Jiang Yingwan’s appearance brought hope of regaining favor.

“It’s because of Mother’s good teaching,” Jiang Yingwan replied meekly.

They both knew that to maintain this lie, they needed each other’s support.

Currently, she hadn’t secured a place in the emperor’s heart, so Jiang Yingwan wouldn’t be foolish enough to expose her identity rashly.  Yinghan’s relationship with the Jingyuan Marquis’s son hadn’t reached Wang Zhaoyi’s ears yet, so she wouldn’t abandon her immediately.

There were still three months until the day her identity was exposed in her previous life. Before then, Jiang Yingwan had to plan carefully.

————

Jiang Yingwan remained in bed for three days before recovering enough to get up. On the day she recovered, the emperor’s gifts arrived at Wang Zhaoyi’s Yongning Palace.

A red coral bracelet, two glass lamps, and several boxes of imperial fabrics.

Wang Zhaoyi stroked the bright, smooth fabrics one by one before instructing the palace servants to carefully store them in the storeroom.

“It seems His Majesty is very fond of Wanwan,” she lifted Jiang Yingwan’s right hand and put the bright red coral bracelet on it.

The red of the coral contrasted with the white of her wrist, making her skin appear even more delicate.

Wang Zhaoyi’s gaze darkened slightly, but a perpetual smile remained on her lips.

“With such generous gifts from His Majesty, Wanwan should show more filial piety.”

Jiang Yingwan lowered her head, meekly responding.

Seeing her shrink back, Wang Zhaoyi’s smile deepened, her fingers gently stroking her slender wrist. “His Majesty must be in the Xuanzheng Hall dealing with state affairs. Wanwan, why don’t you take some snacks to him for Mother?”

The place where her fingers brushed felt strangely itchy. Jiang Yingwan endured without brushing her hand away, softly saying, “Wanwan obeys.”

————

Jiang Yingwan originally intended to deliver the snacks to the Xuanzheng Hall as Wang Zhaoyi instructed and leave, but after the head eunuch, Liu Gonggong, returned, he informed her that the emperor had summoned her.

In her past life, Jiang Yingwan had never actively gone to the emperor, so this was her first time entering this palace, where the emperor handled daily affairs.

Along the way, she followed quietly behind Liu Gonggong, even her breathing light.

After entering, Jiang Yingwan quickly glanced at the emperor’s seat before noticing that there was more than just the emperor in the hall.

A young man in a brocade robe, about seventeen or eighteen years old, stood beside the emperor.  His young face was almost identical to the emperor’s.

Jiang Yingwan breathed a sigh of relief, bowing and saying, “Your servant greets Father and the Crown Prince.”

This young man was the current Crown Prince, Li Mu, the only person in the palace who had treated her kindly in her past life. He was the son of the late Empress.

Their conversation stopped at her words.

“Lingyi is here,” Li Mu greeted her with a gentle smile.

The emperor beckoned her, gesturing for her to sit in the empty seat beside him.

Jiang Yingwan complied, hearing the emperor ask in a low voice, “Are you fully recovered?”

His voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable authority, making Jiang Yingwan nervous again.

She stammered, “Much better, thank you for your concern, Father.”

Except for the Crown Prince, whom he had raised himself, the emperor didn’t often interact with his other children, especially a daughter he hadn’t seen in over ten years.  After that question, he didn’t say anything else.

Jiang Yingwan knew her purpose for coming, so she placed the food box on the table.

“Mother was worried about Father’s fatigue, so she asked me to bring this.”

The emperor merely glanced at the food box, giving a noncommittal “Mm.”

Seeing his lack of enthusiasm, Jiang Yingwan didn’t dare urge him to open the box. After hesitating for a long time, she said, “Actually, I also wanted to see Father.”

She noticed the tea was almost gone, saying, “Your servant will refill the tea for Father and the Crown Prince.”

The Jiang family was in the tea trade, so she was quite skilled in tea ceremony.

Li Mu looked at his sister, who had only recently returned to the palace.  Her complexion was still pale from her recent illness, but it made her even more pitiable. No wonder the emperor frequently visited Yongning Palace.

He spoke more gently, “There’s no need for formality between siblings. Lingyi should call me elder brother.”

Jiang Yingwan thought for a moment, softly saying, “Crown Prince Brother?”

Li Mu raised an eyebrow. This address was novel; none of his younger siblings had ever called him that, but it didn’t sound bad.

This sister, supposedly raised in the south, had a soft and sweet voice, very pleasant to hear.

He smiled at her, accepting the title of “Crown Prince Brother.”

Seeing the amicable interaction between the siblings, a hint of warmth appeared in the emperor’s eyes.

Jiang Yingwan focused on making tea.  As the hot water poured, a wisp of steam rose from the teacup, carrying a faint, refreshing tea fragrance.

Just as she was about to present the refilled tea to the emperor, he stopped her with a gesture.

