Chapter 44: Connection between Princess and Jin Anazi (1/2)

The next morning, a light drizzle broke the night’s tranquility, and within moments, the bluestone slabs were damp, and the backyard with its plants and flowers became muddy.

Lin Ting lazily leaned against the window, listening to the rain, occasionally catching a few drops in her hand.

After encountering the princess yesterday, Jin Anazi’s aura had turned even colder, exuding an unmistakable “stay away” vibe. 

He had returned to the study and barely spoken, focusing solely on preparing medicine for the dog.

When she asked if they knew each other, he simply replied with a “yes” and said no more.

It had been eight years since the Great Yan overthrew the Great Xia. 

Jin Anazi was eleven at the time, and the princess was around the same age. 

They must have known each other since childhood.

It’s indeed hard to accept that the father of someone you knew had destroyed your country. 

Jin Anazi’s reaction was understandable.

Lin Ting recalled the details from yesterday. 

The princess had called Jin Anazi 

“Brother Qi,” but after the eunuch caught up, she changed it to “Young Master.” 

This suggested she likely recognized him and was deliberately keeping his identity secret. 

Their past relationship must have been close.

During the year of the regime change, Lin Ting was only ten, still naive and not yet awakened to the intrigues of the inner court. 

She was either busy envying Duan Xinning or caught up in petty jealousies, paying no attention to the affairs of the court.

The original novel was a restricted text focused on the male and female leads, filled with steamy scenes. 

Though there was a bit of plot, the background was set in the Great Yan, and even when the previous dynasty was mentioned, it was only in passing. 

She had few avenues to learn about these matters and couldn’t risk asking outsiders casually.

What worried Lin Ting more was whether Jin Anazi’s whereabouts would be exposed in the future. 

His identity was sensitive, and if it were revealed to the public, his only options would be to wait for death or rebel.

She watched the raindrops slip through her fingers and splash onto the ground outside the window, creating little ripples.

Tao Zhu entered with a plate of fresh plums, placing it on the windowsill table. 

“Seventh Miss, these plums were sent by the old madam. Please try them.”

Lin Ting picked up a plum, examining it without eating. 

“The old madam? Why is she suddenly sending things to my courtyard? This has never happened before. Has the sun risen from the west?”

Lin Ting’s third uncle looked down on Li Jingqiu, and his mother, the old madam, also held Li Jingqiu in low regard. 

She rarely showed concern for Li Jingqiu’s daughter, and her relationship with Lin Ting was neither close nor distant. 

They only met during festivals.

To Lin Ting, her grandmother was like a figurehead unnecessary in her childhood and even more so now that she was grown.

The rain grew heavier. 

Tao Zhu removed the window stick and closed the window slightly to prevent the rain from splashing in. 

“The old madam met with an old friend yesterday, and they mentioned you, Seventh Miss.”

Lin Ting pinched the deep red plum, bringing it to her nose to smell its rich, sweet-and-sour aroma. 

“They mentioned me?”

Tao Zhu spoke slowly, 

“The old madam thinks it’s time for you to settle down and get married.”

The plum was immediately tossed back onto the plate by Lin Ting, bouncing off and rolling several times on the carpet. 

“She sent these plums to test my feelings, didn’t she? Return them.”

“Yes,” 

Tao Zhu promptly left to carry out the order.

Shortly after Tao Zhu left, Li Jingqiu arrived, saying the princess wanted to see her. 

“When did you meet the princess? I had no idea.”

Lin Ting moved away from the window, sitting cross-legged on the daybed. 

“The princess wants to see me?” 

It was likely because the princess had seen me with Jin Anazi  yesterday and had investigated, discovering she was from the family.

Li Jingqiu, unaware of the background, thought it was a good thing she knew the princess. 

“Tell me quickly, when did you meet the princess?” 

“Yesterday? I just met her yesterday.”

Li Jingqiu was overjoyed, excitedly saying, 

“The princess must really admire you. She just met you yesterday and is already sending an invitation to see you today.”

Lin Ting didn’t know how to explain and couldn’t mention Jin Anazi existence. 

“Mother, it’s not what you think. Please reply to the princess that I’m feeling unwell and can’t attend.”

The princess likely wanted to see her to inquire about Jin Anazi through her.

Li Jingqiu said, 

“You rejected Madam Feng’s invitation, and now you want to reject the princess’s? Madam Feng liked you and didn’t hold it against you, but the princess is different. Our Lin family can’t afford to offend her.”

There was some truth to this, and Lin Ting didn’t argue further. 

Besides, the princess didn’t seem to have any ill intentions.

“The princess invited you to meet at noon. Hurry up and get ready. Don’t waste time.” 

Li Jingqiu called for the maids, 

“Someone come and help the Seventh Miss bathe and dress.”

After about an hour of preparation, Li Jingqiu finally let Lin Ting go, reminding her to be cautious and mindful of her words in front of the princess. 

Lin Ting had no intention of offending the princess. 

“I know. I’m not a three-year-old child.”

At noon, the princess’s carriage arrived at the Lin residence to pick her up. 

Li Jingqiu, upon learning this, inserted a final golden hairpin into Lin Ting’s hair to ensure she didn’t look too shabby in front of the princess. 

She then urged Lin Ting to leave quickly and not keep the princess waiting.

Lin Ting, accompanied by Tao Zhu, walked to the main gate and saw a carriage adorned with silk on all sides. 

A golden bell hung outside, chiming crisply in the wind.

Amid the gentle chimes of the bell, she lifted her skirt and descended the steps, heading toward the carriage.

Two graceful maids stood by the carriage. 

As Lin Ting approached, one arranged the footstool while the other lifted the curtain, both respectfully saying in unison, 

“Seventh Miss Lin.”

