THIP Chapter 5

“Xi’er.”

Just as Lin Xi was about to leave the residence, she heard a voice filled with amusement call out to her.

The young man approaching her had a strikingly handsome face, his smile warm as he asked, “Going out to have some fun?”

Lin Xi concealed the coldness in her eyes and softly replied, “Yes.”

Her tone was somewhat distant, causing Mu Liuyin to pause for a moment before saying, “I’ll go with you.”

However, the little maid following Lin Xi rolled her eyes at him.

Mu Liuyin: Oh? Even the maids have attitudes like this nowadays?

Not knowing what he had done to upset Lin Xi, and now even facing her maid’s blatant disdain, Mu Liuyin felt a little wronged—after all, he had just taken care of Su Biyan yesterday!

Seeing the grievance in his deep black eyes, Lin Xi was momentarily stunned. She quickly averted her gaze, unwilling to look any longer.

She reminded herself that now was not the time to fall out with Yin Xiu, so she said, “I was ill a few days ago, and my mother went to Huguo Temple to pray for me. Now that I’ve recovered, I’m going to fulfill the vow.”

Her mother had originally intended to go with her, but Lin Xi had insisted on going alone. She wanted to meet the abbot who had once prophesied that she was born with a phoenix fate.

If I truly have a phoenix fate, then why did I end up the way I did in my past life?

From the very beginning, this so-called prophecy had never brought her honor or status—only manipulation and destruction.

Mu Liuyin’s lips curved into a smile. “That works out perfectly. I’ll accompany you to fulfill the vow. I should also pay my respects to the Buddha, who has blessed my dear Xi’er. May he grant her a life of peace and happiness, free from hardship.”

Peace and happiness? Free from hardship?

Lin Xi suppressed the surge of hatred rising in her heart and suddenly smiled. “With you by my side, naturally, my life will be smooth and trouble-free, won’t it?”

Since Mu Liuyin had transmigrated here, he had rarely seen Lin Xi smile. She was always reserved, speaking in a soft and gentle voice, her beautiful eyes clear and calm. Even when she did smile, it was only a slight curve of her lips, never reaching her eyes.

Sometimes, one might mistake her for a kind and gentle girl. But Mu Liuyin, having read the plot of this world in her mind, knew he had never truly understood what this soft-spoken girl was thinking.

If it weren’t for the detailed storyline in his head, he might have believed she was deeply in love with the original Yin Xiu.

Shaking off such unrealistic thoughts, he gazed at Lin Xi’s rare, radiant smile and instinctively reached out to gently ruffle her hair. Confidence and warmth shone in his eyes. “With me here, Xi’er will always be safe.”

After all, that is my mission, Mu Liuyin thought.

At first, Lin Xi was just an object to be protected. But their arranged engagement meant he couldn’t treat her indifferently. And the more time he spent with her, the more he thought about how this beautiful girl, so full of life, was destined for such a tragic end in the original story.

The thought of it only made him more determined to protect her.

Lin Xi resisted the urge to pull away. Looking at the confidence and indulgence in his gaze, she almost wanted to believe it was real.

No wonder I lost everything in my past life.

He’s just too good at pretending.

But now that Su Biyan had been dealt with, Lin Xi wondered—would her dear cousin still secretly meet with her?

“Cousin, let’s go.”

Most temples were built in quiet, remote places, deep within mountains and forests. But Huguo Temple had stood in the heart of the capital for a thousand years. Since it was not far from the Grand General’s residence, Lin Xi chose to walk there with Mu Liuyin and Zihan instead of taking a carriage.

Upon entering the temple, Lin Xi and Mu Liuyin each paid their respects.

Although Mu Liuyin didn’t believe in gods or spirits, since he was already here, he might as well offer a prayer.

When they had finished, before Lin Xi could come up with an excuse to slip away alone, a young monk approached them.

“Amitabha.” The monk pressed his hands together in greeting before asking, “Are you the young lady of the Lin family?”

Lin Xi returned the gesture and replied, “My name is Lin Xi.”

After confirming that she was the guest the abbot had mentioned earlier, the young monk said, “The abbot has been expecting you. Please, follow me.”

Lin Xi’s expression flickered slightly. She hadn’t arranged a meeting with the abbot. After a brief moment of thought, she figured the abbot must have foreseen her visit.

She nodded. “Zihan, wait for me here.”

Mu Liuyin wanted to follow her and see what was going on, but just as he took a step forward, the young monk stretched out a hand to block his path. Though the boy looked young and inexperienced, his expression was firm.

“Please stay here, benefactor. The abbot will only see Miss Lin.”

Mu Liuyin: “……”

She begrudgingly withdrew her foot and turned away with a haughty expression. Fine! I wasn’t that interested anyway!

Then, she secretly asked her system, [Xiao Jiu, can you eavesdrop on their conversation?]

After hesitating for a moment, she changed her mind before Xiao Jiu could even answer. [Never mind.]

After all, this is my pitiful one’s private matter.

Xiao Jiu: […]

Lin Xi followed the young monk to a secluded room in the temple’s back courtyard. After leading her inside, the monk quietly left.

She pushed open the door and stepped in, finding an elderly monk seated on a cushion, rhythmically tapping a wooden fish.

At the sound of her arrival, he stopped tapping and slowly opened his eyes.

Lin Xi pressed her hands together in greeting. “Master.”

The old abbot looked at her intently. Lin Xi remained still, allowing him to scrutinize her.

“What troubles you, benefactor?” the abbot asked.

