Chapter 3: A Clumsy Frame-up

The young boy looked at Su Jin coldly, giving her no pleasant expression at all. He pinched her small face, squeezing it until it turned red. "If you do this again, see how I torment you."

Having said that, he grabbed Su Jin's hand.

He violently dragged her into the room and pressed the jade flute into her palm. "It's stained with a bit of blood. Wash it clean for me."

His tone was entirely that of someone commanding a servant.

Su Jin was unwilling, but even if she were given more courage, she wouldn't dare disobey.

She walked to the basin filled with clear water, placed the jade flute inside, and rubbed it back and forth with her hands to wipe away the bloodstains. Suddenly, a voice drifted over, so gentle it could be squeezed like water. "Actually, you only ran back because you were worried about me, weren't you?"

Su Jin checked the doors and windows; they were tightly shut, and no one had entered.

Her gaze settled on the bed, and she walked toward it silently.

She saw the young boy lying there peacefully, covered by a quilt made of coarse cloth, which looked somewhat out of place against his exquisite features. His eyes were tightly closed, and his breathing was steady. Su Jin helped straighten the corner of his quilt. "Already a ten-year-old, yet he still talks in his sleep."

Then, she left without making a sound.

It was a rare opportunity to catch him sleeping; if she didn't escape now, when would she? This boy was clearly a troublemaker at first glance.

On her way out, she took some silver ingots.

At that moment, the young boy lying on the bed suddenly opened his eyes. There wasn't a trace of sleepiness left in his gaze. He stared in the direction Su Jin had left... feeling a sense of loss, tinged with bitterness.

Six years later.

In the springtime, a light rain had just begun to fall.

In the capital of the Yan Kingdom, before the gates of the Left Prime Minister's Manor.

A woman stood quietly holding an exquisite oil-paper umbrella. Her silhouette was incomparably graceful and tranquil, as if she were waiting for a man who had failed to show up for an appointment. However, those passing by knew that this was merely an illusion.

Because a quarter of an hour later, the woman abruptly tossed the umbrella aside.

She stepped forward quickly, intercepting the sedan chair of the Prime Minister's manor.

Her voice was not loud, but it was just enough for those nearby to hear. "Father..."

The Left Prime Minister, Su Zongtan, had just returned from court. Before the sedan chair at the manor gates had even settled, he heard these words. He reached out to lift the curtain and slowly rose to approach, his expression kind and benevolent. "Miss, you are...?"

The woman parted her thin lips. "I am Su Jin, who was fostered in Qingcheng County."

Su Zongtan's eyes suddenly widened.

Returned from the dead?

No! She must be an impostor.

Involuntarily, he took several steps back, barely steadying himself. His beard trembled slightly. "Jin'er has been dead for a long time, and the entire household has grieved. I hope you do not impersonate her to cause trouble, otherwise, I will not be lenient."

Su Jin walked forward a few steps calmly through the light rain. She gently rolled up her water sleeves, revealing a butterfly-shaped birthmark on her arm. "Actually, it used to be shaped like a bat. Father thought it was inauspicious, so he instructed Mother to change it to this."

Su Zongtan stared at that tiny mark.

It was as if he had been struck by lightning.

He had never mentioned this matter to anyone else! After his body stiffened for several seconds, he stepped forward excitedly. "Is it truly Jin'er? Truly? Quick, come back to the manor with your father, quick."

A glimmer of tears rose in Su Jin's eyes.

She squeezed out a few tears to suit the occasion.

The teardrops lingered on her eyelashes, refracting light like colored glass.

Her appearance was extremely pure.

But deep in her eyes, her killing intent was piercingly cold.

Inside the manor, in the Orchid Garden, the First Madam rubbed her fingers against a celadon teacup, her gaze drifting toward the door. "To think she actually came back alive. Then I cannot be blamed for being ruthless. It seems I can only let you die once more; I don't believe you can escape by luck every single time."

Standing by the side, Nanny Zhang's eyes darted around. "Does Madam think she has come for revenge?"

The Fourth Miss, Su Jin, was young at the time; she doubted that would be the case.

The First Madam paused, her eyes filled with a sinister and poisonous intent, like a snake flickering its venomous tongue. "Even if she remembers how that wench of a mother died, she might not necessarily trace it back to me. But my fear is that the longer the night, the more dreams occur..."

Therefore, she had to die.

Nanny Zhang nodded and approached eagerly. "Then, Madam's intention is...?"

The First Madam smiled faintly, with the air of someone who had everything under control. "Intention? I have no intention at all! She herself was indiscreet and shameless, disregarding the reputation of the Su Manor by having a secret affair with the Second Young Master of the Marquis's Manor. What does that have to do with me?"

Nanny Zhang was stunned for a moment, but quickly understood.

The Madam intended to use that wine-loving and lecherous cousin to get rid of the Third Miss. Truly ingenious.

...

After leading Su Jin into the manor, the Left Prime Minister turned and left, his silhouette decisive, not even deigning to look back. He had to put on an act in front of outsiders, but where no one could see, there was no need for it at all.

Whether Su Jin was dead or alive, she was useless.

He did not need such a daughter!

If things hadn't reached this point where he had to acknowledge her, he wouldn't have brought her in to eat his food for free. She had better behave herself and not cause any trouble, otherwise...

The butler was a shrewd man who had long since figured out the inner workings of the manor. Seeing the Left Prime Minister's attitude, he knew Su Jin's future would not be easy. He symbolically arranged a courtyard for her, assigned two maidservants, and then scurried away.

The maid Ruobing bowed. "Miss, please command me if you need anything."

Su Jin waved her hand. "You may withdraw for now."

As soon as her voice fell, the other maid, Mudan, immediately headed toward the door, her feet moving as if greased with oil. After walking quite a distance, she didn't forget to scold Ruobing. "Why do you bother with her? She looks like someone with a short life; she's nothing but bad luck."

She wanted to climb to a higher branch.

Ruobing glanced at Mudan and took a step back, maintaining a distance. "There is a difference between master and servant. No matter what, she is still the Miss, while we are merely maids. It's better not to gossip recklessly in the future."

Mudan was displeased. "Fine, fine, fine. My good intentions are treated like donkey's liver. Go serve her yourself; I'm leaving tomorrow."

After saying that, she stomped her feet hard and walked away quickly.

Taking advantage of the moment when no one was paying attention, she slipped into the First Madam's courtyard.

...

Su Jin found several biographies in her room and sat by the window, leisurely flipping through them. The light rain grew heavier, and raindrops drifted in through the window, splashing onto the yellowed pages. She frowned and closed the book.

Just then, the maid Mudan entered, her face full of warmth. "This servant feared the Miss might catch a chill, so I brewed some hot soup. Please drink it while it's hot, Miss, otherwise, it won't be good if you catch a cold."

Su Jin looked up.

She gave Mudan an seemingly unintentional glance. "Just leave it there; I'll drink it later."

Mudan was slightly stunned. Later? No! The First Madam had specifically instructed her to ensure she saw the Fourth Miss drink it with her own eyes. This was a matter of great importance and allowed for no mistakes. If she handled this well, she would become a favorite of the First Madam and live a life of luxury.

She approached impatiently. "This servant's heart is truly..."

As she spoke, she began to cry.

She gave the impression that her painstaking efforts had been unrequited, and she could not help but weep in sorrow.

Su Jin sniffed. "I shall reward you then."

Upon hearing this, Mudan's legs went weak, and she immediately collapsed to the floor, clearly from shock. After a brief moment of panic, she knelt. "This servant is lowly and lacks fortune; I am used to coarse tea and plain food and dare not drink such fine things."