She Holds the World After Being Reborn-Chapter 13 Partition of Private Property, Insane Testing

Chapter 13: Chapter 13 Partition of Private Property, Insane Testing

In the mountain temple nearing noon, sunlight filtered through the mottled tree leaves, adding a touch of warmth to the chilly temple. The north wind carried the fragrance of plum blossoms, and the sight of the ocean, with its layers upon layers of waves, was so beautiful that one could hardly move.

In the plum grove, Palace Attendants had already set up tables, chairs, and screens, along with thin veils around the area for the female family members, which was very considerate. They had even prepared soft cushions specially for the ladies, reportedly upon the personal instruction of the Crown Prince.

Lady Sun, accompanied by the female members of the Yan Family, followed the Palace Attendants and took their seats slowly.

Yan Wanqing had just sat down when a warm cloak, still holding the warmth of another, was draped over her shoulders.

"Big sister hasn’t recovered from her cold, you need to wear more," Yan Hongzhao said gently as she touched Yan Wanqing’s hand with concern, "Your hands have gotten cold on the way here, let me warm them for you."

Lady Sun sat aside, her features softening slightly.

Lady Song caught this and promptly quipped, "Their sisterly affection is truly touching, just like when we were young..." But as she spoke, something seemed to cross her mind, and her expression suddenly dimmed.

Lady Sun turned the prayer beads in her hand to a different angle and gently pushed some pastries across the table towards Lady Song, "Try this, it’s a new delicacy."

Lady Song, taken aback at first, exclaimed, "Ah!" and began tasting the pastry slowly.

While Yan Wanqing’s hands were warmed, she heard Yan Hongzhao’s cautious voice, "Big sister."

"Hmm?" Yan Wanqing looked up at her younger sister.

Seeing her somewhat constrained, "Big sister has been suffering from colds for some days now, and it has been recurring. Did you cough up blood some time ago?" she asked.

She spoke the last few words so softly that only Yan Wanqing could hear them.

"It’s nothing." Yan Wanqing knew her sister was concerned, probably having learned about it from Cong Ge.

"How can it be nothing? That is..." Yan Hongzhao became anxious, as if she had made up her mind, "How about next spring, big sister, you come with me to the martial arts hall? Even if you cannot return to your former glory, it will be good for strengthening the body and health, so you won’t suffer like now from a mere cold."

She spoke hurriedly, her voice low, and her petite nose was covered in fine sweat.

Everyone knew that the events of four years ago were a taboo among the Yan Family. It was since that incident the once proud and accomplished Princess Anping became a sickly figure, confined to her inner chambers, never stepping out of her gate or beyond her second door.

Yan Hongzhao didn’t want to mention it, but today her big sister was so gentle that she mustered the courage to speak.

A stirring within her heart, Yan Wanqing unconsciously clenched her fist, taking a while before her grasp relaxed.

"...Alright," she said.

"Big sister agreed! Hahaha..."

Overjoyed, Yan Hongzhao immediately sprang into the woods, like a happy swallow.

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Feeling stifled, Yan Wanqing left the crowd; she hadn’t forgotten the promise made under the Bodhi Tree today.

Today’s conversation with her younger sister was a reminder that she indeed needed to focus on recovering her health, to find the antidote from Thousand Mechanism, and regain her ability to protect herself.

Lost in thought—

"This hall had thought the Commandery Princess would not show up," a voice imbued with emotion and depth came from behind her.

Yan Wanqing heard the voice and raised her brows, suppressing her emotions.

Beneath the Bodhi Tree, she slowly turned around to face the newcomer, "Greetings to the Seventh Prince. How could I not come when Your Highness is here?"

Xiao Hongshen saw her draped in a fox fur shawl, with a hat trimmed with a circle of white fur that set off her porcelain-like delicate face, making her look even more pitiable and lovely. It was undeniable that if she hadn’t been confined to her boudoir for so long, the title of Dawei’s most beautiful woman would never have fallen to that member of the Lin Family.

That was precisely why he had always favored Yan Wanqing above all others.

A woman who was both beautiful and intelligent and knew when to advance or retreat was the only match for him.

