Reborn, I was pursued by the Prince of the Broken Sleeves

At 3:45 AM, in Lanyi Courtyard.

Su Manman suddenly woke up from the bed, her palms still feeling the burning pain of her skin.

It's that dream again.

A towering flame, Ye Zhi's cold, departing figure, and the crackling sound of burning flesh...

And there was Ye Mo holding her, calling out anxiously...

Through their blurred vision, the fire completely engulfed them both...

"Young lady, are you having a nightmare again?"

Hearing the commotion, Tao Hong hurriedly lit a lamp and came in.

Su Manman didn't answer. She walked barefoot to the window, letting the night wind blow into her thin nightgown.

She looked towards the palace, where it was brightly lit but eerily quiet.

“It’s not a nightmare, it’s a debt.” Her voice was icy. “The debts that must be repaid, not one will be spared.”

"boom--!"

Suddenly, a dull thud was heard from the courtyard as something heavy fell to the ground.

Peach Blossom trembled in fright. Azure Phoenix rushed out with her sword. Su Manman turned around abruptly, and when she saw who it was, a sharp glint flashed in her eyes.

It's Lin Yi!

He practically stumbled into the courtyard, a deep, bone-revealing knife wound on his shoulder still bleeding, but his face was contorted with excitement: "Miss, it's done! Prince Jin has truly rebelled. His Highness has taken control of the situation. Ye Zhi has been imprisoned in the Imperial Prison, and Consort Bai... she set herself on fire in her palace!"

"Self-immolation?"

Su Manman repeated the two words, then suddenly chuckled softly.

The laughter was especially eerie in the quiet night; as they laughed, tears involuntarily streamed down their faces.

Burning in flames... Good, very good!

Bai, you've finally tasted this bitterness.

"Miss..." Tao Hong called out worriedly, "What's wrong? Don't frighten me."

Su Manman reached out and pinched the chubby, rosy cheeks, and said with a smile, "I'm happy."

In her previous life, that old hag not only killed her, but also tortured and killed Tao Hong and Qing Luan.

In this life, she finally managed to protect them.

"If the young lady is happy, then this servant is happy too!" Tao Hong felt that the young lady's behavior at this moment was a bit strange, but she did not ask why.

As long as the girl is happy, she can accompany her no matter what she wants to do.

"Hmm!" Lin Yi let out a suppressed groan from the side!

"Your injury..." Tao Hong exclaimed in surprise.

Su Manman quickly composed herself, stepped forward, and deftly tore open Lin Yi's sleeve!

"Miss, you mustn't..." Lin Yi panicked and backed away.

"Don't move!" Su Manman said sternly.

A flash of silver light appeared at her fingertips, and three silver needles were precisely inserted into the acupoints, instantly slowing the gushing blood flow.

"Tao Hong, get the Black Jade Bone-Mending Ointment from the bottom of my medicine box," she calmly instructed, her hands moving without pause. "Lin Yi, bear with it. Come inside, I'll treat your wound!"

A moment later, the plaster was applied and the bleeding stopped.

Lin Yi was stunned!

He knew the girl was skilled in medicine, but he didn't know her techniques were so miraculous.

"Thank you, young lady!" he said respectfully.

Su Manman washed her hands, her face expressionless: "Is Your Highness alright?"

"Your Highness is well! He is busy cleaning up the mess. His Majesty has decreed that all those involved will be executed outside the Meridian Gate in one month!"

"I understand." Su Manman's voice was calm and even. "I'm tired, let's rest."

The door closed, and she lay on the bed, staring wide-eyed at the canopy above the bed, letting her tears fall silently.

My great revenge has been achieved, and my long-cherished wish has been fulfilled.

She finally broke free from the shackles of her past life's fate and protected her loving family. She also protected the person who held her and called out to her as she lay dying.

Eight days later, the imperial edict arrived.

When Ye Mo was appointed Crown Prince, she received a golden plaque bestowed by the emperor, becoming the center of attention.

