Chapter 12: Love-Brained

The next day, the Crown Prince paid a visit to the Lin Prime Minister’s residence, supposedly in regard to the murder of the Second Prince, Mu Yibo.

The Lin Residence was quite large, with beautiful landscaping. Even though it was already autumn, the gardens were still in full bloom, bursting with vibrant colors and showing no signs of desolation or decay. After waiting about the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the Prime Minister came out to receive him.

The Crown Prince exchanged some pleasantries before subtly bringing up whether anything unusual had been noticed the previous day.

Prime Minister Lin stated that he hadn’t left his seat and hadn’t seen anything out of the ordinary.

The Crown Prince said, “During the banquet, Yuer was led away by a palace maid and didn’t return until it ended. That maid seemed suspicious.”

Prime Minister Lin was puzzled. “Yuer was feeling a little light-headed from the wine. She probably asked a maid to guide her to a nearby guest room to rest.”

The Crown Prince added, “What’s strange is, that palace maid was found dead this morning—hanged from a beam in the ceiling!”

The Prime Minister furrowed his brows in confusion. “Do we know who did it?”

The Crown Prince replied, “It appears to be suicide.”

The Prime Minister remarked, “It seems unrest is brewing again.”

The Crown Prince said reassuringly, “There’s no need for concern, Prime Minister. I’ve already sent people to investigate, and I believe we’ll have some leads in a few days. Besides, you’re my future father-in-law—no matter what happens, I will protect you.”

The Prime Minister’s brows relaxed, and he nodded.

The Crown Prince smiled gently. “Is Yuer home? We parted in such a hurry yesterday, I haven’t had a chance to catch up with her properly.”

“She is,” the Prime Minister replied. “I’ll have a maid take you to her.”

Mu Yichen followed the maid through a corridor. After a turn, they arrived.

Mu Yichen placed a finger over his lips, signaling for silence. He then waved his hand to dismiss the maid.

The young girl was seated on a swing. Fallen leaves and flower petals swirled around her. The weather was slightly chilly, and she was dressed a bit thinly. Her fair hands gripped the ropes as she swung slowly and leisurely.

Mu Yichen was entranced. Lin Wenyu had been beautiful even as a child—delicate and doll-like, as if she would shatter upon touch. But her temper and personality… well, her looks naturally invited a protective instinct. He hadn’t expected her to grow up even more stunning—ethereal, untouched by the mundane world! Like a celestial maiden, admirable but untouchable.

Mu Yichen removed his cloak and gently draped it over Lin Wenyu’s shoulders.

Lin Wenyu quickly stood and curtsied. “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Mu Yichen helped her up gently. “No need for formality. You used to call me ‘Crown Prince Brother’—why so distant today with ‘Your Highness’?”

Lin Wenyu replied calmly, “In the royal court, rank and decorum are strict. I wouldn’t dare overstep.”

Mu Yichen sighed, “Fine, whatever you wish.”

Lin Wenyu removed the cloak and returned it to him. “Your Highness, the weather’s cold. Please take care of your health.”

“But you—” Before Mu Yichen could finish, Lin Wenyu called out, “Ah Li, bring me a cloak.”

The maid, Ah Li, wrapped a cloak around her lady.

Lin Wenyu then asked, “To what do I owe the honor of Your Highness’ visit?”

Mu Yichen replied, “It’s nothing important. I just came to see you…”

“If it’s nothing important, then a man and woman alone in one room could damage both our reputations. Please leave, Your Highness. Ah Li, see the guest out!” She cut him off once more.

Seeing that Lin Wenyu seemed in a foul mood, Mu Yichen could only shake his head helplessly and leave with the maid, disappointed.

After he left, Lin Wenyu seemed to realize something. She returned to her room, ground some ink, dipped her brush, and wrote a note on a tiny piece of paper:

“Midnight at the Moonwatching Pavilion outside the city. —Yuer.”

