"Jiu'er..."
"Miss, Miss, let's go back. This is a man-eating place!"
Wen Jiu watched Wen Xi reveal a mocking smile before collapsing into a pool of blood. Wen Xi clenched her hands, her lips parting as she muttered something... A madwoman. She was a complete madwoman.
"Get the estate physician here immediately! Wen Jinqi, you had best pray that your father-in-law returns and finds Jiu'er safe and sound, otherwise, you can wait for your downfall!" The Old Madam's eyes were rimmed with red from anxiety.
"She didn't even have time to see the room I prepared for her. I am truly an incompetent grandmother. Someone, carry the Eldest Miss to Hibiscus Courtyard, and have the physician come along."
Lady Xie and Wen Ziqi ground their back teeth in fury.
"Mother, slow down, let me support you." Prime Minister Wen assisted the Old Madam toward Hibiscus Courtyard. That had been the former Prime Minister's Wife’s residence; the Old Madam had always kept it cleaned. It seemed it would not be the Second Miss returning there in the future, but the Eldest Miss. The Prime Minister's Estate was about to be shaken to its core.
"Old Madam, you should go back and rest. I have always been the one to tend to the Miss's injuries in the past. You mustn't wear yourself out; the Miss only wishes to be close to you right now."
"Injuries in the past? What injuries?" The Old Madam was very sharp at picking up on details.
"No, nothing. It was just... the Miss was playful, she fell from a tree and got hurt."
Seeing her stammering and unwilling to tell the truth, the Old Madam simply gave up. "Xuanling, was it? How many years have you been with her?"
"Twelve years."
"No wonder. She herself is just a girl not yet fifteen."
"Keep a good watch over her tonight. You have suffered over these years, too. I will grant you a reward tomorrow. The Eldest Miss will be fine, so long as I am here."
"Thank you, Head Maid. I am just heartbroken for the Miss. She has lacked love since she was young, and now that she has returned, she has suffered such a grave wound for my sake. I feel terrible about it."
The Old Madam paused upon hearing this, then walked out of Hibiscus Courtyard with a trembling gait...
Once everyone had finished their tasks, Xuanling ran to Wen Jiu’s side and gazed at her.
Wen Jiu opened her eyes. "Have they all left?"
"Miss, why must you do this? Hurting your own body like this—my heart aches for you. You really must stop acting like a madwoman; you'll frighten me to death."
"No. If I didn't do it this way, they wouldn't know the weight you hold in my heart. If they want to touch you, I will not allow it." This mad beauty was truly ruthless.
"What are you doing? Dealing with those people in the past—when did I ever avoid flesh wounds? This is just a tiny cut and a bit of blood; don’t be so delicate."
"I am coming to apply the medicine."
"Mm. It’s perfect, actually—I can stay behind closed doors for a few days and avoid acting out this family drama with them."
"Miss, what do you think the Old Madam is after? She should have taken in the words I intentionally said today."
"Why dwell on those words? Still, you were clever today; you deserve a reward."
"That goes without saying, I am very clever. This is the fine medicine they gave me, and they even urged me to take good care of you. If I go back now without getting scolded, I'll be lucky."
"Stop playing the victim. Your Miss isn't buying it. If you wait any longer, this wound will already be healed..."
***
"Mother, didn't you say she wouldn't come back alive? She’s already at the estate, and now she’s coming for my position as the legitimate daughter!"
"I underestimated her. I never thought that little wench would be so resilient. I thought she would have died long ago."
"Then what do we do now? Grandmother is set on her being the legitimate daughter, so where does that leave me?"
"What are you panicking about? She’s only just returned and she’s already bedridden. I am the mistress of the Prime Minister’s Estate; isn't it easy to manipulate her? Didn't we successfully raise Wen Xi to be a failure? Rest easy."
"Right. You always think of the long term, Mother."
