After I transmigrated, the cold king clung to me every day.

Chapter 236 "All Men Are Born Equal"

The ornate carriage came to a steady stop in front of the vermilion gate of the Ninth Prince's Mansion. The wheels rubbed against the stone pavement, making a dull sound and stirring up a few wisps of dust.

With graceful steps, Su Wan'er slowly stepped down from the carriage, her skirt fluttering gently in the wind like flowing clouds.

Behind her, Huan'er followed cautiously, her movements a little slow. Her hands unconsciously clutched the hem of her clothes, her eyes full of fear.

As soon as Huan'er landed, she gently lifted her veil, her gaze sharp as she quickly scanned the surroundings of the Prince's mansion. The once familiar residence now felt inexplicably strange to her. Her brows furrowed slightly, and she stood frozen in place, a barely perceptible hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.

Su Wan'er noticed Huan'er's unusual behavior, and a wicked smile appeared on her lips. Her tone was teasing: "What's wrong? Don't you recognize the Ninth Prince's mansion? Or are you too scared to go in?"

Huan'er quickly lowered her head, her voice trembling slightly: "Your Highness..."

Su Wan'er waved her hand, her tone exuding unquestionable authority: "Let's go! Let's go in! Do everything according to my wishes!"

After speaking, she straightened her back, strode confidently toward the gate of the Prince's mansion, each step exuding an air of authority, her skirt swaying wildly with her movements.

Huan'er bit her lower lip, took a deep breath, and could only grit her teeth and follow behind Su Wan'er timidly. Her steps were light and hurried, her eyes were full of unease, and she would look around warily from time to time.

Su Wan'er and Huan'er walked along the covered walkway towards the backyard. Sunlight filtered through the lush foliage, casting dappled shadows on the ground. As they passed a garden bursting with flowers, they spotted Lin Qianqian.

Lin Qianqian was already heavily pregnant and her figure was slightly bloated. She gently supported her lower back with one hand and put her other hand on Xiaodie's arm beside her as she strolled leisurely.

A gentle smile graced her face as she chatted softly with Xiaodie, her voice gentle and punctuated by occasional low chuckles. A gentle breeze stirred, causing her hair to sway lightly, creating a scene of tranquility.

The moment Huan'er's gaze fell upon Lin Qianqian, she was startled. Her eyes widened instantly, filled with disbelief. She stood frozen in place, her hands instinctively gripping the hem of her clothes, looking completely lost.

Su Wan'er also stopped in her tracks. She first glanced coldly at the distraught Huan'er, her eyebrows slightly raised, and a hint of displeasure flashed in her eyes.

Then, she turned her gaze to Lin Qianqian, her already cold eyes becoming even sharper, her brows furrowing tightly, her expression growing increasingly arrogant, her straight back and slightly raised chin revealing her haughty demeanor.

Xiao Die was focused on supporting Lin Qianqian when her peripheral vision caught sight of Huan'er. In an instant, her eyes widened, and her face was filled with excitement and anticipation.

She subconsciously let go of Lin Qianqian's hand, waving her arms and shouting at the top of her lungs, "Hey~ Huan'er..." Her voice was full of surprise and was particularly loud in the quiet backyard.

Lin Qianqian was startled by Xiaodie's sudden action. She looked in the direction Xiaodie was calling, and when her gaze fell on Huan'er, her eyes instantly welled up with uncontrollable excitement. Her gentle face flushed slightly with surprise, and she blurted out involuntarily, "Huan'er?! It really is you!"

At that moment, she disregarded her pregnant belly and the inconvenience it caused her to move. She hurriedly lifted her skirt and walked towards Huan'er with slightly unsteady steps.

Xiaodie then realized what was happening. Looking at Lin Qianqian's hurried back, her eyes were full of worry and heartache. She frowned and shouted, "Miss, wait for me!" She quickly ran after her.

Hearing the call, Huan'er froze, a flicker of panic crossing her eyes. She instinctively turned to look at Su Wan'er, her lips trembling slightly as she stammered, "Your Highness..." Her voice was filled with conflict and helplessness; she was speechless, unsure of what to do.

Su Wan'er noticed Huan'er's gaze, her face instantly darkened, her brows furrowed into a deep frown, and she let out a heavy snort. Her icy gaze was like a sharp blade, shooting straight at Huan'er, as if warning her: Don't talk nonsense!

Huan'er felt a chill run down her spine. She tried to suppress her emotions, tears welling up in her eyes. Her once rosy face turned ashen.

As Lin Qianqian drew closer, she took a deep breath, straightened her back, and forced a stiff smile that concealed endless bitterness and resentment.

