Chapter 3: The Talented Concubine-Born Sister

In truth, Mu Xiaoxue recalled the memories of this body's past. The manor physician was an old servant of the household; when Mu Xiaoxue was a child, he had once tried to teach her how to conduct herself and even wanted her to study medicine. However, back then, Mu Xiaoxue had been raised by Concubine Liu to be disrespectful and insolent, treating his kindness like dog shit and even nearly driving him out of the manor. That was why Mu Xiaoxue had reflexively spoken with such politeness.

But her casual politeness caused everyone present to look at her with strange expressions, especially Concubine Liu. Since when did she speak so politely?

"Physician, what are you standing there for! Hurry up and check the Eldest Miss's pulse. If anything happens to the Eldest Miss, can you take responsibility for it? Come over here and examine her carefully, quickly!"

It seemed like concern, but only Concubine Liu knew whether Mu Xiaoxue was no longer under her control, or if she had been pretending all along. After checking the pulse for a while, the physician examined Mu Xiaoxue's hands, legs, and head to ensure there were no major issues.

"Eldest Miss, Concubine Liu, the Eldest Miss is not in serious danger. She only has several bruises on her body, with the head being slightly more severe. As long as I prescribe a few doses of medicine for the Eldest Miss to take on time, along with applying this box of medicinal plaster externally for a few days, the bruises will naturally fade." Despite this, Concubine Liu remained somewhat suspicious.

"Physician, did you look closely? There must be no mistakes. Is the Eldest Miss truly fine? Are you certain? If anything were to happen to the Eldest Miss, we won't be able to explain ourselves once the Prime Minister returns."

Although the physician feared offending these two powerful figures, having practiced medicine for decades, he was quite confident in his skills. He confirmed once more, "Concubine Liu, the Eldest Miss is truly not in serious danger. She only has several bruises on her body. After taking the medicine on time and applying the plaster externally for a few days, she will recover."

Hearing the physician's answer, Concubine Liu looked at Mu Xiaoxue suspiciously, wondering if she had simply overthought things—that she was still the same useless person as before, and that what just happened was merely a coincidence.

Looking at Concubine Liu's expression, Mu Xiaoxue knew that the few words she had blurted out had already raised the woman's suspicions. It seemed she would have to be much more careful in the future! It was truly said that disaster comes from the mouth! Before she had completely figured things out, she must not leave any flaws, otherwise, her future days would never be peaceful!

Having made up her mind, Mu Xiaoxue feigned anger and said to the physician, "You quack! You say this Young Mistress is fine, but why do I feel pain all over my body? Auntie, drive him away and go to the palace to fetch a better Imperial Physician for me, alright? Xue'er is in so much pain!"

Seeing this Mu Xiaoxue—who would act spoiled in front of her yet remain arrogant and domineering toward others just as she used to be—completely dismissed her recent suspicions. She must have been overthinking it...

Concubine Liu quickly smiled, "Alright, alright, alright! Now, I'll have the Steward go to the palace to fetch an Imperial Physician for you. Don't be angry, alright? It wouldn't do to make yourself sick over these dog servants."

Hearing Concubine Liu say this, Mu Xiaoxue truly wanted to slap her. How dare she call herself "Mother" in front of her? She didn't even look to see if she was worthy. But she knew she had to endure; now was not the time.

Thus, she hugged Concubine Liu's arm and said with feigned triumph, "Auntie is still the best to me. When Daddy comes back, I'll tell him that only Auntie is 'best' to me in this manor, and everyone else bullies me. I'll have Daddy beat them all to death."

Mu Xiaoxue deliberately emphasized the words "the best." She was telling Concubine Liu that she would certainly remember her "kindness" and pay her back properly in the future.

Hearing Mu Xiaoxue say this, Concubine Liu became even more convinced that her suspicion was just a coincidence. Mu Xiaoxue was still that same useless, arrogant Eldest Miss who relied on her for everything.

To an outsider, the expressions and gestures of the two women looked like a heartwarming scene, but only the two of them knew that it was all just an act for one another. However, the atmosphere did not last long before being interrupted.

