Chapter 1

The fiancé who publicly adored her to the bone, crawled into her sister's bed at night.

"Liang'er is already pregnant, I must give her a status, you should voluntarily demote yourself to concubine!"

Everyone thought Xu Yao would become hysterical, but she just smiled and nodded in agreement.

Lin Tingyu said with satisfaction, "Since you're so sensible, once Liang'er gives birth smoothly, I'll raise you back to concubine!"

Xu Yao remained silent.

But the next day, at the wedding feast of Pingning Duke Mansion, the Prime Minister's Mansion was engulfed in flames all day long.

From then on, there was no Xu Yao in this world!

"Yao, guess what good thing I've brought for you?"

Lin Tingyu walked into the room, holding a horse lantern in his hand.

Xu Yao took the exquisite horse lantern, noticing even the Warm Jade on the lantern rod was identical to Xu Liang's.

"Is this lantern made especially for me?" Xu Yao's phoenix eyes fixed on Lin Tingyu, her lips trembling slightly.

Had she not seen this item in her sister Xu Liang's courtyard just yesterday, she would have been moved.

"Of course, I specially had the master from Linglong Workshop make it. There's only this one in the entire Capital City; tomorrow you'll surely amaze everyone."

In a few days, it would be the Lantern Festival, and the Capital City's girls would inevitably compare themselves at this grand event.

By then, whoever held the most exquisite lantern would have the most face.

In this dynasty, the most exquisite lantern skills came from the Jiangnan Linglong Workshop's horse lanterns.

Every year, before the Lantern Festival, many noble families would send their servants to Linglong Workshop to customize lanterns. But this year, the lantern master was already invited by the Pingning Princess Mansion.

Everyone in the Capital City knew Lin Tingyu had liked his fiancée since childhood, causing a lot of turmoil for her many times.

Without guessing, it must have been Young Master Lin doing this to please the beauty.

Yet Xu Yao lowered her eyes disappointedly. How could she not catch that moment of panic from Lin Tingyu?

"Have you come to the mansion these days?" she asked seemingly unintentionally, with a deep inquiry hidden in her eyes.

Lin Tingyu paused slightly, then replied with a smile, "I was busy arranging the lantern festival yesterday, left the mansion matters to servants, didn't step foot."

Hearing this nonchalant reply, Xu Yao's heart sank, her fingertips slightly cold.

He was lying! Yesterday Chunhong clearly witnessed him enter the mansion and it was a whole incense stick's time before he left.

No wonder yesterday Xu Liang suddenly invited her to her courtyard to see the lanterns.

Turns out she wanted to tell her that she was no longer unique in Lin Tingyu's heart.

Xu Yao didn't understand, why did someone who once loved her so much suddenly change?

Ten years ago, by the lake, she slipped, and despite the freezing water, he jumped in to save her. That scene was still vivid in her mind.

At that time, drenched, disheveled, he held her hand tightly and told her, "Yao'er, as long as I'm here, you never have to be afraid."

And three years ago, at the family banquet at Pingning Princess Mansion, in front of all the guests, he solemnly swore, "Xu Yao is my only wife in this life, may I be struck by lightning if I am unfaithful!"

She once believed there was no deeper affection in the world than this.

But now, his vow had become a joke!

Xu Yao clenched her fists, suppressing the bitterness inside her.

Perhaps he had unspeakable difficulties?

She didn't want to believe that the man who once protected her with his life could so easily break his promise.

Therefore, once Lin Tingyu left, she followed him despite her status.

After leaving the courtyard, it wasn't long before Lin Tingyu met Xu Liang.

Xu Liang bowed, and the next second, the delicate and seemingly frail girl fell directly into Lin Tingyu's arms.

Lin Tingyu did not push her away, instead glancing around before pulling her behind a rockery.

"You can't wait to find me, weren't you fed enough last night?"

At that moment, Lin Tingyu shed his noble image and seemed more like a flirtatious broker.

Xu Liang squirmed in Lin Tingyu's embrace, speaking in a mix of coquettishness and sulkiness.

"I'm devoted to Yu Lang, but Yu Lang only thinks of my sister, forgetting all about me?"

Seeing the beauty in tears, Lin Tingyu hurried to console her.

