Chapter 2

After I got out of jail, I moped around my residence for several days.

At last, I truly understood that I wasn’t the heroine of this world.

I had no heroine’s halo.

I couldn’t expect men to devote themselves to me at the crook of a finger, the way they used to.

Then again, I was the eldest princess.

I could simply take what I wanted.

I didn’t even need to crook my finger.

So I set my sights on Lin Feizhi, the third-place laureate in the latest imperial examinations.

Apparently, his writing had been the best in the palace examination. Father had originally intended to award him first place.

Unfortunately, Lin Feizhi was far too handsome.

So Father had named him the third-place laureate instead.

I made some inquiries into his background.

He came from a poor family. His widowed mother had raised him alone, and he’d suffered every hardship along the way.

No power, no influence, no marriage arrangement.

Three excellent vacancies.

A man of his talents really ought to be brought into my household.

Five days later, I held a plum-blossom banquet.

I forced the crown prince and several of my other younger brothers to attend, so no one foolishly declined my invitation.

Still, I was startled when I saw Zhao Heche.

He wore an indigo robe, his hair held up by a jade crown. He was a vision of flawless elegance.

But I hadn’t invited him.

Perhaps he’d come with my sixth brother, whom he was close to.

When his quiet gaze settled on me, I gave him a slight nod by way of greeting and turned to welcome the other guests.

I couldn’t handle a chaste-romance male lead. Surely I could at least avoid one.

When a maid announced the third-place laureate‘s arrival, my eyes lit up. I made a special trip to the front hall to receive him.

They lit up even more when I saw him.

Lin Feizhi wore coarse linen faded pale from washing, yet he was perfectly at ease. A calm, gentle smile rested on his lips; looking at him felt like a spring breeze brushing my face.

If Zhao Heche was the aloof, immaculate moon,

then Lin Feizhi was a cloud at the edge of the sky.

Yes. Exactly the sort of face I wanted to claim by force.

I laughed softly. “No wonder Father chose you as his third-place laureate. You certainly live up to the honor.”

Lin Feizhi bowed. “You flatter me, Your Highness.”

I escorted him to the rear courtyard, laughing with him all the way.

The crown prince and my other brothers looked at Lin Feizhi, then at Zhao Heche.

Then they stared at me in confusion.

My sixth brother came over and whispered in my ear. “Sister, aren’t you in love with Lord Zhao?”

“I lured him here for you today. Why have you changed targets?”

“I’ve already called him my brother-in-law!”

Thanks ever so much.

No wonder Zhao Heche’s expression kept growing colder.

Oh, dear.

Why was he coming this way?

Beside me, Lin Feizhi raised his eyes. “I won’t interrupt Your Highness any longer.”

He saluted and made to step aside.

I opened my mouth and instinctively said, “You’re not interrupting.”

Zhao Heche paused, then gave a soft laugh. “Then I must be the interruption.”

My brow twitched. Did this man have to talk like that?

I could only paste on a smile. “Of course not.”

Sensing something wrong, the crown prince hurried to my rescue. “It’s about time. Shall we begin the banquet?”

“Yes,” I said at once. “We mustn’t keep everyone waiting.”

Hopefully the food would keep Zhao Heche’s mouth occupied.