Zhao Yujin was taken aback. Why did Yaoyao suddenly seem off?
“What’s wrong, Yaoyao? Are you still feeling unwell somewhere?”
The girl had murmured her words, and Zhao Yujin hadn’t heard her clearly, so she asked her this way.
Leng Yaoda gazed at Zhao Yujin almost obsessively before slowly lowering her head.
In the book, the original Leng Yaoda had already passed away from illness when she transmigrated into this body. Even if she hadn’t died at that time, she would have met the same cruel fate as the book’s original ending—killed mercilessly after discovering Lu Zhiyou’s greatest secret.
That was when the entire Guardian Marshal Manor would descend into hell.
Afterward, the entire Leng family rapidly declined, and the Guardian Marshal Manor, which had produced generations of loyal and virtuous officials, quietly vanished from the Ling Dynasty.
No, not exactly quietly—it was a three-day massacre, with rivers of blood flowing.
The specific reasons had eluded her since she arrived here, as if something was preventing her from remembering. Leng Yaoda couldn’t help but feel a chill in her heart.
Her purpose in coming to this place was not only to change the fate of the original Leng Yaoda and live a good life herself but, more importantly, to use her own strength to protect the Guardian Marshal Manor and ensure they could continue living peacefully.
So, she couldn’t speak of it, nor was she able to.
At the very least, she couldn’t bring herself to say it now.
If she were to reveal it now, everything would fall into chaos. Not only would Leng Yaoda’s tragic ending arrive much sooner, but the Leng and Zhao families would also face impeachment and suppression.
In this fictional ancient society, talk of supernatural forces and heresy could crush an entire great clan.
The girl took only a few seconds to think through the cause and effect. After her thoughts raced a thousand times, Leng Yaoda regained her composure.
“Mother,” she said sweetly. “Yaoyao is fine. Mother should go back and rest soon. Yaoyao is already sleepy.”
The woman, who had originally intended to stay longer in the room, hurriedly stood up upon hearing the girl say she was tired and called for her personal maids waiting outside the door: “Chunhua, Qiuyue.”
Two women who appeared to be in their twenties approached, bowing their heads and speaking softly, “Madam, Chunhua (Qiuyue) is here.”
Zhao Yujin tucked the blanket snugly around Leng Yaoda, gave her a few more affectionate glances, and left Pear Water Residence with her maids.
Yingzhu and Baoyu, who had been quietly waiting in the room, cleared away the medicine bowl and cold tea. Leng Yaoda instructed, “Both of you should go and rest as well. I’ll call you if I need anything.”
“Yes, Miss. Yingzhu (Baoyu) takes her leave.”
The two left the room one after the other. Leng Yaoda blew out the last candle by the bed herself and lay down, her eyes bright.
From now on, she would walk her own path, no matter how difficult it might be, and she would never retreat!
…
The second day passed rather uneventfully. Leng Yaoda had simply overeaten and suffered from indigestion. After some adjustments and taking two doses of medicinal soup, she had fully recovered.
After dinner, the girl idled by the pond, feeding the fish with fish food. The plump and beautiful koi in the pond swam happily, and Leng Yaoda watched and teased them as she fed.
Leng Qi and Leng Lin happened to pass by and, seeing their sister by the pond, quickly walked over.
“Yaoyao!” Leng Lin called out to her.
Leng Yaoda turned around and replied sweetly, “Eldest Brother, Second Brother.”
The twins looked nearly identical, about eighty to ninety percent alike, yet one glance was enough to tell them apart. After all, one was more carefree and unrestrained, while the other was more composed and dignified.As the elder brother, Leng Qi was the more steady one. He nodded with a smile and said, “Tomorrow, Father will be taking the personal guards to the training grounds for drills and won’t return until evening. Mother has also made plans with Aunt Lu to go flower-viewing tomorrow, so only the three of us siblings will be left in the mansion.”
Before Leng Yaoda could say anything, Leng Lin eagerly asked, “Little sister, how about tomorrow, after we finish handling our affairs, we pick you up and take you to Xunyang Street? We can have lunch together and try the new dishes at Victorious Spring Court.”