"I merely went to her courtyard to deliver a lantern, and you're jealous? We spent the whole night in each other's arms, what else are you dissatisfied with, or do you want me to love you more..."

"No... Yu Lang..."

Standing not far away, Xu Yao watched this scene, her face void of life.

In a daze, Xu Yao walked back to her courtyard, dismissing all the maids.

As everyone left, silent tears streamed down her face, her lips turning pale from the soundless grief.

On the dressing table lay the White Jade Flower Hairpin Lin Tingyu once gave her.

He gave her this hairpin eight years ago.

At that time, her mother had just died, and Lady Liu had taken the main wife's position, holding her daughter Xu Liang on her lap.

From then on, she became the most objectionable presence at home.

Her father had only two daughters, and although she was the eldest, she was not favored.

No matter how outsiders praised the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's Mansion for being talented and graceful, it couldn't change the fact that the second daughter, Xu Liang, overshadowed her in the household.

But Lin Tingyu never cared about that; he always shielded her, keeping her in his thoughts no matter the time or place.

Once she came of age at sixteen, Lin Tingyu immediately begged his mother to arrange their engagement, treating her as a treasure both publicly and privately.

She thought she'd marry the right person in this lifetime, only to realize in a few short years, the Lin Tingyu who had once loved her deeply had disappeared.

Replaced by a man full of lies and deceit.

Xu Yao wept bitterly, not daring to make a sound until her tears dried, and her heart turned cold.

Sitting until dawn, the next morning's first light, she took out a jade pendant from her makeup box.

After a short while, she changed into men's clothing and met a man she hadn't seen in a long time behind a screen at a teahouse.

"Miss Xu, what have you decided you want?"

Xu Yao gripped the tea cup, speaking calmly, "I want to fake my death and leave the identity of Xu Yao. Can you do that?"

This man was someone she had unintentionally saved a year ago.

Out of gratitude, he promised to unconditionally help her once.

The man's lips curled into a smile.

"You can, but it will take time. Two months from now there will be an opportunity, but once the bow is drawn, there's no turning back. You should think it through."

Xu Yao bit her lower lip, unsure of where she found the courage, and pulled a dagger from her bosom.

The knife cut across her palm, and blood flowed onto the table, staining the tea red.

She declared word by word, "With blood as my pledge, I will never regret it!"

By the time she returned to the Prime Minister's Mansion, the sky was already darkening, and the entire household was preparing for the evening's Lantern Festival.

The only reason was that today's lantern show winner would receive a bridal dowry bestowed by the palace.

For any unmarried young woman, this was an enormous temptation.

"Miss, you're finally back!"

Chunhong anxiously paced in front of the courtyard, as her lady only mentioned going out for a bit, but hadn't returned by evening.

She didn't dare go out to look for her and could only wait at the courtyard entrance.

"Miss, everything for the Lantern Festival is ready. Second Miss came to urge you several times, and Young Master Lin also sent people to wait for you outside the mansion."

Xu Yao nodded and let the young maids help her change clothes.

Today, she wore a blue smoky blouse, a pleated skirt with scattered floral patterns, and a light blue gauze shawl. Her shoulders seemed carved, her waist slim, and her skin like congealed fat; she exuded an orchid-like aura.

Chunhong, as the accompanying maid, carried a flower lantern behind her.

Once out in the front courtyard, she saw Xu Liang waving at her from afar.

Xu Yao stepped forward, the smile on her lips instantly cooling.

Xu Liang seemed especially well-dressed today, wearing a robe of moon white with snow-feather shoulders, and a pink brocade dress underneath. Her slender waist and delicate figure were fully revealed.

The maid behind her, like Chunhong, was holding a flower lantern, though the lantern was covered with a black cloth.

But she knew that the lantern was exactly like the one Lin Tingyu had given her!

The two young ladies boarded the sedan chair, and the procession set off.

The lantern competition was held under the Imperial City, and the judges were a few honored ladies from the palace.

Xu Yao just lifted the curtain to look outside when Lin Tingyu's horse came chasing up; he looked down at the sedan chair.

"Yao'er, you look truly beautiful today; you'll definitely take the top spot!"

