The setup

Dongfang Lizhu's expression stiffened. She had come to demand an explanation, but Dongfang Minghui's words reminded her that she had always been known for being gentle and virtuous. How could she behave so harshly and speak so sternly?

"Ninth Sister, you've misunderstood me. Charging out like that without a word was terribly dangerous. Fortunately, those wretched servants knew you were their mistress. What if some blind fool had accidentally hurt you? How would we have dealt with that? Besides, I don't understand why you took the punishment for that bitch this time."

Dongfang Minghui snorted disdainfully. "Why would I take her punishment? I just wasn't watching where I was going after we parted and accidentally ran into a tree."

Even as she said it, she knew this excuse would not dispel Dongfang Lizhu's suspicions.

Dongfang Minghui suddenly felt she needed to find a way to pin all the foolish things she had done to the heroine on this venomous woman, so she could taste what it was like to carry someone else's blackened pot of blame.

This woman had always wielded her like a weapon. Why couldn't she repay her in her own coin?

"Fourth Sister, this was all my fault. I let that bitch escape disaster. We'll have to think of another way to deal with her." Dongfang Minghui took the initiative to admit fault, speaking against her conscience and looking thoroughly annoyed with herself.

Seeing her like this, Dongfang Lizhu's suspicions eased somewhat. "There are plenty of opportunities. The only question is whether you dare act on them."

Dongfang Minghui's face lit up. She eagerly grabbed Dongfang Lizhu's hand and wheedled, "My dear Fourth Sister, hurry and tell me. You know that bitch and I won't stop until one of us is dead. She dares fight me for a man? Just watch me torment her to death."

Dear heroine, please don't take offense. I'm only doing this to mislead the enemy and lower her guard. Dongfang Minghui tearfully repented in her heart.

Seeing that she had finally recovered a little of her old self, Dongfang Lizhu beckoned her closer and whispered, "The last time our young cousin saw her, he seemed rather taken with her. Why don't we push the boat along with the current and help him get what he wants? Wouldn't that be lovely?"

Dongfang Minghui looked surprised. "You mean Cousin?"

Dongfang Lizhu nodded. "He listens to you so well. If you handle this, the plan is sure to succeed."

"No problem. Fourth Sister, just wait patiently for my good news."

After cheerfully seeing Dongfang Lizhu off, Dongfang Minghui propped her head on her hand, her face full of worry. She had known this venomous woman was no innocent. No wonder she had managed to marry comfortably in the end while Dongfang Minghui had met such a miserable fate. So she had been made to shoulder all those sins?

"Miss, the wound on your head hasn't healed yet. You need to rest," Cui'er reminded her from the side.

Dongfang Minghui shook her head and waved a hand. "Why would Cousin come at this time?"

The young cousin?

"Miss, have you forgotten? The master's birthday is only a few days away. Of course your cousin would come to offer his birthday wishes."

The master meant her father. His birthday?

There seemed to have been a passage like that in the book, but it had been skimmed over, so clearly nothing significant had happened. Still, her father's birthday would probably put Seventh Sister in a difficult position.

Two days later, while strolling in the garden, Dongfang Minghui encountered this unexpected visitor: her cousin, Qin Mu.

Qin Mu was handsome and graceful, good in every way except one: he was far too lecherous. The sight of a pretty girl stopped him in his tracks. Her mother had once declared that he would suffer at a woman's hands someday.

"Cousin, why are you here alone?"

Qin Mu was still young, yet he was already a level-three warrior. Across the entire county town, it would be difficult to find anyone who could rival him. With proper training, he was sure to achieve something in the future.

The moment Dongfang Minghui saw him, she abandoned her previous plan. "Cousin, it's been so long. You seem even more handsome now. Have you seen my mother yet?"

"That little mouth of yours grows sweeter by the day. I haven't paid my respects to Aunt yet. I was just heading over. Would you like to come along?"

"Sure. Mother said you went away to gain experience. Why don't you tell me about the interesting things you encountered on your journey?"

The two chatted so happily that they were still talking nonstop when they reached the door to the second wife Qin Qin's room.

Seeing how well they got along, Qin Qin teased, "Hui'er, what are you talking about with your cousin that has you so happy? Let your mother share in the fun."

Dongfang Minghui threw herself into her mother's arms and said bashfully, "Mother, don't tease me. Cousin just encountered lots of interesting things on his travels. I want to go out and gain some experience too."

"Hui'er, don't be silly. You're still young."

Dongfang Minghui stuck out her tongue, then sat off to the side and watched Qin Mu chat with her mother for a while.

On the day of the birthday celebration, the Dongfang Family residence blazed with lights and overflowed with joy, with festive red decorations everywhere. When the evening banquet began, Dongfang Minghui made a point of inviting Dongfang Wanyu and Qin Mu to sit beside her.

Dongfang Wanyu had not wanted to bother with her. She and Dongfang Minghui had always been as incompatible as fire and water, each keeping to her own side of the river. If not for what had happened in the woods a few days earlier, her impression of this ninth sister would have been even worse. When she had been at her lowest and most miserable, this ninth sister had never held back her cruel tricks.

But she could not withstand the other girl's relentless pestering, coaxing and pushing until nearly everyone was about to turn their attention toward them.

