Chapter 93 ROTNDOAHRF

FlamingoBees

Translating Chinese Historical Dramas for your enjoyment... and mine! :)

Rebirth of the Noble Daughter of a High Ranking Family

Chapter 93:

Confession on the Path

A basin of cold water drenched him from head to toe, chilling him to the bone. Cao Rong jolted awake, his eyes wide open, as he beheld the group of people before him.

The expression on Xiao Yan's face had completely changed. He spoke in a cold tone, "Speak! How did you end up here? What did you do to that maid?"

Cao Rong desperately tried to speak, but his tongue was severed. His words were muddled, his face pale, and his legs trembling. He could only whimper and choke, unable to articulate his thoughts. With no other recourse, he looked around frantically, hoping to see Lan Zhi and praying for her to explain the situation. However, Lan Zhi had already become a lifeless body, and there was no one else to speak up for him.

© translations belonging to flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

A stewardess spoke coldly, "Your Highness, it must be this man who took advantage of the crowd to harass Lan Zhi. When she resisted, he attempted to assault her, and she bit off his tongue in self-defense! When we found Lan Zhi, her mouth was full of blood, her clothes were disheveled, and she had many abrasions on her body!"

Lin Yuanrou was instantly alert the moment she discovered that the deceased maid was Lan Zhi. Her heart pounded rapidly, and her voice became piercing, almost piercing through the ears of those present: "Stop spreading rumors! She's just a maid. If he wanted something, he could have asked openly. Why resort to such methods! This must be a setup!"

Unaware of Lan Zhi's betrayal, Lin Yuanxin believed that Cao Rong had assaulted her maid and driven her to her death. Filled with anger and indignation, she knelt down abruptly, her voice heavy with emotion: "Your Highness, Lan Zhi was my maid, who grew up with me since childhood. Though she's just a servant, our bond is extraordinary. I had hoped to find her a good family and provide her with support. I never imagined she would meet such a tragic fate at such a young age! If I allow her to die unjustly today, it would be a disgrace to the Prince's Mansion. I implore Your Highness to seek justice for Lan Zhi!"

A servant is the private property of the master, and Lan Zhi was Lin Yuanxin's maid brought with her as part of her dowry. Without an independent household registration, she was registered under the Prince's Mansion.

If Cao Rong had taken an interest in Lan Zhi, he could have approached the Crown Prince. If both the Crown Prince and Lin Yuanxin agreed to give Lan Zhi to him, they would need to obtain official documents from the Western Market Bureau. This would involve verifying identity and obtaining legal documents before taking Lan Zhi away.

Cao Rong's open insult to a maid of the Prince's Mansion without the master's consent not only damaged the property of the Prince's Mansion but also, more importantly, publicly disgraced the Prince's Mansion.

Even the usually gentle and mild-tempered Princess Consort couldn't help but be furious. She personally helped Lin Yuanxin up and comforted her, saying, "Yuanxin, please stand up. This person actually dares to cause trouble in the Prince's Mansion. He truly has no fear! Rest assured, I will not forgive him for this!"

Lin Yuanxin's face turned pale, hesitating for a moment before reluctantly nodding and standing aside. Ouyang Nuan quietly walked up to her, holding her hand, feeling the chill in her touch, and feeling a slight heaviness in her heart. She couldn't help but think that her cousin didn't know that Lan Zhi had already betrayed her, yet she was grieving for this maid's death. It was truly not worth it!

Various eyes fell on Lin Yuanrou—sympathetic, disdainful, mocking, surprised. At this moment, Lin Yuanrou wished she could kick her embarrassing husband to death, but she couldn't. She couldn't even show a hint of distrust in front of everyone. She gritted her teeth and said, "Princess Consort, although Cao Rong is audacious, he wouldn't dare to be so disrespectful. I implore the Princess Consort to grant a favor! Investigate this matter thoroughly and give him a fair trial!"

Cao Rong was covered in blood stains, unable to utter a word, let alone explain. He glared fiercely at Ouyang Nuan standing in the crowd, feeling extreme hatred in his heart!

