Chapter 3 — Sacrificed by the Heir: Reborn as Yue Zhaoyue to Avenge Sixteen Years of Injustice

"Just try me."

Qing Xing closed the door firmly behind her and dropped to her knees beside my bed with a heavy thud.

"Young Mistress, your servant is useless."

I reached out to stroke her hair. "You stood guard at the door for me; that was already more than enough."

She sobbed as she spoke: "But the Eldest Miss is clearly lying. That night, I went to fetch medicine for you, and on my way back, I saw Zi Su, the Eldest Miss's maid, rushing out of the west wing holding an incense burner."

I stared at her. "Are you certain?"

Qing Xing nodded vigorously. "I am sure of it. Zi Su even bumped into me, and her sleeves reeked of that cloying, sickly-sweet fragrance."

I slowly closed my eyes. In my previous life—the one that ended in my death—I did not learn of this until the very end. That scent was not some poison planted by an outsider. It was Shen Yuntang. She was terrified that Xie Linchu would marry me, so she had laced him with a potent aphrodisiac, intending to step in herself as his salvation. But when the drug took hold, Xie Linchu’s senses failed him, and he took a wrong turn, stumbling straight into my chambers instead.

Afterward, everyone blamed me. They blamed me for being in the room at that exact moment. They blamed me for not calling for help. They blamed me for not simply dying to preserve the tragic, star-crossed love between Xie Linchu and Shen Yuntang. But I had awakened from my slumber too soon—so soon that the incriminating incense burner had not yet been destroyed.

"Qing Xing."

"I am here, my lady."

"Before dawn tomorrow, go to the window at the back of the west wing and dig. If you find signs of disturbed earth, do not alert a single soul."

Qing Xing gritted her teeth. "I understand."

She started to rise, but the voice of Zi Su echoed from just outside the door.

"Second Young Mistress, the Mistress has sent me to bring you some soothing tea."

Qing Xing instantly wiped her tears away. I watched the silhouette flickering against the paper door. Bring it in.

When Zi Su entered the room, her hand was rock steady. She placed the bowl on the table with a docile smile. "The Mistress said that since you were so frightened, this tea will help you sleep soundly."

I asked, "Has my eldest sister had hers?"

Zi Su replied without hesitation, "The Eldest Miss has been suffering from heart pains; the doctor said she cannot consume anything indiscriminately."

I picked up the bowl, catching the faint, bitter scent of additives. Qing Xing’s face drained of color. With a sudden motion, I flung the entire bowl of tea onto the floor. Zi Su let out a sharp cry.

"Second Young Mistress!"

I handed her the empty bowl. "My hand slipped."

Zi Su stared fixedly at the puddle of tea on the floor. The mask of docility on her face began to fracture piece by piece. "Second Young Mistress, this was a gesture of goodwill from the Mistress."

I replied, "Then you should lick it clean to show your gratitude on my behalf."

Zi Su turned ghostly pale. Qing Xing stepped forward, shielding me. "What is the matter? The Mistress has such a kind heart, are you, a mere servant, going to turn your nose up at it?"

Zi Su clutched the empty bowl. It was a long time before she could force out the words: "This servant would not dare."

When she turned to leave, her footsteps were frantic and uneven. I leaned back against my pillows, my stomach churning with nausea. In my past life, I had drunk that tea. When I woke up, my throat was raw and voiceless for three days. I missed the chance to speak with the envoys from the Princess’s estate. They all whispered that I was hiding out of guilt. This time, I would not give them another chance to silence me.

After several days of recuperation, the Princess invited me to her estate for a banquet. She held the gathering at the Pavilion of Radiant Snow, preparing the sweet-scented osmanthus wine and lotus-root pastries I loved most. Her words and gestures were overflowing with intimacy.

"I have long heard that the daughter of Minister Shen was both dignified and wise. Seeing you today, it is clear the rumors do not do you justice. If I had a daughter like you as my daughter-in-law, I would surely have to light a few more eternal lamps before the Buddha."

She smiled at me. "I hear from Xie Linchu that your birthday is approaching. Is there anything you desire?"

The atmosphere was truly pleasant. I had a few more cups of wine, and my cheeks burned with heat. I felt a reckless urge, fueled by the alcohol, to ask for a connection between myself and Xie Linchu.

"Your Highness, this humble daughter dares to request a union."

Xie Linchu was sitting directly across from me. He tightened his grip on his wine cup, his brow frosting over with coldness. If I insisted on marrying him, would he truly be heartless enough to let me end up riddled with arrows?

In my dreams, after I married him, my eldest sister had threatened suicide, making such a scene that the entire capital knew. The Princess had been furious and ordered her to go to the Convent of Tranquil Hearts to repent. Who could have guessed that Xie Linchu, disregarding the prestige of the Prince’s estate, would force his way into the convent to take her back?

He loved her. Even if it meant enduring the judgment of the entire world, he wanted her. His life had always been smooth sailing; there had never been anything he wanted that he could not have. But things handed to one on a silver platter are never as precious as the things one fights to claim. His love for my sister, repeatedly thwarted, had only grown into a legendary tale sung by all. It was no longer merely a romance—it had become the glorious moment he stood alone against the weight of tradition. My sister was the pearl in his palm, the living proof of his defiance.