Chapter Forty-One: A Letter from Nanping

Study Room of the Yue Residence.

Yue Zhanpeng, his face marked with the weariness of years, sat tiredly behind his desk, his left hand feebly massaging his aching temples. He gazed at the young man and woman standing before him and said, “This is a letter from the Southern Peace Prince’s Manor. You should read it as well.”

He handed the letter in his right hand forward. The woman in white, who had been standing quietly, reached out her slender, jade-like fingers and took the letter, spreading it open so both could read.

She had barely gotten halfway through when her composure broke. Her almond-shaped eyes, bright and luminous, suddenly filled with a mist of tears. In disbelief, she covered her mouth with a delicate hand and looked at Yue Zhanpeng, murmuring, “How could this happen? How could this be? How could anything happen to my sister? Father, this isn’t true, is it?”

Yue Zhanpeng let out a deep sigh. “It’s the Prince of Southern Peace’s own handwriting; there can be no mistake. This time, Yuer has suffered a terrible blow. For now, follow the suggestion in the letter—tomorrow, the two of you will set out for Southern Peace Prefecture. Stay with your sister and try to comfort her as best you can.”

The young man, who had been reading the letter with a furrowed brow, hesitated before speaking. “Father, just a month ago, my sister’s letter said all was well. Now, such misfortune has befallen her so suddenly. I fear things are not as simple as they seem.”

“Brother, you mean—” The woman in white seemed to grasp something, her tear-filled gaze shifting to her father, who stood silent, brows tightly knit. A look of understanding flashed through her eyes.

The current Emperor of the Rainbow Empire, after having sixteen daughters in succession, issued a decree two years ago naming Qiao Ke, the heir of the Southern Peace Prince, as Crown Prince, moving him to reside in the Eastern Palace.

Unexpectedly, a year ago, news from the palace revealed that Consort Yun had been diagnosed by the imperial physician as three months pregnant. Half a year ago, Consort Yun gave birth, and the Emperor’s first son was born.

For a time, there was much debate in court over the succession of the Crown Prince. The Southern Peace Prince petitioned to have his son relieved of the crown, but the retired Emperor refused and issued a decree declaring that Qiao Ke would remain the sole Crown Prince.

The retired Emperor meant well but only made things worse. That single decree placed the Southern Peace Prince’s family in the heart of the storm, drawing disaster upon them.

Fury surged in the heart of the woman in white, burning so fiercely that even her voice lost all trace of its former fragility. “How dare they! Even if my sister’s child was lost, that child bore the Qiao name. If anything should happen to my sister, I swear I’ll make them pay a hundredfold!”

Yue Zhanpeng looked at his daughter, her brows arched in anger, her almond eyes flashing. For a moment, he was lost in memory. She grew more like her mother every day—the same clear sense of right and wrong, never hiding her emotions. Now they were separated by life and death; if she knew the suffering Yuer had endured, she too would be furious. The thought pierced his heart with fresh pain, and his already stooped back seemed to bend further.

Seeing the longing in his eyes, the woman in white knew what memories her father was lost in. Her anger quickly faded, replaced by concern, and her voice softened. “Father, are you thinking of mother again?”

Yue Zhanpeng suppressed his grief, forcing a gentle smile. “Don’t worry, Yue’er. On this journey to Southern Peace Prefecture, you mustn’t be mischievous. Listen to your brother. When you see your eldest sister, comfort her as best you can. Children can be lost and had again, but if her health is ruined, nothing will matter.”

The woman pondered his words and nodded obediently.

“Don’t worry, Father. I’ll take good care of Yue’er, and I’ll handle matters with our sister, too. I know what needs to be done.”

Yue Zhanpeng looked at his son and daughter, feeling a rare sense of comfort. Inevitably, thoughts of his late wife surfaced, deepening the ache in his chest. Not wanting his children to worry, he closed his eyes and waved his hand. “That’s enough. Go and make your preparations. Jun’er, come back to the study after dinner. I have more to discuss.”

Yue Lingjun agreed without hesitation and tugged at the sleeve of the woman in pink, signaling her to leave with him.

The woman in white parted her lips, but in the end, said nothing. She cast a worried glance at her father before following Yue Lingjun out of the study.

Yue Zhanpeng opened his eyes and gazed longingly at the retreating figures until they vanished at the door, instantly engulfed by a tide of yearning.

The woman in white was Yue Lianyue. In three years, she had shed her childishness, growing ever more beautiful—more and more like the young Meng Yanran. Each time Yue Zhanpeng looked at his daughter, he struggled to contain his emotions. If not for A-Yue’s dying exhortation a year ago, he might have followed her already.

Lianyue followed behind Yue Lingjun, her steps heavy with sorrow. After walking a long way from the study, she asked, “Brother, do you think I shouldn’t appear before Father?”

Yue Lingjun stopped in his tracks, turned to his dejected sister, and gently ruffled her hair. “Don’t let your thoughts run wild. Father just hasn’t yet moved past Mother’s death. In time, he’ll heal.”

Lianyue nodded distractedly, forcing a smile. “I understand. If there’s nothing else, I’ll return to Orchid Fragrance Garden.”

