In contrast, Prince Jin was a legitimate member of the imperial family—not only the emperor’s most favored nephew but also a potential candidate to replace the current crown prince as the new heir.
Thus, even though the Marquis of Changning held a higher seniority, he had to bring his entire family to wait respectfully outside the gate for Prince Jin.
They had bowed and paid their respects, yet there was no response from inside the carriage for a long time.
Even Lin Ruzhen found it strange: “Prince Jin never puts on airs in front of me. Why is he acting so unusually today?”
“Your Highness? Your Highness?” Lin Xiao cautiously called out twice.
At that moment, a pale, delicate hand lifted the carriage curtain, and a familiar voice came from above the crowd: “Rise.”
When Lin Xiao looked up, he saw the legitimate eldest daughter, whom he had always disliked, step out of the carriage with an arrogant expression and indifferent gaze.
The way she looked at them was as if… she were looking at a group of clowns?
Through the gap in the curtain, it was clear that the carriage was empty—there was no sign of Prince Jin.
“Where is Prince Jin?” Lin Xiao asked.
Lin Qingyue replied lazily, “He has gone to the palace for an audience with the emperor.”
So Prince Jin hadn’t come at all! This was a deeply disrespectful act, not only insulting the Marquis’s household but also showing a lack of regard for Lin Qingyue!
Yet, just moments ago, Lin Qingyue had been putting on airs in front of her natal family, pretending to have authority she didn’t possess!
Suppressing his anger, Lin Xiao said, “Let’s go inside first.”
Zhou Shi merely gave Lin Qingyue a brief, indifferent glance before turning to enter, showing none of the warmth expected from a mother-daughter reunion.
As he turned, Lin Rufeng glared at Lin Qingyue: “You’ve only been a princess consort for a few days, and you make our whole family wait here? What arrogance! And in the end, Prince Jin didn’t even show up for the homecoming visit. Aren’t you ashamed?”
Seeing that Prince Jin hadn’t appeared, Lin Ruzhen felt somewhat relieved: He said his feelings haven’t changed, and he truly didn’t lie to me. He wouldn’t even grant Lin Qingyue the courtesy of accompanying her home.
Feeling smug, she wanted to provoke Lin Qingyue into acting irrationally in her anger. When no one was looking, she whispered in Lin Qingyue’s ear:
“What if I took your identity and stole your merits? The world would rather believe a single tear from me than ten thousand truths from you! Your closest relatives side with me, your husband loves me. Even your position as princess consort will be mine sooner or later!”
She gave a cold smile, then turned and called out sweetly and weakly, “Mother, wait for me! Let me help you inside!”
She caught up with Zhou Shi and affectionately linked arms with her. Despite having no blood relation, the mother and daughter appeared strikingly intimate.
Lin Qingyue seemed to pay no attention to this. However, as she quickened her pace to catch up, she casually patted Lin Ruzhen’s shoulder and planted a spell named “Honesty” on her.
When Lin Ruzhen turned to look, she only saw a faint glimmer of light that vanished as quickly as an illusion.
It was already noon, and the Marquis’s household had prepared a lavish meal originally intended to entertain Prince Jin.
But now, they had no choice but to reluctantly host their returning daughter.
“Sit down. There’s no need for formality among family,” Lin Xiao said.
This was the first time in the two years since Lin Qingyue had been brought back to the Marquis’s household that she was sharing a meal with Lin Xiao.
The noble marquis, who usually remained aloof and never involved himself in the harem’s scheming, unusually wore a fatherly smile as he greeted his returning daughter.
Had it been the Lin Qingyue of the past, she would likely have been moved to tears.
Yet at this moment, Lin Qingyue simply sat down to eat with an indifferent expression, as if her return was truly just for a meal.
Lin Xiao gave Zhou Shi a meaningful glance, prompting her to ask, “How have you been these past few days in the Prince’s residence…? Has Prince Jin treated you well?”
Lin Qingyue replied, “Well enough.”