"Keep your eyes on the long term. However, we must find a way to ruin her marriage with Prince Xiao. Although it hasn't been finalized yet, we should marry her off before it is."
"Grandmother won't agree. She is so biased toward that little slut."
"Silence! A lady of noble birth shouldn't speak such foul words. As for this matter, don't you ask about it. Mother doesn't want you to be tainted by these things; my daughter’s hands must remain clean. Anything that needs to be done can be handled by the servants. Do you hear me?"
"Yes. Then, daughter will take her leave." Just as she reached the door, she bumped into the Prime Minister, who was returning from the Old Madam’s quarters.
"Father, daughter will take her leave."
"Go on, get some rest early."
"My Lord, did Mother say anything?"
"What else could she say? The Defender-General of the State will be arriving in the capital soon. Get her to recover quickly; do not provoke her for the time being."
"We haven't provoked her! She stabbed herself! I cannot take the blame for this."
"I know, Madam. Tell the servants to keep their mouths shut."
"Very well. My Lord should rest, too; you have to go to court tomorrow."
***
Although the Prime Minister’s Estate ordered the servants to keep their mouths shut, the rumors still spread...
There was talk of everything. Some said the stepmother was mistreating the daughter left behind by the first wife, fearing she would steal her own daughter's position. Others said she must be unrefined, coming from the countryside, and had offended people in the Prime Minister's Estate. It was rumored she was on the verge of death and in critical condition.
"Mm, this was done well. They wanted to cover it up, but how could they?"
"Then, Miss, what do you plan to do next? Xuanxing sent word. Look, Miss." Xuanling handed the note to Wen Jiu. Wen Jiu glanced at it and let out a cold scoff. "Ha, so I really have been blocking the path of so many people. No wonder the assassins never stopped. And it’s not just one family—how interesting."
"Miss, please don't smile like that. Whenever you smile like that, I feel like someone is about to be unlucky."
"Is that so?" She lightly brushed over the flowers in the basin, her gaze icy and the corners of her lips curled upward. Very well, very well indeed. She had memorized it all. To think she could entangle so many great clans—the noble families, is it? Then she would find a way to climb up. She would try to climb to the top without relying on the external strength of Xuanying and the others.
***
The next day...
"Old Madam, why have you come? The Miss has taken her medicine and is asleep," Xuanling said, her voice loud enough to serve as a warning.
Wen Jiu hurriedly slipped under the covers and feigned sleep, cursing inwardly—what a miserable life, not a moment of peace.
"Lower your voice. I just came to see her. If she’s asleep, I’ll just take a peek."
"Please, watch your step. Oh, the Eldest Young Master is here, too."
"Don't wake her. You go about your business; we will just look and leave."
"Yes." Xuanling withdrew and stood by the door, not daring to leave.
"Grandmother, she’s asleep, you’ve seen her now. Let’s go back!"
The Old Madam looked at Wen Xi, shook her head, and sat by the bed. "Your mother gave birth to the two of you and left your names behind before passing away. You and Jiu'er had a pair of jade pendants with your names inscribed on them. At the time she was sent away, I was far away at Ling'an Temple. By the time I returned, the matter was settled. I could only write to your maternal grandfather’s family, but it was as if my letters had sunk into the sea. In all these years, not a single letter was received, and no one ever returned. Now that she has returned, I don’t know how she will settle accounts with the Prime Minister's Estate. Jiu'er had only just arrived and was already hanging by a thread, and rumors are running rampant outside."
"She stabbed herself! It has nothing to do with us! I was scared to death."
"Wen Xi, are you a man? Look at your sister lying there on the bed. She hasn't been home for over a decade, and she gets injured the moment she returns. It’s my fault, too..."
"My sister is Wen Ziqi. Although she is one too, I have no affection for her."
"How can you say such heartless things? I usually don't bother to discipline you, but that is your own sister born of the same mother! You scoundrel!" The Old Madam was truly infuriated. Her voice rose, and she slammed her cane against the floor in indignation.