cold clothes

Spring has come again, the ice and snow have melted, and red and green flowers are blooming in the streets and alleys. Peach blossoms are clustered together in a delightful way, and willows on the riverbanks are swaying in the spring breeze.

She wore a trendy light green bodice with a dark peach blossom pattern and a jade-white pleated skirt with bamboo and swallow patterns, topped with a lotus-root-colored jacket, and carried a broom to sweep away the fallen flowers that had drifted in from outside.

What do you think? Isn't this scene quite elegant?

Leng Yi felt smug, thinking she had a bit of Lin Daiyu's aloof and independent air about her, and couldn't help but hum a folk song in her comfort.

Lingcao watched as Lengyi struggled to sweep up the petals and wore a smug expression, and couldn't help but feel helpless and puzzled. Even though she had been by Lengyi's side for several years, she still couldn't understand Lengyi's occasional erratic behavior.

But that's not the point. The point is—

"Ningbi, if you don't hurry up..." Lingcao urged softly.

“That’s right. Let’s go, Bellflower, let’s go watch the wedding of the two princes.” Lengyi smiled faintly with her eyes closed, put the broom aside, and went out in the spring breeze.

Petals fell everywhere, wine flags fluttered in the breeze, and the streets were deserted. The stalls and vendors on the main street and Rainbow Bridge were all cleared out, leaving wide streets for the wedding procession to pass through. The restaurants and inns on both sides of the road were packed with people, who did not want to miss this rare and grand event.

As dusk fell, a vibrant procession of carriages and horses appeared on the horizon, accompanied by the sounds of gongs and drums, creating a joyous atmosphere and causing a stir among the crowd.

Everyone craned their necks in curiosity to see the two princes at the head of the group. Ordinary people did not recognize the two princes at all, but they could not help but admire and worship them, whispering among themselves about who Prince Zhao was and who Prince Jia was.

Leng Yi stood by the window on the second floor of Zuiyuxuan, facing the street, watching the grand procession approaching from afar, and Zhao Qun riding a black horse with a heroic bearing and wearing a red robe. However, her gaze couldn't help but shift back to the two wedding sedan chairs.

It's such a pity that I won't be able to see Yuqing today.

The procession was getting closer. Leng Yi closed half the window, not wanting Zhao Qun to have even the slightest chance of seeing her there.

Lingcao noticed that Ningbi was a little down, so she tried to distract Lengyi by saying, "Ningbi, let's go eat braised shrimp at Qifulou later. It's the perfect time to eat shrimp now."

"Okay, sure," Leng Yi said casually, her eyes fixed on the bridal sedan chair as it swayed past.

Then she suddenly realized something, turned her head and saw that Bellflower looked worried, so she smiled comfortingly and said, "Are you worried that I'll be disappointed if I see someone else getting married?"

"Ah, um." Suzuka rubbed her hands together guiltily and said with her head down, "But it doesn't seem to be working. I'm still too useless."

Leng Yi couldn't help but laugh heartily and gave Ling Cao a bear hug.

"Haha, don't say that. I just don't feel envious or jealous when I see other people getting married. Maybe I would have in the past, but now... I just feel sorry for the bride."

"Pitiful? Why?"

"Well, perhaps you can't understand, but imagine someone blindfolds you, puts you in a closed car, and takes you to an unknown place where you'll spend the rest of your life. Wouldn't you be scared?"

Lingcao was somewhat stunned, but she knew that Ningbi was talking about women getting married. But why did Ningbi make getting married sound like kidnapping?

"That would definitely be scary." Lingcao didn't seem very sure, but she still said it. Thinking along with what Ningbi said, it was indeed terrifying, but getting married is a major event in every woman's life, how could it be confused with kidnapping?

But even though she was full of doubts, she seemed to firmly believe what Leng Yi said.

“Yes, they must be scared. But, isn’t this how all women in the world are?” Leng Yi’s tone was inexplicably melancholy. “If everyone is like this, then no matter how good or bad, no matter how painful, it becomes the natural order. Why do women have to wear veils and ride in sedan chairs when they get married? This is not something that has existed since ancient times. Hundreds of years ago, women only covered their faces with fans when they bowed to the groom. But now, their heads and faces have to be completely covered, and only the husband can lift the veil. In my opinion, the meaning behind this is to declare that the bride belongs to the groom.”

"Perhaps you still can't understand what I'm saying. After all, marriage is a fundamental human relationship, and it's a matter of course. It would be crazy for someone like me to question it. But I'm sorry, I'm not from the same era as you."

Wow, you've revealed a secret that's been buried deep inside. That feels great, but Suzumori definitely won't believe it.

"I might as well just say everything. It won't hurt to tell Lingcao." Lengyi let out a deep breath: "So, I don't know why I was born into this world. Most women stay at home and never leave their homes, and then they are put into a sedan chair to go to their husband's family, where they still stay at home. They are trapped by two families for their entire lives. But I am just a wandering orphan, from Fengxianglou to Zhao Qun's villa, and then to the Zhaowang Mansion. And after that? Where will I be trapped? I am no different from any other woman."

"Now that I'm here, I'll take it as another chance from heaven... I don't want to be trapped anymore."

After Leng Yi finished speaking, she felt a great sense of relief. When someone boasts, it makes others feel that they can actually do it, like a ray of sunshine clearing away the gloom in their heart, making them feel incredibly radiant.

Lingcao listened to Lengyi's long-winded speech, feeling both confused and impressed. Ningbi's words were truly shocking, but having watched her grow over the years, she couldn't help but believe that she would succeed, and all she needed to do was stay by her side.

“Yes, I believe nothing can hold back Ningbi,” Bellflower said enthusiastically.

"Hahahaha," Leng Yi hugged Lingcao tightly again, "Of course, I will do it. If I'm still alive when Zhao Yin's great cause is truly accomplished, let's go far away together."

Bellflower nodded firmly.

The prince's wedding procession has long since faded into the distance, and shops, teahouses, and restaurants along the roads are gradually reopening. In reality, few people are truly concerned about the royal wedding; most are more focused on their own lives.

Lengyi and Lingcao began to chat about where would be a good place to settle down, what kind of food they could find, and how they would make a living in the future—by doing needlework, or by opening a shop and becoming cooks. Lengyi wanted to save enough money to buy a house and improve her martial arts skills so that no one could bully them.

However, behind the door they were unaware of, Zhao Yin overheard everything.

As soon as Leng Yi arrived at Zuiyuxuan, her subordinates informed Zhao Yin of her whereabouts. Zhao Yin thought this was a perfect opportunity for the two of them to meet in secret.

He remembered that Leng Yi liked to join in the fun, liked to wander around aimlessly, would become excited and lively when she walked to a bustling market, and would feel calm and peaceful when she walked to a quiet riverside.

He wanted to seize this rare opportunity to be alone with Leng Yi and see her genuine happiness; in that moment, he felt as if he too could be carefree.

He hoped to grow old with Leng Yi if he could successfully usurp the throne.