Morning light filtered through the carved window lattices, casting mottled shadows across the blue-brick floor. Jiang Wan sat before a bronze mirror, letting Lü'e pin the final pearl hair tassel into her hair. In the reflection, the young woman’s crimson lips were pressed slightly together; the fragility that had marked her yesterday had faded, replaced by a touch of chilling sharpness.
"Miss, it is getting late. It is time to go to the front hall to pay respects to the Old Madame," Lü'e whispered a reminder.
Jiang Wan nodded slightly and rose slowly. She had specifically chosen a moon-white ru-skirt, embroidered with elegant orchids along the hem, which made her appearance look all the more refined and ethereal.
Just as she reached the corner of the corridor, the sound of hurried, light footsteps approached. Jiang Wan’s lips curled upward, a flash of realization crossing her eyes—what was meant to come had arrived.
"Sister!" A delicate cry rang out suddenly.
Jiang Wan looked up to see Jiang Rou, dressed in a peach-colored ru-skirt and sporting a brand-new jade hairpin in her hair, sprinting toward her. Her eyes were filled with feigned panic, but her steps were unsteady—it was clearly a performance.
As Jiang Rou reached Jiang Wan, she suddenly stumbled, throwing her entire body toward her.
If this were the Jiang Wan of her past life, she would have instinctively reached out to catch her, only to be dragged down and accused of "pushing her younger half-sister."
But in this life, Jiang Wan was prepared. She shifted her body slightly, gracefully dodging Jiang Rou’s lunge.
Jiang Rou hit nothing but air and landed on the floor with a heavy thud, her hair disheveled and her face frozen in shock. She never imagined that her sister, who had always been defenseless against her, would dodge today.
"Second Miss, are you alright?" Xiaotao, the maid to the side, rushed forward to assist her.
Jiang Rou shoved Xiaotao aside, her eyes filled with venom as she glared at Jiang Wan. "Sister, why did you push me? I came here out of kindness to invite you to pay respects to the Old Madame together, yet you are so heartless!"
Jiang Wan frowned slightly, looking innocent. "What is my sister talking about? I was standing here perfectly still and did not touch you at all. How could it be that I pushed you?"
"You... you clearly dodged on purpose!" Seeing that several servants had gathered around, Jiang Rou decided to make a scene. "You have always looked down on me, and today you finally found an opportunity to humiliate me, didn't you?"
"Second Miss, watch your words." Jiang Wan’s tone was calm, yet carried undeniable authority. "There is a strict distinction between the primary and secondary lines. As the legitimate daughter, how could I act in such a way that compromises my status? It is you, Sister, who is so clumsy. If you were to bump into the Old Madame, what kind of crime would that be?"
The servants nearby began to whisper to one another. Everyone knew that Jiang Wan was the daughter of the primary wife, while Jiang Rou was the daughter of a concubine. In the past, Jiang Rou had often thrown her weight around, relying on Madame Li’s favoritism, which had long since earned her resentment.
"Sister, how... how could you say that to me?" Jiang Rou’s face turned bright red, tears welling in her eyes. "I just tripped by accident, and you are being so aggressive. Are you still my sister?"
"I am naturally your sister, which is why I am warning you." Jiang Wan stepped forward, her tone softening, yet every word was cutting. "If you continue to make such scenes in inappropriate places, others will only say that our Marquis Manor lacks proper upbringing, and when that happens, Father and the Old Madame will lose face."
Jiang Rou bit her lip, filled with anger and resentment. She had hoped to use this opportunity to make Jiang Wan look foolish in front of everyone, but instead, she had been outmaneuvered.
"Enough, why is everyone gathering here?" A stern voice suddenly rang out.
Everyone turned to see Nanny Liu, the head steward of the manor. Her face was grim as she swept her gaze over Jiang Wan and Jiang Rou. "Eldest Miss, Second Miss, the Old Madame is still waiting for you to pay your respects. If you miss the time, can you afford the consequences?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Rou quickly stood up, smoothed her clothes, and said with a grievance-filled tone, "Nanny Liu, Sister she..."
"Second Miss," Nanny Liu interrupted, "The Old Madame detests infighting between sisters. If you have any grievances, it can wait until after you have paid your respects."
Jiang Rou opened her mouth but ended up swallowing her words. She glared at Jiang Wan with hatred before turning to walk toward the front hall.
Jiang Wan smiled slightly and bowed to Nanny Liu. "Thank you for the assist, Nanny Liu."
Nanny Liu looked at Jiang Wan, a flash of surprise in her eyes. In her memory, Jiang Wan had always been a foolish girl, obsessed with the Crown Prince and indifferent to the manor's affairs. This response, however, made her see her in a new light.
