Qin Xianyue changed into her clothes. The brocade fabric clung softly to her body, warmth spreading through her skin, but it couldn't thaw the chill in her heart.
As she was lost in thought, a gentle knock sounded at the door, followed by the voice of Lin Meijun's personal maidservant.
The tone sounded polite, yet the end of her voice carried a hint of unyielding insistence that pierced the silence of the inner chamber.
"Miss Qin, my young lady has prepared a tea ceremony in the middle cabin and invites you to enjoy music together."
Bao Xiang's face turned pale, and she held Qin Xianyue's arm, complaining in a low voice.
"Miss, this is too much! You just caught a cold and should be resting, yet they're rushing you. They're clearly trying to manipulate you!"
Qin Xianyue gently patted Bao Xiang's hand, her gaze calm and unruffled.
How could she not understand that her presence at this East Lake banquet was merely to reassure the Lin family?
To prove that her relationship with Gu Yanchi was purely sibling affection, nothing more.
As a mere pawn, did she have the right to say "no"?
Having lived in the Dingbei Marquis Manor for over a decade, she had long grown accustomed to being unable to control her own fate.
When the Old Madam was alive, she could at least offer her some protection.
But after the Old Madam's passing, she became the most awkward presence in the Marquis's Estate.
Madam Wei kept her at a polite distance, seemingly dignified but in reality, constantly on guard;
Gu Zhaoyun, in particular, viewed her as a thorn in her side, frequently resorting to sarcastic remarks;
Even the servants in the manor would judge situations and people, treating her well was charity, and treating her poorly was their duty. She had never had the right to resist.
Her heart felt as if it were stuffed with cotton. The tears she had held back flowed back into her heart, seeping into the cotton, accumulating and growing heavier, pressing down on her until she could barely breathe.
This feeling of being guarded against like a thief, of being constantly wary, was truly unpleasant.
But who could she blame for harboring those improper feelings for Gu Yanchi?
She deserved it.
Now, she was somewhat grateful for this outfit. The fabric was fine, and the cut was perfect. At least it would preserve a shred of dignity in the face of the impending humiliation.
Composing herself, her voice was as calm as the lake water.
"Let's go. Don't keep Miss Lin waiting."
The middle cabin was already a scene of lively revelry, with the melodious strains of silk and bamboo music and the gentle waft of incense.
As Qin Xianyue reached the doorway, she saw that Gu Zhaoyun was also present.
Her delicate voice, neither too loud nor too soft, was engaged in an enthusiastic conversation with Lin Meijun.
"Just now, I saw Eldest Brother changing his clothes, and he was holding a jade pendant like it was his most prized possession! He wouldn't even let me borrow it to look at! Later, I found out it was a gift from Sister Lin!"
Upon hearing this, a blush spread across Lin Meijun's cheeks. She shyly raised her hand to cover her mouth and chided playfully.
"Sister Zhaoyun, speak softly. If others overhear, they'll laugh at me."
Though she spoke of shyness, the triumph in her eyes was undeniable.
"How could they!"
Gu Zhaoyun laughed even more heartily, deliberately drawing out her words.
"My Eldest Brother used to detest these kinds of banquets. He wouldn't even bother showing his face at our Marquis's Estate's spring banquet. Today, he made an exception just for Sister Lin!"
As she spoke, her tone shifted, and she winked mischievously, teasingly.
"Look at my clumsy tongue, I misspoke! From now on, I shouldn't call you Sister Lin anymore. I should change my address to 'Sister-in-law'."
Lin Meijun was clearly pleased by this remark. She playfully pushed Gu Zhaoyun, then looked up at Qin Xianyue, who was standing at the door, her smile as flawless as ever.
"Younger Sister Qin is here. Come and sit down quickly."
Before Qin Xianyue could move, she saw Gu Zhaoyun appraising her, a mocking smile playing on her lips.
As if not noticing the distance in Qin Xianyue's eyes, she spoke to Lin Meijun on her own.
"Sister Lin is truly kind-hearted, so generous to everyone. But, Sister, you should be more careful in the future! Some people appear well-behaved and sensible on the surface, but behind your back, they might be scheming to steal what's yours!"
She paused, deliberately raising her voice.
"Remember that top maidservant who used to be by Eldest Brother's side? Relying on her daily service, she actually harbored thoughts of climbing into his bed! Shameless!
Speaking of which, my Eldest Brother is perfect in every way, except he's too gentle and attracts women. Sister Lin will have to keep a close watch on him in the future!"
These words, though seemingly directed at a maidservant, were in fact pointedly aimed at Qin Xianyue.
The music in the cabin gradually softened. Even the gazes of the musicians and dancers fell upon Qin Xianyue, filled with scrutiny and disdain.
Lin Meijun rose and pulled Qin Xianyue to a seat, personally pouring her a cup of tea and pushing it towards her.
Her voice was gentle, like a spring breeze brushing across the lake's surface.
"Young Master is pure and noble, treating everyone with consideration. It's only natural for the women around him to develop admiration.
Can being well-liked be his fault? If there is a fault, it should lie with those who harbor improper thoughts, don't you agree, Younger Sister Qin?"
Hearing Lin Meijun's words, which sounded so familiar, the flawless smile on her face suddenly overlapped with a scene from years ago.
At that time, she was just like today.
Although no trace of disdain could be found on her face, she stood calmly amidst a circle of noble ladies who were all making sarcastic remarks about her.
It was Gu Zhaoyun's first public appearance among the esteemed society as a legitimate daughter after being brought back to the Marquis's Estate.
Qin Xianyue was reluctant to attend, but Madam Wei had said that she, too, had been raised in the Marquis's Estate since childhood, and the sisters should support each other in front of others to avoid any accusations of favoritism from outsiders.
Many noble ladies from all over Yun Jing were present that day.
As soon as Qin Xianyue appeared, she felt the strange gazes directed at her from all sides.
Confused, she suddenly saw a maidservant from her former courtyard holding up a scroll in front of Gu Zhaoyun.
Gu Zhaoyun unrolled the scroll in front of everyone.
The young man in the painting was handsome and tall, his demeanor passionate and unrestrained. His familiar appearance burned Qin Xianyue's eyes.
She turned to Qin Xianyue with a smiling face.
"I heard you have many portraits of Eldest Brother in your room. After all these years, to develop such sordid thoughts about the brother you grew up with, aren't you ashamed?"
The most hidden secret of the young girl's heart was thus exposed in public.
Qin Xianyue felt as if she had been stripped naked and thrown before everyone to be scrutinized and humiliated, utterly ashamed.
Jeers erupted from all sides, and Gu Zhaoyun pouted and added another blow.
"Eldest Brother is truly unlucky. He'll probably be tainted by the reputation of someone like you from now on."
It was at this moment that Lin Meijun spoke.
"If being well-liked is a mistake, then wouldn't all the sages throughout history be greatly mistaken? Excellence is the foundation of one's character; how can it be used as an excuse for the inappropriate feelings of others?"
With these words, the criticism that might have been directed at Gu Yanchi was entirely pinned on Qin Xianyue.
Madam Wei, in response, confined her to her quarters, forbidding her from stepping outside the Marquis's Estate.
Qin Xianyue looked at the smiling Lin Meijun before her, her heart filled with only a cold clarity.
She did indeed remember.
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