"Take him into custody first. I will report to His Majesty the Emperor later, and then we will deal with him!" The Crown Prince ignored Lin Yuanrou and waved his hand mercilessly.

Watching Cao Rong struggle and being forcibly dragged away, the entire Prince's Mansion fell into a deathly silence, with only sighs heard, and no words spoken.

Lin Yuanrou's face turned ashen, realizing immediately that the Crown Prince's action clearly indicated he was unwilling to let the matter rest! In that case, wouldn't she be... She quickly glanced at Zhou Zhijun, but the latter seemed oblivious, showing no sign of suspicion. Lin Yuanrou quickly lowered her head, contemplating for a moment, then showed a look of embarrassment, bidding farewell to everyone.

The Crown Prince glanced at her coldly, knowing full well she was going back to ask Consort Yu to intervene, but he didn't stop her. He simply said, "Since Madam Cao is in a hurry to leave, we won't detain you any longer. Please go ahead."

Lin Yuanrou hurried away, her skirts billowing in the breeze as she departed swiftly. As soon as she left, whispers started to circulate among the crowd.

"I heard before that the Cao family had a disobedient son, but I thought it was just a bit of romantic indiscretion. I didn't expect it to be this outrageous!"

"Yes, it's a real scandal!"

"Marrying the daughter of the Minister of War and keeping concubines, then daring to come to the Prince's Mansion to pursue other women, it's simply indecent! Fortunately, the Crown Prince went to the palace today. If he knew, he would be furious!"

"Yes, indeed! The Cao family is in for trouble this time!"

"Shh, keep your voice down. There's still Consort Yu in the palace! If she whispers a word, His Majesty might pardon him..."

Amidst the murmurs, the Crown Princess wore a weary expression. "I'm tired," she uttered. Zhou Zhijun promptly went to assist her. "Mother, let me escort you back."

"No need," the Crown Princess replied faintly. "You still have to attend to the guests." Then, she glanced at Lin Yuanxin standing nearby and casually remarked, "Xinxin, come here."

At that moment, all eyes turned to Lin Yuanxin. However, she merely smiled gently and softly addressed Lin Yuanxin, "Since that's the case, then I'll rely on you, younger sister." Afterward, she smiled at everyone else. "There are still several exceptional camellia plants ahead. Please follow me." With understanding smiles, the others followed her departure.

Watching Lin Yuanxin's serene smile from afar, Ouyang Nuan couldn't shake off the chill in her heart, reminiscent of the Guanyin painting hanging in the main hall. Suddenly, Lin Yuanxin pulled her aside. Surprised, Ouyang Nuan looked at her, and Lin Yuanxin questioned, "What are you daydreaming about, silly girl? The Crown Princess is talking to you." Ouyang Nuan, startled, turned to the Crown Princess, who was smiling at her. "Child, come along too," she said kindly.

The Crown Princess resided in the Jixian Pavilion. As they walked in, the gleaming blue stone pavement almost reflected their silhouettes. A row of snow-white walls adorned with a scroll bearing the inscription of a meditation mantra hung in the hallway. Instead of the usual ornaments found in women's rooms, there was a qin rack and an embroidery stand, with a wooden desk placed horizontally. Fine Xuan paper was casually scattered atop it, accompanied by a complete set of Qingyu daffodil inkstone for washing brushes. Most eye-catching were the various inkstones neatly arranged on the mahogany bookshelf behind the desk. Apart from the popular types among nobles such as Duanshi, Sushi, Tiaohe, Chengni, Hongsishi, Zhifanshi, and Juhuashi, there were also numerous varieties commonly used by ordinary households, including jade inkstones, mixed stone inkstones, ceramic inkstones, lacquer sand inkstones, iron inkstones, and porcelain inkstones, totaling dozens of them, presenting a spectacular sight.

Under the southern-facing long window, there was a golden-threaded nanmu bed, with a Qing porcelain beauty vase placed on the bedside table, adorned with several branches of orchids. The entire room exuded an ancient elegance and delicate charm.

Seeing Ouyang Nuan's surprised expression, Lin Yuanxin smiled and remarked, "The Crown Princess is very fond of calligraphy and collecting inkstones. There are almost all types of inkstones in the world preserved here!"