Well enough?
Lin Ruzhen inwardly sneered: With just a little maneuvering on my part, Prince Jin didn’t even enter the bridal chamber—and she calls that “well enough”?
Lin Xiao cut straight to the point: “Yue’er, you know the Marquisate has declined over the years. Prince Jin is of imperial lineage and may even ascend to the highest position.”
“It’s fortunate that you can be Prince Jin’s consort. But for over a decade, you haven’t received noble upbringing—you’re not proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, let alone other things.”
“Moreover, Prince Jin never had any interest in you to begin with. Your position as consort… forgive your father for speaking bluntly, but I’m afraid it won’t last long.”
“Zhen’er is different from you. She grew up in the Marquisate, receiving proper upbringing since childhood. She knows how to manage household affairs and be the mistress of a residence.”
“What’s more, she once saved Prince Jin’s life—they share deep affection and loyalty.”
“So rather than waiting until Prince Jin discards you, it would be better to have Zhen’er join you early to help. Wouldn’t the story of Ehuang and Nüying also make for a beautiful tale?”
This was the first time Lin Xiao had spoken so much to his daughter since their reunion.
Yet his very first lengthy conversation was about getting her to accept Lin Ruzhen.
Lin Qingyue raised an eyebrow and smiled: “So eager to make her a concubine?”
Lin Xiao corrected: “Zhen’er is also a legitimate daughter of the Marquisate—how could she be a concubine? Your father means for her to first become a secondary consort. Your marriage was bestowed by the Emperor, so we can’t change it for now. But in the future…”
He paused, lowering his voice: “Your father has learned that the crown prince will be appointed soon. Once Prince Jin becomes crown prince, the crown princess will be the future empress.”
Certain that Dongfang Yan would become the future emperor, Lin Xiao wanted to secure Lin Ruzhen’s position before his formal appointment as crown prince.
Setting blood relations aside, Lin Ruzhen had been meticulously raised by the Marquisate and was more suited to be mother of the nation.
Lin Qingyue: “Hah~ Dream on.”
Lin Rufeng slammed the table angrily: “You dare refuse? What right do you have to refuse! If Zhen’er hadn’t risked her life to save Prince Jin back then, why would Prince Jin look favorably upon our Marquisate?”
“Zhen’er is clearly the rightful Princess of Jin! It was you—with your malicious schemes—who drugged Prince Jin, not only bringing shame upon our Marquisate but also keeping Prince Jin and Zhen’er, this fated couple, apart!”
“Today you return home, and the whole family sets aside past grievances to treat you with courtesy! Father even discusses matters with you kindly. If you won’t show gratitude, how dare you have the face to refuse?”
This speech made even Lin Ruzhen’s eyes redden with feigned grievance, though she still pretended to be magnanimous: “Elder sister, I never wanted to compete with you for anything. But the alliance between the Prince’s residence and Marquisate isn’t just about personal feelings—it concerns Father’s promotions and Brother’s official career too.”
Zhou Shi gazed lovingly at Lin Ruzhen: “My Zhen’er is so understanding, always considering the bigger picture.”
When she turned to look at her own daughter Lin Qingyue, her expression was filled with dissatisfaction: “You’ve been married into the prince’s manor for three days now. Have you made any arrangements for your father and brother during this time? Your brother is already over twenty, yet he hasn’t been granted the title of heir nor obtained any official position. Have you given any thought to his situation?”
Hearing this, Lin Rufeng grew even more resentful: “If Zhen’er were the Princess of Jin, the imperial decree granting the heir title would have been issued long ago, and Father would certainly have been promoted three ranks! Unlike you, who didn’t even have your husband accompany you when returning home. This clearly shows Prince Jin detests you deeply, and our Marquis household can’t rely on you at all!”
Failing to get promotions or enter officialdom was clearly their own incompetence, yet they had the nerve to blame Lin Qingyue? How ridiculous!
