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Chapter Three

Rong Yutang’s forty-seventh birthday was a beautiful spring day with clear skies, floating blossoms, and singing birds. However, I felt that we would have been better able to appreciate the scenery if half the county hadn't crammed themselves onto the Rong property.

The banquet had been going on for a couple of hours now, and the sun was sitting just above the ring of mountains. All kinds of instruments could be heard from the Rong family’s largest garden, as several families had taken this chance to show off their daughters. No one had forgotten how Rong Yutang had brought in a second legal wife without caring about local customs, but none of them could afford to be upset with him. Many looked at this decision of his as an opportunity.

Yu Qianqian was seated under a canopy at the edge of the garden, her smile rigid as she watched the performances. A richly dressed girl with a sword at her belt stood beside her, massaging Yu Qianqian’s hand; Rong Xiumei, Xiao Qiang confirmed, and I forced myself to stay relaxed. The first to notice me was the bored little kid on her other side. Our cute little brother, Rong Xiujian, looked very neat now with his hair tied up.

His face lit up with a smile when he saw me, and he straightened out his shoulders. Bearing in mind that I had been playing sick all day, I made my way over slowly. I still couldn't help but pat his head, earning a grumpy little noise from him.

“Mother, Dajie (1), A’Jian.” I greeted them. I didn't bother to smile, and adjusted myself according to the instructions from the voice in the back of my head.

“Little brother, are you well?” Xiumei asked without ever looking over. Her tone was a little like Sisi’s, very perfunctory, and I had to wonder - how many sarcastic women did Rong Xiumei know?

“Little Gang! Come come, sit. Jian’er, make room for him for now, and you -” Yu Qianqian pointed out a nearby servant, “- bring another chair. Quickly, quickly.”

“Don't mind me,” is what I wanted to say, because the situation felt a little messy. But on Xiao Qiang’s advice, I just took the seat, and Yu Qianqian took my hand right away.

“Little Gang is right on time. There's many great talents today,” she said with a strained smile.

“They're gaudy,” I criticized immediately, and made sure to glare at the young lady currently playing the qin. Yu Qianqian shook her head like she knew she was supposed to scold me, but of course, she also felt that way. My next line was harder to deliver, but I persevered. “Next year we should just hire some performers instead of letting these ugly country girls put on a farce.”

I noticed a nearby man turn towards me at those words, and Xiao Qiang saw fit to let me know that this was the performer's father. I felt guilty right away, but… what could I do.

“That's a very good idea,” Xiumei said, her voice flat. “Actually, I had the same thought last week. I asked Uncle Sheng, and he's brought a few good people today. They'll be performing last.”

“You two… you're so considerate to this old woman,” Yu Qianqian sighed, squeezing both of our hands.

Not to be left out, Rong Xiujian pitched in, “If any of these hussies try to trip and fall on father this year, I'll beat them black and blue for you, Mother!”

“Jian’er, you can't hit women…” chiding words, but his mother sounded proud of him. I noticed that Rong Xiumei’s scowl grew more pronounced.

I remembered a little bit about her from the novel. Rong Xiumei was the oldest, and had the most talent; but just because she was born a woman her mother considered her unreliable. Though Yu Qianqian had told her about the plan to spoil Xiugang into becoming a waste, Xiumei was too proud to get involved in such things and just avoided him.

Oh - and two months before this banquet, she'd entered the Mt. Guo sect, passing their admissions test with flying colors; Xiumei obtained the sword now at her side during the course of that test. It was a rather famous sword supposedly, but I couldn't remember the name of it. Just know that it should have been a big deal for the Rong family.

Anyway, returning home today after making such achievements, Rong Xiumei hardly heard any words of praise from her mother and hadn’t spoken with her busy father; naturally she was quite bitter. Once again reminded that her mother looked down on women, it couldn't be comfortable.

Xiao Qiang didn't allow me to dwell on this. He directed my attention to the line of performers, counting them out and then describing her clothing to ensure that I knew which one was Nie Yilian.

Xiao Qiang and I were sharing this body for now, and had agreed to some compromises. He didn't believe me when I told him that he'd misunderstood Nie Yilian - when I said she didn't deserve to be blamed for going back on their engagement and marrying Rong Xiujian instead. Xiao Qiang wanted to see me prove it.

