When Emperor Heng heard that Jiaojiao had almost fully recovered, he sent word to Jiaoran Hall in the early evening, inviting her to have breakfast with him the next morning.
Lin Jiaojiao went to Qianyuan Hall early the next morning. She had breakfast with the Emperor and Empress, then went to the western warm chamber to chat and rest.
It was her first time meeting the Emperor. The moment she remembered that she was, in truth, a living symbol of her mother’s betrayal, she became so nervous that she could barely eat the exquisite breakfast in front of her.
But Emperor Heng was very patient with her. Smiling warmly, he ordered someone to bring over some mandarin oranges and personally peeled one.
“Jiaojiao, is the breakfast not to your liking? Come, have some oranges. These were just brought in as tribute.”
Lin Jiaojiao nervously reached out and took it.
The sweet and sour taste burst across her tongue. The orange was juicy and full of flavor. When she swallowed it, it felt as though she had swallowed a whole mouthful of honey.
Seeing Jiaojiao’s eyes widen in surprise, the Emperor burst into hearty laughter.
Empress Wen personally took a handkerchief and wiped the Emperor’s hands. Looking at Jiaojiao with a warm smile, she said, “Yesterday, your father was so worried about you. He was afraid that you might still be uncomfortable and throw a little tantrum. Who would have thought that after being sick, you would become even more obedient?”
Jiaojiao’s heart pounded like a drum. She swallowed the orange and slowly gave them a smile.
She had fair, soft skin and round cheeks. When she smiled, two faint dimples appeared beside her lips, making her look especially lovable.
Princess Jiaoran had always had a terrible temper. Ever since she learned how to speak, she had also learned how to curse at people. Emperor Heng had not seen a pleasant expression on his daughter’s face for years. At best, she would pull his beard; at worst, she would kick him in the shins. Such things happened all the time.
Now that he saw his daughter smiling sweetly after recovering from a serious illness, his heart filled with joy.
And that was not all. After eating the orange the Emperor had given her, Jiaojiao thought she should return the kindness. She peeled another mandarin orange and carefully offered it to her father.
The Emperor was almost moved to tears.
The three of them were enjoying a warm and happy moment together until an attendant came in to announce that the Crown Prince had arrived to see the Emperor.
Jiaojiao’s smile immediately disappeared.
Emperor Heng, Gui Sheng, had five sons. Other than his second son, who had died young, all the other princes were still living in the palace.
The First Prince, Gui Yan, was the Empress’s legitimate son. He was over thirty years old and had been made Crown Prince from birth.
The Third Prince, Gui De, always followed his elder brother. His mother, Noble Consort Yan, was also treated favorably by the Empress.
The Fourth Prince, Gui Che, was only two years older than the Fifth Prince, Gui Heng. Last year, he had been assigned to the Ministry of Revenue to participate in government affairs.
The visitors were the Crown Prince, Gui Yan, and the Fourth Prince, Gui Che.
Jiaojiao had none of the original owner’s memories, so she felt uneasy whenever she met unfamiliar people. After quietly greeting them, she said nothing more, only cautiously observing them from beneath her long eyelashes.
Fortunately, the Crown Prince seemed to have come to discuss government affairs with the Emperor and had little interest in her. He politely asked how her injuries were, then went over to discuss official matters with the Emperor.
Jiaojiao breathed a sigh of relief and continued eating her oranges.
She had only eaten a few pieces when she heard a gentle voice.
“Jiaojiao, why have you eaten so many mandarin oranges today?”
A fair finger picked up an orange peel from the table, and the speaker looked at her with a smiling expression.
“Fourth Brother remembers that you have never liked sweet-and-sour foods.”
Jiaojiao’s heart suddenly jumped.
She raised her head and met a pair of smiling, charming eyes.
It was the Fourth Prince, Gui Che.
Aunt Du had clearly said that Gui Che was devoted to his studies and rarely interacted with Princess Jiaoran. So how could he even remember what the original Jiaoran liked to eat?
“Hmm, this is indeed my fault.”
The Emperor had been paying attention to Jiaojiao all along. He immediately stopped talking to the Crown Prince and sat up straight, looking over at her.
“I only remembered that this year’s tribute mandarin oranges were especially good and wanted Jiaojiao to taste them first. I forgot that Jiaojiao doesn’t like sour things.”
