Chapter 9: 9.第9章 皇族婚约

“Miss is just teasing me,” Dong'er said shyly, though her expression was one of great joy.

“Let’s have a contest. Whoever finishes first makes the loser wash the dishes.”

Dong'er was somewhat stunned. It truly felt as if her Miss had become a different person, making her want to cry, yet she couldn't help but fall in love with this feeling.

Because this was the Miss she had always wanted.

“Fine.” Her throat tightened with emotion, but she managed to squeeze out a single, heavy word.

“I’ll count to three. Three, two, one.”

Yun Tingruo gave a cunning smile. Under Dong'er's expectant gaze, she shoved the final mouthful of noodles directly into her mouth on the last count.

“Miss, you're a rogue!”

A burst of laughter suddenly rang out within the dilapidated room.

The sound drifted far, far away, until it dissipated into the horizon!

Just as the master and servant finished their meal, an old woman, roughly in her forties, walked in. Her features were sharp and brisk.

“Who gave you permission to eat?”

Her voice was like thunder, making Yun Tingruo frown instantly.

The old woman gave Yun Tingruo a triumphant look. Seeing her standing there dazed, she couldn't help but sneer, “Eat, eat, eat—all you know how to do is eat. What a waste of food.”

Having said that, she took a step forward and raised her hand to strike Yun Tingruo.

Dong'er reacted quickly, lunging forward. “Don't hurt Miss!”

The timing was perfect.

Yun Tingruo remained motionless. Just as the palm was about to hit her face, her hand moved, seemingly unintentionally poking the center of the old woman's palm.

“Ah—!” The old woman let out a blood-curdling scream.

She collapsed to the ground, her entire body convulsing uncontrollably.

“What happened? What’s going on?”

The old woman's screams drew the maids from outside, who came running in. Seeing the old woman twitching on the floor, they were all startled.

“Nanny Li, what’s wrong with you? Quick, carry her out!”

In the kitchen, the maids fell into a chaotic mess. No one expected this to happen to Su Ruo.

“Heavens, what happened to Nanny Li?”

Dong'er was frightened, staring intently as the maids carried the convulsing Nanny Li out.

Yun Tingruo’s eyes narrowed slightly.

There were many acupoints on a person's palm. She had merely tapped one small spot. However, the effect was still too weak.

If she wasn't going to act, she wouldn't act at all. But once she did, she would settle it in one move.

This Nanny Li frequently bullied her and Dong'er. Death would be too easy for her. Disability would be her ultimate fate.

***

Falling Courtyard—

A winding path paved with white stones led to the courtyard. The courtyard was built of white stone, with the lower curved corridors surrounded by begonias and peach blossoms. The rice paper on the windows was as white as snowflakes; from a distance, it truly looked as elegant as a celestial realm.

This was the Third Miss's courtyard.

At this moment, a series of "slap, slap, slap" sounds echoed from the inner room. The maids kneeling in the room were all trembling, not daring to utter a word.

“Bitch, bitch, bitch, bitch!” Yun Qingwan’s face was pale. Her jet-black hair was loosely tied up with a single jade hairpin. Her arrogant eyes flashed with fury, her rouge-colored outer garment was fiery and flamboyant, and her ruby hairpin was exceptionally dazzling.

But currently, her contorted little face completely ruined her beauty.

At the thought of the humiliation she suffered at that bitch's hands, a sharp pain shot through Yun Qingwan's chest, making her heart ache with rage.

How ridiculous, how utterly ridiculous—she had actually made a fool of herself in front of an idiot.

Thinking of that filthy pond water, Yun Qingwan began smashing things again. The exquisite porcelain in the room instantly turned into shards. Yet, this could not quench the fire in her heart.

This was a true disgrace.

“Qing'er, stop this. You're only going to make yourself sick.”

A woman's voice drifted in softly.

Madam Yun was dressed in a rose-red silk skirt, with the neckline slightly open to reveal a hint of her cleavage. Her face was like a hibiscus and her brows like willow branches; her eyes, more seductive than peach blossoms, were incredibly captivating. Her bright red lips curled slightly upward.

“Mother, I am not reconciled! I want to kill that little bitch!”

“Shut up.”

Madam Yun tapped her porcelain cup with her fingertips, shaking her head helplessly.

“Mother!” Yun Qingwan froze for a moment, then threw herself into Madam Yun's arms, weeping miserably.

“Qing'er, though she is unfavored, she is still the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's estate. Don't go around calling her a 'little bitch.' If word gets out, it will affect your reputation. It isn't worth it for the sake of an idiot.”

Yun Qingwan lifted her head, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears. “Mother, if it weren't for her, how could we have become the laughingstock of the estate's maids and nannies...” Her delicate voice was filled with infinite grievance.

Madam Yun narrowed her eyes slightly. Thinking of the events in the Listening Courtyard, everything was so bizarre. Qing'er falling into the water, her being slapped on the buttocks by a maid—no matter how one looked at it, it wasn't simple.

“Mother, it must have been that little bitch's doing. Let's go settle the score with her right now...” Yun Qingwan's eyes were filled with venom. If it weren't for that bitch, how could she and her mother have become such a joke?

Madam Yun patted Yun Qingwan and scolded, “Foolish. This matter is not that simple. Think about it—I am her stepmother, and she is the granddaughter of the Great General! If we go looking for her without evidence, we will only leave ourselves open to gossip.”