Nie Yilian wasn't hard to find. She was waiting quietly, her eyes lowered and her shoulders straight, and her aura was uniquely peaceful. She wore pastel colors, and seemed slightly underdressed amidst the crowd of eager and anxious people all wearing their best. Her outfit should have been chosen by the Yu family in accordance with what they knew about Rong Xiugang’s tastes.

I was a little uncomfortable looking at her, so I moved my eyes away. A man sitting in the least crowded area by the stage turned and stretched; when our eyes met, he waggled his eyebrows at me like he was curious about something. I couldn't help but smile a little.

Father, Xiao Qiang said a little wistfully, before correcting himself. Rong Yutang.

He should be almost fifty, but this man looked to be less than half that; his eyes were open and friendly, closely resembling Xiujian’s in shape. Very handsome. It seemed that he, at least, was having a good time; someone nearby said something, and Rong Yutang laughed and turned back around.

This was the only person Xiao Qiang didn't resent from his childhood. Still, it was surely awkward for him to see his stepfather again. I focused again on his stepmother and siblings, continuing to make snide remarks with them about the entertainment even though I felt uncomfortable. Rong Yutang came to join us just before Nie Yilian took the stage, and Xiumei was instantly more alert, shifting so that the sword on her hip was more visible.

“Happy birthday, father,” I said, and he squeezed my shoulder.

“A’Gang, are you feeling better now?” His voice held a teasing note, which was better than the accusation or hurt that I expected. I gave an awkward laugh, which worked as a response; Rong Yutang moved on to the next in line. He seemed quite physically affectionate, tugging on Xiujian's hair and kissing Yu Qianqian’s hand. Rong Yutang waved off an offer of a chair, standing beside Xiumei instead so that he could gently knock shoulders with her. It was worth noting that the two were nearly the same height, even though Xiumei was just fifteen.

“Father, are you having a good time?”

“Of course!”

“This performer, she is a young talent that Uncle Sheng found. Her name is Nie Yilian,” Xiumei introduced. Her expression had lightened considerably. “The next three performers are also…”

Yu Qianqian discreetly pinched my sleeve while they spoke. “What do you think of her?”

Obediently, I followed her gaze to the stage. Nie Yilian did have a nice face; she had double-lidded, upturned eyes and a thin nose. I tried to look interested as she began to sing, but this was very awkward. After all, she's a child.

Also… I still had some misgivings about this. Showing interest in Nie Yilian wasn't good for her or for me, but unfortunately, I needed to make a good show.

Xiao Qiang was being very accommodating, but I knew that there was no trust between us. He just didn't have much of a choice at the moment aside from working with me. The second he gained some power, I knew that I would see a very different version of him; that's why I absolutely had to show some value here! Showing him plainly where his information was wrong, and where mine was right!

To that end, the misunderstanding about Nie Yilian was definitely the easiest place to start.

Yu Qianqian lightly pinched me again, and I acted startled, trying to summon up a blush also. “What? Oh. Well, hmm, much more professional. She's young but, she's clearly been training her voice…” Yu Qianqian laughed, and I was definitely blushing then. This was much more embarrassing than I'd expected.

“Well, since Little Gang is impressed, we can hire her for your birthday also.” She teased.

“Can she come to mine too?” Xiujian threw in. Unlike me, he really couldn't take his eyes off the stage. It seemed that he really was fated to like Nie Yilian.

The next two performers were adults, and they played beautifully and solemnly, making many of the previous ones feel embarrassed. Rong Yutang wasn't paying them much mind, though; he was joking with his daughter and wife.

Only Xiujian was still worrying about me. “Gege, are you feeling sick again? You're so quiet.”

“Mmn, a little…”

Finally seeing a chance to leave, I said quick goodbyes, waved awkwardly to the people Xiao Qiang said I should wave to, and then I slipped out onto the tree-lined path that led back to my room.

I wasn't fast enough. I didn't get very far before an older man called out to me. “Isn't this Rong Xiugang ah? My, you've certainly gotten… bigger. Do you remember me?”

