These days, she had been holding it in for too long. Now she just wanted to find someone nice to confide in.
She sighed, "Don't laugh at me when I tell you this. I got to know Prince Duan back in the days, so my heart was set on marrying His Highness...My family also knew about my intentions...Even the Empress was willing to form ties with the Ning family. Many people in Bianjing already knew about my impending marriage to His Highness. We were just waiting for an auspicious date...But a few days ago, when I was on my way back from my hometown Yueyang, I met with an accident. My carriage almost fell off a cliff."
Gu Ying knew about this incident. In her previous life, Ning Si was saved by Prince Duan on her way back to the capital.
The two originally harbored affections for each other. After this incident, His Majesty took matters into his own hands and granted them permission to marry.
Gu Ying's brows furrowed slightly, sensing something amiss. "What happened next?"
Ning Si's face turned pale. "It's embarrassing to say this, but Prince Shu saved me that day. He hugged me in front of everyone...I was scared out of my wits and didn't realize it was inappropriate...By the time I reacted, Prince Shu had already carried me onto his carriage..."
Gu Ying's expression changed. Her heart skipped a beat as she grabbed Ning Si's icy cold little hand. "Prince Shu saved you?"
How could it be Prince Shu?
If she remembered correctly, it should have been Prince Duan!
"Yes..." Ning Si noticed Gu Ying's abnormal reaction and said in confusion, "Although I'm grateful to Prince Shu for saving my life...his actions that day caused much controversy. When I returned home, Prince Shu sent someone to propose marriage, saying that since he had made contact with me, he had to come to my family to ask for my hand...My parents have been extremely vexed by this matter and don't know what to do. Moreover, this news has already spread to the palace...Prince Duan also got wind of it."
At this point, Ning Si smiled wryly and two streams of tears slid down her eyes. Her heart ached badly. "Ever since then, Prince Duan stopped wanting me...He returned all the gifts I gave him and wrote me a farewell letter, asking me to...go our separate ways."
Gu Ying's brows remained furrowed. She exerted more strength into her grip on Ning Si's hand.
Ning Si gave a pale smile, thinking Gu Ying felt heartache for her. Despite her own excruciating heartbreak, she still tried to console Gu Ying with a smile, "It's alright, actually. His Highness enjoys great fame and reputation, gentle and refined. I know I'm not a suitable match for him, so I don't dare to wish that he would still want me... I just want to enter the palace and see him once, to tell him that I don't like Prince Shu and have not betrayed him...He's the only one in my heart..."
Although she said this, the tears at the corner of her eyes still betrayed her sorrow.
While Ning Si spoke gently, Gu Ying felt her mind descend into turmoil.
The predetermined events from her past life had changed. What exactly was going on? Where had things gone wrong?
Or was it because she had been reborn, some things turned out differently compared to her past life?
But that can't be right...
Everything that happened at the Bo Manor followed the trajectory of her past life. That's why she could seize the advantage and take her revenge. No one knew what would happen in the future, only she did.
But now, Ning Si and Prince Duan's encounter made her feel flustered.
Could there be someone else, like her, who also knew the future and was deliberately interfering and meddling in Ning Si and Prince Duan's marriage?
Not only did this person have foresight, but they resolutely stood in opposition against her!
Her face instantly turned deathly pale. She only felt her mind buzz as if thunder had exploded next to her ears.
Could it be...
Jiang Yin?!
No...
Impossible!
Gu Ying's heartbeat abruptly quickened as she shot up from her seat. The exquisite beauty's fair complexion was instantly drained of color.
Seeing her drastic change in expression, Ning Si temporarily ignored her own discomfort and struggled to sit up. She asked with concern, "Zhao furen, what's wrong?"
Gu Ying's entire body stiffened for a good while. Her mind was completely blank for a long period before she finally calmed herself down.
She gave Ning Si a ghastly smile. "I'm...alright."
She could not yet confirm if Jiang Yin had also reincarnated like her...So her mind was in turmoil.
Despite being unwell herself, Ning Si still sat up out of worry for the woman before her. She grabbed Gu Ying's hand and asked, "You don't look well. Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?"
Gu Ying stroked Ning Si's hand and swallowed hard. After regaining some composure, she forced a smile and said, "I just suddenly felt a headache coming. It must be from the cold wind."
In fact, she still could not completely ascertain if Jiang Yin had reincarnated like her.
She had to hurry and look for the Crown Prince. It would be best if she could find an opportunity to probe Jiang Yin as soon as possible.
Otherwise...
The course of events would completely deviate from the intended trajectory.
