For a long while, Ming Yuhe said nothing. Luo Xinci suspected her disgraceful words had stunned him. After waiting, she stole a glance at his face—handsome, yet shadowed by a complex expression. Surprise, regret, and something like the calm certainty of “so it really is true.”
The longer she looked, the more uneasy she felt. Carefully, she explained: “I know it’s wrong, but Zhou Yi is the most outstanding scholar in Linzhou. Not only I—many young women admire him. And I, as the marquis’s daughter, am far nobler than Luo… than Luo Xinci. I deserve the best…”
Ming Yuhe gave a noncommittal “Mm.”
She couldn’t tell if he believed her. She remembered her first meeting with him, when she had blurted out a ruthless declaration just to save her life. To make her story more convincing, she pressed on: “I said it before—coming to the capital was to kill my father. That obedient, gentle act in Linzhou was all a façade. My true nature is selfish, false, competitive—I’m no gentle, kindhearted girl.”
Ming Yuhe sighed, turning his gaze on her. The suspicion and scrutiny in his eyes faded, and his voice softened. “No matter. Niansheng, you need not fear. Look at Father—faithless as a husband, unkind as a parent, disloyal as a minister, even contemptuous of imperial power. You’ve inherited his tainted blood. Having such dark thoughts is only natural.”
Luo Xinci nearly choked. What kind of comfort is that! she cursed inwardly. By that logic, you, Ming Yuhe, can’t be much better yourself!
He went on: “Since I now know, I ought to inform Zhou Yi of your actions, confess to him, and let him understand that Miss Luo has always been thinking of him.”
After days of dealing with him, Luo Xinci had learned to listen closely. He said “ought to,” not “will.” She held her breath, waiting.
Ming Yuhe sighed again. “But alas, I am not such a righteous man.”
Relief washed over her. He had accepted her explanation and did not mind her supposed intent to steal her ‘friend’s’ fiancé. The crisis was over.
Ming Yuhe sat back down in the pavilion, summoned a maid to change the pot of water, and poured her a cup as well.
They drank half a cup together. Seeing his relaxed posture, Luo Xinci’s taut nerves eased. The atmosphere in the pavilion shifted from tense confrontation to quiet calm.
After a while, Ming Yuhe said: “Earlier, Grandmother wrote that she wished to arrange a marriage for you in Linzhou. You agreed. Was that only to please her?”
Fearing she might never escape, and that Ming Niansheng might truly lose her freedom, Luo Xinci dared not answer directly. She murmured vaguely: “I was afraid of Father…”
“Want to marry into a noble family, but afraid Father won’t allow it?”
“…” Luo Xinci lowered her head, silent.
Ming Yuhe smiled. “In the past, Father would not have permitted it. But now that you are in the capital, willing to speak honestly of your heart’s desires to your elder brother, I am deeply moved. Naturally, I should help you a little. Do not be afraid, Niansheng—ambition is a good thing. For a young lady to seek a fine match is only natural. And since you are a daughter of the marquis’s household, you deserve the very best.”
His words sounded earnest, like those of a protective elder brother who cared little for right or wrong. Only the mischievous gleam in those peach‑blossom eyes made her uneasy.
Afraid of saying the wrong thing, Luo Xinci forced a laugh and kept quiet.
Ming Yuhe’s gaze swept over her lowered lashes. His fingertips traced the rim of the porcelain cup before he continued: “Still, Zhou Yi is useful only for the moment. His family background is too thin; he is not the best match. Niansheng, if you wish to climb higher, your vision must broaden further…”
Not wanting to invite unnecessary trouble, Luo Xinci refused: “No…”
“Li Yang and Miss Fan have arranged to compete in riding and archery at the old training grounds south of the city in a few days. Many young nobles will be there to watch the spectacle…”
Seeing her intent, Ming Yuhe pressed on: “Here’s what we’ll do, Niansheng. That day, you’ll go with me. I’ll introduce you to several promising young men—each one far superior to Zhou Yi.”
