Chapter 121: First Arrival in Nanping

After the rain, the morning air felt especially fresh. The deck was still dotted with puddles not yet swept away, and Lian Yue stood at the center of the crowd, her face alight with anticipation and excitement as she watched the dock draw nearer. On that dock, the figure she could always recognize at a glance, no matter how much time had passed, waited for her.

Yet the figure appeared so fragile. Unbidden, Lian Yue’s tears began to fall, drop by drop. No matter how strong a woman might be, after enduring such blows, her vulnerability inevitably showed through.

As the ship gradually approached the shore, the figure became clearer. For a moment, Lian Yue felt as if she were seeing her after a lifetime apart, her throat tight with emotion.

Beside her, Yue Lingjun, Lan Shui, and Meng Chuchen maintained a calm demeanor, but those who knew them well could discern the unrest within from their subtle gestures. Of course, that person was Lian Yue.

Qiao Zhi, perhaps seeking to avoid suspicion, did not stand with Yu Wen Lingxi as he usually did. If it were another time and place, Lian Yue would certainly have teased him about it. But now her eyes were fixed solely on the figure ashore.

At that moment, Yue Lianyu on the dock was trying hard to restrain her tears, but seeing her family aboard the ship brought a surge of pent-up grievance to her heart.

Some emotions, suppressed for too long, demand an outlet.

As soon as the ship landed, Lian Yue could not wait for the crew to set the gangplank. She leapt ashore, making Lianyu’s heart race with worry.

Lianyu stepped forward to catch Lian Yue, scolding gently, “Slow down, what’s the rush?”

Lian Yue grasped Lianyu’s hand, squinting with a smile. “Because I want to hold your hand as soon as possible, Sister. Your hand is always so warm.”

Lan Shui, following behind, chimed in, “Yu’er, don’t trust everything she says. Yesterday, she claimed my hand was the warmest.”

“I can testify to that—it’s true,” Yue Lingjun, standing behind Lan Shui, agreed without hesitation.

Everyone was eager to ease the tense atmosphere; this banter was the perfect balm.

Lianyu understood their intentions and laughed along. “So I was happy for nothing. Turns out, those words weren’t meant just for me. Still, Yu’er’s words are getting sweeter by the day.”

Lian Yue looked at the group behind her, united in their teasing, and pouted, “I’m telling the truth, Sister. Don’t believe Brother—he’s on Lan Shui’s side now, with only her in his heart. He doesn’t care about me anymore.”

“Oh?” This was news to Lianyu, who glanced at Lan Shui with surprise. Lan Shui stood calmly, but Yue Lingjun avoided Lianyu’s gaze, confirming the truth of Lian Yue’s claim.

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Seeing that everyone’s heaviness had melted away, Lian Yue decided to stir things up further. She leaned in to Lianyu’s ear and whispered, “And our second brother has confessed to Yao Yao—I even saw them kiss.”

Lianyu looked into Lian Yue’s eyes, surprised. Lian Yue nodded in confirmation. The joy in Lianyu’s eyes deepened as she beckoned to Yao Yao, who, unaware of what was happening, confidently claimed Lianyu’s other hand.

Zhou Man only emerged from his room after the ship docked. Seeing those already ashore and Lianyu surrounded by her family, he called out gruffly, “Yu’er, you’re looking well!”

Lianyu, ignoring his rough tone, held Lian Yue and Yao Yao gracefully as she greeted him, “Uncle Zhou, you came in person—why didn’t you notify us?”

Zhou Man waved a large hand dismissively. “No need for all that formality. Just arrange lodging and food for me, Yu’er. Your Uncle Zhou isn’t one for ceremony.”

Lianyu knew Zhou Man’s temperament and that he disliked false politeness, so she replied, “You can rest assured, Uncle Zhou. I can manage that much.”

“Fourth Sister-in-law, have you not noticed how dashing I am? I’m heartbroken,” Qiao Zhi seized the opportunity to interject. “And Yu Wen Lingxi, Lian Yue’s fiancé, is here too.”

