The temporarily rented carriage followed the road back to the capital, its wheels rattling as they turned. Along the way, there were no more assassination attempts, and it entered the city gates safely and smoothly.
The clamor of the common people replaced the chirping of insects and birds in the mountains and forests; the prosperity everywhere made Lin Yuanjin feel as though she had returned to the human world.
The carriage turned and twisted through the streets, finally stopping in front of the Lin residence.
“Please.” Cui Yiyu, his face covered with a mask, helped Lin Yuanjin down from the carriage.
Looking at the familiar yet imposing residence before her, Lin Yuanjin’s hand, resting on Cui Yiyu’s arm, trembled. Her gaze flickered, as if she were looking at a prison that confined her. Hesitating, she spoke: “You’re leaving?”
“I am here on behalf of the Crown Prince to deliver a message. I will leave after that.” Cui Yiyu said in a low voice. The composure in his words steadied her somewhat. He turned his head and gestured toward the gatekeepers standing before the Lin residence, revealing the Crown Prince’s token from within his sleeve.
Upon seeing Lin Yuanjin return, the gatekeepers were initially overjoyed, but the sight of the token made them tense. They quickly opened the gates and rushed inside to report.
Lin Yuanjin followed at Cui Yiyu’s side into the Lin residence, entering the main hall.
Before long, quite a number of people were already seated in the main hall.
At the center sat Old Madam Lin. Lin Father, as the head of the main branch, had an unreadable expression. Lin Mother seemed somewhat dazed. Lin Weiyin, as the legitimate daughter, stood at her side, while the concubine-born elder brother and younger sister stood behind, silent.
The maids and servant girls all lowered their heads, keeping quiet, pretending to be deaf and mute.
Though it was clearly a joyous occasion, the atmosphere was particularly subtle.
“That Jin’er can return safely is already a good thing,” Old Madam Lin said, her eyelids half-lowered, her smile benevolent, as she looked at the young man beside Lin Yuanjin. “Many thanks to His Highness the Crown Prince for his concern. This life-saving grace—our Lin family will never forget it for as long as we live.”
Cui Yiyu did not respond. After a few breaths, when the atmosphere had grown slightly stiff, he slowly spoke: “The future Crown Princess encountering danger before marriage concerns the imperial family. His Highness could not help but pay a bit more attention.”
As soon as he said this, even though the Lin family restrained themselves, their expressions inevitably became somewhat unsightly.
Their own daughter was about to marry into the Eastern Palace, yet it was not their own people who saved her—it was the Crown Prince instead. Was this not indirectly accusing them of being ungrateful, of not valuing this marriage, not caring about the future Crown Princess?
“We sent people to search all along the way and traced it to Longlin Temple, but the Lin family’s strength fell short—we truly could not find her.” The old madam sighed. “It is not that we are without compassion.”
“Who is right and who is wrong—for the sake of harmony between ruler and subject, I will not argue with your esteemed residence for now.” As the one who personally rescued Lin Yuanjin from beneath the cliff, and having encountered pursuit and assassination along the way, how could Cui Yiyu not know what the Lin residence had done? “I only hope your residence will not make things difficult for His Highness the Crown Prince.”
If they had encountered people from the Lin family along the way, the wounds on his body would have been fewer.
Most likely, they intended to suppress the news of Lin Yuanjin’s peril, concluding the matter as her accidental fall from a cliff, in order to protect the reputations of the other female members of the household.
“His Highness the Crown Prince’s painstaking effort—I will certainly bear it in mind.” Lin Father said respectfully.
“Second Miss Lin is of weak constitution. After such a bumpy journey, some bumps and bruises are unavoidable. Before the wedding, she should recuperate well in the residence and must not allow any further incidents to arise.” Through the mask, Cui Yiyu’s gaze fell on Lin Yuanjin. Though he was speaking to her, it seemed as if he was reminding others as well.
Lin Yuanjin, meeting his gaze through the mask, could only see his glass-like eyes. Knowing he was doing his best to support her and ease her unease, she could not help but smile and agree.
“Minister, having risen from humble beginnings, you must understand that the officialdom is not easy. Now that a joyous event has descended from the heavens, it should not be allowed to fail His Majesty’s gracious favor.” Cui Yiyu looked toward Lin Father, his voice calm and composed, as he cast an inconspicuous glance at Lin Weiyin standing behind him.
“If anything were to happen to Second Miss, rumors would surely spread in the capital that the Lin family is incompetent, unable to receive the imperial blessing. Not only would both sides suffer losses and damage their reputations, but who knows from which family the Crown Princess would then come.”
Lin Weiyin’s smile stiffened. The hand clutching the handkerchief within her sleeve pressed so hard it nearly drew blood. Though her heart was unsettled, she still had to hold her posture and pretend nothing was wrong.
