Ling Jingxian’s torrent of tender feeling was cut off abruptly, and her smile went stiff and awkward.

For a moment she did not know how to bring out what she had yet to say.

Seeing this reaction, Ling Jingshu was all the more certain of what she had already suspected, and found Ling Jingxian’s selfishness laughably absurd. She had no patience to keep going around in circles with her, and said bluntly: “There are only the two of us here. Whatever you have to say — say it plainly.”

Ling Jingxian’s face flushed a mortified red.

Ling Jingshu raised an eyebrow and watched Ling Jingxian with an air of faint amusement.

Knowing Ling Jingxian as well as she did, she was certain that whatever schemes were forming in her mind — now that she was here, she would find a way to say them regardless.

Sure enough, Ling Jingxian endured her discomfort for a long stretch, then finally had the shamelessness to voice her request: “Shu cousin — I am wholehearted in my affection for Hong cousin. After grandmother’s birthday has passed, I intend to ask my mother to quietly mention the match to our aunt… I ask that you not compete with me for Hong cousin, all right?”

Among the female cousins of the Ling household, the most beautiful and outstanding was the legitimate ninth young lady of the fifth branch, Ling Jingshu. Enthusiastic gossipmongers had, behind her back, bestowed upon her the title of Dingzhou’s foremost beauty.

Ling Jingxian and Ling Jingshu were of similar age and were often compared against each other. The most common thing one heard was: “The eighth young lady of that honored family is a beauty of refined elegance, like a flower or the moon — but the ninth young lady surpasses her by yet another measure.”

“I have heard that the ninth young lady excels at cultivating peonies. The prized varieties in the Ling family’s peony garden are mostly grown by the ninth young lady herself…”

“Truly, one wonders which fortunate young man will have the blessing of marrying the ninth young lady…”

Ling Jingshu! Ling Jingshu! Always Ling Jingshu!

Wherever Ling Jingshu was present, she, Ling Jingxian, was reduced to an unremarkable green leaf. She seethed with jealousy and resentment in her heart, yet could do nothing about it. In ordinary times she exerted every effort, always looking for an opportunity to get the better of Ling Jingshu.

This time, with the Lu family visiting, she had fallen instantly in love with Lu Hong and privately vowed to marry no one but him. Though she was loath to admit it, she was perfectly clear that the moment Ling Jingshu showed her face, Lu Hong’s attention would be drawn to Ling Jingshu… After turning the matter over at length, she had finally hit upon this scheme.

She would make her feelings known first!

Once Ling Jingshu knew where her heart lay, she would naturally keep her distance from Lu Hong.

And that was precisely what had happened.

Ling Jingshu did not respond with anger but with laughter. “What Xian cousin says is rather too absurd. These past few days I have been confined to Qiushui Pavilion and have not met that Lu cousin of ours at all. How could the word ‘compete’ possibly apply? Furthermore, whom you are fond of and whom you wish to marry is your own affair — what has it to do with me? If you have come here for nothing but this, it is truly preposterous.”

Each word was sharp and without mercy.

Ling Jingxian was left speechless.

This cousin of hers had always been gentle and compliant in disposition, swallowing the occasional small grievance without a word of complaint. It was precisely because of that she had had the nerve to come here and make such an unreasonable request… She had not expected Ling Jingshu’s reaction to be so forceful and cold.

Ling Jingshu said frigidly: “If Xian cousin has nothing else, please feel free to see yourself out.” She dismissed her without the least ceremony.

Ling Jingxian, past caring about any loss of face, grabbed Ling Jingshu’s hand and spoke with soft entreaty: “Just now I was the one at fault — I chose my words poorly and displeased you. I offer you my apologies; please do not be angry. But I was not deceiving you just now. Every word I spoke came from the heart. We have been cousins all these years, and I have never once asked anything of you. Please grant me this one request. If only you would keep your distance from Hong cousin and have nothing to do with him — that alone would be a help to me…”

She spoke only for herself, as though she already knew the answer.

