Chapter 1: The Beauty Turns and Smiles

It was a beautiful, sunny noon. A gentle breeze brushed through the willows, making the branches sway and the flowers dance lightly; the scenery was as picturesque as a painting, intoxicating the heart.

Under the shade of a tree, a graceful young woman with a face like a peach blossom, dressed in a light green gauze skirt scattered with floral patterns, lay reclining on a soft daybed. Her jade-like fingers, slender as green onions, were busy peeling grapes from a plate, handing the peeled fruit to the woman beside her. Her jade lips were slightly parted, and her autumn-water eyes were brimming with smiles.

"Little sister, you've been squatting for so long, you must be tired. Come, eat some grapes first. Second Sister will give you the biggest and sweetest ones." Her tone carried a hint of coaxing and a touch of mischief, yet it was impossible to dislike.

Looking closely, one could see a pink mass beside the beauty's daybed—no, it was a person.

The person was squatting on the ground, using a branch to continuously scratch something into the earth. As a light breeze blew past, the head of the downward-looking girl was initially obscured, but the dark hair hanging by her face fluttered in the wind, revealing a small face as white as jade. She wore no makeup, yet her cherry lips were naturally red, her nose was elegant and straight, and her eyes were bright and clear—their pupils as dark and lustrous as grapes, like two rare black pearls immersed in the vast ocean.

Hearing the voice, she looked up. Hiss, what an exquisite and adorable doll-like face; her cheeks held a slight baby fat, but that didn't matter—in time, she would definitely become a peerless beauty.

Not knowing what she was thinking, her eyes darted around, her lips curled into a smile, and her eyes crinkled shut, dazzling the observer in an instant. Even Tao Qianning, who faced her little sister every day, felt her heart flutter slightly, inwardly sighing at the little enchantress.

That sense of liveliness radiated from her entire body, and the cunning in her eyes was something no one could ignore.

"My dear Second Sister, just how many young masters have you rejected this month? You always use me to block your peach blossoms. Even Mother and Father are getting headaches because of you, sigh. And yet, I am aiding the villain, feeling so sorry for Mother and Father. What a sin, what a sin!"

Tao Qianyu teased the woman on the daybed with a smile, her clear, bell-like laughter echoing through the courtyard. As if the breeze were intentionally carrying it, the laughter attracted someone who began walking toward them.

Tao Qianyu continued, her small mouth hooked in a mischievous way.

"Just look at them. If they have looks, they insist on turning people into pig heads, nearly causing a massive scene. If they are highly skilled in martial arts, they leave people unable to even walk, panting after every step, nearly driven to commit suicide. And if they boast of literary talent, those young masters almost choke themselves to death."

Taking the grapes from Tao Qianning's hand, she finished them, cleared her throat, and continued.

"Whenever this happens, you run straight to Little Sister, sleeping in my favorite soft little nest, and even make me help deceive Mother and Father, woo woo. I'm truly going down a dark path with no way back."

She pouted aggrievedly, looking at the daybed beneath Tao Qianning with eyes full of longing and reluctance. Sigh, her beautiful afternoon nap was lost once again. Having finished speaking, she let out a yawn, with two crystalline tears hanging at the corners of her eyes, making her look pitiable.

Her tone was slightly aggrieved, but the playful light in her eyes betrayed her. Knowing her sister better than anyone, Tao Qianning felt no shame at all upon hearing her accusations; she only gave her a roll of the eyes.

"My dear, dear Sister! You are, after all, the famous beauty and talented lady of Heaven Phoenix City. This behavior would make so many people's jaws drop! A dignified smile that doesn't show teeth is the standard for a lady. Don't worry, Little Sister will keep your secret. I will go all out to uphold your image as a heartbreaker!"

Tao Qianning looked sideways at the squatting Tao Qianyu with speechless exasperation. This little sister's silver tongue truly lived up to her name. She was impossible to argue with; one wondered who she had taken after.

"Little Sister, let's make a deal. If you spread word of Second Sister like this, it will help keep the house quiet, and Second Sister will surely thank you properly."

"Eh~ Second Sister, you are my biological sister, and I won't do it, won't do it, won't do it! Gossiping behind someone's back is not the behavior of a gentleman, let alone a lady, for whom reputation is most important."

Tao Qianning felt a wave of frustration; she knew her little sister wouldn't agree. Yet, she still loved teasing her, leading to another bout of laughter and playfulness.

Hearing this, Tao Qianning covered her mouth and chuckled. This little one—could she get her help without using this trick?