The sky gradually brightened.
“Miss Lin, this old servant has brought your morning meal.” Granny Li entered the courtyard carrying breakfast, followed by Imperial Physician Wang.
“Granny, Physician Wang, please come in.” Lin Tangtang smiled faintly and greeted them with a curtsy.
Granny Li arranged the breakfast on the table—exquisite pastries, delicious rice porridge, and side dishes—over ten delicacies covering the entire table.
Lin Tangtang looked somewhat surprised. “Granny, I can’t possibly eat all this by myself.”
“Not at all,” Granny Li replied cheerfully. “His Highness instructed last night that I take good care of you, Miss Lin. Whatever you like, just say the word. Look at you—you’re too thin and need more nourishment.”
She thought that since Lin Tangtang had gained the Crown Prince’s favor, she must be extraordinary, and thus treated her with increasing respect.
“Granny Li is right. I’ve come today to examine the wounds on the young lady’s arm,” Imperial Physician Wang stated his purpose and then took out his medical kit.
Learning that it was the Crown Prince’s arrangement, Lin Tangtang no longer stood on ceremony.
Indeed, only by becoming his person would he extend his protection.
Lin Jiaojiao, who shared the courtyard with her, had spotted Granny Li and the physician with the food container early in the morning. Growing impatient that the maid hadn’t brought her meal yet, she walked over.
Just then, through the window, she heard Granny Li respectfully serving dishes to Lin Tangtang while the physician inquired solicitously about her well-being.
“Young lady, His Highness specifically instructed me to apply the palace’s Shengji Gao to your wounds. However, this cream dissolves upon contact with water and may leave permanent scars. Therefore, you must avoid getting your wounds wet for the next two days.”
“Thank His Highness for me, and I appreciate your efforts, Physician Wang,” Lin Tangtang replied with a grateful smile.
Lin Jiaojiao’s face darkened as she clenched her handkerchief.
Normally, her own breakfast consisted of only four dishes, and the maid attending to her was rather indifferent. Why did Lin Tangtang deserve such treatment?
That Shengji Gao was said to be more precious than gold, reserved only for palace consorts. What virtue did Lin Tangtang possess to warrant its use?
She completely forgot that the wounds on Lin Tangtang’s hands were sustained while protecting her during their journey.
Had Lin Tangtang not blocked the arrow with her hand, Lin Jiaojiao’s head would have been pinned to a tree by the barbarians.
Watching the three inside chatting happily, Lin Jiaojiao conceived a plan.
Since Lin Tangtang’s arm bore numerous large wounds, why not seize the opportunity to ensure the scars remained permanently?
After all, in Great Feng Country, most noble families looked down upon women with scars, and the Crown Prince would surely be no exception.
A silent smirk curled Lin Jiaojiao’s lips as she stealthily retreated before anyone emerged from the room.
“Granny, did His Highness have any specific instructions?” Lin Tangtang, well aware that there was no such thing as a free lunch, asked calmly after the meal.
“You will find out when you go to the main hall at the hour of the dog (7-9 PM),” Granny Li replied with a smile but no further explanation after seeing off Physician Wang. She then took Lin Tangtang around to familiarize her with the palace grounds.
Passing by Bai Niao Lin, Lin Tangtang caught sight of a gray figure and fell into thought.
Night fell, the hour of the dog.
Lin Tangtang returned to the main hall.
“His Majesty learned of the situation in the northern border today and will soon dispatch reinforcements,” Qin Mo’an said, having just returned from the palace, still clad in his black Mianfu.
“Your Highness, who will be leading the troops?”
“The commander has not yet been decided. His Majesty has ordered Bingbu Shangshu Wu Xiong to draft a list.”
Lin Tangtang’s heart sank.
In her previous life, Wu Xiong had colluded with Yang Chen, playing no small part in the downfall of the Beiwei Army.
Her eyes reddened as she looked up. “Your Highness, is there any room for change in the selection? What can I do?”
“Wu Xiong has recommended five individuals. I already have countermeasures for three of them. The remaining two are left for you to handle.”
Qin Mo’an took a slip of paper from his sleeve and handed it to Lin Tangtang.
Only by preventing these five from leading troops could the Crown Prince install his own men for the reinforcement.
Her hands trembling slightly, she accepted the slip and unfolded it.
As expected, she saw Yang Chen’s name.
The other was Luo Chi, Wu Xiong’s son-in-law and a fourth-rank Yun Hui Jiangjun.
“I have a piece of information here regarding his mistress outside Xi Jing. You may use it.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“As for your fiancé Yang Chen…” Qin Mo’an cast her a fleeting glance, deliberately pausing.
Yang Chen was not one of their own; he had no intention of using him.
“Your Highness need not worry. This subject’s only concern is saving my father, brother, and the eighty thousand Beiwei Army troops. Nothing else matters.” The words left Lin Tangtang’s lips without hesitation.