"The Commandery Princess did not have this attitude last night," Xiao Hongshen still had to maintain his princely demeanor. The events of last night had caused him great embarrassment and had even been brought to the attention of the Crown Prince; he felt very uncomfortable inside.

Yan Wanqing masked the hatred in her eyes, her expression soft and her eyes brimming with tender tears, "Your Highness has truly wronged me for last night’s events. It was never my intention for things to develop that way; it was simply a matter of necessity."

"What do you mean by this?" Xiao Hongshen asked, puzzled.

Yan Wanqing recounted the events of the previous night when she encountered the young Princess of the Qin State and the Crown Prince expressing his feelings, but she omitted the part about Qin Wu being rejected, indeed seeing the jealousy in Xiao Hongshen’s eyes.

A cold laugh echoed in her heart, but her face showed great concern.

"...Qin Wu is the most favored young Princess of the Qin State, with the King nurturing her even more than the Princes. If she truly were to marry the Crown Prince, it would be like adding flowers to brocade for the already powerful Crown Prince. In that case, all the scholars and warriors of the court would fall under the Crown Prince’s control," Yan Wanqing paused, then sighed and spoke more gently, "Especially at such a critical time, we must not let the Crown Prince discover Your Highness’s friendly relations with our Yan Family. That is why..."

Xiao Hongshen understood instantly, a cold sweat breaking out along his spine. Over the years, although the Crown Prince had appeared gentle and as mild as warm jade in public, the fact that he could maintain his position without relying on anyone meant his methods were undeniable.

"Last night, I had some wine. Fortunately, my master is foresighted, which prevented the Crown Prince from noticing..." Xiao Hongshen’s voice softened as he retrieved a piece of Warm Jade from his bosom, "You were put in a difficult position because of me. This is Warm Jade recently sent from the Southern Border as an apology from me to my teacher."

However, upon seeing that piece of jade, Yan Wanqing’s eyes swirled with emotions.

In her previous life, this piece of jade was sent by Cong Huan. She merely thought it was an item from the storeroom, and since she was frail, she often wore it, which did indeed ease her weakness. However, from then on, she never parted from the jade, and coupled with Xiao Hongshen’s subtle reminders, it led outsiders to believe she had a profound relationship with the Seventh Prince and the Yan Family.

Now it seemed it was all premeditated.

"Would the teacher not accept it because she is still unwilling to forgive me?"

Yan Wanqing did not even lift her eyelids as she said directly, "I dare not. I appreciate the thought, Your Highness. There wasn’t much Warm Jade produced in the Southern Border this year, and anyone with the intention could easily trace the source of this Warm Jade. At such a crucial time, Your Highness needs to be cautious at all times."

Xiao Hongshen clenched the Warm Jade and slowly withdrew his hand, his tone unreadable, "The teacher is indeed more thoughtful. What should we do next?"

Yan Wanqing wrapped her fox fur tighter around herself and let out a breath of white air, "The most urgent matter is to prevent their successful marital union." She didn’t finish her sentence, deliberately leaving out the fact that the Crown Prince had already rejected Qin Wu.

Seeing Xiao Hongshen’s silent demeanor, Yan Wanqing’s voice grew softer, "I’ve heard that the Imperial Family of the Qin State has been somewhat unstable lately. Your Highness could send someone to investigate; perhaps there will be unexpected surprises."

Xiao Hongshen’s eyebrows relaxed slightly upon hearing this, "I thought that after last night the teacher would keep her distance from me. I’m relieved that’s not the case... Teacher, you know, you are my life."

Yan Wanqing’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she turned away, "The great endeavor comes first; Your Highness must not overstep your bounds."

Xiao Hongshen’s gaze remained deeply affectionate, "You won’t have to wait much longer. Soon the teacher will be able to stand by my side openly and honorably."

Yan Wanqing’s eyes, which she had kept under control, were now stormy. Yes, she wouldn’t have to wait much longer, she thought. She would soon be able to exact vengeance with her own hands.

Whenever she thought of the man who had brought ruin upon her entire family, the man whom she personally had pulled out of the mire of the harem, her hatred was unstoppable. Back then, she took pity on him and lent him assistance, saving him from a dire situation. But he repaid kindness with ingratitude, only thinking of imprisoning her, and ultimately drove her step by step to a dead end.