In deep winter, the plum blossoms in the backyard of the Marquis Manor were in full bloom. I stood in the corridor, gazing at that splash of crimson, my fingertips trembling slightly from the cold. A maid's footsteps sounded from behind; she was holding a fox-fur cloak and said softly, "My lady, it's cold, please put this on." I turned to look at her—it was Xiao Cui, a maid from my mother's quarters, her eyes filled with concern. I shook my head gently and looked back out into the distance.
"Jiang Li, what are you doing here?" An arrogant voice rang out. I didn't need to turn around to know it was my legitimate eldest sister, Jiang Rou. She was dressed in a lavish brocade robe and adorned with exquisite hair ornaments, flanked by two maids, looking at me with utter disdain. I lowered my eyelids and curtsied respectfully. "Greetings, Eldest Sister." Jiang Rou sneered. "A concubine-born daughter is still a concubine-born daughter. Dressed so shabbily, aren't you afraid of humiliating the Marquis Manor?" With that, she flicked her sleeve and walked away, leaving a trail of fragrant breeze in her wake.
I clenched my fists, my nails almost digging into my palms. Concubine-born, concubine-born—this identity was like a shackle, preventing me from ever holding my head high within the Marquis Manor. But I was not resigned. I wanted to change all of this; I wanted wealth and status, and I wanted to become the most exalted person in this realm.
Chapter 37