Ouyang Nuan nodded in agreement and replied with a smile, "It's rare for someone like the Crown Princess to have such niche taste."

The Crown Princess lifted a piece of jade inkstone with great interest, smiling as she said, "With the Prince busy with state affairs and the Crown Prince starting a family, I find myself with plenty of leisure time. I quite enjoy collecting these items. Although these inkstones may seem small, they hold great significance. At first, I collected them merely out of curiosity, willing to accept any kind. But later, the Prince advised me that when selecting an inkstone, one should consider its material, craftsmanship, inscriptions, and so on."

The Crown Princess smiled as if reminiscing about something, gently running her fingers over the inkstone, appreciating its smooth texture. She set down the jade inkstone and picked up another one, saying, "This one is a Duan inkstone." As she spoke, she lightly tapped it and continued, "Listen, the ideal sound of tapping should be wooden, followed by ceramic, with metal being the least desirable. Therefore, this Duan inkstone is of the highest quality. For a Sushi inkstone, a clear and crisp sound is preferred."

Lin Yuanxin had been smiling and listening attentively to the Crown Princess' words all along. However, a puzzled expression appeared on her face. She could never understand why the Crown Princess was so fascinated by these seemingly unremarkable items while showing little interest in the gold, jade, and jewels sent by others. This perplexity was not only felt by her but also by the Crown Prince.

Ouyang Nuan observed the Crown Princess as she talked about these inkstones, sensing a gentle warmth in her demeanor. She faintly speculated that perhaps these items were somehow connected to the Crown Prince, or more likely... in her eyes, they symbolized the affection between husband and wife during their younger years.

From what she knew, the Crown Prince had countless beautiful concubines, and all his time outside of politics was spent with them. For the Crown Princess, there was probably nothing but respect for him. However, even now, she still remembered what he had once said. Marrying into the royal family, was it truly a stroke of luck, or rather, a kind of sorrow?

Coming back to her senses, the Crown Princess smiled and looked at them, saying, "Why am I talking about this again? You must be tired of hearing it."

Lin Yuanxin smiled and replied, "No, Your Highness. I simply find it fascinating how much effort you've put into your collection."

The Crown Princess nodded gently, placing the inkstone back in its original position. There was a hint of indescribable emptiness in her voice as she said, "I have plenty of time." Then, she suddenly smiled at Lin Yuanxin and said, "You don't have to stay here with me. You should be with the Crown Prince. Go on, child."

Lin Yuanxin hesitated for a moment, standing still in place.

The gentle breeze carried a hint of refreshing floral fragrance, gently brushing against the Crown Princess's temples as she looked at the graceful Lin Yuanxin. For some reason, she sighed softly and said, "Yuanxin, you're the host of the banquet. Your maid just had an incident again. It's fine that you escorted me back, but if you don't appear again, others might think you're using it as an excuse to leave Miss Ouyang and me alone. You can go now."

Lin Yuanxin was taken aback for a moment, but she quickly understood. Lowering her head, she replied, "Yes." She vaguely sensed that the Crown Princess wanted to speak alone with Ouyang Nuan, which made her feel somewhat uneasy. However, she couldn't say much and could only offer a comforting glance to Ouyang before slowly leaving the room.

The Crown Princess looked at Ouyang Nuan with gentle eyes and softly asked, "Child, did you just blink at me, wanting to speak to me alone?"

Ouyang Nuan nodded. The primary consort of the Crown Prince's mansion was pregnant, and Lin Yuanxin's position and life were in jeopardy. Yet, this was just a glimpse of the shadows within the royal family.

Even if Zhou Zhijun was ruthless, she was also acting for the sake of her child. In this game of winners and losers, there was no clear right or wrong; each was fighting for survival.

The Crown Princess was the true mistress of the Crown Prince's mansion, and there were some things and words that didn't need to be hidden from her.

Ouyang Nuan suppressed the tumultuous emotions in her heart, steeling herself, and suddenly knelt down, softly pleading, "Please, Crown Princess, save my cousin's life!"

The Crown Princess was taken aback, her previous gentle demeanor abruptly fading. She approached Ouyang Nuan and said, "Do you know what you're saying?"

