Chapter Twelve: “After not seeing you for a few months, you’ve suddenly become the Crown Princess…”
Just after turning past the covered corridor, before her tightly held breath had even eased, they ran straight into a group of people.
“Well, if it isn’t my Crown Prince brother. Where are you headed?” A clear yet barbed voice rang out.
Ling Zhenli looked up and saw a young girl dressed in bright yellow and turquoise palace robes, surrounded by attendants. She looked fifteen or sixteen at most, strikingly beautiful in an aggressive way—brilliant and dazzling. A pair of fox-like eyes narrowed slightly as she sized them up, her lips curling upward.
Beside her stood a young man in fine brocade robes, appearing about the same age. No one knew which noble household he came from. His features were refined, his gaze calm as it rested on Pei Xuanlin.
Pei Xuanlin’s body stiffened slightly, yet he clasped his hands and bowed. “Greetings, Imperial Sister.”
Imperial sister?
Then this must be the current emperor’s only daughter—the Princess of Jin’an.
Princess Jin’an let out a mocking laugh. Her gaze swept over Ling Zhenli before returning to Pei Xuanlin, her words brazen and sharp. “A servant-born wretch will always be a servant-born wretch. Even dressed in dragon robes, you still don’t look like a Crown Prince.”
The insult was extreme. Ling Zhenli was startled. How could a mere princess dare to humiliate the legitimate Crown Prince, the future heir to the throne, so openly?
To show her loyalty and defend him, Ling Zhenli stepped forward half a pace. “Princess, please mind your words. His Highness the Crown Prince was personally appointed to the Eastern Palace by His Majesty. By saying this, are you implying dissatisfaction with His Majesty’s decree?”
Yang Chengxiu silently watched Ling Zhenli, his gaze cold and probing, as if seeing straight through her, yet he said nothing.
Pei Shang’er’s expression changed abruptly. Seeing this, Pei Xuanlin quickly pulled Ling Zhenli back, his grip so strong it hurt.
In a deep voice he said, “Imperial Sister, please forgive her. Your sister-in-law is straightforward by nature.”
“The Crown Princess really does have a sharp tongue,” Pei Shang’er sneered, stepping closer.
She had long heard that the Chancellor’s legitimate daughter, Xue Yingyue, was stunning—no less beautiful than herself, perhaps even more so. Now that Pei Shang’er saw her in person, it did seem true.
Most importantly, this Xue Yingyue was the woman Chengxiu had once intended to marry.
With a smile, Pei Shang’er lifted Ling Zhenli’s chin and teased, “I’ve long heard my sister-in-law is as beautiful as a heavenly immortal. Seeing you today, I truly feel ashamed of myself.”
Usually, when she humiliated him, Pei Xuanlin would endure it. But humiliating his wife was unacceptable. Seeing Pei Shang’er about to trouble Ling Zhenli, he stepped forward, grabbed Ling Zhenli’s wrist, pulled her behind him, and knocked Pei Shang’er’s hand away, warning coldly:
“Show some respect to your sister-in-law, Jin’an.”
“You—!”
Furious, Pei Shang’er raised her hand to strike Pei Xuanlin, but Yang Chengxiu, standing beside her, hurriedly stepped in front, caught her wrist, and stopped the slap from falling.
He then shielded Pei Shang’er behind him, slightly bowed his head, and apologized to Pei Xuanlin.
“Your Highness, please forgive her. Jin’an is still a child and momentarily lost control of her emotions.”
Pei Xuanlin looked at Yang Chengxiu, who was clearly anxious to protect her, and slowly let his anger subside.
Yang Chengxiu—the former imperial grandson, the favorite grandnephew of Emperor Wen, Yang Mingkong. When Pei Xuanlin had been alone in the palace after losing both parents, if not for Yang Chengxiu’s kind-hearted protection, he would have been killed by Emperor Wen long ago.
He remembered that debt of gratitude. Naturally, he had to give face this time.
“It’s all right, Chengxiu. You should hurry and pay your respects to His Majesty and Her Majesty. I’ll take the Crown Princess to stroll in the Imperial Garden.”
“Farewell, Your Highness,” Yang Chengxiu said, keeping his head lowered.