Lin Qianqian walked quickly to Huan'er, grasped her hand firmly, her eyes filled with concern, her voice tinged with the joy and worry of a long-awaited reunion: "Huan'er, you're finally back! We haven't seen each other in so long! How have you been?"

As she spoke, she leaned closer to examine Huan'er's face, her brows instantly furrowing into a knot, her voice full of concern, "Oh? Why do you look so pale! Are you feeling unwell?"

Xiaodie quickly came over, her eyes scanning Huan'er's face, and chimed in, "Yes, why are you so pale? Your lips have no color at all, and your eyes are all red. What happened?"

Lin Qianqian's eyes revealed deep worry. She gently stroked Huan'er's hand and said with heartache, "Huan'er, if you have any difficulties, you must tell me. Seeing you like this really makes me feel bad."

Huan'er opened her mouth, but something seemed to choke her throat, leaving her completely speechless. Overwhelmed with grievance and helplessness, she could only look at Su Wan'er in a panic and stammer, "Your Highness, I..."

Su Wan'er spoke first, her face showing just the right amount of regret. She shook her head slightly, a hint of smugness flashing in her eyes, and said with feigned sorrow, "Alas, Huan'er's dearest relative passed away a few days ago. She is all alone and helpless. I felt so sorry for her and couldn't bear it, so I took her in."

As she spoke, she gently reached out and stroked Huan'er's face, a worried expression on her face, her voice soft, feigning tenderness and consideration.

Huan'er bit her lower lip tightly, her heart filled with bitterness. Unable to express her suffering, she could only lower her head silently, letting tears well up in her eyes.

Lin Qianqian looked on with suspicion, her gaze shifting back and forth between Huan'er and Su Wan'er. Her brows furrowed slightly, and her tone carried a hint of probing: "Is this... really true?"

Huan'er glanced at Su Wan'er again subconsciously, and when she met Su Wan'er's cold, warning gaze, she trembled. She quickly and humbly held back her tears, nodded vigorously, and said in a choked voice, "Yes...yes!"

Seeing Huan'er's appearance, Lin Qianqian felt a pang of heartache. She gently took Huan'er's hand and said softly, "Child, come with me." With that, she led Huan'er to a table not far away and sat down.

Xiaodie, like a loyal guardian, followed closely behind Lin Qianqian, always keeping an eye on the surroundings, afraid that any unexpected event might threaten her master.

After the two sat down, Lin Qianqian gently patted Huan'er's hand and tenderly inquired about her situation these past few days, her words full of concern.

Seeing Lin Qianqian taking such good care of her despite being heavily pregnant, Huan'er felt a pang of guilt and gratitude. She quickly said, "Your Highness, please take care of yourself! Your body is getting heavier and heavier, you must be careful! Besides, Huan'er is just a maid, of lowly status, Your Highness doesn't need to be so kind to Huan'er..."

Lin Qianqian shook her head slightly, a gentle smile on her face, her eyes sincere and firm. "Huan'er, you're thinking like that again. You can't always be so self-conscious! I've already said that in my heart, everyone is born equal, with no distinction between high and low, noble and lowly. Although you are a maid, you are still a person with flesh and blood, feelings and righteousness. How could I treat you differently because of your status?"

She gently held Huan'er's hand, her eyes full of sincerity, "It is fate that we have met. I only hope that you can live a good life."

Upon hearing these words, Huan'er's eyes instantly reddened, tears welling up. A warm current surged through her heart, and she could no longer suppress her emotions, crying out, "Your Highness~"

Su Wan'er stood aside, coldly watching Lin Qianqian and Huan'er's intimate conversation. Her face was full of disdain, her lips were slightly downturned, and a trace of resentment flashed in her eyes.

After a moment's thought, she quickly put on a fake smile, stepped forward, and as she got closer, though her tone was soft, she gritted her teeth and squeezed out the words: "Sister, I have some private matters to discuss with Huan'er, so we'll go in first!"

To outsiders, her smile appeared gentle and appropriate, but those who knew her well knew that it concealed calculation.

As soon as she finished speaking, she turned to look at Huan'er, her face still smiling, but with an undeniable sense of pressure. She said slowly but firmly, word by word, "Huan'er, let's go!"

Upon hearing this, Huan'er was startled and dared not delay for a moment. She hurriedly got up, not even bothering to straighten her skirt, and followed Su Wan'er in small steps.

Before leaving, she hurriedly bowed to Lin Qianqian, her movements flustered yet filled with reluctance.

Lin Qianqian smiled indulgently, nodded slightly, indicating that Huan'er didn't need to be so polite, and then quietly watched the two leave.

She watched their retreating figures, lost in thought, a hint of worry in her eyes, and couldn't help but feel concerned for Huan'er's situation.