Lianyu turned to him, “Still as irreverent as ever. I ought to ask why you didn’t return directly to Xijing. Some things can’t be avoided forever.”

“Fourth Sister-in-law, why bring up such dampening matters right when we meet? You know I’m just trying to dodge trouble. Staying with you keeps those people from acting openly!”

Qiao Zhi’s whiny tone made Lian Yue shudder. She truly admired her elder sister’s tolerance.

Lianyu greeted Yu Wen Lingxi and Zhou Ziwen, then announced, “The carriages are ready. Let’s return to the Prince’s Residence, or the other ships can’t dock.”

Naturally, everyone agreed. After several days on the ship, the feeling of solid ground was especially comforting.

Upon their return to Nanping Prince’s Residence, Lian Yue asked the steward to show them to their rooms to rest, while the siblings gathered to catch up.

Lian Yue’s disappearance and her experiences were recounted once more. Lianyu, after confirming Lian Yue was truly unharmed, took the opportunity to vilify the man in black yet again.

Of course, the conversation turned to Yue Lingjun and Lan Shui, and Yao Yao and Meng Chuchen. Lianyu offered her blessings, but said nothing about her own affairs. Lian Yue and the others, worried about upsetting Lianyu, avoided the topic as well. After a while, Qiujü came in to remind Lianyu that she needed to rest.

Lian Yue followed Lan Shui and the others to take a break.

Throughout, they never caught a glimpse of Nanping Prince Qiao Bin, which left Lian Yue and her companions quite dissatisfied. Their once favorable impression of the prince diminished considerably.

With nothing else to do, Lian Yue suggested that she, Yao Yao, and Lan Shui walk in the residence’s garden. She had often heard Lianyu recount the events that took place there.

Now, experiencing it firsthand, she was eager to meet her nephew, whom she had never seen. Such a little one must be adorable.

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In the garden, there was a swing. Lian Yue and Yao Yao took turns playing on it, delighted.

But some people always seemed intent on spoiling the mood.

From the far end of the garden path, a group of brightly dressed, chattering women approached. The once fresh air was suddenly tainted, disturbing Lian Yue’s happiness.

Yao Yao, seated on the swing, asked curiously, “Sister Lian Yue, do all the maids here dress so beautifully? Their clothes are even more vibrant than Sister Lianyu’s.”

Lian Yue felt a pang of annoyance. Unlike Yao Yao, she knew the workings of the residence. These women, whose heavy perfume preceded them, were not maids; they were the prince’s concubines, some gifted by the emperor, others sent by officials, each with a different origin.

Though Lian Yue knew these women were little more than decorative ornaments, she couldn’t help but feel angry on her elder sister’s behalf. These chattering beauties were always causing trouble, each scheming to climb into the Prince’s bed.

How her sister managed to handle it all was beyond her.

No matter that Lianyu was the eldest daughter of the Yue family; after marrying into the Prince’s Residence, she lost a measure of her freedom. Even if Lian Yue disliked the back courtyard, she had to keep her feelings buried.

Every day was spent dealing with these suffocating matters.

Lian Yue truly had no desire to interact with these women. At Lan Shui’s signal, she stopped Yao Yao’s swing and tried to lead her away.

Yao Yao cooperated, but there were always those who liked to stir up trouble.

It’s said three women can stage a drama; what of seven or eight?

Lian Yue had guessed their identities correctly. These women were all the other concubines in the Prince’s Residence, apart from Lian Yue herself.

Their appearance was no accident. With two concubines recently dismissed by the prince, the remaining women felt a deep sense of crisis. They had carefully inquired and decided, since the eldest was hard to bully, they would target the youngest.

What they didn’t know was that this youngest was an iron wall.

As Lian Yue led Yao Yao away, one of the women called out.

“When did you sisters enter the residence? You seem unfamiliar to me,” said a woman dressed in peach, making the first move.

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