Luo Xinci’s heart stirred. With Zhou Yi’s suspicion lessened, her father’s guilt loomed larger. Her uncle had once tried to stop her from entering the capital, telling her that her father had long since changed his name and identity. The capital was vast, filled with countless officials. She was confined to the marquis’s residence most days, and even when she went out, Ming Yuhe’s men shadowed her. To find her birth father based only on a common surname was nearly impossible. Even if she did find him, he would now be a man in his forties, an official of standing. As an unloved illegitimate daughter of the marquis’s household, she would have no way to approach him. But if she thought differently—she was nearly seventeen now. If her father had remarried after abandoning wife and child, his offspring would likely be about her age. She needed to meet more of the capital’s young nobles and ladies. From that angle, she might discover her father. It was like a pillow arriving just as she was dozing off. Her heart leaped with joy, and she agreed at once: “Alright!”
Ming Yuhe smiled faintly.
She had impersonated the marquis’s daughter, yet after entering the capital she neither sought favor from Marquis Wuling or Princess Shao’an, nor drew close to him as her elder brother. At first she behaved quietly in Yunshang Residence, but after meeting her “parents,” she became intent on going out. Clearly, her purpose was to use the marquis household’s power for something.
Ming Yuhe was certain that beyond Zhou Yi, Luo Xinci had another goal. Sure enough, with just a little probing today, she had revealed her tail.
“Thank you, Brother.” Luo Xinci, unaware she had taken the bait, thanked him lightly, her voice cheerful.
“No need for courtesy between siblings,” Ming Yuhe replied with feigned warmth.
They looked at each other and exchanged sincere smiles. The matter settled, a guard arrived to summon Ming Yuhe.
Luo Xinci tactfully withdrew, but as she reached the steps, Ming Yuhe called out: “By the way, Niansheng, there’s one more thing I should tell you.”
She stopped and turned back, tilting her head to listen.
“A month ago, floods struck the Jiangbei region. The waters have been brought under control, but officials must go to inspect and reinforce the works. His Majesty has entrusted the matter to the Assistant Minister of Works, and assigned two young officials to accompany him for training. They will depart soon.”
Standing in the pavilion, Ming Yuhe looked down at her. From the steps below, Luo Xinci lifted her face, spring sunlight dancing in her dark eyes, revealing every flicker of emotion. Her gaze brimmed with expectation; she was in high spirits because she had gotten what she wanted—by using him.
Ming Yuhe disliked her happiness. Meeting her eyes, he said clearly: “One of them is Zhou Yi.”
The meaning was plain: Zhou Yi would be leaving the capital for a time.
Ming Yuhe saw the confusion flicker in her eyes, then vanish with a blink. Her clear gaze returned, calm as a summer lake. She said simply: “Oh.”
Calm—like the silent shift of sunlight.
Seeing no change in her expression, Ming Yuhe’s mood suddenly darkened. She clearly didn’t care about Zhou Yi. Then why had she been so shaken during yesterday’s chance encounter?
Ming Yuhe sneered inwardly and offered: “Niansheng, if you wish him to stay, I can think of a way.”
“No need. Let him go,” Luo Xinci said bluntly.
It was the truth. Yesterday she had agonized over whether to acknowledge Zhou Yi. If she did, she couldn’t fully trust him, nor did she want to drag an unrelated person into her family’s tangled past. If she didn’t, she feared one day they might meet face‑to‑face and he would inadvertently expose her identity. With Zhou Yi leaving the capital, her dilemma vanished.
Her decisiveness displeased Ming Yuhe. He frowned, questioning: “Niansheng, are you truly hiding nothing from me?”
Baffled, Luo Xinci replayed their conversation in her mind, but understood even less. She had already admitted to being base, betraying a friend, committing shameful deeds—what more was he picking at? Gathering herself, she asked: “What do you mean by that?”
“You claim you’re no soft‑hearted girl. Yet when Li Yang tricked you into Father’s study, putting you in a compromising position, you took no revenge. When you saw him quarreling in the street, your first thought was to avoid him…” Ming Yuhe’s tone rose, suspicious: “Niansheng, with such tolerance, you hardly seem the ruthless sort who could plot patricide.”
