Good news: I was just a country girl, but I became the Crown Princess, second only to The Outcast and above everyone else.
Bad news: I’m a substitute, and my mission is to assassinate my powerful Crown Prince husband.
Worse news: He seems to have known from the very first day.
My golden finger is a photographic memory, which makes me an expert at copying things perfectly.
I thought my act was flawless, but he just sneered and laid traps for me at every turn.
Scene One: He gave me a bamboo grasshopper as a token of his affection.
I acted delighted and shy, perfectly copying the demure reaction of a talented young lady receiving a gift.
But he sneered, “I forgot to tell you: Lin Tingyu has been terrified of bugs her whole life.”
Scene Two: At the chrysanthemum banquet, I played my late sister’s famous piece, “Phoenix Seeking the Phoenix.”
My fingering and bearing were exactly the same, a perfect copy of her performance from three years ago.
But he ordered me to drink poisoned wine. “You even copied her state of mind perfectly. Don’t you find that disgusting?”
Scene Three: I copied my elder sister’s gentle, virtuous ways and cooked for him.
I served up an exquisite imperial feast, perfectly replicating the royal standards.
Everyone said, “The Crown Princess is virtuous and refined!”
But he didn’t even glance at it. He turned and went to his Consort’s palace instead.
Eventually, I gave up and stopped pretending!
I made a meal of rustic country dishes, and he actually ate with gusto.
I tried a folk remedy, and he actually began to see me in a new light.
Chu Yun raised an eyebrow. “You’re done pretending? This fiery wildcat side of you is much easier on the eyes than that wooden beauty.”
Lin Shiyu: Why didn’t you say so sooner!
