After a restless night tossing and turning, Su Leyun finally drifted into a light sleep as dawn broke.
“You look pale, miss. Were you frightened last night?”
Before the bronze mirror, a young maid applied her makeup, dusting on a slightly thicker layer of powder.
Su Leyun looked listless, allowing the maid to dress her up.
“Where is Nanny Zhang?”
“Because of the bandit disturbance last night, the culprits haven’t been caught yet. The officials have sealed the city gates, forbidding anyone from entering or leaving. Nanny Zhang took the token to see the local magistrate, asking if they could make an exception and allow us to leave the city.”
After last night’s events, the maid no longer dared to treat Su Leyun carelessly and answered truthfully.
Turning her head to gaze at the swirling snowflakes outside the window, Su Leyun recalled the events of the previous night.
They had gone to such lengths for Prince Jin, even sealing the city. She wondered what exactly they were after. By now, Prince Jin should have escaped safely…
Well, it was a matter for the royal family—what did it have to do with her?
With a relieved smile, Su Leyun said softly, “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to stay here a little longer.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Nanny Zhang pushed the door open, shaking the snowflakes off her clothes, and explained, “With the New Year approaching, Madam hopes you’ll return early so the clan elder can open the ancestral hall and add your name to the family register before the festivities.”
Only after being added to the family register would Su Leyun be recognized as the legitimate daughter of Marquis Su Manor, allowing her to rightfully attend palace banquets and invitations from noble households during the New Year celebrations.
Nanny Zhang took the silver comb from the maid’s hand and explained in detail, “Madam wants to establish your reputation while noble households visit each other during the New Year, so you can gain a foothold among the high-ranking families in the capital.”
Su Leyun nodded to show she understood, though her expression remained indifferent. “Did the magistrate agree?”
Nanny Zhang sighed and shook her head. “This old servant was of no use.”
“Then we’ll wait patiently. In the meantime, Nanny, you can tell me more about the family.”
Su Leyun didn’t mind much. Aside from her mother and elder brother, there weren’t many people in that household she wished to see.
“You’re right, miss. As long as we can make it back in time for the New Year, it’ll be fine.”
Nanny Zhang relaxed, following Su Leyun’s lead, and sat beside her, recounting the affairs of the Sun and Su families.
Six days later, an ornate three-horse carriage moved leisurely along the bluestone-paved road of the capital, the bells hanging from its four corners tinkling crisply.
Inside the carriage, charcoal burned warmly, making it feel like spring. Fresh tea brewed on the small table, a bronze incense burner emitted a faint sandalwood fragrance, and several plates of pastries and candied fruits remained largely untouched.
“Miss, we’re about to enter the manor. Do you remember everything I’ve told you these past few days?”
Nanny Zhang asked anxiously.
Su Leyun nodded. Over the past few days, Nanny Zhang had repeatedly briefed her on the family members and affairs, all to ensure she wouldn’t appear timid in front of others.
“Don’t worry, Nanny. I’ve remembered everything.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the carriage came to an abrupt halt. Caught off guard, Su Leyun lurched forward, nearly knocking over the lit incense burner.
Nanny Zhang hurriedly steadied her, checking her over.
“Did you bump into anything, miss?”
Su Leyun shook her head, straightening the tilted incense burner to show she was fine.
Only then did Nanny Zhang relax. She lifted the carriage curtain and scolded sharply, “How are you driving? If anything happens to the miss, who will take responsibility?”
The coachman, a servant of Marquis Manor, apologized repeatedly. “Don’t be angry, Nanny. There’s trouble ahead. I didn’t mean to startle the miss.”
The carriage had stopped before the Capital Bridge. A few officers and soldiers on the bridge seemed to be apprehending someone, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers, making it impossible for the carriage to pass.
Nanny Zhang frowned. To enter the city, they must cross the Capital Bridge. Taking a detour would add more than half a day to their journey.
Just as she was unsure what to do, a familiar-looking servant boy ran over.
“Nanny Zhang, the manor knows the bridge is impassable. They’ve sent a sedan chair waiting on the other side. Please ask the young lady to get off and walk a few steps so we don’t miss the time to return to the manor.”
Nanny Zhang turned and entered the carriage, helping Su Leyun alight.
A gentle breeze brushed past, lifting the ribbons on her skirt. Su Leyun gazed down at the entire City Moat, a flood of emotions surging within her.
In her past life, she had inexplicably fallen from this bridge into the river. In her despair and helplessness, Li Rui had saved her, and from then on, she became fixated on the idea of fate-bound marriage. When she married into the Li Family, her bridal sedan had also crossed this City Moat, which she had regarded as her matchmaker.
Now, looking back, it was all a cursed fate…
With light steps, Su Leyun walked carefully from the moment she stepped onto the bridge, staying as close to the center as possible to avoid repeating the scene from her past life.
Halfway across the bridge, a group of children, drawn by the commotion, surged forward, pushing and shoving without a care. Su Leyun saw a little girl lose her footing and crash hard toward a bridge pillar.
Such a collision could lead to a bloody head at best, or death at worst.
Without a second thought, Su Leyun hurriedly pulled the child back. The little girl was safe, but before Su Leyun could steady herself, a hand shoved her over the railing and into the river.
Su Leyun glanced back, her eyes meeting Xue Huan’s triumphant gaze.
She was Su Wan’er’s person. It seemed it was also her who had pushed Su Leyun into the river in her past life.
After all, her mistress did not want Su Leyun to return safely…
Icy river water relentlessly poured into her mouth and nose. Su Leyun thought hazily, even after being reborn, she still could not escape the fate of falling into the water. Would she have to be saved by Li Rui again?
No, she had already tasted enough bitterness from the events of her past life. In this life, she did not wish to have any connection with him again…
The suffocating sensation grew heavier and heavier. Su Leyun opened her mouth wide, gasping desperately for air as more and more cold water rushed in. Just as her vision began to darken, a pair of warm, large hands encircled her waist.
Consciousness returned, and her pupils suddenly widened as a handsome, resolute face loomed before her.
It was Prince Jin!
Why was he here?