How could Lin Zhaoyue not understand Xiao Yan’s words?
Not to covet what does not belong to her?
Hah, did he think that even now, she would still desire his heart?
A flicker of mockery passed through Lin Zhaoyue’s eyes, and she spoke softly:
“Zhaoyue will heed Your Highness’s admonition.”
Seeing her meek and submissive demeanor, Xiao Yan should have been pleased.
At least after making her recognize her place, there would be fewer troubles in the future.
But in reality, seeing her so compliant and indifferent, he did not feel the happiness he had imagined.
“It’s getting late. This humble one will escort you back.”
As he said this, Xiao Yan’s dark phoenix eyes carefully examined Lin Zhaoyue’s fair and delicate face, trying to capture a hint of different emotion from her expression.
But there was none. She was calm, so calm that it was flawless.
If it were before, even a slight response from him would have made her happy for half a day.
What exactly could cause such a drastic change in a person within such a short time?
Lin Zhaoyue lifted her head and met those deep black eyes. The man’s gaze was enigmatic, obscure and difficult to comprehend.
However, Lin Zhaoyue did not wish to understand at this moment, and merely said softly:
“Your Highness can have Feng Xin escort me back.”
She had just returned from rebirth yesterday, and today she encountered such secrets of his; she truly did not wish to see him.
“This humble one has already announced your presence in the Eastern Palace. If I do not escort you personally, would that not be neglectful?”
After saying this, without giving Lin Zhaoyue another chance to refuse, he stepped out of the palace chamber.
The carriage swayed and rocked. Lin Zhaoyue lifted a corner of the curtain to look at the bustling market outside.
How wonderful everything was now!
Five years later, Bei Jue would invade, and corpses would litter the fields.
Even the capital of An Guo would not be spared, with people displaced and suffering immensely.
Lin Zhaoyue gazed at everything outside, lost in thought.
The flickering warm light brushed across her face, adding a touch of hazy beauty.
Lin Zhaoyue was not the kind of stunning beauty who could captivate a nation with a single glance, but it was undeniable that she was beautiful.
Her beauty was charming and vibrant, full of vitality, as if nothing could defeat her.
Her skin was very fair, almost translucent.
Her small, palm-sized face was soft and tender, with a hint of baby fat, trembling slightly with the swaying of the carriage—quite adorable.
The man’s handsome thin lips unconsciously curved into a faint smile.
After being entangled by her for two years, this was the first time Xiao Yan had examined her so intently and openly.
Lin Zhaoyue naturally sensed Xiao Yan’s gaze.
His gaze was different from before, more intense and unabashed.
Lin Zhaoyue certainly did not believe that her indifference toward him had made him treat her differently. Even if it were truly different, it was merely his facade to stabilize her.
He was the Crown Prince, needing a Crown Princess with a good family background who could assist him.
In his heart, Lin Zhaoyue was merely a stepping stone for him to ascend to that position, a shield to protect his beloved from harm.
Lin Zhaoyue’s eyes carried a faint mockery, unconcerned with Xiao Yan’s scrutiny.
No matter how he looked, he would never discern that she had returned from rebirth.
Looking at the quiet young woman, the man’s distinct knuckles rubbed the jade thumb ring on his hand intermittently.
Whenever they were alone before, she would chatter incessantly, but now, sharing a carriage, she refused to glance at him.
Without a word spoken along the journey, the carriage swayed and rocked until it arrived before the Guogong Mansion.
Qingzhu was pacing anxiously at the entrance. Upon seeing the Crown Prince’s carriage, she hurried forward to meet it.
After the carriage came to a halt, the young lady offered a curtsey of thanks before leading her maid into the mansion, not sparing him an extra word or glance.
Once the gates of Guogong Mansion closed behind them, Feng Xin turned his head and inquired:
“Your Highness, shall we return to the palace or…?”
“Head to Lanting Waterside Pavilion. Also, send someone to keep an eye on Lin Zhaoyue when we return.”
“Yes, Your Highness…”
…
Watching the gates shut, Qingzhu let out a sigh of relief and asked nervously:
“Miss, are you alright? Did the Crown Prince… do anything to you?”
Recalling the events of the day, Qingzhu still felt a lingering fear.
“I’m fine. What about you?”
“Qingzhu is alright. Feng Shiwei only instructed me not to speak of today’s events to anyone.”
Lin Zhaoyue nodded and said:
“Remember, today’s events must not be mentioned to anyone, no matter who it is. Understood?”
“Yes, Qingzhu understands.”
As she spoke, Qingzhu lowered her head slightly, her face pale.
Afraid of worrying her young mistress, Qingzhu did not tell Lin Zhaoyue that Feng Xin had forced her to take poison earlier that day—a poison that would cause her to die suddenly if she dared to reveal anything about the day’s events.
Preoccupied with her own thoughts, Lin Zhaoyue did not notice Qingzhu’s unease and asked:
“Where are Father and Mother?”
“The master and mistress are swinging on the swing in Dongyuan.”
When Lin Zhaoyue arrived at Dongyuan, only Lin Ruojing and Lin Furen were there.
Mother was seated on the swing, while Father gently pushed from behind.
Father had once served on the battlefield. Though now in his fifties, he remained tall and robust. Having held high positions for years, he carried an air of natural authority.
“Father, Mother.”
Hearing Lin Zhaoyue’s voice, the couple turned their gaze toward the entrance of Dongyuan. Seeing their youngest daughter, Lin Furen called out happily:
“Zhaozhao, you’re back?”
Upon seeing Lin Zhaoyue, Lin Ruojing’s expression turned slightly disdainful.
Did this mischievous girl have no sense of timing at all?
He had finally managed to carve out some time to be affectionate with his wife, and here she was, intruding instead of tactfully retreating to her room.
Lin Ruojing coughed forcefully twice as a hint, but before he could finish, Lin Furen pinched the soft flesh at his waist.
“Ah, wife, that hurts, it hurts…”
Remembering their daughter was still present, Lin Ruojing immediately fell silent, barely preserving his dignified image in front of her.
Lin Zhaoyue now noticed the unusual atmosphere between her parents. Under normal circumstances, she would have tactfully left long ago, but tonight…
“Zhaozhao has something to discuss with Father and Mother. Zhaozhao wishes to break off the engagement!”
As soon as Lin Zhaoyue’s words fell, everything around them grew utterly silent.
The smile on Lin Furen’s face froze instantly, and for a moment, she thought she had misheard:
“Zhaozhao, what did you just say?”
“Mother, I said I wish to break off the engagement—to end the marriage arrangement with the Crown Prince.”
The young lady’s tone was resolute, her expression showing no hint of jest.
Lin Furen and Lin Ruojing exchanged a glance, their expressions instantly turning serious.
Lin Ruojing frowned slightly, his tone protective, not even referring to the Crown Prince by his title:
“Did that wretched boy bully Zhaozhao?”
Lin Zhaoyue shook her head.
Lin Furen rose from the swing, walked over to Lin Zhaoyue, took her hand, and asked gently:
“Zhaozhao, why do you suddenly wish to break off the engagement?”
After all, this marriage arrangement was something Zhaozhao had pleaded for with great difficulty. She wouldn’t want to end it so easily unless something had happened to upset her.
The matter of rebirth was truly beyond belief, and the fewer who knew about it, the better. Lin Zhaoyue only intended to tell her father and mother.
After sending Qingzhu back to her room first, Lin Zhaoyue led her parents to the study. She took a deep breath and then slowly said:
“Father, Mother, I had a dream. In it, after I married the Crown Prince…”