What right did she have to assume she would agree to such a thoroughly selfish request?

A derisive curve touched Ling Jingshu’s lips. She was on the verge of refusing without any show of mercy — when a sudden flash of inspiration struck her mind.

This life, this world, she never wanted any connection with Lu Hong, not so much as a thread. That being so — why not lend Ling Jingxian “a helping hand”?

No — that would not be right.

However at odds they might be, they were still cousins, bound by blood. There was no deep enmity between them. Knowing full well that the Lu household was a pit of fire, to stand by and do nothing while Ling Jingxian threw herself in — that was more than she could bring herself to do…

In the brief moment she hesitated, Ling Jingxian seized the opening.

A light of joyful relief blazed in Ling Jingxian’s eyes. She clasped Ling Jingshu’s hand tight. “Shu cousin — your silence, I shall take as agreement.”

Ling Jingshu frowned. “When did I ever agree to—”

“If my wish comes true in the future, I shall never forget the kindness you showed me today.” Ling Jingxian paid no heed to Ling Jingshu’s words and rushed on: “I have been here long enough. I ought to go back. Rest well, Shu cousin. Tomorrow morning I will come for you and we can go together to pay our respects to grandmother.”

With those words, she rose to her feet and hurried away.

Ling Jingshu: “…”

After Ling Jingxian left, Bai Yu came back in. The moment she saw Ling Jingshu’s displeased expression, Bai Yu immediately asked with concern: “What did the eighth young lady say to you?”

Ling Jingshu could not help letting out a sound of contempt. “Incomprehensible — I cannot be bothered with her.”

Bai Yu was thoroughly puzzled.

Ling Jingshu explained in a few brief words: “Xian cousin has fallen instantly for the Lu family cousin, and came today to entreat me to keep my distance from him from now on.”

Bai Yu: “…”

An expression of indignation spread across Bai Yu’s pretty face. “How could the eighth young lady say such a thing — it is truly outrageous.”

What kind of reasoning was that, anywhere in the world?

Never mind the fact that the young lady had not even met that Lu family young man, and there was nothing to speak of yet. Even if they had met and he had fallen for the young lady — would that mean handing him over to the eighth young lady? Or that the young lady would somehow be to blame?

The resentment Ling Jingshu had felt drained away at the sight of Bai Yu fuming on her behalf. “Enough — such a trifling matter is hardly worth being angry over.”

After a brief pause, she added in a light and level tone: “As a matter of fact, even without her saying so, I would have kept well away from that Lu young man.”

May they walk separate roads, now and forever, in this life.

Ling Jingshu let her eyelids drop slightly, concealing every emotion beneath them.

The following morning, Ling Jingxian arrived early, just as she had promised.

The moment they met, she called out “Shu cousin” with cheerful warmth and then took the initiative of picking out Ling Jingshu’s clothing and accessories.

“Shu cousin, come — try this lotus-root colored dress. And this complete set of solid gold accessories inlaid with rubies.”

Ling Jingxian’s face glowed with a bright and radiant smile, her enthusiasm effusive.

Bai Yu, standing to one side, was seething.

That lotus-root hue was a somewhat dull and muted color, lacking any vivid brightness. When the fabric had been selected, it was what remained after several young ladies of the household had already taken their pick. The young lady, too gracious to mind, had taken it home. Now that it had been made up into a dress, it had never once been worn.

As for the complete set of solid gold accessories inlaid with rubies — they had been given by the old madam as a New Year’s gift. The craftsmanship, while exquisite, was also decidedly matronly in style.

Ling Jingxian had chosen these things with no good intention whatsoever.

Bai Yu gave a cough and spoke tactfully: “Eighth young lady, perhaps another piece might be considered instead…”

“Xian cousin’s taste is naturally excellent.” Ling Jingshu cut Bai Yu off with a warm smile. “This dress will do. Bai Yu, come and help me change and do my hair.”