Lin Jiaojiao’s face stiffened.
Empress Wen quickly tried to smooth things over.
“Even the sourest orange becomes sweet when it is given with His Majesty’s love for his daughter.”
Emperor Heng looked at Jiaojiao.
“Is that so?”
Jiaojiao timidly nodded.
After thinking for a moment, she added, “Jiaojiao didn’t like sour foods before. But today, after eating the mandarin oranges Father gave me, I think they taste quite good. They’re sweet and sour, and they really help with my appetite.”
She wasn’t a child, after all. Could someone’s taste really change that quickly?
Gui Che looked at her with a thoughtful smile.
The Emperor, however, was delighted.
He immediately wanted to peel another orange for her himself.
The Crown Prince, who had been ignored for quite some time, could no longer bear it and interrupted with a dark expression.
“Father, I still have something to say about the Governor of Ningzhou.”
The Emperor had been completely immersed in the warm atmosphere of a loving father and daughter. His hand stopped halfway.
He turned his head and instantly changed his expression.
“You’re already this old, yet you still can’t control your temper!”
The Crown Prince’s face became even darker.
Empress Wen opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but then swallowed her words.
Seeing that the atmosphere had suddenly become awkward, Jiaojiao quickly stood and bowed.
“Father, your discussion with Imperial Brother is more important. If there is nothing else, Jiaojiao will return to the palace first.”
“My Jiaojiao has really grown up.”
The Emperor nodded with satisfaction. Then he glared at the Crown Prince before ordering the servants to escort the princess safely back to her palace. He also gave all the remaining tribute oranges to her to take home.
Jiaojiao thanked him and left Qianyuan Hall.
Only after she was outside did she feel her wildly beating heart slowly calm down.
She could feel the Fourth Prince’s questioning gaze following her like a thorn in her back.
Jiaojiao finally relaxed after getting into the soft sedan chair and could not help letting out a quiet sigh.
She had originally wanted to use the warm atmosphere just now as an opportunity to ask about Gui Heng. Even if she could only see how the Emperor and Empress currently treated him, that would have been enough.
She had not expected the Crown Prince to ruin the moment.
When she returned to Jiaoran Hall, Aunt Du was busy running back and forth, preparing the gifts Jiaojiao would hand out at the banquet in a few days.
Lin Jiaojiao watched her for a while before saying, “Auntie, why don’t you sit down for a while?”
“This old servant is useless. I’m always rushing around. Am I making Your Highness dizzy just by watching me?”
Aunt Du immediately became nervous.
Jiaojiao shook her head and gave her a sweet smile.
“Jiaojiao is worried that Auntie will get tired.”
Aunt Du was so flattered that she quickly gestured for the palace maids Yuqiu and Cuixue to take over her work. Then she sat beside Lin Jiaojiao.
Lin Jiaojiao’s slender, pale fingers unconsciously rubbed the surface of the table.
She cautiously said, “Auntie, just now at Qianyuan Hall, I saw Crown Prince Brother and Fourth Brother.”
Aunt Du nodded as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
“Mm. Your Highness, would you like some almonds?”
Jiaojiao had only said one sentence before being interrupted.
“…Yes.”
Aunt Du smiled until her eyes narrowed and began peeling the small pile of almonds on the table.
She peeled them quickly and neatly. Before long, she had a whole handful ready. Jiaojiao slowly chewed them, enjoying their rich sweetness.
While being fed almonds, Lin Jiaojiao carefully asked, “It feels like I haven’t seen Fifth Brother for a long time…”
The hands peeling the almonds stopped.
“Why is the princess asking about him?”
“Am I not allowed to ask?”
Jiaojiao asked in a small voice.
Aunt Du shook her head and continued peeling.
“I only find it strange. You and His Highness the Fifth Prince rarely interact. Why did you suddenly think of him?”
Jiaojiao’s heart relaxed.
“It’s just because I haven’t seen him for such a long time. That’s why I suddenly thought of him.”
She spoke in a soft, spoiled voice.
Aunt Du’s expression immediately became disapproving.
“The Fifth Prince has a harsh temper. He even dares to challenge His Majesty, and he has never shown much brotherly affection toward you. When you see him at the chrysanthemum banquet tomorrow, Your Highness must be careful.”
