Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Lin Sisiâs voice choked with emotion. âI donât want to go out looking like this, scaring people, or upsetting you.â
âYou wonâtâ¦â Su Yingxue wished to reassure her but wasnât sure where to begin.
A womanâs appearance was ultimately important.
But to Lin Sisi, Su Yingxue thought, âEven if you hide, the Ninth Prince will still cherish and adore you.â
A glimmer appeared in Lin Sisiâs eyes as her choked voice revealed a hint of relief. âJinling is kind. He doesnât disdain me and has always been by my side.â
âFor his companionship, you should muster some courage. Do you want him to remain confined here forever, hiding in these bookshelves with you?â Su Yingxue sighed softly.
Lin Sisi bit her lip and shook her head. âI donât want that! Jinling is a prince. Fie canât stay here with me forever!â
The other day, Noble Consort Xiao had sent someone. Although Chu Jinling had requested her to stay upstairs, she couldnât resist overhearing. Granny Song beside Noble Consort Xiao had remarked that he shouldnât keep spoiling her. If it persisted, she wouldnât allow him to marry her!
Her heart trembled, but she couldnât overcome the fear within her.
âSince youâre aware, you should be braver. Even if others view you differently or hurt you with words, your life isnât dictated by them. They canât influence your life.â Su Yingxue tried her best to persuade her.
She untied the red jade whip from her waist and handed it over. âThis is what you gave me before. Take it back now.â
While she disagreed with Lin Sisiâs previous temper tantrums, she needed a means to defend herself now.
Lin Sisi cautiously moved out of the bookcase. One hand covered her face, and the other reached for Su Yingxueâs whip.
Despite wielding this since childhood, holding it now felt incredibly foreign to her.
âXiao Ruxue, how many times must I say it for you to understand? I donât like you, so even if you come ten times a day, itâs pointless! Leave!â Chu Jinlingâs voice echoed from downstairs.
Su Yingxue went to take a look, followed by Lin Sisi. However, Lin Sisi stayed in the shadows, whispering, âIt must be Xiao Ruxue again.â
She pouted, her words tinged with bitterness. âShe keeps pestering Jinling. Despite Jinling chasing her away every time, she comes back even more the next day!â
Su Yingxue stood at the door, arms crossed. âHer audacity is something else.â
Upon hearing this, Lin Sisi felt even more uncomfortable.
Upstairs, the two observed as Xiao Ruxue persistently tried to engage Chu Jinling downstairs.
Despite Chu Jinlingâs repeated attempts to send her away in public, she persisted. She even went as far as to hold Chu Jinlingâs arm affectionately and said, âCousin, Ruxue misses you dearly. I made birdâs nest silver silk rolls and sent you red date and wheat porridge. Taste it. If you donât like it, Ruxue will make something else for you tomorrow.â
She gestured for her maid to open the food box, releasing the aroma of exquisite food. Observers in the bookstore gazed with envy. âThe Ninth Prince is truly fortunate. Even with an engagement, a Young Miss rushes to deliver food.â
âAbsolutely. Donât forget heâs a prince!â
âThe emperorâs cherished one, supported by the Xiao family, even if she becomes a concubine, itâs blessings from a previous life!â