Third Young Miss, Second Young Miss, she...

Jiang Xueyu was momentarily stunned, not expecting Jiang Shuwan to be so direct. Collecting her thoughts, she looked at her with a feigned expression of guilt.

"Sister, I invited you out today to apologize. Father has already reprimanded me for what I did."

"As long as you know you were wrong, sister. You must never harbor malicious intentions against others again, or you will only end up harming yourself," Jiang Shuwan replied with an ambiguous smile.

Jiang Xueyu felt a pang of anxiety. Could Jiang Shuwan have discovered something? But she quickly dismissed the thought, convinced her plan had been executed so perfectly that no one could possibly know. Composing her expression, she nodded submissively.

"Sister is right." She pushed the teacup slightly closer to Jiang Shuwan. "Please, have some tea. I know you love magnolia blossoms, so I specifically ordered this magnolia tea for you."

"You are very thoughtful, sister." Jiang Shuwan smiled and lifted the cup to her lips.

Jiang Xueyu watched her drink, a look of immense triumph playing on her lips. She thought to herself, *Jiang Shuwan, you bullied me; soon, you won't be able to smile ever again.*

After finishing the tea, Jiang Shuwan took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed the corners of her mouth.

"This tea you ordered is truly delicious." Jiang Shuwan noticed the empty cup in front of Jiang Xueyu and turned to the maid standing nearby. "Liusu, the Second Young Miss's cup is empty. Pour her some tea."

"Yes, Miss."

Liusu reached for the teapot. Jiang Shuwan shot her a sidelong glance, and Liusu lowered her eyes, pouring a full cup of floral tea. Once finished, she stepped toward Jiang Xueyu. "Second Young Miss, please have some tea."

As soon as she spoke, the tea in her hand tilted, spilling directly onto Jiang Xueyu. The scalding liquid forced Jiang Xueyu to jump up, her clothes instantly soaked.

Liusu began patting her clothes, looking apologetic. "Second Young Miss, I didn't mean to. Let me wipe it for you."

"Get away!" Furious, Jiang Xueyu shoved Liusu hard, sending her stumbling.

Jiang Shuwan glared at her maid. "Liusu, what is the matter with you? You are so clumsy, soaking my sister’s clothes. Be careful or I will deal with you when we return."

Liusu hung her head, looking like a wrongdoer. "I am sorry, Miss. I will be more careful in the future."

"That will not do. You have bullied my sister; I must take you back to the manor to be punished." Jiang Shuwan reached out to grab Liusu’s arm.

Jiang Xueyu, who had been furious, saw Jiang Shuwan's reaction and quickly stepped forward to block her. "Sister, she didn't mean it. Please, forgive her. I am fine now."

Jiang Shuwan looked at her with suspicion. To prove she was unhurt, Jiang Xueyu pointed to the wet patch on her clothes and smiled. "It is just a little wet, not much at all."

Jiang Shuwan glanced at the stain, which covered a third of Jiang Xueyu’s chest, and a smile curled on her lips. "Then I am relieved." She turned to reprimand Liusu. "My sister has interceded for you, so I will let you off today. If there is a next time, you will certainly be punished."

"Yes," Liusu murmured, head bowed.

Jiang Shuwan picked up the cup in front of her and poured a fresh cup for Jiang Xueyu. "Sister, since your clothes are wet, drink some tea so you don't catch a chill."

Jiang Xueyu glanced at the cup, smiled, and picked it up. "Thank you, sister."

"Sister, once I return, shall I have a new set of clothes sent to you?"

"No need, no need." Jiang Xueyu finished the tea and smiled.

After drinking, she rubbed the cup in her hands, her peripheral vision fixed on Liusu with a look of malice. Suddenly, she felt a wave of dizziness; her vision blurred, and her head grew heavy. Before she could react, she slumped forward onto the table.

"Miss, the Second Young Miss..." Liusu said in surprise.

Jiang Shuwan put a finger to her lips and whispered, "Don't speak. Let's go."

Liusu seemed to understand. She gathered her skirts and carefully slipped out. As soon as they opened the door, Jiang Shuwan saw Jiang Xueyu’s maid, Liutiao, standing there. She instructed her, "Your mistress accidentally wet her clothes; go and buy her a new set."

Liutiao was confused. Why would Jiang Shuwan tell her to go instead of Jiang Xueyu herself?

"Are you not going yet? If your mistress catches a cold, you will be the one to suffer the consequences." Jiang Shuwan put on a stern face.

Thinking of how terrifying Jiang Xueyu could be when angry, Liutiao trembled. "I will go at once, Miss." She turned and hurried away.

Jiang Shuwan led Liusu away quickly. As they walked through the hallway, it was deserted. Jiang Shuwan kept her head slightly bowed, a mocking smile on her lips. Suddenly, she bumped into something.

"Who are you..." an angry voice rang out.

Jiang Shuwan looked up to see a man dressed in cyan robes. He had a somewhat round face, with a small lock of hair hanging over his right eye, while the rest was held up by a hair crown.

The man swallowed the insult he was about to utter, his voice cutting off abruptly as his eyes lit up. He rarely saw a woman as beautiful as the one standing before him, with her fair skin and pink quilted jacket.

"Miss, are you alright?" the man asked with a smile.

A glint flashed in Jiang Shuwan's eyes. She nodded slightly. "I am fine. My apologies for bumping into you, sir." With that, she walked past him with long strides.

The man watched her retreating figure, a lecherous grin on his face. "To think there is such a beauty in the capital, and I knew nothing of her." He stared longingly at her back until she disappeared, then proceeded forward.

After a few steps, he noticed the door to a private room was open, and a woman was slumped over the table, seemingly asleep. His eyes brightened as he approached. Though she wasn't as stunning as the woman from before, she was still quite delicate. He looked around and saw that the place was empty.

A grin spread across his face. Without even closing the door, he picked up Jiang Xueyu and carried her toward the bed.

Not far away, Jiang Shuwan watched the scene unfold with a cold sneer.

"Miss, isn't that the person we just bumped into?" Liusu asked, bewildered.

Jiang Shuwan nodded. "Yes, that is the Fourth Prince, Prince An."

"Isn't that letting the Second Young Miss off too easily?" Liusu asked.

"You cannot judge a person by their appearance. Prince An appears gentle and virtuous, known as a 'benevolent prince.' But in private, he has dozens of concubines, half of whom have died or been maimed. Can you guess why?"

"Miss, how do you know this?" Liusu was shocked. Jiang Shuwan rarely stepped outside the manor, let alone the inner chambers. How did she know about the Prince's private affairs?

Jiang Shuwan paused, her mind racing as she thought of how to explain her knowledge of Prince An to her maid.