“You… you actually…” Dongfang Yan trembled uncontrollably, never imagining that this fake sister would harbor such vile intentions toward him.
No wonder she had reacted so violently upon hearing news of his marriage.
“You truly disgust me!” He pointed his sword at her, his face filled with revulsion.
Hong Yan’er stared at Dongfang Yan in disbelief: “Brother… you want to kill me? Without blood relation, do I really mean nothing in your eyes? Were these five years of mutual dependence and affection all fake?”
Dongfang Yan said coldly: “These five years were merely stolen by you. If not for that, someone of your lowly status would never have been qualified to appear before this prince!”
Hong Yan’er turned pale, utterly shocked: “You actually call me… lowly commoner?”
Over these five years, she had long forgotten her origins, carrying herself as a noble princess, constantly cursing others as lowlifes.
Yet in the end, the man she loved and cared for most was now repeatedly calling her “lowly commoner?”
And Dongfang Yan, born into nobility, had concepts of hierarchy and status deeply ingrained in his bones.
The mere thought of being called “brother” by this lowly woman for so long, and even being subjected to her inappropriate affections, filled him with a sense of defilement and disgust.
So disgusted that he desperately wanted to cut her down immediately.
As this murderous intent arose, his long sword shot forward, yet midway it slightly veered from vital points, only piercing Hong Yan’er’s shoulder blade.
Hong Yan’er cried out in pain, tears rolling down, yet her eyes showed surprise: “You diverted your blade? Brother, you still softened your heart, you couldn’t bear to kill me, right?”
“I knew it, I knew you couldn’t bear it, you couldn’t possibly treat me so cruelly…”
Dongfang Yan gnashed his teeth: “This prince merely thought killing you with one strike would be too merciful! You conspired against royalty, impersonated a princess – by law you deserve execution by waist-cutting! Guards, take this impostor to the Celestial Prison to await death.”
“No! Brother, you can’t do this to me. You promised we’d be together forever. How can you abandon me? How can you send me to die? Brother, brother…”
Hong Yan’er continued crying out unwillingly, hoping to reclaim some past affection.
But Dongfang Yan resolutely turned away, allowing the guards to drag her off.
His expression remained icy and merciless, yet deep inside he felt some indescribable emotions.
Five years of mutual dependence, deep sibling bonds – even if built on deception – had unknowingly left their mark on his life.
Tears fell, containing both hatred and pain.
But soon, he wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and looked up toward the spirit of Qing An Junzhu – his true sister.
“Qing An…”
He wanted to apologize, to ask if his sister could forgive him, yet felt that any words would be too late.
Clearly it was his own fault, yet the one who suffered most was the innocent Qing An.
He turned to ask Xie Shouzheng: “Is there any way to resurrect Qing An Junzhu? Lord Xie, if you can help me this once, I will remember your great kindness and repay it manifold.”
Xie Shouzheng looked utterly astonished: “Your Highness, this is pure fantasy! Not only has the princess been dead for over five years, even if newly deceased, returning to life would be impossible. Life and death are fated, the realms of yin and yang are separate – they cannot be forced!”
“This prince insists on forcing fate!” His eyes were bloodshot as he asked obsessively, “Doesn’t your Xuanjing Office have extraordinary talents? I refuse to believe there’s no method in this world to bring the dead back to life!”
Xie Shouzheng said, “If someone truly managed to resurrect the dead, that would be precisely the kind of matter our Xuanjing Office should handle. Otherwise, if nobody wanted to die, everyone would be dying and reviving, reviving and dying – wouldn’t that throw the world into chaos?”
Just as Dongfang Yan was about to say more, he suddenly sensed something unusual.
Looking down, he saw a slender hand tugging at his sleeve.
As the resentment dissipated, Qing An Junzhu’s spirit restored to her appearance during life, with all human reason and memories returning.
She tugged at her brother’s sleeve again, then made several hand gestures.
Dongfang Yan couldn’t understand them.
Lin Qingyue helped interpret: “She says she’s leaving, and asks you not to grieve or force things. She also says she never blamed you – it was the fake princess who was too wicked.”
Qing An Junzhu gratefully nodded to Lin Qingyue, then made another series of gestures.
Lin Qingyue continued translating: “Your sister hopes you’ll be a good prince, to govern the people with tolerance like your father did, not with tyranny.”
“Qing An…” Tears streamed down Dongfang Yan’s face.
His sister had always been kind-hearted since childhood. During harsh winters, when she saw mother and child freezing to death by the roadside, she would unhesitatingly take off her expensive fox fur cloak and give it to them.
When hearing about famine outside, even when the prince’s mansion had limited food stores, she would bring out all her jewelry and treasures, ordering them to be exchanged for grain to relieve the disaster.
Even their father often said: “If Qing An were born male, she would surely be a benevolent ruler bringing prosperity to all lands!”
How could such a wonderful sister possibly have grown into someone with the venomous heart of that fake princess!
The blind one was him, Dongfang Yan!
