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The next morning, as dawn broke, Shen Ling arrived at Zhi Lan Courtyard with a maid, holding a bowl of Ginseng Soup.
"Sister, you weren't feeling well yesterday, so I had the kitchen prepare this Ginseng Soup for you. Please drink it while it's hot," she said with a bright smile, her face displaying just the right amount of concern.
Qing Zhu stepped forward to take the bowl, but I raised my hand to stop her.
I looked at the bowl of Ginseng Soup; the clear broth shimmered in the white porcelain bowl, with a few slices of ginseng floating on top, exuding a faint medicinal aroma. In my past life, I had consumed countless bowls of "concern" that she sent my way, only to realize too late that those seemingly nourishing concoctions had been laced with chronic poison, slowly eroding my health.
"Thank you for your kindness, sister," I said with a faint smile. "However, I have always been sensitive to cold, and ginseng is warming in nature; I fear I cannot handle it. I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but please take the soup back."
Shen Ling's smile faltered for a moment; she clearly did not expect my refusal. In the past, I had never doubted her offerings.
"Sister, what are you saying? This is high-quality ginseng—it's great for replenishing energy and nourishing blood; it's very gentle on the body. You are about to become a princess; you must take good care of yourself," she insisted as she tried to hand me the bowl.
I leaned back slightly to avoid her hand. "Sister is joking. This Ginseng Soup is too precious; it would be better for you to keep it for yourself. Qing Zhu is here to take care of me; there's no need for you to worry."
Qing Zhu cleverly positioned herself in front of me. "Second Miss, our young lady is indeed sensitive to heat; this Ginseng Soup should really be for you."
Shen Ling's hand froze mid-air, and her expression became difficult to maintain. She bit her lip, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she looked at me pitifully. "Sister... do you dislike me? I know you're about to marry into the royal family and your status will be elevated, but we are still sisters..."
In the past, seeing her like this would have softened my heart and prompted me to offer comforting words. But now, all I felt was an overwhelming sense of disgust.
"You are overthinking it," I interrupted her calmly. "I'm merely speaking the truth. If there’s nothing else, please return; I need to prepare myself."
A flicker of shock and resentment crossed Shen Ling's eyes but was quickly masked. She sniffed and placed the Ginseng Soup on the table. "Then... if sister won't drink it, perhaps you can give it to the servants. I'll take my leave now."
She turned with her maid and left in a somewhat hurried manner.
Watching her retreating figure, I let out a cold laugh. Was she losing her composure so quickly?
"Miss, what about the soup..." Qing Zhu glanced at the Ginseng Soup on the table hesitantly.
"Pour it out," I replied flatly.
"Yes." Qing Zhu picked up the bowl without hesitation and poured the Ginseng Soup into the flowerbed outside.
"Qing Zhu," I walked over to the window and looked at the damp soil below. "From today onward, be especially cautious about anything we consume. Anything sent by anyone other than you should not be touched."
Qing Zhu's expression grew serious as she nodded firmly. "I understand."
At that moment, footsteps approached from outside; it was Madam Zhang from my stepmother Liu's side.
"Miss, Madam requests your presence," Madam Zhang said with an indifferent expression and her usual haughty tone. Liu was Shen Ling's maternal aunt and had always favored Shen Ling while neglecting me as the legitimate daughter of the first wife, often treating me harshly. In my previous life, I had been weak and endured much from them.
"I understand," I replied without rising from my seat.
Madam Zhang waited for a moment, and seeing that I remained still, she furrowed her brows. "Miss?"
Only then did I slowly rise, adjusting my sleeves that were not even rumpled. "Please wait a moment, Madam, while I pin this hairpin."
I picked up the inconspicuous silver hairpin from the dressing table and, facing the mirror, took my time to secure it in my hair. Madam Zhang grew somewhat impatient but did not dare to urge me. After all, I was now undeniably the future Consort Jing.
After dawdling for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, I followed Madam Zhang toward the Liu's courtyard.
Upon entering, I saw the Liu seated at the head of the table, with Shen Ling nestled beside her, her eyes red as if she had just been crying.
"Wei'er, you have arrived," the Liu said as she set down her teacup, her tone carrying a hint of displeasure. "Your sister kindly brought you Ginseng Soup; how could you not appreciate it and even spill it? She is your own sister!"
I scoffed inwardly but maintained a facade of surprise on my face. "Mother, what do you mean? I did not spill the Ginseng Soup; I simply felt unwell and thought to save it for later. Perhaps one of the servants was careless and disposed of it without my knowledge?"
Shen Ling looked up sharply at my words, disbelief written all over her face. She had not expected me to deny it so vehemently!
"Sister! You..." Shen Ling began to protest but was silenced by a glance from the Liu.
The Liu scrutinized me as if trying to read something from my expression. I met her gaze steadily, my eyes clear and unafraid.
"If you do not believe me, Mother, you may check my room; perhaps the bowl is still on the table. Or ask the servants in Zhi Lan Courtyard who moved that bowl of soup," I said calmly, as if genuinely wronged.
The Liu frowned slightly. She knew my character well; in the past, I would never have dared to confront her like this. My calm demeanor today made her feel somewhat uncertain.
Shen Ling was beside herself with frustration but dared not speak further.
"Very well," the Liu waved her hand dismissively, unwilling to dwell on such trivial matters. "Since you are unwell, go back and rest properly. In a few days, there will be a banquet in the palace to celebrate your marriage with the prince; you must not lose face then."
"Yes, daughter understands," I replied with a slight bow. "I take my leave."
As I turned to leave, I could feel two venomous gazes boring into my back.
Stepping out of the courtyard into the sunlight felt refreshing. I squinted slightly and took a deep breath. This was just the beginning. Liu, Shen Ling, your schemes are already familiar to me. This time, let’s see who will have the last laugh.
Returning to Zhi Lan Courtyard, I instructed Qing Zhu: "Go find out who visited Mother before Madam Zhang came today."
Qing Zhu complied and left.
Before long, Qing Zhu returned with a report: "Miss, it was Cui'er, Second Miss's maidservant who visited Madam before Madam Zhang arrived."
Just as I suspected. Shen Ling was eager to report me. Unfortunately for her, she miscalculated this time. The current me is no longer that soft persimmon easily squeezed by others.
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