Chapter 1: Re-making Choices

  With a thoughtful nod, Yuan Dai said: "Sister is right! In this world, there are no born losers. Upon closer examination, aren't these losers all because they took the wrong path early on and were forced by life to become so?" As she spoke, Yuan Dai couldn't help but think of Zhou Yiniang, and a hint of sadness appeared on her face.

  Xiao Chengxian listened to her tone and looked at her complexion, feeling a little uneasy in his heart, and couldn't help but glance at her with some concern.

  Seeing her concern, Yuandai's expression remained calm as she said, "Sister, don't worry! I've finally figured it out!"

  Xiao Chengxian listened to her talking about things that she couldn't understand, and felt a bit helpless. She sighed and said: "I used to think I was quite intelligent, but now my sister's words have really confused me!"

  Yuan Dai suddenly stopped in her tracks and said calmly, "To be honest with you, sister, I've figured out the direction I should take!" Although she said so, there was still a hint of helplessness in her tone.

  "Direction?" Xiao Cheng asked in a bewildered tone, vaguely understanding something in her heart but still dare not confirm.

  Yan Dai said: "I mean - I've decided to marry Rui Qin Wang!" She spoke as if it was a matter of course, as if there were no obstacles ahead, just a smooth path. If someone else had heard her say this, they would probably have laughed at her, after all, this marriage, up until now, seemed to be just a one-sided wish on the part of the Ling family, with not even a hint of response from Rui Qin Wang's side.

  But somehow, Xiao Chengyan looked at Yuandai's calm expression and gentle tone, but only felt that this was a matter of course: "How could my sister suddenly make such a decision? Is it because of Qingyue's words?" She asked softly.

  The two of them spoke here, and the various maids who followed behind them were very aware of the situation and each retreated a few steps back, only following from a distance.

  This place is the back mountain of Lü Yu Ling, where ordinary tourists are not allowed to enter. Therefore, the snow here is preserved and intact. The two of them came out from Piao Ying Mountain Villa because there was no heated sedan chair, so they took a shortcut and rushed straight to Zhao Shui Lin, planning to pass through Zhao Shui Lin trail back to Bie Yuan. Standing at the edge of Zhao Shui Lin, Yuan Lai raised her eyes and gazed into the distance. In the distance, the mountains were vast and majestic, the snow was pure and white, the plum blossoms in the forest were pressed down by the ice and snow, but they showed even more spirit and elegance, the cold fragrance wafted gently, making people's hearts drunk and their spirits refreshed.

  "Sister doesn't know, when I was with my adoptive father, he also spoiled me a lot..." Yu Dai's voice was calm and serene. There were many unspoken emotions hidden within: "It's easy to go from poverty to luxury, but it's hard to go from luxury back to poverty! For someone who is used to being pampered, it's especially difficult to go back to living a life of carefulness, watching people's faces, and enduring their scorn. What do you think, sister?"

  Xiao Chengxian thought about this and felt that it made sense. She nodded and said: "That's right!"

  Yan Dai smiled and said, "So I've decided to give up my original plan! Since I couldn't live a life of humility and lowliness, why would I go so far as to harm others, and even delay someone's hard-won career that they've spent ten years studying for?"

  At this point, Xiao Cheng finally understood the ultimate reason for Yuan Dai's decision. She remained silent for a long time before nodding her head and sighing: "Sister is absolutely right!" Yuan Dai was different from her; she was the eldest daughter of the Xiao family. Since childhood, she had been doted on by her parents and protected by her older brother in every way. In the future, even if she got married, she would still have her natal family to rely on.

  Yuandai, being a concubine's daughter, was not well-received in the Ling family. Moreover, from Madame Lu's attempts to prevent her from having any opportunities, even resorting to ruining her reputation to sabotage the marriage that had yet to be finalized, it can be seen that Madame Lu truly detested Yuandai. Although the main responsibility for offending Princess Linchang lay with her today, Princess Linchang might not necessarily think so. It's likely that if she got the chance in the future, Princess Linchang would not let go of the opportunity to trip up Yuandai.

  With these two around, the one chosen by Faraday would be even more outstanding, but it's likely that he still can't stand out.

  After sighing, Xiao Cheng said slowly: "I understand what you mean, sister! If there's anything I can help with, just let me know!" Although she knew that Yuandai had already made up her mind when she said this, there were still things she needed to say.

  Yuan Dai smiled lightly and said with some emotion: "Sister, rest assured! If necessary, I won't be polite to sister!"

  It's enough to say this much, and the two of them also had a tacit understanding that they wouldn't mention these annoying things again.

  After exchanging a smile, the two of them walked hand in hand into the Shuijing Forest. Due to the many things that had happened over the past couple of days, they were really not in the mood for sightseeing, so after lingering in the Shuijing Forest for a short while, they left and returned to the Xiao family's detached courtyard.

  After the commotion, the sky had already turned slightly dark. Xiao Chengyan didn't go to the western wing where Daiyu was staying, but instead returned to her own room. As soon as she reached the door, a maid hastily came up to greet her, made a curtsy and called out: "Miss!"