"Mother, is Big Sister alright? Has a doctor seen her? Is it serious? If it is, I'll ask Brother Crown Prince to fetch an Imperial Physician from the palace to take a look."

Hearing this sickly-sweet, coquettish voice, Mu Xiaoxue shuddered. She didn't even need to guess; she knew this voice belonged to her concubine-born younger sister, the so-called "talented lady," Mu Xiaomin! Truly like mother and daughter—they both prioritized the voice before seeing the person!

She really wanted to ask if they could try something fresh! Anyone who didn't know would think the two of them cared about her so much. Calling him "Brother Crown Prince" this and "Brother Crown Prince" that—anyone who didn't know would think *she* was the Crown Prince's fiancée. Mu Xiaoxue rolled her eyes incessantly, cursing inwardly, before the person finally appeared.

Before Mu Xiaoxue could speak, Concubine Liu's voice rang out, "Child, how many times have I told you? You cannot call me 'Mother' outside; you must call me 'Auntie.' If people hear you, they will say you don't know the rules." While the mother and daughter were talking, Mu Xiaoxue took the opportunity to size up the newcomer.

The newcomer looked to be about fourteen years old, wearing a translucent emerald green gauze dress. The pair of white rabbits in the center of the pattern seemed ready to pounce on prey at any moment, with half of them peeking out. Her eyebrows were like crescents, her eyes like stars, her lips red, her teeth white, her skin like ice and jade, her figure graceful and lithe, her gait elegant, and her voice soft and charming.

If she had changed her clothes, more people would likely believe she was the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's manor! Unfortunately, a concubine's daughter was still a concubine's daughter; how was this attire any different from the women of Wanchun Courtyard?

"But there are no outsiders here! Besides, Big Sister isn't an outsider, and she doesn't mind, right, Big Sister?" Seeing that Mu Xiaoxue ignored her, Mu Xiaomin was momentarily stunned. "Big Sister, Big Sister, are you alright? Did you hurt yourself when you fell?"

Mu Xiaoxue snapped back to reality. "As you said, I'm in so much pain! Brother Crown Prince? I fell down the stairs—where did you go?"

Seeing Mu Xiaoxue return to the topic of falling down the stairs, Concubine Liu sensed trouble and gave Mu Xiaomin a meaningful look. "Daughter! Didn't you go with the Crown Prince to fetch an Imperial Physician as soon as you saw Big Sister fall down the stairs?"

Hearing Concubine Liu say this, Mu Xiaomin also realized her mistake. "Yes! Mother, I went with Brother Crown Prince to fetch the Imperial Physician. I just got back and ran into Xiao Zi, the maid by Big Sister's side, who was getting medicine from the physician. The physician said Big Sister was fine, but Brother Crown Prince felt it would be impolite to let the Imperial Physician make a wasted trip, so he personally escorted the physician back to the palace."

*Heh... personally escorting the Imperial Physician back to the palace? Do you really think I'm stupid? Does an Imperial Physician need the Crown Prince to personally escort him?? I'm afraid that physician just wants to die! "Auntie, look how wonderful the Crown Prince is! If he becomes Emperor in the future, he will surely be a wise ruler, and I will be the Empress, right?"*

Hearing Mu Xiaoxue say this, Mu Xiaomin truly wanted to rush forward and strangle her. *What right does a useless person like you have to be Empress? Only I, Mu Xiaomin, am qualified to be Empress.* "That's right! In the Kingdom of Fengling, only Big Sister can be Empress. Our Big Sister is spontaneous, bold, free-spirited, and dignified."

The mockery in Mu Xiaomin's eyes did not escape Mu Xiaoxue. *Yes! Spontaneous, bold, free-spirited, and dignified. Just a useless person who knows nothing of music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, or needlework—and isn't that all thanks to you two?*

"Of course. If anyone dares to snatch Brother Crown Prince from me, I'll disfigure her face, skin her alive, and chop her into pieces to feed the dogs."

Hearing Mu Xiaoxue say this, both Mu Xiaomin and Concubine Liu felt a pang of guilt. Because they both believed that the one who should become Empress was Mu Xiaomin, they were all praying that Mu Xiaoxue would never wake up.