Bai Yu answered helplessly, grinding her teeth in silent fury. As she took the dress from Ling Jingxian’s hands, she could not resist getting in one pointed remark: “The eighth young lady truly has a discerning eye. The way our young lady is dressed today — I imagine she will make quite a ‘memorable impression’ on everyone.”

Bai Yu deliberately drew out the words “memorable impression” with heavy emphasis.

However many schemes Ling Jingxian might harbor, she had not yet achieved the level of cultivation required to maintain a perfectly unruffled face in all circumstances. She was instantly discomfited.

Ling Jingshu gave Bai Yu a quiet look.

Bai Yu could only hold her tongue. She quickly set about helping Ling Jingshu change and arrange her hair.

When the newly dressed and groomed Ling Jingshu appeared before her, Ling Jingxian stared in wide-eyed astonishment.

The lotus-root color that ought not to have flattered anyone looked, on Ling Jingshu, unexpectedly and strikingly beautiful. It set off the faintest blush of pink against her jade-white complexion. Her cloud-like hair had been swept up into an elegant Ling Yun coiffure, and the complete set of solid gold ruby accessories was worn in full — which, far from looking matronly, conveyed a poise and composure far beyond what one might expect of a girl her age.

It was not as breathtakingly stunning as her usual appearance, yet somehow it became more compelling with every passing moment, drawing one’s eyes and refusing to let them go…

Clearly, she had deliberately chosen colors that were dull and garments styled for older women — and yet, dressed and adorned, Ling Jingshu still reigned supreme in beauty and captivated every eye.

Ling Jingxian’s heart was a turmoil of envy and resentment; her eyes nearly bulged from her head.

Bai Yu, watching Ling Jingxian’s somewhat contorted pretty face, felt the stifled grievance she had been nursing suddenly lift. She asked with pointed sweetness: “Would the eighth young lady kindly give her assessment — are our young lady’s dress and accessories presentable enough for the honored guests?”

Ling Jingxian produced a smile with some effort. “Shu cousin is beautiful and accomplished; her dress and accessories are entirely appropriate. Of course she would cause no impropriety.”

Bai Yu put on a look of relieved satisfaction. “That is well. It would be a shame, then, to have wasted the eighth young lady’s careful deliberation in choosing.”

Ling Jingxian: “…”

Bai Yu’s fierce protectiveness filled Ling Jingshu with warmth even as it struck her as rather funny. She indulged Bai Yu in nettling Ling Jingxian a little, then said mildly: “It is growing late. We should be on our way to Yonghe Hall.”

Whatever enthusiasm Ling Jingxian had brought with her was by now largely deflated, and she answered in a listless tone.

The two of them walked arm in arm and soon arrived at Yonghe Hall.

By this time, the inner hall was already occupied by a considerable number of people.

The old madam sat, as always, in the place of honor. Today, however, it was not a son or daughter-in-law seated at her side, but her daughter — the Ling family lady, returned from afar after so many years away.

The Ling family lady was twenty-eight years old this year. She had lived in comfort and luxury, with every care taken for her appearance, and she looked younger than her age — her complexion ruddy and glowing. Her features were not especially beautiful, yet her brows and eyes held the bewitching allure of a woman in full bloom.

The slightly upswept tilt at the ends of her brows and the occasional flash of keen intelligence that passed through her eyes bore an unmistakable resemblance to the old madam.

Yet the ruthless and merciless methods she employed were something even the old madam could not hope to match.

For the sake of her own position, she had not hesitated to push her own niece from her maternal family into a hellish situation, and used a child’s life to coerce her into submission. Years later, she had taken three zhang of white silk and strangled her to death with her own hands…

“This must be the daughter of Fifth Brother — Shu Jie’er.” The Ling family lady smiled with a warmth that seemed entirely genuine, her gaze full of kindly goodwill. “Come here quickly — let your aunt have a good look at you.”