Ouyang Nuan suppressed her breath, her voice as calm as the water under the ice, and replied, "Today, Ouyang Nuan happened to discover a painting of Guanyin granting children in the Ink Lotus Pavilion. The ink used in this painting is quite peculiar, and long-term exposure to its fragrance may pose a threat to one's life."

The Crown Princess's heart skipped a beat, and she almost couldn't help but change color. "What?" she exclaimed.

Ouyang Nuan continued with a serious tone, "Ouyang Nuan has a great passion for calligraphy and is well-versed in various ink colors. The hues of this painting are more vivid than usual, and one of the brown colors even has a hint of vermilion. This is extremely rare, which aroused my suspicion. If the Crown Princess doesn't believe me, you can examine the painting yourself."

The Crown Princess's gaze suddenly turned cold. "What is your purpose in saying this today?" she asked sharply.

Ouyang Nuan lifted her chin, offering a faint smile. Her voice, however, carried a weight as if she had dropped something heavy. "I understand. If I tell the Crown Princess, you will surely suspect me of having ulterior motives. But compared to all this, I am more concerned about my cousin's safety! This painting was obtained by my cousin from the Shuiyue An in the capital. If you doubt my intentions, you are free to investigate. The mastermind behind the scenes may leave some traces!"

The Crown Princess was shaken by her words, silently observing Ouyang Nuan for a moment. She saw her straighten her back, displaying a stubborn demeanor. A faint sigh escaped the Crown Princess's lips as she lowered her head and muttered, "Ouyang Nuan, you are commendable."

Ouyang Nuan was momentarily puzzled, asking, "What do you mean?"

The Crown Princess let out another sigh and said, "You are willing to speak the truth to me. That's commendable."

Ouyang Nuan bowed her head. "The Crown Princess honors me, but if it weren't for my cousin being harmed today, I wouldn't have gone to such lengths."

The Crown Princess momentarily drifted into thought, her gaze turning momentarily icy, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes adding severity to her solemn expression. She forced out a few words between her lips, "Such petty tricks are nothing but commonplace!"

Ouyang Nuan spoke directly, "This is indeed the Crown Prince's family matter, and outsiders should not interfere. However, my cousin and I share a sisterly bond. I cannot bear to see her in such dire straits. I implore the Crown Princess to take good care of my cousin, lest a precious gem be tarnished, and a virtuous person suffer!"

The Crown Princess's fingers lightly traced over the agate pipe on her head, as if in casual contemplation. She asked, "Did your cousin send you to tell me this?"

Ouyang Nuan smiled faintly. "Crown Princess, you may doubt me, but you should not doubt my cousin. She is not that kind of person."

The Crown Princess's expression softened, and she smiled gently, saying, "Yes, I should not have doubted her. Xinxin is a simple child, and it is because of this that I like her so much. I have already told her that although she is filial to me, her thoughts should also be directed towards the Crown Prince and the people in the rear court. However, she is still too young to understand this. Miss Ouyang, don't you think so?"

Ouyang Nuan lowered her eyes and replied, "My cousin also has her own thoughts. It is the Crown Prince's wish for you to live comfortably, and it is only natural for her to share his worries. Furthermore, the Crown Prince has his legitimate wife and other concubines by his side, so she is not the only one missing. On the other hand, you have provided my cousin with much guidance and knowledge."

The Crown Princess looked earnestly at Ouyang Nuan, her expression now very gentle. "Good child, please rise," she said.

Ouyang Nuan's expression became even more humble as she slowly stood up. "Thank you, Crown Princess," she said.

The Crown Princess shook her head with a smile. "You told me but did not tell the Crown Prince. You must think that he appears impartial on the surface, but in reality, he prefers Zhou Zhijun. His respect and care for Xinxin are only out of respect for the Zhenguo Marquis's mansion, isn't it?"

Ouyang Nuan's eyes seemed anxious, but her voice remained calm: "A wise woman does not need makeup."

