Lin Yao left the Wuju Courtyard and took a deliberate detour through the Prince’s manor, eventually “bumping” into Xu Yanshu in the garden.
Xu Yanshu’s blood boiled at the sight of her—Lin Yao looked every bit the enchanting seductress, a look that grated on her nerves. “You’re a resilient one, aren’t you, you slut?” Xu Yanshu sneered. “After the beating you took yesterday, you’re already out here trying to lure men again today.”
Lin Yao smiled sweetly. “I actually have you to thank, Side Consort. Because you injured me, His Highness felt terribly protective. He even gave me this…”
She pulled a string of prayer beads from around her neck. “These used to belong to the Prince himself. He specifically took a bead from the strand to give to me. He was so incredibly sentimental; he held my hand with such tenderness and said he gave me this bead because he wished for my peace and safety—and for me to stay far away from ‘vile people.'”
As Lin Yao painted the vivid scene, Xu Yanshu felt as if she were watching it happen before her eyes. She was driven to the brink of madness.
Seething with rage, Xu Yanshu retreated to her own courtyard and smashed everything in sight. Finally, she approached a lidded jar containing a Gu—a venomous curse-worm. The jar was sealed except for a single small opening just wide enough for a finger. She thrust her hand inside, her face contorting in pain as if something were gnawing on her flesh.
When she finally withdrew her hand, there was a small puncture wound, but not a drop of blood remained—it had all been drained. “Once this Love-Gu is fully matured, the Prince will break his vows for me,” Xu Yanshu hissed maniacally. “He will seek my company day and night. Lin Yao, enjoy your pride while it lasts; it won’t be for long!”
Lin Yao paraded through the manor with the prayer bead, ensuring everyone saw it. Soon, the entire household knew the Prince had favored her with a gift, and it wouldn’t be long before word reached the Empress. For the time being, life in the manor would be much easier for both her and her sister, Lin Siwan.
That afternoon, Lin Yao visited Lin Siwan’s quarters. The Princess Consort seemed to be in better spirits; color had returned to her face.
“Yao’er, did the Prince truly give you those beads?”
Lin Yao leaned into her sister’s ear. “I was shameless enough to ask for them. Then I added a bit of flair to the story just to drive Xu Yanshu insane.”
This was only the beginning; Xu Yanshu’s “better” days were yet to come. Lin Siwan couldn’t help but playfuly poke Lin Yao’s forehead. “I never realized my fourth sister was such a little troublemaker.”
In her memory, Lin Yao was always mild-tempered and soft-spoken—someone who never fought for anything and had little presence. Spending time with her now, Siwan realized she had been wrong. This girl was clever, calculating, and unlike any noble lady she had ever met—radiant and full of life.
She began to wonder if bringing Lin Yao into the Prince’s manor had been a disservice to her. What Siwan didn’t know was that back at the Lin household, Lin Yao hadn’t stayed out of the fray by choice—she simply had no cards to play. Her father doted on the concubine, Madame Chen, and as a daughter of a concubine herself, Lin Yao had no one to lean on. Standing out would have only invited Madame Chen’s wrath. Weakness had been her only shield.
Suddenly, Nanny Rong hurried in. “Your Highness, a message from the Palace. The Empress wishes to see you.”
Lin Siwan’s face turned deathly pale. Seeing her reaction, Lin Yao realized how much her sister feared the Mistress of the Inner Palace. It was clear she had suffered greatly at the Empress’s hands. The cruelty of the Imperial Palace was far more terrifying than the schemes of a private residence.
“Sister…” Lin Yao whispered, worried.
Lin Siwan regained her composure and forced a smile. “It’s alright. Her Majesty likely just wants to speak with me. I will be back soon.”
After Siwan left, a heavy weight settled in Lin Yao’s chest.
“Everyone says the Young Miss has climbed to the top of the branches, but they have no idea how hard her life is,” Nanny Rong sighed. “Last time she returned from the palace, she had no visible wounds, yet she was bedridden for days, plagued by nightmares. I fear she won’t be able to endure much more.”
The nanny looked at Lin Yao. “It is a blessing you are here, Fourth Miss. Her mood has improved so much these past few days. Please… do not blame her for bringing you here. She truly had nowhere else to turn.” Nanny Rong began to cry.
In Lin Yao’s memory, Nanny Rong was the most capable servant of the First Madam—sharp, stern, and feared by all the servants. She had never seen the woman so broken. Life in the Prince’s manor was truly a struggle for survival.
Lin Siwan didn’t return until nightfall. The moment she stepped through the door, her legs gave out, and she nearly collapsed. Nanny Rong caught her just in time and helped her to the bed.
“Your Highness, are you hurt?” the nanny asked anxiously.
Lin Siwan shook her head and reached out for Lin Yao. Lin Yao took her hand, letting her sister grip it tightly. After a long moment, Siwan finally exhaled and broke into a sudden smile.
“Yao’er, the Empress didn’t punish me. She gave me a pass to visit home!” Siwan’s voice trembled with excitement. “I was terrified when I went in, but she was so soft-spoken. She even asked if I missed my family. She hasn’t been this kind to me since I first married the Prince. It feels like a dream…”
Siwan knew this was Lin Yao’s doing. The news that the Prince treated Lin Yao differently had reached the Empress’s ears. If the Prince truly broke his celibacy for Yao’er, the benefits would be unimaginable.
“Yao’er, come back to the Lin estate with me tomorrow,” Siwan said.
Lin Yao was overjoyed. Going back meant she could see her mother! “My mother must be missing me terribly!”
The sisters spent the evening talking, their hearts lightened. Lin Yao stayed the night in the Princess’s quarters. As they settled into bed, Siwan noticed that while her sister looked slender, she was actually quite soft and “well-rounded” in all the right places—holding her was like holding a warm, soft pillow.
“Eldest Sister,” Lin Yao asked curiously as they whispered in the dark. “If you hadn’t married into the Prince’s manor, who would you have wanted to marry? Was there someone you liked?”
Siwan froze. A shadow of a figure flashed through her mind, leaving a bittersweet ache. “He was a good man, but it wasn’t meant to be,” Siwan said softly. “He had actually agreed to come propose, but the day before he did, the Imperial Edict for my marriage arrived.”
She had wondered a thousand times: Why couldn’t he have come a day earlier? Why couldn’t the Edict have been delayed? But there were no “ifs” in fate. She was trapped in this gilded cage, sinking into despair. “I don’t dare dream of anything else now. I just want to survive. Yao’er, I am so sorry for dragging you into this fire.”
Lin Siwan felt guilty, but for Lin Yao, it wasn’t a tragedy. This was her perfect excuse to avoid marrying Gu Yulan—plus, Prince Yu was exactly her type. One woman’s poison was another’s medicine.
“We will support each other,” Lin Yao said firmly. “We won’t just survive; we will thrive.”
The next morning, Lin Yao rose early. Her facial scars had faded but were still visible. She had her maid, Xiao Ju, carefully apply makeup to conceal them. She dressed in her finest silk, looking radiant and prosperous.
Her sister also dressed exquisitely, and together they boarded the carriage for the Lin estate. Halfway through the journey, however, the carriage came to a sudden, jarring halt.