"What exactly do you want?" Dongfang Wanyu demanded through gritted teeth, both irritated and furious.

Hearing her irritated voice, Dongfang Minghui's legs trembled spinelessly. She swallowed and said, "S-Seventh Sister, don't be angry. I just wanted to invite you to watch a show."

A show?

Dongfang Wanyu scoffed. The ingratiating look on Dongfang Minghui's face made her want to hit her. Figuring the girl would not dare play any tricks, she decided to wait and see how this fine show unfolded.

When Qin Mu saw Dongfang Wanyu, his eyes lit up. His smile was as pleasant as a spring breeze, and he wanted to greet her, but his cousin sat between them, and Dongfang Wanyu did not spare him so much as a glance.

Dongfang Minghui took a small sip from her cup while secretly observing the two. Seeing Qin Mu's foolish, besotted smile, she realized Dongfang Lizhu had been right: this cousin of hers had fallen for the heroine.

Dongfang Minghui thought that no matter how smitten her cousin was, it was useless. The heroine's harem was far too formidable.

But this peculiar scene looked rather different to other people.

Dongfang Lizhu, in particular, saw that Dongfang Minghui had indeed lured Dongfang Wanyu over and arranged for Qin Mu to sit beside her. She understood at once: the plan was underway.

She did not have to do anything. All she needed to do was wait quietly.

Thinking that the plan was about to succeed, Dongfang Lizhu smiled with dazzling beauty, her eyes alluring, completely unaware that someone watching closely had taken in everything.

Once the banquet ended, everyone left one after another.

Dongfang Minghui watched Qin Mu leave, then pulled Dongfang Wanyu along and slipped into the West Wing Courtyard, quietly waiting for something.

"What trick are you playing?"

Dongfang Minghui clapped a hand over her mouth and pleaded softly, "Seventh Sister, don't make a sound. Someone will discover us. The show will begin soon."

Earlier, she had sent Cui'er to deliver a message to Dongfang Lizhu, instructing her not to let anyone else see it.

Dongfang Lizhu had already retired for the night, delighted and waiting for good news, when Cui'er unexpectedly brought her a note.

It read: "The plan has changed. Come at once to discuss it."

She immediately followed Cui'er over and entered the room Dongfang Minghui had specially prepared for her. It was pitch-black inside; she could not see her hand in front of her face.

"My mistress asks that you sit here for a while, Fourth Miss. She'll come as soon as she has sent her cousin off." Cui'er obligingly lit a lamp for her, then added the sleeping drug she had prepared to the sandalwood incense, letting its fragrance spread.

"Fourth Miss, shall I go see whether my mistress is here yet?"

"Go ahead."

Dongfang Lizhu had already noticed Cui'er's little movements, but her expression remained unchanged. She leisurely poured herself a cup of cold water and took a small sip, a wicked smile curling her lips. After a long while, she slumped sideways and lost consciousness.

Cui'er waited outside for a long time before pushing the door open again. Seeing Dongfang Lizhu sprawled over the table, she immediately shook her. "Fourth Miss, wake up. My mistress is here."

When she received no response at all, she ran outside and called softly, "Miss, Miss."

Only then did Dongfang Minghui secretly breathe a sigh of relief. She ran out from behind the bushes and answered, "Stop calling. Come on, let's hurry."

Dongfang Wanyu followed her out. She wanted to see just what medicine this ninth miss was hiding in her gourd.

She watched the two carry the unconscious fourth miss into another room. Cui'er laid her on the bed, and Dongfang Minghui unceremoniously stripped off all her clothes, leaving her lying naked beneath the covers. She did not hesitate in the slightest.

"All right, Cui'er, go tell my cousin." Dongfang Minghui wiped the sweat from her forehead, thinking that doing bad things really was no easy task. Her heart was almost leaping into her throat.

"You-"

Before Dongfang Wanyu could say anything else, Dongfang Minghui pulled her out the door again. The two crouched behind the bushes. After a while, they saw a drunken man push open the door to that room.

Soon, heavy panting came from inside...

"This is the fine show you mentioned? You really are jackals from the same hill." A trace of disgust flashed through Dongfang Wanyu's cold eyes. She rose, turned sharply, and walked away.

Dongfang Minghui was dumbfounded. Had everything she had done been for nothing? She hurried after her with quick little steps. "Seventh Sister, Seventh Sister, listen to me. It isn't like that. Fourth Sister wanted to set you up, so I-"

Dongfang Wanyu suddenly turned, and Dongfang Minghui nearly collided with her. The heroine's smile made her hair stand on end. Oh, that was terrifying.

"So you're saying she plotted against me, and then you plotted against her, all for my sake?" Dongfang Wanyu's smile abruptly turned radiant, but the pressure emanating from her was overpowering.

Dongfang Minghui retreated step by step, thinking that the heroine was far too wary and truly difficult to handle. Claiming she had done all this for her would be too implausible and would only arouse her suspicions.

At that thought, Dongfang Minghui immediately shook her head and said firmly, "No. I did all this for myself. I don't want to keep foolishly letting her order me around."

They stared silently at each other for a while before Dongfang Wanyu nodded and smiled. "Indeed. Quite foolish."

Dongfang Minghui was dumbfounded. "..."

What did the heroine mean by that?