Cheren had been dragged out of bed by Chahar in the middle of the night. Looking at the unconscious princess lying pale-faced on the bed, he could not help but complain.
“Taiji, you should have been gentler on your wedding night. She’s from the Central Plains after all—her body is delicate. She can’t withstand such rough treatment.”
Chahar’s expression twitched.
“I didn’t touch her.”
“Hm?”
Hearing this, Cheren examined her again.
“Then she’s simply too weak. The long journey, combined with difficulty adjusting to the local climate and environment, caused her to faint suddenly.”
“I’ll prescribe some nourishing medicine tomorrow. With time and proper care, she’ll recover.”
Yawning, Cheren picked up his medicine box and left.
Chahar’s gaze fell on the purplish finger marks around Lin Jiayan’s ankle, and a trace of irritation rose within him.
The next day, it was already well past sunrise when Lin Jiayan slowly awoke.
Children’s laughter drifted in from outside the tent.
Rubbing her throbbing forehead, she sat up in bed.
“Princess, you’re awake?”
Lianxin entered carrying a bowl of herbal medicine.
Memories of the previous night immediately flooded back to Lin Jiayan.
Chahar had told her to leave, and she had disgracefully fainted on the spot.
He doesn’t think I pretended to pass out just to stay, does he?
The thought startled her.
Only then did she take a closer look at her surroundings.
This was clearly not the tent from the previous night. It was smaller and far more worn. There was even a hole in one corner where cold wind whistled through.
“Where is this?”
“Princess…” Lianxin said with a bitter expression. “After you fainted last night, the prince consort summoned a physician. Later, they said your health was too poor and that you shouldn’t share a room with others, so we were moved here.”
“So this is…”
The cold palace?
Lin Jiayan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Still, she felt relieved that the man had not taken advantage of her situation or forced himself on her.
What’s wrong with the cold palace? It’s great. No one watching you, complete freedom. Concubines can even go crazy there if they want.
Amused by her own thoughts, she patted Lianxin’s shoulder and comforted her instead.
“It’s fine. I think this place is nice. This isn’t the imperial palace—there aren’t rules and restrictions everywhere. We can go out whenever we want, walk around, and explore. Isn’t that wonderful?”
Lianxin remained full of worry. She couldn’t understand how the princess could still be so optimistic after being sent away on her wedding night.
“Please drink your medicine first, Your Highness.”
Pinching her nose, Lin Jiayan pushed the bowl away.
“No, no. Every medicine has side effects. Besides, I’m not even sick.”
After spending more than ten years as a walking medicine jar, the princess had recently begun refusing her medicine altogether. Lianxin was helpless.
“Then let me do your hair.”
“There’s no need. There’s no one else here, so let’s keep things simple.”
Lin Jiayan still had nightmares about the heavy jeweled hairpieces she had worn before. Once she was fully dressed up, she barely dared move her head. By the end of the day, her neck and shoulders would be numb with pain.
Lianxin could only put her hair up in a simple bun, tying the ends with a red ribbon instead of using elaborate hairpins.
Lin Jiayan rummaged through her dowry and found a plain brocade dress embroidered with flowing clouds.
The moment she put it on, she felt much lighter.
Outside the tent, several children peeked inside curiously.
Lin Jiayan simply lifted the curtain and stepped out.
“The bride is out!”
The children scattered with laughter.
Taking some pastries she had found in her luggage, Lin Jiayan placed them on a handkerchief and held them out.
The children gathered around curiously.
“What’s this?”
“This is…”
Actually, she had no idea what it was either. She had eaten it before and only knew it was sweet and fragrant, perhaps made with osmanthus flowers.
“This is begonia osmanthus cake,” she improvised confidently. “Fresh osmanthus flowers are dried for forty-nine days, then mixed with rock sugar, bean flour, and honey before being pounded continuously for three days and three nights to make just one small piece. Who wants to try it?”
“Me! Me!”
The children of the grasslands had never seen such delicate, aromatic pastries before. They bounced excitedly and tugged at her sleeves.
