Baizhi, carrying a small, exquisite hamper, looked a little gloomy.
Baiji and Baishao were hanging the eiderdowns used in winter, out to dry, under the eaves.
"What happened to you? You didn’t eat your fill this morning? I thought I saw you eating five at buns!"
Baiji smiled and pinched Baizhi’s chubby face.
"It’s been five or six days since the last ti the Prince ca to see Master. I shouldn’t have put in a good word for him, to master."
"Hush, be quiet. Master will think more about it, if she hears you."
Baishao patted Baizhi and said this in a low voice.
The three of them sighed lightly and shook their heads, as they looked toward Lin ngya’s door.
Everyone thought that the Prince and the Princess would be as deeply attached to each other, as before.
However, since that day, the last ti the Prince ca to Liuxin Courtyard, had been five or six days ago.
However, Princess Ming Yue had been visiting Concubine De regularly, in the Art Courtyard.
Lin ngya was seriously ill, and unable to manage her household.
Thus, Concubine De took over and Ming Yue assisted her.
Their servants had been speculating that Ming Yue might beco the vice Princess, the mont she married the Prince.
So shrewd servants started to curry favor with the future Master, in the backyard.
But, they did not dare to neglect the real wife of the Prince, yet.
"Baisu, have all the chrysanthemums in the yard, blood?"
Lin ngya looked at the yard, standing by the window.
dicine from the doctor, as well as good dicine that Lin Zhongyu and Qinghu had found from an unknown place, had all been taken by Lin ngya.
But the reason why she recovered so soon, was known to few people. It was because the radar in her brain had worked out that the best thod, was to detoxify herself.
The cold-sounding robot voice, had given her a warm feeling, over ti.
Perhaps its sound, other than her mory, had been the only connection to her modern life before.
Lin ngya’s previously well rounded and lovely appearance, was not evident, even after half-a-month rest.
Due to her poor health, Lin ngya looked thin and weak, much like a willow branch trembling in the wind.
Smiles also rarely appeared on her pretty, petite face.
Her penetrating eyes often looked into the distance. No one knew what she was thinking about.
"Yes. Qinghu and young master discovered that your love for chrysanthemums, so they transplanted many rare "mums" to the yard. Why not go outside and have a look?"
Baisu was the only one of the four maids, who accompanied Lin ngya, all the ti.
Lin ngya nodded and stood up. Baisu supported Lin ngya carefully with her hands, and they went outside.
"Master, it’s windy outside. Take care."
Baiji fetched the green-gold cloak, which had been given by Lin Zhongyu to Lin ngya, and put it around her.
Lin ngya looked even more petite, when the big cloak covered her slim body.
"I’m fine. I just want to see the chrysanthemums. You can do your own stuff. Baisu will be with ."
Lin ngya had been struggling to uphold the last honor for Yue Ting, ever since her death.
However, she felt so downhearted all the ti, even with the affairs, concerning the house.
Lin ngya went into the pavilion, in the yard. The yellow petals were scattered all over the yard. It had been so colorful here in sumr, but now they were all withered and had fallen to the ground.
"Little girl, why are you outside? Be careful, or you might catch a cold. Look, I found this green chrysanthemum for you. It’s very precious."
Late autumn was not the best season to transplant chrysanthemums. However, Qinghu and Lin Zhongyu still found a way to plant chrysanthemums, all around Liuxin Courtyard.
At the mont, Qinghu was excitedly holding a pot of light green chrysanthemum. He presented it to Lin ngya, like a treasure.
"Its color is elegant and complents you well."
Baizhi served Lin ngya a cup of hot tea, and refused to leave.
Everyone knew that Baizhi was always with Lin ngya, so they were accustod to that.
"Little girl, you always make fun of . Oh, it’s the title deed you want. I’ve bought the house for you. What do you want that big house for?"
Qinghu silently took out a thin piece of paper, which was the title deed.
Lin ngya asked Baizhi to lock it into a small box, without even checking.
After taking a sip of the fragrant tea on the table, Lin ngya simply said,
"To start up my business, of course. Didn’t you say that many killers in Peach Blossom Dock want to leave after this combat?"
Lin ngya’s eyes had an astute look.
She was not feeling down about everything. On the contrary, she wanted to continue plotting.
"You’re right. But the boss behind Peach Blossom Dock, is wicked and rciless. They will not let you have an easy death, once they know what you want to do."
As the forr master of Peach Blossom Dock, Qinghu was very familiar with its way of killing.
No one knew why Peach Blossom Dock attacked the officials. They had been greatly undermined after this fight, and was not as powerful as before.
