The Zhao estate had always been a place of elegance, its marble halls echoing with the footsteps of servants trained to never speak too loudly, to never linger where they weren't wanted. But tonight, even the most obedient of maids could not resist stealing glances and whispering in corners.
For the first time in years, the name that left their lips was not Miss Rourou but Miss Yuexin.
"Did you hear? Second Miss dazzled everyone at the showcase. They say even Madam Han praised her designs personally."
"I saw her return last night. She was glowing. Our Young Miss Rourou… she didn't look pleased."
"Shhh! If Madam Lin hears you..."
The hushed voices broke off, replaced by nervous giggles, as the rustle of silk skirts swept through the corridor. Lin Yumei, graceful as always, passed with her daughter at her side. To outsiders, the pair looked like the perfect image of refinement: a dignified madam and her flawless daughter. But behind their delicate smiles, a storm was brewing.
As soon as the two reached the privacy of Rourou's boudoir, the mask cracked. Rourou threw the fan in her hand across the room, its lacquered wood snapping against the wall.
"Mother! How dare she steal my spotlight? That wench Yuexin! I should have been the one standing on that stage, not her!"
Lin Yumei's expression remained calm, though her eyes glittered with venom. She motioned for the maids to leave, then shut the door with a decisive snap.
"Rourou, control yourself," she said coldly. "You lose composure, you lose power. Remember that."
"But she humiliated me in front of everyone!" Rourou's hands clenched the silk of her gown, nails digging into the fabric. "All those people who used to flatter me were whispering behind their fans, staring at her as though she were some phoenix risen from ashes. Even Father looked at her differently last night!"
At the mention of Zhao Jinghai, Lin Yumei's lips curved into a thin smile. "Your father has always been weak to appearances. A single successful performance and he wavers. But don't worry, Rourou. Yuexin has merely borrowed a bit of light. I will see to it that she burns under its glare."
Rourou's chest heaved with indignation. "She should have stayed forgotten, like before. Why now? Why is she suddenly acting like she matters?"
"Because she thinks she has nothing to lose," Lin Yumei answered smoothly. "That makes her reckless. But recklessness is not strength. It is an opening."
She crossed the room and poured herself tea, her movements unhurried. The calm in her manner only deepened the cruelty of her words.
"Listen carefully, Rourou. Yuexin may have dazzled a crowd, but she still holds no real power in this family. She has no backing, no control of assets. At most, she can impress a few outsiders with her tricks. In this house, she is nothing."
"But Father..."
"will do as I say," Lin Yumei interrupted, her tone sharp as steel wrapped in silk. "He has always listened when it comes to the children. If I say Yuexin requires a 'test' to prove her worth, he will not refuse. And once she fails spectacularly, her so-called rise will end before it begins."
Rourou's eyes widened, the anger on her face shifting into delight. "A test? You mean… setting her up?"
Lin Yumei's smile widened, though it never reached her eyes. "Precisely. We'll place her in charge of something small yet crucial, a project where a single mistake will be magnified. She will drown in the details, and when she inevitably fails, the Zhao family's reputation will shield you, not her. She'll be scorned as incompetent."
Rourou clapped her hands together like an eager child. "Brilliant, Mother! But… what if she succeeds?"
"She won't." Lin Yumei's voice was a dagger wrapped in velvet. "Because we won't let her. Documents can be misplaced, suppliers delayed, rumors planted. By the time anyone notices, it will be too late."
Rourou laughed, her earlier fury replaced by giddy malice. "Yes! That will crush her pride completely. Everyone will know she's nothing more than a pretender. She'll go back to being invisible. And I'll be the one they admire again."
Lin Yumei allowed herself a small sip of tea before setting the cup down. "Remember, Rourou, the higher they rise, the harder they fall. We'll let Yuexin climb a little further, just enough to make her fall spectacular. That way, no one will dare to look at her again."
That very evening, in the main study of the Zhao residence, Father Zhao...Zhao Jinghai sat behind a heavy mahogany desk, reading reports by lamplight. The door opened, and Lin Yumei glided in, her face composed, her steps measured.
"Jinghai," she said softly, "there is something we must discuss."
He looked up, eyebrows slightly furrowed. "Yumei. What is it? It's late."
She walked closer, setting a hand lightly on his shoulder. "It's about Yuexin."
Zhao Jinghai's frown deepened. "What about her?"
"Her little performance last night. It was… impressive, I admit." Lin Yumei sighed delicately, as though the words cost her effort. "But it has also stirred unnecessary talk. People will start comparing her to Rourou, doubting the balance in our family. That is not good for harmony."
Zhao Jinghai leaned back in his chair. "She showed initiative. That's not a bad thing. For once, she acted like a Zhao."
"True," Lin Yumei conceded smoothly, "but appearances can be deceiving. Yuexin has been idle and unremarkable for years. Suddenly she shines? Such change deserves to be tested. Don't you think?"
Zhao Jinghai tapped his fingers against the desk, thoughtful. "What do you suggest?"
Lin Yumei lowered her gaze, her tone mild. "Assign her a small project under the Zhao name. Something manageable, but visible. Let her prove this newfound competence of hers. If she succeeds, we gain another capable daughter. If she fails… well, it will silence the gossip."
Zhao Jinghai's eyes narrowed. "And you think she'll fail."
Lin Yumei offered a soft laugh, neither confirming nor denying. "I simply believe in reality more than theatrics. Better she learns her limits early."
Silence stretched between them. Finally, Zhao Jinghai exhaled heavily. "Very well. I'll consider it."
Lin Yumei's smile deepened in triumph, though she kept it hidden as she bowed her head. "You're wise, Jinghai. This will be for the best."
Meanwhile, in the quiet of her own chambers, Zhao Yuexin sat at her vanity, brushing her long dark hair. Her reflection in the mirror was calm, almost serene. But her eyes glittered with cold amusement.
She had overheard the servants' whispers earlier. She had seen the venom in Rourou's glare at dinner, the false sweetness in Lin Yumei's words. And now, she watched the pieces moving into place exactly as she remembered.
So this is where they begin, she thought, lips curving. The first trap they laid for me in my past life. Back then, I was too naïve, too eager to please. I stumbled right into it, and they tore me apart.
Her brush stilled, fingers tightening around the handle.
But this time… I'm not the same Yuexin. This time, I already know where the pit lies. And I will not fall.
She set the brush down gently, her movements composed. Rising, she crossed to the window, gazing out into the night. The moonlight washed over her face, highlighting the sharpness in her eyes.
If Lin Yumei and her darling daughter want to play games, then I will play too. Only, I don't intend to be the one who loses.
A smile icy, dangerous touched her lips.
Let's see who truly understands the art of scheming.
TO BE CONTINUED