Chapter 128: Growing Up

Lin Miaomiao listened to the gentle words of the Virtuous Imperial Noble Consort Yuan Chuxia and sighed deeply after a long pause. How could she not understand the loneliness of a modern person suddenly thrust into this strange dynasty? Only she knew the solitude that entailed.

As she returned with Li Yanhe, Lin Miaomiao sat quietly in the carriage, silent and lost in thought. Seeing her dazed expression, Li Yanhe cautiously asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling upset?"

Lin Miaomiao glanced up at him and said softly, "You know, for people like us who come to this place, being alone is, in a way, a gamble. A gamble on whether we can survive properly. Look, I’ve already married you."

"If you treat me well now, perhaps there will be a good outcome. If not, I might end up like the Virtuous Imperial Noble Consort Yuan Chuxia."

Li Yanhe said nothing in response, and they returned to the prince’s residence together.

The next day, rumors spread that the Prince of Shengxuan was afraid his wife’s affairs would leak out, and that the capricious Princess Consort of Shengxuan had angered Concubine Cao to the point of fainting. The Yongchang Emperor immediately placed Concubine Cao under house arrest, and news of the palace intrigues reached everyone’s ears. Lin Miaomiao sighed quietly upon hearing it all.

She glanced at Li Yanhe and said, “We really are the center of all gossip.”

Lin Miaomiao suddenly felt that though she had never been a prominent figure in the modern world, since crossing into this ancient era, she had become the focal point of every piece of gossip—almost like the scandals of a modern high society. She looked helplessly at Li Yanhe.

Li Yanhe chuckled and said, “It’s just idle chatter. If you don’t like me, then you can—”

Lin Miaomiao waved him off and said with a sigh, “If only I hadn’t agreed to marry the Emperor. That Concubine Cao, relying on her man, bullies others so recklessly.”

Li Yanhe was speechless. Actually, her ‘man’ was quite formidable—it was just that he wasn’t around at that time.

Nearby, Princess Li Anyi of Chang’an overheard and burst out laughing.

Lin Miaomiao and Princess Li Anyi were engrossed in a game of Dou Di Zhu. The two of them were peasants, Li Yanhe was the landlord, and every round he was landlord. Since they couldn’t win fairly, Lin Miaomiao and Li Anyi resorted to cheating, openly declaring what cards they held.

Seeing this, Li Yanhe shook his head, amused. “If you’re telling each other your cards, what’s the point of playing?”

Lin Miaomiao smiled brightly. “Of course there’s a point! To win, of course! Winning against you makes us happy.”

Li Yanhe laughed again and shook his head. The three of them continued playing poker in the pavilion of the prince’s residence.

But life in the palace was far less carefree. It was said that Concubine Cao had been sent to the Cold Palace, and soon the entire Minister’s household was implicated. Lin Miaomiao was unaware of these events, and although Li Yanhe had received word, he didn’t think much of it.

As Princess Li Anyi left that evening, she told Lin Miaomiao, “My husband has been chosen this year—the youngest son of the Duke of Zhen.”

Lin Miaomiao was momentarily stunned, then looked up at her. “On your wedding day, I will design a gown unlike anyone else’s.”

Princess Li Anyi smiled and nodded. “Thank you, Second Sister-in-law.”

After saying this, she turned and climbed into her carriage. Watching her leave, Lin Miaomiao felt a strange, inexplicable emotion welling up inside.

In the winter of the 21st year of Yongchang, Princess Li Anyi wore the wedding dress Lin Miaomiao had designed and married the Duke of Zhen’s youngest son.

Lin Miaomiao and Li Yanhe naturally attended. When Lin Miaomiao saw Prince Mo, the Duke’s youngest son, she was taken aback and glanced at Li Yanhe.

Li Yanhe sighed heavily and said, “I’ve heard the Duke’s youngest son has peculiar tastes.”

Lin Miaomiao looked at him incredulously. Li Yanhe smirked and said, “It’s well-known that the Duke’s youngest son prefers very young children.”

Suddenly, Lin Miaomiao’s heart ached sharply. She raised her head and stared seriously at Li Yanhe. “So, Anyi won’t be happy married to him.”

Li Yanhe lowered his gaze, then looked up at her. “Royal marriages rarely come with happiness or joy. The empire belongs to the emperor, and all land is his. She is a princess; her marriage must satisfy the emperor.”

Watching the newlyweds bow in the wedding ceremony, Lin Miaomiao was overcome with a sense of helplessness. In that moment, she understood the bitter smile that had appeared on Princess Li Anyi’s lips.

