Chapter1:The forgotten daughter
Chapter 1: The Forgotten First Daughter
The rain fell relentlessly over the Lin Manor, washing away the traces of another lonely day.
At the edge of the estate stood a worn courtyard that no servant willingly visited. Its faded walls and neglected garden were a sharp contrast to the luxurious halls where the mistress of the house entertained guests.
Inside the quiet courtyard, Lin Qingyue knelt before a wooden memorial tablet.
She gently replaced the incense that had almost burned away.
"Mother... another year has passed."
"I still haven't found out who took you away from me."
A cold breeze swept through the room, carrying the scent of plum blossoms. Qingyue closed her eyes, remembering the warm embrace she had lost at the age of seven.
Everyone had said her mother died from illness.
But Qingyue had never believed it.
Outside the courtyard—
"Miss! Miss Qingyue!"
A young maid hurried inside, her face pale with worry.
"It is bad! The Madam has ordered everyone to the front hall."
Qingyue calmly stood.
"What has happened?"
"The Second Prince's people have arrived..."
Before the maid could finish, another servant rushed into the courtyard.
"The engagement has changed!"
Qingyue froze.
"The engagement... changed?"
"Yes, Miss. The Madam announced that the Second Prince has chosen Second Miss Lin Yuerou instead."
Silence filled the room.
The engagement had been arranged years ago by the late Emperor himself.
How could it suddenly belong to someone else?
The maid lowered her head.
"They say... His Highness personally requested it."
Qingyue smiled faintly.
Not because she was happy.
But because her heart had already grown numb.
"If he truly wished to break the engagement..."
"Then let him."
The servants looked at one another in surprise.
How could the eldest young lady remain so calm?
At that moment—
A cold laugh echoed from outside.
"So you are hiding here again."
Lady Su Meilan stepped into the courtyard in luxurious robes, followed by several maids.
Her smile was gentle.
Her eyes were anything but.
"My poor Qingyue."
"What a pity."
"The future Crown Princess has become a joke overnight."
Behind her stood Lin Yuerou, dressed in expensive silk, a jade hairpin sparkling beneath the rain.
She smiled sweetly.
"Elder Sister, please don't blame the Second Prince."
"He simply realized we were more suited for one another."
Qingyue looked at them quietly.
She recognized that smile.
It was the same smile Lady Su wore every time she pretended kindness before her father.
The same smile that always hid cruel intentions.
Lady Su took a scroll from a servant and unfolded it.
"There is another imperial decree."
"The engagement between you and the Second Prince is dissolved."
She paused, unable to hide the satisfaction in her eyes.
"His Majesty has granted you a new marriage."
The courtyard fell silent.
Qingyue's fingers tightened around her sleeves.
"To whom?"
Lady Su slowly smiled.
"To the Emperor."
The words struck like thunder.
Even the servants gasped.
Everyone in Tianxuan Empire knew the rumors.
The Emperor was merciless.
Cold.
A ruler feared by ministers and enemies alike.
People whispered that his palace was stained with blood.
Some even claimed no woman who entered his inner palace ever smiled again.
Lin Yuerou covered her mouth with a laugh.
"Elder Sister... congratulations."
"You are going to marry the Blood Emperor."
As laughter echoed through the courtyard, Qingyue looked toward the dark sky.
For the first time in years...
She felt that fate had just begun to move.
Far away, within the towering walls of the Imperial Palace, Emperor Xiao Liwei stood alone beneath the moonlight.
A sharp pain surged through his chest.
Black blood trickled from the corner of his lips.
His poison...
...had returned.
No one noticed the pair of cold eyes watching him from the shadows.
The hunt for the throne had already begun.
