Reborn, the daughter of the Marquisate went crazy

Inside the Jinluan Palace, the gauze curtains hung low, and a wisp of green smoke rose from the gilded incense burner.

Princess Fu'an lay quietly on the embroidered couch, her crow-feather-like eyelashes casting a faint shadow on her pale cheeks.

Nong Ying paced in front of the bed, her voice filled with suppressed tears: "Princess, why hasn't His Highness woken up yet?"

Xie Qingli sat upright beside the couch, his slender fingers resting lightly on Fu'an's wrist. After concentrating for a moment, he said softly, "Don't worry, the pulse is gradually stabilizing. Wait a little longer."

When he raised his eyes, a sharp light flashed in them: "Tell me everything that happened today in detail, without hiding anything."

Nong Ying's expression froze for a moment, and she stole a glance at Princess Fu'an on the couch. Finally, she whispered, "Ever since the Lantern Festival, Your Highness has been depressed and unhappy. He has no appetite and often sits alone in a daze."

She paused briefly and sighed, "A few days ago, while paying respects to the emperor at the palace, Your Highness accidentally learned... that His Majesty intends to choose a princess to marry Nan Jing, and the only suitable candidates are Your Highness and the Fourth Princess. However, although the Fourth Princess hasn't reached the age of marriage, rumors are circulating in the palace... that Concubine Li has already formed a tacit understanding with the Minister of Rites' family..."

Xie Qingli's eyes flashed: "So the princess doesn't want to marry Xiao Yan? Then today..."

Nong Ying's eyes were red, and she trembled as she said, "I can't explain it clearly. Just now in the Imperial Garden, His Highness suddenly turned into that secluded path. Seeing you chasing us, His Highness quickly pulled us and hid behind the rockery. Later... His Highness heard your conversation with Crown Prince Nanjing, and suddenly..."

A faint moan suddenly rang out. Princess Fu'an's long eyelashes trembled as she slowly opened her eyes. When she saw Xie Qingli clearly, a complex emotion flashed across her eyes. She struggled to get up, but Xie Qingli gently held her down.

"The princess fell into the water and caught a cold. She should be taken good care of." Xie Qingli said as he helped Princess Fu'an recline on the embroidered pillow and handed her a cup of warm tea to her lips. Princess Fu'an took a small sip obediently, then whispered, "Sister Li'er..."

Before she finished speaking, a crystal tear silently slid down from the corner of her eye.

Xie Qingli held her cold fingers, his voice soft but filled with anxiety, "Princess, regarding today's matter... His Majesty is currently discussing it with Crown Prince Nanjing in the Imperial Study. If you don't wish to marry, it's not too late to speak up now."

"No!" Princess Fu'an raised her head suddenly, her red eyes gleaming with determination: "This is my choice, I...will never regret it."

Xie Qingli frowned, his eyes full of confusion: "Why is this so?"

Princess Fu'an looked around and waved her sleeves lightly: "Everyone, step back." Although her voice was soft, it carried unquestionable majesty.

Nong Ying wiped her tears, led the maids out of the hall, and finally closed the door gently.

Princess Fu'an stared at Xie Qingli, her eyes filled with pain: "I'm not greedy for the position of Crown Princess, nor do I want to be the Queen of Nanjing."

She smiled bitterly: "I know better than anyone that if I plot against Xiao Yan like this today, he will definitely not treat me well in the future. But..."

She suddenly grabbed Xie Qingli's wrist, her voice trembling: "But I never expected that Xiao Yan's proposal of marriage was actually for you!"

Tears rolled down her pale cheeks, and Princess Fu'an's voice broke: "Do you know... how hard my brother's life has been for the past twenty years? When the Queen Mother was alive, he cried all day long, and my brother did everything he could to make her happy. After the Queen Mother passed away, he struggled to protect me, blocking all the attacks from behind..."

She choked up, and in a trance she saw the small figure hiding behind the pillar again: "Although I was young at the time, I still remember that after he coaxed me to sleep, he would hug my mother's old things and secretly sob. During the day, he had to force himself to deal with the enemies who killed my mother..."

