Chapter 43: The White Moonlight Archetype

Jia’an nodded cautiously, lacking her usual brightness. "Yes, I was afraid that pregnancy would be hard on you, Mother, so..."

Rong Min nodded, casting a nonchalant glance toward the doorway. "Bring it here," she said softly.

"Yes." Sheng Mingyue straightened up, walked slowly into the room, and placed the bowl of soup by her hand. "Please enjoy it, Eldest Princess. If you find it useful, I shall bring it to you every day."

As the aroma of the soup filled the air, Rong Min turned her gaze toward her, a sardonic smile playing on her lips. "I never imagined you were so clever. Even with only one good hand, you still manage to exert yourself making medicinal tonics to nourish A-Zhao's health. No wonder you’ve managed to win his favor."

Sheng Mingyue stiffened, her smile growing rigid. "I don’t understand what you mean, Eldest Princess."

"You don't?" Rong Min gave a light chuckle, then firmly gripped Sheng Mingyue’s injured left hand, spitting out each word slowly. "I am warning you: put away those improper thoughts. If I ever find you using your feminine wiles to seduce him, you had better watch your back."

Sheng Mingyue winced in pain, her brows knitting tightly together.

"Mother, Sheng Mingyue is..."

Jia’an was just about to speak when she saw her mother whirl around, staring at her with a chilling, ominous gaze.

Instantly, Jia’an felt as if she had been paralyzed, unable to utter another word.

Seeing Jia’an cowed, Sheng Mingyue reached out and pressed down on Rong Min’s hand. To the Princess’s shock and bewilderment, she smiled thinly. "Self-awareness is a virtue. Rest assured, Eldest Princess, I have no inappropriate designs on the Prince, nor would I ever deliberately seduce him."

"I am not a person greedy for wealth, nor would I shamelessly linger in the Prince’s residence looking for an easy life. Whether I stay or go is entirely up to the Prince—I would never be ambiguous about it."

Sheng Mingyue raised an eyebrow, adding softly, "As it stands, it is the Prince who cannot do without me."

"You..." Rong Min was infuriated, her finger trembling as she pointed at her. She remained speechless for a long time, her eyes turning frighteningly cold.

"Since the soup has been delivered, I shall not bother you any longer, Eldest Princess. I will take my leave." Sheng Mingyue bowed properly, exchanged a glance with Jia’an as she turned, and set off to leave.

As she turned the corner, she happened to bump straight into a pair of gentle, smiling eyes.

Sheng Mingyue tripped over her own feet, nearly collapsing to the ground, and had to stumble several steps before regaining her balance.

"Y-Your Highness..."

How could he be here!

Just now, what she said... how much did the Prince hear?

Sheng Mingyue swallowed hard, her tongue feeling tied in knots. "Your Highness, why... why have you come here?"

Rong Zhao lowered his head and chuckled, his presence as refreshing as a spring breeze, his eyes filled with indulgence for her. "Since it wasn't you who brought the meal, and I heard from Song Guo that my benefactor had come to see my elder sister, I was curious and came to have a look."

Hearing this, Sheng Mingyue breathed a sigh of relief.

"After all, I cannot do without my benefactor."

***

[He heard it! I can testify, he heard every single word!]
[This guy is definitely secretly thrilled inside!]
[What kind of god-tier couple is this? Why are they handing out sweetness every single day!]

Sheng Mingyue gasped, nearly fainting, wishing the scene before her was merely a hallucination. "Your Highness, just now, I..."

Rong Zhao gave a slight nod, stopping her words with a look, and said gently, "I have matters to discuss with my sister. You may all withdraw."

Sheng Mingyue curtsied and said softly, "Yes."

"Jia’an, you go out as well."

Hearing this, Jia’an looked up abruptly. Meeting her uncle's gaze, she felt a sudden release of tension and scrambled out of the room as if fleeing.