"You are too kind, Eldest Miss. I am only doing my duty." Nanny Liu paused before adding, "However, I would still advise you: things have not been peaceful in the manor lately. You would do well to keep your guard up."
Jiang Wan felt a warmth in her heart, knowing this was a sincere warning. She nodded. "Thank you for the reminder, Nanny Liu. I will remember it."
With that, she followed toward the front hall.
In the front hall, the Old Madame sat in the main seat, drinking tea. Madame Li sat to the side. When they saw Jiang Wan and Jiang Rou enter, a meaningful smile appeared on Madame Li’s face.
"Greetings to the Old Madame, greetings to Mother." Jiang Wan and Jiang Rou bowed in unison.
The Old Madame set down her teacup, her gaze scanning them before she furrowed her brows. "Rou'er, what happened to you? Why are you in such a state?"
Jiang Rou immediately threw herself into Madame Li’s arms, sobbing, "Grandmother, Sister... she bullied me! I went to find her out of kindness, wanting to come pay respects to you with her, but she dodged on purpose and caused me to fall."
Madame Li patted Jiang Rou’s back, her face full of heartache. "Old Madame, look at this... Wan'er has always been dissatisfied with Rou'er. To do this today is simply going too far."
Jiang Wan remained composed. She stepped forward, bowed, and said in a calm voice, "Grandmother, Mother, I fear my sister has misunderstood. I was standing at the corner of the corridor when my sister suddenly ran over and tripped. Before I could even react, she had already fallen. If I truly intended to bully her, why would I have stood there waiting to be misunderstood?"
Hearing this, the Old Madame turned her gaze toward Jiang Wan, a hint of contemplation in her eyes. She had been in the Marquis Manor for many years and had seen all manner of schemes. She knew what Jiang Rou’s temperament was like.
"Enough, you are sisters; what kind of conduct is this, bickering like this?" The Old Madame waved her hand. "Rou'er, be more careful when walking in the future; do not be so rash. Wan'er, you are the older sister; you should be more accommodating."
"Yes, Grandmother," Jiang Wan and Jiang Rou answered simultaneously.
Jiang Wan sneered inwardly, though she maintained a respectful and submissive appearance. The Old Madame’s attempt to play the peacemaker was, in fact, a clear signal of her stance—she did not believe Jiang Rou’s side of the story.
After the greetings concluded, Jiang Wan was about to leave when Madame Li called her back.
"Wan'er, stay a moment," Madame Li said with a smile, though her eyes were as cold as blades. "Your father has been overworked lately because of the manor’s business. As the legitimate daughter, you should care more about the affairs of the household instead of only thinking about romance all day."
Jiang Wan felt a stir in her heart, knowing Madame Li was trying to pressure her. In her past life, it was because she had been entirely focused on the Crown Prince and indifferent to the manor's affairs that Madame Li and Jiang Rou had been able to seize control.
"Mother is right. I will take it to heart," Jiang Wan bowed. "I have actually been thinking about how to help my father share his burdens. I heard that the farmstead west of the city is having trouble collecting rent. Would you allow me to go take a look?"
Madame Li froze, surprise and suspicion flashing in her eyes. She had not expected Jiang Wan to voluntarily offer to manage household affairs.
"This..." Madame Li hesitated and looked toward the Old Madame. "Old Madame, what do you think?"
The Old Madame frowned slightly. After a moment of thought, she said, "Since Wan'er has this intent, let her try. However, find a capable steward to accompany her, so nothing goes wrong."
"Yes, Old Madame." Jiang Wan’s heart filled with joy, and she quickly accepted.
This was an opportunity—a chance to change her father’s perception of her and a chance to establish a firm foothold in the Marquis Manor.
After exiting the front hall, Jiang Wan felt exceptionally lighthearted. She knew she had taken the first step toward her reversal.
Meanwhile, in another courtyard, Jiang Rou was before her bronze mirror, madly throwing objects.
"Jiang Wan! You wretch! How dare you defy me!" Jiang Rou was flushed with anger. "I will make you pay!"
Madame Li frowned, her eyes dark. "Rou'er, do not be impatient. She is only reveling in a moment of victory. Once she goes to the farmstead west of the city, there will be plenty of ways to make her stumble."
Jiang Rou’s eyes flashed with malice. "Mother is right. She thinks that by managing the farmstead, she can stand firm in the manor? Hmph, I want to see just what kind of waves she can make!"
A new battle was about to unfold in the Marquis Manor. And Jiang Wan, she was already prepared. She would make sure everyone knew that in this life, the legitimate daughter of the Dingbei Marquis Manor was no longer a soft persimmon for anyone to squeeze!