Revenge? The Kind That Wipes Out a Family - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

There is no legitimate daughter in the Chancellor’s Manor, but how could the Inner Palace lack a daughter of the Xie Family in the future?

As for my father the Chancellor, he let the rear court open its belly to bear daughters, and after years of effort, he got six illegitimate daughters.

I was fifth in line, called Fifth Miss Xie.

Daughters of the Xie Family were raised in gilt and jade from childhood, taught by etiquette tutors, learning zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

One could say that in the entire the capital, there were no illegitimate daughters more blessed by birth than those born into the Xie Family.

Except for me, because my Concubine wouldn’t fight.

I had no splendid clothes, no fashionable ornaments, not even tasty fruits.

I thought that as long as I completed the assignments the tutor left, both my father and the First Madam would look at me with favor.

But alas, every time the tutor left homework, my Concubine would coax me out to play something else.

The next day at the Girls’ Academy I’d be scolded by the tutor, and my Concubine would just stick out her tongue.

People in the manor all said, “The Fifth Young Lady is a good seedling, but it’s a pity she has such a muddle-headed Concubine from the Jiang clan.”

I puffed up angrily: “Concubine, please don’t make trouble for me. Only if I hand in my homework can I eat well and dress well!”

My Concubine grinned cheekily and said, “Homework can wait; come keep your Concubine company braiding tassels first.”

I was so angry I cried: “Concubine! Let me do my homework! After the tutor praises me, I’ll beg the First Madam for a new jacket!”

My Concubine looked at my frostbitten hands and sighed.

The next day, I didn’t know where she’d gotten me a not-quite-new little jacket-at a glance you could tell it was a hand-me-down from one of my elder sisters.

I didn’t know how humbly she had lowered herself to beg for it.

She smiled and said, “Little Fifth, you have a new jacket. Put it on and go with your Concubine to see the plum blossoms.”

I didn’t expect that this not-quite-new jacket would cause my Concubine enormous trouble.

The Crown Prince at ten often came to the manor; I had encountered him more than once, but he had never noticed a maid-like thing such as me.

Yet today, I drew his attention.

I was only seven that year, puffed up with anger because I wanted to do my homework but was dragged by my Concubine to see the plum blossoms.

He came over led by my father, the First Madam, and Concubine Zhao, and at a glance saw me and my Concubine.

He stared at me and asked, “What’s your name?”

I hadn’t opened my mouth yet.

Concubine Zhao hastily said, “This is the Little Third of the family; her boudoir name is Yuwan.”

“?”

I looked at my own Concubine in confusion, only to see her face turn deathly pale.

Concubine Zhao warmly took my hand while warning my Concubine with her eyes.

“Wan’er, come pay respects to His Highness the Crown Prince.”

My Concubine finally made up her mind and gave me a little push: “Go, pay respects to His Highness.”

Back then I was still young and didn’t know what was happening.

Since the adults all said so, I stepped forward and gave him a standard salute.

“Greetings to His Highness the Crown Prince…”

He sized me up and then turned to my father and said, “This little punching bag is rather interesting. Don’t mistreat her.”

With that, he stuffed a jade pendant into my hand.

“When you’re older, I’ll have someone come fetch you.”

My father was overjoyed, the First Madam smiled without speaking, and Concubine Zhao’s expression was very odd.

Only my Concubine’s gaze turned cold.

She knew the rules of the Chancellor’s Manor: whoever snatched it first, it belonged to them.

If Concubine Zhao killed me to hide the truth, my father would only tell my Third Sister to learn from her Concubine’s methods.