Volume One, Chapter Four: Congratulations to My Sister on Soon Becoming the Crown Prince's Consort

Xu Yunwan stormed angrily into the Phoenix Courtyard.

Xu Zhiyi sat by the window, holding a rolled-up book and reading intently.

Seeing the group burst in so boisterously, she merely lifted her eyelids slightly, a faint smile lingering at the corners of her mouth.

“Xu Zhiyi, how dare you lay a hand on my chief maid! Today, I must teach you a lesson!” Xu Yunwan’s anger was genuine; she had even torn down a corner of the beaded curtain in her fury.

Xu Zhiyi glanced at her coldly before lowering her gaze back to her book.

Xu Yunwan’s expression faltered for a moment.

She had expected Xu Zhiyi to be terrified, perhaps even to fall to her knees and beg for forgiveness as she had before.

But after a brief stunned silence, an indescribable fury quickly spread from her heart.

“Xu Zhiyi! Are you mad? Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Father about this?”

The air seemed to freeze—stifling and heavy.

The cicadas chirping in the phoenix tree outside were unbearably loud, making Xu Yunwan even more agitated.

She was about to speak further when Xu Zhiyi looked up and pointed outside the window.

Following her finger, Xu Yunwan saw that the courtyard gate was inexplicably surrounded by servants whispering amongst themselves.

“What do you mean by this?”

Xu Zhiyi set the book down.

“Don’t care about your reputation, little sister? I heard the Crown Prince will be visiting the estate soon. I wonder if the servants will spread any rumors then.”

Her tone was calm, emotion unreadable.

Xu Yunwan even caught a trace of contempt on her face.

Instinctively, she lowered her voice and furrowed her brows tightly.

“How do you know the Crown Prince is coming? Father wouldn’t have told you…”

Seeing Xu Yunwan react so strongly, Xu Zhiyi smiled knowingly.

“I overheard it by chance from the servants. Looks like, sister, I should congratulate you in advance!”

“Congratulate me on what?”

Xu Yunwan’s expression grew unnatural, her fingers twisting the lace handkerchief nervously.

“Of course, on your upcoming role as the Crown Prince’s secondary consort!”

The words “secondary consort” were pronounced with heavy emphasis by Xu Zhiyi.

To Xu Yunwan, they sounded like a cruel mockery.

She wanted nothing more than to tear Xu Zhiyi’s foul mouth apart.

But, mindful of the prying servants outside, she held back.

Biting her lip, tears streamed down her cheeks in great drops, appearing utterly wronged.

Had it not been for Xu Zhiyi summoning all the outer courtyard servants beforehand, Xu Yunwan would surely have been severely beaten again for such a display.

Xu Zhiyi took Xu Yunwan’s hand gently, soothing her softly.

“Sister, stop crying. If others see this, they might think you don’t want to marry the Crown Prince as his secondary consort!”

That accusation was enough to instantly curb Xu Yunwan’s tears.

When it came to turning her face, she was second to none.

“Hurry and sit! Look at your makeup, all ruined from crying.”

“Xiaoyuer, bring a basin of water. I will personally wash my sister up!”

Xiaoyuer responded immediately, carrying a large copper basin.

Suddenly stumbling, she spilled the entire basin of water on Xu Yunwan.

Xu Zhiyi hurried to her feet, shooting a reproachful glance at the kneeling Xiaoyuer.

“Why are you always so clumsy? If it weren’t for everyone knowing my sister’s beauty and kindness, you’d be in for a beating today!”

Xiaoyuer kept kowtowing sincerely.

“Thank you, Second Miss! I won’t make such a mistake again!”

One kowtow after another, full of heartfelt apology.

With so many watching, Xu Zhiyi raised her sister so high that Xu Yunwan could only swallow her resentment.

“Get up! Don’t be so careless when serving sister in the future!”

“Thank you, Second Miss! You truly are a living Bodhisattva!”

The maids nearby twitched their mouths in disbelief.

Xiaoyuer was bold indeed. Everyone in the Xu household knew Second Miss was arrogant and spoiled by Master’s favoritism, treating servants without a thought.

How could she say such insincere words without a twinge of conscience?

Xu Zhiyi picked up a handkerchief and gently wiped the water from Xu Yunwan’s face.

Her once exquisite makeup was quickly smeared into a mess.

Seeing Xu Yunwan’s face like a painter’s palette, the maids wanted to laugh but dared not, lowering their heads even further.

“Xiaoyuer spoke truly. If not for that, how would the Crown Prince be so deeply enamored with sister?”

To hell with his so-called deep affection!

Xu Yunwan cursed silently.

Years ago, the Crown Prince had married He Xiangwan, the Prime Minister’s legitimate daughter, entering the Eastern Palace. The couple was harmonious, their love widely praised.

Xu Yunwan believed her own beauty and talent rivaled the capital’s noble ladies. Why should she be relegated to a mere secondary consort?

Yet, these thoughts she dared not voice.

Her eyes flicked around before firmly grasping Xu Zhiyi’s hand.

“Sister, since your marriage is nearly settled, I want to speak heart to heart with you. Will you listen?”

“Of course!”

Xu Zhiyi waved to dismiss the servants.

“Such hot weather, you came all this way; it can’t be just to talk, right?”

Once the servants had left, Xu Yunwan glared fiercely at her sister.

“Do you think you deserve Marquis Qin? He is the Emperor’s chosen top scholar. You, a crude woman ignorant of poetry and songs, dare to fancy him?”

Xu Zhiyi poured herself a cup of tea, glanced up at the flustered Xu Yunwan, a faint sneer curling her lips.

“Whether you deserve him is not for you to decide. Everyone knows father dotes on you. If you disagree, you can make a scene with father yourself.”

Pausing, Xu Zhiyi seemed to realize something.

“Could it be… you fancy Marquis Qin?”

She suddenly covered her mouth.

“No way, right? Though he is the Emperor’s chosen top scholar, he’s not worthy of you! With your looks and talent, you could easily become an empress…”

Xu Yunwan was stunned by these words for a long moment.

How could she belittle Brother Huai Sheng like that?

How dare she utter such blasphemy?

Xu Zhiyi paid her no more mind, sipping the now-cold tea.

She had already extracted all the information she needed from this fool; there was no reason to continue pretending.

Her control over her emotions was impeccable.

Thus, Xu Yunwan did not notice the white knuckles clutching the cup.

“No matter what you do, you must not accept the engagement! Otherwise, I will make sure you regret it!”

With her face blotched like a painted cat, Xu Yunwan stormed off as fiercely as when she arrived.

Xu Zhiyi sat by the window, her gaze settling on the phoenix tree in the courtyard.

In her past life at this hour, she had been busy sewing a bright red wedding dress, joyfully planning her departure from the Xu household.

She had no memory of Xu Yunwan causing such a commotion in the Phoenix Courtyard before.

Something felt different.

Xiaoyuer, seeing her lady quietly staring at the phoenix tree, dared not disturb her.

She remained in the corridor, having listened carefully to Second Miss’s words, now beginning to worry for her young mistress.