“We’ll see about that,” Pei Shang’er said viciously before grabbing Yang Chengxiu and sweeping off with her sleeves flying.
Only after they had gone far away did Pei Xuanlin release Ling Zhenli’s wrist and say softly, “You didn’t need to speak up for me just now.”
Rubbing her reddened wrist, Ling Zhenli replied gently, “She insulted my husband. How could I stand by and do nothing?”
A subtle change flickered in Pei Xuanlin’s eyes, but he said nothing more, merely leading Ling Zhenli toward the Imperial Garden.
In the garden, peonies bloomed in clusters, lush and resplendent, yet Ling Zhenli had no heart to admire them.
What had just happened made her understand why Pei Xuanlin had suddenly explained his background to her the night before.
Though he was the Crown Prince, because he was not the current emperor’s biological son and because of his lowly maternal origins, his position in the palace was extremely precarious.
But this Princess Jin’an was truly arrogant. Was she not afraid that when Pei Xuanlin ascended the throne one day, he would settle accounts with her afterward?
As she was pondering this, the sound of a man and woman arguing came from ahead.
Pei Xuanlin heard it as well, his expression darkening.
“Chongheng, why is it that every time I see you, you’re arguing with Chanlian?” Pei Xuanlin’s voice suddenly turned colder.
Following the sound, Ling Zhenli saw a striking couple standing beside the peonies. The man wore a moon-white brocade robe, his face as refined as carved jade.
Who else could it be? Xiao Chongheng—the man who made her soul scatter every time she saw him. Truly, enemies met on a narrow road.
Beside Xiao Chongheng stood a woman dressed in imposing finery. She must be his lawful wife, Princess Roujia.
What a gathering of monsters and demons, all crammed into one day.
“Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince,” Princess Roujia said, performing a proper salute. “Crown Princess.”
Xiao Chongheng merely clasped his hands casually. It was clear that he and Pei Xuanlin were on good terms; such a greeting did not offend Pei Xuanlin. However, Xiao Chongheng’s gaze never left Ling Zhenli’s face.
“This must be Sister-in-law, yes?” He curved his lips into a playful smile. “For some reason, you look very familiar.”
Ling Zhenli’s heart nearly stopped. She feared that in the next moment he would expose her identity and have her thrown into a dungeon.
“Duke of Yan, mind your words,” Pei Xuanlin stepped in front of Ling Zhenli. “The Crown Princess is a sheltered lady. Where could you possibly have seen her?”
Xiao Chongheng chuckled. “It must be because Her Highness is as beautiful as a celestial maiden descended to the mortal world. Perhaps I saw her in a dream.” Then he turned to the princess beside him and deliberately provoked her. “Wife, don’t you agree?”
Princess Roujia, Pei Chanlian, had already darkened at seeing Xiao Chongheng staring at the Crown Princess. She replied stiffly, “Husband, you jest. What kind of talk is that?”
Pei Xuanlin said coldly, “Chongheng, now that you are married, you should focus on your household. If Imperial Aunt were to learn that you and your wife are now at odds like fire and water, she would surely worry.”
Xiao Chongheng’s smile stiffened. Pei Chanlian’s face flushed instantly, a flash of resentment and venom passing through her eyes—whether directed at Xiao Chongheng or at the Crown Princess, the source of trouble, no one could say.
Ling Zhenli lowered her eyes, concealing the emotions within.
The true culprit behind the slaughter of her entire family—Princess Wuyang… now the enemy’s son stood right before her. Hatred coiled around her heart like a venomous snake.
If Xiao Chongheng dared reveal her true identity, she would drag him down with her even if it meant mutual destruction.
“Your Highness’s admonition is correct,” Xiao Chongheng said respectfully, bowing. “There are matters at home that require attention. I shall take my leave.”
With that, he departed with the princess. As he left, he even winked at Ling Zhenli.
Ling Zhenli forced herself to remain calm and continued strolling the garden with Pei Xuanlin for a while longer. Soon after, a eunuch came to relay that His Majesty had summoned the Crown Prince for a discussion.
Pei Xuanlin could guess with his eyes closed that Pei Shang’er had once again complained to the emperor, leaving him no choice but to go.