Jiang Yin had been so ruthless to her in their past life and detested her so much. If he really reincarnated, he would likely send her plummeting back into irrevocable misery.
But she absolutely could not allow something like that to happen again in this lifetime.
She had to nip this threat in the bud as soon as possible.
Even if she had to find an opportunity to directly kill him, it would be well worth it.
Her eyes turned icy cold. She was about to hastily take her leave when she suddenly remembered the purpose for her visit today. She grabbed Ning Si and headed outside while saying, "A Shen, listen carefully to what I'm about to tell you and keep it in your heart."
Gu Ying walked briskly, forcing Ning Si to keep up with her pace. "Oh...alright, go ahead..."
Outside the palace, the wind and snow raged violently. Although the Chifeng Palace was far from the Imperial Garden, the lively hubbub from outside could still be heard faintly.
The palace women were already preparing to light firecrackers in the Imperial Garden while the noble ladies chatted happily amongst themselves.
The palace lanterns lining the path seemed like a fiery dragon. Everywhere was brightly lit except for the perimeter around Chifeng Palace. As night started to fall, the pitch black darkness set off the white snowflakes even more prominently.
Gu Ying pulled Ning Si along as they silently stuck to the wall's perimeter. This narrow palace avenue was unguarded. She quickly said, "After you fainted earlier, it was Prince Duan who saved you and carried you to Chifeng Palace."
"Huh?" Ning Si became even more baffled. Her footsteps grew disorderly. "Prince Duan? But he clearly said he doesn't like me—"
"If you actually believe his nonsense, that would make you an idiot."
At this moment, Gu Ying could not be bothered with exposing her rebirth in front of Ning Si. Her only thought was that she absolutely could not let Jiang Yin ruin everything in this lifetime...
"But..."
"No buts, A Shen. Prince Duan has feelings for you. It's just that his frail health leads others to ridicule him as the 'Medicine Jar Prince'. Thus, to some extent, he doesn't dare let you know his feelings for you. He doesn't dare marry you because he's worried you would become a young widow. That's why he tried every means to push you toward Prince Shu - not because he doesn't love you, but because he hopes you can have a better life. If he dies in the future, Prince Shu will become the Crown Prince and the future Dongli Emperor. If you marry Prince Shu, you would naturally become the Dongli Empress."
"A Shen, everything he does is for your sake. You can't just give up on him so easily."
These days, she had been holding it in for too long. Now she just wanted to find someone nice to confide in.
She sighed, "Don't laugh at me when I tell you this. I got to know Prince Duan back in the days, so my heart was set on marrying His Highness...My family also knew about my intentions...Even the Empress was willing to form ties with the Ning family. Many people in Bianjing already knew about my impending marriage to His Highness. We were just waiting for an auspicious date...But a few days ago, when I was on my way back from my hometown Yueyang, I met with an accident. My carriage almost fell off a cliff."
Gu Ying knew about this incident. In her previous life, Ning Si was saved by Prince Duan on her way back to the capital.
The two originally harbored affections for each other. After this incident, His Majesty took matters into his own hands and granted them permission to marry.
Gu Ying's brows furrowed slightly, sensing something amiss. "What happened next?"
Ning Si's face turned pale. "It's embarrassing to say this, but Prince Shu saved me that day. He hugged me in front of everyone...I was scared out of my wits and didn't realize it was inappropriate...By the time I reacted, Prince Shu had already carried me onto his carriage..."
Gu Ying's expression changed. Her heart skipped a beat as she grabbed Ning Si's icy cold little hand. "Prince Shu saved you?"
How could it be Prince Shu?
If she remembered correctly, it should have been Prince Duan!
"Yes..." Ning Si noticed Gu Ying's abnormal reaction and said in confusion, "Although I'm grateful to Prince Shu for saving my life...his actions that day caused much controversy. When I returned home, Prince Shu sent someone to propose marriage, saying that since he had made contact with me, he had to come to my family to ask for my hand...My parents have been extremely vexed by this matter and don't know what to do. Moreover, this news has already spread to the palace...Prince Duan also got wind of it."
At this point, Ning Si smiled wryly and two streams of tears slid down her eyes. Her heart ached badly. "Ever since then, Prince Duan stopped wanting me...He returned all the gifts I gave him and wrote me a farewell letter, asking me to...go our separate ways."
Gu Ying's brows remained furrowed. She exerted more strength into her grip on Ning Si's hand.
Ning Si gave a pale smile, thinking Gu Ying felt heartache for her. Despite her own excruciating heartbreak, she still tried to console Gu Ying with a smile, "It's alright, actually. His Highness enjoys great fame and reputation, gentle and refined. I know I'm not a suitable match for him, so I don't dare to wish that he would still want me... I just want to enter the palace and see him once, to tell him that I don't like Prince Shu and have not betrayed him...He's the only one in my heart..."