“…Oh.”
Jiaojiao obediently nodded.
She swallowed the almonds she had just finished chewing and found that their aftertaste was bitter.
What she feared most was that he truly had no brotherly affection for her.
He could kill his own biological father without hesitation. What would stop him from killing a younger sister who was not related to him by blood and whom he barely knew?
She had been given a second chance at life. At last, she had a healthy body and could walk beneath the sunlight.
She wanted to live as long as she could—longer and longer—and properly experience everything she had never had the chance to experience before.
Fortunately, there was still time.
If there was no brotherly affection between them, then she would slowly build it herself…
Jiaojiao accepted another handful of peeled almonds from Aunt Du and let out a troubled sigh.
The day of the chrysanthemum banquet arrived.
The Empress had arranged a seat for Jiaojiao right beside her, making her extremely conspicuous.
The things Aunt Du had prepared were indeed useful. The noble young ladies who had entered the palace as candidates came one after another to greet Jiaojiao.
Every one of them was beautiful and graceful, each more charming than the last. Jiaojiao’s eyes were almost overwhelmed by the sight.
With the palace servants reminding her of what to do, Jiaojiao finally finished giving each of them a gift.
She quickly made an excuse and quietly slipped away with Yuqiu and Cuixue.
She had already found out that the princes were currently in the outer court.
The women in the inner court had to first be selected by the Empress before being brought over for the Crown Prince and the other princes to look at.
As for who would become the Crown Prince’s concubine, Jiaojiao honestly did not care much.
She only wanted to find the future tyrant as quickly as possible, observe him, and, if possible, strike up a conversation with him.
Jiaojiao headed toward the outer court while people from the outer court were also making their way toward the inner court.
The Third Prince, Gui De, had always been fearless. As far as he was concerned, rules about keeping the inner and outer courts separate were completely meaningless.
He had heard that many beautiful young women had come today, and he wanted to take a look before anyone else.
Those who passed the Empress’s inspection would certainly be nothing more than virtuous and obedient women with no other talents. Who wanted to look at such useless people?
When it came to women, beauty was what truly mattered.
Gui De walked very quickly. His dark-purple cloak fluttered from his shoulders, and his attendant had to jog to keep up with him.
To match the cloak, he was wearing a dark-purple robe today as well. A yellow fragrant sachet hung from his waist.
He looked elegant and wealthy, and judging only by his appearance, he certainly looked like a handsome young nobleman.
“My lord, please don’t walk so fast. Your clothes are almost falling off.”
The attendant finally caught up with him. When Gui De stopped, he quickly helped straighten his clothes.
“I have to admit, although Noble Consort Yan is crazy, she really does have skilled hands.”
The attendant looked at the lifelike crane-feather patterns embroidered on the cloak and could not help praising them.
Gui De looked pleased with himself.
“Of course. After all, she made it for her own son.”
The attendant smiled flatteringly.
“So what if she made it for her own son? With one word from our lord, wouldn’t that bastard still have to wash himself clean and come running over to offer himself to you?”
Summer was coming to an end, and the wind blowing toward them had already begun to carry a chill.
As he spoke, the attendant tightened the cloak’s ties for Gui De and tucked them closer around his neck.
“Ouch!”
Pain suddenly shot through Gui De’s neck.
He immediately raised his hand and slapped the attendant hard.
“You useless servant! What did you do? How long has it been since you trimmed your nails? You can even scratch me while tying my clothes!”
“It wasn’t my nails!”
The attendant stared in shock at the blood slowly seeping from the back of Gui De’s neck. His voice trembled.
“There’s a needle inside the collar!”
Jiaojiao had just entered the outer court when she heard a loud commotion.
Her heart tightened.
She quickened her pace. The closer she got, the more wrong the sounds seemed.
Anxious, she simply lifted her skirt and ran.
Yuqiu and the others tried to stop her, but they could not. They had no choice but to follow.
The women, who normally did very little exercise, soon found themselves running out of breath.
Jiaojiao was the first to run around a cluster of flowering crabapple trees.
She stared in surprise at the clouds of dust filling the courtyard.
Two young men were fighting on the ground.
One wore purple, the other gray.