“If you’ve had enough, return to the Eastern Palace first. There’s no need to wait for me. After lunch, it won’t be too late to go offer incense,” Pei Xuanlin instructed.
Ling Zhenli obediently agreed. After he had gone far away and she was about to wander on her own, a matron came to invite her, saying that the Duke of Yan wished to have a brief private talk with her.
Hearing it was Xiao Chongheng, Ling Zhenli hesitated for a moment, then decided to go.
The matron led her to the side of a rockery and then left, disappearing from sight.
After waiting only a short while, Xiao Chongheng’s voice sounded behind her. Ling Zhenli’s entire body stiffened. Before she could even turn around, he pulled her into a dead corner behind the rockery.
Before she could steady herself from the dizzy whirl, he cupped the back of her head with one hand and kissed her fiercely.
Ling Zhenli struggled desperately, but he did not budge, fully immersed in the kiss of a long-awaited reunion. Only when she bit through his lip did he hiss in pain and release her.
“After not seeing you for a few months, you’ve suddenly become the Crown Princess. Quite the temper you’ve grown,” he said, licking the blood from his lip, his smile dangerous. “Tell me—if the Crown Prince knew that his newlywed wife was once his cousin’s woman, what do you think he’d feel?”
Ling Zhenli suppressed her fury. “You’ve mistaken me for someone else.”
“Mistaken?” Xiao Chongheng scoffed, his fingers brushing over her earlobe. “We know each other far too well for that. How could I be mistaken? Don’t you want to tell me how you became the Crown Princess?”
“Xiao Chongheng, what right do you have to threaten me?” Ling Zhenli snapped, no longer pretending. “You were the one who abandoned me. Now that I’m loving and harmonious with the Crown Prince, why are you interfering?”
Loving and harmonious.
Those four words pierced Xiao Chongheng’s heart like needles.
In an instant, he lost all reason, rage surging. “Our child hasn’t even been gone half a year, and you, the mother, can already throw yourself into another man’s arms so easily?”
“How dare you mention the child!” Ling Zhenli exploded. “You have the nerve to accuse me? I miscarried, and within a month you couldn’t wait to marry someone else. What—your new wife hasn’t borne you a child, so now you remember my child?”
“I never touched her! From beginning to end, there was only you!”
In his agitation, Xiao Chongheng pinned her shoulders, trying to force intimacy. Ling Zhenli could no longer care what he was saying. All that filled her heart was the hatred of her parents’ tragic deaths and the loss of her child. Flames of rage burned as she struggled wildly in his arms.
“Get away! Go die! Stop disgusting me! Die! People like you don’t deserve to live! Why aren’t you dead yet?!”
Hearing these merciless words, his expression suddenly turned dark and sinister as he brutally restrained her.
“Listen carefully, Ling Zhenli! If you don’t want to go straight to hell right now, you’d better do as I say. Don’t even think about dragging me down with you. Who do you think you are—a fake? You think you can bring me down? Do you really believe anyone would sincerely help a fake like you? The Chancellor’s household knows you’re an impostor. Since they could boldly push you onto the throne as Crown Princess, they can just as easily have you die without a sound. If you don’t listen to me, then just wait to become a wronged ghost.”
“Why?” After hearing him out, Ling Zhenli suddenly became very calm. Grief welled in her heart, her eyes empty. “You already have Princess Roujia. Let me go.”
Pain flashed through Xiao Chongheng’s eyes. He pinched her chin. “Your secret is in my hands. What happens is up to me. A-Li, I will never let you go again.”
Ling Zhenli was exhausted. Calmly, she said, “Then what do you want me to do by obeying you?”
“In a few days, I’ll send someone to fetch you and take you to a villa outside the city.”
“…” Ling Zhenli remained silent.
The two of them stood locked in a stalemate.
In the end, Ling Zhenli compromised.
Both to protect her secret, and to swallow the bitterness she could not let go of.
Satisfied with her answer, Xiao Chongheng laughed openly, embraced her once, then turned and left.
Ling Zhenli straightened her clothes and stepped out from behind the rockery. She happened to run into a palace lady who had come looking for her. Pretending nothing had happened, she followed her back to the Eastern Palace.