Chapter 3

Several days passed with me leaping about like a monkey.

I hadn’t brought down my enemy. All I’d achieved was a bellyful of frustration.

At night, I tossed and turned, chewing the corner of my quilt as I reviewed my failures.

No. My tactics had to be wrong.

Lin Qingwu couldn’t be coaxed. She couldn’t be bullied.

What did she respond to… air? Did she live on air?

I fell asleep fuming and sat up at dawn with dark circles beneath both eyes.

The reflection in the mirror looked alarmingly haggard.

Then I reconsidered. This was perfect!

Because today my savior was finally coming home: Lin Yi, the elder brother who had adored me since childhood.

I perked up at once.

My pathetic little act had always worked best on him.

Once he saw how I’d wasted away from being bullied, he’d be heartbroken!

A perfect plan took shape.

I rummaged through every chest and cupboard, found my most extravagant clothes and jewelry, and piled them in front of Lin Qingwu.

“Sister! Brother’s coming home today. It’s your first meeting. You must dress for the occasion!”

My smile was utterly sincere. “Let me help. I guarantee you’ll dazzle him!”

She looked at the heap of glittering things and started to speak.

I cut her off with a wave. “Don’t be shy! You must do as I say today!”

I pressed her down in front of the dressing table and set to work myself, lavishing rouge and powder on her.

With pearls and jade all over her hair, she looked like a girl scattering riches in a New Year print.

As for me, I changed into my plainest moon-white dress, put on no makeup, and pinned a tiny velvet flower in my hair.

One red, one white. One lavish, one plain. The picture of a grievously wronged girl could hardly be more complete.

I gloated inwardly. Perfect. Absolutely perfect!

Smugly, I took Lin Qingwu’s arm and led her to the main hall.

Brother was talking with our parents. At the sound of us, he turned.

Three pairs of eyes fixed on us at once.

Father’s lit up at the sight of Lin Qingwu.

“How festive Qingwu looks! You should always wear such lovely bright things.”

Mother praised her too. “Exactly! That’s the bearing a marquis’s daughter should have.”

Me: excuse me? What was happening?

Had I become invisible?

Lin Qingwu smiled with closed lips. “Wanwan dressed me. She deserves the credit.”

Hmph. Better!

I lifted my head, ready for Brother’s praise—and a chance to poison his opinion of her a little.

Instead, Lin Yi didn’t even look at me. He walked straight to Lin Qingwu and handed her a brocade box with a smile.

“A gift for our first meeting. An inkstick from Huizhou.”

He paused, his smile deepening. “Now you truly are our eldest young lady. Wear whatever you please. All that matters is that you’re comfortable.”

Lin Qingwu accepted it with a smile. “Thank you, Brother. I don’t know many characters, but I’ll make good use of it.”

I stood to one side in my plain dress and bare face, like a maid who’d wandered into a sumptuous banquet.

My heart ached. My lip trembled. I nearly cried for real.

“Brother!” I threw myself at him, my voice wobbling.

“You have no idea! Since Sister came home, I haven’t been able to eat or sleep. I’m always afraid she won’t like me.”

I tipped my face up, trying to make the shadows beneath my eyes more obvious in the light.

Sure enough, Lin Yi frowned and studied my face.

Then he raised a hand and flicked my forehead.

“Oh, stop.” His eyes were smiling.

“You’ve been thinking up ways to tease Qingwu, haven’t you? Only it backfired, and now you’re playing the victim for me.”

I clutched my head in disbelief. “Brother! Whose side are you on?”

“You’re both my sisters. There aren’t any sides.” He turned to Lin Qingwu.

“We’ve spoiled Wanwan. She’s a little willful, but she isn’t bad-hearted. Please be patient with her.”

The corners of Lin Qingwu’s mouth curved. “Yes. I can see that.”