Nan Yuan'er lifted her eyes, her deep gaze falling upon Hao Yin'er's utterly false face. Even with expertly applied makeup, the ample space on her plate-like face was enough to brand her with a giant 'ugly' character.
If it were before, would someone like her dare to act so high and mighty in her presence?
She was merely the legitimate daughter of a hereditary Earl. In terms of status, appearance, family background, or talent, how could she compare to Nan Yuan'er? Before, she had been like a lapdog, constantly hovering around her, calling her "Sister Yuan'er" with every breath. Now, after Nan Yuan'er had merely lost the use of one hand, this fool couldn't wait to jump out and kick her while she was down. It was no wonder Lord Lin Yang disliked this legitimate daughter; who would like a brainless idiot?
Nan Yuan'er's eyes were dark and bright. In her silence, they seemed to pierce Hao Yin'er's face like knives, knives coated in the guise of 'gentleness' but radiating a sharp power. Hao Yin'er was stunned. She couldn't pinpoint what was different about Nan Yuan'er, only that being stared at by those eyes made her feel as though she could barely breathe.
Hao Yin'er instinctively let go of Nan Yuan'er's wrist. Nan Yuan'er's hand could no longer bear heavy objects or perform delicate tasks, but its basic functions were still intact. However, upon closer inspection, one could see that her hand was slightly bent inwards. The tendons in her wrist were not as long as a normal person's, preventing her from fully extending it as she could before. Fortunately, it wasn't too severe; otherwise, it would have resembled a chicken's claw.
Nan Yuan'er's hand remained resting on the table. She didn't deliberately adjust her sleeve to cover her wrist, leaving it exposed openly. Only after Hao Yin'er released her wrist did she speak, "Thank you for your concern, Sister Yin'er. However, your question might have been better asked a month ago. Asking now, those who know will say we have sisterly affection and think you are doting on me. Those who don't know might think you are deliberately poking at old wounds and adding salt to my injuries."
Hao Yin'er's face flickered between green and white. Nan Yuan'er's words had utterly shamed her. Everyone knew Hao Yin'er's intentions, but if they were to call her out on it, they would surely be gossiped about behind their backs. As everyone could see, they were only whispering amongst themselves, and no one was willing to be the first to speak. Yet, Hao Yin'er, in her foolish ignorance, whether on impulse or instigated by someone, had actually rushed forward.
Before the Consort married the Prince, Nan Yuan'er had consistently held the top position among the noble ladies in the capital. In terms of schemes and temperament, a hundred Hao Yin'ers couldn't match one Nan Yuan'er. Don't think that just because both your names end with 'er' you are on equal footing!
If it weren't for the Consort intervening and severely humiliating Nan Yuan'er, pulling her down from her pedestal, Nan Yuan'er would still be sitting on her altar today, not fallen into the mud. Everyone thought that after experiencing various events, Nan Yuan'er would fall into silence, and even if she eventually entered the palace as empress, she would never regain her former glory. However, no one expected Nan Yuan'er to become stronger through adversity. After a period of decline, she had climbed back up again. Look at her words just now; she was practically branding 'tasteless' onto Hao Yin'er's face.
"How... how could that be? I genuinely care about your wrist, little sister."
Hao Yin'er forced a dry laugh, her smile more grotesque than crying. She was truly terrible at hiding her emotions, only managing to disguise her hatred and anger as awkwardness and embarrassment.
"Isn't it interesting?"
Nan Shiying raised an eyebrow slightly. Hearing the Consort's words, the Princess Consort felt a prickle on her scalp, as if a hairpin or two had snagged some strands of her hair, pulling on the follicles and causing pain, yet she couldn't relieve it.
These two sisters were more like enemies than relatives. The Consort's word "interesting" expressed far more than its literal meaning. She feared the Consort might follow up with: "Isn't it interesting? Sister-in-law, are you interested in seeing something even more interesting?"
Fortunately, the Consort seemed to be merely making an observation and had no intention of doing anything. The Princess Consort took a sip of tea to calm her nerves.
Nan Yuan'er smiled at Hao Yin'er, as if genuinely grateful, "Then I thank Sister Yin'er for your concern."
She managed to give away no hint of her true feelings, and this alone showed the clear difference in their caliber.
Hao Yin'er couldn't even last one round before she was completely defeated. She had arrived brimming with arrogance to pick a fight, but she left scurrying away like a rat with its tail between its legs.
Nan Yuan'er and Hao Yin'er had some acquaintance in the past. Madam Zeng of Lord Lin Yang's Estate was good friends with Madam Wang, and Madam Zeng was the principal wife of Lord Lin Yang's younger brother, who had not separated from the main family. This younger brother was a dissolute fellow, and Madam Zeng was no easy person to deal with. Hao Yin'er's mother managed the household affairs, and these two often came to her courtyard to throw tantrums and cause a scene. Therefore, the relationship between their main branch and the fifth branch was not good.
Upon learning this, Nan Yuan'er had offered Hao Yin'er many suggestions, both overtly and covertly. She wasn't doing it out of pure benevolence, but simply because Madam Zeng was Madam Wang's cousin.
These past events turned to dust with the demotion of Nan Chaoyin and Nan Yuan'er's crippling. Nan Yuan'er had never taken people of Hao Yin'er's caliber seriously. Her sole purpose for coming today was to see what kind of person Nan Shiying was, the one who had pulled her down from her pedestal.
Nan Shiying felt that Nan Yuan'er's gaze towards her held a scrutiny, not the look of someone seeing an 'acquaintance,' but more like the appraisal and consideration of a first meeting.
Nan Shiying touched her chin and smacked her lips.
This discovery was quite interesting.
Could it be that the Nan Yuan'er before her now was not Nan Yuan'er?
After the death of the jade-faced gentleman, were there so many human skin masks still circulating in the market? She didn't look like someone else was impersonating her. Could it be that, like herself, she had a new soul?
Nan Shiying's thoughts wandered boundlessly, with humor dominating most of them. However, one thing was certain: Nan Yuan'er had indeed changed quite a bit.
The Prince's estate servants bought double-eared vases, and the training ground was tidied up. A large group of people then proceeded to the training ground. A temporary, simple shed provided shelter from wind and rain without blocking the sunlight. Each shed contained a large charcoal stove to ensure warmth.
After everyone was seated, servants brought fresh fruits and pastries. Mu Xiaoxiao stood at the pitcher-throwing area. From outside the designated red line, she threw two arrows, each landing in one of the double-eared vases' ears, eliciting cheers from the crowd.
"Your Highness, may I ask you to take a look?"
"Very well!"
The Princess Consort and Nan Shiying walked towards the pitcher-throwing area. The others could no longer sit still and followed behind them. The cheers were quite pleasing to the ear. Mu Xiaoxiao's archery skills were exceptionally proficient, making everyone else seem far behind, and she stood out as the leader.
"Your daughter is very skilled."
Nan Shiying praised with a smile as she watched from afar.