The people of the Sheng manor discovered that Young Miss Cousin had changed.

In the past, Young Miss Cousin would sleep until the sun was high in the sky, then take her senior maid Hong Dou to stroll the streets. Now she unfailingly came to Funing Hall to pay respects to Old Madam.

Once in the morning, once in the evening—never missing a single time.

From the day Young Miss Cousin changed, Old Madam Sheng hadn’t seen her several grandsons during the times for paying respects.

The First Madam and Second Madam privately offered dry laughs to Old Madam Sheng, explaining: “The children’s studies have been demanding lately…”

Old Madam Sheng didn’t believe a single word of this.

What demanding studies? Clearly, ever since she had announced she would select one of her four grandsons for her granddaughter, the two daughters-in-law had been frightened out of their wits.

With such little courage, what could they possibly accomplish!

Old Madam Sheng inwardly scorned her daughters-in-law, but looked with increasing warmth upon her granddaughter who came to pay respects daily.

Coming to pay respects to her was better than running into the streets and snatching back a grandson-in-law for her.

People should be content with what they have.

The contented Old Madam Sheng, in her delight, instructed a maid to fetch a pair of bracelets to give to Luo Sheng.

Luo Sheng put away the bracelets and curtsied: “Many thanks for Grandmother’s gift.”

Old Madam Sheng quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Her granddaughter had grown up surrounded by silks and brocades. Fortunately, she hadn’t shown disdain in public—otherwise, where would this old face of hers go?

Old Madam Sheng’s tone unconsciously became even gentler: “Go back and rest.”

After speaking, she glanced at her two granddaughters, and the old madam’s tone became much more casual: “You two may leave as well.”

Those she raised herself didn’t need coddling. Whichever one dared to misbehave would just get a beating.

As soon as Sheng Jiayu left Funing Hall, she stomped her foot in anger: “Grandmother is truly biased. We’ve unfailingly paid respects for over ten years without any special praise, but Luo Sheng merely stops loafing about in the streets and she’s become precious.”

Sheng Jialan gently tugged on Sheng Jiayu’s sleeve, softly persuading: “Elder Sister, don’t be angry. Grandmother sees that Elder Cousin Sister has reformed and is happy in her heart.”

“Reformed?” Sheng Jiayu sneered coldly. “Second Sister, have you forgotten what we heard by the lake that day? Luo Sheng is a dog that can’t stop eating filth. Just wait and see—any day now she’ll make her move on Second Young Master Su.”

Sheng Jialan’s eyes darkened as she clenched her hands hidden in her wide sleeves: “Elder Sister, say no more. If it reaches Grandmother’s ears, it will displease her. We should return to our rooms.”

Sheng Jiayu nodded with a dark expression.

The two sisters passed by the lakeside and instinctively looked over, indeed catching a glimpse of a graceful figure.

Sheng Jiayu curled her lips in a cold sneer: “Pretending to admire her reflection in the water—who knows how much wickedness she’s harboring inside.”

“Elder Sister, let’s go.” Sheng Jialan tugged at Sheng Jiayu, but stealthily glanced back before leaving.

The young lady sat by the lakeside, chin resting on her hand, gazing at the lake surface in a daze.

The maid Hong Dou was nowhere to be seen beside her—only two white geese leisurely swimming about.

Sheng Jialan’s eyes flickered slightly.

Alone—perhaps the opportunity she’d been waiting for had arrived.

“What are Second Sister’s plans for today?”

Sheng Jialan’s expression returned to normal as she smiled softly: “I caught a bit of a chill yesterday. My head still aches, so I’d like to return to my room for a nap.”

“I was hoping to invite Second Sister to visit Yurong Hall together.” Sheng Jiayu was somewhat disappointed but quickly smiled: “Then when Second Sister feels better tomorrow, we’ll go.”

“Alright.”

The two sisters parted ways by a cluster of azaleas, each returning to their embroidery towers.

Not long after, Sheng Jialan, who had claimed she wanted to nap, quietly descended via another staircase. Her figure disappeared among the abundant flowers and lush trees in the garden, and before long she had returned to the lakeside.