Indeed, Luo Xinci had never considered retaliating against Jiang Liyang. She was only impersonating the marquis’s daughter—she dared not draw attention. Her goal was not within Marquis Wuling’s household. She wanted no trouble; her aim was to resolve her own affairs and escape as soon as possible. As for not retaliating against Jiang Liyang, she hadn’t realized it would make her appear inconsistent with the persona she had shown Ming Yuhe. Uneasy, she grasped for an excuse: “He has Prince Ning’s household behind him—royal kin. I… I didn’t dare oppose him.”
Ming Yuhe countered: “You could devise a scheme of clashing medicines to kill Father, yet you couldn’t think of a subtle way to strike back at Li Yang?”
Cornered, Luo Xinci could only follow his lead. “Since Brother says so, I won’t hide it. I… I do have thoughts of revenge. I only hesitated because I feared you would forbid it.”
“Li Yang mocked you to defend his mother’s honor. As her son, I cannot blame him. But you were innocent. Niansheng, if you wish to avenge being toyed with, then do so…”
Ming Yuhe spoke with indulgence, each word fanning her supposed desire for revenge. “Don’t worry. Siblings often quarrel. As long as no lives are taken, no blood spilled, you may do as you please. I promise not to interfere, nor let anyone else interfere. How about it?”
Luo Xinci nearly wept. Who forces someone to take revenge like this? Jiang Liyang is your cousin—can’t you show him a little favoritism?
She bore no grudge against Jiang Liyang. She was willing to suffer a loss, so long as they remained strangers thereafter.
“Niansheng?”
Her brows furrowed unconsciously. Dejected, she murmured: “Niansheng understands.”
“And how will you take revenge?”
Luo Xinci coughed lightly, stalling: “Brother will know when the time comes.”
“Fine, I’ll wait and see.” Dropping that topic, Ming Yuhe returned to Zhou Yi. “Niansheng, explain again—if you wanted to steal your friend’s fiancé, why would you so readily let him leave the capital?”
She couldn’t tell the truth, so once more she racked her brain for a reason. This time she was wiser—she knew she had to explain from the perspective of a villain. She was now a ruthless, deceitful, narrow‑minded girl with ambitions of climbing high. So why would such a girl let Zhou Yi, the man she coveted, slip away?
“I feared Luo Xinci might not receive Zhou Yi’s reply, and would send someone else to deliver another letter to the capital,” she reasoned slowly, piecing together the cause and effect. “If Zhou Yi leaves the capital, I can claim I couldn’t find him, and that’s why I never passed the letter on.”
She paused, certain the excuse had no flaws, then pressed on to strengthen it: “Besides, he’s leaving on official duty. By the time he returns, I’ll have already sifted through the capital’s young talents. Then I can decide whether to choose him or someone else.” Luo Xinci lifted her eyes, anxiously awaiting Ming Yuhe’s judgment.
He paced the pavilion, his shadow crossing before her twice, then stopped and turned. “Hypocritical, greedy, selfish—yes, that’s my good sister.”
Luo Xinci forced a smile, silently apologizing to Ming Niansheng in her heart. At last she had won his approval, and quickly left the garden.
Back at Yunshang Pavilion, Lianxing had been waiting a long time. Seeing her mistress’s pale, unsettled face, she thought something terrible had happened and rushed forward.
Once inside, Luo Xinci calmed herself a little and instructed: “In a few days, there will be a riding and archery contest at the old training grounds south of the city. The young marquis will take me there. I fear I won’t be able to slip away, so Lianxing, I’ll need you to find out which officials in the capital bear the surname Wang.”
Lianxing agreed readily, then mused: “Since the young marquis permits it, I could first check if any gambling houses are opening wagers. That way I can make acquaintances in advance.” She was restless—once she had an idea, she wanted to act at once.
“No hurry.” Luo Xinci pulled her back. “First, let’s think of a plan together.”
“What plan?”
Luo Xinci sighed in frustration: “A plan to give Jiang Liyang a beating.”
Lian Xing: “Ah?”