Zhang Yong. So he found you after all.

Ah, so this was the head of the Zhang household that Xiujian told me about. I was really hoping not to cross paths with this guy.

In the original storyline, Yu Qianqian had deliberately spread two rumors in the week before this banquet. On the one hand, there was the rumor that Xiujian told me - that the Zhang head of household was privately mocking Rong Yutang and his two wives. But, there was also a rumor saying that Rong Xiugang had bullied Zhang’s little grandson after the boy was revealed to have strong spirit roots, envying the child who was now known as the third best potential in town.

Old Zhang treasured that boy and had placed all of his hopes on him; although his grandson insisted that Rong Xiugang wasn't the one that beat him, since the boy couldn't say who had done it, Old Zhang believed in the rumor. He came today to look for revenge, and in the original timeline he had managed to embarrass Rong Xiugang quite spectacularly.

Awkwardly, I greeted him. As expected, he was quick to look for an angle from which he could attack. “So many people today expressed hopes for the future growth of the Rong family, but I was a little worried, hearing that you were too sick to come. It's good to see that you're healthy now. As the oldest son, remember that your parents are relying on you.”

My translation: “You useless, lazy thing, how dare you try to hide from me after harming my grandson? Don't you know how weak you are? When the Rong family falls, you'll be responsible, and my Zhang family will happily profit.”

I glanced around, hoping to find an out before he could talk me into a trap. I wasn't the best with those things, so I needed to end this while he was still being polite. Inspiration struck when I looked toward the garden. “Elder, I thank you for your concern for me and the family! But the Rong family is definitely going to grow stronger from here,” I said, smiling broadly as I made a grateful gesture.

“Oh?” he said, a mocking smile forming as he looked me up and down. It was a clear provocation, and I could feel Xiao Qiang reacting faintly, starting to give some instructions that I didn't bother to listen to.

“Elder, you haven't heard? Don't tell me you don't know what sword that is?” I said, gesturing over toward where Rong Xiumei now stood, at the entrance to the garden. She seemed to hear me, which I didn't expect at this distance, but I still rolled onward. “Even if I was sickly for the rest of my life, with my sister around, of course a beautiful future for the Rong family is guaranteed!”

Old Zhang and Xiao Qiang both were taken aback; it was still weird to feel someone else's surprise in my body. The old man recovered quickly, but was a little reckless in saying, “Your sister? Xiugang, what are you saying? How can a woman be the future of your Rong family?”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“How dare you!” I cried out, because I didn't think I could afford to respond calmly to that if Xiumei was listening. “This is the Rong family, you think there aren't any young men willing to marry in? My sister is beautiful, smart, and talented, far better than the others in her generation! Anywhere she wants to go she can go, but if she wants to stay, who could force her out?”

Old Zhang sputtered, probably about to make a fuss of how disrespectful I was. “Well said!” A woman’s hoarse voice rang out, and Xiao Qiang caused my eyebrows to jump up slightly.

That's one of Mt. Guo’s elders, Zeng Xia - she rarely comes down from the mountains. I didn't know she was in attendance.

Rong Xiumei had already started this way, but upon hearing that voice, she nearly tripped. Zeng Xia continued anyway; “That sword belonged to our Mt. Guo sect’s founder. For three hundred years, disciples have been trying to pull his blade from the wall, hoping to inherit his strength. To think that the one to finally succeed would be Rong Yutang’s first daughter, Rong Xiumei! The Rong family’s time has really come.”

Old Zhang’s face was quite sour, but he forced a smile. After mumbling some not-apologies, and hearing mine, he left; no matter how much he wanted to fight me, he didn't dare to do it in front of this Zeng Xia.

I also got to see a blushing Rong Xiumei struggle to thank Zeng Xia for her kind words. Judging by their conversation, Rong Xiumei had never met Zeng Xia before, but it was clear that she held a deep admiration for her. She appeared to be mere seconds from squealing into her hands and begging the elder for an autograph.

I left them to it, making it back to my courtyard safely this time.

It would've been nice if the night had ended like that, but unfortunately, there was still something I needed Xiao Qiang to witness. After waiting about the length of an incense stick, I slipped back out of the room and followed Xiao Qiang’s directions to Rong Xiumei’s quarters.

