Everyone:…
Xiao Ran rubbed his nose, feeling inexplicably awkward.
Those born into wealth, having been exposed to such things since childhood, naturally could discern quality at a glance.
In the Imperial Palace, any random object would surpass this. It was unclear what Crown Prince was thinking.
Duke Lin and Lin Furen exchanged glances, while only Lin Wan looked understanding and somewhat excitedly said:
“This bracelet must hold extraordinary significance for Zhaozhao and Crown Prince.”
Extraordinary significance?
Lin Zhaoyue felt it was more her obsession.
An obsession she had longed for across two lifetimes.
Now, the white jade bracelet was delivered to her by the person she had hoped for—it was what she wanted, yet also what she did not want.
What she truly desired was never this white jade bracelet, but a man who would hold her in his heart; it was the wish to gain one person’s heart and never part till old age; it was the hope that his heart would mirror hers, never betraying their longing.
Recalling the white jade bracelet on Liu Yiyi’s hand during Xiao Ran’s coming-of-age ceremony, in her previous life, Liu Yiyi had not worn it nor left the banquet.
In her previous life, she remembered her mother stopping that lady just as she began discussing the Crown Princess matter, fearing Liu Yiyi would be hurt.
It seemed subconsciously, she knew Liu Yiyi liked Xiao Yan, yet deceived herself into believing Liu Yiyi and Xiao Yan had grown up together; Liu Yiyi had no family, few friends, only Xiao Yan. She feared Liu Yiyi would feel wronged thinking she had stolen Yan brother, so she always considered Liu Yiyi’s feelings.
Only later did she realize she had invited a wolf into her home, devoured by the vicious wolf until even bone fragments remained.
She was blind and foolish.
This lifetime, if she did not follow the path of her previous life, things would change.
Now, many events differed from her previous life: for instance, she never practiced swordsmanship before, never encountered Xiao Yan at Qianwei Restaurant, and he never gave her the white jade bracelet…
If she worked harder, Lin Residence would surely have a different outcome…
Lin Zhaoyue stared at the white jade bracelet in the box, unable to resist wondering: why did he give it to her now, after she had begged him countless times before without success?
Yet regardless of the reason, since Xiao Yan had given this white jade bracelet to someone else, she no longer cherished it.
This belated white jade bracelet, now in her eyes, was more worthless than grass!
The former fervor and deep affection were slowly uprooted from her heart; someday, they would dissipate into light smoke, vanishing with the wind…
Reborn into this life, she did not come to gain Xiao Yan’s love, but to claim lives…
Lin Zhaoyue did not want her family to worry further, saying:
“Yes, it indeed holds extraordinary significance.”
After speaking, Lin Zhaoyue closed the box without touching it, turning to chat with everyone.
Seeing Lin Zhaoyue’s demeanor, the surrounding crowd felt embarrassed to gossip further. Just then, a servant entered from outside:
“Madam, the manager of Wanbao Jade has delivered the custom jade ornaments you ordered, requesting you to inspect them.”
This set of jade ornaments was prepared by Lin Furen for Lin Zhaoyue’s dowry and could not be careless.
Lin Furen approached, stroking Lin Zhaoyue’s head—her forehead was no longer so feverish:
“Zhaozhao, Mother will go check and return to see you later.”
Lin Zhaoyue nuzzled Lin Furen’s palm, obediently nodding, her voice soft and sweet:
“Alright, Mother go!”
Lin Furen left, and since her daughter was fine, Duke Lin naturally followed his wife, also saying:
“Father will also go check and return to see Zhaozhao later.”
With that, she quickly followed them out.
Lying in bed, Lin Zhaoyue could hear her father and mother’s voices outside:
“Why aren’t you staying inside to keep our daughter company? What are you doing out here?”
“I was just following you, my dear, to take a look at those jade ornaments.”
“What does a grown man like you know about jade ornaments?”
“As long as you understand them, my dear. Besides, these are our daughter’s dowry after all. As her father, I should at least take a look…”
Dowry?
