Chapter One: Heart-pounding Surprise
January's Shengjing welcomed a heavy snowfall, swirling and fluttering, sweeping in from the dark and chaotic sky.
A chill ran down his spine, yet it was a bustling season, but the city of Shengjing was eerily silent.
Apart from the howling and rolling cold wind, every household's gate was tightly closed, as if following this heavy snow into a dead silence.
Whether it's the mansion of a high-ranking official or an ordinary citizen, white silk is hung in front of the door, and occasionally a few sobs mixed with cold air pour out from behind the white walls and black tiles.
On New Year's Eve, the Forbidden City tolled a funeral bell.
The Crown Prince and Sixth Princess have passed away.
The crown prince died, and the whole country mourned. Even on New Year's Day, no one dared to hang out festive colors for fear of offending the imperial family.
In the heavily guarded deep palace, two masters died suddenly, and in Shengjing City, people were frightened for a time, and everyone was in danger.
The Jian'an Marquis's estate on the Eighth Lamp Lane was even more desolate, with two white lanterns hanging from the eaves of the outer gate, bearing the character "奠" and swaying gently in the cold wind.
The birth mother of Liu Gongzhu was Jing Fei, who was the eldest daughter of the main room of Jian'an Houfu.
She was said to have fainted on the spot due to excessive grief.
The Empress Dowager couldn't bear it and summoned Lady Lin, the matriarch of the Jian'an Marquis's estate, to enter the palace and comfort her.
At the beginning of the fourth watch, a carriage with a canopy and green curtains slowly entered the entrance of Baling Alley from the Imperial City, and soon it entered the side gate of Jian'an Marquis's mansion.
The Rongshou Hall on the west side of Jian'an Marquis's mansion was suddenly lit up.
A middle-aged man wearing a plain blue robe with silver embroidery and a round collar stood outside the main house to greet him, his originally solemn and gloomy face suddenly becoming urgent when he saw the white figure appearing outside the courtyard.
"Mother? What's going on?" He rushed forward, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and excitement.
He was indeed Lin Kun, Marquis of Jian'an.
Mrs. Lin, wearing a silver-white fox fur coat with white armpit hair, glanced at her eldest son without answering, and was supported by her maid Cui Ling as she slowly entered the main house.
Jian An had no choice but to temporarily calm down and followed him in with a heavy heart.
Cui Ling helped Old Lady Lin take off her silver fox fur coat, revealing the bright purple wide-sleeved auspicious "Ruyi" patterned jacket underneath, which was still her everyday attire that she hadn't had time to change out of in her haste.
Although Mrs. Lin's face showed fatigue, her eyes were cold and piercing, sending chills down one's spine.
Jian An Hou's heart was burning with anxiety, but he couldn't help but stand quietly with his head bowed, standing off to the side.
In the center of the house, a bronze stove with inlaid gold patterns of strange beasts was burning silver charcoal, emitting waves of warmth.
The little maid immediately brought over a delicate ceramic tea bowl filled with ginger tea and handed it to Old Lady Lin's lips.
A bowl of ginger soup went down, warmth flowed from the abdomen to the limbs and bones, and Lin Lao Tai's body was warmed up, whether it was the truth or the cold wind that chilled her.
"You all go out first!" Old Lady Lin finally spoke slowly.
The maids answered "yes" and retreated obediently.
In the grand hall, only Jian An and his mother were left.
Old Lady Lin sat down on the ebony chair with wavy patterns, her hands constantly twirling the purple sandalwood rosary, and said in a low voice: "The Crown Prince and the Third Princess had always been deeply affectionate. On New Year's Eve, the Crown Prince took the Sixth Princess to avoid the palace staff and climb high to watch the flower lanterns outside the city. Who knew that the snowy road was slippery, and the two of them accidentally fell from a high place. By the time the palace maids heard the mournful cries and rushed over, it was too late."
Jian An's heart skipped a beat. The Sixth Princess was now seven years old, and the Crown Prince was only twelve. Both were the most favored dragon children and grandchildren, and the palace maids watched them closely every day. The Empress Dowager and the Queen protected them even more strictly, not allowing any slight collision or accident to happen. How could they be so careless this time, and coincidentally make such a big mistake?
"Judging from the son's words, this matter is probably not an accident, but a deliberate act."
