To prevent Luo Wushuang from overthinking, Shangguan Liqian reached back and gently squeezed the Empress’s fingers as a silent comfort.
Luo Wushuang instinctively gripped her hand back. Her narrow eyes swept over Madam Shangguan on the main seat before settling firmly on Shangguan Liqian.
She felt that her sister’s attitude toward the Shangguan family today was strangely off.
When had it started?
It seemed to have begun right after her sister learned of Shangguan Qinglan’s miscarriage… From that moment on, every one of her sister’s reactions had been outside her expectations.
Though confused, a flicker of hope remained in Luo Wushuang’s heart. She hoped her sister truly wanted to try accepting her, rather than merely coaxing her or laying the groundwork for another escape.
Perhaps for the sake of that hope, or perhaps to understand exactly what her sister intended to do, Luo Wushuang said nothing and merely watched in silence.
On the main seat, Madam Shangguan’s brow furrowed slightly. She, too, sensed that something was wrong with Shangguan Liqian today.
However, she didn’t dwell on it, assuming Liqian was simply in a foul mood after being punished by the Empress.
With a sharp glare, she continued her demands. “And there is Chi’er as well. They are your elder and younger brothers; you cannot show favoritism.”
Shangguan Liqian lowered her head slightly, her eyes brimming with cruelty and ice.
Since you still intend to use me, then prepare yourselves for my retribution.
How could she possibly show favoritism? Since they were all the same breed of animals, they deserved to go to hell together.
Unaware of Shangguan Liqian’s thoughts, Madam Shangguan nodded in satisfaction when she saw her daughter obediently comply.
Madam Shangguan was never a generous woman. Her hatred for the children born of her husband’s concubines ran deep into her marrow. Had it been otherwise, she wouldn’t have permitted the servants to mistreat and neglect these concubine-born daughters.
In Madam Shangguan’s eyes, being able to use them now was a gift of her grace. If they failed to do their best, they were simply ungrateful.
“In that case, you may leave,” Madam Shangguan said, waving her hand dismissively after receiving the promise.
However, Shangguan Liqian did not leave as instructed. Instead, she spoke up directly.
“I came today for two reasons. First, to recover the items bestowed upon me by Her Majesty. Second—”
The impatience on Madam Shangguan’s face flared the moment Shangguan Liqian mentioned reclaiming the jewelry and accessories that had already been divided among the family. She cut her off instantly.
“I am tired. We will discuss this next time.”
Determined to settle the score with the Shangguan family, Shangguan Liqian would not be dismissed so easily. She looked up at Madam Shangguan and said calmly, “Madam must know that all items bestowed by the Sovereign are recorded in the imperial registry. Any damage or loss is treated as the crime of deceiving the Sovereign.”
Shangguan Liqian spoke with absolute gravity. Yet Madam Shangguan, her legal mother in name, didn’t take it to heart. She merely feigned a look of maternal affection and tried to pacify her.
“You silly child. Didn’t I tell you? Your sisters are merely borrowing those things; they will return them to you later.”
The words were spoken, but Madam Shangguan’s expression made it clear she had no intention of returning the “borrowed” items. In fact, the way she looked at Liqian was like looking at a clown—her eyes flashed with blatant disgust and dissatisfaction.
She seemed annoyed by Liqian’s refusal to “know her place” at this moment.
Shangguan Liqian had no desire to continue this tug-of-war. Just as she was about to speak plainly, a shrill, disdainful voice drifted in from outside.
“Oh! I was wondering what distinguished guest had arrived. So, it’s the Sixth Sister!”
The voice arrived before the person.
A young woman in a green dress entered. Though she called her “Sixth Sister,” her face lacked any warmth, and her eyes were filled with nothing but contempt.
Don’t think I didn’t hear what this bitch just said.
A lowly brat born of a servant, and she actually wants to fight me for things? She must be tired of living.
It seems the lessons I gave her in the past were too light. It’s a pity this wench caught the Empress’s eye and lives in the palace now; otherwise, I’d make sure this brat learned the true meaning of status.
How could someone like her ever hope to lay claim to good things?
The woman in green was the third daughter of the Shangguan family, Shangguan Wanqing. She was the full-blooded sister of the eldest daughter, Shangguan Qinglan, the fifth son, Shangguan Chi, and the ninth son, Shangguan Shi. She was a proper, legitimate daughter of the house.
These siblings despised the concubine-born children more than anyone, and they despised Liqian most of all.
Shangguan Liqian was used to this treatment, but now, with Luo Wushuang standing there, she felt a wave of discomfort and awkwardness.
She couldn’t quite describe the feeling, but she didn’t want her past wretchedness exposed before the Empress. It felt as though she were indirectly telling her how miserable her life used to be, showing her these things just to beg for sympathy and pity.
It made her feel extremely uneasy.
Yet Luo Wushuang, who had long known of Shangguan Liqian’s situation in the family, would never think that. Seeing her sister treated this way by these villains only made her heart ache.
And it filled her with a great deal of frustration at Liqian’s previous weakness.
She couldn’t understand why, even after the Shangguan family treated her like this, they had once occupied the most important place in her sister’s heart.
Liqian, the target of Wushuang’s internal lament, merely glanced at Shangguan Wanqing without saying a word. Since she had decided to sever ties with the Shangguan family, there was no need to call this woman “Third Sister.”
She simply watched as Madam Shangguan, who had just claimed to be tired, called Shangguan Wanqing over to her side with a beaming smile.
As the familiar scene of “maternal love and filial piety” played out, Shangguan Liqian spoke up with a smile of her own.
“Since Madam and my sisters have no intention of returning those items, I won’t make a fool of myself by asking again.”
Before Madam Shangguan or Shangguan Wanqing could let their smugness show, Shangguan Liqian continued.
“I will simply return to the palace and ask Her Majesty to settle the matter for me.”
The smiles on Madam Shangguan and Shangguan Wanqing’s faces froze instantly.
Unlike them, Luo Wushuang—who was hidden behind Shangguan Liqian—felt her icy heart suddenly covered in warmth the moment she heard her sister say she would “ask her to settle the matter.”
Her sister was being so well-behaved! She was like a little kitten who had been bullied outside and was coming back to find her owner to take charge.
The thought made Luo Wushuang’s heart bloom with joy.
Her beautiful eyes, fixed on Shangguan Liqian’s back, were full of tenderness. If only Sister were always this obedient!
She loved it, and she would be more than happy to settle things for her.
Wait. Why is it suddenly quiet?
Luo Wushuang peeked out from the side and saw the “Old Bitch Shangguan” and “Little Bitch Shangguan” glaring venomously at her sister. She immediately glared back, refusing to be outdone.
Previously, she had thought her sister gave the gifts away because she didn’t like them and wanted to share them with the family she valued.
She hadn’t imagined that this despicable family would dare to blatantly embezzle the gifts she had given to her sister. Their intentions were truly deserving of death!
Just wait. Once I return to the palace, I’ll have the Secret Guards loosen the bones of every member of this family, young and old.
The first will be this old woman!
She observed that while the old woman was advanced in years, she still hadn’t learned how to speak properly. It seemed she never would. Since that was the case, having a tongue in her mouth was likely useless.
Also, her hands and feet didn’t seem very clean, daring to embezzle things meant for her sister. Truly detestable.
And this Shangguan Wanqing, jumping around so joyfully, was incredibly annoying. Perhaps if her legs were gone, she would learn some manners.
As Luo Wushuang’s thoughts drifted further and further into darkness…