She had recently received a new building, one made of stone. There weren't guards, just a minor formation to keep people out of her new study; I wished I could have seen the formation, but this body was not yet sensitive to qi. Still, with Xiao Qiang's help I made it through easily. Xiumei had received many talismans as gifts, and they were piled carelessly on a desk with a rock to hold them down.

Take the third one down… Where your pinky is. The one under that also.

I couldn't help feeling excited as I leafed through them. Here, in my hands, were real magical objects!

“So, talismans of invisibility..?”

Look farther down. The character in the middle will be similar to the number ten.

When I finally found it, I felt that the center more closely resembled a cross. There only seemed to be one of them, which was really unfortunate. At least there were multiple talismans intended to hide one's presence.

“I should have asked sooner, but, will I be able to activate talismans?”

Yes. He seemed confident, so I didn't ask and focused on getting out. I was a little worried about getting the timing wrong, but Xiao Qiang helped me to climb onto the roof and find a good spot on the outer wall where I could watch the garden. Nie Yilian was still there, seeming to hover near the six Yu family members present.

While waiting, he taught me how to use talismans via the presence-hiding ones by dripping my blood on the back and pasting it onto my clothes when it began to glow. Each lasted about thirty minutes, and would continue to glow faintly while active, growing dimmer as it ceased to work. It was a little after I applied the second one that the Yu family began to make their way out, Yu Sheng going first with his son and wife, his three knuckleheaded nephews bringing up the tail. Nie Yilian left the gate with them but promptly turned the other way after seeing them off, heading down the road that bordered the forest by herself.

Invisibility talismans typically last about sixty minutes, according to Xiao Qiang, but I didn't know how long we would have to wait. Thinking that it's better to be safe than sorry, I tried to follow Nie Yulian without it at first, creeping over the wall and into the surrounding woodlands.

It seems like she's heading straight toward her family home. You can follow her from a path toward the north. But are you so sure that you'll see what you expect?

Actually, I wasn't. Any one of my actions today could have thrown off the timeline. However, the three Yu boys had been throwing her looks and sneering, and it wasn't long before I caught sight of them following her through the trees, at which point I applied the invisibility talisman. We had hardly been walking for ten minutes when the largest of the Yu boys called out, “Wait up, wait.”

Nie Yilian looked for a second like she might break out into a run, but she resisted that impulse. “Young masters Yu,” she greeted them. Her aura was still fairly calm, even as the three boys spread out around her on the empty path.

Xiao Qiang was causing our muscles to tense. I hadn't told him exactly what would happen here, so maybe he was imagining worse things than reality. Yilian should be around the same age as Rong Xiugang, but the three boys were seventeen, sixteen, and fourteen; they had also trained in martial arts since childhood, while Nie Yilian was a normal girl. However, I was sure that the three only intended to taunt her, and would not harm her.

“Is there something I can do for you young masters?” Nie Yilian was brave enough to ask. I remembered that the oldest Yu boy was named Yu Guan as he laughed, crossing his arms over his chest. He seemed delighted at this chance to bully a young girl.

Yu Guan did a little posturing before he brought up Nie Yilian’s father, Nie Xiyong, who was currently slowly dying from some unique cold poison. Apparently, his life could only be saved by using a pill that used phoenix fire herb, very expensive and rare.

“Yes. I'm very grateful to the Yu family for offering to provide the materials.” Nie Yilian spoke carefully, but her previously calm aura was disrupted the moment her father's matter came up.

“Well… about that,” Yu Guan said, barely suppressing a smile. “It seems that the Yu family may actually need a little more of a favor from you after all.”

So the Yu family blackmailed her with her father's life. Xiao Qiang concluded, and I could tell that he was both disgusted with the Yu family and Nie Yilian. However, her father was in great health by the time I met him, and she spent two years as my fiancee without telling me anything! If she thought I was too weak to do anything, I can understand that!

But years after my disappearance, didn't she have Xiujian to rely on? How could the Yu family blackmail her then? But she never even tried to stand against them, and claimed I was the one to blackmail her!