Standing behind the flowers and trees by the lake, Sheng Jialan looked at that solitary young lady and couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

It was still just Luo Sheng alone!

She had been paying attention for quite some time now. These past days, after leaving Funing Hall, Luo Sheng always sat by the lakeside for a while.

Sometimes longer, sometimes shorter. Sometimes the mistress and servant would casually exchange a few idle words. Sometimes she would instruct that maid called Hong Dou to fetch a fruit platter, leaving behind a ground full of melon seed shells before leaving.

There was even one time she saw Luo Sheng waiting there while that little maid called Hong Dou came bouncing along with a package of smoked chicken.

The family kitchen clearly hadn’t sent any smoked chicken that day, so it must have been bought from outside.

Today, Hong Dou must have slipped out again to buy something.

Sheng Jialan stared at Luo Sheng’s back, her expression somber and constantly changing.

To act again—she had too many hesitations.

Suddenly, Sheng Jialan seemed to discover something. She couldn’t help but step forward and widen her eyes to look more carefully.

The young lady sitting by the lakeside had her chin propped on her hand, and her head was nodding bit by bit like a pecking chicken.

The spring sunlight fell upon her, outlining her hair and the hem of her skirt, forming a tranquil and gentle picture.

Luo Sheng was actually dozing off!

Sheng Jialan felt her heartbeat suddenly accelerate. She quickly bit her lip hard and made up her mind.

She couldn’t hesitate any longer. If she missed today, there might never be such a good opportunity again.

Behind the flowers and trees, the young lady’s form was slender, yet the sinister expression on her face made her appear anything but delicate.

Sheng Jialan’s eyes flashed with a gloomy light as she lifted her skirt and walked toward the lakeside.

Closer, even closer, yet Luo Sheng continued dozing, completely unaware.

Sheng Jialan’s footsteps were so light they were almost soundless. Standing behind Luo Sheng, she curved the corners of her lips, and her heart, which had been pounding like thunder, actually calmed down.

Luo Sheng, this fool—she really needn’t have hesitated so long!

Sheng Jialan extended her hands.

The hands of a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl, fair and delicate, yet at this moment they were like a pair of venomous snakes slithering toward their prey.

The pair of white geese on the lake surface suddenly cried out.

Sheng Jialan’s heart panicked, and she pushed hard on Luo Sheng’s back.

With a tremendous splash, the unprepared Luo Sheng was pushed into the lake.

The corners of Sheng Jialan’s lips curved upward, her smile spreading.

It had been just as simple and successful as that time—what a pity her luck wasn’t good last time—

A piercing scream froze the smile at Sheng Jialan’s lips.

“What are you doing? Someone come quickly! Second Young Miss Cousin has pushed our miss into the lake!” The shrill scream pierced the clouds, frightening the two white geese into flapping their way onto shore. The food box in Hong Dou’s hands fell to the ground as she broke into a run.

Sheng Jialan turned around stiffly, her expression as if she’d seen a malevolent ghost.

Hong Dou, who had rushed to the lakeside, flew up with one foot and kicked Sheng Jialan into the lake.

At the same time, a figure leaped into the lake, swimming strenuously toward the bobbing Luo Sheng.

Hong Dou, who had been preparing to pull her miss out, blinked.

Oh my, it’s Young Master!

This was terrible—should she help Miss, or save Young Master?

The little maid hesitated for just an instant before opening her throat and shouting: “Help! Help—”

People who heard the commotion rushed over one after another, and the garden quickly descended into chaos.

In the water, Luo Chen, who had grabbed Luo Sheng’s wrist, warned in a low voice: “Don’t struggle!”

Luo Sheng opened her eyes and looked at the pale-faced youth, finally showing a faint surprise in the depths of her eyes.

Luo Chen had actually jumped into the lake to save this sister?

This was truly the only variable in her plan.

Luo Sheng sighed softly in her heart: With this child’s small frame going into the water to save someone, there would probably be trouble.

She had barely finished this thought when she saw the youth’s face turn deathly pale as he began to sink, yet those hands of his pushed her forcefully upward.

Luo Sheng let out an inaudible soft sigh, wrapped one arm around Luo Chen, and pushed him toward Hong Dou.