Lin Zhaoyue’s almond-shaped eyes dimmed slightly.
That’s right! In just over two months, it would be her wedding with Xiao Yan.
Her mother had started preparing her dowry half a year ago. She needed to hurry and break off the engagement…
Noticing Lin Zhaoyue’s dazed expression, Xiao Ran asked:
“What’s wrong, Zhaozhao? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
Lin Zhaoyue snapped back to reality and shook her head:
“It’s nothing.”
Seeing her shake her head, Xiao Ran asked again:
“Zhaozhao, you were perfectly fine before I left. How did you suddenly faint?”
Remembering the madman who had made her choke him, Lin Zhaoyue’s hands hidden under the covers clenched tightly.
She regretted not having strangled him to death, yet also felt relieved that she hadn’t actually killed him.
Assassinating the Crown Prince would result in the execution of one’s entire clan, down to the ninth degree of relation.
Her desire to kill him was for the sake of the Lin Residence, not to have the Lin Residence buried alongside him.
“I’m not sure either. Perhaps it was because I was so overjoyed to see the Crown Prince come to visit, and being weak from illness, I fainted from the excitement.”
Xiao Ran:…
She hadn’t expected Zhaozhao to be so infatuated with her elder brother, the Crown Prince.
As a good sister, she naturally had to help her.
“Zhaozhao, the weather has been lovely these past few days. Once you’re better, how about we go for a spring outing together? We can invite Wan’er and the heir of Zhong Bo Hou to join us.”
Hearing “the heir of Zhong Bo Hou,” Lin Wan’s cheeks grew warm.
Her slender, pale fingers unconsciously touched her sleeve. The pouch had been sewn long ago, but she hadn’t yet given it to him.
Lin Zhaoyue had just been thinking about how to find an opportunity, and now it was presented right before her.
“Will the Crown Prince be going?”
“Of course. If my elder brother doesn’t go, I’ll throw a tantrum, cry, and threaten to hang myself. He dotes on me the most, so he’ll definitely come.”
Xiao Ran’s words were absolutely correct—Xiao Yan did indeed cherish his younger sister the most.
Whatever Xiao Ran asked for, if he could manage it, he would certainly do it.
From what she knew, there were three women most important in Xiao Yan’s life.
One was his birth mother, the current Empress, whom he respected and loved above all.
Another was the woman he held closest to his heart, Liu Yiyi, whom he cherished and doted on, granting her every wish.
The third was Xiao Ran, whom he genuinely adored as a younger sister.
If Xiao Yan went, Liu Yiyi would naturally go as well.
“Alright.”
Thinking of something, Lin Zhaoyue looked at Lin Wan and said:
“Will you come with us too, elder sister?”
Hearing Lin Zhaoyue’s words, Lin Wan felt joy in her heart but maintained a calm expression, nodding gently:
“Alright.”
Xiao Ran stayed at Duke Lin’s residence until sunset before preparing to leave. Before going, she was reluctant to part:
“Zhaozhao, I must return to the palace now. Any later, and the palace gates will be locked.”
Ah, she really didn’t want to be this Princess at all—there was no freedom whatsoever. She couldn’t even come and go from the Imperial Palace as she pleased. Every time she wanted to leave, she had to report it and obtain her imperial father’s permission before she could go out.
Her imperial father was very strict. Unless it was absolutely necessary, he wouldn’t allow her to leave the palace.
If it hadn’t been for Zhaozhao falling ill and her elder brother personally speaking to their imperial father, she probably wouldn’t have been able to leave for another month.
It’s so stifling!
To help herself recover quickly, Lin Zhaoyue became much more diligent about taking her medicine than usual.
Perhaps it was just her imagination, but she felt the medicine seemed less bitter than before and was quite smooth.
After finishing the medicine, Lin Zhaoyue began to plan.
When Chu Bai returned, he happened to see Lin Zhaoyue writing out a prescription.
“Miss, this prescription contains mild toxins; prolonged consumption can lead to Heart Malady. What are you writing this prescription for?”