Volume One, Chapter Three: Attempting to Flee but Caught by the Crown Prince

Marriage?

She would never marry again in this lifetime...

Qingwan Lin shook her head repeatedly. Rejecting Lin Yanyuan just now had drained so much of her energy and strength that she buried herself in her mother’s arms, silently shedding tears.

“Sister, may I have a private word with Qingwan? Would you mind?” Madam Mo didn’t know what had happened, but seeing the girl’s state, she sensed some unspeakable trouble.

Suppressing the smile at the corner of her lips, she longed to grab her son and interrogate him immediately to find out exactly how he had bullied Qingwan and caused her daughter to fall into such gloom.

“If your sister needs anything, she can call on me anytime.”

After her friend left, Madam Lin helped her daughter up from her embrace and gently stroked her back.

“Don’t be afraid, tell me what’s wrong. If Mo Lingxuan has been bullying you, I will have your brother break his legs for you.”

Lying in her mother’s arms, Qingwan’s body still trembled uncontrollably.

How fortunate—she had lived another life.

In her previous life, she was blinded by obsession, thinking only of how to win Lin Yanyuan’s heart. After marrying into the Eastern Palace, she never saw her mother again.

“It’s not Mo Lingxuan. Mother, can we leave here?”

Not him?

Thinking of another possibility, Madam Lin’s face instantly turned pale, and she began stammering.

“Could it be...?”

Qingwan covered her mother’s mouth with her hand and nodded.

“What... what shall we do? Has he said anything about how to handle you?”

Madam Lin was as anxious as ants on a hot pan, pacing the room and utterly unable to come up with a solution.

“If only your brother were here. He’s so clever; he would surely know how to get us out of this.”

Qingwan put on her outer robe, tied the silk ribbon around her waist, and knelt beside her mother.

“Mother, forgive your unfilial daughter. I have decided to become a nun. The remainder of my life will be spent in quiet devotion, free from worldly affairs.”

From what she knew about Lin Yanyuan in her past life, the man would never allow her to marry again.

If she didn’t want to die, the best way was to live as a nun, detached and serene.

“Why must it be this way? Even if he refuses to give an explanation, once we return to town and things settle down, I’ll find a husband for you here—that’s better than a life of solitude and prayer.”

Given her daughter’s current situation, she truly could not bear to see her marry again.

In this world, a woman’s chastity was valued above life itself. What if she were mistreated by her in-laws?

“Mother, let us leave first. I miss father and brother.”

Recalling the sensation of being burned alive in her past life—the flames licking at her clothes and skin, the unbearable pain, the choking silence—her greatest regret was falling in love with Lin Yanyuan.

---

“All right. Wait here; I’ll ask your sister for a carriage.”

Seated in the carriage back home, Qingwan’s heart remained restless.

Though exhausted beyond measure, whenever she closed her eyes, memories of her past life flooded her mind.

At the city gate:

“Who is inside the carriage?” the gate guards asked routinely.

The young servant immediately pulled out a silver ingot from his sleeve.

“All are ladies of the household: Madam Lin, Miss Lin, and a young maid. We’re returning urgently from a visit to the capital due to a family emergency.”

After weighing the silver ingot, the guard smiled and waved his hand, “Let them through.”

Hearing those words, Qingwan’s lips involuntarily curved into their first smile of the day, her eyes glinting with a trace of joy.

Had she truly left?

That man, the crown prince, could not leave the imperial city; as for her, she would never return here in this life. They would part ways forever, each living in peace.

Leaning happily against her mother’s embrace, Qingwan surrendered to sleep.

Last night, Lin Yanyuan had tormented her relentlessly. This morning, he had dragged her out to shame her.

In her past life, the cruelty he spared from the woman he loved was all inflicted upon her, making her mistakenly believe he cared for her. Only later did she realize how terribly wrong she was.

To him, she was nothing but a slave for his desires.

In his heart, no one but a woman named Ling’er deserved his mercy. Everyone else was merely a dog summoned and dismissed at will.

Now, living her second life, she only wished to protect her father and mother and watch her brother succeed.

Suddenly, the carriage came to an abrupt halt. The violent jolt sent Qingwan’s head crashing against the carriage wall, causing her to frown in pain.

“What’s wrong?” Madam Lin shouted and looked toward the maid beside her. “Go see what’s happening.”

Seeing her daughter clutching her head, Madam Lin gently caressed her.

“Does it hurt? Let me blow on it for you.”

Hearing her mother’s words, Qingwan nestled closer, acting coy.

“Mother, I’m not a child anymore.”

No answer came from the coachman, and the maid returned without a word. Madam Lin lifted the curtain.

Outside, a group of soldiers surrounded the carriage. The maid and the young servant knelt trembling on the ground, knives pressed against their necks.

The crown prince, dressed in bright yellow brocade, sat astride a tall horse and then dismounted.

Madam Lin nervously slipped from the carriage.

“Your Highness, Madam Lin pays her respects.”

“Please rise, Madam Lin. No need for formalities.”

Hearing Lin Yanyuan’s voice inside the carriage, Qingwan’s eyes widened in terror.

Her body trembled uncontrollably as she buried her head between her knees, as if hiding could keep the intruder away.

---

“I lost a jade bracelet last night and am looking for the thief. I heard Miss Lin stayed with me last night at the general’s residence, so I’ve come to inquire.”

With a wave of his hand, he commanded the guards beside him.

“Find a carriage to take Madam Lin back to the inn to rest.”

The guard respectfully replied, “Yes,” and motioned behind them, “Madam Lin, please follow me.”

Recalling the extra bracelet on her daughter’s wrist, Madam Lin felt her legs weaken and was supported by a nearby maid.

“Madam Lin, don’t worry. I only have a few questions for Miss Lin. If Miss Lin truly found my bracelet, I will reward her handsomely.”

Watching the maid help Madam Lin away, Lin Yanyuan snorted coldly, lifted the curtain, and climbed into the carriage.

Seeing the woman inside, her eyes red and filled with despair, his anger surged. She truly never learned.

He took his seat, a chill emanating from him. When he saw her trying to escape, he immediately grasped her wrist, pulling her inward and trapping her in his embrace.

“Qingwan Lin, what do you take my words for? Where do you think you’re running off to?”

When Qingwan remained silent, Lin Yanyuan pinched her cheek.

“Mute now?” He bent down and kissed her.

Sensing his hand reaching toward her inner garment, Qingwan struggled fiercely, her body trembling uncontrollably. Was he mad?

“Stop. Not here.”

Fear shone in her eyes, yet it seemed to soothe his mood.

His rebellious hand continued inward, slowly undoing the silk ribbon at her waist.

Qingwan grabbed his hand, covering it with her small hand, intertwining their fingers.

“Scared? Still trying to run?”

His dark eyes locked onto hers, full of pleading and despair.

Qingwan shook her head.

“No more running.”

She could not afford to anger this man. If he lost control, he would truly take her here and now.

In her past life, whenever Ling’er angered him, she became his scapegoat.

She had experienced public humiliation; knowing he dared, she could not provoke him.

“No more running. Your Highness, wherever you want me, I will be.”

He was surprised by her obedience. She did not seem the type to submit so easily.

Caressing her cheek, he kissed the corner of her lips and tentatively spoke:

“If I want you to stay in the Eastern Palace?”