Mrs. Lin did not respond, but instead asked: "Do you know which other princes the Emperor has besides the Crown Prince?"
"The two princes born to Consort Duan, the four princes born to Imperial Concubine Yu, the five princes born to Imperial Concubine Jing, the seven princes born to Consort Wan, and the three princes born to my elder sister." Jian An Hou thought for a moment, also pondering in his heart, who would benefit the most from the Crown Prince's downfall?
The Empress of the Zhong Palace had a difficult time giving birth to an heir, and it wasn't until she was over 30 years old that she finally gave birth to the Crown Prince. When the Crown Prince died, the Empress's heart was completely shattered, and she knew that her chance at having another child was gone, along with any hope of having a new crown prince.
"The Duan Guifei He's family power is vast, since ancient times the eldest son was established as the heir, but the big prince died young, and the crown prince passed away. The second prince's hope is the greatest, could it be her?" Jian An Hou murmured.
"Lin old lady has not expressed her opinion, he himself vetoed: "No way, He's family is in the northwest with a strong army, and the emperor has been dissatisfied with him for some time, warning him several times on the court, seemingly wanting to take away his military power. How could he possibly establish the second prince as the crown prince and expand his own threat? Empress Duan is not a fool, she must also understand what it means to be extreme and reverse, to restrain her sharpness, otherwise she would not have let the second prince learn music and recite poetry from a young age."
After a moment of hesitation, he slowly said: "The fourth prince's mother is of humble origin, and the fifth and sixth princes are too young, they don't have any chance of competing for the throne, so it can only be..."
As she spoke, she raised her head incredulously to look at Old Lady Lin, the astonishment and shock in her eyes standing out starkly against Old Lady Lin's calm and peaceful gaze.
Old Lady Lin closed her eyes and didn't want to look at his expression. The Buddhist beads in her hand moved even faster.
The birth mother of the third prince was Jing Fei, the birth mother of the sixth princess, who was also the elder sister of Lin Xuan, the Marquis of Jian'an - Lin Yuehua.
"She would actually give it up?" Jian An Hou still couldn't believe it. As the saying goes, a tiger doesn't eat its own son, and his elder sister Lin Yuehua had always been gentle and soft-hearted since childhood, how could she do such a thing?
Old Lady Lin still had her eyes closed, only feeling that the room was warm and misty, but her whole body was icy cold to the bone.
She recalled the legitimate daughter's face without any sorrow or guilt, high nose and snowy skin, bright eyes and good eyebrows, thin lips close to her ear, whispering: "I use Mo Er's life to exchange for Lin Er's future, it's worth it!"
Although it's heartbreaking that the gentle and kind eldest daughter from back then has become such a venomous woman, and also heartbreaking that the clever and obedient granddaughter died young, she had to admit that Yuehua's sacrifice was right, using the Sixth Princess' life to exchange for the future of the Third Prince and the Jian'an Marquis manor was indeed worth it!
To outsiders, Jing Fei, as the birth mother of the Sixth Princess, could not have been the mastermind behind this affair. No one is cruel enough to kill their own flesh and blood, let alone Mian Hua who had previously doted on the Sixth Princess without any warning signs! Even she, as a mother, would not have believed it if she hadn't heard it with her own ears.
But Yue Hua relied on this "impossibility" to gain great benefits for the Third Prince and the Jian'an Marquis Manor.
"Let go, let go. When you give up something, you will gain something else. In this world, to gain some things, you must lose some others." Old Lady Lin finally opened her eyes, and they seemed to have a layer of toxic liquid, making people feel uneasy.
The words were stuck in his throat like a fish bone, he opened his mouth, but ultimately didn't say anything else.
The deceased is gone, and it's pointless to pursue the matter further.
"The Crown Prince has passed away, and the factional situation in the imperial court will change soon. This is a critical moment. Although you are not valued by the officials in the imperial court, you must still be cautious and on guard. Don't form cliques or engage in private dealings, lest someone gets hold of evidence to accuse you, and destroys the hundred-year foundation of the Duke of Jian'an's estate."
Lin Kun succeeded to the title of Duke of Jian'an, but in the court he only got a official position as a participant in the Department of Policy Review.
However, being overlooked also has its advantages. From the founding of Yan to the present, all the dukes and marquises who were either arrogant or relied on their favors to be proud were stripped of their titles and had their families exterminated by the monarch. Only the House of Jian'an has stood for a hundred years without falling, which is largely related to their low-key and cautious approach to life, avoiding the limelight.