“What is there to fear? That little bitch is unfavored; Father treats her as if she doesn't even exist.” Yun Qingwan was dismissive, thinking her mother was far too cowardly.

Madam Yun gave a faint, inscrutable smile. “You forgot, Prince Qi is about to return to the capital. I will arrange a grand performance to ensure this idiot's engagement with Prince Qi is broken.”

Although Prince Qi had never asked about Su Ruo's well-being, this engagement had been set by the Empress Dowager. Although the Imperial Family had not intervened, it did not mean they had ignored the engagement. They had to take the initiative so that the Imperial Family would automatically dissolve it, allowing her daughter to become the Princess Consort of Prince Qi.

While the mother and daughter were discussing their secrets, the Second Miss's courtyard was not as pure and beautiful as the Third Miss's, but possessed a different style.

Lush greenery and blooming flowers were visible, with a clear stream flowing from deep within the plants through the crevices of the rocks. Taking a few more steps toward the north, the area became flat and wide, flanked by flying pavilions and carved eaves. In the winding half-pond, lotus buds were waiting to bloom; as the breeze passed, it brought a hint of fragrance.

The inner chamber was also very unique. The tables and chairs, carved from high-quality sandalwood, were intricately patterned. By the window, several sheets of Xuan paper lay on a rosewood table, with several brushes resting on the inkstone. On the paper were a few peony buds.

“Ngh~ Ah~” A woman's pained moan drifted out. It was Miaoling. Although she had no scars on her body, being slapped twenty times by the nannies was no small matter; any slight movement brought intense pain.

Yun Shiyue stood before the pearwood table, her gaze fixed on a certain spot, her thoughts unknown.

“Miss, I truly did not say those foolish things. These were all fabricated by the Fourth Miss to frame me.” Thinking of how all her injuries were because of Yun Tingruo, Miaoling spoke with increasing grit in her teeth.

Miaoling's agitated words pulled Yun Shiyue back to reality. A hint of ruthlessness flashed across her beautiful face. “Is what you say true?”

“I wouldn't dare deceive you, Miss.” Miaoling nodded heavily, her face full of grievance.

“I believe you.” Yun Shiyue lifted her chin slightly, revealing her fair skin, her eyes slowly filling with confusion.

When had this idiot fourth sister become so clever? It was truly uncanny.

The Third Miss falling into the water, Madam Su being slapped on the buttocks by a maid, and Miaoling receiving twenty slaps—all of these happened because of Su Ruo. If it were all a coincidence, it would be truly unbelievable.

Was someone helping her from the shadows? If not, Yun Shiyue truly could not fathom how Yun Tingruo could be so smart.

“Miss, news has come from the distant Falling Courtyard. The Third Miss is throwing a tantrum.” A maid in emerald green ran in, bowing before Yun Shiyue to report the news she had just gathered.

“Useless thing.” A trace of disdain flashed in Yun Shiyue's eyes. Her slender fingers tightened, picking up a grape with her jade-like fingertips. With a slight movement, the translucent grape burst open like a petal, and she elegantly placed it in her mouth.

Sweet. It was truly sweet to her heart.

Regarding this third sister, Yun Shiyue had always been competing with her both openly and secretly. She held the title of "Talented Woman," while the third sister held the title of "Little Fairy." In terms of appearance, they were evenly matched. In terms of talent, they were equals.

Yun Qingwan had always been her greatest rival, yet she hadn't expected this third sister to also cause such a massive joke. It was truly gratifying.

“Miss, in my humble opinion, these matters must be related to the Fourth Miss.” Miaoling hummed, her eyes full of resentment. She would settle this grudge with that idiot Yun Tingruo sooner or later.

“Regardless of whether the Fourth Miss did it in secret, as long as it makes Yun Qingwan lose face, it is a good thing.” Yun Shiyue's black pupils were like an ancient well, deep and dark, emitting a cold light.

“Miss, but I...” Miaoling was somewhat unwilling. Was she really going to let that idiot go just like that?

“Miaoling, do not forget your status.” Yun Shiyue's tone shifted, her voice carrying a hint of dissatisfaction.

“This servant knows her mistake.” Miaoling did not dare to say more. She had overstepped; the Miss was the master, and she was the servant. How could she demand the Miss seek revenge for her?

“Rest assured, you are my person. Anyone who touches my people should not expect an easy life.” Yun Shiyue's eyes flickered with a wicked light, and the smile at the corners of her mouth was both evil and brilliant.

“Thank you, Miss!” Miaoling was startled, then her face bloomed like a flower.

“Alright, go tend to your injuries first. I must go to the music room to practice.” Yun Shiyue rose, as graceful as a gentle breeze.

It was time for her daily physical training—her music practice hour. It was taught by a nanny from the palace.

While they had been eating noodles for a short while, Yun Tingruo was unaware that a great number of people were already plotting against her.

“Miss, you go rest, I will clean up.” Dong'er's face was slightly flushed; being too full was truly a wonderful feeling.

Yun Tingruo nodded slightly. She also needed to do something. She took the golden dragon jade pendant from her bosom, her gaze hardening.

If you thought she was pining for the original owner of this jade pendant, you were wrong. Yun Tingruo was planning what to do with the money once she sold it.

Urgent footsteps sounded outside, interrupting her thoughts. As soon as she lifted her eyelids, she saw Dong'er rushing in, her face filled with panic. “Miss, something bad has happened! Nanny Yi is coming with people!”