Old Madam Wang glanced at her exceptionally beautiful third granddaughter, pondered briefly, and nodded: “It’s getting late. Let’s depart then.”

Her eldest granddaughter was dignified and steady, while her third granddaughter was strikingly beautiful. It would be good to bring them both.

Director Wang’s residence had only prepared two carriages—one for Old Madam Wang, the other for First Miss Wang and her sister. Now that Third Miss Wang was also going, if she sat in the same carriage as her two sisters, it would be rather cramped.

Third Miss Wang asked Old Madam Wang with a beaming smile: “Grandmother, this granddaughter fears crowding my two sisters. May I ride in your carriage?”

Her youngest granddaughter was charming and lovely, her smile like a blooming flower. Old Madam Wang naturally wouldn’t refuse.

As the driver raised his whip, the two carriages slowly departed from Director Wang’s residence.

The woman stood outside the gate, watching until the carriages disappeared from sight before pressing her lips and returning to her courtyard.

Back in her room, the woman’s expression relaxed as she sat down for a sip of tea.

Then she became restless again.

If she hadn’t known Old Madam would refuse, she truly would have wanted to go along.

Such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet with the Pingnan Prince’s Heir had actually fallen to Yuan’niang!

Just thinking of her stepdaughter, who lived under her control, possibly latching onto Pingnan Prince’s Manor—the woman’s heart felt as if it were being fried in an oil pan.

She absolutely wouldn’t allow such a thing to happen!

Her daughter must prove herself capable.

Setting aside the woman’s anxiety, in the carriage following behind, Second Miss Wang grasped First Miss Wang’s hand: “Sister, the more I think about it, the stranger it seems. Are we really going to Dafu Temple to offer incense today?”

Third Sister had a pampered temperament. Accompanying Grandmother to offer incense wasn’t exactly an interesting affair. Normally she’d be eager for an excuse not to go. Yet this time, though her cold clearly hadn’t fully recovered, why did she insist on coming along?

Recalling her sister’s unusual behavior, Second Miss Wang grew increasingly uneasy.

First Miss Wang smiled faintly: “Naturally we’re going to Dafu Temple to offer incense. Where else would we go?”

“Sister, must we still hide things between us?”

First Miss Wang looked at her sister and sighed: “Going to offer incense is true, going for a meeting is also true.”

“A meeting?” Second Miss Wang’s expression shifted slightly. “What meeting?”

First Miss Wang smiled bitterly: “Using incense offering as a pretext to meet with the Pingnan Prince’s Heir.”

Second Miss Wang was thoroughly shocked, even stammering: “Ping—Pingnan Prince’s Heir?”

Seeing her sister nod, Second Miss Wang looked utterly incredulous, murmuring: “How could such good fortune fall from the sky…”

First Miss Wang sighed softly: “Yes. Even if such fortune fell, one wouldn’t dare catch it.”

The carriage interior fell into silence for a moment.

After a while, Second Miss Wang said quietly: “Sister, you’re unwilling?”

First Miss Wang lowered her eyes: “Grandmother is willing.”

What use was whether she herself was willing or not?

Second Miss Wang squeezed First Miss Wang’s hand forcefully, her gaze burning: “Sister, Third Sister is willing!”

She wasn’t a fool. If before she hadn’t known about the meeting and was confused, now she understood: Stepmother knew Sister was going to meet with the Pingnan Prince’s Heir and had conceived the idea of having Third Sister take her place.

Since Sister was unwilling and Third Sister was willing, fulfilling Third Sister would be perfect for everyone.

First Miss Wang shook her head with a smile: “Just as I’m unwilling, what does it matter whether Third Sister is willing or not?”

Their fates were ultimately not theirs to decide.

“Sister could hide her talents and let the Pingnan Princess Consort see Third Sister’s merits.”

“What if the Pingnan Princess Consort happens to prefer a clumsy, honest daughter-in-law?” First Miss Wang countered.

If the Pingnan Princess Consort valued a woman’s appearance and family background, there would be no incense offering trip today.

