Chapter 2

📖 CHAPTER 2: THE CROWN PRINCE'S FIRST MISTAKE

Gu Qingyan exhaled slowly, pushing back the lingering shock of her newfound power. There was no time to waste.

She knew what today was.

It was the day Xu Minghao would send her his first grand gift—a jade hairpin, carved with intricate phoenix patterns. A 'token of love.'

A deception.

In her past life, she had treasured that gift, thinking it symbolized his devotion. What a joke. That same hairpin had later been found in Gu Ruoyun's jewelry box, proving that Xu Minghao had never been hers to begin with. He had played her like a fool, using her status while secretly favoring another.

Not this time.

A faint smirk played on her lips as she adjusted her posture, letting calm confidence settle into her expression.

"Come in," she said smoothly.

The door creaked open, and her trusted maid, Xiao Lian, stepped inside, holding an ornate red box wrapped in silk.

"Miss, the Crown Prince personally sent this. He said it was—"

"A jade phoenix hairpin," Gu Qingyan finished for her.

Xiao Lian blinked in surprise. "You… already knew?"

Gu Qingyan chuckled softly. "Of course. It's not the first time he's sent such things, is it?"

She reached out and gently tapped the box's lid, her fingers feather-light.

"In fact, I wonder," she mused, tilting her head, "if he sent the same one to someone else before me."

Xiao Lian's expression shifted. "Miss, what do you mean?"

Gu Qingyan leaned back, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "Nothing, just a passing thought."

She picked up the box but didn't bother opening it. Instead, she turned to her maid.

"Return it."

Xiao Lian nearly dropped the tray. "W-What? Miss, this is from His Highness the Crown Prince! If you return it, won't it—"

"Cause a stir?" Gu Qingyan finished with an indifferent smile. "Good. Let it."

In her past life, she had eagerly accepted every favor from Xu Minghao, always trying to be the perfect fiancée. And where had that gotten her? A ruined reputation. A torn engagement. A death sentence.

This time, she would not play his game.

"Tell the Crown Prince…" Gu Qingyan's gaze turned ice-cold. "That I am undeserving of such a gift. If he truly respects me, he should not trouble himself with such gestures."

Xiao Lian hesitated, but after seeing the unyielding certainty in her mistress's eyes, she swallowed her nerves and bowed.

"Yes, Miss. I will deliver your message."

As the door closed behind her, Gu Qingyan's smirk deepened.

This was only the beginning.

If Xu Minghao thought she would still be his docile little pawn, he was in for a rude awakening.

And as for Gu Ruoyun?

She knew her stepsister had been waiting, hoping to see her usual blind devotion to the prince.

Let's see how she reacts when everything starts slipping out of her control.

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