With Qing An Junzhu’s attachment resolved, it was time for her to depart.
A wind rose, and her spirit transformed into countless golden specks of light. They hovered around Dongfang Yan once before drifting into the distance.
Unnoticed by anyone, one speck of golden light fell into Lin Qingyue’s palm, silently merging into her body.
It was the merit Qing An Junzhu had promised Lin Qingyue.
Dongfang Yan still tried to grasp his sister back, but could only watch helplessly as she disappeared.
“Qing An…” He stood weeping in the cold wind for a long time before finally turning and leaving without another word.
His desolate figure and stumbling steps gradually faded into the night.
Even Lin Qingyue watching couldn’t help feeling he was pitiful.
She just wondered how he would feel when he discovered that the woman he loved was also an imposter.
The thought made Lin Qingyue secretly anticipate the revelation.
“Princess.” It was Xie Shouzheng calling her.
Lin Qingyue smiled: “Oh, Lord Xie hasn’t left yet? Do you need me to see you out?”
Xie Shouzheng said: “I wouldn’t dare trouble the Princess. It’s just that this official has some doubts – might the Princess be willing to resolve them?”
Lin Qingyue raised an eyebrow: “Do tell.”
Xie Shouzheng stroked his goatee: “Among ordinary ghosts, those who can transform into ‘Li’ are already rare. Those becoming ‘Sha’ are even more uncommon. Qing An Junzhu has been dead for over five years – in five years she never transformed into Li, so how could she suddenly become Li, and then Sha?”
Lin Qingyue countered: “What does Lord Xie think?”
“She was completely obedient to you, Princess, and held gratitude in her heart. So was it some method you employed that caused her to transform into a Li, and then into a Sha?” Xie Shouzheng stared intently at Lin Qingyue, as if trying to discern the truth from her expression.
Lin Qingyue admitted straightforwardly: “Correct.”
Xie Shouzheng’s expression turned solemn: “Just who exactly are you, Princess? To possess such remarkable abilities?”
Lin Qingyue smiled and said: “Who I am isn’t important. What matters is what kind of demon are you, Lord Xie? If people were to discover that a fifth-rank imperial official, the Demon Discernment Envoy of the Xuanjing Office, is actually a gray wolf in disguise, I wonder how they would react? What kind of evil does this so-called Demon Discernment Envoy actually discern? Have you ever discerned yourself?”
At these words, Xie Shouzheng’s face immediately changed color. He hurriedly glanced around—
Fortunately, the prince’s guards were too far away to hear, and his two subordinates were both trusted aides. Only then did he slightly relax.
Lowering his voice, he said: “For the Princess to actually see through my true form, you are indeed extraordinary. Although I, Xie Shouzheng, am of a different kind, I have never harbored any intention to harm humans. I attained my current position entirely through my own capabilities.”
“Very well, since you don’t wish to reveal your background, this official can cease pursuing the matter.”
“But there is one thing I must ask the Princess to remember well. The Xuanjing Office eliminates all evil spirits in the world to protect the peace of our nation. As the chief officer of the Xuanjing Office, if I discover that the Princess has committed any harmful acts, even if it means mutual destruction, I will never show leniency!”
Lin Qingyue said: “Naturally.”
Having said what needed to be said, Xie Shouzheng didn’t dare linger any longer, fearing the other party might uncover more clues.
Meanwhile, Lin Qingyue returned to her Qiushui Courtyard to meditate and cultivate.
Although she had gained some merit today and her cultivation had slightly improved, though it couldn’t compare to before, she wasn’t anxious. After all, those techniques were thoroughly memorized, allowing her cultivation to yield twice the result with half the effort.
Dongfang Yan hadn’t slept all night. Though he still looked somewhat haggard, he had recovered from last night’s shock and was silently calculating how to downplay the matter of the fake princess when he entered the palace later.
Of course, the fake princess must die. However, he didn’t want this incident to cause the Emperor to develop any dissatisfaction toward him.
He had recently received news that the Crown Prince had become a living corpse, and the Emperor was beginning to accept fate. The matter of changing the heir apparent was imminent.
Regarding the position of heir apparent, Dongfang Yan had long been determined to secure it. At this critical moment, absolutely no mistakes could occur.
He also needed to send someone to handle the funeral arrangements for the real princess—he couldn’t leave his sister’s remains sinking in a desolate well.
Before leaving the residence, he couldn’t help but recall Lin Qingyue’s various actions from the previous night. The more he thought about it, the more something felt amiss.
As the legitimate daughter of a marquis household, why was she raised in the countryside?
And from whom did she learn all those skills?
Previously, Dongfang Yan hadn’t cared about anything regarding Lin Qingyue. But now, he couldn’t help growing curious.
Thus, he summoned his subordinates and sent them to Nanping countryside where Lin Qingyue grew up to investigate her past.
Too many things had happened overnight. Busy with his audience with the Emperor, he temporarily forgot about the third-day bridal return.
Changning Marquis Estate, which was Lin Qingyue’s maternal home, had been bustling with preparations since yesterday for the third-day return.