Lin Qingyue let out a scornful laugh: “What you’re counting on is nothing but Lin Ruzhen’s supposed life-saving favor for Dongfang Yan. But was it really you who saved him that day?”
Her smile turned cold as she asked Lin Ruzhen word by word: “Was it really you who saved Prince Jin that day? My dear sister, telling too many lies will give you mouth sores and bring retribution.”
“Sister, why are you still trying to claim credit at a time like this? Do you think Prince Jin would view you differently because of this? But he’s no fool! When I escorted him back to the prince’s manor that day, everyone in the capital saw it, and the manor guards witnessed it clearly.”
But what was the truth?
That night during the blizzard, it was Lin Qingyue who risked her life, dragging the blood-soaked stranger through the vast snowfield for several hours.
As dawn broke and the snow stopped, she finally collapsed from exhaustion at the city gates.
Coincidentally, Lin Ruzhen’s carriage happened to arrive at that moment.
Recognizing Prince Dongfang Yan immediately, she ordered her servants to carry him onto her carriage and deliberately took a detour around the city before delivering him to the prince’s manor.
After that day, the entire capital sang praises of the Marquis’s second daughter’s benevolence and kindness.
Meanwhile, Lin Qingyue lay unconscious at the city gates for half an hour before being discovered by patrolling guards and sent home.
After returning, she burned with fever for three days and nights, nearly losing her life.
When she woke up and heard that Lin Ruzhen had saved a prince, she didn’t even dare to suspect anything.
It wasn’t until Dongfang Yan recovered and visited with generous gifts that she belatedly realized her merit had been stolen.
At that time, Lin Qingyue couldn’t defend herself—no one believed her. Even her own parents thought she was maliciously trying to steal her sister’s credit and punished her by making her kneel in the ancestral hall for three days.
Now, bringing up the past again, Lin Ruzhen showed no guilt whatsoever.
After all, Lin Qingyue had no evidence, and no one would believe her no matter how much she insisted.
Sometimes, the truth didn’t matter—what mattered was who people preferred to believe!
“Even if Sister wants to steal credit, she shouldn’t disregard the facts. The one who truly saved Prince Jin’s life that day was indeed me!”
As she spoke the last sentence, Lin Ruzhen’s tongue suddenly felt as if pierced by steel needles, making her cry out “Aiyo!” in pain.
Zhou Shi hurriedly asked with concern: “What’s wrong, Zhen’er?”
Lin Ruzhen covered her mouth and mumbled: “It hurts… my mouth, it hurts so much!”
“Are you suffering from inflammation?” Zhou Shi immediately instructed the matron: “Tell the cook to prepare some snow pear and loquat syrup for the young mistress.”
The Lin father and son also cast concerned looks her way.
Since childhood, whenever Lin Ruzhen showed the slightest discomfort, the whole family would fuss over her with excessive concern.
Only Lin Qingyue continued to add fuel to the fire: “By the way, on the day I returned to the estate, my sister suddenly fell into the water. That time, did you jump in yourself, or did I push you?”
When she first learned that her biological daughter had been switched, Zhou Shi felt some guilt toward Lin Qingyue and had even prepared a gift for their first meeting.
But then, in the blink of an eye, she heard that Lin Qingyue had pushed Lin Ruzhen into the water, nearly drowning her.
Zhou Shi was shocked: a child not raised by one’s own hands truly has a flawed character.
Thus, at their first meeting, Zhou Shi wore a cold expression and didn’t even give the gift she had prepared.
At this moment, as the pain in Lin Ruzhen’s mouth eased slightly, she said, “Sister, let’s not bring up the past. Even though you pushed me into the water with such force, I believe you were just acting out of momentary anger. It’s my fault for taking your place all these years, so no matter how you treat me, I won’t hold it against you. I—”
Another sharp pain shot through her tongue, as if scorched by fire, bringing tears to her eyes.
Zhou Shi held her adopted daughter with heartache. “What’s wrong?”
Lin Ruzhen covered her mouth and mumbled, “It hurts…my mouth hurts even more!”
