Lin Zhaoyue had just settled into her seat when the sharp, high-pitched voice of Eunuch Li rang out:
“His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress have arrived!”
As Eunuch Li finished speaking, the assembled guests all knelt in reverence.
Though Lin Zhaoyue loved a lively scene, she disliked such grand occasions. The myriad intricate rituals felt stifling and uncomfortable to her.
By the time her knees had grown weary from kneeling, the Emperor and Empress finally took their seats at the head of the hall:
“All ministers may rise.”
As everyone stood, the Master of Ceremonies announced the commencement of the coming-of-age ceremony.
The Princess entered, paid her respects to the Emperor and Empress, and then received her ceremonial headpiece and wine from the Empress.
“On this auspicious day, you don the ceremonial cap for the first time, casting aside childish thoughts to embrace virtuous conduct… With the year in its prime and the month in its glory, we bestow upon you these ceremonial garments, with your brothers all present…”
The ceremonial music blended with the Master of Ceremonies’ voice, echoing in her ears, and Lin Zhaoyue’s world grew hazy and quiet.
Her friend from her past life, who had died disfigured, was now alive and well. The princes who had once schemed and slaughtered one another now sat together in harmony. The Emperor and Empress, who should have long been entombed in the imperial mausoleum, were seated before her on the dais…
For a moment, she could not distinguish whether this was reality or a dream.
After the ceremony concluded, court musicians played, and dancers performed.
The ministers raised their cups and chatted leisurely with the Emperor.
A lady who was close with Lin Furen took advantage of the interlude to approach and whispered to her:
“In three months, the Crown Prince and the Second Miss Lin will be joined in marriage. Might I come to the Guogong Mansion then to share a cup of celebratory wine?”
Lin Furen was clearly very familiar with this lady and smiled at her:
“How could we possibly leave you out?”
The lady chuckled and said:
“Congratulations! Who would have thought that girl would become Crown Princess in the blink of an eye…”
Though the two spoke very softly, Lin Zhaoyue and Liu Yiyi, seated behind them, overheard.
Liu Yiyi had not yet been acknowledged by Xuan Ping Hou, so she could not be considered a noble lady.
However, as the disciple of Bai Mozi and the Crown Prince’s junior sister, Xiao Ran had naturally extended an invitation to her.
Since Lin Zhaoyue usually accompanied Liu Yiyi, their seats had been arranged together.
Lin Zhaoyue noticed that when her mother and the other lady mentioned the words “Crown Princess,” Liu Yiyi unconsciously tightened her grip on the handkerchief in her hand.
Lin Zhaoyue wondered if, upon hearing the news of her impending marriage to the Crown Prince, Liu Yiyi felt the same heartache she herself had felt in her past life upon learning that Xiao Yan was to marry her.
Though it was an imperial decree, not many were aware of it.
Lin Zhaoyue carefully observed Liu Yiyi’s delicate, fragile face. Visibly, not only her face but even her lips had turned deathly pale.
While Lin Zhaoyue was watching Liu Yiyi, Xiao Yan’s gaze was also fixed on Lin Zhaoyue, his eyes slightly sharp.
Her expression felt unfamiliar to Xiao Yan.
Lin Zhaoyue had always been transparent with her emotions—though somewhat spoiled, she was passionate and kind-hearted.
Even when she grew jealous of his closeness to Yiyi, she had never looked at him with such an expression before.
That look just now was like… a vengeful spirit crawling out from the depths of hell!
His jade-like fingers held an exquisitely carved white jade cup, and his index finger unconsciously tapped the rim twice.
Noticing someone’s gaze upon her, Lin Zhaoyue reverted to her former self.
She picked up her wine cup and took a sip…
…
After the coming-of-age ceremony concluded, the Emperor and Empress accompanied the guests for the latter part of the event before taking their leave first.
Just as in her past life, before departing, the Emperor summoned Duke Lin away under the pretext of discussing official matters.
Lin Zhaoyue knew that the Emperor had summoned her father away to drink.
After the Emperor and Empress departed, Liu Yiyi excused herself from the main hall, citing physical discomfort.
No sooner had Liu Yiyi left than Xiao Yan followed her out.
Watching Xiao Yan’s retreating figure, a faint trace of self-mockery flickered in Lin Zhaoyue’s eyes.
Just how blind and foolish had she been in her past life, failing to see something so obvious, that she ended up bringing such tragedy upon the Lin family?
Lin Zhaoyue raised her wine cup and was about to take a sip when Lin Wan stopped her:
“Don’t overindulge.”
