Chapter 24

Zhang Jincan used this kind of base method as nothing more than a silent act of resistance-she wanted to tell the Empress that she had no interest whatsoever in the position of Crown Princess.

The two of us were sent back home, and everyone in the family was shocked.

Everyone understood that Zhang Jincan was now out of the running for Crown Princess. At this moment, however, Yin Jiuqing told my father that he would give me a proper status.

I don’t know what my father imagined, but after Yin Jiuqing left, he slapped me to the ground. “Unfilial daughter! How dare you set your sights on the Crown Prince? He was supposed to be your brother-in-law! You’ve always been so ambitious since childhood, always wanting to compete with Cancan. And now you’ve done something so shameless. None of the outstanding young men chosen for you were good enough-so you had other plans all along!”

“Enough.” I got up from the ground, rubbing my numb cheek, and burst out laughing. “Why don’t you ask your precious daughter what she did? Wasn’t it you who wanted me to be Zhang Jincan’s Maid? Wasn’t it you who insisted I accompany her into the palace?”

“Even so, you shouldn’t have borne resentment because of it, much less taken the opportunity to seduce the Crown Prince.”

He looked at me coldly, passing judgment with just a few words.

“Do you think the palace is a good place? With your temperament, how many days do you think you’d survive there? Since you chose this path yourself, don’t complain about whatever happens to you.”

Complain? Who would ever listen to my complaints? When have I ever received any care in this family?

“Zhang Jincan, why won’t you say anything?” I went mad, straddling her and slapping her face again and again, wishing I could kill her right then and there.

She didn’t resist, just let me hit her, wide-eyed and crying in fear.

“Zhang Qiuhe, have you lost your mind?” Zhang Zhaoheng strode in from outside, roared, and pushed me to the ground, pulling Zhang Jincan into his arms and looking down at me with utter disgust. “After doing something so shameless, you dare lay a hand on Cancan? I truly wish I could beat you to death.”

Zhang Jincan seemed terrified, clinging to her brother and crying nonstop in his arms.

My father locked me in the Ancestral Hall again, ordering me to reflect on my mistakes.

I reflected for a long time. I shouldn’t have believed Zhang Jincan’s lies, shouldn’t have drunk the wine she gave me, shouldn’t have been swayed by her calling me ‘sister.’

But thinking about it, Zhang Jincan actually helped me in a way-she indirectly helped me realize my wish. I shouldn’t hate her; in fact, I ought to thank her.

Maybe I was being melodramatic, but I just couldn’t feel happy. That feeling of being trampled and humiliated surged up again and again, impossible to suppress.

Kneeling in the Ancestral Hall, I sometimes dreamed of Li Rongchuan tearing at my clothes; sometimes I dreamed of my father beating Liu Chaoming to death; I dreamed of Yin Jiuqing glaring at me, calling me shameless.

It’s not that I craved power and status so much-if only no one bullied me, I could be content with that. If only someone would care about me, that would be enough.

I really envy Zhang Jincan; she has a father, a mother, and even a brother.

As for me, I have nothing.

The Ancestral Hall was damp and cold. Even though it was June, I was shivering all over.

No one brought me food. By nightfall, I was already dizzy.

“Uncle, I already said I will take her as my side consort. Why are you still treating her like this?”

The door of the Ancestral Hall opened, and someone gently picked me up. He carried me steadily; as we left the hall, I seemed to glimpse the bright moonlight.

My mind was already hazy, but I knew it was Yin Jiuqing.

“Crown Prince Brother, I know you truly look down on me, but it doesn’t matter. You said you’d give me a status, and that’s enough. Thank you, still.”

Clinging to him didn’t feel so bad, after all.

With his personality, no matter how much he despises me, at least in front of others he’ll save me some dignity so I won’t be so humiliated.

That’s enough.