The Crown Princess' sudden laughter caught Ouyang Nuan off guard. "There's nothing to be afraid of," she said. "I understand that child Yan'er very well. It's not just him. Men are like that—they always have a craving for novelty. Zhijun's appearance and wit surpass Xinxin's by far, and she entered the picture later. Now that she's pregnant, it's inevitable that he would be more concerned about her."

It was precisely because Zhou Zhijun was pregnant that Ouyang Nuan didn't inform Lin Yuanxin about the matter. Her cousin was too pure-hearted and kind. Even if she managed to suppress her resentment upon learning the truth, there was a risk of her unintentionally revealing her feelings in her words and actions, thus giving away her intentions.

If it weren't for experiencing death once, Ouyang Nuan would never have truly understood the essence of endurance. Endurance, enduring until the claws in one's heart viciously scratch and tear, causing spasms of pain, yet still smiling tenderly and sweetly at the enemy, until one day, with one strike, the enemy is annihilated.

Telling Lin Yuanxin everything now would make her cautious. And then, if she couldn't control her resentment, what kind of result would it lead to? So Ouyang Nuan weighed her options carefully and chose the Crown Princess. Perhaps she cared about the child in Zhou Zhijun's belly, but she was more concerned about the dignity and tranquility of the royal family.

At this moment, Ouyang Nuan remained silent. There was a chilly and sorrowful tone in the Crown Princess's voice, carrying a sense of coldness that penetrated through the skin and into the heart. Ouyang Nuan gazed steadily at her, with a pleading tone, "Your Highness, you..."

The Crown Princess narrowed her eyes slightly, her face still wearing a gentle and harmless expression, but there was a glint of coldness flickering in her eyes. "I don't care about what happens in other households, but within the Crown Prince's residence, there is no place for such harmful things!"

Ouyang Nuan felt relieved. As long as the Crown Princess intervened and dealt with Zhou Zhijun, she would surely moderate her behavior. Ouyang Nuan believed that Lin Yuanxin would have a relatively safe period before the legitimate son was born.

The Crown Princess scrutinized Ouyang Nuan for a long time, making her feel uneasy, before finally smiling. "Before Zhijun entered the Crown Prince's residence, I had met her. She was gentle, quiet, and shy. However, your sister entered before her and gained my favor. After firmly establishing herself in the residence, Zhijun inevitably became a bit impatient. Look around, men have their struggles, and women have their own world. Whether it's in the Crown Prince's residence or an ordinary household, there are always conflicts and power struggles among wives and concubines. When it involves the position of the legitimate wife and power, everyone is willing to go to great lengths, even if it means fighting ruthlessly. Lin Yuanxin's grievances have just begun," she said with a hint of disappointment in her eyes, but her tone remained calm and distant, with even her own anger barely showing. Such tranquility probably indicated that she had some personal feelings about the matter.

Ouyang Nuan listened, feeling as if a heavy blow had struck her heart. Zhou Zhijun wanted her sister's life. How cruel! However, in the eyes of the Crown Princess, it was just a means of competition among the women in the inner palace. To her, threatening one's life was merely a response to a challenged position. Ouyang Nuan lowered her head slightly and said, "Please rest assured, Crown Princess. My cousin will never know about this matter, nor will she damage the harmony between you and the legitimate wife because of it."

"You're such a clever child, no wonder the Grand Princess likes you. Every banquet these past two years, you've been by her side," the Crown Princess said, deliberately pausing halfway. However, Ouyang Nuan stood quietly, not taking up the conversation. It was she who couldn't help but ask, "I'm also curious, why does she like you so much?"

Ouyang Nuan smiled candidly. "The Princess often says, if her daughter could grow up safely, she should be like me. I suppose that's the main reason the Princess favors me, isn't it?"

The Crown Princess glanced at her. Her expression was serious as she nodded. "The Grand Princess's discernment far exceeds mine. I previously thought you were just deliberately pleasing her to advance as a court lady. However, today I understand that you are far from the opportunist I imagined."

Today, what Ouyang Nuan said was truly pushing the limits, but she disregarded everything for Lin Yuanxin. So the Crown Princess's praise was indeed heartfelt, without any pretense. Ouyang Nuan naturally discerned that, yet she simply remained silent, bearing the weight of it all.

