Chapter 3
In our dynasty, twins were taboo, considered a terrible omen.
The moment I was born, the elders of the clan wanted to drown me to preserve the family’s good name.
Grandmother took off the robes of her imperial rank and went alone to the Temple of National Protection to pray for ten years in exchange for my safety.
Later, when I burned the study and caused such an uproar that I was branded a curse, she staked her own life on mine. Only then was I sent to the estate instead of to my death.
For the next ten years, I studied military strategy, practiced with blades and spears, and debated affairs of state at the estate. Grandmother secretly hired the masters and scholars who taught me in person.
Others said I was born ill-fated. Grandmother said my fate lay in my own hands, not in other people’s mouths.
She was the only person in the entire Yun family who wanted me to live well.
If she was in danger, I would not hesitate to wipe out the entire Pei family.
What I hadn’t expected
was that the moment I stepped through the Yun residence’s gate, Yun Hanzhang would raise a handkerchief to a face almost identical to mine and cry out:
“Brother, how did you end up like this?
“Did my sister resent being troubled and take it out on you?”
Her hateful gaze swept over my face, and a sob crept into her voice.
“It’s my fault for being useless. I’ve made you worry and suffer humiliation for me.”
Yun Cimu glanced at me and comforted her softly.
“I was careless. It had nothing to do with anyone else.”
“I’ve begged our sister to come home. You won’t have to suffer at the Peis’ hands anymore.”
Yun Hanzhang’s hand tightened around her handkerchief. She cried even harder.
“But was it worth suffering such indignity for me?”
Yun Cimu frowned slightly.
“Compared with the peril of the Pei household, a little physical pain is nothing.”
Her eyes reddened.
“You’re always the best to me, Brother.”
She glanced at me, deliberately showing off.
“Don’t take it to heart, Sister. He’s been like this since we were children. He cherishes me and guards me like the apple of his eye. Even Father and Mother can’t compare with his devotion, much less any stray cat or dog.”
Her veiled insult was all but poking me in the face. I turned toward her.
“Your brother does love you. When he knelt and begged me to come back and take your place, I beat him bloody, and he didn’t dare fight back once.”
Her smug expression froze.
“My brother has practiced martial arts since childhood. He knows how to fight. If you hadn’t used your unnatural strength to ambush him, how could you have hurt him so badly?”
“To think you care so little for your own flesh and blood. You made our brother beg you, covered in wounds, before you would come home. You’re truly cruel.”
“Had I known, I would rather have died than let a grown man like my brother be trampled and humiliated on my behalf.”
She froze.
I had abruptly turned, pulled a length of silk from the plaque over the gate, thrown it over a branch, and tied a firm knot. In moments, I had prepared the noose for the death she wanted.
Then I sincerely invited her to use it.
“A useless thing who can’t even control her own fiancé, who shuts the gate and throws her weight around at home by trampling her sister’s flesh and blood. After all these years, your tricks for winning affection and poisoning people against me are still just as cheap and vile. If I were you, I’d want to hang myself and be done with it too.”
“Don’t just cry for sympathy. For once, I’ll be generous. The noose is ready. Come on. Show me how you’ll die.”
“I promise, once you’re dead, no one in this house will go around stirring up trouble. They won’t keep asking for a beating. Your dear brother certainly won’t dare provoke me lightly. He might even manage a few more years of life.”
Pale-faced, Yun Hanzhang instinctively backed away two steps.
“Can you truly not tolerate my existence, Sister?”
“You’ve only just returned, and already you’re cutting off my escape and forcing me to die. I—ah!”
Before she could finish, I seized her by the throat and dragged her toward the noose.
Yun Cimu blanched.
He was about to reach out
when I snapped my head around and cut him a look.
“Try it, if you haven’t learned.”
The murderous intent was so fierce that all color drained from his face. He dared not move.
Yun Hanzhang was like a chicken about to have its throat slit. My grip choked her face red, but she was too weak to break free.
I loosened my hand. She had only just drawn a breath
when I hoisted her into the noose.
Her feet kicked wildly. Her eyes bulged.
She struggled so hard that her embroidered shoes flew away. Where was the quiet dignity of a well-bred young lady that our parents were forever praising?
I folded my arms and watched without emotion.
“You never mean what you say. You’re so good at moving your lips and taking everything from someone else.
“You fell down the steps and cried, ‘My sister’s wet nurse didn’t mean it.’ The only nurse who protected me was driven from the house.
“You looked envious and said how pretty my hairpin was. The one keepsake Grandmother had sent me from the temple was snatched away and put into your hands. You promptly gave it to a servant who did rough work in your courtyard.
“You flung yourself into Yun Cimu’s arms and wept that you shouldn’t have wanted my hairpin. That set the brainless fool threatening to beat and kill me.
“You lay in bed pretending to be ill and told Father you dreamed an immortal had come to take you away. That convinced our parents I was your curse. They even drugged me to send me to the estate.”
“A few words from you could leave me with nothing. You’ve enjoyed the rewards of saying whatever you please. Today I’ll show you what it means for your words to become law.”
“You want to die? I’ll oblige.”
As my words fell, a desperate scream rang out behind me.