Every move they made was ruthless, as though they were fighting for their lives. Every punch landed with a heavy thud.
Even Jiaojiao felt the pain just watching them.
Several palace attendants stood nearby. They were probably the men’s servants, and all of them looked anxious and helpless.
“What is this?”
Jiaojiao asked in surprise.
Yuqiu tried to identify the two men.
Then her expression changed drastically.
“Princess, I think that’s the Third Prince and the Fifth Prince…”
The Fifth Prince?
Then that meant—
Jiaojiao suddenly realized who he was.
Her heart jumped into her throat.
Neither of the two young men was very old, yet they were fighting as if they wanted to kill each other.
They had no idea Jiaojiao had arrived.
Their hair ornaments had become disheveled, and loose hair covered their faces, making it impossible to see their features clearly.
Jiaojiao stared at them.
Her heart pounded like a drum, each beat seeming to strike against her chest.
One of the attendants nearby was so anxious that he stamped his feet and shouted,
“Your Highness, please think of your mother!”
The gray-clothed young man’s entire body suddenly stiffened.
That moment of distraction gave the young man in purple an opening.
With one powerful punch, he knocked the gray-clothed young man onto the ground.
Then he climbed on top of him and began punching him again and again, clearly intending to do serious harm.
As he struck him, he shouted angrily,
“I’ll teach you not to submit!”
“I’ll teach you not to submit!”
“Kneel down and apologize to me!”
“You filthy bastard from the gutter! All you know how to do is secretly scheme against people!”
“Do you submit or not? I’m asking you, do you submit?”
The young man being beaten was ruthless as well.
Other than a few muffled groans when the punches landed on particularly painful spots, he refused to make a single sound.
“Please, Your Highnesses, stop fighting! Stop!”
The attendants were frantic, but none of them dared to step forward.
Yuqiu was just as frightened.
“Princess, it’s too dangerous here. Please be careful not to get hurt. Let’s leave quickly and call the Empress!”
Lin Jiaojiao ignored every word Yuqiu said.
She stared only at the young man in purple.
His clothes were such a deep shade that even beneath the sunlight, they looked like thick, dark ink.
Gui Heng is fierce by nature and has always preferred dark colors.
In the original novel, the male lead, Gui Heng, was an overpowered hero among overpowered heroes.
He was a genius in every possible way, including his physical strength and fighting skills.
He could already fight three people at once when he first appeared.
Combined with his naturally violent personality, it was no wonder he was beating someone so mercilessly.
Jiaojiao felt that she had figured everything out.
Since she understood what was happening, she should not interfere.
The future tyrant was not only cruel and violent, but also extremely vengeful. He had an excellent memory and, after ascending the throne, took revenge on many people who had offended him in the past.
But…
The more she watched, the more frightened she became.
If this continued, someone might actually die.
Amid the dull thuds of one punch after another, Lin Jiaojiao forced herself to silently repeat the life rule she had just established:
With Gui Heng, I must please him in every possible way and be completely obedient, so that I can build a brother-sister bond with him.
Be completely obedient…
Brother-sister affection…
The person being beaten had already given up on fighting back. He simply raised his arms to protect his head and face.
Lin Jiaojiao gathered her courage.
She only glanced at him once before tightly closing her eyes.
Her heart was beating faster and faster, as if it were about to leap out of her chest.
Maybe there was another way?
For example, what if she simply refused to follow the original plot?
What if she prevented the future tyrant from ever becoming a tyrant?
A suppressed groan of pain came from nearby.
There was no time to think anymore.
He was hitting far too hard!
Lin Jiaojiao did not know where she found the courage.
Ignoring Yuqiu’s desperate attempts to stop her, she boldly grabbed the purple-clothed young man’s arm.
“Stop!”
The young man in purple froze.
He raised his head and saw her.
His entire face was filled with confusion.
Jiaojiao had no time to worry about his reaction.
She hurriedly lowered her head to check whether the person on the ground was hurt.
Sunlight poured down around them.
The young man’s face was as pale and smooth as jade. Under the blazing sunlight, it was almost dazzlingly white.
Jiaojiao could not help narrowing her eyes.
The young man in front of her had an expressionless face.
He stared coldly at her.
A strand of slightly curled hair fell across his forehead, partly covering his eyes, dark as a misty night.