Xu Yao lowered her eyes, refusing to show any mocking expression, and just replied blandly.

"With families competing today, I might not win!"

Lin Tingyu, however, seemed confident.

"As long as you have my horse lantern, you'll definitely take the crown."

After saying this, he unconsciously glanced at Xu Liang's carriage behind him.

The competition lantern was at her feet. Xu Yao looked down at the black cloth covering the lantern and let out a self-mocking laugh.

The carriage arrived at the foot of the city wall, and Xu Yao stepped into the circle of noble ladies, with many eyes turning her way.

"I heard that this year Young Master Lin specially asked Linglong Pavilion to make a horse lantern for the competition, so surely the top spot will go to the eldest Miss of the Xu Family."

"It's because she's the apple of Young Master Lin's eye; nothing can be done about it."

Hearing the surrounding chatter, she lowered her gaze, her eyes darkening.

The world believed Lin Tingyu was deeply affectionate, but once Xu Liang's horse lantern was revealed, they would see what a hypocritical person Mr. Lin really was.

Following the usual procedure, a female official from the inner palace would step up to say a few auspicious words, and each family's young ladies would go on stage to showcase their lanterns one by one.

The Xu Family, being the current Prime Minister, wielded great power and thus was positioned at the front.

After several princes' family young ladies and princesses took the stage, it was the Xu sisters' turn.

Xu Yao, as the legitimate eldest sister, should logically go first, but Xu Liang insisted on pulling her up together.

"Sister, let's go up together!"

Saying this, she grabbed Xu Yao's hand and went on stage.

Xu Yao did not argue with her; whatever she did would be her fault anyway.

On the city wall, Princess Pingning accompanied the Imperial Concubine in looking below.

"This Xu Family's eldest girl is the one engaged to your second son, isn't she? So that horse lantern is in her hand, right?"

The Imperial Concubine was a close friend of Princess Pingning during their boudoir days, so she was particularly attentive to Xu Yao.

Princess Pingning smiled and nodded. The marriage alliance between the Xu Family and the Lin Family was decided by the elders, and it didn't matter to her whether it was the eldest or the second girl.

As long as her son was happy, making a small display for future nuptials tonight was something she welcomed.

With the female official announcing the commencement of the lighting.

Xu Yao and Xu Liang both removed the black cloth covering their lanterns.

To everyone's surprise, the horse lantern, said to be exquisitely crafted, was not in the hands of Xu Yao, the Xu Family's eldest Miss, but in Xu Liang's hands, the second Miss.

Under the candle's heat, the carvings on the horse lantern's outer shell slowly rotated, projecting the mural's contents onto the city wall—a famous love story, "Phoenix Seeking Phoenix."

The lantern itself was not problematic, for young women longing for love was normal.

But interestingly, Lin Tingyu had boasted half a month ago about creating a horse lantern with the theme of "Phoenix Seeking Phoenix" for the woman he loved most.

Now, with the horse lantern in Xu Liang's hands, does it mean the person he loves most is actually the second Miss of the Xu Family and not the eldest Miss?

Xu Liang looked at the dazzling horse lantern in her hand, a trace of pride flashing in her eyes.

"Sister, I'm sorry, the maid took the wrong horse lantern that Tingyu brother gave me and stole your spotlight!"

Xu Liang apologized insincerely to Xu Yao beside her.

Xu Yao looked at her coldly; was it not her purpose to humiliate her in front of the entire Capital City?

She descended from the stage with her lantern, ignoring Xu Liang's provocation.

"Then make sure to hold it tightly. I hear it's valued at a thousand gold; if broken, it would be a great loss."

The lantern competition concluded with the lighting of the final lantern.

Consort Zhang appointed the Xu Family's Miss as the champion of the event.

But interestingly, the Imperial Concubine only mentioned a Miss of the Xu Family, without specifying which one.

So when they entered the Prime Minister's Mansion, Xu Liang immediately knelt before Xu Yao.

"Sister, I'm sorry, I know I was wrong, don't be angry!"

Lin Tingyu, following behind, saw Xu Liang's wobbling figure and felt a pang of heartache.

"Yao'er, the lantern was a gift for Liang'er from me. If you're angry, direct it at me; don't make things difficult for Liang'er!"