Coming out of the Hall of Virtuous Brilliance, Ouyang Nuan's eyes were as calm as a frozen pond, indifferent, steady, and profound, concealing all emotions.

As the banquet ended, Ouyang Jue was already waiting by the carriage. Seeing Lin Yuanxin personally escort Ouyang Nuan as she walked out slowly, he hurried over to greet Lin Yuanxin with a bow before saying, "Sister, let's go back." He vaguely felt that everyone in the Prince's Mansion was acting strangely. Especially after what happened in the garden today, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, but he couldn't pinpoint what it was.

Lin Yuanxin smiled faintly and said, "Nuan'er, let's go back quickly."

Ouyang Nuan nodded and turned to leave. Suddenly, Lin Yuanxin stopped her. Ouyang Nuan was startled and turned to look at her. Lin Yuanxin's hand reached out and grabbed hers, her eyes filled with a faint suspicion. "Nuan'er, is there something you're hiding from me?"

Ouyang Nuan took a deep breath, stepped forward, and firmly grasped Lin Yuanxin's hand. She spoke slowly and earnestly, "Sister, I cannot be by your side at all times. You must be careful." With that, she quickly turned around and boarded the carriage. As the luxurious curtains fell, Lin Yuanxin caught a glimpse of a faint glimmer of tears in Ouyang Nuan's eyes. Shanju, who was also present, couldn't help but show a surprised expression. "Imperial Consort Lin, don't you think Miss Ouyang has changed a lot?"

Lin Yuanxin watched the carriage disappear into the distance. If she could, she hoped that Ouyang Nuan wouldn't change, but she had been changing all along. From the timid and shy little girl she used to be to the graceful and extraordinary young woman she had become; from being quiet and reserved to now being a girl with deep insight. Lin Yuanxin said softly, "No matter how she changes, she will always be my best sister, and that will never change!" As she uttered the last sentence, her voice was slightly hoarse, and her eyes were already turning red. Shanju stared at her in confusion, not understanding what was happening.

Lin Yuanxin was kind, but not foolish. She knew that Ouyang Nuan wouldn't ask for the painting without reason; there must be a motive behind it. Perhaps Lan Zhi's death was also related to this matter.

The Ouyang family's carriage passed through the bustling streets until it reached a corner where Ouyang Jue suddenly ordered the carriage to stop. Hongyu lifted the curtain, and Ouyang Nuan saw Ouyang Jue looking ahead with a strange expression on his face. She furrowed her brows and followed his gaze, only to see Xia Tianye standing leisurely about ten feet away. When he noticed her lifting the curtain, he nodded gently. Although his face showed no other expression, his gesture clearly indicated that he had purposely waited there for Ouyang Nuan.

"Jiejie, don't pay attention to him. Let's go back," Ouyang Jue said to Ouyang Nuan, deliberately lowering his voice when he saw Xia Tianye.

At first, Ouyang Nuan hesitated for a moment, but soon after, she calmly shook her head. "No, I'll go talk to him."

"I'll accompany you..." Ouyang Jue began to say, but stopped halfway as Ouyang Nuan glanced at him lightly. He immediately understood that his sister didn't want him to come along, so he simply backed away a few steps and said no more.

Changpu wanted to follow, but was grabbed by Hongyu and pulled back. "If the young miss needs you to go with her, she will instruct you. Just stay here obediently."

Ouyang Nuan approached Xia Tianye, who watched her approach with a somewhat cold demeanor, yet his eyes contained a strange fervor.

Stopping three steps away from him, Ouyang Nuan spoke quietly, "The Prince has something to discuss with me?"

Xia Tianye paused for a moment, then looked directly at her and replied, "I've been pondering something back and forth just now."

Ouyang Nuan looked at him, showing surprise. Xia Tianye seemed to be speaking to her, yet also seemed to be speaking to himself. "Why did I save you? During the hunting expedition, you angered me to the point of near death, and even caused me to suffer a heart condition. Later, you forced me to disguise myself as a woman, causing me to lose face. Logically, I should hate you, so why did I save you?"