Princess Fu'an's expression gradually softened. "It wasn't until I met you that I finally saw a genuine smile from his heart. His bitter life finally tasted a hint of sweetness. In the past, he was the one who protected me. This time... it's my turn to protect his happiness."

She smiled sadly, "Besides, you must have guessed it. On the night of the Lantern Festival, Master Xie... rejected me. Since I'm destined to be unlucky, I must at least... help my royal brother get what he wants."

She held Xie Qingli's hand tightly, and smiled tearfully, saying, "A bystander sees more clearly. I can see clearly that you are not completely devoid of affection for my brother. Promise me... that you must be happy..."

Xie Qingli's throat choked, tears instantly filling his eyes: "Are you going to sacrifice your whole life just for this?"

Her voice trembled. "I have my own way of dealing with Xiao Yan. Even though he's the Crown Prince of Nanjing, can he really disregard the dignity of our two countries and seize things by force?"

Princess Fu'an shook her head slightly, a bitter smile curling her lips. "Although I don't know Xiao Yan's character, I am very clear about my father's methods. He would do anything to facilitate this marriage. If he knew that Xiao Yan had his eye on you, even the Jiang family would find it difficult to protect you."

She raised her hand to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes, her voice gradually calming down: "Now that Xiao Yan and I have had physical contact, even if Xiao Yan tells me about his past with you, my father will definitely do everything he can to convince him to choose me."

Princess Fu'an looked out the window at the darkening sky and said softly, "This is... the safest way."

Before he finished speaking, the sound of Chen Xing's hurried footsteps could be heard outside the palace: "Your Highness, there is news from the Imperial Study."

Princess Fu'an froze, a trace of panic flashed in her eyes, then she forced herself to calm down and said, "Come in and talk."

Chen Xing pushed the door open and walked in. He quickly stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, His Majesty has already...decided your marriage with Crown Prince Nanjing, and will announce it to the world tomorrow."

She paused, her voice even softer: "In half a month, when the delegation is ready, they will set off to escort you to Nanjing for your wedding."

Xie Qingli frowned, "Xiao Yan just agreed like that?"

Chen Xing pursed his lips, sweat oozing from his forehead. "Today's events... there were many witnesses present. Although Crown Prince Nanjing is unhappy, he has damaged His Highness's reputation..."

She stole a glance at Princess Fu'an's pale face and continued, "His Majesty has ordered His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to appease Crown Prince Nanjing and discuss the details of the marriage agreement. At this moment... both His Royal Highnesses have left the palace..."

The palace was momentarily silent, with only the sound of the night watchman's bell ringing. Princess Fu'an stared blankly at the phoenix embroidered on the bed curtains, then chuckled softly, "This... is very good..."

But that laughter was filled with indescribable sadness...

……

In the study of the Prince's Mansion, the aroma of tea filled the air and the room was quiet.

Xiao Yan and Chu Yuncang sat across from each other at the table. This was the first time these two close friends had sat across from each other and drank tea like this since Xiao Yan came to Beijing.

Xiao Yan's slender fingers unconsciously stroked the teacup, a dazed look still between his brows. Today's events had come one after another, leaving him overwhelmed.

At this moment, he carefully recalled every detail of today: he deliberately found an opportunity to follow Princess Zhaoning, and the princess's surprised expression when she fell into the water was definitely not fake.

Thinking about it this way, today's conspiracy has nothing to do with Princess Zhaoning, and it might have been planned by Princess Fu'an.

Thinking of this, the gloom between his brows eased a little, but when he thought about the fact that he would never be destined to be with Princess Zhaoning, the light in his eyes dimmed again.

Chu Yuncang watched Xiao Yan's changing expression and said gently, "Brother Yan, Fu'an is my younger sister. She shouldn't have plotted against you today. You... have been wronged, but now the matter is settled..."

He sighed softly, his voice growing deeper. "When I'm gone... could you please take care of her? I don't ask you to treat her with respect, I just hope she can be... safe..."