“As a concubine, or even as a serving maid?” Yunyi said painfully, “Unable to wear formal red for your entire life, suppressed by the principal wife for your entire life, even the children you bear would be inferior to others. To speak of recent examples, take Second Madam – yes, Second Madam appears quite prestigious, holding power in the manor, but look – do any of First Young Master, Second Young Master, or Third Young Master truly respect her? Even so, Second Madam has already paid a great price for this. And Third Madam, she…” Yunyi stopped the words at her lips and said instead, “What she has paid is even more painful than Second Madam. Caiping, is this the life you want?” Although Yunyi mainly hoped Caiping wouldn’t become entangled with Li Xuanba because of the situation the Li family faced, these were all truths without a single false word. A concubine, no matter how capable, would always be inferior.

Jiang Caiping said irritably, “Sister, don’t pressure me. I haven’t thought that far ahead. Right now… I just feel happy being with Third Young Master.”

“I know these things seem distant, but they are exactly what you’ll have to face in the future, whether you want to think about it or not! The life of a concubine is far more difficult than you imagine.” After a pause, she said, “Better to endure short pain than long pain. While the feelings aren’t deep yet, cut the emotional ties in time.”

Jiang Caiping’s body trembled, and she instinctively wanted to shake her head, but… she knew in her heart that Yunyi was telling the truth and meant well for her. In the past, there had been a woman in their village, beautiful as a flower, who married into a wealthy family as a concubine. At first, she was very favored, wearing gold and silver quite magnificently. Even her family members strutted proudly and smugly in the village. But the good times only lasted a few years before the master took in another woman more beautiful and younger than her, treating her with increasing coldness day by day. Unwilling to accept this, she cried and made scenes daily, finally annoying the master so much that he locked her up. Later, somehow she was said to have gone mad and was sent back with a divorce letter. Those past years were like a fleeting dream, and after awakening, she returned to her original state.

Would Li Xuanba treat her the same way? No, he wouldn’t – he wasn’t that kind of person. But… who could say for certain what would happen over the next several decades? Moreover, Second Madam already had opinions about her and probably wouldn’t show her any kindness in the future.

“Furthermore, your nature is straightforward and honest, not suitable for life in these deep courtyards. Caiping, listen to sister’s advice – stop early before you sink too deep…” Before she could finish, Jiang Caiping had already turned around and thrown herself into her embrace, burying her face and sobbing, “Sister, my heart hurts!”

Yunyi stroked Jiang Caiping’s soft hair and comforted her gently, “Sister understands. Everything will pass.” As she said this, her own heart ached faintly. Didn’t she have feelings for Li Shimin too? But they were destined… to be enemies only.

She wondered, when Li Shimin learned she was an assassin, would he kill her without hesitation?

That night, both squeezed together on one bed, neither speaking, neither sleeping, their eyes open until dawn.

The next day, as soon as they opened the door, they saw Zhang Jiu standing outside holding an octagonal lotus lantern. Seeing Jiang Caiping come out, he smiled and called, “Miss Jiang.”

Jiang Caiping recognized him as Li Xuanba’s steward. She nodded, “Is Steward Zhang looking for me?”

“Yes.” Zhang Jiu said politely, “Miss Jiang forgot to take this lotus lantern when you left last night. Third Young Master specially ordered me to bring it and asks Miss Jiang to accept it.”

Jiang Caiping instinctively reached for the lotus lantern, but stopped just as her fingers were about to touch it. Her eyes showed internal struggle, and after a long while, she withdrew her hand and said tremblingly under Zhang Jiu’s surprised gaze, “Thank you for your trouble, Steward Zhang, but this lantern… please take it back.”

Zhang Jiu asked puzzledly, “Why is this, Miss Jiang? Didn’t you like this lantern very much?”

Jiang Caiping closed her eyes and spoke words contrary to her feelings, “That was last night. Now… I no longer like it. Also, please tell Third Young Master that he… should not come looking for me anymore.”

She had ultimately listened to Yunyi’s words and strangled this budding affection. As Yunyi had said, for two people of mismatched social standing to join hands for life was truly too difficult – so difficult she had no confidence.

“Miss Jiang, you…” Zhang Jiu hadn’t expected that delivering a lantern would lead to such a development.

Afraid that staying longer would let Zhang Jiu see something amiss, Jiang Caiping hastily bowed and said hoarsely, “I still need to go to the music hall. I must take my leave.”

After hurrying dozens of steps away, Jiang Caiping suddenly stopped, tears dropping one after another from those bright eyes. Yunyi gently patted her back, “If you want to cry, then cry it out.”

She thought Jiang Caiping would sob loudly, but instead the latter forcefully wiped her face and shook her head, “I’m fine. Sister, don’t worry.”

Seeing her like this, Yunyi’s heart also ached terribly, but… for Caiping’s good, she had to do this.

That day, Caiping was unusually quiet, completely lacking her usual bright and cheerful demeanor. During rest periods, she would sit alone in a daze. Several dancers who were usually close to her noticed her condition and came to inquire, but she only shook her head saying it was nothing.

At evening, after they finished practicing dance and were heading back, Jiang Caiping suddenly gripped Yunyi’s hand tightly with a panicked expression, “I… I remembered I left my handkerchief at the music hall. Sister, come with me to get it.”

Yunyi asked puzzledly, “Isn’t your handkerchief in your hand?”

Jiang Caiping looked down and indeed saw her left hand clutching a handkerchief that had long been wrinkled. She forced a smile and said uneasily, “Anyway, let’s go back first.”

Just as she turned around, an angry voice came from behind, “Jiang Caiping, are you avoiding me?”

The speaker was Li Xuanba. Caiping had just seen him and made the excuse about leaving something behind to return to the music hall. Li Xuanba approached Jiang Caiping with a stern, angular face and immediately asked, “Why didn’t you accept that lantern, and why did you tell me not to come looking for you anymore?”

Jiang Caiping nervously twisted her handkerchief and only said hesitantly after a long while, “I… I spoke clearly to Steward Zhang. I don’t like… don’t like that lantern.”

Li Xuanba was truly concerned about the latter statement. Seeing Jiang Caiping never answering, he asked, “What about me? How have I displeased Miss Jiang?”

At this time, people were coming and going here, and seeing Li Xuanba, they all looked this way, making Jiang Caiping extremely uncomfortable. She said quietly, “I… I’ll tell you another time.”

Li Xuanba also realized this wasn’t the place to talk and grabbed Jiang Caiping’s hand, “Come with me!”