Leng Qi and Leng Lin had already reached the age of twenty last year and passed the palace examination this spring in March, entering the court and securing minor fifth or sixth-rank positions in the Ministry of Personnel.
Hearing this, Leng Yaoda estimated the timing. If she hurried to resolve the marriage matter at the palace by mid-morning, she could definitely reach Xunyang Street by noon without needing her brothers to pick her up.
The young lady nodded in agreement. “Alright, but tomorrow, Yaoyao doesn’t want to trouble her brothers to come fetch her. I already turned sixteen after the ninth day of the fourth month, so I’ve long outgrown needing my brothers to escort me.”
The two brothers exchanged a glance. Leng Qi’s expression softened as he agreed to her request. “Very well, then we’ll meet directly at Victorious Spring Court around noon tomorrow. After the meal, we’ll accompany you to Jade View Pavilion to pick out new jewelry.”
Leng Yaoda smiled, her eyes curving like crescent moons. “Understood.”
The next morning, Leng Yaoda felt a surge of excitement at the thought of freeing herself from her troubles. She had been unable to fall asleep for a while the previous night, and when she opened her eyes, it was already time to rise.
Yingzhu and Baoyu entered with an array of toiletries. Leng Yaoda rinsed her mouth with fragrant water, then brushed her teeth with a specially crafted soft brush from ancient times.
Next, she washed her face with petal-infused water and carefully applied the pearl-scented cream favored by noble ladies for skincare. After smoothing it over her entire face, her complexion seemed to glow with a pearl-like radiance.
In front of the bronze mirror, Yingzhu styled Leng Yaoda’s hair into a simple Flying Immortal Chignon, adorned with an elegant jade hairpin and pearl chains. The remaining long hair cascaded naturally over her shoulders, and light makeup dimples were delicately applied to her face, making her breathtakingly beautiful at first glance.
Baoyu stood nearby selecting clothes for Leng Yaoda and couldn’t help but exclaim, “Young Miss is truly beautiful, like a celestial fairy!”
Yingzhu chuckled from behind. “You little minx, always so sweet-tongued! Our young miss is unmatched not only in Shengjing City but across the entire Ling Dynasty!”
In high spirits, Leng Yaoda smiled at their playful banter. She then changed into the Smoke-Pink Embroidered Plain Silk Blue Lotus Patterned Skirt chosen by Baoyu and, fearing the morning wind might be chilly, paired it with a Ginger-Red Plain Gauze Short Brocade.
The young lady once again took the inconspicuous horse-drawn sedan chair, leaving both Yingzhu and Baoyu behind at the mansion as she headed to the palace alone.
Inside the carriage, Leng Yaoda nervously bit her lower lip before calming herself to prepare for her new beginning.
As long as she could ensure the safety of herself and her family here and live peacefully for decades to come, it would be enough.
Upon reaching the palace’s side entrance, a modest side gate was already open. Perhaps Shen Jinxiao had informed them in advance, for even though Leng Yaoda never once stepped out of the carriage along the way, no one stopped her.
It was only when she neared the emperor’s study that a eunuch invited her to alight.
The young lady adjusted her veil and followed the young eunuch with her head lowered. Upon reaching the entrance to the imperial study, Leng Yaoda discreetly slipped a silver ingot into his hand.
“Thank you for guiding me, young sir. You’ve worked hard. I hope you won’t find this too meager.”
The young eunuch weighed it in his hand, then smiled and helped Leng Yaoda ascend the few steps.”Your Grace, please enter. His Majesty is already waiting for you inside.”
He spoke in a lowered voice. Leng Yaoda thanked him, took a deep breath, and pushed open the heavy door of the imperial study.
As the sound echoed, the person inside looked up.
Leng Yaoda froze in place upon seeing that Lu Zhiyou and Lu Shixiu had already arrived ahead of her.
Meeting the young woman’s gaze, Lu Zhiyou smiled softly and called out to her, “Yaoyao.”