Not that they particularly cared about Lin Qingyue, but rather to prepare for Prince Jin’s visit.
On the day of the return, early in the morning, the entire family waited eagerly.
But no matter how long they waited, there was no sign of Prince Jin.
Finally, Marquis Changning Lin Xiao had no choice but to send someone to the prince’s residence to inquire about the time for the bridal return.
Lin Qingyue was just nibbling on some fruit when she suddenly heard that the marquis’ household had sent someone to ask about the bridal return. She smiled gracefully: “How could I have forgotten my maternal family?”
Bier worriedly advised, “Your Highness, perhaps we should wait for His Highness to return before going back?”
Back when Lin Qingyue was still unmarried, she had suffered much mistreatment from the marquis’ household.
Even the snobbish servants would bully her openly and covertly, even withholding winter clothing.
Her hands were covered with chilblains from the cold, yet her own brother mocked her: “With such rough hands and clumsy feet, you’re worse than a maid. How could I have such an unsightly sister?Back then, Lin Qingyue was self-abased and timid and didn’t dare to fight for anything.
Now, even though she was the Princess of Jin, given the character of those in the marquis’ household, she would likely face humiliation without Prince Jin’s support.
Lin Qingyue smiled faintly: “If one’s own backbone is strong enough, there’s no need to rely on anyone!”
The marquis’ household waited at the main gate for a long time, until the sun was high in the sky, yet there was still no sign of anyone coming.
Everyone grew somewhat impatient, and even Zhou Shi complained quietly: “It’s not that far, why couldn’t they send someone to inform us of the exact time for the bridal return?”
Lin Ruzhen said uneasily: “Mother, does sister still blame me? It’s my fault for impulsively attempting to drown myself in the lake that night. I never expected Prince Jin would abandon sister on their wedding night just to come see me.”
The eldest son of the marquis’ household, Lin Rufeng, sneered coldly: “If she hadn’t schemed and done such shameless things, it should have been you, sister, who married Prince Jin.”
“What a pity for you.Zhou Shi gently touched Lin Ruzhen’s cheek.
Marquis Changning Lin Xiao also regretted deeply. If only he had known that Lin Qingyue would shamelessly seduce Prince Jin during his birthday banquet, making him the laughingstock of the entire capital. He should have locked her in her room that day and not let her out.
Although they had now formed a marital alliance with Prince Jin, the prince held a grudge and might not treat Lin Qingyue as his proper wife.
Sure enough, on the wedding night, Prince Jin had abandoned his eldest daughter and come to the marquis’ residence to show concern for his younger daughter.
That country-bred eldest daughter probably couldn’t keep Prince Jin’s heart and would eventually be cast aside.
“Zhen’er.”
“Father, your daughter is here.”
“When Prince Jin arrives at the residence later, entertain him well. He is, after all, particularly fond of you.”
“Your daughter understands.”
“Father-in-law, this doesn’t seem quite appropriate, does it?” The speaker was Liu Shi, Lin Xiao’s daughter-in-law and Lin Qingyue’s sister-in-law. She was the only one who had ever shown kindness to Lin Qingyue.
Unfortunately, Liu Shi had borne no children in the three years since marrying into the marquis’ household. Disliked by her in-laws and unable to keep her husband’s affection, her status in the marquis’ household wasn’t much better than Lin Qingyue’s.
She usually kept to herself and remained silent to stay out of trouble. But at this moment, hearing her father-in-law and sister-in-law’s conversation, she found it utterly absurd.
What kind of family would have the younger daughter seduce her sister’s husband right after the elder daughter’s marriage?
Therefore, she couldn’t help speaking up.
But after just one sentence, her husband Lin Rufeng slapped her and scolded: “Since when does the marquis’ household need your opinion? Get back to the inner quarters!Zhou Shi also glared at her discontentedly: “Instead of meddling, you should think about how to produce an heir for our marquis’ household!” If you still haven’t conceived by the end of this year, don’t blame the marquis’ household for being heartless!”
Liu Shi covered her face, tears welling in her eyes, and turned to go inside.
Just then, a sharp-eyed servant suddenly called out, “Prince Jin’s carriage has arrived!”
Everyone immediately composed themselves and waited to welcome His Highness Prince Jin.
As the carriage came to a halt before the Hou estate, Lin Xiao hurried forward and said, “Lin Xiao, Marquis of Changning, along with my family, respectfully welcomes Your Highness Prince Jin.”
The title of Marquis of Changning had been hereditary for five generations. In earlier years, it had been prestigious, but it began to decline starting from Lin Qingyue’s grandfather.
By Lin Xiao’s generation, he could only barely manage to hold a low-ranking sinecure.
Two years ago, it was rumored that the Emperor intended to reduce the hereditary privileges of the nobility.
The Lin family panicked, spending a great deal of money to seek connections and pull strings. Yet, despite their efforts, the petition to secure the heir position for their eldest son, Lin Rufeng, had still not been approved.