Chapter Two: Rebirth

She had only to play along with their scheme, and at the crucial moment expose them, thereby smoothly expelling them from the Lin residence.

In this way, she would not only prevent Lin Zheng from incurring the emperor’s wrath due to the exchange of marriage, thus avoiding the future downfall and tragedy of the Lin family, but also achieve her own goal of not marrying into the Jiang family.

If Lin Zheng did not suffer the emperor’s anger, then the foundation for the Lin family’s resurgence would be laid.

She had even begun to fantasize about completing her mission ahead of time, enjoying a leisurely and carefree life in this world!

At this thought, Lin Menghua’s lips curved slightly, and she enjoyed a restful night.

The next day.

“Sister, sister…”

Just as dawn was breaking, Lin Menghua was roused by voices.

The faces of Lin Qingwan and Madam Su appeared before her, both smiling at her.

Had they gone mad?

Lin Menghua couldn’t quite make sense of the scene. Shouldn’t these two have quietly completed everything? Perhaps they were waking her only to provoke her, then render her unconscious again?

“Hua, today you are to be married. How can you still be sleeping? Quickly rise and let the maids help you prepare,” Madam Su said with a forced smile.

Only now did Lin Menghua notice the maid to the side.

She responded softly, slowly sitting up, lowering her eyes.

“1312, the person originally meant to guide Lin Qingwan encountered trouble along the way. Lin Qingwan mistakenly entered the Shadow Mirror. Remember to bring her out when you finish your task.”

A voice sounded in her ear.

Lin Menghua was momentarily stunned by the message, but only for an instant.

Then she smiled.

She lifted her gaze to meet the faintly smiling Lin Qingwan, who likely believed herself reborn.

So be it—let her walk this path with her. It would count as another accomplishment.

With this thought, the look she gave Lin Qingwan grew gentler.

Lin Qingwan felt unsettled by her gaze, but recalling how Lin Menghua always yielded to her, and unaware of the original plan she and her mother had devised, she deemed this behavior normal, and relaxed.

Lin Menghua changed into her wedding garments and was led to the dressing table.

The palace maid was exceedingly skillful, and the original owner’s features were already fine; Lin Menghua was startled by her own reflection.

Her jet-black hair was coiled into a beauty’s bun by the deft hands of the maid, adorned on each side by golden phoenix hairpins bestowed by the empress. Her lips were tinted red, her cheeks brushed with a gentle blush, her fair skin now tinged with a shy rosy glow, and her forehead was decorated with a golden floral ornament, giving her an air both dignified and gentle.

The palace maids showered her with compliments, and Madam Su forced herself to offer some praise.

She lowered her head slightly, smiling softly. Suddenly, she felt a gaze upon her and looked up, meeting Lin Qingwan’s eyes.

Lin Qingwan cast her a sidelong glance, her smile filled with hidden meaning. “Yesterday, I had a pair of heavy gold bangles made, and Mother gave me her jade bracelets from last year as a gift to you.”

With that, she opened a box on the table.

“Sister, would you like to try them?”

The jade bracelets were conventional, but the heavy gold bangles shone brightly, looking dense and utterly lacking in style—wearing them would make one seem like a nouveau riche.

Madam Su’s expression soured, but she could say nothing.

Lin Menghua picked up the gold bangles—they were very heavy. Judging from her past experience buying gold, they weighed at least a hundred grams, a substantial fortune. Her smile grew more sincere.

Madam Su took Lin Menghua’s hand. “Hua, Qingwan is simple-hearted. Don’t mind her. As the Marquis said, we are one family, connected by blood, and should support each other. In the future, your uncle and I will be your reliance.”

Lin Menghua lowered her eyes. “Yes.”

Madam Su smiled with satisfaction. She had worried when Lin Qingwan unexpectedly objected to the marriage exchange, but now reasoned that even if Lin Menghua became the princess, once the old master passed, her family would be her sole kin—how could she dare disobey?

Lin Qingwan suddenly added, “Sister, once you enter the prince’s mansion, you’ll be the princess. May you and His Highness live in harmony and prosperity for a lifetime.”

“Thank you, sister,” Lin Menghua replied with a smile.

Seeing this, Lin Qingwan’s smile grew triumphant.

Indeed, only those favored by heaven could have a second chance at life.

This time, she must not repeat her mistakes! This time, everything that belonged to Lin Menghua would become hers!

If blame was to be assigned, it was because Lin Menghua herself failed to earn heaven’s favor!

Thinking thus, Lin Qingwan felt even more delighted, “The gold bangles are valuable—later… they can even be used as money!”

“Sister, you jest. In such a grand prince’s mansion, when would the princess ever need to pawn her jewelry for money?” Lin Menghua replied with feigned indifference.

You don’t know about those sycophantic, scheming servants in the prince’s mansion!

Lin Qingwan rolled her eyes inwardly, but since this was her destined opportunity, there was no need to share it with others. She replied vaguely, “Don’t overthink it, just accept them! Remember, all is fate—none can escape destiny!”

With that, she lifted her chin and strode past Lin Menghua with arrogant pride.

Lin Menghua: “……”

Even after being reborn, she’s no wiser.

Lin Menghua sighed.

All is fate, none can escape destiny!

Very well, she would watch closely to see if Lin Qingwan, now aware of her past, could change her fate this time!

Hopefully, she’d make it past the Jiang family matron.

Once her dressing was finished, she was to meet her grandfather.

The old man stood in the central hall with his hands behind his back, gazing at her. His aged eyes were not as sharp as she’d imagined; instead, they radiated a gentle light. He hesitated for a long time, as if wanting to say something, but nothing came forth.

“Go now! Take good care of yourself.”

A thousand words compressed into that single sentence.

Lin Menghua felt an inexplicable pang of sorrow, an emotion belonging to the body’s instincts.

After the officials from the Ministry of Rites had intoned their chants, the prince’s mansion attendants followed protocol to escort the princess into the household.

Lin Menghua composed herself. “Grandfather, your granddaughter bids you farewell.”

She took one last look at the old man, his temples streaked with gray, and bowed deeply.

The elderly man, his hair silvered and well past sixty, stood tall and resolute; his imposing figure had guarded the Great Zhou for decades, yet as Lin Menghua completed her ceremonial bow, his sturdy frame trembled ever so slightly.

Lin Menghua slowly turned away.

The prince’s wedding was officiated by the Ministry of Rites.

Outside awaited the bridal sedan, with a procession of bridesmaids in red stretching for miles from one end of the street to the other. The dazzling crimson made the city’s blossoms pale by comparison.

She saw Prince Ning not far off, resplendent in red. He did not look her way; only when she emerged did he mount his horse with a single stride.

Yes, no matter how grand the wedding, it could not disguise the true nature of this marriage.

Supported by attendants, she entered the bridal sedan.

Ten miles of red, phoenix coronet and cloud-like robes, attendants in red leading the way, petals swirling in the air, music and celebration all along the route—she left the Lin residence where she had spent more than a decade, as firecrackers and drums thundered together, and stepped into the battlefield that would be the rest of her life.