Lin Father bowed in the direction of the Crown Prince’s residence. “This subject will certainly do his utmost and will not fail the trust placed in me!”
“I come from a martial background, clumsy of speech. Perhaps my words were unpleasant—please do not take them to heart, my lord.” Cui Yiyu lowered his eyes and gave a salute. “In that case, I must return to report to His Highness the Crown Prince. I shall take my leave.”
“Take care, take care…”
When Cui Yiyu turned, he cast a calm glance at Lin Yuanjin, then walked out without looking back.
Lin Yuanjin watched the young man’s decisive departing figure. Perhaps because he had protected her along the way, when she looked again at the Lin family members with their varied expressions, she felt an inexplicable sense of loss.
“Did little sister perhaps say something carelessly in front of outsiders?” Lin Weiyin spoke with a smile, looking at Lin Yuanjin with seeming concern. “Though you are about to marry into the imperial family, you are still a member of the Lin family—honor and disgrace are shared. When you enter the Eastern Palace in the future, you must not speak wrongly as you did before.”
Lin Yuanjin suddenly raised her eyes. Seeing Lin Weiyin dressed in splendid embroidered silks, her features radiant and delicate, shining like the morning sun, the golden tassels in her hair unmoving, she appeared especially elegant and dignified.
“I was trapped, fallen to the bottom of a cliff.” Lin Yuanjin had not spoken a single word earlier, so others had assumed she was numb and did not dare to interrupt. Now, upon hearing her speak, they found her voice hoarse, as if torn apart. “Protected by His Highness the Crown Prince’s people, I had no strength to twist right and wrong.”
Everyone’s gaze focused on Lin Yuanjin. Only then did they notice that even her neck was wrapped in medicated cloth strips, her face pale as snow, so weak it seemed she had no strength left, her eyes dim.
As if they had not expected that upon returning home, she would instead face such questioning.
“Jin’er!” Lin Mother’s eyes filled with tears, her face full of joy, her gaze fixed entirely on her unharmed daughter. Earlier, while they were discussing important matters, how could she dare to interrupt? Now that she finally had the chance, she hurriedly reached out, taking Lin Yuanjin’s hand. “You have suffered so much along the way.”
She had always felt that aside from her looks, Yuanjin was inferior to Weiyin in every way. Though her obedient and gentle nature was good, over time it seemed petty and lacking in presence, unable to bring her any pride.
Now that Yuanjin had received imperial favor, her beloved Weiyin had instead lost face because of it. Though Lin Mother felt displeased at others’ teasing, she had not expected Yuanjin to have nearly died. With that shift in mindset, she now felt Yuanjin was not so bad.
“The people by your side are gone—Mother will assign you some clever maids. During these days, stay at home and recuperate well. If anything troubles you, tell Mother.” Lin Mother said repeatedly, relieved. “Mother is still waiting to see you marry in splendor.”
“Yes.” Lin Yuanjin responded. Raising her eyes and seeing Lin Weiyin staring at her, she lifted a simple, innocent smile.
The more they mentioned the past, the deeper the hatred in her heart grew.
It seemed that nothing could support a person’s will to live more than overwhelming hatred.
— . ୨ ♡ ୧ . —
The Crown Prince’s marriage was of great importance. From the issuance of the decree to the Ministry of Rites’ preparations, and through most of the Six Rites, more than half a year had already passed. Lin Yuanjin had followed the matrons sent by Empress Cui, diligently training and mastering all the etiquette. Yet just as the wedding drew near, an incident occurred when the Lin family sent her to Longlin Temple to seek auspicious fortune.
Walking along the familiar yet unfamiliar pebbled paths of the Lin residence, Lin Yuanjin moved slowly. Behind her followed unfamiliar maids and matrons, watching her at every moment.
“Little sister truly has heaven’s favor—surviving great calamity, surely great fortune will follow.” Lin Weiyin walked out from the main hall. Seeing Lin Yuanjin turn slightly, she stepped closer and praised her. “In the future, elder sister will have to rely on little sister’s status as Crown Princess to arrange a good marriage for me.”
“Elder sister has always been competitive in everything.” Lin Yuanjin blinked, looking at Lin Weiyin with apparent surprise. “A match even better than that of the Crown Princess—could it be that elder sister wishes to enter the palace?”
The current Emperor Zhou was already nearing fifty, the age of knowing destiny. He revered Daoism and consumed many elixirs. In recent years, there had been few new heirs. Suspicious by nature, the court had once been filled with tension and unease.
“Watch your words!” Lin Weiyin’s expression changed drastically.
Marrying a young and vigorous emperor still left hope of gaining favor through bearing a son. But marrying an elderly one meant leaving everything to fate. Palace consorts, once aged and losing their beauty, with neither power nor influence, would be at others’ mercy—many were even buried with the emperor.
