Chapter 35: Redemption

"It is indeed true." Sheng Mingyue looked back at the man standing by the door, a hint of a smile in her voice. "The Prince is the kindest person in this world; he never breaks a promise once he has given his word."

Wang Jinlan’s heart was in turmoil. Old memories were being unearthed, leaving her feeling both terrified and expectant. If Mingyue were truly her daughter...

"Aunt Lan, take this hairpin back." Sheng Mingyue pressed the hairpin back into her hand and whispered, "Only when the Prince has investigated this matter will this hairpin find its rightful place."

"But Liu Cuixi..." Wang Jinlan hesitated, her voice dropping. "She will be out soon. If I cannot find your father in time, who knows what she might do? If I stay, won't I just be causing more trouble?"

Sheng Mingyue remained silent for a long moment before softly saying, "Do not be afraid, Aunt Lan. Tomorrow morning, I will take you to see someone. You will be perfectly safe under her care."

With no other options, Wang Jinlan could only nod in agreement. As they parted, she kept looking back, her heart filled with reluctance. Only after her figure disappeared around the corner did Sheng Mingyue withdraw her gaze and walk quickly back toward the Prince's estate.

"Benefactor... are you unhappy?" Rong Zhao looked down at the young woman who had reached his side. "Is it because your origins remain unclear?"

Sheng Mingyue bit her lip and gave a bitter smile. "The Prince is perceptive. Whenever I see Aunt Lan, I cannot help but feel a desire to be close to her. Sometimes, in my dreams, I imagine that I am her daughter, living a happy family life."

"The greater the expectation, the greater the fear of disappointment." Rong Zhao frowned, looking at her with a complex expression. "You need not worry so much. What you desire will surely come to pass."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Sheng Mingyue replied, and they entered the estate together.

Upon reaching the gate of the Juxin Garden, Sheng Mingyue pushed the door open and called out in a steady voice, "Song Guo, I am back."

The courtyard was unusually quiet. Sheng Mingyue paused, looking around in confusion. "Song Guo?"

It was strange. Whenever she returned, Song Guo was always the first to rush over to check if she had any new injuries. Why was it so quiet today? Unease stirred in her heart. She hurried into the room, but found no sign of her.

A faint sound suddenly echoed from the courtyard. Sheng Mingyue stopped abruptly and looked toward the source of the noise. It was the kitchen.

Without hesitation, she rushed to the kitchen and threw open the door, immediately spotting Song Guo sprawled on the floor. Song Guo was tied to a wooden stool in an awkward position, a cloth gagging her mouth. Her eyes filled with tears as she struggled upon seeing Sheng Mingyue.

"Song Guo!" Sheng Mingyue was shocked, her face turning pale. She rushed over to untie the ropes, not forgetting to pull the cloth from her mouth. "Who... who did this to you?"

"It was me." Before Song Guo could speak, a third voice echoed in the cramped kitchen.

Sheng Mingyue jumped and quickly turned to shield Song Guo behind her. Jia'an stood behind the door, arms crossed, looking at Sheng Mingyue's protective stance with visible dissatisfaction. "Look at how nervous you are! I didn't do anything excessive to her!"

"Princess..." Sheng Mingyue could hardly believe her eyes. She murmured, "You tied up Song Guo? Why would you do such a thing?"

Jia'an’s expression darkened. "Who told her to say such unpleasant things and deliberately provoke me!"

Sheng Mingyue frowned, her expression grave. "Song Guo is not someone who stirs up trouble. You promised me, Princess, that you would not bother her again. To break your word after only one day—is this the measure of your character?"

Jia'an froze, her eyes instantly turning red. "Sheng Mingyue, I hate you! Never appear before me again!" With that, she turned on her heel and ran out of Juxin Garden.

"Cough, cough..." Song Guo gasped for air, her eyes wet.

"Are you alright?" Sheng Mingyue patted her back, her expression pained. "Are you hurt?"

"I am not hurt." Song Guo wiped her tears, looking indignant. "Who knows what got into that mad Princess? She came to our courtyard just saying she wanted to wait for you. I ignored her, and she started talking to herself, claiming that she and you were friends now."

Song Guo wheezed, clearly furious. "I got annoyed and retorted that she was moody and could never be your friend... and then she tied me up, saying she wanted to teach me a lesson!"

Sheng Mingyue’s hand, which had been patting Song Guo’s back, froze in mid-air. The image of Jia'an’s tearful eyes flashed through her mind, and a sudden sense of guilt washed over her.

*The Princess thinks she has finally found her first friend, but it's just another wound.*

*But Song Guo isn't wrong either. Who would want their best friend to have a new friend? Especially when that person has bullied her before.*

*Please, save the little Princess! Stop her from becoming a dark, twisted villain!*

Sheng Mingyue shivered. She quickly helped Song Guo to a stool, poured her a cup of tea, and coaxed her softly, "Rest here and wait for me. I will definitely get an explanation for you."

As Song Guo reached for the cup to speak, she saw Sheng Mingyue turn and run out, her steps hurried. Following the whispers of onlookers, Sheng Mingyue found the girl hiding in the garden, crying silently. She was curled into a ball, her face buried in her knees, sobbing quietly.

"Princess."

Jia'an’s sobbing paused. She knew who had arrived, but she stubbornly refused to look up. Sheng Mingyue sighed, crouched down, and spoke softly, "Princess, I spoke too harshly just now. Please forgive me."

At these words, Jia'an finally looked up, tear tracks still visible on her face. Meeting her eyes, Jia'an felt a surge of grievance. "Why did you come? Didn't I tell you never to appear before me again?"

Before Sheng Mingyue could speak, she added indignantly, "That person—that 'Guo'—said terrible things. What was wrong with me teaching her a lesson? You said she was your friend, so you were willing to stand up for her. But you protected me today, too. Why can't I be..."

Her words trailed off, and Jia'an’s eyes reddened once more. Seeing her on the verge of tears again, Sheng Mingyue reached out to hold her hand, soothing her quietly, "Between the Princess and a servant, there is a distinction of status. To call it friendship goes against the rules, but if the Princess is willing to talk to me more, I would be very happy."

Jia'an hiccuped, her expression hesitant. "Is that... true?"

"Naturally." Sheng Mingyue pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve to wipe away her tears, her smile gentle. "The Princess is a person of true character. If you were to make friends, I am sure you would be the most loyal one of all."

Jia'an gazed at her, meeting her smiling eyes, and the defenses in her heart began to crumble.