Now that Rong Fei has committed such a heinous crime of treason, even without evidence, it's hard to guarantee that the authorities won't be suspicious. If the Jian'an Marquis Manor makes one wrong move, their century-old foundation will be destroyed in an instant.
This is a game of cat and mouse!
Jian An wiped away the cold sweat on his forehead and said respectfully: "Your son thanks you for your teachings, Mother."
"The Chengguo Gongfu will probably come to investigate soon, so I won't show up. You be careful with your words and actions, and for now, don't let Yun'er know about this matter."
Rong'er was indeed Madame Lu, the wife of Jian'an Marquis.
The Marquis of Chengguo and the Marquis of Jian'an have been intermarried for generations. Old Lady Lin and the Marchioness of Jian'an are both from the Marquis of Chengguo, they are aunt and niece.
"Son, be aware, mother is also relieved, just take care of your body, don't get angry, it's bad for your health."
Mrs. Lin waved her hand, indicating that Jian An should withdraw, apparently tired, the sudden change in the palace had exhausted her mentally and physically.
Jian An retreated with a bow and walked out the door, when suddenly he heard Old Lady Lin say: "The Sixth Princess was raised by the Empress Dowager since childhood and deeply favored by her. Now that she has passed away, the Empress Dowager is heartbroken and fears that she will have to select a loyal maid from each mansion to accompany her side, even if it's just to attend to her daily needs. The value of those who have been raised by the Empress Dowager will be greatly different."
Jian An suddenly understood Old Lady Lin's meaning.
For the sake of a quota for accompanying the Empress Dowager, Jian'an Marquis Manor would never be a treacherous minister's son who wants to rebel and seize power.
Lin Yuehua can sacrifice her own daughter, how can she not use her niece?
Entering the palace, glory is present, but it's not necessarily a blessing.
Jian An left with a heavy heart, furrowing his brow as he departed. The only things remaining in the house were the faint warmth emanating from the copper stove adorned with intricate golden patterns and Old Lady Lin's barely audible sighs.
The clouds broke at dawn, and the sky gradually brightened, as if a seam had been cut in the dark canopy of heaven, allowing a beam of light to shine straight through.
The red plum blossoms in the Xiangfang Pavilion were blown down by the wind and snow, falling on the white snowy ground, adding a touch of color to the monotonous landscape.
Lin Zhaoyan slept on the wooden frame bed made of Japanese cypress in the inner room, but his eyes were half open, looking through the half-opened lattice window at the wind and snow outside.
The crown prince is dead, and the sixth princess is also dead, just like what happened in the dream.
A cold wind blew in through the window, and her arm exposed outside the quilt had a layer of goose bumps, but she didn't know if it was from the chill or lingering fear.
If what happened in the dream is true, then who killed the Crown Prince and Sixth Princess...
Lin Zhaoyan felt a chill run down her spine as she thought about it more, and a coldness that seemed to seep into her very bones.
The curtains of the inner house were lifted, and the maidservants entered in a line, carrying copper basins, towels, clothes, etc.
A maid wearing a plain white jacket with silver and white jasmine flowers, a white silk flower on her head, with clear eyebrows and beautiful eyes, walked slowly to the bed and said softly: "Miss, it's three o'clock in the morning, time to get up."
This is her senior maid Man Shuang.
Lin Zhaoyan slowly got out of bed with the help of her maid, Man Shuang, and asked, "Has grandmother returned?"
Man Shuang took the white porcelain cup with lotus leaf pattern from the maid's hand and handed it to Lin Zhao Yan, saying: "Today is the first day of the new moon, you must be tired, I've already instructed the girls in each room not to come and pay their respects."
It's a cold winter, the honey sugar water in the cup has cooled down a bit, and when it reaches my stomach, it feels warm and cool at the same time, just like that dream, making me feel nauseous.
If dreams are real, then Lin Lao Tai Tai, as the birth mother of Jing Fei, must have known the truth about the death of the Crown Prince and Sixth Princess.
Thinking of the marriages of her grandchildren that Lin Old Lady had sacrificed for the sake of family interests over the years, she knew that Sixth Princess's affair would definitely be thoroughly rotten in her belly.
