Chapter 6 — The Man Who Couldn't See My Face

My Princess, the gatekeeper says that Xu Yanqing is kneeling outside the gates, demanding to see you.

I laid the flower branch down, slowly closing my eyes with a profound weariness. How many times had I knelt and begged him in my past life? When I knelt outside his study, pleading for just a single glance, he never once opened the door. Now, the tables were turned, and he knelt outside of his own accord, willing and persistent.

Pay him no mind. If he wishes to kneel, let him kneel until his knees turn to dust.

Before long, however, little Peach rushed back inside in a flurry.

My Princess, he said that if you refuse to see him, he will kneel until the dawn court session tomorrow, so that all the civil and military officials can witness how cruel and heartless the Princess of the Regent is, completely abandoning our past affections...

Hearing this, I almost laughed aloud. Oh, Xu Yanqing. Even across two lifetimes, he remained utterly masterful at manipulating public sentiment. In the past life, he was always accustomed to this exact tactic. First, he would put on a deeply affectionate facade before the masses, and then he would retreat to the inner courtyard to force my compliance. Had I still been the naive Shen Lingyi of old, my heart might have softened. But I was no longer that foolish maiden.

Tell him that if he insists on kneeling, he should do it further away. I will not have him staining the threshold of my manor.

Despite my words, I ultimately had them escort him to the front hall. It was not out of a sudden surge of mercy, but because some things simply needed to be said clearly once and for all. When the young servant supported him inside, Xu Yanqing's complexion was deathly pale, dark circles shadowing his eyes, bearing the unmistakable exhaustion of many sleepless nights. I sat upon the elevated seat, holding a cup of tea, quietly waiting for him to speak. The moment he raised his head and caught sight of me, his eyes instantly flushed crimson.

Lingyi.

He stumbled forward a couple of steps, only to be blocked by little Peach's outstretched arm. I set my teacup down, my voice entirely placid.

Young Master Xu, please maintain your dignity.

Hearing this, Xu Yanqing's entire body gave a sudden, violent shudder.

What did you call me?

I stared straight into his eyes, pronouncing every single word with deliberate clarity.

Young Master Xu, of course.

In the past, I used to chase after him, calling him Ah Yan, terrified he might not recognize me. But now, those two syllables had become utterly exhausting to utter. Xu Yanqing stared fixedly at my face, searching desperately for even the faintest trace of lingering affection.

Lingyi, can't you stop acting like this? I know you are angry with me, angry that I mistook someone else for you on our wedding day.

I know I was wrong. I promise I will never make that mistake again. I can clearly tell the two of you apart now. won't you please come back home?

His voice trembled as he spoke, his eyes swollen and red, as though he might burst into tears at any second.

Just a few days ago, I went to the Shen residence, and I have already prepared the betrothal gifts for a concubine. I prepared them according to the standards of a primary wife, bringing even the Eastern pearls bestowed upon me by His Majesty.

I looked at him quietly, my heart remaining as still as stagnant water. When I died in my past life, it seemed he had wept as well. Yet he had also told me in my final moments never to pester him and my elder sister again. This time, I had finally granted him his wish, so why on earth was he acting like this now? I spoke with detached indifference.

It is too late, Xu Yanqing. When I wanted to marry you, you failed to cherish it. Now that I am already wed, take those worthless things back to your own wife.

He stood frozen in place, his mouth parting slightly, unable to utter a single syllable.

For three whole years, I waited for you to realize who I was, but not once did you ever get it right.

I forced myself to live as the absolute polar opposite of my elder sister, losing myself entirely in the process, but what was the result?

You still mistook me for her.

On our wedding day, I waited for you for a full hour. You never came, choosing instead to carry my elder sister away in the bridal sedan. Did you ever think of me even once back then?

Xu Yanqing opened his mouth to speak, but I raised a hand to cut him off.

Do not dare claim you suffer from facial blindness. In our hearts, we both know very well that you were never truly incapable of telling us apart.

It is simply that you never truly wished to see me clearly to begin with.

The moment my words finished falling, he seemed to lose all strength in his limbs, collapsing heavily onto the floor. He choked out through his sobs.

Lingyi, I was wrong. I truly, deeply know I was wrong.

won't you give me a chance, just a single chance? I swear to you I will never be like this again.

I stood up, looking down at him from my height of authority.

Xu Yanqing, listen to me very carefully.

From this moment onward, I, Shen Lingyi, share no relation whatsoever with you. Do not ever attempt to entangle yourself with me again.

The only thing you are fit to do now is to treat my elder sister well. She is the one you exhausted all your efforts to marry.

If I ever hear of you coming to my manor to cause a disturbance again, I will have the Prince submit a memorial to impeach you, charging you with the crime of disrespecting the royal family.

With those words, I turned on my heel and walked away, paying no further heed to Xu Yanqing's heart-wrenching wails. Little Peach scurried to keep pace, hurrying after me.

My Princess, he is still out there crying, wailing so loudly it is utterly maddening.

My footsteps did not falter as I replied with casual indifference.

Let him cry. Once he has cried enough, he will leave on his own accord.

When Xiao Hang returned to the manor, I was leaning by the window, leisurely reading a scriptbook. Before I could even rise at the sound of his footsteps, he was already standing in the doorway. His expression was calm, yet his gaze remained fixed entirely upon me.

I heard the young master of the Xu family came to cause trouble today?

I set the book down, meeting his eyes, a flicker of nervous uncertainty stirring within my chest as I wondered how best to begin.