Seeing this clearly, one would know that no matter how outstanding Third Sister’s performance, she likely wouldn’t catch the Pingnan Princess Consort’s eye.

In the end, the Pingnan Princess Consort was the one who could choose.

Second Miss Wang steeled herself: “If nothing else works, Sister should deliberately soil her reputation!”

First Miss Wang froze, then reached out to tap Second Miss Wang’s forehead, sighing: “Silly sister, how could a woman choose such a method?”

Soiling one’s reputation was different from hiding one’s talents.

At most, hiding talents would spread a reputation of being honest and slow-witted, which wouldn’t necessarily be bad for future marriage prospects. But soiling one’s reputation meant a flawed character—that would ruin one’s reputation.

In her current situation, if her reputation were damaged further, she would likely end up trapped in the mire for life, just as Stepmother wished.

“Hiding talents isn’t reliable, soiling reputation isn’t feasible—then what should Sister do?” Second Miss Wang grew worried.

First Miss Wang said nothing. The carriage fell quiet again, with only the creaking sound of turning wheels in their ears.

Clear yet monotonous.

Second Miss Wang’s eyes quietly grew moist as she murmured: “Sister, sometimes I really envy Miss Luo. Crying when she wants to cry, laughing when she wants to laugh, opening a tavern to amuse herself when the fancy strikes, even keeping a male companion without anyone daring to gossip to her face.”

If only there weren’t all these messy constraints, if only one had an unshakeable backing, who wouldn’t want to keep a male companion for the pleasure of it?

What an enviable life that was.

What a pity she dared only envy quietly.

Hearing her sister mention Miss Luo, First Miss Wang’s eyes also flashed with a trace of envy as she smiled and changed the subject: “Grandmother rewarded me with quite a bit of silver the other day. Tomorrow I’ll take you to You Jian Tavern for a meal.”

“Mm.” Second Miss Wang nodded, not daring to let Sister detect the worry in her heart.

They arrived at Dafu Temple.

As a temple with a long history and thriving incense offerings, even on such a quiet morning, worshippers were already coming and going.

The two sisters descended from the carriage. Old Madam Wang, supported by Third Miss Wang, followed after them, entering Dafu Temple discreetly.

Since it had been arranged in advance, a greeter monk led the group to the Life Release Pool before departing.

There were no other people by the Life Release Pool. The pool water was clear, revealing many swimming fish.

Old Madam Wang led her three granddaughters in releasing a pair of koi carp they had brought into the pool.

“Might you be Director Wang’s wife?” a gentle voice came.

Third Miss Wang had been staying close to Old Madam Wang’s side. Hearing this voice, she immediately looked over.

She didn’t dare stare directly, only stealing glances from the corner of her eye.

Not far away stood a woman who, though appearing aged and thin, couldn’t conceal her dignified noble bearing.

This must be the Pingnan Princess Consort. She had seen her from afar twice before but had never been this close.

Behind the woman, apart from a group of maids and matrons standing at some distance, a straight-backed young man in blue robes was particularly eye-catching.

Third Miss Wang’s heartbeat quickened slightly.

Was that blue-robed man the Pingnan Prince’s Heir?

Because their families’ social circles differed so greatly, this was her first time seeing the Pingnan Prince’s Heir.

She hadn’t expected the Pingnan Prince’s Heir to be so handsome and distinguished…

As Third Miss Wang’s thoughts wandered, she suddenly sensed that person’s gaze falling upon her.

Third Miss Wang immediately didn’t dare look around anymore, lowering her eyes in a quiet, obedient appearance, though her heart was both nervous and eager.

Was she imagining things? The Pingnan Prince’s Heir seemed to be looking at her.

That gaze seemed to never leave Third Miss Wang.

Third Miss Wang’s eyelashes trembled. Finally unable to resist, she stealthily glanced again.

Their gazes collided. Third Miss Wang finally confirmed it wasn’t an illusion.

She curved her lips slightly, smiling quickly.