Yue Lingjun said nothing more, only watched her retreating figure and shook his head with a trace of helplessness.

Such conversations had become almost routine between them over the past year. In the beginning, his reassurances brought some comfort, but now, they were little more than empty words. After all, it wasn’t just Lianyue who suffered. Perhaps Father’s decision to let her accompany him to Southern Peace Prefecture was for this very reason.

Thinking of Southern Peace Prefecture, a cold glint flashed in Yue Lingjun’s eyes. He sneered inwardly—an accident, they say? Do they take the Yue family for fools? Whoever hurt my elder sister will not get away unscathed.

“Qingfeng, follow Miss from a distance. Once she’s back in Orchid Fragrance Garden, head to Phoenix Ridge and deliver a message to Chuchen: tell him that Miss and I are leaving for Southern Peace Prefecture tomorrow, and ask if he wishes to join us. Also, ask Lan Shui if she’ll be coming.”

“Yes!” Qingfeng’s eyes lit up at the latter request, and even his reply was tinged with excitement. “Is there anything else, Young Master?” Beside him, Qingqiu’s eyes betrayed a hint of envy.

Yue Lingjun did not rebuke their enthusiasm, merely waved his hand to dismiss them.

He knew well enough what was on their minds. Ever since being defeated by Lan Shui three years ago, Qingfeng had been unable to let it go. He’d taken every chance these past years to spar with her under the guise of running errands, always losing but never complaining.

In fact, Yue Lingjun was somewhat envious of them; all the news he had of Lan Shui came through their mouths. It had been over half a year since he’d last seen her. Would she come tomorrow?

Lost in thought, Yue Lingjun failed to notice the worried look Qingqiu cast his way. Otherwise, he might have sensed something amiss.

Orchid Fragrance Garden.

Even after entering Orchid Fragrance Garden, Lianyue’s face was clouded with sorrow. Ziling, who was tending the flowers, quickly set aside her shears, lifted the bead curtain at the door for her, and watched her enter the room without following after.

Ziling let the curtain fall and walked over to Qingfeng, who stood in the courtyard looking a little ill at ease. In a low voice, she asked, “Has she been like this since leaving the study?”

Qingfeng nodded. “I have to run an errand at Phoenix Ridge and may not return until late. You’re carrying a child now, so don’t wait up for me—get some rest early.”

Ziling smiled sweetly and reminded him, “About Young Master and Sister Lan, you and the others must work hard, but whatever you do, don’t let Sister Lan find out.”

“I know, you’ve said that many times before. If all goes well today, Young Master might see Miss Lan.”

“What do you mean?” Ziling asked, curiosity piqued.

Qingfeng slapped his forehead. “Ah, I was so focused on Phoenix Ridge that I forgot—Young Master and Miss are leaving for Southern Peace Prefecture at dawn. Help Miss pack her things later.”

Ziling frowned. “Why so urgent? Has something happened?”

“I’m not sure. Qingqiu and I were just standing outside the study. We simply do as Young Master instructs. It’s getting late, I must go.”

Once Ziling had straightened his clothes, he hurried off.

Two years ago, in July, Qingfeng asked Yue Lingjun to request Ziling from Lianyue, and now they had been married for nearly two years. After their marriage, Lianyue had wanted to assign Ziling to other duties, but Ziling preferred to stay by her mistress’s side, and Qingfeng respected her wishes.

Thus, Ziling continued to serve Lianyue, though they spent little time together. Only when Lianyue moved back into the residence three months ago could they finally be together more often—and now, Ziling was more than a month pregnant.

There is always gain and loss. Under Meng Lan’s guidance, Ziling’s medical skills had improved greatly.

As Lianyue’s personal maid, how could Ziling not know the source of her mistress’s sorrow? In the past, the head of the house adored Miss dearly. Now, after three months at home, father and daughter could count their meetings on one hand.

Had this been before her marriage, Ziling might have resented the master of the house, but now she understood. How could she not, when Miss and the late Madam looked so much alike?

Inside, in front of her dressing table, Lianyue stared blankly at her reflection. Her oval face was as fair as jade; beneath her delicately arched brows, sorrow flickered in her clear almond eyes. Her cherry lips were naturally red, and her long, glossy black hair was twisted into a single spiral bun, held in place by a seven-jewel white jade hairpin. Dressed in a moon-white silk gown adorned with scattered blossoms, her graceful figure was exquisitely displayed.

Once, she would have admired herself with delight, but now she simply gazed at her reflection, as if she were looking at someone else entirely.

She began to speak softly to her reflection. “Mother, Father misses you so much, and so do I. My sister has lost her child and is bedridden with grief. Tomorrow, I’ll set out to see her—and then Father won’t have to be pained by seeing me. Why do I look more and more like you, Mother? I wish I could take a face-changing pill, but would that make things even harder for Father? Oh, Mother, I miss you so much, I miss you dearly. But don’t worry—your daughter is strong now. This time, I will make sure those wicked people learn a lesson. Let them see—the Yue family is not to be trifled with!”