Chapter 2

Jealousy bubbled inside me like vinegar coming to the boil.

I sidled up to Lin Qingwu and affectionately linked my arm through hers.

“Father, Mother! Sister’s only just come home. Won’t she be lonely in such a big courtyard all by herself? What if she gets frightened at night? What if she wants to talk and there’s no one there?”

Father blinked. “What are you suggesting, Wanwan?”

“Why doesn’t she stay with me at Listening Snow Pavilion?”

“My courtyard is big, and I have everything! It’ll be such fun having us sisters together!”

“She’s suffered so much. I want to make it up to her too.”

I gave Lin Qingwu’s arm an emphatic shake and batted my eyes.

“What do you think, Sister? Eating together, living together—it must be better than being alone!”

Ha. Just you wait.

How could she possibly resist this adorable little onslaught?

Once she was on my territory, with me under her nose every day, we’d see which of us our parents thought about more.

Mother hesitated. “Wanwan, your sister has only just returned. Your habits may be different. Would sharing a courtyard disturb you? You’re such a light sleeper.”

“Of course it wouldn’t!” I protested earnestly.

“I love company! It’ll be more fun with Sister here. Won’t it, Sister?”

I shook Lin Qingwu’s arm and pouted prettily.

She remained unmoved. “I appreciate your kindness.”

“But I sleep restlessly, and I often cough at night. I’d hate to interrupt your dreams.”

My mouth immediately drooped. “Mother! Listen to her! She must despise me! I know, I’m the wicked girl who took her place. She resents me… Oh, boo-hoo…”

In my seventeen years of experience, this had never failed.

Sure enough, Mother panicked.

She patted my back while giving Lin Qingwu an awkward look.

“Qingwu, Wanwan is only being childish. She wants to be close to you.”

Father cleared his throat and settled the matter.

“Very well. Since Wanwan means well, Qingwu can stay in the east wing of Listening Snow Pavilion for now. If it truly doesn’t suit, we’ll make other arrangements.”

The east wing! That would do! Still the same courtyard!

Its windows faced the little garden, and the winter wind whistled through. Much colder than my rooms in the main building!

With our parents having spoken, Lin Qingwu finally stopped refusing.

She looked at me, a hint of a smile on her face. “Then I shall be in your care.”

I nodded furiously. “Of course, of course.”

That very night, I stayed up devising a whole series of measures aimed at her.

First move: morning greetings. Annoy her to death!

Before dawn the next day, I crept out of bed and made my way under the east wing’s window.

I pinched my nose and began imitating a rooster.

“Cock-a-doodle-doo! Cock-a-doodle-doo!”

Three calls. Not a sound inside.

How strange. How could she sleep so soundly?

I was considering another approach when the door creaked open.

Lin Qingwu looked down at me, skulking beneath her window.

“You’re up early, Sister. Practicing your singing?”

“What? Ha-ha, yes! The air’s lovely in the morning. Good for your health!”

I got up with a dry laugh and brushed off my skirt.

“You’re up early too? Why not sleep a little longer?”

Her expression didn’t change. “I’m used to getting up early. If there’s nothing else, I’m going to fetch water.”

First move: dead on arrival!

Second move: delicious food. Make her drool!

At lunchtime, I had the kitchen prepare an entire table of my favorite dishes.

Then I sent Xiaocui to invite Lin Qingwu to eat with me.

“Sit down, Sister! Try our cook’s food!”

With great enthusiasm, I put a large piece of glossy, red-braised pork knuckle skin in her bowl, followed by a spoonful of golden crab roe.

“This is delicious! You can’t have had anything like it in the countryside.”

I watched her face intently. The slightest sign of amazement, and I’d have won.

Yet faced with that mountain of food, she merely tasted a little.

“It’s very good.”

Then she took a cloth bundle from inside her robe and produced a coarse flatbread that even our lowliest servant wouldn’t eat.

“I’m used to plain food. These breads have seen me through the journey, and it would be a shame to throw them away. The food here is delicate. I’ll grow accustomed to it.”

She broke off a small piece and ate it slowly with clear tea.

Somehow, she even made eating look graceful.

Mother was so heartbroken that she spent the next several days feeding her rich meat and fish to build her up.

I gained three jin in the process.

Second move: dead on arrival!

Third move: overwhelming talent. Shame her into submission!

That afternoon, I invited Lin Qingwu to my study to admire my paintings.

The one hanging in the center had been commissioned from the capital’s most renowned painter.

The beauty in it was exquisitely lifelike, charming and radiant.

My humble self, naturally.

“Look, Sister. Such fine brushwork! Such vivid colors!”

“Did you have any chance to study music, chess, calligraphy, or painting in the country? I could teach you if you like!”

Lin Qingwu stepped closer, examined the painting, and pointed to a clump of orchids.

“It’s beautifully painted, but the orchids look a little contrived. They’re missing the natural liveliness of wildflowers.”

“I don’t know much about painting, but I’ve often seen orchids in the mountains. That isn’t how they move in the wind.”

After a long, strangled silence, I managed, “That’s artistic license! You wouldn’t understand!”

“Perhaps.” She didn’t argue, merely turned toward the guqin beside us.

“Do you play?”

“Of course!”

Finally, something I could do!

I sat down at once, arranged myself properly, and played my best piece, “A Moonlit Night on the Spring River.”

The notes flowed like water. I thought it sounded beautiful.

When I finished, I looked at her with modest restraint.

Lin Qingwu had listened quietly to the end. “Your fingering is very accomplished.”

Just as the corners of my mouth began to lift, she continued.

“It lacks a little feeling, though. I didn’t hear the cool, ethereal stillness of moonlight on the river. Perhaps you’ve never really sat alone by a river on a moonlit night.”

I nearly snapped a string with my fingernail.

What was that supposed to mean?

Was she accusing me of affecting emotions I’d never felt? Of living shut away without ever seeing the world?

My cheeks puffed with indignation. Worse, I couldn’t quite lose my temper, because she seemed to have a point…

“You certainly know a great deal, Sister!” I said sourly.

She smiled. “Not really. I’ve simply lived through a few things.”