When the imperial edict arrived at the Duke of Chu's Mansion, Lady Jiang the Younger was preparing dowry items for Chu Ruoyin.
She had been somewhat worried, knowing her elder brother and sister-in-law’s temperament—they would never sincerely accept Ruoyin...
But with the edict issued, Ruoyin was now recognized as Prince Qin’s sworn sister. With this status backing her, even if the Jiang family remained unwilling, they had no choice but to comply!
Yet when she turned to look at her daughter, she found Ruoyin’s face pale, the embroidery needle in her hand suddenly pricking her fingertip as she worked on a sachet.
"Ruoyin! Be careful!" Lady Jiang the Younger hurriedly grasped her hand.
But Ruoyin barely noticed the blood welling from her finger. "Mother... is the edict true? He... he wants to acknowledge me as his sworn sister?"
Lady Jiang the Younger sighed. "Of course it’s true. How could an imperial edict be false? Ruoyin, I know you haven’t completely let go of him, but the decree has been issued. There’s no turning back now. You must forget the past, understand?"
Forget?
How could she? Was it even possible?
He had saved her twice—no, to be precise, three times...
Tears fell silently as footsteps echoed outside the room.
"Ruoyin, look! What do you think of this golden abacus? I had it specially crafted as an engagement gift!"
Jiang Huaian strode in, holding a gleaming golden abacus. Ruoyin hastily wiped her tears. "It’s lovely. Thank you, Cousin."
"Why stand on ceremony between us?" Jiang Huaian smiled gently before bowing to Lady Jiang the Younger. "Aunt, the betrothal gifts are ready. Would you please come and inspect them?"
Lady Jiang the Younger agreed, casting a worried glance at her daughter before leaving with a sigh.
Just then, Chu Ruolan slipped in and grabbed Ruoyin’s hand.
"Third Sister? Where are you taking me?"
"To find someone! Second Sister, don’t you want to meet Prince Qin and ask him directly? Let’s go find Eldest Sister and beg her to ask Brother-in-Law to summon Prince Qin. Then you two can talk properly!"
Ruoyin pulled her hand away in panic. "No... I can’t go..."
"Why not? Because you’re marrying Cousin Huaian?" Ruoyin frowned. "But you don’t even love him!"
Ruoyin paused, then whispered, "Many marriages in this world are not as one wishes... And Third Sister, you’re still young. You don’t understand what love truly is."
"Who says I don’t? I like that dead fish—no, I should call him a live fish now. Seeing him cleared of charges and able to walk freely in the sunlight makes me indescribably happy! Even though he has a sharp tongue, I enjoy bickering with him. Isn’t that love?"
Ruolan stared at her intently. "Second Sister, you and Eldest Sister have always been the type to endure silently—no, wait, it’s different. Eldest Sister simply doesn’t care, but you? You’re truly sacrificing yourself. Over and over, never thinking of your own desires. Do you really not want to see him one last time? Don’t you want to ask him for an answer yourself?"
Ruoyin bit her lip. How could she not want to?
But...
"Third Sister, you’ve been pampered by Mother since childhood, so you have the confidence to act as you please. But I don’t. Since I’ve already promised Cousin Huaian, I shouldn’t see Prince Qin again. As for my feelings... time will fade them. They’ll fade..."
She repeated the words twice, unsure if she was trying to convince Ruolan or herself.
Ruolan stamped her foot in frustration and stormed off.
---
At the Chief Minister’s residence, Ruolan burst in and exclaimed, "Eldest Sister, I just don’t understand! Why is Second Sister so indecisive? She clearly loves Prince Qin, yet she refuses to meet him and settle things. It’s driving me mad!"
Chu Ruoyan listened to her rant before leisurely handing her a cup of tea. "Second Sister isn’t like you. It’s natural for her to have more reservations..."
"How is that natural? If it were me, I’d never marry someone I don’t love!"
Ruoyan chuckled at her puffed-up expression. "What if—just hypothetically—the one you liked, Xiao Liu, didn’t like you back?"
Ruolan scowled. "Then I’d pester him until he did!"
"And if he still didn’t?"
Ruolan faltered, as if she’d never considered the possibility. After a long pause, she mumbled, "Then... then I’d stop liking him. I’d find someone who likes me instead. Life’s too short not to live freely!"
Ruoyan smiled but said nothing more. Just then, a servant announced the arrival of Princess Roumin.
"Princess Roumin? The one who returned with Dowager Noble Consort the other day? What’s she doing here?" Ruolan asked curiously.
Ruoyan frowned slightly before replying, "It’s nothing. Perhaps she’s just paying a courtesy visit. You should head back now. Don’t interfere with Second Sister’s matters."
Ruolan hummed but lingered. "Actually... I’d like to stay a bit longer..."
Ruoyan knew exactly what she was thinking and shook her head in amusement. "Sixth Brother is practicing spear drills in the backyard. If you go, be careful not to disturb his grandmother."
Ruolan brightened and scampered off. Meanwhile, Nanny Zhou carefully escorted Princess Roumin inside.
"Greetings, Princess." Ruoyan rose to curtsy, but the young princess hastily reached out to stop her. "Please don’t! Roumin doesn’t deserve such courtesy..."
Her innocent face was clouded with unease, her wide eyes flickering with genuine distress.
Ruoyan studied her discreetly but found no trace of pretense...
A weight settled in her chest. Yan Zheng had mentioned the butterfly-shaped birthmark. Either this girl was truly unaware, or her acting was flawless enough to deceive everyone.
"Yulu, serve tea," Ruoyan said calmly. "To what do we owe the honor of your visit, Princess Roumin?"
The girl groped her way to a seat, her expression tinged with shyness. "Roumin came to express gratitude. A few days ago at the hunting grounds, I lost an earring. Someone from the Chief Minister’s household found it for me, so I prepared a small token of thanks. Please accept it."
She called out, "Huamei, Piaoxu."
Two maids promptly carried in a large, heavy chest.
Ruoyan expected gold or silver, but when it was opened, she saw stacks of hand-sewn cotton garments!
The princess grew even more bashful. "Roumin has lived in the mountains with Dowager Noble Consort for years and doesn’t own much of value. So I sewed these clothes myself as a humble gesture..."
Ruoyan’s gaze dropped to the girl’s fingers, dotted with countless needle pricks.
It was hard to imagine how a blind girl could painstakingly stitch so many garments.
Even Nanny Zhou was moved. "Princess, you’ve gone to too much trouble. Miss, shall we accept them?"
Ruoyan remained silent, but the sense of unease within her grew stronger.
The last person who’d given her such a foreboding feeling... was Princess Ansheng.
Before she could speak, a lazy, teasing voice drifted down from the rafters:
"Little blind girl, my sister has shown such sincerity. Surely you won’t refuse?"
