Rebirth: Find a General as Your Backer

“That’s what I think too.” A glint flashed in Li Siqian’s eyes, then she sighed helplessly. “Anyway, my family has arranged a marriage for me with my cousin, but when I look at Princess Rui, she’s so carefree and easygoing. I always want to be brave just this once, no matter what the outcome is.”

Li Siqian's words were like a ray of light shining into Zhong Siya's heart, instantly igniting the emotions that had been suppressed deep within her. She couldn't help but think of herself; she had liked General Ling for so long, yet lacked the courage to even express it, always missing opportunities due to her indecisiveness. At this moment, looking at the courageous Li Siqian before her, a surge of emotion welled up within her: shouldn't she also be brave this time, just as Li Siqian said, no matter the outcome, at least she had tried, and there would be no regrets?

“Yes, you must be brave this time, don’t overthink it.” Zhong Siya held Li Siqian’s hand tightly, her eyes full of determination and encouragement. It was as if, at this moment, they were not only holding each other’s hands, but also holding the courage and determination to pursue love, passing on strength to each other, giving each other faith to face the desires deep in their hearts.

In the dead of winter, the howling north wind, carrying swirling snowflakes, relentlessly battered the doors and windows of the Prince's mansion. Su Lianxue sat in the warm pavilion, holding a hand warmer, quietly listening to Zhong Siya, her face flushed and her voice soft, as she spoke of her feelings for Ling Lin and Li Siqian's affection for Young Master Xue.

The hand warmer in her hand trembled slightly, and she was stunned for a long time, her eyes filled with disbelief. She blurted out, "Are you sure?"

“Of course, we are absolutely certain. Therefore, we earnestly request Your Highness to help us make the connection,” Li Siqian said eagerly, her eyes full of expectation. Zhong Siya, standing beside her, nodded vigorously, her face a mixture of shyness and determination.

"Uh... well, well, General Ling, by the way, General Ling, could you please go and call Ling Lin over?" Su Lianxue was somewhat flustered, her thoughts a little disorganized.

After thinking for a moment, she added, "Go and call Young Master Xue over as well." She truly hadn't expected that Zhong Siya would fall for Ling Lin, and that this affection had been hidden for so long. And Li Siqian—she never imagined that Li Siqian would have any connection with the eldest son of the Xue family. But at this moment, these things seemed no longer important. Since they had found their own love, she was naturally happy to facilitate this happy union.

At that moment, Ling Lin was discussing important matters with Prince Rui, Chu Mohan, in the study. Upon hearing a servant report that the Princess Consort was looking for him, he was momentarily stunned, and the calligraphy brush involuntarily fell from his hand. Prince Rui was equally surprised, wondering why his wife was calling for another man but not him.

"Are you sure the Princess is calling for me?" Ling Lin looked at Prince Rui beside her, her eyes filled with a hint of caution, and asked again to confirm.

The messenger nodded hurriedly and said respectfully, "It's certain. I've asked the people serving the Princess several times, and they are indeed calling for you. Oh, and also for Second Young Master Xue."

On the other side, Xue Huai, upon hearing his name mentioned, quickly stepped forward and asked, "Is the Princess also looking for me?"

"Yes."

Xue Huai, unlike Ling Lin, didn't have as many thoughts. Upon hearing that the princess had summoned him, he said cheerfully, "Let's go, let's go and see what the princess wants to see us about."

"Alright, alright." Ling Lin didn't care about Prince Rui's thoughts anymore; in his heart, the Princess's orders were the most important thing at this moment. So the two bid farewell to Prince Rui and left in a hurry.

Prince Rui felt deeply troubled. After pondering for a moment, he finally decided to go and find out for himself. He couldn't rest easy without seeing it for himself; how could he accept that his wife called another man instead of him, her husband?

With snowflakes covering his head and filled with curiosity, Ling Lin stepped into the warm pavilion and respectfully asked, "Your Highness, what brings you here?"

Su Lianxue slowly circled Ling Lin twice, her eyes scrutinizing him, and couldn't help but say, "I didn't realize General Ling was so dashing."

Upon hearing this, Ling Lin's eyes widened in shock, and she stammered, "Your Highness, this... this..."

Prince Rui, Chu Mohan, who had just followed in, happened to hear this. He immediately became indignant and blurted out, "What? He's more handsome than me?"

"Yes, how can anyone be as handsome as His Highness?" Ling Lin swallowed hard, secretly wondering what the Princess Consort was up to.

"Your Highness, you're here too? Didn't you say you had something to do?" Su Lianxue turned around and asked when she heard Chu Mohan's voice.

In Chu Mohan's heart, nothing was more important than his beloved wife's affairs. He replied softly, "Yes, it's all taken care of." But there was a hint of displeasure in his voice.

At this moment, Su Lianxue's attention was not on Chu Mohan at all, so she naturally did not hear the unhappiness in his tone.

"Does General Ling have someone he likes?" Su Lianxue then asked.

"No, no," Ling Lin quickly replied, thinking to himself that he was always with His Highness and had no time to get to know women.

What are your expectations for your partner?

"This..." Ling Lin suddenly felt a little embarrassed. In fact, he really wanted to say someone like the Princess Consort, but when he glanced at Prince Rui next to him, he immediately lost his courage and swallowed his words.

"General Ling, have you met Miss Zhong from the Ministry of Personnel's residence?" Su Lianxue asked directly, seeing his clueless expression. She knew that men were often rather oblivious when it came to matters of love and sex.

Upon hearing the princess mention Miss Zhong, Ling Lin recounted in detail his meeting with Miss Zhong.

"Wow, Ling Lin, I really didn't expect you to have this experience. You didn't even tell us about it." Xue Huai became interested immediately upon hearing this. He had overheard some clues and guessed that the princess wanted to arrange a marriage for Ling Lin, but Ling Lin still looked completely clueless.

“This concerns Miss’s reputation; how can you men speak of it so casually?” Ling Lin immediately retorted upon hearing Xue Huai’s words.

"Tsk tsk..." Xue Huai clicked his tongue, a playful look on his face.

Ling Lin rolled her eyes at Xue Huai.

"What is your impression of Miss Zhong?" Su Lianxue pressed.

“She is a lady from a prominent family, a princess, it’s not appropriate to make such a casual comment,” Ling Lin said seriously.

Faced with such a taciturn person, Su Lianxue felt somewhat helpless. Since Zhong Siya had already expressed her feelings, she no longer concealed them and asked directly, "Miss Zhong said she likes you. I wonder if you have feelings for Miss Zhong?"

At this moment, Zhong Siya, hiding in the cubicle, was so nervous that her palms were sweating. She never expected that Princess Rui would actually summon Ling Lin directly. She and Li Siqian could only hold their breath and listen quietly to the conversation outside.

"Ah..." Ling Lin was completely stunned, his face filled with shock and helplessness.