"Poison you and control your mind, right? It’s easy. I can try it out. And I can give them more tempting things than what Peach Blossom Dock has given them."
A cold smile ford at the corner of her mouth.
People were willing to die for money. The other day, Lin ngya had secretly ordered soone to count her dowries.
Her father and brother really loved her. Almost half of Lin family’s property had been given to her, including so antiques and paintings that were not to be sold.
As the saying goes, money makes the world go round.
Everyone hated being at the rcy of the knife.
"You are right. But you are still brave enough to poach people from Peach Blossom Dock. I appreciate you much more."
Qinghu craved nothing, short of nationwide chaos.
Although the little girl looked calr now, her wicked plans had shocked him greatly.
Lin ngya had her own plan.
Su iyun, the Crown Prince and the Empress...
She would never spare them.
"Your highness, the Crown Prince has sent an invitation to you. He is inviting you and Princess Ming Yue, to the dinner banquet, held by his vice Princess."
Steward Deng’s announcent ca from outside.
Lin ngya lowered her eyes. "His vice Princess? Is she the vice Princess Dugu?"
"That woman. I think she is up to no good!"
"I see. I’ll be there at night."
There were always solutions to problems. Lin ngya was looking forward to have a chance to confront the Crown Prince.
This then, was the chance. She would grasp this opportunity tonight.
It was the Mid-Autumn Festival. The Emperor would be holding a banquet in a few days. Princes would also hold so family feasts.
The Crown Prince’s feast was the grandest and noisiest among them.
Lin ngya dressed herself and arrived at the Crown Prince’s mansion, before it got dark.
Everyone in the Capital City knew that Princess Yu had a cold. Since she had just recovered, she looked gaunt, like a yellow flower, from the past.
In recent days, the rumor that Prince Yu was going to marry Princess Ming Yue from the western vassal state, had been spreading like wild fire.
Many people were waiting to laugh at Lin ngya.
However, every gorgeously-dressed beauty there was outclassed, once Lin ngya got out of her carriage.
"Princess Yu has arrived—"
The doorman called imdiately.
Instantly, all the eyes turned on Lin ngya.
Her beauty and elegance quickly shut many of the busybodies’ mouths.
Even Princess Ming Yue, who entered the house after her, looked like a dejected sparrow, next to her.
"How dare a firefly compete with the moon. She’s so over-confident."
Soone shouted this remark from among the crowd.
Most of them imdiately agreed with it. Princess Ming Yue’s smile stopped for a second, yet she still kept her gentle smile.
Only when she glimpsed at Lin ngya, did a feeling of hatred appear in Princess Ming Yue’s eyes.
"Greetings, your highness. You won’t bla for being late, right?"
Any conflict that had taken place between them at the camp, did not seem to have happened at all.
Lin ngya greeted her naturally and gracefully. The vice Princess Dugu held Lin ngya, as if they were close sisters.
"Arise quickly. It’s been quite so ti since I saw you. I heard you were ill. I was very worried."
The vice Princess Dugu had a kind smile, all the ti.
She ushered Lin ngya in personally. Few guests could have that honor.
"Thanks to your highness, I’ve recovered. Thank you."
Lin ngya looked as good as the vice Princess.
Everyone was convinced that they were really as close as sisters.
But only Lin ngya herself, knew how cautious she was, against the vice Princess.
"Oh, why didn’t the Prince co with you?"
The vice Princess Dugu pretended to look out of the door, with so confusion on her face.
Lin ngya lowered her head and smiled wordlessly.
"The Crown Prince summoned the Prince to the palace for the banquet in Mid-Autumn Festival. Thus, he wasn’t at ho."
Princess Ming Yue responded, as if she was the real Princess Yu.
After she uttered her last sentence, Princess Ming Yue cast an eye on Lin ngya, and then lowered her head without speaking, as if she had done sothing wrong.
The atmosphere instantly beca tense.
"It looks like your family will soon have a new mber. Princess Yu, congratulations in advance."
The vice Princess Dugu’s words confird the rumor.
The gossip spread quickly within the crowd.
Although the Prince had not married Princess Ming Yue, compared to Princess Yu—Lin ngya, Princess Ming Yue seed to receive more affection from Prince Yu.
Lin ngya smiled slightly, as if she didn’t care too much about the rumor.
She glanced at Ming Yue and said,
"It may be a happy event. The Prince’s birthday is coming soon. Good mory, your highness. Even I had forgotten about it."
Lin ngya had aroused people’s interest, but she talked about sothing else they did not expect.
Her response confused so shrewd people.
Didn’t Lin ngya as the real Princess, know that the Prince was going to marry the vice Princess, or—
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