Chapter 7: Killing Intent

Qin Wanyi set the clothes aside for the moment. She didn't put them on, nor did she let Cuiping serve her; after all, she had yet to "recover" that part of her memory, and it was better to maintain a distant relationship with Cuiping. Furthermore, the Crown Prince was coming to visit a patient—did a patient really need to stand up to greet him?

It wasn't as if she wanted to curry favor with the Crown Prince, so why go through the unnecessary trouble?

During her brief moment of contemplation, Cuilian had already finished helping Qin Suye get dressed.

Qin Wanyi scrutinized Qin Suye for a long while, staring until the girl became fidgety and asked Cuilian if something was wrong. Only then did Qin Wanyi say, with a sour expression, "Cuilian, do you have a grudge against me?"

Cuilian was startled. She blinked her round eyes and clarified with a blank look, "Eldest Miss, how could this servant possibly have a grudge against you?"

"Then why didn't you help your mistress tidy up and dress properly? If she goes out looking like this, others will think I’ve been bullying her again."

Qin Suye was bare-faced; she was naturally beautiful, but her eyes were as swollen as walnuts, and after the commotion yesterday, she looked utterly haggard.

Yesterday’s head injury was already blamed on her; she didn't need this look today to make matters worse.

Cuilian nodded repeatedly. "This servant understands."

While Cuilian was dressing Qin Suye, Qin Wanyi didn't want to leave Cuiping, who had nothing to do, feeling neglected. Estimating the time, she said unhurriedly, "Cuiping, it’s time to invite the Second Miss over."

Cuiping acknowledged the order and was about to head out, but before she could even step out, a loud bang made both Qin Suye and her maid tremble. Someone had already pushed the door open with force and strode in.

"Second Miss, why are you here?" Cuiping was also taken aback and hurriedly bowed, but Qin Jingshu ignored her entirely.

Hearing the commotion, Qin Wanyi leaned lazily against the headboard, looking idle. It seemed Qin Jingshu had lost her patience.

Today, Qin Jingshu was dressed in a water-red long dress that trailed on the floor, revealing a pair of red boots at the front. She wore a vermilion brocade jacket trimmed with snow-white fox fur, and her hair was held up by a blood-jade gold hairpin. Her delicate face was lightly powdered, making her look vibrant and dazzling, like the scorching sun.

It was clear she had prepared meticulously.

"All of you, get out. I have something to say to the Eldest Sister," Qin Jingshu said to the others in the room as she walked to the bed, looking down at the unflappable Qin Wanyi.

Such an overbearing aura intimidated everyone, and the room fell into a deathly silence.

Seeing this, Qin Suye and Cuilian glanced at Qin Jingshu’s expression, then looked at Qin Wanyi with concern. Qin Wanyi gave them a reassuring smile and said as if nothing were the matter, "Cuilian, Cuiping, the Crown Prince will be here soon. Take the Third Miss to the main hall first."

The group exchanged glances and, under Qin Jingshu’s menacing gaze, had no choice but to retreat.

"Cuili, go keep watch outside," Qin Jingshu said to her personal maid after the three had left.

Cuili had a likable, round, and fair face, but she wasn't very pleasant; she tended to bully others by relying on her mistress's power. Because she was favored by Qin Jingshu, she walked with her head held high and a look of disdain in her eyes. She often looked down on others and frequently bullied Cuilian; she didn't even hold Qin Suye in any regard.

Once the two were alone, Qin Jingshu’s face suddenly darkened. "What exactly are you planning? Are you really playing some game, or do you simply have no solution?"

Qin Wanyi turned her head, exposing her scarred cheek to Qin Jingshu. Instead of answering, she brought up something else: "I wonder if the Second Sister has ever heard of the flower and the leaf?"

Qin Jingshu closed her eyes, still unable to look directly at the scar. She took a few steps back, thinking to herself that talking about flowers and leaves at a time like this clearly meant she was out of options.

"What do you mean?"

"You are the flower, and I am the leaf. There is no need for you to waste any more effort throwing mud at me. If the leaf gets dirty, the flower won't look any better." Qin Wanyi spoke with subtle implication, but her words were sharp and pointed; Qin Jingshu understood her perfectly.

Glancing at the clothes nearby, Qin Jingshu knew she was in the wrong, but she didn't feel any remorse, choosing to act as if she hadn't seen them.

"I don't know what the Eldest Sister is trying to say."

To think she would play dumb while knowing exactly what was meant. Qin Wanyi sneered inwardly, though her expression became even more approachable.

"Since the Second Sister doesn't understand, I will be more detailed. If you find these words unpleasant, just pretend they weren't meant for you. You are already a flower set off by green leaves, so just be content as the flower. Do not make the foolish mistake of cutting away the green leaves to leave the flower alone. If you do, you will be left with nothing but a monotonous flower, and it won't be nearly as stunning."

It was uncomfortable to talk while lying on her side, so Qin Wanyi turned back, lay down, and closed her eyes as if she were asleep. Flowers might be beautiful, but from budding to withering, their beauty was fleeting; what lasted until the end was always the green leaf.

Qin Jingshu felt as if she had been bullied; her face flushed red, and her eyes shot out a dangerous glare. She clenched her hands into fists, watching the rise and fall of Qin Wanyi’s chest. Feeling the rhythm of Qin Wanyi’s steady breathing, she stepped lightly toward the bedside and slowly reached out her hands.

The murderous intent was so strong that it could be felt even with eyes closed. Sensing the presence drawing closer, Qin Wanyi said, "I hear the Second Sister is skilled at the zither. Why not play a song for me?"

Qin Jingshu hurriedly pulled her hands back, her heart pounding violently. When she regained her composure and processed what Qin Wanyi had said, she felt as if she had been outmaneuvered. Unhappy, she couldn't help but retort, "You want me to play the zither for you?"

"The Great Daxing Dynasty governs the world through filial piety, and the Emperor values harmony between siblings. The Crown Prince is kind-hearted, filial to his elders, and benevolent to his subordinates. He is also well-versed in music. If he were to see your intention to help me ease my worries and witness your exquisite zither skills, wouldn't he change his opinion of you?" Although Qin Wanyi was murmuring to herself, these words were clearly meant for Qin Jingshu. "Whether you do it or not is entirely your choice. Could I possibly force the favored Second Miss of the Prime Minister's residence?"

Qin Jingshu was a smart person; she understood Qin Wanyi’s meaning, but she was deeply resentful. Everything was under Qin Wanyi’s control, and she felt like a chess piece, being manipulated at will.

"The Crown Prince will be here soon. If you want to play the zither, prepare yourself well. If you don't, just leave and go to the main hall; that might leave a good impression. If you just stand here doing nothing, I can't guarantee what the Crown Prince will think."

Qin Wanyi yawned, tilted her head, and looked as if she were drifting off to sleep.

For a moment, Qin Jingshu wavered. She didn't want to easily give in to Qin Wanyi’s wishes, but a voice in her heart kept clamoring for her to follow Qin Wanyi’s advice.

Just then, the door was burst open. Cuili ran in, looking back over her shoulder, and shouted, "Miss, it’s bad! The Crown Prince is here!"