When he spoke, there was no trace of impurity in his eyes, clear as a mirror, with only a slight hint of puzzlement. "Can you answer me this question?"

Ouyang Nuan shook her head slightly, with a faint smile. "To be honest, I find it difficult to understand why you did this. If you hadn't saved me today, I wouldn't blame you. After all, since we met, I haven't been kind to you. You have no obligation to help me. Perhaps you regret it now."

"I saved you because I wanted to, and I have no regrets about it," interrupted Xiao Tianye suddenly.

Ouyang Nuan's heart skipped a beat, but she maintained her smile. "Since you don't regret it, why bother asking why?"

Xiao Tianye lowered his head, silent. When it came to cause and effect, there were some unresolved issues between them, but nothing irreconcilable. More importantly, he suddenly realized the strange emotions he felt might stem from how much he valued Ouyang Nuan, to the extent of getting angry for her sake, even at the cost of disregarding consequences. It was a losing proposition, yet he still engaged in it. Either he had gone mad or there was an unacknowledged reason behind it. Knowing it yet refusing to admit it!

Ouyang Nuan smiled and continued, "I should go."

But Xiao Tianye stepped forward suddenly, speaking rapidly, "Ouyang Nuan, I guess... it's because I like you."

Ouyang Nuan's heart pounded. She could only see her reflection in Xiao Tianye's eyes, as if he could see right into her soul, making her heart shrink.

"I like you," he said earnestly, looking at the shock in Ouyang Nuan's eyes. Then he added, "The person I like must be obtained."

Ouyang Nuan looked at him for a while, then lowered her voice. "But have you ever considered that I simply don't like you?"

"I will try to make you like me."

"And what if your efforts are in vain?"

"It's not possible."

"Your Highness, our positions are different, and many things aren't as simple as you wish them to be—"

"I don't care!" Xiao Tianye's eyes, like gentle sand beneath the water, seemed soft enough to sink into, yet every word he spoke was filled with determination and stubbornness. "I don't need your consent... One day, you will like me."

As Ouyang Nuan looked at him, she suddenly remembered that year in her past life at the grand banquet. She quietly concealed her emotions behind the splendid attire of the Lin family, catching a glimpse of Su Yulou.

At that time, she didn't need to look in the mirror to know that a faint blush had stained her face. Softly, she whispered behind her mother's back, "Mother, Young Master Su is truly handsome." It was so low, as if even she herself could barely hear it.

Later, she did become Su Yulou's wife as she had wished. It was then that she first realized how one could be so filled with joy and contentment.

But Su Yulou... was not always gentle. Thinking back to those days was like being trapped in a dream, suffocating her with each breath. And what came afterward?

He betrayed her early on, her lifeless body buried beneath the icy waters of the river.

Her once beloved turned into her assailant, and such hatred tormented her day and night.

She and Xiao Tianye were simply not from the same world. There was too much distance between them—positions, families. She had made a mistake once, and she would never choose a marriage doomed to be cursed by others.

Without hatred, without resentment, it was already their best ending. Why seek more? Thinking this, she left without any reluctance, quickly boarding the carriage.

Xia Tianye watched the carriage disappear, his expression grim.

"Prince, shall we also return?" the chief guard Xuan Jing asked quietly from the shadows.

Xia Tianye snorted coldly. "Ouyang Nuan... You think it's so easy to shake me off?"

•••

**A Note From the Author**

I've seen some viewers comment that the female lead isn't smart, as she has antagonized many enemies. However, in reality, many conflicts don't arise simply out of mutual dislike. Take, for example, the dynamic between Ouyang Nuan and Zhou Zhijun—they may even have some mutual admiration, but they're on opposing sides and can never be friends. Similarly, Cao Rong is now aligned with Lin Yuanrou. These kinds of people are inherently adversaries, but not necessarily enemies. There's a clear distinction between the two.

Regarding the question raised today about whether severing one's tongue necessarily controls their ability to write—it's not a critical concern. Even if Cao Rong were to admit to insulting Ouyang Nuan, potentially damaging the reputation of the female lead, it would be a self-destructive move for him. He's unlikely to be that foolish.

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Chapter 93 ROTNDOAHRF

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