I shook my head slightly; we hadn't seen quite enough yet.

“The eldest son of the Rong family, you can't tell me you haven't heard of him.”

“Young master Rong Xiugang?” she checked, looking confused by the topic change. Briefly, Yu Guan explained to her that she'd caught Rong Xiugang's eye, but that naturally left her with another question. “I'm thankful for his kind words, but I don't know what favor you are asking for…”

The youngest cousin snorted, cutting her off. Yu Guan swatted playfully at him and went on to make some vague references about relationships between men and women, implying but refusing to say what exactly they wanted her to do with Rong Xiugang.

“You have to know that your little performance was hardly of equal value to a treasure like the Phoenix Fire herb.” the middle Yu brother jumped in at one point. Xiao Qiang twisted our face at this.

Nie Yilian had never spoken with Rong Xiugang, had probably heard ill of him; but she believed the best of people and was quite smart. “Someone like the eldest son of the Rong family, why would he send the three of you to say this? This almost seems like a plot of the Yu family to send someone they can control to the Rong family.”

My arms started to shake, and I was puzzled for a second before realizing that it was Xiao Qiang. We still hadn't gotten to the important part, so I used my left hand to gently pat my right. It was awkward, but the best way I could think to try and soothe him.

Yu Guan was angry for half a second before he cracked up laughing. “Do you think we'd dare to talk like this if we didn't have his backing? Unfortunately, our Yu family is not that great.”

It was an important turning point in the conversation. They knew that Nie Yilian knew what they wanted her to do; now they had to convince her that it was really Rong Xiugang who they took orders from. To this end, the three boys began singing Rong Xiugang's praises, calling him cunning, powerful, bold, a natural leader - all implying that he really did bully people.

“Right. I nearly forgot. Here's his first gift for you,” Yu Guan said, and gestured at the youngest. The boy pulled a single palm-sized flower from his bag, and my stomach felt like it dropped to the ground when Xiao Qiang recognized it.

This white tiger face azalea was very meaningful to him. Seeing it, Xiao Qiang seemed to finally understand the depth of Yu Qianqian’s plot.

Nie Yilian had expressed doubt about whether it was truly Rong Xiugang that told the Yu family to intimidate her, but with this flower… once she learned more about it, she would have to believe it.

I could remember at least one line clearly from a flashback the protagonist had during the novel when Nie Yilian's situation was revealed.

”Mother, how should I flirt with a woman?” Rong Xiugang had asked Yu Qianqian; he was serving out his house arrest following his father's disastrous banquet, but had been far from remorseful. His doting stepmother went to visit him daily, so that she could comfort and distract him.

Yu Qianqian had smiled at him, praised his romantic heart, and made a suggestion. “Sending poetry or flowers; but whatever you send, make sure that it's personal. That it comes from the heart. That way, your feelings will definitely reach the other person.”

Rong Xiugang had no talent for poetry, so naturally, he leaned towards flowers. And as Yu Qianqian predicted, when it came to choosing a flower that represented his heart, that would feel personal, Rong Xiugang could only send Nie Yilian flowers from the white tiger face azalea bushes that grew in his mother's old yard. No one but Rong Yitang, Rong Xiugang, and Sisi were allowed into this little garden, as the three treated this as though it were Lan Yue's grave. These flowers were hard to propagate, and Lan Yue had brought the seeds from a land far to the south. People in Guoyang couldn't hope to see them.

When he met with Nie Yilian later and told her about the importance of these flowers, Rong Xiugang hadn't forgotten to boast about how rare they were, how only he and his father could access them. But since it was a little embarrassing also, he was staring at a wall as he said it, and missed the expression that crossed Nie Yilian’s face.

The Nie Yilian in front of me took the flower with stiff, jerky movements. Her father's life relied on the kindness of the Yu family, and so for now, she couldn't refuse them anything. But it was clearly a struggle for her to be polite with them as she asked them to let her go home for now, and discuss the matter later.

Yu Guan pretended to show some sympathy as he gestured for his brothers to fall back. “Well, it's the Rong family. What can you do?” he said, clearly intending for this to be the parting line.

But, unexpectedly for Yu Guan and I both, a woman's laugh rang out.