Xu Yao lifted her phoenix eyes to look at Lin Tingyu, a stabbing pain in her heart for no reason.

"I haven't said a word since entering; how am I making things difficult for her? If you pity her, just let her get up; I haven't forced anyone to kneel."

Lin Tingyu had never seen such an aggressive Xu Yao before, and was momentarily speechless. He simply turned his head to look at Xu Liang.

"Liang, get up first and then we can talk!"

Xu Liang was unwilling. She straightened her body and spoke to Xu Yao.

"Please, sister, fulfill my wish. I come from a humble background, unlike you who secured a good marriage. I ask you to give me the imperial dowry that you won today, so that I can have some security in the future and not be mistreated by my husband's family."

"Yao, please let Liang have it. After we get married, I can ask the palace for another one for you, alright?"

Lin Tingyu instinctively chose the side he wanted to protect.

Xu Yao looked at him and felt as if her heart was being cut open.

He used to tell her that whatever she wanted, he would give it to her.

But now he gave Xu Liang the horse lantern she wanted.

The imperial dowry that should have been hers, he also wanted her to give it up.

What did he take her for?

Seeing Xu Yao not speaking, Lin Tingyu inevitably felt a little guilty.

He couldn't resist Xu Liang's coquettishness and had given her the first horse lantern, already breaking his promise.

Now he was forcing her to give up the crown to Xu Liang, which was indeed excessive.

But when he turned around and saw Xu Liang's frail figure kneeling in the cold wind, he couldn't help but feel pity.

His heart wavered endlessly between the two women.

Ultimately, he sided with Xu Liang.

"Yaoyao, you're the elder sister, it's proper to yield to your younger sister."

Xu Yao closed her eyes, feeling.

Since Xu Liang was brought into the Xu Family, every day someone told her that as the elder sister, she should yield to her younger sister.

And today, even her fiancé wanted her to yield to Xu Liang.

Why? Just because she's younger than her?

"Fine, if you want it, you can have it."

When she opened her eyes again, a clear tear slid down her cheek, but Xu Yao's eyes were calm as still water.

She looked at the girl kneeling on the ground, her expression indifferent.

The latter was full of joy, stood up, and grabbed Lin Tingyu's arm with a happy smile.

"Brother Tingyu, did you hear that? Sister said she's willing to let me have it."

Lin Tingyu fondly patted her head, completely ignoring Xu Yao's sorrowful eyes.

As Xu Liang passed by Xu Yao, she whispered in her ear.

"Sister, to thank you, please watch a good show at the attic at midnight tonight!"

After speaking, she left triumphantly.

Chunhong supported Xu Yao back to the courtyard. The night was as cold as water but couldn't be colder than the chill in her heart.

At midnight, she went to the attic alone.

This place is used for banquets in the summer, and few people come here in the winter.

As soon as she entered with a lantern, she heard Xu Liang's coy laughter.

"Yu Lang..."

Xu Yao's steps halted, and the lantern in her hand shook.

In the suite room, the young girl in thin gauze clothing was playing with a man.

She wrapped her arms around Lin Tingyu's neck, their eyes met, and the man instinctively leaned in to kiss her but was dodged by Xu Liang.

"Yu Lang, you're too eager. I have a new game tonight."

With that, she got up and went behind the screen to change.

A moment later, Xu Liang came out in a bright red dress, stunningly beautiful.

Lin Tingyu was first stunned, then frowned.

"This is the wedding dress your sister's mother left behind. She said it was to be worn only on the day of our marriage. Why are you playing with it now?"

Xu Liang didn't care about the provenance of the attire. She straddled the man's lap, tracing circles on his chest with her finger.

"What's there to fear? The dress won't wear out. Besides, don't you often want me to wear my sister's clothes and play with you? So why not just wear her wedding dress this time? Wouldn't it be even more exciting?"

The red wedding dress was lifted, revealing white skin.

Lin Tingyu still showed some hesitation on his face, but he soon succumbed to the girl's allure...

Outside the door, Xu Yao covered her mouth tightly to stifle any sound of her crying.

She waited until all was quiet inside, which took an hour or so.