“This reinforcement mission is an opportunity to earn merit. Are you truly willing to pass such a chance to others?” His tone was casual, laced with mockery.
“Since I’ve pledged allegiance to Your Highness, I shall follow your commands in all matters. Moreover, between Yang Chen and me, there remains no affection—only a sea of blood and enmity.” Her hands clenched into fists as she finished speaking.
Qin Mo’an raised an eyebrow. This contradicted what he had heard.
Lin Tangtang had been infatuated with Yang Chen, once vowing to marry no other, making it the talk of the capital.
Yet now she claimed there was deep-seated hatred between them…
Qin Mo’an studied Lin Tangtang standing before him, her resolute face reflected in his pupils. Her clear almond-shaped eyes held no hesitation, only a surging tide of hatred.
She was indeed a woman capable of fierce love and fierce hatred.
After a long moment, he withdrew his scrutinizing gaze.
“In that case, I shall await your news. But you have only half a month.”
According to the Emperor’s decree, the northern reinforcements would depart in two waves: the first led by three commanders, and the second, setting off half a month later, led by two.
“As you command.” Lin Tangtang bowed her head in acknowledgment.
She knew it wouldn’t be difficult for the Crown Prince to strip these two of their command. Having her do it was merely a test of her loyalty and capability.
Reborn into this life, her contest with Yang Chen had already begun at this moment.
This time, she could only succeed—failure was not an option.
After leaving the main hall, Lin Tangtang spotted Lin Jiaojiao waiting outside the door, holding a food box.
Lin Jiaojiao had been monitoring Lin Tangtang’s movements all day.
“Sister, you’re finally out! I’ve been waiting so long!” Lin Jiaojiao’s eyes darted incessantly toward the interior. “Has His Highness eaten yet?”
“The Crown Prince’s meals are managed by the Si Shan. Why are you stationed here?” Lin Tangtang urged her to leave together.
“His Highness has taken us in. It’s only right that I express gratitude. These are all delicacies I prepared with care.” Lin Jiaojiao pushed the food box toward Lin Tangtang. “Sister, why don’t you take it in to show our appreciation?”
Suspicious, Lin Tangtang declined. Who knew what tricks she might be plotting?
Unexpectedly, Lin Jiaojiao suddenly stepped closer, her foot slipping as she lunged toward Lin Tangtang. Instantly, the food box tilted, splashing its contents all over Lin Tangtang.
Though Lin Tangtang dodged quickly, her left arm was still drenched.
The food box had contained a full bowl of chicken soup.
“Are you both alright?”
The palace maids at the door hurried over to assist.
Lin Jiaojiao slumped to the ground, her elbows reddened from the fall. Deliberately rolling up her sleeves, she tugged at Lin Tangtang’s garment. “Sister, I didn’t mean to—I lost my footing and slipped. I’m hurt too…” She put on an innocent expression.
Lin Tangtang gazed at her thoroughly drenched arm, her eyes darkening. Lin Jiaojiao had clearly targeted her arm—she must have eavesdropped on the imperial physician’s instructions.
A cold resolve stirred within her. Since Lin Jiaojiao insisted on this charade, she would seize the opportunity to establish boundaries. “I’m unharmed. My cousin Lin Jiaojiao has acted recklessly and impolitely—my apologies for this unsightly spectacle,” Lin Tangtang declared bluntly before the onlookers.
“Sister, I only meant to express gratitude, not disrespect…” Lin Jiaojiao protested.
“Arriving uninvited without summons and causing a scene before the hall—is this not impoliteness?” Lin Tangtang’s expression hardened as she looked down at the seated Lin Jiaojiao. “Now that the food container is ruined, why remain? Henceforth, you are forbidden from approaching the main hall.”
“Yes, I shall return immediately,” Lin Jiaojiao replied reluctantly, rising to follow behind Lin Tangtang with lowered head.
Yet a flicker of excitement gleamed in her eyes.
Today’s calculated suffering had been worthwhile.
Before coming, she had carefully strategized:
If Lin Tangtang agreed to deliver the food container today, her own deft hands would surely win the Crown Prince’s favor.
If refused, she would spill the broth onto Lin Tangtang, ruining her arm.
Though she had suffered minor humiliation today, people would forget with time.
But Lin Tangtang’s left arm would forever bear a hideous scar.
What man could genuinely love her now?
Yang Chen and the Crown Prince—Lin Tangtang would obtain neither!
This leverage she would clutch tightly, revealing it at the opportune moment to strike a fatal blow.
Noticing the inadvertent smugness on Lin Jiaojiao’s face, Lin Tangtang smiled soundlessly.
Did Lin Jiaojiao truly believe she would remain unprepared?
How naive, how greatly she underestimated her.