Lin Xi’s voice, once soft and gentle, turned sharp and commanding. “Master, what exactly does it mean to be born with a phoenix fate?”

“You are one such person,” the abbot answered.

Lin Xi’s expression remained cold, her eyes darkening like a storm gathering on the horizon.

The old abbot pressed his hands together once more and softly chanted, “Amitabha.”

Lin Xi sneered. “So if I marry anyone at random, that person can ascend the throne?”

“Why not?” the old abbot replied. “However, with such heavy resentment in your heart, it will inevitably affect your fate in the future.”

Lin Xi was momentarily stunned by his response. But upon hearing his next words, she couldn’t help but smile playfully. “Then, Master, can you tell me what my future holds?”

The old abbot sighed softly. “You were meant to marry the Crown Prince and, once he ascends the throne, become the Empress. But if you continue to harbor such resentment, you will only bring harm to yourself and others.”

“How laughable.” Lin Xi’s eyes turned cold. “Empress? By the time that happens, my Lin family will likely cease to exist.”

The old abbot gazed at the deep-seated hatred in her eyes and shook his head. “Buddha is compassionate. Have you not noticed that things are already different from what you remember?”

Lin Xi froze. She recalled that in her past life, Su Biyan was supposed to have been taken in as the last disciple of the imperial tutor, Master Ji. Yet now, her reputation was in ruins due to her exposed plagiarism. And then there was Mu Liuyin, who looked at her with such warmth and indulgence.

Yes, things were different. But so what?

The hatred carved into her bones and blood was something she could never forget. Even if Yin Xiu had yet to commit those crimes in this life, it would not stop her from seeking vengeance.

“If you have already made your decision, then you may leave,” the old abbot said, closing his eyes and resuming his rhythmic tapping on the wooden fish.

Lin Xi studied his serene expression for a moment before turning away. But just as she stepped out of the room, a faint sigh reached her ears.

“A single thought can change everything. Why insist on this path?”

Lin Xi chuckled coldly, her voice resolute. “I will never regret it.”

How could she possibly let go of the hatred for the 160 lives of the Lin family? And this old monk thought a few words could make her abandon her vengeance? Ridiculous.

—

Meanwhile, Mu Liuyin was amusing herself by teasing Zihan. The little maid was utterly unimpressed with her and had been giving her attitude all day. She didn’t even seem to fear punishment.

After Zihan rolled her eyes at her once again, Mu Liuyin sighed in amusement. “You little girl, you’ve been treating me with hostility from the moment we met. Has your mistress spoiled you too much?”

Zihan huffed. “It has nothing to do with my lady. It’s just that His Highness has done something bad!”

Since Mu Liuyin never acted like royalty in front of Lin Xi, Zihan wasn’t afraid to talk back.

Hearing this, Mu Liuyin laughed. “Oh? And what exactly have I done wrong?”

Now, it was Zihan’s turn to hesitate. She glared at Mu Liuyin but said nothing.

Mu Liuyin, seeing her speechlessness, smirked triumphantly. “Can’t say, can you?” She tapped Zihan’s forehead with a folded fan. “You’d better start showing me some respect, or I’ll go complain to your lady!”

Zihan stomped her foot angrily. If it weren’t for Lin Xi forbidding her from mentioning the incident where Mu Liuyin had kissed Su Biyan, she wouldn’t have been left speechless just now.

She was about to glare at Mu Liuyin again but then remembered her threat and turned her head away in frustration.

Just then, Lin Xi returned from her meeting with the abbot. Her breathtakingly beautiful face seemed to be covered with an icy layer, cold and distant.

Yet, when she walked up to them, Mu Liuyin suddenly doubted what she had just seen. The young girl before her still had her usual gentle demeanor, her voice as soft as ever. “Cousin, let’s return home.”

Mu Liuyin’s eyes curved with a warm smile. “Alright.”

She didn’t reach for Lin Xi’s hand, keeping a respectful distance between them. Zihan trailed half a step behind the two of them.

Under the setting sun, the silhouettes of the young man and woman walking side by side looked as if they belonged in a painting.

—

【Xiao Jiu, why do I keep feeling like Lin Xi doesn’t love me at all?】

Lying in bed, Mu Liuyin mulled over everything that had happened today. Something didn’t feel right.

Xiao Jiu, her system, responded indifferently. 【The target character has never liked the host. She is in love with the original Yin Xiu.】

Mu Liuyin was speechless. 【But I am Yin Xiu now, aren’t I? What, does she have some supernatural ability to tell I’m not the same person?】

Xiao Jiu: 【Of course not.】

Mu Liuyin: 【…】 Communicating with this crybaby system was hopeless.

Thinking about Zihan constantly rolling her eyes at her, Mu Liuyin suddenly had a revelation: that little maid and Xiao Jiu were a perfect match—one was foolish, and the other was dumb.

Annoyed, she rolled over and buried herself under the covers, forcing herself to sleep.

—

Meanwhile, at the General’s Manor.

Inside a secret chamber, General Lin Yuan and Princess Ying Jinxia watched their daughter, who stood before them with a calm and unwavering expression.

After a long silence, the princess asked, “Xi’er, have you thought about what you want to do?”

By the candlelight, Lin Xi’s face remained serene as she answered, “Mother, please grant me the Dark Order.”

The Dark Order—an elite secret force trained in the shadows by the imperial family. It was a gift from the late emperor to his beloved daughter, worried that she might one day be in danger.

Lin Xi did not tell her parents why she wanted it.

But seeing the determination in her daughter’s eyes, General Lin Yuan sighed. “Give it to her.”