Carrying a lantern, she walked out of the attic in a daze, never expecting to run into Lin Tingyu, who had just ended his affair, in the back garden.

Lin Tingyu broke out in a cold sweat in an instant. He never expected to encounter Xu Yao in the back garden in the middle of the night.

Seeing him look at her nervously, Xu Yao suppressed the endless pain in her heart, and coldly said.

"I couldn't sleep at midnight and felt restless, so I came to the garden for some fresh air. What are you doing here, Brother Tingyu?"

Hearing this, Lin Tingyu breathed a sigh of relief. Just a moment ago, he feared his affair with Xu Liang had been discovered.

From a young age, he had always aspired to marry Xu Yao and no other.

The wedding was less than half a year away.

He didn't want any unexpected incidents to occur during this time.

So, he explained, "Father-in-law called me over to discuss state affairs, and we talked a bit late. The night wind is strong, don't catch a cold. Let me escort you back."

Lin Tingyu reached out to support Xu Yao.

Being touched by him, Xu Yao felt a dizzying nausea surge, and she vomited on the spot.

"Yaoyao, what's wrong? I'll go find a doctor for you now."

Lin Tingyu looked at her with concern.

Xu Yao suppressed her nausea and grabbed Lin Tingyu's arm.

"It's nothing, just a bit dizzy. Just take me back to the courtyard to rest."

Believing her, Lin Tingyu escorted her back. The withered trees in the courtyard rustled in the night breeze.

Xu Yao instinctively reached out to touch her face, only to find her tears had all dried up.

She felt for the bracelet her mother had left her on her wrist.

Determined to annul the marriage with Lin Tingyu before faking her death!

It is known to all that Prime Minister Xu Lesan has had no sons throughout his life, having only two daughters.

As the eldest daughter, Xu Yao did not receive her father's favor; instead, it was Xu Liang, born of the successor wife, who was the apple of the Prime Minister's eye.

So when Xu Yao entered the dining room, she saw Xu Lesan, Lady Liu, and Xu Liang happily enjoying their meal as a family of three.

After paying her respects, the servants immediately set a set of utensils for her as well.

Xu Yao lowered her head and ate her breakfast without saying much.

"Yesterday, your sister won the top prize at the lantern festival. I have already given her the reward from the palace."

Even though Xu Yao had grown accustomed to her father's favoritism, the sweet porridge had a bitter taste in her mouth.

Before Xu Lesan finished speaking, Liu's voice took over.

"Since this dowry has been given to Liang'er, why not simply let Liang'er marry instead of Xu Yao? After all, back then, the Xu and Lin families only discussed the alliance, without specifying who it would be."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yao felt bitter inside; the entire city knew that Mr. Lin was supposed to marry her.

If she were suddenly replaced by Xu Liang, wouldn't it make it clear to everyone that she was the abandoned woman discarded by Lin Tingyu?

For an unmarried woman to carry such an infamy, only two outcomes lie ahead.

Either become a nun, or end her own life to prove her innocence.

But evidently, neither Xu Lesan nor Liu cared about her reputation or life at all.

"Though that's a good suggestion, this matter must be agreed upon by Mr. Lin himself; otherwise, exchanging brides is not that simple!"

Xu Lesan also wanted his younger daughter to marry into the Pingning Princess Mansion.

After all, it was clear to any intelligent person that Lin Tingyu was destined for high office.

As long as he didn't make any major mistakes, he was bound to hold a position among the Three Ducal Ministers and Nine Senior Officials in the future!

However, who would marry Lin Tingyu still depends on his personal wishes.

Xu Yao remained silent throughout the breakfast.

How ridiculous! Her marriage was being manipulated over and over again, as if everyone's opinion needed to be consulted, but hers was the only one not needed.

After breakfast, upon returning to the courtyard, Chunhong couldn't hold back her indignation.

"Master is too biased! The dowry was clearly promised to you, Miss, but now it's given to the second miss, and he even fantasizes about marrying her into the Pingning Duke Mansion!"

Xu Yao silently gave a bitter smile; Lin Tingyu used to care for her so much, but now his heart has changed, let alone ever considering her father?

