Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: The So-Called Kind True Heiress

The next day, sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting mottled patterns across Shi Zhao’s face.

She opened her eyes and gazed at the pale yellow canopy above her bed, feeling somewhat dazed.

She had truly been released from the inner prison.

Shi Zhao rose slowly. Though pain still radiated from her wrists and body, her spirit felt lighter and freer than ever before.

Lan Nanny had already prepared warm water for washing and delicately arranged some food. Shi Zhao sat by the window, savoring the soft, glutinous rice porridge and exquisite side dishes as she looked out.

Beyond the gates of Rong En Hall, the busy figures of carpenters moved about, wood shavings flying in the orderly chaos.

Accepting a cup of tea from Lan Nanny, Shi Zhao spoke quietly, “Keep a close eye on those craftsmen, and have Tian Yong and Xiao Xi watch as well. If anything seems amiss, let me know. There’s nothing much for me to do here, just have Xiao Lu accompany me.”

Lan Nanny nodded in agreement, though a hint of puzzlement lingered in her eyes. “Miss, is there something wrong with Rong En Hall?”

Shi Zhao took a sip of tea, masking her myriad thoughts behind a smile. “Though Grandmother is gone, Rong En Hall must not fall into neglect.”

She did not tell Lan Nanny about the suspicious circumstances surrounding her grandmother’s death.

Without concrete evidence, there was no need to burden an elderly woman with worry.

Before she could finish her tea, Xiao Lu came running in, eyes wide with urgency. “Miss, Third Miss is here. She says she’s come to pay her respects!”

Yu Xuanyao? What was she doing here?

Shi Zhao’s brow furrowed, a trace of disdain surfacing uncontrollably.

The last person in this household she wished to encounter was Yu Xuanyao.

It was not that Shi Zhao feared her, but Yu Xuanyao was as delicate and fragile as a rare flower.

Even if Shi Zhao never provoked her, if Yu Xuanyao shed tears, the others in the Hou family would surely leap to her defense, accusing Shi Zhao of bullying.

Shi Zhao’s voice cut off sharply, “Tell them Rong En Hall is closed to visitors.”

Xiao Lu nodded and turned to leave, but before long, she hurried back in a panic.

“Miss, Third Miss has brought Madam Hou with her. They’ve already entered the courtyard!”

—

Just as Xiao Lu finished speaking, Yu Xuanyao appeared, clad in a simple, elegant plain dress, walking slowly into the room.

Her steps were light, her face a blend of timidity and resolve, like a resilient little white flower.

Reaching Shi Zhao, Yu Xuanyao bowed deeply, her voice barely above a whisper. “Second Sister, Xuanyao has come to apologize. I beg for your forgiveness for my mistakes.”

Shi Zhao sat upright by the window, eyes fixed on her tea cup, her tone cold and detached.

“You brought Madam Hou with you, which shows you know I do not want to see you. You know I will not forgive you. Why come here to ask for it anyway?”

Yu Xuanyao’s body trembled slightly as she bit her lip. “Mother is outside. She won’t come in. I’m not using her to pressure you. I truly want to apologize...”

Shi Zhao glanced up, her gaze as cold and sharp as frost. Seeing Shi Zhao unmoved, Yu Xuanyao’s large eyes filled with tears, and with a thud, she knelt on the ground.

“Xuanyao submits herself to your punishment, Second Sister, until you forgive me!”

Lan Nanny stood nearby, her face turning green with anger. She keenly noticed the slight movement of the door curtain and knew that with Yu Xuanyao’s kneeling, Madam Wen’an Hou was about to storm in.

Yu Xuanyao’s so-called apology was clearly a ploy to use Madam Hou to force Shi Zhao to yield.

Shi Zhao remained seated, looking coldly at the beauty before her, who bore a striking resemblance to Madam Wen’an Hou.

“No need for punishment. Just tell the truth, and I will forgive you.”

Yu Xuanyao’s eyes flickered, her voice trembling with tears.

“Second Sister, I was too frightened at the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet. After you were imprisoned, I wanted to go to the palace to tell the truth, but Old Master and the others stopped me. Now, for the sake of the Hou family... I cannot speak out...”

Her plaintive voice stirred pity and sorrow.

Madam Wen’an Hou could no longer hold back and stepped inside.

“Zhao’er, these past days Xuanyao has been anxious and worried, barely eating. She says she wants to stand or fall with you. She has grown thin; she truly wishes for your forgiveness.”

Shi Zhao’s gaze was like a frozen lake—silent, unyielding.

“Yu Xuanyao, you are only afraid that hiding your head will tarnish your image of kindness.”

She had made herself pitiful, as if she too were a victim.

Yu Xuanyao’s face turned pale, her entire being wavering.

“Second Sister not believing me is understandable. It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t come back, none of this would have happened...”

Madam Wen’an Hou’s tears fell as she listened. Her own daughter had spent years wandering in hardship, and now that she had returned, she had to endure humiliation and compromise at every turn. What joy was there in being a madam of the Hou family?

Madam Wen’an Hou wept, “Xuanyao is my beloved daughter. When she first returned, she looked like a skinny monkey. Now she’s just barely regaining her strength. What more do you want from her? To sacrifice her life for you?”

“That’s unnecessary.”

Shi Zhao gently set her tea cup aside and extended her right hand, still wrapped in bandages.

“Let her break her wrist like I did.”

“You...” Madam Hou was dumbfounded. She had never expected Shi Zhao to say such a thing. She blurted, “No! Xuanyao still has her music and arts. Her hands cannot be...”

As she spoke, her voice grew faint, realizing Shi Zhao could no longer do those things herself.

Shi Zhao sneered, looking at the trembling Yu Xuanyao on the ground.

“Or, you can go to the Little Buddha Hall and recite sutras for Grandmother’s blessing for half a year. Then I will forgive you.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Hou’s heart ached anew.

“Xuanyao is frail. Kneeling for long is impossible. The Little Buddha Hall is cold and damp. How could she endure half a year there? It would ruin her health!”

Seeing Madam Hou objecting to this and that, Lan Nanny laughed bitterly.

“Madam, protecting Third Miss like this, do you think an apology is just a few words?”

This delicate girl complains about everything and yet comes to Rong En Hall? How tiresome.

Shi Zhao tilted her head slightly.

“After all, the errors in the Hundred Longevity Scroll were partly due to your negligence, Madam Hou. Perhaps you should endure the same punishment I have, or go recite sutras in the Little Buddha Hall.”

“I...” Madam Hou was at a loss for words, her eyes flashing with unwillingness.

She looked embarrassed and spoke weakly, “Xuanyao, today you will go to the Little Buddha Hall to pay respects to the late Madam.”

In the Little Buddha Hall hung a lifelike portrait of the late Madam, painted by Shi Zhao herself.

Yet Yu Xuanyao’s expression changed, stammering, “Mother, the doctor says I am cold-natured and afraid of the cold...”

She was unwilling even to visit the Little Buddha Hall once.

Shi Zhao narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing the flustered Yu Xuanyao, sensing something was wrong.

Grandmother had always been kind and forgiving. Even if Madam Hou disliked her and wished to spare Yu Xuanyao from hardship, why would Yu Xuanyao refuse to see Grandmother at all?

To everyone else, Yu Xuanyao was the kindest, gentlest young lady in the household.

Shi Zhao fixed her gaze on Yu Xuanyao’s face and said, “What guilty deed have you committed that you won’t even visit the Little Buddha Hall once?”