“The Rong family, hmm?” Rong Xiumei asked, dropping to the path between them. She must have appeared in the trees at some point, but I didn't know since when. “Yu Guan, how dare you talk about the Rong family!”

“Biaojie!” The youngest boy blurted out, turning pale. Ah, so she really wasn't supposed to be here. As I'd thought, this was one plan that Yu Qianqian hadn't told her daughter about.

“Huisong. Oh, Huiyang is here too.” Her voice was full of contempt. Standing in the middle, her eyes swept from Nie Yilian's hands to Yu Guan's stiff expression.

“That flower is really something that you shouldn't have touched,” Xiumei said. She sounded grimly delighted. “If I show this to my little brother and tell him that it was in your hands, Huisong, just what do you think will happen?”

The youngest boy dropped to his knees, shaking, and cried out that he was wrong. Yu Guan looked at him sharply, and then back towards Nie Yilian. I imagined that he was still trying to figure out how to salvage the original plan, not seeming to know that it was doomed from the second Rong Xiumei intervened.

“Little Xiumei, you must know -” that we couldn't have gotten this flower without Rong Xiugang’s permission, he wanted to say, but Yu Guan was silenced as Rong Xiumei wrapped a hand around his neck.

“You want to bully others and frame my little brother?” she asked him, even though he was no longer able to answer. “Miss Nie!” Ring Xiumei suddenly addressed the girl behind her. “Please set that flower down. It's not a good thing if you're found with that. I will come personally to you tomorrow with the Phoenix Fire herb and an explanation, so please go home safely!”

Shock and hope both appeared on Nie Yilian's face. “Oh! Yes!” she said, and setting down the large white blossom, she hurried away. Though Yu Guan's hand shot in that direction, Xiumei still had him by the throat. He couldn't do anything.

I had expected her to bring up Rong Yutang, and was pleasantly surprised by what she said instead. This implied that she believed wholeheartedly in her brother, not thinking for a second that what her maternal cousins said could be the truth.

Once drool started to pour out of Yu Guan’s mouth, Xiumei dropped him to the ground and let him gasp and retch into the dirt.

“I won't ask why the three of you did this. I can guess. But I will ask you… does Uncle Sheng know?”

Yu Huiyang began to frantically shake his head, and Huisong, seeing this, blurted out, “it was him! His idea!” while pointing to Yu Guan.

I couldn't remember the full details of the Yu family's problems, but I knew that Yu Sheng was the family head and that he genuinely respected Rong Yutang. Yu Qianqian worked hard to keep that older brother blind to her schemes, relying on her younger brother instead.

“I see. Well. It's quite late - the three of you should really hurry home before your parents can worry. I'll come by to talk with Uncle Sheng tomorrow. We’ll see what happens then.”

Yu Guan could hardly walk; Yu Huiyang had to support him, but the three left as quickly as they could. The youngest, Yu Huisong, kept up a steady mumble of apologies and pleas for mercy; Rong Xiumei seemed to be deaf to it.

I had hoped that she would follow them, but Rong Xiumei continued to stand in that spot. She looked to the sky for several minutes, and then to the white-and-black flower on the ground.

My feet were looking more and more solid by the second, and I realized that I wouldn't be able to wait. But I’d hardly taken three steps before a branch cracked underfoot.

Xiumei quickly called out, “Who's there?”

I knew better than to think I could get past her while her guard was up. Wearing a sheepish expression, my body still faintly trembling, I peeled off the talisman and approached the treeline.

“Xiugang?!” It seemed she really hadn't expected me - her jaw dropped, eyes popping out.

“Dajie… I…” I stumbled over my words. Actually, I legitimately didn't know what to say. When in doubt, show gratitude. “The Yu family, Nie Yilian… Thank you. Thank you!”

“You… Xiugang… what, you just stood there and watched all of that?! Why are you even out here?”

“That…” Ah, yeah, that was hard to explain. I sidestepped it for now. “Dajie… just how did they get ahold of a white tiger face azalea..?”

Rong Xiumei froze for a second. She'd already decided that I was innocent, so clearly she knew that her mother was somehow to blame. “Yu Guan is very stupid,” she said, throwing the pot to her cousin. “Stupid and bold. He must have taken advantage of today's events to slip over to… to her courtyard.”

