The Prime Minister’s residence was enormous, with deep courtyards and sprawling grounds.
There was a lotus lake and elegant pavilions in the garden. Another pond lay beside an artificial rockery in the center of the estate. Outside the Tingyu Pavilion, where Yun Zijun lived, there was even a koi pond beneath the covered walkway.
Although the courtyard where Yun Zi’rao had spent the previous night was remote, it too bordered a lake. Behind the courtyard ran a river that connected directly to the outside of the estate—a convenient escape route in emergencies.
Yun Zijun had always been skilled at speaking in ambiguous ways, subtly guiding others into misunderstanding Yun Zi’rao.
Unfortunately for her, this Yun Zi’rao was no longer the same person.
She specialized in dealing with scheming white-lotus types.
Biting her lip, Yun Zijun’s eyes reddened.
“Big Sister, I didn’t! I never said that. I… I…”
Yun Zi’rao raised an eyebrow.
“Tell me—which river did you fall into?”
“Yun Zi’rao, what are you trying to do?”
Yun Zexuan pulled Yun Zijun behind him protectively and glared at Yun Zi’rao with anger and caution.
“Zijun is kind-hearted, but her kindness isn’t a reason for you to bully her—”
“You’re truly hopeless.”
Yun Zi’rao’s patience snapped.
Turning around, she slapped Yun Zexuan twice across the face.
Smack! Smack!
Then she grabbed him by the hair and dragged him toward the inner room.
“Get lost!”
Bang!
She lifted her foot and kicked him hard.
The full-grown man was sent crashing to his knees.
That wasn’t enough.
She strode forward and delivered two more savage kicks to his chest and abdomen, sending him rolling several times across the ground.
Yun Zexuan clutched his chest in pain.
A streak of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.
“Big Sister?”
Yun Zijun’s face turned pale from shock.
“W-What are you doing?”
Yun Zi’rao turned toward her.
Her eyes were dark and chilling.
“You said I pushed you into the river, didn’t you?”
“I… I…”
Seeing that Yun Zi’rao was serious, Yun Zijun retreated in terror.
“I didn’t! Someone! Help! Somebody help!”
“Who exactly are you calling for?”
Yun Zi’rao advanced toward her step by step, her smile dangerously cold.
“You’ve never trusted anyone—not even your own maids. Every time you came looking for me to frame me, you came alone. Were you afraid that if a maid was bribed, she’d expose you?”
Yun Zijun backed up until she reached the doorway.
Fear filled her eyes.
“You… if you dare hit me, Father won’t let you off! Big Sister, Father won’t let you off!”
“Really?”
Yun Zi’rao curled her lips into a faint smile, though her eyes remained icy.
“Then let’s see whether Father and Mother believe you today… or believe me.”
The moment she finished speaking, she moved like lightning.
Grabbing Yun Zijun by the back of the neck, she dragged her all the way toward the lake.
“What are you doing?!”
Yun Zijun screamed, completely forgetting her fragile act.
“Help! Somebody help!”
“Go ahead and scream.”
Yun Zi’rao dragged her to the water’s edge and kicked her to the ground.
“Scream your lungs out and see if anyone comes to save you.”
Then she shoved Yun Zijun’s entire head into the water.
“You like falling into rivers so much, don’t you?”
“Then enjoy yourself.”
Terrified, Yun Zijun struggled violently.
Her instinct to survive drove her to fight with surprising strength—far more than one would expect from a frail young lady.
If it had been the original Yun Zi’rao, battered and weakened after three years of abuse, she would never have been able to overpower her.
Unfortunately for Yun Zijun, the person she faced now was the villainous Yun Zi’rao who had transmigrated into the novel.
A villainess had no mercy.
Only an unwavering determination to repay every grievance in kind.
Her will was iron, and strength naturally followed.
Yun Zi’rao pressed Yun Zijun’s face firmly beneath the water.
Unable to breathe, Yun Zijun choked desperately.
The pain in her chest and her fear of death pushed her into a frantic struggle.
But no matter how hard she fought, she was no match for Yun Zi’rao at this moment.
She swallowed several mouthfuls of lake water.
Her face turned red.
Tears streamed from her eyes.
Only when it seemed her lungs were about to burst did Yun Zi’rao finally show a trace of “kindness” and yank her out of the water.
Yun Zijun opened her mouth wide, greedily sucking in fresh air.
Just as she was about to cry for help—
Yun Zi’rao pushed her head back under again.
Clutching his chest, Yun Zexuan staggered out of the room.
The sight before him filled him with shock and fury.
“Yun Zi’rao! What are you doing? Have you lost your mind?!”
Yun Zijun struggled desperately in the water.
Help!
Help me!
Yun Zexuan rushed forward and reached for Yun Zi’rao.
“Let her go!”
Yun Zi’rao stood up.
With a single kick, she sent Yun Zijun flying into the lake.
Splash!
Yun Zijun fell into the water.
Then Yun Zi’rao turned around.
With astonishing speed, she grabbed Yun Zexuan’s wrist, kicked the back of his knee, and sent him crashing into the lake as well.
Splash!
“Help! Help!”
Yun Zijun flailed wildly in the water.
“Help me!”
“Jun’er! Jun’er!”
Yun Zexuan swam frantically toward her.
“Don’t be afraid! I’m coming to save you!”
Standing on the shore, Yun Zi’rao watched the loving brother-and-sister pair with cold indifference.
Her eyes were merciless.
A cruel, satisfied smile curved her lips.
A moment later, she lifted her skirt and suddenly turned to run toward the estate.
As she ran, she shouted at the top of her lungs:
“Help! Somebody help!”
“My sister has fallen into the water!”
“Help! Quick, someone save her!”