Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Mother’s words struck like hammer blows, shattering my jealous heart piece by piece.

For some time afterward, I turned those words over and over in my mind before I finally glimpsed the clarity and ruthlessness of a woman who had survived the inner courtyard.

If one failed at her studies, there was still room to cover it up. But if one took a single wrong step in matters of propriety, there would be no coming back.

Mother had just given birth to Third Sister, and the mansion was full of concubine-born sons and daughters circling around us.

If I did not change, then even as the legitimate daughter, I would end up an abandoned piece.

Once I understood this, I gave nothing away on my face. Quietly, I repaired my relationship with Eldest Sister, seeming even warmer and closer to her than before.

When she went to the study again, I never asked a single extra question.

I simply kept to my place and did what I ought to do.

Eldest Sister noticed my change and tested me with a smile.

“Huihui, your schoolwork has improved quite a bit lately. Shall I present it to Father for you? Father is sure to be pleased.”

I smiled gently and shook my head.

“The tutor will report my lessons to Father in due course. It is only my duty. I would not dare trouble you, Sister, much less presume too much of myself.”

Eldest Sister’s smile deepened. “My Huihui really has grown up.”

Since I could not match her in literary talent, I would work hard at conduct instead.

The Prime Minister’s Mansion had always been known for treating its servants with leniency, so I carried that leniency to the extreme.

Nanny Li still often prattled on about Eldest Sister’s faults, and listening to her irritated me.

Perhaps she truly did have my interests at heart.

But I had no need for someone at my side who knew only how to stir up gossip, accomplished nothing, and saw no farther than the end of her nose.

I found a suitable excuse, reported it to Mother, drew three hundred taels of silver, and sent her out of the mansion in dignity to enjoy her old age.

Mother was smiling as she played with Third Sister in her swaddling clothes.

When she lifted her eyes to look at me, a flicker of approval passed through them. “Do as you see fit.”

Spring passed into winter, and by then I had woven this virtue of mine into brocade and draped it firmly over my shoulders.

I greeted everyone with a ready smile, warm and amiable, without the slightest trace of arrogance.

Toward those beneath me, I was lenient to the bone.

Gradually, the entire household came to know that the easiest assignments were the ones in the Second Young Lady’s quarters.

Even if someone made a small mistake, she would almost always forgive it.

Such tolerance was nowhere to be found with my proud Eldest Sister.

As for every servant I had met, I could call each one accurately by name.

I no longer deliberately sought Father’s favor. Instead, when he occasionally asked after me, I earned a rare word of praise.

“Good. This is what a daughter of my Prime Minister’s Mansion should be.”

I lowered myself in a graceful bow, my posture humble. “A slow bird must start early. These are all things your daughter ought to do.”

Just as I was about to take my leave, I drew a deep breath, knelt, and reported,

“Your daughter has heard of the Yellow River floods, and of the common people displaced from their homes. I am willing to eat vegetarian meals for one year and donate all my hairpins and ornaments, to offer what little help I can.”

I kept my head bowed, not daring to look at Father’s expression. I only felt a heavy, assessing gaze fall upon me.

Eldest Sister reacted very quickly and immediately knelt as well. “Your daughter wishes the same.”

Father’s voice carried a trace of comfort. “It is rare that you both possess such benevolent hearts.”

After we stepped out of the study, Eldest Sister’s smile faded slightly.

“Since Second Sister had such intentions, why did you not tell me earlier? Now it makes me, your elder sister, seem indifferent to the people’s suffering.”

I affectionately linked my arm through hers, my smile flawless.

“Forgive me, Sister. I only happened to glimpse the memorial on Father’s desk just now, so the thought came to me on the spot. We are girls of the inner chambers and cannot support the state as Father and our brothers do. Donating a few worldly possessions is merely our duty.”

“You are right, Sister.” Eldest Sister looked at me, and wariness flashed through her eyes, swift as a startled swan’s shadow.

This was the great household of the inner courtyard.

Even blood-related sisters, wrapped in layer upon layer of splendid silk, each concealed a heart that schemed for itself through a hundred turns.