But as Su Manman stroked the cold gold medal, what lingered in her mind was the secret letter she had copied from the Bai residence—about the witch Yunniang, and about the prophecy of the "Phoenix Fate" that changed her two lifetimes.

Is this a prophecy or a meticulously planned conspiracy?

The fear of being manipulated in a past life coils around my heart like a venomous snake.

She has to figure it out.

A few days later, his elder brother Su Chengwu returned in high spirits, saying that the Crown Prince had sent him to the Northwest Army Camp as a deputy general.

Looking at her brother's carefree smile, Su Manman swallowed back the reminder that was on the tip of her tongue, and only said, "Brother, the Northwest Army used to be under Ye Zhi's control. Be careful in everything you do on this trip. Be extremely cautious about the use of medicine and food in the army."

She placed a silver hairpin, capable of detecting all poisons, into her brother's hand.

"Man'er, don't worry!" Su Chengwu said confidently, "I have been trained in the military for many years. This appointment is risky and demanding, but it is also an opportunity!"

"Man'er, Ye Mo has been named Crown Prince, and you will be his future Crown Princess. But alas, the Su family..."

He sighed softly, "Your father is useless, and you have no powerful backing. But you have your elder brother. He will surely strive for fame and merit, and become your support, so that no one will dare to look down on you!"

He spoke earnestly and sincerely!

Su Manman's eyes welled up with tears. "Thank you, brother. Please be careful in everything you do."

After spending some time at Lanyi Courtyard, Su Chengwu went to talk to Madam Lin for a while before hurriedly setting off.

Three more days passed.

For eleven days straight, Ye Mo did not set foot in Lan Yi Courtyard again.

After breakfast this morning, Su Manman stood by the window, watching the falling flowers in the courtyard.

She knew he was busy, but the inexplicable emptiness and unease in her heart became increasingly clear.

Lin Yi then brought over a box of peach blossom pastries and a pot of glutinous rice wine, saying, "My master sent these over, hoping you will like them, young lady."

As he spoke, he took out a letter and handed it over, saying, "This is a letter from His Highness the Crown Prince to the young lady."

Su Manman opened it and took a look.

The letter was a full five pages long, filled with writing.

The letter briefly summarized his recent busy daily routine, and then consisted entirely of inquiries about her.

Ask her if she's been eating and sleeping well lately, and if she's been thinking about him.

She was also told that the Crown Princess's wedding dress would be embroidered by a special embroiderer, so she didn't need to worry.

She wasn't good at needlework, but he said he would help her embroider the red veil, and he would carefully draw the patterns, so she could just wait quietly.

If she gets impatient while waiting, she can ask Lin Yi to take her out for a stroll.

Ye Zhi had just been imprisoned, and the situation had just stabilized. However, there were spies operating in the capital, so she was told to be extremely careful.

……

He said he wanted to find some time to see her, that he missed her.

Unfortunately, the Emperor had just recovered from his illness, and due to the incident at night, his vitality was greatly depleted. Recently, he has preferred to lie on his couch, feeling listless and unable to concentrate on anything.

The imperial physician said that he was overthinking things, so all the affairs of state were left to him.

He said that being an emperor is not something a human being should do.

Every day, there are piles of memorials to submit, and I also have to argue and scheme with a group of ministers in court. It's really boring.

If Ye Zhi hadn't been so wicked, what would have happened if he had become emperor?

He looked down on the throne, but had no choice but to sit in that position.

Now, the emperor seems quite pleased to see him in a state of frantic distress, with mountains of memorials and endless affairs of state keeping him constantly occupied.

He had no choice but to work overtime.

He also said that he wanted to exonerate General Lin and was currently collecting evidence at a crucial moment, so he was very busy...

I rambled on about all sorts of trivial matters, plus the important things I needed to tell her.

Su Manman looked at the letter and smiled helplessly.

Of all these things, she grasped the most crucial one.

To exonerate General Lin and clear his name?

To clear her grandfather's name, she needed to find someone.

"Tao Hong, change your clothes." She turned around, her eyes already sharp. "Let's go and meet Commander Xiao of the patrol battalion."