The imperial wine was naturally of excellent quality. Having only taken two small sips, Lin Zhaoyue was craving more and pleaded coquettishly:
“Elder sister, just one more sip, only one more!”
Lin Wan looked at her curiously and asked:
“When did you learn to drink wine?”
Father had always forbidden them from drinking. It would be normal if she were merely curious and tried a taste, but she had just taken two consecutive sips and even savored them carefully—clearly, she knew how to drink.
Lin Zhaoyue:…
How is elder sister so sharp?
“It’s all third brother’s fault for teaching me.”
After hesitating for less than a moment, Lin Zhaoyue decisively shifted the blame to her third brother.
“Third brother teaches you all sorts of nonsense! Don’t learn from him…”
Lin Zhaoyue nodded obediently, watching with a pained heart as Lin Wan took the wine cup away…
…
Not knowing when the event would conclude, Lin Furen instructed the coachman briefly before leaving first with Lin Zhaoyue and Lin Wan.
They had come as mother and daughters, and they returned as mother and daughters.
By the time they arrived back at the residence, the sky had turned completely dark.
Once past the palace gates and entering the bustling market district, liveliness enveloped them.
Hearing the vendors’ calls and the clamor of the crowd, Lin Zhaoyue reached out and lifted the carriage curtain.
Lanterns hung high along the street, with people coming and going, creating a shimmering, dreamlike scene.
Children laughed and played while holding small lanterns; various street vendors and performers stretched as far as the eye could see.
Crowds gathered to watch acrobatic shows, with cheers and applause ringing out continuously—a scene of great excitement.
Some strolled with their families, others with a few friends; the entire street radiated vitality and youthful energy.
In her past life, confined to the Cold Palace, it had been as desolate as a lonely grave.
A glimmer of longing welled up in Lin Zhaoyue’s eyes. She turned to Lin Furen and said:
“Mother, you and elder sister go back first. I’ll get down to stroll around and return later.”
Lin Wan, aware that her younger sister had been feeling down that day, said:
“Mother, you go back first. I’ll accompany Zhaozhao for a walk.”
Sensing Lin Zhaoyue’s low spirits, Lin Furen said little. Leaving behind two maids and two guards with some instructions, she departed first.
At that moment, Xiao Yan was accompanying Liu Yiyi as she shopped.
Looking at Xiao Yan beside her and then at the guards carrying numerous packages in both hands, Liu Yiyi curled her lips into a sweet smile. She picked up two sugar figurines and handed one to Xiao Yan:
“Yan gege, for you.”
Xiao Yan had always been particular about food and would not normally eat such things.
But seeing Liu Yiyi’s blinking, expectant eyes, he still reached out and accepted it.
Noticing that he only took it without eating, Liu Yiyi pouted slightly and insisted:
“Yan gege, take a bite. If you do, I’ll go back.”
Xiao Yan could do nothing with her and reluctantly took a bite.
Watching Xiao Yan’s helpless yet indulgent expression, Liu Yiyi felt a surge of triumph.
She had known Yan gege for eight years. The affection he showed her was something Lin Zhaoyue could never obtain in a lifetime.
So what if she was the Crown Princess?
But Liu Yiyi also knew her status was low; the Emperor would never allow her to become the Crown Princess. It would be fine if she could become a consort in the future.
Once Brother Yan becomes Emperor, who becomes Empress will be entirely up to him.
What she needed to do now was deepen Brother Yan’s sense of guilt toward her, so he would cherish her even more.
After taking a bite, Xiao Yan said calmly:
“Let’s go back.”
Liu Yiyi knew when to stop. The two of them, along with the dog, boarded the carriage.
Inside the carriage, Xiao Yan looked at Liu Yiyi, who was frowning again, and asked patiently:
“Are you unhappy?”
Liu Yiyi lowered her head, her eyes watery and red, even her nose tinged with redness, looking utterly pitiful:
“Brother Yan, are you going to marry Sister Yue as the Crown Princess in three months?”
She knew about it?
“Is that why you’re upset?”
Liu Yiyi lowered her head even further and said:
“If Brother Yan marries Sister Yue, will you abandon Yiyi and send me away to Master’s place?”
Hearing her words, Xiao Yan sighed softly:
“How could Brother Yan ever abandon you? Don’t overthink it. She is suited to be the Crown Princess, but only the Crown Princess. Do you understand, Yiyi?”
As he spoke, a flicker of guilt passed through Xiao Yan’s eyes.
Liu Yiyi had saved him, and her Heart Malady was a result of that rescue.