The room was silent.
Yun Zijun sat on the edge of her bed, holding a bowl of ginger soup. Her eyes were dark and cold.
In the past, the slightest sign of illness would bring an endless stream of tonics to Tingyu Pavilion.
Madam Yun would arrive with matrons and servants in tow, fussing over her constantly. Every word the physician said would be questioned and confirmed several times over.
They treated her like a fragile porcelain doll.
But today she had fallen into the water.
She had fallen into the water.
She had nearly drowned.
When Yun Zi’rao had forced her head underwater, she had truly believed she was going to die.
The suffocating pain in her chest and the terror of death still lingered vividly in her memory.
Yet aside from her elder brother, not a single person had come to visit her.
Even the physician who examined her had first gone to see Yun Zi’rao.
Only afterward had Madam Zhou casually brought him over to check her pulse as well.
Casually.
Yun Zijun lowered her eyes.
The word echoed in her mind.
Looking down at the bowl of ginger soup in her hands, a poisonous resentment surfaced on her pale face.
She had nearly drowned.
And all she received afterward was a bowl of ginger soup.
Meanwhile, Yun Zi’rao—the one responsible—was lying in Mother’s bed, basking in endless care and concern.
Even when Yun Zijun had personally gone to Jing’an Courtyard, Madam Yun had shown her little warmth.
She hadn’t asked whether she was cold.
Whether she was frightened.
Whether she might fall ill.
It was as though none of it mattered.
Madam Yun’s eyes seemed capable of seeing only Yun Zi’rao.
Yun Zijun took a sip of ginger soup.
Yun Zi’rao’s pale face appeared in her mind.
The pitiful way she spoke.
The fragile, innocent act she put on.
Yet beneath it all lay a calculating heart.
Everything was Yun Zi’rao’s fault.
She had nearly drowned because of Yun Zi’rao.
Mother had become distant because of Yun Zi’rao.
Was Yun Zi’rao trying to imitate her?
Closing her eyes, Yun Zijun concealed the venomous hatred within them.
That bitch should have died in the Laundry Bureau.
Did she really think that by acting pitiful and winning Mother’s sympathy, she could change her situation?
Dream on.
Madam Yun was merely a woman managing the household.
What could a little soft-heartedness accomplish?
The true authority in this family belonged to her father.
“Second Miss!”
Chaolu rushed into the room, excitement written across her face.
“The Crown Prince has come to the residence!”
Yun Zijun immediately brightened.
“You saw His Highness?”
“No.”
Chaolu shook her head.
“When I passed through the second gate, I overheard Madam Zhou speaking.”
She frowned.
“The Crown Prince wanted to visit Second Miss. Young Master accompanied him, but Madam Zhou said that you had fallen into the water and were resting after drinking ginger soup, so it wasn’t convenient to receive guests.”
“Then His Highness left.”
Yun Zijun’s expression changed instantly.
She hurriedly drained the rest of the ginger soup and set the bowl aside.
“Quickly.”
She looked at Chaolu.
“Go stop the Crown Prince.”
“Tell him I’ve been badly frightened and can’t stop crying.”
“Ask him to come see me.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Chaolu immediately departed.
Yun Zijun slowly drew in a breath.
A cold smile appeared on her lips.
Yun Zi’rao.
What use is Mother’s sympathy?
Mother cannot determine your fate.
Father and the Crown Prince are the ones who hold real power.
The position of Crown Princess is mine.
You’ll never take it back.
For the rest of your life, you’ll remain beneath me.
Not only would she become Crown Princess—
She would make Yun Zi’rao a concubine.
Every morning and evening, Yun Zi’rao would kneel before her in greeting.
She would bow her head.
Lower herself.
Endure humiliation day after day.
Yun Zijun wanted to see how long she could survive.
Turning her gaze toward the window, she continued plotting.
The Crown Prince still had feelings for Yun Zi’rao.
Using Yun Zi’rao this way would make her appear magnanimous and virtuous.
At the same time, it would allow her to torment that bitch openly.
After all, once the Crown Prince became emperor, there would never be only one woman in the palace.
Every year new consorts would be selected.
The imperial harem would be filled with countless beauties.
One extra Yun Zi’rao meant nothing.
When she became Empress—
When she became pregnant—
She could use Yun Zi’rao to maintain the emperor’s affection.
As long as she gave birth to the legitimate eldest prince, Yun Zi’rao would lose all value.
At that point, she could do whatever she wished with her.
Knead her.
Crush her.
Destroy her.
Thinking this, Yun Zijun slowly exhaled.
The bitterness in her chest eased slightly.
Standing nearby, Chaoyang spoke softly.
“The Crown Prince treasures Second Miss most. Once he learns what happened, Eldest Miss won’t escape punishment.”
Yun Zijun leaned back against the headboard.
Her eyes were cold and merciless.
Yun Zi’rao.
Do you really think that acting pitiful in front of Mother will win back her affection?
Do you think you’ll reclaim your place as the Yun family’s eldest daughter?
There could only be one legitimate young lady in the Prime Minister’s residence.
And that person was her.
Three years in the Laundry Bureau hadn’t killed Yun Zi’rao.
She had been lucky.
But luck wouldn’t last forever.
Thinking of Madam Yun’s unusual attitude earlier that day, Yun Zijun closed her eyes and suppressed the emotions surging inside her.
A sinister smile slowly appeared.
Yun Zi’rao.
You love pretending to be weak, don’t you?
Let’s see what happens once the Crown Prince learns of your “misdeeds.”
Will he believe you…
Or will he believe me?
“Second Miss!”
Chaolu suddenly returned.
She hurried into the room and rushed toward the inner chamber.
“We can’t get out!”
Yun Zijun opened her eyes.
“What do you mean?”
Chaolu looked uneasy.
“There are matrons stationed at the second gate.”
“They said Madam has given strict orders.”
“Eldest Miss is injured, and Second Miss has only just fallen into the water.”
“Both of you need proper rest.”
“No one is allowed to leave for the next few days.”
Yun Zijun gripped the bedding tightly.
Her face darkened immediately.
Rest?
Was Mother trying to confine her to Tingyu Pavilion?
Did she not want her speaking to the Crown Prince?
What exactly was Mother planning?
Had seeing the scars on Yun Zi’rao’s body awakened her maternal instincts?
“Leave.”
Yun Zijun spoke calmly.
“All of you.”
“Yes, Miss.”
The servants withdrew.
Yun Zijun rose and walked to the window.
Outside, the sky had already begun to darken.
Her gaze turned icy.
Yun Zi’rao.
Why did you come back?
You should have died.
You should have died long ago.