The Birth Of A Villainess

As expected, Yu Fangzhu entered the hall once again and with his face slightly distorted. Beads of sweat were on his forehead and even if he tried hard to wipe it all off and maintain his normal self, he couldn't control his heart that was beating hard.

He pursed his lips as he started his way towards his seat. Everyone inside the hall saw how he looked tired and anxious, making them wonder what did he hear from the poor soldier.

Emperor Yun frowned at the slip of composure of his outstanding son. No matter where and when, they, the royal family must take upon their sculpted faces of a benevolent ruler that didn't have any problems they couldn't solve in front of everyone.

"You look pale, fourth brother. Drink some tea first and calm yourself. You can't lose control of yourself in front of father and the officials in front of us now." His sister, the second princess, Yu Jinglei reminded her brother.

As a princess that has lived inside the imperial palace that was filled with both beautiful and frightening things that could kill someone, Yu Jinglei knew it all that her dear father and brothers have several secrets that they needed to keep from the public so that their family could climb on the top of the mountain and looked down on others..

"Thank you, sister." Yu Fangzhu nodded his head and as if nothing happened, his composure returned and his face showed a refreshing smile that could make a woman scream and kneel before him.

The womenfolk that were sitting on their chairs and was looking at his direction was momentarily blinded after seeing his smile that could topple a few towers. The madams inside the hall also couldn't stop wishing that their daughters could catch the attention of the princes in front of them. If they were lucky, their families would live in endless glory and honor.

And among these people who were admiring and zealously looking at the princes' direction, Song Lin couldn't take her eyes off of Yu Fangzhu and felt feathers tickling her as she watched the man of her life.

Her heartbeat skipped the moment her eyes laid upon his figure when her family entered the hall and saw Yu Fangzhu, the outstanding and humble prince. Just like any woman who wanted to climb up the ranks and live a luxurious life, Song Lin was no different from everybody else.

Aside from the title of concubine or a side consort of Yu Fangzhu that was sought after by many girls, Song Lin also harbors his heart.

Blushing, she demurely stared at Yu Fangzhu in hopes that he would take notice of her stare and fall for her.

As she continued to watch him, there was another person who was looking somewhere. That person didn't look at the direction of the Fourth Prince but was watching Song Lin the whole time.

And that person was no one else but, Lin Xiaofei.

With a mocking smile on her lips, she could understand why Song Lin was so taken to the bastard that made her life miserable. Who wouldn't want to have the handsome prince who had everything and had a huge possibility of being the next ruler?

Even she was smitten to him in the past and look where that affection had led her to; dragged inside the dungeon to be endlessly tortured and murdered.

Ah… Yu Fangzhu, you really have the ability to make every flower sing and drop their bodies in front of you to step on. Lin Xiaofei thought.

She hated the fact that she previously loved him and dedicated her life to him as his wife. But that life and love were no longer there when it took her life and led her to be alive again in someone else's body.

Tapping her finger against the wooden table before her, Lin Xiaofei's eyes brightened up.

Just nice… It seems that she didn't have to use so much effort to teach Song Lin and the Song family a lesson.

Both players were there for her to use…

When the first half of the banquet was done, every guest could finally move about and around the palace to sightsee or get some fresh air. The royal family also joined their subjects touring the places that they always saw since they lived inside the palace and because there were people, they couldn't avoid walking to these places again.

Nudging her gently, Lin Shen Yu came to her side when they got out of the hall and saw that Lin Xiaofei was alone. He then, whispered to her, "Dear cousin, let's go together. The others have already met up and grouped themselves together with their friends. I see that you're alone and so am I, I think it is best if we tour the palace together."

He offered, proud of himself for trying to accompany his lonely cousin who had no one beside her.

Since she was someone who had an infamous reputation, people tried to avoid Lin Xiaofei and even if they did try to butter her up to gain the Lin family's favor, they will still feel disdain towards her.

Thus, Lin Shen Yu thought that it would be a great idea to join her and tour the palace in order to get closer.

Lin Xiaofei threw him a side glance and didn't refuse. She wanted to laugh at his excuse; saying that he was one and didn't have anyone with him like her.

She saw him engaging in a friendly conversation with the other Di^ sons and they were not hostile to each other. So, how did it happen that Lin Shen Yu was left alone by his peers?

Lin Xiaofei went along with his lie and didn't refuse him.

It was not because she was lonely as per Lin Shen Yu's perspective of her, but because she was afraid that if there was any chance for her to see Yu Fangzhu on the way, who knew if she actually killed him right then and there, with no one by her side to check her desire to kill in place.

Lin Shen Yu continued to chatter without holding back, laughing, and expressing his delight with the scenery before them.

Behind them, someone was silently watching and following them without getting detected.

Lin Xiaofei and Lin Shen Yu walked to a place that wasn't as populated by the other guests who were inside the hall.

They continued to walk on the pathway and Lin Shen Yu was mesmerized by the breathtakingly garden where they ended up going to.

"Dear cousin, that hall to our left is the Wu Guan Hall. I heard that that's where the previous emperor died."

"That one in front of us is the Winter Moon pagoda…"

"And that one is…"

Lin Shen Yu continued to blabber and point his finger at anything while getting far from Xiaofei. Instead of just getting some fresh air, they looked like they were having a trip inside the palace.

Lin Xiaofei didn't even spare a look at the places he kept on pointing at. She was not interested in the scenery inside the palace when there's nothing beautiful or great in a place that was erected on top of piled bones and blood trails of the victims that fell prey to the royal family's every whim.

However, she couldn't really blame him for acting like this when she was also like this after she married Yu Fangzhu. At that time, Yu Fangzhu took her to the palace in order to practice the royal etiquette and learn how to act like a proper member of the royal family.

She was also amazed at how the palace was filled with dazzling and grand splendors. Everywhere she looked at was enough to drive a beggar to bite on everything just to check if it was real and thieves to break inside and steal the treasures hidden deep in the quarters of the royal family.

Having lost her interest in this walk, Lin Xiaofei decided to lean her back against the trunk of a tree near her.

When suddenly, the voice of a man spoke behind her, "Why didn't you come to the Heavenly pagoda as I have instructed in the letter?" The person behind said, "You made me wait for a long time."

With a slight startle crossing her face, Lin Xiaofei didn't sense that someone was already behind the trunk she was leaning on until she heard his voice.

Since when had he been standing behind her? She thought as the urge to walk around the tree and face him made her feel anxious.

"I don't like being ordered by someone." She replied. She looked at the direction where Lin Shen Yu was standing and saw that he had his back on her, "And you didn't specify the time of our meeting."

"Ahh… that's right. I apologize for that." The person behind chuckled, "But I hope you wouldn't mind if I take you somewhere else where we can talk without others hearing us, right?"