In the twenty-eighth year of the Anhe era, everyone in the Northern Yan Dynasty knew that the Lin family had protected the imperial capital and its people for generations. The royal family trusted them completely. When the Lin and Yan clans founded Northern Yan, the Lin family had refused the title of prince with a different surname and instead served as guardians of the realm. The Lin family motto was to remain loyal to the emperor.
But not every member of the royal family was broad-minded. Who could have imagined that the Second Prince, Yan Xichen, who owed his ascension to the throne to the Lin family, would make his first act as emperor the extermination of the entire clan, sparing neither children nor women? Anyone who pleaded for the Lin family was branded an accomplice in their supposed rebellion, then had their home confiscated and was sent into exile.
Lin Ruoxi was consumed by hatred. If not for her, how could her family have suffered such a disaster? She had failed to recognize people for who they were, and had even forgotten who her true benefactor was. That was how she let a wolf into the house, ending in her family's ruin.
And still, that wasn't the end. The new emperor issued a decree declaring, “The Lin woman is to marry into the Prince Regent's household. The Prince Regent was the mastermind behind the Lin family's treason.” She couldn't save her family, and even in death she dragged down the prince regent, a man who was always sarcastic toward her, yet grew anxious and comforted her whenever she was hurt.
If there truly is another life, I hope I won't bring him trouble. I'll stay away from him and pray he finds peace and happiness all his days.
