According to the plot, the female lead would appear at her coming-of-age banquet in the novel, effortlessly shooing away the bullies tormenting the male lead with just a few words, and then falling in love with him at first sight.
Though the male lead’s heart remained scarred, the female lead’s presence offered him a sliver of solace.
She understood.
So, latching onto the female lead’s coattails was also a viable option!
The only thing she needed to cautiously avoid was that jinx, the Crown Prince.
If her aunt publicly betrothed her to the Crown Prince at the coming-of-age banquet, just like in the original story, it would truly be over.
After all, her father held military power, and marrying her would be a significant advantage in the struggle for the throne.
If she ended up supporting the Crown Prince’s side again this time, she might as well start preparing her own coffin.
No, no.
She wanted to live, to survive safely until the end and return.
It seemed she needed to find a way to maintain the original plot without altering it…
“Young lady?”
Feicui called out several times without getting a response, then chuckled lightly and patted her shoulder. “What are you thinking about so deeply, young lady?”
Yuan Siyin snapped out of her thoughts, propping her head up and idly tracing circles on the golden silk whip with her finger. “It’s nothing. I’m just bored and thought of taking a stroll.”
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible right now. The Crown Prince and the other princes heard you’ve arrived and have come to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager.”
Oh right, she had almost forgotten about that.
It was time for the daily bullying of the male lead.
Yuan Siyin slapped the table abruptly, her eyes gleaming with determination.
No! It was time to change her fate against all odds!
Feicui was long accustomed to her sudden bursts of energy and, while facing the bronze mirror, pinned the last Ruby coral buyao into her hair bun. “All done, young lady.”
Yuan Siyin was about to turn her head to admire the little foreign-style house accessory in her hair when she heard a “crack” from her neck.
Her smile froze.
No wonder the original owner always just tied her hair in a high ponytail before going out.
How could a human neck withstand several pounds of weight?!
Forget it, she would endure it!
She had to look absolutely stunning when meeting the male lead and salvage whatever remained of her image!
Yuan Siyin strode briskly toward the main hall.
However, along the way, she encountered many palace servants who cast surprised glances her way, making her feel like some kind of monster.
Puzzled, she touched her face but didn’t have time to dwell on it.
Poor little male lead! She was coming!
The one sitting beside her aunt, smiling at her like a blooming flower, was undoubtedly the Crown Prince.
If someone handed the male lead a knife, he’d probably leap up and start slashing—so the one with the sourest expression had to be him.
Spotting a familiar face among the lower seats, Yuan Siyin’s smile vanished.
Ha… grass, a type of plant.
Wasn’t that the beauty she had bumped into in the rockery?
No, no, her luck couldn’t be that bad.
Yuan Siyin pinned her hopes on the last prince.
His face was a bit chubby, somewhat resembling her Ah Qing, and his features still carried a childlike innocence.
He was clearly a younger brother.
But what if? What if the male lead appeared younger because he had been malnourished from constant bullying since childhood?
“Seventh Brother, Sister Siyin is here. Why do you seem so unhappy?”
Yu Yuanchao’s eyes lit up upon seeing Yuan Siyin, and he promptly rapped the table mischievously, drawing everyone’s attention to Yu Shiyan.
A thunderbolt seemed to strike right beside Yuan Siyin, plunging her heart into despair.
It’s over.
Is it too late to make amends now?
Someone, please save her, save her, save her!
If heaven would give her a chance to return to this morning, she would definitely kneel at the male lead’s feet, weeping bitterly and cursing herself—no, the original body’s years of inhuman misdeeds.
“Yin’er has arrived. Perfect timing—this old one is feeling rather weary, so I shall leave this space to you young ones.”
With that, under Yuan Siyin’s fervent gaze, she leaned on Feicui’s arm and returned to her bedchamber.
Well done! Truly her own dear aunt!