Chapter 68: No One to Rely On

Watching the shadow of Sixth Sister as she rose, Fifth Sister let a smug smile slowly curl on her lips from an angle where her younger sister could not see.

Fifth Sister led Sixth Sister ahead, originally intending to go to the main house. But when they reached the garden of the second house, Fifth Sister suddenly veered toward its front courtyard.

Sixth Sister frowned slightly and called out, “Fifth Sister, why are you going that way?”

Fifth Sister turned back with a smile. “To find Eighth Sister, of course. What, do you still suspect me of something? You really are a little heartless. What could I possibly do? At most, just take you out to have some fun.”

Sixth Sister asked, “So you mean Eighth Sister is at the second house?”

Fifth Sister evaded, “You’ll see when we get there. In broad daylight, what could I possibly do to you? What’s gotten into you?”

Sixth Sister steadied herself, realizing she might be overreacting. It was the middle of the day, in her own home, and with her own sister—what could possibly happen? It was all Eighth Sister’s words that had made her so suspicious.

She quickly forced a smile and said, “Fifth Sister, I didn’t mean that. Let’s go.”

Fifth Sister gripped her arm tightly and quickened her pace.

As they neared the side gate of the second house, a medium-built figure suddenly stepped out from behind the magnolia tree. The young man approached with a smile, saluted, and said, “Ah, it’s Sixth Lady. I am Xue Liu. I wonder if you remember me?”

Truly, one’s fears come true when least expected.

Sixth Sister’s expression changed dramatically. She stammered, “You—you, why is it you?”

She turned to Fifth Sister, asking, “So you really brought me here to see Eighth Sister?”

Fifth Sister, caught in her scheme, looked slightly embarrassed but refused to admit fault. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

Then she turned to Young Master Xie Liu. “Oh, Young Master Xie, you’re here?”

She deliberately made it sound like a chance encounter, leaving Sixth Sister with no grounds to blame her.

Xie Liu noticed Sixth Sister’s unease, and felt a pang of disappointment. He nodded to Fifth Sister and said, “Yes, what a coincidence. Are you two free? If so, shall we play a game of chess? I was just about to teach Wang Xun a lesson—Sixth Lady, perhaps you could give me some pointers?”

Watching a game in silence was one thing, but chess was for two. Yet he was clearly seeking her favor.

Fifth Sister, fearing Sixth Sister might refuse, hurriedly agreed. “Oh, yes, of course! We have nothing else to do,” she said, nudging Sixth Sister with her elbow. “Right? You don’t have anything urgent.”

Sixth Sister was not one for coyness. Ordinarily, she would not want to embarrass her sister or be rude to a guest, and would have agreed. But she had promised Xue Fanzhi she would have no dealings with Xie Liu. If she agreed now, what would that promise be worth? What would Xue Fanzhi think of her?

Besides, when men and women gather, rumors are bound to arise.

Sixth Sister had been precocious and cautious since childhood, due to her parents and grandmother. She was never one for reckless behavior.

She apologized to Xie Liu: “I have something to attend to. I need to see my Eighth Sister, so I’m afraid I cannot accompany you at chess.”

Without another glance at Fifth Sister, she took two steps back and left.

Xie Liu watched her graceful figure depart, his face clouded with anger. He was, after all, a son of the Xie family. Before, as a concubine’s son, he could endure being slighted, but now, as a legitimate heir, to be dismissed by a mere girl was infuriating.

Fifth Sister noticed his dark look and, realizing he was upset with Sixth Sister, felt secretly satisfied. She offered a soft apology. “My younger sister is a bit narrow-minded, not used to meeting such distinguished gentlemen. Please don’t take offense at her manners.”

But Xie Liu was not as mild-tempered as Fifth Sister assumed. He blamed her for not managing things properly, his displeasure plain on his face. He snorted, “Your sister truly doesn’t know her place. For a young man of the Xie family to invite her is an honor, yet she refuses. She had best not leave the house in future.”

With that, he flicked his sleeves and left, ignoring Fifth Sister’s awkward attempts to save face.

Humiliated by his coldness, Fifth Sister transferred all her resentment onto Sixth Sister. She sought her out and scolded her, but this time, Sixth Sister did not indulge her, accusing Fifth Sister of betrayal and vowing to cut ties. Thus, the two sisters parted in anger.

Though Xue Fanzhi was inside, working on embroidery, she had sent Honglian to keep watch over Sixth Sister’s movements. The quarrel between Fifth and Sixth Sister did not escape Honglian’s notice, and she hurried to report back.

Xue Fanzhi frowned slightly. In her previous life, she had been foolish, playing idly indoors, completely unaware of such quarrels between her sisters.

Honglian brought further news, her manner serious and cautious. “My lady, something strange—my cousin says Fifth Sister sent someone to the Xie family, apparently to meet someone, though we don’t know whom or why.”

Why indeed?

Xue Fanzhi pressed her fist to her chin, trying to recall. In her past life, aside from being framed or married off to Xiao Yi, she paid little heed to other matters, and for the moment, nothing came to mind.

A wave of frustration washed over her. Had her former life truly been so aimless? What kind of existence was that?

Wait…

Something flashed through her memory. Xue Fanzhi suddenly recalled an incident involving the Second Madam of the Xue family and Sixth Sister. The second madam, having somehow learned that her newly acknowledged son fancied Sixth Sister, had come to their door to berate and humiliate her, leaving Sixth Sister unable to show her face. The scandal had caused quite a stir.

So, it hadn’t been a coincidence—Fifth Sister must have deliberately informed the second madam.

If Fifth Sister could go so far as to endanger Sixth Sister’s life, it was hardly surprising she would spread malicious gossip.

The more Xue Fanzhi pondered, the more certain she became.

If that were the case, she had to find a way to stop it. She could not allow Sixth Sister’s reputation to be tarnished.

Xue Fanzhi frowned. In her previous life, she had known the principle of repaying enmity with directness and virtue with kindness—bad people should not go unpunished. She could, even now, go to the Second Madam of the Xie family and inform her that Fifth Sister was interested in Xie Liu, letting the second madam come and humiliate Fifth Sister instead.

But why should it be so? Why must the girls of the Xue family be subjected to insult and shame? Was it because the Xie family’s words were gilded with gold?

No, that was a poor solution. If Fifth Sister were scolded, it would only disgrace the Xue family’s daughters further, and she herself was one of them.

If such a crude form of revenge would not do, she would have to devise another plan.

But who could help her with this?

Her current predicament was that she had no one she could rely on. She drummed her fingers on the long desk, thinking, then glanced at Honglian.

Honglian, unnerved by her calculating look, cried out, “My lady, what are you planning to do with me?”

No, Honglian’s cousin wasn’t clever enough to set a trap for the Xie family.

There was, in fact, someone in Xue Fanzhi’s mind—her lord. But she could not bring herself to ask for his help. It was a difficult dilemma indeed.