Madam Shangguan’s face darkened the moment her attempt to divert the conversation failed. She shot a sharp look at Shangguan Wanqing, signaling her to hurry to the front courtyard and fetch Master Shangguan.
Understanding her mother’s silent command, Shangguan Wanqing threw a vicious glare at Shangguan Liqian and the “maid” standing behind her before turning to leave.
As Wanqing made her exit, Liqian spoke up again. “There is one more thing. I petitioned Her Majesty for permission to bring my former maid into the palace. I wonder, which sister’s courtyard is Qingdai currently assigned to?”
Hearing Liqian ask about that specific girl, Wanqing felt a flicker of guilt. Her pace quickened instinctively.
Realizing she had actually felt a moment of cowardice in front of Shangguan Liqian, Wanqing’s guilt curdled into a simmering rage. She was just a lowly wretch I could bully whenever I pleased. How noble can her servant be?
I’ve beaten her and cursed her. I don’t believe Liqian would dare cause trouble for me over a mere servant!
Wanqing stormed off, unaware that Liqian had actually hesitated before asking that question.
The hesitation stemmed from the corner of Liqian’s eye, where she caught sight of Luo Wushuang’s expression. It had gone cold in an instant. Liqian felt a wave of regret wash over her.
She shouldn’t have spent the entire carriage ride teasing her; she should have mentioned this sooner. Given Luo Wushuang’s extreme possessiveness, this “act first, explain later” approach was likely to trigger her displeasure.
Knowing her temperament, there will be hell to pay when we get back…
Liqian, already feeling a headache coming on, didn’t realize that even if she had mentioned it earlier, Luo Wushuang wouldn’t have felt any better.
In the Empress’s eyes, her sister belonged to her and her alone.
Whether they were family or servants, no one else deserved to occupy even a fraction of a percent of Liqian’s heart. They certainly shouldn’t be allowed to take even a sliver of the space that belonged to Wushuang—space that already felt far too small.
The thought triggered a surge of killing intent and a destructive impulse she could barely suppress.
While Liqian was busy calculating how to make amends later, she had no idea that Luo Wushuang was already mentally deciding where to bury the maid’s body.
Madam Shangguan, on the other hand, didn’t care about the request. It was just a servant; if Liqian wanted to take her, let her.
The jewelry was what made her head ache.
Items bestowed by the Empress were priceless treasures. Before Liqian had “lost her mind,” she had been quite respectful, and the Madam had always treated those gifts as her own to distribute. Most of them had already been packed away as dowries for her own daughters.
To ask for them back now? Forget whether her daughters would agree—she couldn’t afford the humiliation of reclaiming gifts!
The small portion that remained was intended to be the betrothal gift for her son, Shi’er, when he eventually married. She had already boasted about the quality of the family’s assets during marriage negotiations. If those “bottom-of-the-trunk” treasures vanished, she would be a laughingstock!
No matter what Liqian said, the Madam had no intention of returning them.
Normally, if a concubine-born child couldn’t be used, she would find a way to dispose of them. But currently, Liqian was still highly valuable to her son and the Shangguan family’s prospects. She couldn’t act recklessly; she had to suppress her temper and play along.
But this ‘mad’ Liqian is truly detestable, she thought. That was why she had sent her daughter to find Shangguan Qingyun.
She didn’t believe Liqian would dare to be this insolent in front of her father. If she was… then an uncontrollable pawn was a useless pawn.
Madam Shangguan’s heart turned cold and ruthless, though her face remained a mask of polite indifference. After a few more rounds of empty pleasantries, she dismissed a servant to lead Liqian to find her maid.
Liqian knew Madam Shangguan was no easy opponent.
However, since she had decided to sever ties with the Shangguan family, she feared none of their schemes. Today, she would take everything that belonged to her. If she couldn’t take it, she would burn it to the ground before letting the Shangguans profit from it.
Even if the family was dissatisfied, what could they do?
She had Luo Wushuang as her backer. No matter how high the Shangguan family held their heads, could they possibly stand taller than Wushuang? No matter how they tried to suppress her with status, could they suppress the Empress Regnant?
So, even though she knew the Madam was trying to get rid of her and Wanqing was fetching reinforcements, Liqian remained calm. She knew that no matter what happened today, Wushuang would protect her.
But…
Liqian stole a cautious glance at Luo Wushuang’s face.
Against the Shangguan family, Wushuang was her shield. But once their common enemy was gone, that shield might very well turn into a mountain intended to crush her.
Thinking of how Wushuang might react once they returned to the palace, Liqian felt a chill run down her spine.
No, I have to soothe her while she still has some logic left. Otherwise, it won’t just be chains next time… it’ll be worse.
“Wushuang…”
The moment Liqian spoke, the person beside her came to a dead stop.
A smile sat on Luo Wushuang’s face, but the gloom swirling in her eyes made Liqian shiver involuntarily.
Why does it feel like her sanity is already gone? Is it just my imagination?
Before Liqian could test the waters, Wushuang grabbed her and hauled her into a crushing embrace. She leaned down, her lips fiercely capturing the soft, red mouth that had begun to part in shock.
Startled by the sudden move, Liqian instinctively struggled to push her away.
But her strength against a furious Luo Wushuang was no more than that of a kitten. On the contrary, her resistance only fueled the feral darkness in Wushuang’s heart.
As I thought… Sister still can’t accept me.
With a mix of sorrow and finality, Wushuang kissed her with bruising intensity. If not for the final shred of reason holding her back, she would have wanted to swallow the woman in her arms whole… to devour her so they would truly never be apart again.
Sensing the shift in Wushuang’s aura, Liqian’s heart hammered against her ribs.
She’s angry. Really angry. The ‘losing all control’ kind of angry.
If they were in the palace, in their private chambers, Liqian wouldn’t have refused her. But they were in the courtyard of the Shangguan Manor.
There were servants everywhere…
Thinking of this, Liqian’s eyes darted around frantically.
Wait… why is there no one in the courtyard today?
Oh, I see. All the servants are lying on the ground. Their eyes are closed, and they look quite… peaceful. As if they’ve been ‘gone’ for a while now.
They’re probably just unconscious… Wushuang wouldn’t actually kill all of them, right?