Rong Min opened her mouth, but not knowing what to say, she let the matter drop.

Once the door to the Shuxin Pavilion opened and closed, Jia’an grabbed Sheng Mingyue’s hand and ran all the way to the back garden of the residence.

"Princess..."

Before Sheng Mingyue could finish speaking after steadying herself, someone threw themselves into her arms.

Jia’an hugged her waist tightly, burying her face in the crook of her neck, sobbing uncontrollably. "Sheng Mingyue, no one in this world likes me, do they? Am I the worst child of all?"

Sheng Mingyue’s body stiffened slightly. She looked down to see Jia’an’s head buried against her, where the red, swollen bruises on the back of her neck were vaguely visible.

Jia’an held onto her, refusing to let go, like a desperate person clutching the last straw of hope, crying until she was drenched in tears.

"You are the most sensible child, Princess; there is no need to feel inferior." Sheng Mingyue gently embraced her, comforting her softly. "There is no absolute good or evil in this world. In the hearts of demons, even immortals are sinful. To live clearly in this world is what is truly precious."

Jia’an looked up cautiously, tear tracks still on her face, and asked in a murmur, "What does it mean to live clearly?"

"It means having your own convictions and sense of responsibility, being able to distinguish right from wrong and good from evil." Sheng Mingyue stroked her hair and said softly, "You are only fifteen, not yet at the age of maturity; you are not an adult yet, and you have plenty of time to change."

Jia’an looked at her, dazed and only half-understanding.

Sheng Mingyue pursed her lips and smiled, saying leisurely, "Who says no one in this world loves our Princess Jia’an? Just counting those I know, there are two!"

Jia’an’s spirits lifted instantly, and she asked hurriedly, "Who?"

"One is me." Sheng Mingyue looked at her steadily, her gaze like water, revealing the gentleness and resilience in her bones. "The other is yourself."

Jia’an’s breath hitched; she stood there foolishly, losing all reaction.

"No matter the time, no matter who you encounter, you must be the first person to love yourself, steadfastly and unyieldingly."

***

"Sheng Mingyue..."

"I am here."

Jia’an could no longer suppress the grievances in her heart; she threw herself into her arms and wept aloud, "I want to be your friend for a lifetime! You are not allowed to abandon me!"

[Tearing up, my heart is melting.]
[I am willing to forgive this world for one second!]
[The little cannon fodder must have been given a redemption script; it's so moving!]
[When Sheng Mingyue said the other person who loves Jia’an is herself, I knew this was a near-perfect character—gentle yet powerful, truly the configuration of a 'white moonlight' figure, not a cannon fodder at all!]

Sheng Mingyue patted her back gently and whispered, "From now on, just be yourself, Princess."

***

The sun set, and the air grew increasingly chilly.

Sheng Mingyue, carrying a small bamboo basket, went to the East Market with Song Guo.

Song Guo had been chirping about hot pot the whole way there. Before they had even eaten, his mouth was already watering. Every time he saw a vegetable, he wanted to buy it, and there was no stopping him.

Sheng Mingyue had injuries and could not touch greasy or strong-smelling foods, so she did not follow Song Guo to the meat stalls. Instead, she squatted in front of a vegetable stall, picking and choosing while haggling with the vendor.

Finally having bought what she needed, she turned around, only to find that Song Guo had vanished.

Sheng Mingyue’s expression turned suspicious. She stepped forward, calling out as she searched, "Song Guo... Song Guo!"

The sky was growing late, and there were few people on the streets; she could see the end of the road at a glance.

Unease rose in her heart. After pondering for a moment, she decided to run back to the residence to fetch reinforcements; if Song Guo had encountered trouble, she would be able to rescue him in time.

But just as she turned around, a heavy blow struck the back of her neck, and her vision instantly blurred into a haze.

Before she lost consciousness, a terrifying thought flashed through Sheng Mingyue’s mind.

This person had been coming for her all along!