That night, before midnight, Lin Wenyu was already preparing to leave. She changed into a simple yet agile outfit, threw on a black cloak, and slipped out alone.

Xiao Jing received the note and went eagerly. Just thinking about the incident from the day before made his face flush. Who wouldn’t be embarrassed?

---

The moon was radiant tonight, casting a silver glow. Stars twinkled in the sky, and the gentle breeze carried the scent of autumn.

When Xiao Jing arrived, Lin Wenyu was already in the pavilion. He crept up behind her and covered her eyes with both hands. “Guess who?”

“Scoundrel! I came to discuss something serious, not flirt with you!” she snapped.

“Not here to flirt? Then there’s nothing to talk about,” he teased.

She pried his hands away and turned to him seriously. “People are starting to suspect something about the Second Prince’s death. Be honest with me—was it you?”

Xiao Jing replied, “Yes, I did it. So what if they suspect? Other than the maid who led you to the side wing, no one saw how he died. He tried to destroy you, so I killed him first!”

Lin Wenyu frowned. “The Crown Prince came to see my father today—I suspect they were discussing this very matter. This scandal won’t die down easily.”

Xiao Jing said with ease, “If soldiers come, we’ll counter them. If water floods, we’ll block it. No big deal!”

Then, noticing her slightly messy hair, he reached out to tidy it.

Lin Wenyu gazed at him. This man was handsome—not as striking as Mu Yichen—but she couldn’t help being drawn to him. She felt a strange sense of familiarity with him. Maybe… it was fate.

Neither of them noticed a faint red thread appearing around Lin Wenyu’s wrist—it flickered, then vanished.

She couldn’t help but hug Xiao Jing, burying her face into his chest. She listened to his strong heartbeat. It felt so real—this wasn’t a dream. She understood now—she had fallen for this man.

Xiao Jing froze, bewildered by the sudden embrace. His arms hovered awkwardly before finally settling gently on her back.

“There, there. Don’t be afraid, my sweet Yiyi,” he murmured.

Lin Wenyu instantly pushed him away. “Yiyi? Who’s that?!”

Xiao Jing quickly explained, “I meant your past-life self—do you believe me?”

Her expression darkened. “Do I look like someone that gullible?”

Xiao Jing felt like the world had ended. His dumb mouth had gotten him into trouble again! “Whether you believe it or not, Yiyi is you. Wenyu is you. It’s all you. If I’m lying, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death!”

She quickly put her finger to his lips. “Enough. I believe you. Don’t swear such dreadful oaths.”

Lin Wenyu accepted this absurd truth.

“Promise me, you’ll never lie to me—ever,” she said.

Xiao Jing solemnly replied, “I promise. I’ll never lie to you.”

He added inwardly, I’ve never lied to you, not once—this little rascal!

However, what Chu Wanwan thought of as normal interactions between close sisters had taken on a whole new meaning in Lin Wenyu’s eyes.

To Lin Wenyu, all his words hinted at one thing: he liked her. He wouldn’t lie to her. He even liked her in their past life!

Oh dear… believing every word from a man. A woman in love really does have zero IQ, and Lin Wenyu embodied this perfectly. She was the textbook definition of a “love-brained” girl.

“The hour is getting late. Let’s head back,” Xiao Jing said.

Lin Wenyu nodded.

“I don’t feel comfortable letting you go alone. I’ll walk you back,” he added.

Lin Wenyu took the initiative and grabbed his hand. The two of them walked hand-in-hand toward the Lin Residence.

It was perfectly normal for girls to hold hands… or so she thought. But Xiao Jing felt an odd, indescribable awkwardness.

At the rear gate of the Lin Residence, he let go of her hand and waved. “Go back and rest early. See you soon.”

Lin Wenyu knew returning late would only draw criticism. Reluctantly, she turned to leave—then spun around again and landed a soft, cold, and slightly thin kiss right on his lips.

Then she playfully ran off, waving her hand goodbye.

Leaving behind a dumbfounded Xiao Jing…