Zhou Shi said, “Open your mouth, let Mother take a look.”
Lin Ruzhen cautiously opened her mouth, revealing two fingernail-sized sores on either side of her tongue, a pitiful sight.
“How did such large sores appear? And on the tongue—it must be excruciating! Someone, quickly fetch a physician for the young lady.”
Lin Qingyue kindly reminded her, “I told you earlier that lying would cause sores in the mouth as retribution. See, it’s come true, hasn’t it? Next time, remember to be honest and stop telling so many lies.”
Lin Ruzhen instinctively defended herself, “I’ve never lied…ah!”
Well, her mouth hurt even more now.
Zhou Shi angrily snapped at Lin Qingyue, “Your sister is in so much pain she’s crying, and you’re still gloating? How did I give birth to such a malicious daughter!”
“Finish this meal by yourself! Zhen’er, Mother will accompany you back to your room to rest.”
With that, Zhou Shi led her pitiful adopted daughter away.
Lin Rufeng scowled darkly and said, “Lin Qingyue, look at the mess you’ve made! You’ve driven Mother and Zhen’er away. Are you happy now?”
Lin Qingyue nodded. “Yes, I’m very happy.”
“You’re truly malicious! If Father weren’t here…” He left the rest unsaid, but before leaving, he shot Lin Qingyue a venomous glare.
In an instant, only Lin Xiao and Lin Qingyue, father and daughter, remained at the dining table.
Lin Xiao found Lin Qingyue equally irritating: this daughter of his was cold-hearted and eccentric, nowhere near as clever and sweet as Zhen’er. No wonder Jin Wang disliked her.
However, he still had something to say to her, so he forced himself to be patient and said:
“Yue’er, Father knows you’ve suffered greatly over the past ten-plus years while living away from home. And Zhen’er took your place, living as the young lady of the Hou estate for over a decade. So, it’s understandable that you hold a grudge and constantly clash with her.”
“But it was her parents who switched the children—it has nothing to do with her. All these years, Zhen’er has been filial to us in your stead. Since your return, she has always yielded to you.”
“No matter how harshly you’ve treated her, Zhen’er has always spoken up for you. After all, you are sisters. You should focus more on her good qualities and stop dwelling on the past.”
“Regarding what we discussed earlier, Father hopes you will consider it carefully.”
“Although you are now Jin Wangfei, without the prince’s favor, you will never be able to secure your position.”
“Father suggested having Zhen’er go assist you early on, all for your own good. Zhen’er will cherish sisterly bonds and secure you a position by Prince Jin’s side. In the future, when Zhen’er becomes the mother of the nation, you’ll at least be an honored consort.”
He spoke with feigned concern, every word supposedly for Lin Qingyue’s benefit, yet every calculation was truly for his own gain. Such a selfish and cold-hearted man—no wonder he raised children like Lin Ruzhen and Lin Rufeng!
Lin Qingyue tapped her crimson-nailed finger against her chin, phoenix eyes lifting slightly: “Do you truly believe Prince Jin will inevitably become emperor? What if… he fails?”
“Absolutely impossible!” Lin Xiao replied with unwavering certainty.
“Prince Jin’s father and the current emperor are brothers born of the same mother, sharing the closest bond. The old Prince Jin once rendered meritorious service in supporting the emperor’s ascension. After the old Prince Jin passed away, His Majesty suspended court for ten days, personally offering condolences and attending the funeral.”
“Although eight princes have been recalled to the capital simultaneously this time, anyone with clear eyes can see the emperor shows particular favor to Prince Jin. He even granted Prince Jin command over the Imperial Guard!”
No wonder Lin Xiao was so certain—what noble family in the capital wasn’t currying favor with Prince Jin these days?
“Since you consider Prince Jin such a lofty branch, by all means go climb it. But if you think I’ll ever consent to letting Lin Ruzhen enter the prince’s manor—”
Lin Qingyue let out a cold laugh, “Don’t even dream of it!”