“Hey, hey, wait! There’s enough for everyone!”
After each child received a few pieces, they ran off happily.
Only one little boy lingered behind.
“What’s wrong? Didn’t you get any?”
Lin Jiayan checked the food box. The pastries were gone, so she prepared to offer him something else.
“Second Aunt.”
The boy called out timidly.
“Se-Second Aunt?”
The unexpected title left Lin Jiayan stunned. She instantly felt ten years older.
Then she remembered the kind woman who had introduced herself as her sister-in-law during the wedding ceremony, and everything clicked into place.
“You’re the eldest prince’s son? What’s your name?”
“My name is A Ming.”
That was easy enough to remember.
Lin Jiayan nodded and gently pinched his chubby cheek.
“I still have some sesame candy. Would you like some?”
A Ming accepted it eagerly, his eyes sparkling.
“Thank you, Second Aunt! You’re so pretty—you look like a fairy from heaven.”
The compliment instantly lifted her spirits.
She smiled brightly.
“Second Aunt,” A Ming said through a mouthful of candy, “why do you live here? Why don’t you live with Second Uncle?”
Lin Jiayan looked away awkwardly, unsure how to explain it to a child.
“Um… because I’m not feeling well. Your second uncle’s place isn’t suitable for recuperating, so I’m staying here instead.”
“Oh.”
A Ming puffed out his cheeks thoughtfully.
“Second Aunt is sick, and Second Uncle still left you here all alone. Second Uncle is mean. I’m going to tell Mother.”
Before she could stop him, he dashed away.
“Hey…”
Watching him disappear, Lin Jiayan sighed.
This is bad. I’ve only been here one day, and I’m already complaining about my husband behind his back. If Chahar hears about this, won’t he dislike me even more?
Still, she figured she ought to pay her respects to the elders sooner or later.
After tidying herself up, she set out.
She had assumed the royal tents would be easy to identify.
Instead, all she saw were rows upon rows of similar white tents.
After wandering around for some time, she completely lost her way.
She stood there in confusion.
What am I supposed to do now? I’m lost in a grassland tribe.
The people around her glanced in her direction in small groups, pointing and whispering, but no one spoke to her directly.
The language barrier made communication impossible.
After walking for a while, her legs began to ache again.
Bending over, she rubbed her calves.
This body really is far too frail.
“What are you doing here?”
A young man on horseback stopped in front of her.
Lin Jiayan recognized him immediately as the youth who had lifted her carriage curtain when she first arrived.
“I’m lost. Could you point me in the right direction? I’m looking for the princess consort.”
“Lost?”
The young man couldn’t understand how someone could get lost inside the tribe.
He had heard that the princess had been sent out of Chahar’s tent on their wedding night.
Could it be because there’s something wrong with her head? Is she actually a fool?
What a waste of such a beautiful face.
Swinging down from his horse, he pointed ahead.
“Go another two li in that direction. You’ll see the ordo with the golden roof.”
“The what?”
Lin Jiayan asked blankly.
Seeing that she really might be a little slow, the young man sighed.
“I’ll take you there.”
“Really? Thank you so much.”
The young man led his horse forward, feeling somewhat conflicted.
Even if she was foolish, she was still a woman. Riding together was out of the question.
If he rode while she followed behind on foot, she would probably get lost again with those skinny arms and legs of hers.
But if he let her ride while he led the horse, he’d end up looking like her servant.
Completely unaware that he had already categorized her as a helpless fool, Lin Jiayan watched him stand there in silence.
“So… shall we go?”
she prompted softly.
The young man snapped out of his thoughts and simply began leading the horse as they walked.
Lin Jiayan had never realized two li could feel so far.
To distract herself, she struck up a conversation.
“We met before in Ge Prefecture. What’s your name?”
At the mention of Ge Prefecture, the young man’s face flushed slightly.
Embarrassed, he turned away so she wouldn’t notice.
“Ajina.”
Lin Jiayan repeated the name a few times under her breath.
“Not bad. It’s not too long—I’ll remember it.”