I shook my head, letting Xiao Qiang's disgust twist our face. I stepped out of the trees on shaking legs and squatted down to pick up the flower, gingerly brushing some dirt from its petals. Rong Xiumei was silent, somberly watching me, and I realized that I would need to say something.

“Dajie, I've realized lately… that I'm really too weak.” My eyes darted to the trees, not wanting to see what kind of face she'd make to that. “When I heard what Yu Guan said earlier, I wanted to jump out, and when they brought out that flower…” I let my trembling body be proof of what went unsaid. That I must have become so angry and afraid that I could hardly even move. “But, then I thought - wouldn't that young girl be even more afraid if she saw me? And if I left to get help, and something happened..? I decided to stay until they were gone, and then tell Father… But then. Thankfully. Dajie came.” I allowed my voice to become tearful at the end.

Wow. You're really good at being pitiful. As my mood was good, I decided to take his words as a compliment. It was also a good thing that Xiao Qiang spoke again, as I had started to wonder if he was still here.

Rong Xiumei shook her head. After a second, she had another question. “How did you hide yourself? I couldn't see you.”

“I took some of your talismans from your study.” I confessed slowly, not sure if I should admit it or not. “I've been trying to learn about them, since mastering talismans doesn't rely on a good spirit root.”

“Oh,” she said. Since she wasn’t angry, I dared to continue. “I'm sorry. I have the rest right here, I'll return them to you… I'll confess to Father in the morning. To pay you back, I -”

“No need. I have plenty of talismans. And don't tell father anything, either.”

“Dajie!” I was genuinely surprised, turning to look at her at last.

“Not about the talismans, that flower, or Nie Yilian.” Xiumei clarified. I realized that there was shame on her face as well. “I'll handle matters on my own, and definitely make things right. We don't need to bother Father with this.”

“... I understand.”

“And... I'll send you some materials later, so study well, and don't make this kind of expression in the future.”

Wait, wasn't this a really good thing? Rong Xiumei was actually taking pity on me! I could tell that Xiao Qiang didn't like this development, but I was really happy.

“Also - Xiugang, I should apologize for something else.” She sounded stiff, but sincere. “I heard about what happened yesterday, but I didn't think it would affect you to this extent. That boy, I'll teach him a lesson for you. He needs to know that our Rong family isn't so easy to bully.”

Another win, probably. I still didn't know what had happened the day before, or what boy she was talking about, but things seemed to be working in my favor.

It was quite late, so Rong Xiumei didn't hold me up for much longer. Sisi was waiting in my room to scold me, and I was a little afraid that she would notice the flower hiding in my sleeve if she helped me to get ready for bed. Thankfully, when she was done complaining, she just pointed me to a lukewarm bath she'd prepared behind a screen and told me not to die. Then, with a great huff, she left.

As tired as I was, it felt very good to bathe. I had worked up quite a sweat, with everything, and the smell was unpleasant and sour. More or less forgetting that this wasn't my body, I scrubbed the skin vigorously and quickly so that I could dry off, dress, and fall under the sheets. I barely remembered to set that flower safely beside the pillow. It didn't seem to have wilted at all, and I didn't know when it would.

At the last second, I remembered to check in with the other guy. “Xiao Qiang, you understood it, right? Nie Yilian really thought that you were the one threatening her father's life. After you went missing, she told Rong Xiujian about it… he didn't want to believe you would do that, but you weren't there to ask, and his cousins all said they were coerced by you. Those two… it's not that they wanted to betray you, they just fell into other people's schemes.”

Xiao Qiang didn't answer, but I knew he'd heard, because my teeth started to grind. I was tired enough to fall asleep anyway.

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(1) Dajie 大姐 means eldest sister / older sister. I'm using the Chinese for this because I think it sounds better than saying Sister over and over again; also, the narrator is using this address specifically to emphasize that she is the real firstborn. Other titles are given in English when that seems more appropriate.

(2) Biaojie 表姐 is a term for a maternal older female cousin. The other two cousins are older than Rong Xiumei.