The sky a turquoise canopy, the ground a carpet of yellow leaves. The colors of autumn stretched to the waves, and over the waves, a cold, green mist lingered.
Ning Wanwan had completely fallen from favor. Pei Jinxu had not visited Ruyi Palace again.
She heard that things were looking grim for her father at court. Lin Jiaoyan’s father had been relentlessly targeting Ning Yuanchen.
Upon making some inquiries, she learned that Ning Yuanchen had risen to power back then by participating in the siege against the Lin family. Thus, they had harbored a grudge ever since.
Now that Lin Xi’s—that is, Lin Jiaoyan’s—family had suddenly gained power, her own status had risen with the tide. In the Imperial Harem, she was now on equal footing with Ning Wanwan.
No, one couldn’t say they were on equal footing. Ning Wanwan had lost favor and was confined, while Lin Jiaoyan had leaped to the position of a favored consort.
She recalled the scene from her dream: Lin Jiaoyan was Pei Jinxu’s fiancée from his youth. They had likely known each other even longer than she had known him.
Pei Jinxu, you heartless man, she thought. How could you deceive and use the original owner of this body like that, when she loved you so dearly.
No wonder the original owner was in so much pain when she first transmigrated.
“Niangniang, the late autumn weather is chilly. Put this on.” Lüqiu draped a cloak over Ning Wanwan’s shoulders.
The snowy white cloak covered Ning Wanwan’s red dress, leaving only a hint of red peeking out at the hem, like the flame she had been at the very beginning.
When she saw Lin Jiaoyan again, the woman was a far cry from the frail and delicate person she had first met. Dressed in a custom-made gown of Floating Light Brocade, she was radiant and dazzling. Even her innocent face seemed to have grown much more beautiful.
“It’s true that fine feathers make fine birds. Younger Sister Lin is truly stunning today,” Ning Wanwan said, her smile not reaching her eyes.
She had little interaction with Lin Jiaoyan, but it seemed Lin Jiaoyan held some animosity toward her. It was likely not just because of their families, but also because of a man.
“Older Sister Ning’s beauty is nation-toppling. Jiaoyan feels ashamed in comparison,” Lin Jiaoyan replied humbly.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of Younger Sister Lin’s visit today?” A trace of vigilance flashed in Ning Wanwan’s eyes. This woman had always acted with a low profile. If not for the reminders from those around her, she would never have known that this person, who appeared harmless and unambitious on the surface, was actually a venomous snake in secret.
Lin Jiaoyan ignored Ning Wanwan, sat down of her own accord, picked up a teacup, and toyed with it nonchalantly.
“If you’re just here to show off, then please see yourself out. After all, in front of me, someone of your rank is not yet qualified,” Ning Wanwan said with contempt.
“I’m not here to show off. I’m here to tell you a piece of good news.” Lin Jiaoyan smiled faintly, her playful expression an exact copy of Pei Jinxu’s.
“Did I say I wanted to hear it?” Ning Wanwan rolled her eyes.
“Even if you don’t want to hear it from me, someone will eventually tell you,” Lin Jiaoyan said.
“And?” Ning Wanwan looked at her coolly. Seated in the main chair, her aura was no less imposing than Lin Jiaoyan’s.
“Chan Meiren came to see you a few days ago?” Lin Jiaoyan asked.
Ning Wanwan took a light sip of tea, not answering but posing a question of her own. “This tea is quite fragrant. It’s called Green Tea Spring. Why don’t you have a careful taste, little sister?”
“Whatever she said will not change her fate,” Lin Jiaoyan stated.
Hearing this, Ning Wanwan finally understood why Chan Meiren had been so terrified. It was because of Lin Jiaoyan.
“Her life and death have nothing to do with me. Am I a Bodhisattva that I have to manage everything? You didn’t come here just to warn me not to interfere in your affairs, did you?”
“Then you’re thinking too highly of me. Everyone can see the situation I’m in now. I won’t bother you, so you’d best not come and bother me. Otherwise, my Youlong Spear doesn’t have eyes.” Ning Wanwan’s gaze turned cold and sharp.
“No, that’s not what I came to tell you.” Lin Jiaoyan was being mysterious, a triumphant smile gracing the corners of her lips.
“If you’re not going to say it, then get out. Do you think I have all the time in the world to listen to your nonsense?” Ning Wanwan said impatiently.
“What I’m going to talk about,” Lin Jiaoyan said, her eyes full of mockery, “is the future of your Ning Family.” But Ning Wanwan ruthlessly shot her down.
“The future of my Ning Family is not for you to decide. Sometimes, I really think you should take a look in the mirror. Don’t you know what a sorry sight you are? And you have the nerve to talk about the future of my Ning Family?”
“You!” No matter how calm Lin Jiaoyan pretended to be, she couldn’t help but crack at that moment.
“Don’t be so nasty. Your Ning Family will not have a good end,” Lin Jiaoyan said, seething with anger. Ning Wanwan, having reached the end of her patience, picked up a teacup and hurled it at her.
“Ah!” Lin Jiaoyan cried out, narrowly avoiding being hit.
“Scared now, are we? Weren’t you so brave last time when you shielded Chan Meiren from the cat? What, could it be that was all an act you directed yourself? Just to drive a wedge between me and Pei Jinxu,” Ning Wanwan looked at her with disdain.
“Do I need to drive a wedge? Axu never loved you,” she said, her confidence suddenly returning. “You don’t really think Axu liked you, do you? Heh, you were nothing but a tool.”
Ning Wanwan reached for another teacup. Seeing this, someone moved to shield Lin Jiaoyan, who had the sense to take the hint and leave in a hurry.
Ning Wanwan was about to die from anger. The original owner had enjoyed three years of immense favor, yet less than a year after she transmigrated, the Ning Family was on the verge of collapse.