  The person who came up was actually Yunying, another senior maid beside Xiao Cheng.

  Xiao Chengyan saw that it was her, and couldn't help but ask: "What's wrong?" Yunying and Qiaolan were both her most trusted maidservants, and seeing Yunying like this, Xiao Chengyan knew that Yunying must have something to say to her.

  Yun Ying replied: "Not long after Miss left, Miss Ling Shi arrived and has been waiting for you inside the house for a while now!"

  Ling Yuexuan suddenly came over, but let Xiao Chengyan be taken aback for a moment. She nodded slightly and didn't say much, then stepped into the house. Inside, Ling Yuexuan was sitting at the table in a daze, staring blankly at a pink ceramic tea cup with a child's birthday wishes on it.

  As soon as she heard the footsteps, Ling Yuexuan naturally turned her head to look over, and at a glance, she saw Xiao Chengyan enter the door. She quickly got up from her seat, with a slightly awkward tone, softly calling out: "Sister Xiao..." A faint flush of abnormal redness and tension appeared on her lovely small face.

  Xiao Chengyan had not intended to give her a good face, but seeing her like this, the sarcastic words that had reached the tip of his tongue were swallowed back again. He nodded at Qiaolan to help remove the cloak from her body and asked indifferently: "Has tenth sister's illness... fully recovered?"

  Ling Yuexuan lightly bit her lip, wanting to say something, but hesitated due to the presence of the maids in the house. After a while, she turned her head and glanced at Yan Liu standing beside her: "Yan Liu, you go out first and chat with the sisters!"

  Yan Liu heard this and hastily responded with a "yes", then went over to pull Yun Ying and the others away.

  Xiao Xian looked at Ling Yuanyan and said, "Now that everyone has left, tenth sister, you can speak freely without worrying about being overheard!" However, her words still carried a hint of cold mockery.

  …………

  On the other side, Yu Dai returned to the west wing and raised her eyes to see Wen Ping and Du Ruo, two maids who followed her to Pusui Mountain Villa, both with worried faces. She couldn't help but smile slightly and asked faintly: "What's wrong? Are you scared?"

  Wen Ping couldn't help but smile wryly: "Although that princess is indeed very overbearing, but... after all, she's a princess..."

  Yan Dai nodded in agreement, "Yes! After all, she is a princess!" After saying this, she waved her hand at the two of them: "Don't worry, I've already thought of something!" A hint of disgust flashed across her face because of these words.

  Wen saw her unwilling to continue speaking, although still worried in his heart, but after all endured and quietly retreated.

  Du Ruo's lips moved slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but hesitated and didn't dare to speak. Sensing her hesitation, Yuan Dai sighed and asked her: "Last time I forgot to ask you, did the old lady specify a tune for you to play on the flute by the Shuihu Lake?"

  As soon as this was said, Du Ruo immediately understood Yu Dai's meaning, and after pursing her lips, she said: "It's 'Plum Blossom Three Movements'!"

  Yuandai nodded and didn't say anything else, just waved her hand to indicate that she could go down.

  Du Ruo still refused to leave: "Miss..." She called out softly, her face slightly anxious.

  Seeing her like this, Yan Dai couldn't help but understand. With a smile, she said: "Don't worry! I won't go back on my word!"

  Having obtained her promise, Du Ruo finally put his mind at ease, bowed and quietly retreated.

  After Du Ruo left, Yuan Dai finally calmed down, propping her chin with her hand and leaning against the kang. She silently pondered all that had happened recently, ultimately letting out a long sigh. Her past experiences had long taught her not to dwell on regrets. Since things had already happened, there was no use in regretting them anyway.

  Wen Ping walked in with light steps, placed the small celadon cup she was holding in front of Yuan Dai, and said softly: "Miss, this is freshly brewed almond tea, have some while it's hot!" Yuan Dai was lost in thought, suddenly heard this voice, startled a bit, after calming down, stretched out her hand to take the almond tea. Yuan Dai lifted the lid, took the silver spoon and slowly savored it, with a lazy expression. Wen Ping watched her face from the side, finally couldn't help but called out to her: "Miss..."

  Yan Dai merely raised an eyebrow and said calmly: "Don't worry! She's just a princess after all!"

  Wen Jing listened with a sense of relief, but couldn't help but smile wryly. After all, she was just a princess, and in this world, there were probably no more than ten people who could say such words. Yet, Yuande was able to utter them so lightly, and upon hearing them, Wen Jing actually felt a wave of comfort. It seemed that she trusted this young lady almost blindly.

  Putting down the empty apricot kernel tea cup, Yuan Dai raised her head just as she was about to speak when a surprised cry came from outside: "Miss Xiao?" Following that was the sound of Xiao Chengyan's voice. At this time, Xiao Chengyan had actually come again.

  Yuandai heard that Xiao Chengyan had arrived, and with a sense of wonder in her heart, she still got up. At this moment, Xiao Chengyan had already lifted the curtain and walked in: "Ninth sister, do you know who was waiting for me when I returned to my room just now?"

  Yuan Dai listened to her words and asked strangely, "Who is it?"