Although she said this, the tears at the corner of her eyes still betrayed her sorrow.
While Ning Si spoke gently, Gu Ying felt her mind descend into turmoil.
The predetermined events from her past life had changed. What exactly was going on? Where had things gone wrong?
Or was it because she had been reborn, some things turned out differently compared to her past life?
But that can't be right...
Everything that happened at the Bo Manor followed the trajectory of her past life. That's why she could seize the advantage and take her revenge. No one knew what would happen in the future, only she did.
But now, Ning Si and Prince Duan's encounter made her feel flustered.
Could there be someone else, like her, who also knew the future and was deliberately interfering and meddling in Ning Si and Prince Duan's marriage?
Not only did this person have foresight, but they resolutely stood in opposition against her!
Her face instantly turned deathly pale. She only felt her mind buzz as if thunder had exploded next to her ears.
Could it be...
Jiang Yin?!
No...
Impossible!
Gu Ying's heartbeat abruptly quickened as she shot up from her seat. The exquisite beauty's fair complexion was instantly drained of color.
Seeing her drastic change in expression, Ning Si temporarily ignored her own discomfort and struggled to sit up. She asked with concern, "Zhao furen, what's wrong?"
Gu Ying's entire body stiffened for a good while. Her mind was completely blank for a long period before she finally calmed herself down.
She gave Ning Si a ghastly smile. "I'm...alright."
She could not yet confirm if Jiang Yin had also reincarnated like her...So her mind was in turmoil.
Despite being unwell herself, Ning Si still sat up out of worry for the woman before her. She grabbed Gu Ying's hand and asked, "You don't look well. Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?"
Gu Ying stroked Ning Si's hand and swallowed hard. After regaining some composure, she forced a smile and said, "I just suddenly felt a headache coming. It must be from the cold wind."
In fact, she still could not completely ascertain if Jiang Yin had reincarnated like her.
She had to hurry and look for the Crown Prince. It would be best if she could find an opportunity to probe Jiang Yin as soon as possible.
Otherwise...
The course of events would completely deviate from the intended trajectory.
Jiang Yin had been so ruthless to her in their past life and detested her so much. If he really reincarnated, he would likely send her plummeting back into irrevocable misery.
But she absolutely could not allow something like that to happen again in this lifetime.
She had to nip this threat in the bud as soon as possible.
Even if she had to find an opportunity to directly kill him, it would be well worth it.
Her eyes turned icy cold. She was about to hastily take her leave when she suddenly remembered the purpose for her visit today. She grabbed Ning Si and headed outside while saying, "A Shen, listen carefully to what I'm about to tell you and keep it in your heart."
Gu Ying walked briskly, forcing Ning Si to keep up with her pace. "Oh...alright, go ahead..."
Outside the palace, the wind and snow raged violently. Although the Chifeng Palace was far from the Imperial Garden, the lively hubbub from outside could still be heard faintly.
The palace women were already preparing to light firecrackers in the Imperial Garden while the noble ladies chatted happily amongst themselves.
The palace lanterns lining the path seemed like a fiery dragon. Everywhere was brightly lit except for the perimeter around Chifeng Palace. As night started to fall, the pitch black darkness set off the white snowflakes even more prominently.
Gu Ying pulled Ning Si along as they silently stuck to the wall's perimeter. This narrow palace avenue was unguarded. She quickly said, "After you fainted earlier, it was Prince Duan who saved you and carried you to Chifeng Palace."
"Huh?" Ning Si became even more baffled. Her footsteps grew disorderly. "Prince Duan? But he clearly said he doesn't like me—"
"If you actually believe his nonsense, that would make you an idiot."
At this moment, Gu Ying could not be bothered with exposing her rebirth in front of Ning Si. Her only thought was that she absolutely could not let Jiang Yin ruin everything in this lifetime...
"But..."
"No buts, A Shen. Prince Duan has feelings for you. It's just that his frail health leads others to ridicule him as the 'Medicine Jar Prince'. Thus, to some extent, he doesn't dare let you know his feelings for you. He doesn't dare marry you because he's worried you would become a young widow. That's why he tried every means to push you toward Prince Shu - not because he doesn't love you, but because he hopes you can have a better life. If he dies in the future, Prince Shu will become the Crown Prince and the future Dongli Emperor. If you marry Prince Shu, you would naturally become the Dongli Empress."
"A Shen, everything he does is for your sake. You can't just give up on him so easily."
