Volume 1, Chapter 6: This Appearance of Mine

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Zi Yan supported Song Jiayin back inside, her heart burning with anxiety as she hurriedly helped her remove the drenched blouse and skirt. Upon seeing Jiayin’s slender, bamboo-like legs and the distorted area below her knees, tears began to stream down her face uncontrollably.

The medicine had been sent by Song Lin, and Song Jiayin began to use it.

Recalling the time from three years ago or even earlier, aside from that incident, there seemed to be no conflict between her and Song Lin. Even on the day he went for the marriage alliance, Song Lin had not appeared.

Zi Yan carefully applied the medicine while gently massaging it to aid absorption, sobbing softly, “Princess, you are a noble blossom of the imperial family, yet those Jin people dared to treat you this way! It’s truly cruel! Fortunately, the Jin kingdom has been destroyed. Princess, when His Royal Highness the Crown Prince captures those people and brings them before you, you must torment them well and let them taste the bitterness!”

Watching Zi Yan wipe her tears while tending to her wounds, Song Jiayin’s long-frozen heart stirred slightly. “Don’t cry anymore. Outsiders might think I’m just putting on airs as a princess, showing off and bullying the maids.”

Zi Yan nodded, wiping her tears, “Princess, I won’t cry anymore. I really won’t.”

Though strangers, they felt such deep concern for her.

Perhaps because no one had cared for her in so long, Song Jiayin felt an unfamiliar warmth in her heart.

Zi Yan helped adjust her clothing and stoked the charcoal brazier to a stronger blaze. “Prince Qin is truly excessive. Even if you were not made Crown Prince, he shouldn’t take it out on you. You have suffered for three years, just now you fell again, and the Fifth Prince even deliberately threw snowballs at you. It’s so cold, yet Prince Qin shows no mercy and only scolds you. He’s truly heartless...”

Her sobbing grew more intense.

Song Jiayin merely smiled faintly. Years of neglect had made her somewhat inept at caring for others. She sighed, “Don’t speak ill of him. I am powerless now and may not even protect you. It’s better you watch your words carefully.”

“I serve the Crown Prince. Now that I’ve been assigned to attend to the princess, even if he wants to beat a dog, he must look to its owner first.” Ning Shuang wiped her tears, sniffed, and quickly recovered her spirits. “Princess, look at the fine clothes His Royal Highness the Crown Prince sent.”

Looking at this sweet young girl who stood up for her, a seed of doubt in Song Jiayin’s heart began to waver.

Don’t blame her for being suspicious; after all, those who lived with her for fifteen years didn’t trust her and even tried to force her into a marriage alliance. Could a maid with no prior connection truly care for her?

Sincerity, to her, was a distant dream.

Was there truly anyone in this world who would sincerely care for her?

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

Zi Yan quickly fetched a cloak and draped it over Song Jiayin’s shoulders before going to open the door. A man’s voice was heard: “Miss Zi Yan, this is medicinal wine for the princess, used for therapeutic baths to relieve joint pain.”

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At that moment, Song Jiayin realized her memory was too good, and that was not a blessing. The voice was unmistakably that of Zhou Yong, an underling of Su Lingfeng.

Su Lingfeng actually sent someone to deliver medicine. Song Yueyi had even followed them to the capital. He really didn’t know how to avoid suspicion. Unless he did it deliberately to anger Song Yueyi and make things difficult for her.

An image of Su Lingfeng’s cold, indifferent face flashed in Song Jiayin’s mind, stirring a pang of sorrow. Before she could instruct Zi Yan to refuse the medicine, Zi Yan had already accepted it and closed the door.

Zi Yan was actually quite pleased. “Princess, who would have thought the young master Su still remembers you. He sent you medicine — imperial medicine used only by the royal family.”

Song Jiayin opened the brocade box and picked up the porcelain bottle. A glance confirmed it was indeed imperial medicine, reserved for the imperial clan.

Song Jing had never thought to give her any, but Su Lingfeng brought it.

Only she did not understand why Su Lingfeng would give her medicine.

She didn’t believe that someone who had once been cold and heartless toward her still harbored feelings.

“Put it there,” she said, ungrateful.

Zi Yan thought it was meant for use in Nanjing: “That’s fine. We can soak in it when we return to Nanjing.”

Song Jiayin’s gaze grew colder. “We leave for Nanjing the day after tomorrow. There’s much to take with us on the road. I’m afraid we can’t bring this medicine.”

Zi Yan immediately understood. “Yes, Princess.”

At dusk, voices rose again in the courtyard.

Song Jiayin, cloaked, stood and slowly walked to the window, seeing Song Jing, Song Lin, Song Yueyi, as well as Su Lingfeng and Song Zhen standing there.

A mocking smile curved her lips. When did the Song family start holding meetings in the courtyard? Was there some fierce beast hidden inside the house?

Zi Yan followed closely, whispering an explanation: “Princess, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said you are unwell and plans to depart in three days, but Prince Qin wants to leave today. Young Master Su said he would accompany the Crown Prince to eliminate the remnants of the Jin people, and Princess Yue insisted on accompanying Young Master Su. Prince Qin is very angry and blames you for all this. But how can it be your fault? They decide when to leave.”

Song Jiayin’s expression grew colder. “Yes, you’re right. Whenever they decide to leave is fine.”

As expected, the matter involved Song Yueyi. Someone called for her to join the discussion.

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Zi Yan supported her, but she walked very slowly.

Seeing her frail state and recalling the suffering she endured these three years, Song Jing frowned in anger. “Why are you walking so slowly? Can’t you hurry up? Because of you, there’s now discord among us siblings.”

Song Jiayin didn’t even glance at Song Jing. Her eyes fell on a vase, as if hearing the barking of dogs, leaving her utterly unmoved.

Ignored, Song Jing’s anger intensified. “Three years of marriage alliance, and you’ve forgotten basic manners? When you see me and the Crown Prince, don’t you know how to pay respect?”

Upon hearing this, Song Jiayin immediately knelt. “Your humble servant Yun pays her respects to all noble guests. May all noble guests be blessed.”

Song Jing was speechless with fury. “What do you mean by that? Did I ask you to perform such a grand gesture?”

Song Yueyi was the first to step forward and help her up, heartbroken. “Sister, why do this? Our royal brother is just too concerned. Let me help you up.”

Zi Yan also aided her.

Song Jiayin stood up and remained still, her gaze cold, as if the people before her were invisible air.

Song Yueyi felt awkward and returned to her place.

Song Jing was about to erupt again when Song Lin gently spoke, “Royal sister, we called you here to discuss the departure time. Do you wish to leave today or the day after?”

His hand gripping his teacup tightened unconsciously.

As Song Jiayin turned her eyes toward Song Lin, Song Jing said, “You’d better think carefully before answering. We can’t let your decision delay everyone’s plans. After all, Empress Mother and Grand Empress Dowager are waiting for you. Would you be willing to leave late?”

The Fifth Prince, Song Zhen, chimed in, “Anyway, we’re riding in carriages. You won’t have to walk.”

Song Jiayin’s voice was clear and cold, though not loud, yet it struck everyone’s heartstrings. “Your humble servant Yun dares not decide the departure time on her own. I beg all noble guests, please do not trouble me further. I lived like a beast for three years in Jin, weak and helpless, unable even to fight an ordinary slave. I have failed the teachings of His Majesty, Empress Zhou, the Empress Dowager, and the Grand Tutor. As you can see, my body is frail—I cannot lift my shoulders or carry with my hands, and even walking is difficult. If I rashly go to Nanjing in this state, what would become of the noble guests in the palace?”