The emperor naturally picked up the teacup and took a sip, praising, “Wanwan’s skill is excellent.”

Jiang Yingwan smiled, “Father is flattering me.”

However, her eyes couldn’t hide her pride.  When she was young, her father had taught her and Yinghan how to distinguish the quality of tea leaves and how to brew tea to best preserve the original flavor. However, Yinghan was lively and couldn’t stay still, so only she had learned this skill from her father.

“Crown Prince Brother, you should try some too.” Jiang Yingwan turned to Li Mu.  Perhaps encouraged by the emperor’s praise, she relaxed and was no longer as nervous as before.

Li Mu took a sip of tea and saw the expectant look on her face, unable to help but smile, “It’s good.”

Jiang Yingwan unconsciously raised her chin slightly, the remaining timidity in her eyes gone.

“My father…” Jiang Yingwan saw the emperor’s expression darken slightly, reluctantly correcting herself, “My adoptive father was in the tea business in Yuezhou, and I learned tea ceremony from him since childhood.”

Thinking of her deceased parents, Jiang Yingwan felt a little down. Her parents loved her so much; if they knew how tragically she died in her past life, they would be heartbroken. And Yinghan, did her parents know that the baby they accidentally found was a princess? Yinghan… Yinghan didn’t say a word for her parents in her past life.

The emperor softly “Mm”-ed, setting down the teacup and saying, “The Jiang family has been kind to you, and I should also repay them.”

Jiang Yingwan almost blurted out, “But in your past life, you ignored me, letting me be strangled to death. What kind of repayment is that?”

Li Mu saw her sudden agitation and was about to speak when Liu Gonggong entered to announce.

“Your Majesty, the Fourth Princess seeks an audience.”

Jiang Yingwan’s body instantly went cold, the unpleasant memories of her past life flooding her mind, turning her face pale.

Conflict, Whose Side?

The emperor nodded slightly to Liu Gonggong, “Let her in.”

The emperor’s offspring weren’t numerous; he only had three sons and four daughters. The Crown Prince Li Mu and the eldest princess, who was already married, were born when the emperor was still a prince. Yinghan was actually the second princess, born at a crucial moment when the emperor was seizing power.  The rest of the imperial children were born after the emperor ascended the throne.

The Fourth Princess was eight years old, the daughter of the recently favored Yang Jieyu. As the youngest imperial child, she was greatly favored by the emperor.

In her past life, when Jiang Yingwan first entered the palace, she had wanted to get along with her sisters. But she was a princess raised in the countryside, completely unfamiliar with palace rules, and was often mocked and teased, especially by the spoiled Fourth Princess, who was particularly unkind to her. Gradually, Jiang Yingwan became unwilling to go out, staying alone in her room all day.

Remembering the malice she had suffered in her past life, Jiang Yingwan instinctively wanted to escape. However, just as she was about to leave, the emperor’s gaze fell on her.

“Wanwan, meet your fourth sister.”

Jiang Yingwan could only sit back stiffly, her body as rigid as if nailed to the chair.

The emperor thought she was just shy after returning to the palace and patiently comforted her, “Don’t be afraid, we’re all family.”

The only non-family member present stiffly nodded, “Yes, Father.”

Jiang Yingwan picked up her teacup and took a sip, trying to calm herself, thinking that since the emperor and the Crown Prince were both present, the Fourth Princess shouldn’t make things difficult for her.

“Father!” Her voice preceded her arrival.

Jiang Yingwan looked towards the door, a small figure running in, followed by three or four maidservants bowing their heads.

“Jiaru,” the emperor set down his teacup, frowning displeasedly, his voice carrying undeniable authority.

After he finished speaking, the sound of her footsteps softened. The Fourth Princess’s lips were pursed, her round cheeks puffed up, reluctantly adjusting her demeanor before slowly walking forward and bowing.

“Greetings, Father, Crown Prince.”

Jiang Yingwan lowered her head, silently watching the floating tea leaves in her cup.  The Fourth Princess must have seen her, but she only bowed to the emperor and the Crown Prince, not even glancing at her.

She had endured this kind of neglect in her past life, feeling that it was better not to be a princess, that it was much more comfortable at home. When her identity was exposed in her past life, she had even breathed a sigh of relief, but she never expected the tragic end that followed.

“Jiaru,” the emperor’s voice seemed colder than before, “Your second sister is here, haven’t you seen her?”

Jiang Yingwan didn’t expect the emperor to help her, surprisedly raising her head. The usually spoiled Fourth Princess’s lower lip trembled, tears welling up in her eyes, her face full of grievance.

“What is it?” The emperor’s face darkened further. “Is this how your mother teaches you manners?”

The atmosphere in the hall became increasingly oppressive. Jiang Yingwan had seen how terrifying her “father” could be when angry in her past life.  The emperor’s anger was truly enough to cause countless deaths, so she had always been afraid of him and avoided him.