Volume One, Chapter 19: One After Another

The palace maid was too frightened to speak, only responding softly before clutching her things and hurrying away.

Song Jiayin then straightened up, quickly glancing at Song Lin’s stern face before lowering her head again.

But Song Lin insisted on asking, “What did the Empress Dowager say to you?”

Jiayin’s voice was faint, barely a whisper. “Nothing important, just some casual conversation.”

Song Lin refused to let it go. “Come on, I’ll escort you back. The Hanzhang Palace is quite far from here, and since you’re not familiar with the place, you might get lost.”

Jiayin hurriedly declined, “I wouldn’t dare trouble Your Highness. My legs are weak, and I walk slowly. If I delay Your Highness’s important affairs, I really can’t bear the responsibility.”

But Song Lin was stubborn. “I’m heading back to the Eastern Palace anyway, so it’s on the way. Hanzhang Palace is the closest to the Eastern Palace. If you ever need anything, you can come to me anytime.”

With no other choice, Jiayin followed behind him, step by step toward the east.

They walked for a while in silence. Jiayin remained completely quiet.

Unable to get a response, Song Lin recalled how, in the past, wherever Jiayin went, laughter and joy followed.

But now, she was so silent that it made his heart tighten.

So he broke the silence first. “Don’t dwell on what happened yesterday.”

What did he mean by that? He had just told her to remarry, yet now he was telling her not to take it to heart?

But she already had.

Jiayin kept walking, offering no reply.

Not receiving an answer, Song Lin continued, “Compared to kneeling in punishment, wouldn’t marrying be better? You don’t want to stay in the palace long, right? Helping you leave is better, isn’t it?”

Jiayin’s heart jolted. Was this meant as comfort or a test?

What exactly did he mean? A slap followed by a sweet promise?

If kneeling was bad, remarriage was even worse.

Who was he to be so presumptuous? Who gave him the right to decide for her?

“Jiajia.”

Without realizing it, she had moved ahead of him. This was the first time in eighteen years that Song Lin had called her by her name.

But this brother felt strange somehow, though she couldn’t pinpoint why.

There was no need to feel guilty now. Marry again if you must—she still had some use. At least she wouldn’t suffer for the time she had left.

She stopped and turned to look at him, her eyes devoid of any excess emotion.

Song Lin frowned. “Why won’t you speak? There’s no one else around. Even if you’re upset, you can say so.”

Had she always been silent?

It was understandable—she didn’t speak the Jinguo language well, and no one understood her anyway, so she had grown accustomed to silence.

She truly had nothing to say. Now that she knew his purpose, Jiayin felt any further words would be pointless.

She used to chatter constantly. When accused of being a bastard, she cried and defended herself.

Three years ago, before her arranged marriage, she begged and wept everywhere—but to no avail.

Jiayin shook her head, refusing to speak.

Song Lin’s gaze darkened as he looked at this fragile yet stubborn woman. His heart tightened further. He feared that if pushed any harder, she might truly lose her life.

He had only asked too much. What other reason could there be?

Uncomfortable with the tense atmosphere, he changed the subject. “There’s a celebration banquet tonight. Will you attend?”

A banquet? Of course, with Jinguo fallen, there was reason to celebrate.

“There will be fireworks, acrobatics… I remember you liked those, Jiajia. During past New Year’s, we were all together, including Su Lingfeng.”

Those days were lively and carefree.

As princes and princesses, they enjoyed the best of everything.

Song Lin participated too, but he was always the quietest.

But that was all in the past.

A faint light sparked in Jiayin’s eyes but quickly faded.

Thinking she might still be interested, Song Lin added, “Oh, and shadow puppetry—I remember you loved ‘The Romance of the Western Chamber.’ I already ordered it in advance…”

He seemed to be trying to stir up her fond memories.

Jiayin’s face remained expressionless, replying coldly, “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”

At least she hadn’t refused outright, had she?

Relieved somewhat, Song Lin continued forward.

Before long, they arrived at Hanzhang Palace and parted at the gate.

Just as Jiayin was about to bow, Song Lin pulled a porcelain bottle from his sleeve. “Apply this several times; it will help.”

It was similar to the bottle he had given her in the capital.

Jiayin slowly reached out, carefully accepting the ointment.

She didn’t refuse out of pride—she truly needed these medicines to ease her pain.

Seeing her cautious manner, Song Lin silently turned away without another word, then strode off.

Once his figure completely disappeared, Jiayin turned and continued toward the hall.

At that moment, a familiar voice suddenly called out, “Jiajia.”

Jiayin stopped but hesitated to turn around.

It was Su Lingfeng—he had come to the inner palace. After all, the inner palace was forbidden to adult men.

His voice drew closer. “You went to the Wise Consort’s palace? Were you discussing your marriage?”

Standing before her, he asked anxiously.

Jiayin shook her head lightly, her tone flat. “No.”

Su Lingfeng detected no warmth from her, and even when speaking of her remarriage, she remained unmoved. He pressed on, “Why don’t you resist? Do you really intend to marry Wu Tianyi?”

Finally, Jiayin lifted her head, her eyes cold. “If the heir apparent has no other matters, I will take my leave first.”

Unwilling to give up, Su Lingfeng asked, “Will you attend the celebration banquet tonight?”

Jiayin did not answer, still hesitant.

Then Su Lingfeng produced a brocade box from behind him. “Take this. You need to be properly dressed for the palace banquet…”

Jiayin knew it contained jewelry and was about to refuse, but Su Lingfeng had already pressed the box into her hands. “Even if you don’t wear it, you can use it as a gift.”

Jiayin gripped the box tightly, her fingers whitening from the strain.

Su Lingfeng turned and left.

Back inside, Jiayin immediately handed the box to Ziyan. “Take this to Chang Le Palace. Tell them it’s a gift from Young Master Su.”

Ziyan took the box, opening it with delight. “It’s a luminous pearl hairpin! Young Master Su is clever—only two exist in the world, and he actually got one!”

Jiayin glanced at it coldly, her heart untouched. Fortunately, she planned to give it to Song Yueyi. If she wore it herself, it would surely invite gossip.

“Hurry and deliver it. Something so valuable can’t be damaged—none of us could afford the loss,” Jiayin said.

No sooner had she finished than a report came from outside the door. “Princess, the Empress Dowager requests your presence.”