"To prevent discovery, one must not commit the deed. Sister's plan seems clever, but it will eventually be exposed," Wu Caiwei said disapprovingly.
"If you don't tell and I don't tell, who will know? We look exactly alike, enough to pass for each other," Zhou Hanxiao, though cunning, was still just a teenage girl. Seeing her refusal, she grew anxious.
"Can't you help your sister? I'll remember this kindness for a lifetime."
Wu Caiwei looked at her pathetic expression. Anyone would soften, let alone twin sisters. The original owner had been so easily swayed.
"If you were so unwilling, why did you agree in the first place? I believe with your intelligence, there were plenty of ways to refuse the marriage," Wu Caiwei saw no point in beating around the bush. Otherwise, she'd think everyone else was a fool and only she was clever.
"There was a slight misunderstanding between us back then, which led me to impulsively agree to this marriage. Once the misunderstanding was resolved, I regretted it," Zhou Hanxiao hesitated, fabricating a reason.
Wu Caiwei, knowing the full truth, sneered dismissively. This woman was truly adept at finding a fig leaf for herself.
Seeing her expression, Zhou Hanxiao's heart sank. After all her efforts, it was all for naught. She couldn't help but feel disheartened.
The food was served. She ate a little perfunctorily. Seeing Wu Caiwei eating heartily, oblivious to her worries, made her feel even worse.
Back at the manor, she hurried towards Madam Zhu's courtyard, leaving Wu Caiwei far behind.
Wu Caiwei walked at a leisurely pace, admiring the scenery of the Zhou manor, amused by her sister's petty schemes.
Upon seeing her mother, Zhou Hanxiao threw herself into her arms, muttering, "Mother, what do I do? She won't agree. What should I do?"
Hearing her daughter's helpless voice, Madam Zhu's heart ached. She stroked her hair, comforting her, "Don't cry, we'll find a way."
After venting for a while, Zhou Hanxiao looked at her mother with teary eyes, nuzzling her head into her embrace. "I know you're the best, Mother. You'll definitely help me find a solution. The rest is up to you."
"Don't worry, I will ensure you get what you want," Madam Zhu promised.
Zhou Hanxiao's distress quickly reached Concubine Xia Qing. She toyed with her fingernails, murmuring to herself, "For our Second Miss to be so flustered, she must not have gotten her way? I knew Third Miss wasn't simple from the start. As expected, she hasn't disappointed. Look, there's more drama to come."
The maidservant stood respectfully by her side, fawning, "My lady's predictions are always accurate."
Pleased, she stood up. "Let's go pay Third Miss a visit. She's been in the manor for so long, and I, her stepmother, haven't met her yet. It's time to give her a welcoming gift."
Upon meeting Xia Qing, Wu Caiwei wasn't particularly surprised. They had been rivals for over twenty years, and anything that caused trouble for the other was something they were both willing to participate in.
In the original owner's past life, to thwart Madam Zhu and her daughter, she had told the original owner the truth. However, blinded by familial affection, the original owner believed her mother and sister wouldn't lie to her. Furthermore, knowing her mother's feud with Concubine Xia, she thought Xia Qing was trying to sow discord.
Wu Caiwei knew her purpose for visiting. Although her intentions were not good, sometimes the enemy of my enemy is my friend, and she might be useful someday.
Xia Qing knew she was intelligent and didn't waste time on pleasantries. She went straight to the point. "I presume Second Miss has already spoken to Third Miss about wanting you to marry in her place. Do you know how this marriage came about?"
"Oh? I'm willing to listen attentively." Although Wu Caiwei knew the subsequent developments, the original owner only had a vague understanding of how this marriage came to be. She believed Concubine Xia would be happy to clear up her doubts.
"Actually, I was the one who brokered this marriage. Of course, the Master also asked Second Miss for her opinion, and only after she personally agreed did the marriage materialize," Xia Qing said while watching Wu Caiwei. Seeing no reaction, she continued.
"Back then, I heard from the matchmaker that the Prime Minister's youngest son was gravely ill and they were looking for an official family's legitimate daughter to marry him for a 'renewal of life' (冲喜). I got an idea and mentioned it to the Master upon my return. He was somewhat hesitant. Madam Zhu, however, was very enthusiastic, hoping for a stroke of luck. If the 'renewal of life' succeeded, they could forge a connection with the Prime Minister." Xia Qing finished and took a sip of tea.
"Zhou Hanxiao agreed to this marriage because she was attracted to the other party's status, right? Now she wants to back out, either because she has found someone of higher status, or because the groom is about to die," Wu Caiwei guessed. The original owner was truly a foolish girl, preoccupied with family matters and completely oblivious to the outside world.
"From what I know, both are true. My people discovered that a few months ago, Second Miss was seen behaving intimately with a man. They couldn't follow too closely, and eventually, that man disappeared near the Imperial City, on a street lined with the residences of various princes," Xia Qing said. Seeing that Wu Caiwei could guess so accurately, she couldn't help but praise her inwardly.
"And Father allowed it?" Wu Caiwei asked curiously.
"The Master didn't know. He only thought Second Miss didn't want to marry a sickly man and become a widow," Xia Qing shared the information she had.
"It seems, whether I want to or not, I am destined to be the substitute bride," Wu Caiwei pondered for a moment and stated with certainty.
Xia Qing paused her hand holding the teacup. Although she didn't want Madam Zhu and her daughter to get their way, she knew that the Master supported this matter.
After Concubine Xia left, Nanny Yang anxiously approached her young lady. "Miss, what do we do now? Why don't you run away?"
"Nanny, don't worry. I'm not one to suffer in silence. Things aren't as bad as you think," Wu Caiwei reassured her.
"They are truly heartless, leaving you in the nunnery for so many years, without a word. I thought you'd have a better life upon your return, but it's worse than being in the nunnery. Although life there was simple, it was at least safe," Nanny Yang said worriedly.
Wu Caiwei smiled and shook her head, knowing Nanny Yang was just venting.
The next day, Madam Zhu personally came to visit. To be honest, she was somewhat intimidated by this daughter.
She looked down at her third daughter, who had been silent since she entered. Wu Caiwei was displeasing to her eyes, despite having the same face as her second daughter.
"I heard your sister spoke to you about it, and you refused? My words stand: whether you agree or not, you will marry next month. You will be the bride, and we'll tie you to the sedan chair if necessary," Madam Zhu found this daughter vexing and, without wasting words, stated her intentions directly.
"Is that so? Then let's see if you have the ability," Wu Caiwei shrugged and said provocatively.
"What, can you sprout wings and fly away?" Madam Zhu was genuinely curious. Did she have some trump card?
"That remains to be seen. You'll just have to wait and see." It was just a bluff, Wu Caiwei had never feared anyone. Moreover, what she said was true. As long as she didn't want to, no one could force her.