Shortly after her wedding, Princess Li Anyi became pregnant. One winter day, Lin Miaomiao was startled by how frail the princess appeared.

“You’re pregnant and still out in this cold,” Lin Miaomiao said.

Li Anyi looked at her and replied, “Second Sister-in-law, my household is dreadfully dull. I thought I’d come keep you company.”

Lin Miaomiao nodded silently and placed her hand on the princess’s belly. “You must be two months along, right?”

Li Anyi nodded. “Usually, people announce after three months, but I told everyone after two. Whether this child will live is another matter.”

Lin Miaomiao looked at her in disbelief. Li Anyi smiled bitterly. “I’m sure you understand.”

Lin Miaomiao could only nod. Two months later, news came that Princess Li Anyi had miscarried.

Soon after, the princess’s husband was summoned for imperial questioning, and the entire Duke of Zhen’s household was implicated.

In an instant, the Seventh Prince’s faction was thrown into turmoil, unsure if the emperor’s actions stemmed from concern for the princess or a desire to move against the Duke’s family.

Lin Miaomiao looked up at the capital city. That winter, snow fell once more. Li Yanhe remained secluded in the residence, avoiding politics as usual.

Yet Lin Miaomiao found the manor too vast and desolate. When they were at Da’an Pass, the little courtyard had been lively and full of warmth.

Unconsciously, she found herself missing two children. Just as she looked up lost in thought, the steward of the prince’s residence arrived with a report.

Upon hearing the news, Lin Miaomiao’s face lit up with a beautiful smile. Forgetting her dignity, she hurried in her gown to the manor’s entrance.

Lin Miaomiao had been separated from Lin Langluan and Lin Langze for a full year. She remembered clearly the day she had taken them in—so many years had passed in the blink of an eye.

At the manor’s gate stood Lin Langluan and Lin Langze, two handsome youths whose appearance drew curious glances from passersby. Clad in fine clothes, many wondered which noble family these young masters belonged to.

When Lin Miaomiao emerged, she barely recognized them. They had grown so tall in just one year—now towering over her by a full head.

“Big sister!” the two called out, smiling.

Lin Miaomiao smiled and nodded. “Ah.”

The boys had ridden horseback into the capital, their journey arduous and dusty. Lin Miaomiao gently scolded them, “Why didn’t you notify me before coming?”

They smiled sheepishly. “We wanted to surprise you. Aren’t you happy?”

Lin Miaomiao’s lips curved into a radiant smile. “Of course I am! What a huge surprise.”

While chatting with Lin Langluan and Lin Langze, Li Yanhe returned. He was momentarily stunned at the sight of the boys, then smiled and shook his head. “When did you leave? Why didn’t you send a letter?”

Lin Langze grinned mischievously. “Because we wanted to surprise big sister.”

Just as Lin Miaomiao was about to instruct the steward to prepare rooms for them, Lin Langluan and Lin Langze waved her off.

“We bought a residence here in the capital. We’ll visit you often.”

Lin Miaomiao was momentarily taken aback before lowering her eyes in a quiet melancholy.

Lin Langluan laughed at her expression. “Thanks. Our family business has expanded to the capital. We should have a Lin residence here too.”

“I’m now in charge of the business at Da’an Pass, so I decided to grow our factory and secure a good location in the capital. From now on, the Lin residence here will be your home.”

Lin Miaomiao was amazed by Lin Langluan’s entrepreneurial talent. Since arriving in the capital, she hadn’t corresponded much with Da’an Pass, mainly because Li Yanhe was embroiled in political turmoil, and she had to stay quietly here.

After lunch, Lin Langluan and Lin Langze left. Watching them go, Lin Miaomiao remarked to Li Yanhe, “They’ve grown up.”

Li Yanhe shook his head. “Of course they have. You’ve grown up too, haven’t you?”

Lin Miaomiao was taken aback, then realized that though her psychological age was nearing thirty, she still felt like a child in many ways.

She sighed, then looked up and smiled at Li Yanhe. “Who says not? I’ve grown up—I married you and became your wife.”

The 21st year of Yongchang passed swiftly. It was a turbulent year. On New Year’s Eve, Lin Miaomiao and Li Yanhe kept vigil together.

In the late hours, they were summoned to the palace to pay respects to the Yongchang Emperor and the Virtuous Imperial Noble Consort Yuan Chuxia.

As their carriage entered the dimly lit palace, Lin Miaomiao caught sight of the noble consort’s pale face under the flickering candlelight.