Volume One, Chapter 11: Watch Her Perform!

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Shang Yinqiong had changed into her clothes, and Xiaoli’s delicate hands had carefully styled her hair into an age-appropriate bun.

She stood before the mirror, examining the new dress she wore.

The entire gown was a blend of pale green and white, with epiphyllum flowers outlined in gold thread. The hem was wide and flowing, brushing the floor. With even the slightest movement, the epiphyllum seemed vividly alive, the layers at the skirt’s edge swirling like moonlight cascading to the ground.

Her hair fell naturally down her back, the curls coiled into an elegant bun adorned with pearls and gemstones. Paired with earrings that perfectly matched the color of her jade-green dress, her entire demeanor was accentuated with a gentle grace.

“Third Miss, with such beauty, you must surely be well-known in the capital,” Xiaoli praised sincerely.

She had never seen anyone as beautiful as the Third Miss; though her face bore no makeup, it was like flawless white jade. Every feature was perfectly proportioned, especially her eyes, deep and slightly upturned at the corners, adding youthful radiance.

This must be what the elders meant by the perfect balance between subtle and bold makeup.

Shang Yinqiong could only smile wryly.

Her reputation had long been tarnished by Shang Runyu; even if she were to be praised, it would only be as a foolish beauty.

“I really like the dress.”

Shang Yinqiong never cared much for fashion, but if she dressed too plainly, people would seize on it as a flaw.

Xiaoli bowed slightly and stepped out.

Nanny Tang gave Shang Yinqiong some advice, then explained methods for controlling the servants. Reluctantly, she said, “Third Miss, the matriarch cannot protect you every moment. From now on, you must decide your own path.”

“I understand, Nanny.”

Shang Yinqiong saw her out, a plan forming in her mind.

The next day

Wearing the new dress her grandmother had sent, Shang Yinqiong went to the small kitchen to make a dish of green plum cake, garnished with osmanthus blossoms, tempting to the eye.

As she passed the garden, faint sobbing came from ahead.

This time she had no maid with her, so a misstep led her to hide behind a nearby stone pillar, just enough to conceal her figure.

Looking up, she saw Shang Runyu and Shang Fei standing ahead.

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Neither had maids with them. Shang Runyu held a silk handkerchief, dabbing at nonexistent tears. Her reddened eyes and perfectly timed voice pulled at the heartstrings. “Brother, I was foolish this time, but I never meant to frame Third Sister. I was just scared...”

Shang Fei frowned deeply, yet seeing his beloved younger sister crying like this softened his heart completely. When he spoke again, his tone was gentle. “What is there to be afraid of?”

In his mind, Second Sister was the kindest and most tender. She wouldn’t even punish her own erring maidservants harshly, let alone commit suicide to frame Shang Yinqiong.

He absolutely refused to believe it.

But the facts were right before him.

“Brother, Third Sister is after all your blood, the true legitimate daughter of this household. Now that she has returned, I am scared. You all care for Third Sister.”

At this, tears glimmered at the corners of Shang Runyu’s eyes; her voice choked with emotion. “Brother, I am not jealous of Third Sister. I just worry you don’t care about me. I truly see you as my family. Please don’t ignore me.”

Shang Runyu’s tearful plea was a powerful assault that could overwhelm even the coldest heart.

Shang Yinqiong: “...”

If there was anyone in the Duke’s household more hypocritical than Shang Runyu, she had yet to meet them.

Shang Yinqiong wondered how many waves of this assault Shang Fei could resist, but to her surprise, the next moment he soothed gently, “Second Sister, in my heart, you are the only sister I recognize. That so-called Shang Yinqiong—I never take her seriously. Father and Mother naturally care for you more.”

“Really?”

Shang Runyu’s tears fell like broken pearls. “Brother, do you believe it wasn’t me who framed Sister?”

Shang Fei took out his handkerchief, lightly touching her cheek. “Of course I believe you.”

“Brother, I truly wanted to give my life for Third Sister, but the maids in my courtyard were too clever. The moment I made a move, those two little maids pulled me down. Still, I was quite frightened.”

Shang Runyu’s tone eased somewhat.

“Nonsense. You should be grateful to those two maids.”

Shang Fei set aside his grudges. “In the future, don’t do foolish things like this. Mother worries about you. I have matters at the academy; you should stay and keep Mother company.”

As soon as Shang Fei left, the sorrow vanished instantly from Shang Runyu’s face, and she put away the handkerchief.

A faint smile curved her lips.

*Slap.*

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Shang Yinqiong stepped out from behind the pillar, clapping her hands with a smile that was half amusement, half scorn—undeniably mocking to any keen observer.

Nodding with a click of her tongue, she murmured, “What a fine performance.”

Hearing this, Shang Runyu looked over sharply.

A fierce light suddenly flared in her eyes. “When did you come?”

“Now that it’s just the two of us, are you no longer willing to pretend the part of a virtuous lady?”

Shang Yinqiong had to admit, Shang Runyu’s skill at changing faces was indeed difficult to match.

Clutching the handkerchief tightly, Shang Runyu hissed, “You’re very proud, aren’t you? Exposing my little trick before everyone. But so what? They will still choose me, even making excuses to defend me, while you...”

She paused deliberately, a cold sneer lifting the corner of her mouth. “They will never care about you. You should never have come back. You would have been happier as a simple village girl, forever unfit to appear on stage.”

“That’s truly a pity. But I have come back, and I intend to take everything from you.”

“No, you mean take back what rightfully belongs to me.”

Shang Yinqiong’s expression always bore a smile, yet the warmth never reached her eyes.

In this confrontation, their energies were evenly matched.

Shang Runyu sneered, dismissing Shang Yinqiong’s words. “It seems you’ve improved a lot in the palace these three years, but my position in this household is unshakable. You will never fit in here.”

After saying this, she studied Shang Yinqiong, hoping to see pain on her face.

But Shang Yinqiong showed no change—not a flicker of anger—only calm, steady eyes as she spoke slowly, “I don’t care.”

Some things were never meant for her.

Begging and pleading only ended in bitter disappointment.

If so, better to let go cleanly than to be haunted by obsession, living each day in sorrow and rage.