Lin Ting nodded, stepping onto the footstool and into the carriage. 

Upon entering, she was surprised to see someone inside and paused. 

“Princess?” 

She had assumed the princess would only send someone to fetch her, not come in person.

The princess nodded slightly, patting the seat beside her with a warm, dazzling smile.

“Come in and sit.”

Lin Ting felt a bit overwhelmed by the favor but left Tao Zhu in the front compartment of the carriage and sat inside. 

Once seated, she remembered she needed to perform a formal greeting and started to rise. 

“This humble girl greets the princess.”

The princess, studying her face, stopped her. 

“Seventh Miss Lin, there’s no need for such formalities.”

Lin Ting sat back down, afraid that looking directly at the princess might seem disrespectful, yet she couldn’t suppress her curiosity and stole a glance.

The princess seemed to like the colour yellow, as both yesterday’s and today’s splendid attire were of the same color. 

Her heavily made-up face complemented the bright yellow, and her waistband matched, adorned with a purple magnolia jade pendant, exuding nobility.

She also carried a faint, pleasant fragrance, which Lin Ting couldn’t help but sniff.

The princess, noticing Lin Ting’s subtle actions, smiled again. 

“Seventh Miss Lin, do you like the incense I use?”

Lin Ting answered honestly, 

“It’s very fragrant.”

The princess generously said, 

“Since you like it, I’ll have some sent to you another day.”

Lin Ting, knowing the princess’s intentions and unwilling to accept favors without merit, politely declined. 

“That’s unnecessary. I already have incense I’m accustomed to using.”

“Very well, as you wish.” 

The princess didn’t press further and got straight to the point. 

“Seventh Miss Lin, who was the young man with you yesterday?”

Lin Ting knew exactly what she was asking. 

“He’s my friend, Jin Anazi .”

The princess repeated the name, her expression complex, and asked, 

“It’s a lovely name. How long have you known him? Have you seen his face? I’m just curious since he wore a mask.”

Both of them were aware of Jin Anazi true identity but chose not to address it directly. 

Lin Ting carefully replied, 

“We’ve known each other for two years. We’re friends, so naturally, I’ve seen him.”

The princess fell silent for a moment before smiling again. 

“He must trust you a great deal.”

Lin Ting replied, 

“We get along.”

“I envy your relationship.” 

The princess then shifted the topic, 

“Seventh Miss Lin, I’d like to be friends with you. What do you think?”

This was quite sudden, but who could refuse a friendship offer from the princess? 

Lin Ting agreed, 

“I’m honored by your kindness, of course, I’m willing… Where does the princess plan to take me?”

She had just peeked out the curtain and noticed they seemed to be heading toward the largest brothel in the capital, the Moonlight Pavilion.

The princess said, 

“The Moonlight Pavilion.”

It really was a brothel. 

Lin Ting was shocked. 

“The princess is taking me to the Moonlight Pavilion?”

“I’ve heard you’re not yet betrothed, so you should enjoy yourself before settling down. The Moonlight Pavilion has a new batch of young men, all clean and presentable.”

“I’ll take you to see them. Since we’re friends now, I can’t keep such pleasures to myself.”

That really wasn’t necessary.

Lin Ting had long heard of the princess’s romantic escapades, but experiencing it firsthand was a first. 

“Your kindness is appreciated, Princess, but I’m not really into that sort of thing.”

“Don’t keep calling yourself ‘this humble girl’ from now on.” 

The princess straightened her slightly wrinkled sleeve and teased, 

“Have you tried it?”

“Not really.”

The princess laughed. 

“If you haven’t tried it, how do you know you don’t like it? Don’t worry, they’ll serve you well. If you tell them to bark like dogs, they’ll do it. They’re very obedient.”

Lin Ting: “…”

The princess took her hand, persuasively saying, 

“Have you ever loved someone you couldn’t have? They’ll help you forget him. It’s very comforting.”

Lin Ting replied, 

“…I haven’t.” 

If she had to name someone, it would be the God of Wealth, but no young man could make her forget the God of Wealth.

“Even if you haven’t, you can still try. Everyone has a first time.”

The princess hadn’t given up on the idea of taking her to the Moonlight Pavilion and continued to persuade her. 

“Maybe after this, you’ll develop a liking for it.”

Lin Ting found another excuse. 

“Princess, I’m truly short on funds.”

The princess dismissed it. 

“I’m the one bringing you here. Why would you need to pay? Just enjoy yourself and leave the rest to me.”

The carriage came to a stop at the right moment. 

Before Lin Ting could lift the curtain, she heard the sounds of music and strings. 

The princess led her out, clearly familiar with the place. 

“Trust me, you’ll like it.”

Tao Zhu, who had exited the carriage before Lin Ting, was already shocked to the point of being speechless but dared not question the princess’s actions, only glancing repeatedly at Lin Ting.

Lin Ting couldn’t refuse the princess and had no choice but to follow her into the Moonlight Pavilion.

Not far away, a group of imperial guards was conducting a routine inspection on the street. 

Standing before them, questioning the situation, was Duan Ling, who happened to be facing the Moonlight Pavilion and witnessed Lin Ting entering.

Inside the Moonlight Pavilion, Lin Ting walked around the corridor and encountered a group of powdered and perfumed young men.

They twisted their waists as they passed by, making flirtatious eyes. 

Two of them even boldly threw scented handkerchiefs into Lin Ting’s arms. 

The heavy fragrance of the powder almost made her sneeze.

The princess also received a handkerchief and casually tossed it aside. 

“At the Moonlight Pavilion, throwing a handkerchief means they like you and want to serve you.”

Lin Ting threw the handkerchief away. 

“Princess, I’m really not interested in these things.”