“Since elder sister already has her own plans, why joke with me?” Lin Yuanjin lowered her eyes, speaking softly. “I am not as clever as elder sister, able to discern right and wrong. I am easily swayed by others’ words.”
After speaking, she continued walking toward her courtyard, ignoring Lin Weiyin’s unreadable expression.
The marriage decree had been granted by Emperor Zhou, agreed to by the Crown Prince, and accepted by the Lin family.
If Lin Weiyin wished to take revenge, yet she chose to target her, a legitimate younger sister who had never had any choice.
Lin Yuanjin had never wanted to marry, much less marry into the imperial family as Crown Princess. She disliked the struggles of the inner household, so how could she desire palace intrigue? From the moment she was betrothed to the Crown Prince, she had already prepared herself for death.
After all, in history, there were very few cases where the legitimate eldest son truly succeeded to the throne.
Though the Hong Dynasty did not exist in the real history she remembered, it bore traces of it everywhere. The time was within the Little Ice Age, yet its systems and court seemed like a blend of various dynasties, flourishing and prosperous.
But now, because of Lin Weiyin, her thoughts had instead changed.
Confined within the residence, Lin Yuanjin passed day after day, waiting for the wedding date to arrive.
Unlike the transmigrators in popular novels who are versed in both principles and practical affairs—able to earn vast sums of silver at a touch, and to astonish everyone with their talents, drawing admiration and envy—
She could not even step out the door.
— . ୨ ♡ ୧ . —
Out of goodwill, Empress Cui specially granted an imperial physician to the Lin residence to tend to her injuries, so as not to affect the wedding.
Layer upon layer of cloth strips coated in medicinal paste were removed from Lin Yuanjin’s body. The bruising faded, the scars fell away, leaving only faint pink marks. Her pain and illness gradually disappeared.
The hardship of that turbulent and desperate escape seemed to dissipate with the passage of time.
In the middle of the night, when Lin Yuanjin occasionally woke from nightmares, what she recalled was no longer only pain, but the hand of the young man who had saved her, guiding her hand as it brought down the dagger.
What kind of person was the Crown Prince, after all?
Lin Yuanjin would naturally not voice such treasonous thoughts. Only when she gazed at the gentle moonlight before her window did a clear fantasy take shape in her heart.
Time passed like a fleeting white colt.
Before dawn, in her hazy state, regardless of whether Lin Yuanjin was ready or not, she was pressed to burn incense and bathe, like a puppet pushed onto a stage, and was made to sit before the dressing mirror.
Heavy makeup was applied to her face. The phoenix crown and ceremonial robes were placed upon her, layer upon layer weighing her down.
Before the wedding procession, Lin Yuanjin had to follow the rites and undergo purification in the Lin family ancestral hall, paying respects to ancestors and elders, and listening to their teachings.
“Though the Crown Princess is honored, there will certainly be countless hardships. The Lin family is not among the most eminent noble clans—when it comes to conduct and dealings, I fear you must think more for yourself,” the old madam sighed. “The days ahead are still long.”
“Jin’er, once you leave the Lin residence today, you will be the Crown Princess. In the future, you must remember to be cautious in word and deed, not allowing even the slightest mistake. No matter what, your life is what matters most.” Lin Mother looked at Lin Yuanjin, feeling as though she had endless words yet no time to say them. Hearing the commotion outside, she held back tears and smiled. “Come, Mother will see you out.”
“The auspicious hour has arrived!”
Looking at the sea of red before her, Lin Yuanjin felt everything was dazzling and surreal, without the slightest sense of reality. The weight of her garments and headdress made it hard to breathe. Each step, supported by others, felt as though she were walking on clouds, unable to touch solid ground.
The bright red bridal veil fell over her head, covering her face and vision, as the Lin family escorted her into the wedding sedan.
“Miss, His Highness the Crown Prince personally shot down a pair of live geese to welcome the bride,” a maid said cheerfully beside the carriage.
Firecrackers exploded, drums and gongs resounded.
For miles, red bridal trousseau stretched on; the entire road overflowed with festive joy.
After an unknown length of time, Lin Yuanjin grew dizzy with hunger, her body weak. At last, when the carriage stopped, she held the red silk and slowly stepped down. Through her limited view, she faintly saw the hand of the person beside her.
The young man’s hand was well-defined, like flawless white jade with slight imperfections, bearing distinct calluses from the sword.
Lin Yuanjin’s gaze froze. Memories surged like a tide, clearly matching the hand she had once seen and touched—identical, without the slightest difference.
The one before her, offering the geese in the marriage rite, who would drink the wedding wine with her before the officiant…
