Chapter 6: Master of Acting

Almost everyone in Linyang City knew that while the legitimate daughter of the Mu Estate was arrogant and domineering, the Second Miss was the most kind and humble. One always heard stories of the Eldest Miss bullying the Second Miss, but never of the Eldest Miss being bullied by the Second Miss. However, these minor squabbles between children never caught Master Mu's eye; his four daughters had not yet reached the age of adulthood, so he naturally did not take them to heart. He would occasionally comment on the indulgence and pampering of the Second Madam, but he never truly intervened in the upbringing of his daughters.

Because of Master Mu's attitude, no matter how dissatisfied people were with the Eldest Miss, they did not dare to lash out. After all, if even Master Mu did not care, it was useless for others to speak their minds until their lips were worn thin; moreover, offending the legitimate daughter of the Mu Estate would certainly result in no good consequences.

However, in Ji Yanran's eyes, Liuyun and Lanxi were different. Liuyun was willful and flamboyant; though her eyes were held high, she harbored no malice. Lanxi was gentle and lovely, always greeting people with a smile, but Yanran understood in her heart that a concubine's daughter raised in a great manor would never be such a well-behaved person.

Especially at this moment, seeing Liuyun's pale face and trembling body, Yanran's heart tightened even more. Liuyun had lost her biological mother when she was nine years old, and Yanran was already fifteen then. Holding Liuyun's small, soft body and seeing her curled in a corner with tears streaming down her face, Yanran could not help but feel heartache. Having finally seen that little girl who used to huddle in a ball become spirited and high-spirited again, seeing her in such a wretched and pitiful state now made it impossible for Yanran not to feel distressed.

"Lanxi, what is going on?" Perhaps even Yanran herself did not realize that her question carried too much suspicion, turning what should have been a simple inquiry into an accusatory statement, as if she were demanding an explanation from Lanxi.

"I... I didn't." Lanxi shook her head, biting her lip desperately. She retreated several steps in timidity, her eyes quickly turning red. "Why does Eldest Sister want to frame me like this? I didn't do it."

This helpless and frightened appearance, the way tears slid down her cheeks, made Lanxi look as fragile as a trampled little flower. Her eyes, brimming with crystalline tears, seemed to speak of her owner's grievances, as she merely repeated, "I didn't... I didn't..."

Leaning against Yanran, Liuyun pursed her lips, looking extremely sorrowful. "Although I am usually a bit fierce, I have never treated you poorly. Whenever I have something, I always have someone prepare a portion for you. Why did you push me... You clearly know I am most afraid of water, yet you still dragged me to the lakeside... I..."

At this point, she was unable to continue.

Hearing this, Ji Yanran understood that Liuyun indeed feared water; a childhood experience of nearly drowning had always made her unwilling to approach the lakeside. Since that was the case, why would she have gone to the lakeside?

"It was Eldest Sister who wanted to go to the lakeside herself. I... it wasn't me." Her misty eyes flashed with blatant grievance as she suddenly knelt on the ground. "Eldest Sister, Lanxi swears to the heavens, I absolutely did not push Eldest Sister."

Ji Yanran frowned. This matter was of great importance. Although she was protecting Liuyun, this was the Mu Estate after all, and she could not overstep her bounds. Yet, seeing Liuyun's frightened and terrified state, Yanran wanted to vent her anger for her. She stared intensely at Lanxi, and seeing her crying like a pear blossom in the rain, she felt a sudden sense of annoyance. "I want to clear things up. It is a fact that Liuyun fell into the lake; why are you acting so guilty?"

"Lanxi, I don't want to make a scene either. Father and Mother haven't returned, and right now it is just the three of us sisters." Liuyun raised her head slightly to look at Lanxi, speaking with a furrowed brow. "I know you have always resented Concubine Lin for favoring me, but just because of Concubine Lin's favor, must you drive me to my death? Why are you doing this to me?"

Lanxi opened her mouth, but she was unable to speak. Or rather, being called out by Liuyun like this, she suddenly did not know what to say.

Over the past ten-plus years, including the subsequent four years, the war between Liuyun and Lanxi had never ceased—or rather, the war between the legitimate daughter and the concubine's daughter had never ceased. On the surface, it seemed Liuyun always held the upper hand, but in reality, it was not so. Lanxi was much weaker than Liuyun in terms of temperament, yet she won the affection of more people.

It was only because Liuyun had failed to see through these things in the past that she had lost so decisively.

Ji Yanran's brow was deeply furrowed. With the matter having escalated to this point, given Liuyun's habitually proud and domineering personality, it would likely be difficult to settle. Even if it were brought before Master Mu, it would mostly be brushed aside to maintain a facade of peace. But now, she did not know how to tell Liuyun these things. This naive girl had no understanding of the hidden struggles within a great manor. Furthermore, although Lady Lin currently doted on Liuyun, once Liuyun and Lanxi were in opposition and she had to choose a side, Yanran did not know if this deep and inscrutable Lady Lin would help her biological daughter or Liuyun.

Just as she was feeling conflicted, Lady Lin suddenly arrived, looking travel-worn as if she had rushed back from outside the estate in a hurry.

"Yun'er, what happened? How could you suddenly fall into the lake when everything was fine? Where is your maid? How are they serving you?" Having held power for five years, Second Madam Lin Ruyu possessed a decisive and efficient manner that resembled a true matriarch. Had it not been for the interference of the Ji family, she would have long since taken the position of the primary wife. Old Madam Ji, fearing her grandchildren would be bullied, had constantly pressured Master Mu to prevent him from taking a second wife. Although the Ji family was in the capital, their influence was vast, and they certainly had the ability to interfere with a mere Mu Estate.

"Concubine Lin..." With reddened eyes, Liuyun threw herself into Lady Lin's arms and began to sob, not saying a word, only crying incessantly.

"Alright, alright, your Aunt is here. Don't be afraid, Yun'er." As she spoke, she glared sharply at Wanqing. "How are you serving the Eldest Miss? Do you all not want to live anymore? Who was serving by the Eldest Miss's side?"

All the servants in the room knelt on the ground. Wanqing grit her teeth but remained silent. Qianlan, who was outside the door, walked in and knelt by Liuyun's bed. "It... it was this servant's failure to serve the Young Miss well. Please... please Madam and Young Miss punish me."

Liuyun did not lift her head, but she sneered inwardly. It was truly one scheme after another; failing to plot against her, they turned to plot against her maid. They really wouldn't allow her to have any confidants by her side, would they?

"Is this the kind of cowardly and fearful servant the Mu Estate raises? The Eldest Miss is extremely precious; how many lives do you have to pay for this?" The Second Madam snorted coldly and called out toward the door, "Someone, come and drag this girl out to be beaten to death with a staff!"

"Madam, please spare my life!" Qianlan's face turned white with terror as she kowtowed repeatedly, trembling uncontrollably.

Liuyun raised her head, still remaining silent. She merely cast a faint glance at Yanran before finally letting her gaze fall upon Lanxi. Lanxi had already stood up and was being supported by a maid to sit in a chair nearby, looking equally fragile and weak. Liuyun sneered in her heart; what a master of pretense.