Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Imperial Father rushed to Imperial Elder Sister’s palace, where she was currently in the middle of teaching Sister Chen how to perform a sword dance.

Sister Chen’s hands were meant for the zither; she couldn’t quite get a grip on the heavy blade.

So, Imperial Elder Sister was teaching her hand-over-hand.

Imperial Father was so anxious he shouted, “Let go of her!”

Sister Chen let go immediately.

The sword was sent flying by the momentum.

Imperial Elder Sister leaped forward two steps, caught the hilt, and flicked her wrist to perform a clean, sharp flourish.

Sister Chen’s eyes turned into literal stars. “Your Highness, you’re amazing!”

Imperial Father was utterly speechless. “…And of course, she found another chance to show off.”

That very night, Imperial Father sent Sister Chen out of the palace.

He warned Imperial Elder Sister to stop getting ideas about the girl.

Imperial Elder Sister sheathed her sword with a crisp *clink*.

“Imperial Father, you worry too much. Your child is very popular.”

She tossed a schedule booklet from the table.

I opened it, and boy, was it something.

In the morning, it was the Daughter of Minister Li inviting her to watch the sunrise; at noon, the Sister of Vice Minister Chen was asking for lunch; in the evening, the Daughter of Commander Liu wanted to go see the lanterns.

For seven days straight, my sister’s schedule was packed.

It was clear that my sister was a hot commodity in these social circles.

Imperial Father couldn’t believe it. He snatched the booklet and started flipping through the pages frantically.

“No wonder your brother can’t find a partner. I’m starting to seriously suspect you’ve blocked all his paths, which is why he…”

Imperial Father’s voice cracked with tears the moment he mentioned Imperial Elder Brother.

Imperial Elder Sister was speechless.

I leaned in and whispered, “Sis, what’s actually going on with Brother?”

“I only heard rumors, but apparently, he’s in love.”

Imperial Elder Sister had heard it from Sister Chen.

Recently, Imperial Father had been on the verge of officially selecting Sister Chen to be the Crown Princess.

When Imperial Elder Brother heard the news, he confessed to Imperial Father that his heart already belonged to someone else.

He even went out of his way to apologize to Sister Chen, explaining that he had been unaware of the arrangements.

At the time, Sister Chen had simply said, “Oh, I see.”

Afterward, she had gone straight to Imperial Elder Sister to cry her heart out, even monopolizing an entire day of my sister’s schedule.

But if Imperial Elder Brother didn’t even like Sister Chen, which lady had he set his sights on?

Imperial Elder Sister arched an eyebrow. “It’s also possible that it isn’t a lady.”

I caught the implication. “Could it be…”

Imperial Elder Sister closed her eyes and nodded.

Word was that Imperial Father had interrogated him for ages, but the Crown Prince refused to reveal who the ‘other man’ was.

“Our family actually has a throne to pass down! If you’re not up to the task, I’ll have to give it to someone else!”

Imperial Father had initially gone to Imperial Elder Sister.

But things were even more chaotic on her end.

The young ladies she had stood up that day had all stormed into the palace together, accusing Sister Chen of being a manipulative little ‘green tea bitch’.

Imperial Father was so stunned by the scene that he finally turned his sights on me.

Imperial Elder Sister said to me, “Then, congratulations to you.”

I sighed. “Well, I might not be up to the task either.”

Imperial Father’s sobbing stopped instantly.

He paused his hands mid-wipe, his round eyes wide with massive confusion.

“You? What’s your deal now?”