

“Qianqian, I was wrong. From now on, I won’t care about the gossip and rumors of the world. Whatever you want, I’ll be by your side.”

 

It took Lin Wan a long time to coax Sheng Qian before she finally stopped crying and nestled pitifully into Lin Wan’s arms. “I always knew Wanwan treats me best! I don’t blame Wanwan. No matter what Wanwan does to me, I’ll gladly accept it.”

 

Lin Wan’s guilt peaked at that moment.

 

What had she done to deserve such unwavering trust from Sheng Qian?

 

Lin Wan stayed with Sheng Qian a while longer, chatting and promising to stay up with her by candlelight that night. Only then did Sheng Qian’s mood fully recover, and she got up to go to the front hall to attend to official matters.

 

Word came from the front that Sheng Qian wouldn’t be back for lunch. It seemed she was conducting a nationwide census, searching for someone.

 

Lin Wan didn’t pay it much mind.

 

She racked her brains, trying to figure out how to handle her future interactions with Sheng Qian, and finally came up with a perfect solution.

 

When the time was right, she would take religious vows and become a lay Buddhist nun within the palace, keeping her hair. That way, she could stay by Sheng Qian’s side, pray for her blessings, and also find a way to restrain her own stirring feelings. It would be the perfect excuse to remain in the palace.