Seeing Xu Yao looking downcast, Chunhong felt even more distressed and suggested, "Miss, the plum blossoms in the backyard of our mansion have recently bloomed, do you want to take a look?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Yao's steps halted for a moment; those plum blossoms were planted by her mother during her lifetime.

Her mother was Xu Lesan's first wife, accompanying him all the way from a commoner to an official, and just in the year Xu Lesan was appointed Prime Minister, she passed away due to illness.

There were already few people in this mansion who remembered her!

While walking towards the back garden along the path, Xu Yao unexpectedly saw the mother and daughter of Xu Liang talking in the pavilion.

"Liang'er, even if it's just as a concubine, you must enter the Pingning Duke Mansion!"

"Mother, I won't be inferior to Xu Yao. Even if I marry into the Pingning Duke Mansion, I must be the main wife."

In the Prime Minister's Mansion, she had always overshadowed Xu Yao, and wasn't willing to lower herself to be a concubine.

"Don't feel ashamed of being a concubine to Lin Tingyu. As long as the position of Mrs. Lin falls to you in the future, it's alright. For example, though mother was initially just your father's concubine, after Mrs. Mu's death, mother took her place."

Xu Liang pursed her lips, "But Xu Yao isn't like that early deceased mother of hers. I can't possibly wish for her death every day, can I?"

"How do you think Mrs. Mu died? A main wife who is not favored can be made to quietly fall ill and die with just some tricks from us."

Upon hearing Lady Liu's words, Xu Yao almost couldn't stand; she suddenly remembered many things from her childhood.

No wonder her mother kept taking medication, but never got better.

No wonder right after her mother's passing, her father elevated Liu from concubine to wife.

So, her mother didn't die of illness but was harmed by someone!

Overwhelmed by anger and grief, Xu Yao could no longer hold back, rushing forward to slap Xu Liang.

"How dare you hit me?"

Xu Liang couldn't believe her eyes as she looked at Xu Yao; in her impression, this elder sister was a silent gourd who endured humiliation, swallowing grievances and never retaliating.

"What's wrong with hitting you? You two, venomous mother and daughter, it's already good enough that I didn't take your lives!"

Xu Yao grabbed Xu Liang's clothes and pulled out a hairpin from atop her head, pressing it against Xu Liang's neck.

"Liu, I'll give you one chance, tell me how my mother really died."

Lady Liu finally realized her previous conversation had been overheard by Xu Yao.

Seeing the sharp hairpin pressing against her daughter's neck, she was immediately panic-stricken.

"Xu Yao, don't be impulsive. Your mother indeed died of illness back then. Although I thought of giving her poison, before I even took action, she was already critically ill. If you don't believe it, you can ask your father. After she gave birth to you, her health deteriorated, and no amount of tonic worked!"

"Nonsense! I clearly heard you and Xu Liang saying you killed my mother. If you dare lie, I'll kill her."

"Sister, do you really dare to kill me? If you do, aren't you afraid Yu Lang will be heartbroken?"

Xu Liang clenched the hairpin even tighter when she heard Lin Tingyu mentioned.

Lady Liu frantically looked at her daughter, gesturing for her not to provoke Xu Yao.

But Xu Liang grew even more excited, leaning close to Xu Yao's ear and whispering.

"I didn't expect you to be such a pushover. Just to marry Brother Tingyu, you can turn a blind eye even when I wear your wedding dress and get intimate with him! How about we test it out and see this time, whom Brother Tingyu will choose – you or me?"

Xu Yao raised her eyes to look at her, her gaze cold.

Seeing a figure approaching from not far away, Xu Liang's expression suddenly changed.

"Yu Lang, save me! Sister found out about us and wants to kill me!"

Lin Tingyu's mind buzzed into a blank.

"Yaoyao, listen to me, it's not like you think..."

Xu Yao grabbed Xu Liang's hair, pressing the hairpin to her beautiful face.

"Alright, then explain to me, is there no affair between you and Xu Liang? Or have you never touched her body?"

Lin Tingyu turned pale, trembling with each word Xu Yao spoke.

"Yao, I know I was wrong... I shouldn't have..."

Late apologies seemed powerless and futile.

Xu Yao closed her eyes painfully.

"Lin Tingyu, let's annul the engagement!"