Man Shuang put a soft cloth in warm water, wrung it out and carefully wiped Zhao Yan's face. "Something big has happened in the palace," she said, "but Fifth Young Lady is fine. Lin Mama said that before you go to pay your respects, Madame wants you to go to Qing Xiang Pavilion to keep her company first, so there's no need to copy that book."
Lin Zhaoyan nodded slightly.
Miss Lin Ruoyan, a month ago went to Dong Chengxiang's mansion for a banquet, but unfortunately fell into the lotus pond, the weather was cold and icy, although she was rescued in time, she also got seriously ill.
Actually, long before Lin Ruoyan set off, she had a faint sense of unease, intuitively feeling that something was amiss.
She advised Lin Ruoyan not to go out, saying that she would have a disaster, but was scolded by her for being a jinx, and was also educated by Mrs. Lin San to "be cautious in words and deeds, be careful and self-guarding", and was punished to copy the "Female Precepts" fifty times.
After eight years, such things are no longer rare. It seems that since she was rescued from the Lotus Pond, she has been able to predict future events either in her dreams or by observing signs.
Sometimes it's just a rough idea, but sometimes it can be as clear as the assassination of the crown prince this time, understanding the beginning and end of things thoroughly.
She had never learned the art of I Ching in her past life or this one, and she was shocked by her sudden possession of such clairvoyant abilities, but more than that, she concealed it.
It's abnormal and ominous; if others were to find out about this matter, it would be hard to avoid disaster.
A kind reminder was already the greatest help she could offer.
Man Shuang chose a moon-white embroidered folded branch jade orchid flower cross-collared small jacket for Lin Zhao Yan to wear, with a white cloud fine fold long skirt underneath, and an outer layer of light yellow embroidered hundred willow fine silk rabbit hair rolled edge armor. As she carefully fastened the gold thread buttons for her, she said: "The masters of the heavenly family have passed away, this mourning period is likely to last three months, fortunately, Miss's clothes are all plain colors, so there's no need to make a few more."
Man Shuang helped Lin Zhao Yan adjust her clothes, and with a smile said: "Miss, you look good in plain colors."
Lin Zhaoyan twitched the corner of her lips, she knew that Man Shuang was just comforting words.
Her original master's appearance was elegant and simple, wearing plain colors didn't look strange, but it would make the whole person look more pale and insipid, without any sense of presence. However, unfortunately, Fifth Young Miss Lin Ruoyan loved bright colors, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, every color could set off her delicate small face even more radiant. Madam Lin San also delighted in dressing up her beloved youngest daughter in a dazzling manner, the mansion issued fabric by season according to custom, Madam Lin San always let Fifth Young Miss pick first, when it was her turn, only some light and plain colors were left.
They were all sisters born of the same mother, but Mrs. Lin's favoritism made her sometimes doubt whether this master was really her own flesh and blood.
Lin Zhaoyan sat in front of the pear-wood carved twisted branch lotus flower dressing table, and a smooth copper mirror reflected a small white face.
At the age of twelve or thirteen, with curved eyebrows like willows, eyes like a clear lake, fair skin, red lips and white teeth, looking gentle and warm, but with a cold intent hidden in her gaze.
Thinking back to eight years ago when I first wore the body of this five-year-old eldest daughter of the third house of the Hou Manor, it was deep winter. The original host had a serious illness and for a whole month, except for the doctor who came to treat her, no one else visited her.
At that time, she realized that her future path was heavy and long. Later, it wasn't that she hadn't tried hard, but all her efforts were in vain when she understood the sinister intentions behind the Jian'an Marquis Manor.
What's the use of being favored again? Just like Sixth Princess, when it comes to family interests, they will still ruthlessly push you out and let you fall into the abyss, never to be redeemed.
She Lin Zhaoyan is not a ruthless and unfeeling person, but she will never be foolish enough to waste her energy on someone who doesn't care about her.
At this time, Shi Qing lifted the bamboo curtain and entered the house. Manhua, dressed in a plain white outfit, said, "Miss, it's time. Seventh Sister is waiting for you in the main hall to go with her to pay respects to Madame together."
New book alert!!!!! In short, this is a diary of an unloved daughter-in-law, advocating warmth! As for the male lead, it's clearly stated in the introduction, hehe!
New book baby uploaded, need everyone's support to grow up quickly! Various collections and clicks are welcome!
