Chapter 26: Exposing the Truth II-Após Ter Seus Sentimentos Ouvidos, a Verdadeira Filha Querida Tornou-se a Favorita de Todos em Pequim(Felicidade plena)

Inside the grand hall of the Marquis of Qingyuan’s residence, Lin Qingwu had just been informed by a servant that an envoy from the Northern Rong had arrived in person to pay a visit.

Lin Wanyue had, after all, claimed credit for a deed that was not her own. Lin Qingwu felt a momentary panic, but he quickly reasoned that since they were envoys, they must have come to present gifts. As long as they did not cross paths with Lin Wanyue, no complications should arise. With that thought, he made his way to the main hall.

Unexpectedly, upon arrival, he found not only the envoy but also Altai, the Third Prince of the Northern Rong, and his young son, Aruolang. As the figure with the most legitimacy and potential to inherit the throne of the Northern Rong, Lin Qingwu naturally did not wish to slight him. He stepped forward, cupping his hands in a salute: "I was unaware of the Third Prince’s arrival. Please forgive my lack of a proper welcome."

"Master Lin is too kind. It is we who have arrived uninvited; I only hope we are not causing an inconvenience," Altai replied. He then continued, "The Northern Rong and the Great Yong have signed a treaty, and I shall be departing the capital in three days. I happened to hear that your residence was hosting a Chrysanthemum Banquet. Knowing that your younger sister saved my son, I took the liberty of coming to express my gratitude in person. May I ask where Miss Lin is? My son wishes to thank her personally."

This—Lin Qingwu’s expression stiffened. If he brought Lin Wanyue out, he feared she would be exposed. Yet, many people knew she was hosting guests at the banquet today; claiming she was unwell would be impossible to maintain. After a moment of deliberation, he arranged for the Northern Rong royals to wait in a pavilion near the rockery in the inner courtyard.

He then instructed his subordinate, "Go and fetch the Fourth Young Lady. Tell her the Northern Rong Prince and his son wish to see her. It is improper for a young lady of the inner chambers to meet men directly, so instruct her to wear a veil."

Upon receiving the news, Lin Wanyue’s face turned pale. "Go see the Northern Rong Prince?" Even with a veil to hide her face, she fretted, "Did my brother not tell them I am unwell?" That wretch Lin Zhaozhao refused to tell her any details about the rescue; what if she said something wrong and exposed herself? Furthermore, she demurred, "There are so many guests at the banquet today, including many of my own sisters. If I go to entertain the Prince, wouldn't it be a slight to my friends—"

"Oh, you child, why do you not understand the importance of priorities!"

Madam Han, who had been listening nearby, could not stand it any longer. She patted her chest, feigning kindness, and insisted, "Your grandmother will look after things here; hurry off to receive the Prince!" Seeing that Lin Wanyue was reaching for her veil, she stopped her. "Why wear a veil? You saved his life, and they wish to see you—this is a wonderful thing! Your eldest brother will be there, so it is not a private meeting. There is no need for such concealment!"

The old lady thought to herself that Lin Wanyue was of an age to be married. Since ancient times, princesses of the Great Yong had been sent to the Northern Rong for political marriages. If the young prince took a fancy to Wanyue, she might even be granted the title of princess, which would bring great honor to the family.

"Grandmother..." Lin Wanyue protested.

Madam Han, assuming she was merely shy, snatched the veil away. "Go on, good child. Grandmother has paved the road for you!"

*You haven't paved the road for me,* Lin Wanyue thought, *you’ve blocked it entirely!*

In the end, with everyone watching, she could not snatch her veil back. She followed the servant, feeling reluctant and filled with anxiety. If the young prince discovered she was not the one who saved him, wouldn't her reputation be utterly ruined?

"Do not worry, Fourth Young Lady," the servant whispered. "The young prince seems very easygoing. I am sure he will not be difficult. You saved his life; just go with confidence."

***

Elsewhere, the Third Prince of the Northern Rong was busy praising Lin Wanyue’s medical skills to Lin Qingwu. Lin Qingci, who had been bored, happened to wander over and overheard their conversation. The more he listened, the more something felt wrong. Having grown up with his sister Wanyue, he knew perfectly well that she possessed no medical knowledge.

"You say my sister cured the snake venom?" he asked in astonishment.

"Indeed," Altai replied. "As far as I know, once such venom enters the body, even the gods would struggle to cure it. Yet, Miss Lin not only pulled my son back from the gates of death, but he has also suffered no lasting effects."

Lin Qingci’s expression grew even stranger.

"Speaking of which," Altai continued, "my son has suffered from prosopagnosia—face blindness—since childhood. Even though Miss Lin showed her face before, my son struggles to distinguish between the ladies of the Central Plains. If not for your help in identifying her, it would have been difficult to find her."

Lin Qingwu was stunned. Before he could offer a polite response, he saw his subordinate leading Lin Wanyue toward the pavilion. Altai turned to look.

The young lady standing before them was bright-eyed and beautiful, dressed in a lotus-pink gown, looking every bit the refined daughter of a noble house.

"Miss Lin." As a future monarch, Altai was a man of high status, but as she was his son's savior, he stood and nodded respectfully toward her.

Lin Wanyue was flattered yet terrified. She had been sweating profusely since leaving the banquet hall, unsure of how to handle the situation. She feared that if she played her cards wrong, she would end up with nothing. But then, a sudden realization dawned: if the other party couldn't even recognize who had saved him, then as long as she played the part well, she wouldn't be caught.

She curtsied gracefully. "Greetings, Your Highness."

Pausing, she turned to Aruolang, who stood behind his father looking eager. "Helping the young prince was merely a small gesture on my part. It is truly not worth you, a monarch, making a special trip to our residence to thank me."

Altai was satisfied with her response; she seemed neither greedy nor brash. He found himself inexplicably fond of her. He had previously worried that his son’s affection for a Central Plains woman might not aid his future, but now, he was increasingly pleased. "Miss Lin, if you are free, would you mind taking my son for a stroll in your gardens?"

"This..." Lin Wanyue wanted to refuse, fearing that the more she said, the more she would slip up.

However, Aruolang stepped forward. Although he felt she didn't look quite as beautiful as the girl who had saved him, he spoke tentatively, "Sister Lin, thank you for saving me. There are some things I would like to say to you in private."

Lin Qingwu immediately intervened, "My sister is an unmarried lady; a private conversation..."

"How about this? I see your younger brother is here. Why not let the three of them wander the estate together? It is difficult for them to speak freely while we are watching," Altai suggested.

Lin Qingwu could not refuse again. He could only hope that Lin Wanyue would be clever enough.

Lin Wanyue had no choice but to lead them away. "We have many green chrysanthemums in our gardens. If the young prince likes them, we can go and see them."

"I don't know much about flowers," Aruolang thought, not particularly skilled at poetry or appreciation. Just as he was looking for a topic, he suddenly noticed the golden lock hanging around Lin Wanyue’s neck. "This little golden lock of yours seems..."