Feng Qingyin was frantic with worry, but Feng Jiu’er paid her no mind.

On the way out the door, she “accidentally” kicked Feng Qingyin in the ankle.

Feng Qingyin let out a sharp cry and instantly went tumbling down.

The elegant Miss Qingyin toppled flat onto her back, her pale white calves exposed for all to see.

When Feng Junzhuo arrived with two manservants, he was greeted by the sight of Feng Qingyin sprawled on the ground, a section of her thighs bared to view.

Both manservants stared open-mouthed; Feng Junzhuo’s face turned a steely shade. “What is the meaning of this? Get up at once!”

This daughter — he had always thought her the most beautiful and refined of all, yet today she had exposed herself one time after another!

Feng Junzhuo found himself looking at her now with nothing but disappointment.

Feng Qingyin scrambled to her feet in a panic, hurriedly tugging her skirt back into place. When she looked up and caught the disappointment in her father’s eyes, she nearly burst into tears on the spot.

“It was Jiu’er who—”

“Silence!” Feng Junzhuo gave a cold snort and refused to look at her any further.

He had so many daughters — naturally, he favored whichever one could bring him the greatest benefit.

Finding little hope in Feng Qingyin now, his affection for her had naturally diminished accordingly.

When he turned to Feng Jiu’er, however, his manner softened considerably. “Jiu’er, His Highness the Crown Prince has come and wishes to see you. Come along with me.”

“The Crown Prince elder brother wants to see Jiu’er?” Feng Qingyin’s expression shifted in an instant, and she became agitated. “Father, why does the Crown Prince elder brother want to see Jiu’er?”

Just last night there had been rumors that Jiu’er had set fire to things for amusement, causing her wet nurse’s death, and that she had carried on with a man in private — and yet now the Crown Prince still wanted to see her?

Why would he be willing to see Feng Jiu’er? Had he heard about the events at the Ninth Prince’s manor and begun to see her in a new light?

That would not do! She had worked so hard for so long, and all of it had been for the sake of drawing close to the Crown Prince.

She had been watching as Feng Jiu’er was on the verge of being cast aside by the Crown Prince — how could she possibly stand to let her have a chance to turn her fortunes around now?

“Since when is the Crown Prince’s business any concern of yours?” Feng Junzhuo had no patience for her at the moment and would not spare her even an extra word.

He looked at Jiu’er, his voice gentle. “Jiu’er, Father is taking you to see him — remember to say nice things on Father’s behalf in front of the Crown Prince. Has Father not always been good to you?”

“Of course! Father is always the best to me!” Feng Jiu’er nearly gagged, yet her face still wore its innocent smile.

She stood there watching helplessly as Feng Junzhuo and Feng Jiu’er walked away into the distance. Feng Qingyin stamped her feet over and over in rage until tears finally came to her eyes.

How had things come to this? Just this very morning, everything had still been within her control.

And now, everything had spun completely out of her hands!

No — she absolutely could not allow Feng Jiu’er to snatch the Crown Prince away!

She would not let her succeed. She would absolutely not allow Feng Jiu’er to have an easy time of it!

……

Crown Prince Zhan Yuheng — the one Feng Jiu’er had adored since childhood.

Many, many years ago, the first time she had laid eyes on that graceful and handsome young man, the small child that was Jiu’er had kept him close in her heart ever since.

Admiration — with each passing year, it had grown, step by step, into a desperate, all-consuming obsession.

Perhaps her mind had truly been burned by the fever. But there was one conviction she could never forget.

That conviction was this: when she grew up, she would marry Brother Heng!

In truth, they had been rather close as children. Zhan Yuheng too had been fond of this little girl.

But when they met again, Brother Heng had already become Crown Prince elder brother — and Feng Jiu’er, who had once been a bright and lively little girl, had grown into the unsightly figure she was now.