Title: The Struggles of the Legitimate Daughter: The Rise of the Ailing

Big Sister and I are here to see Third Sister. Make way!" Second Lady Xiao Yunling's voice, laced with its usual arrogance, rang out beyond the cool courtyard gate.

The maid guarding the door, Siqin, bowed respectfully but firmly. "My apologies, Second Lady. Third Lady is still unwell. The physician specifically instructed she needs quiet rest and is not to be disturbed by visitors."

First Lady Xiao Yunru's face instantly clouded with displeasure at this. "A mere servant girl dares to make decisions for her mistress? Move aside!" Her tone, though not loud, carried an unyielding authority.

Yunling immediately chimed in, "Exactly! We come in good faith to visit the invalid, and you, a lowly servant, dare block our way? Utterly ungrateful!"

Yunru frowned slightly. This tactless half-sister was needlessly tarnishing her own reputation. She reprimanded coldly, "Second Sister, where are your manners? Mind your words and remember your station."

Publicly scolded by her elder sister, Yunling flushed with humiliation, quickly replacing it with an ingratiating smile. "Elder Sister is right. Yunling spoke rashly out of... out of concern for Third Sister. Please forgive me." She pursed her lips inwardly, resentment simmering.

Inside the room, Yunyi was already prepared. Hearing the commotion outside, she knew Siqin couldn't hold back these unwelcome visitors much longer. Unwilling to let her loyal maid suffer further, she called out in a voice weak yet clear, "Siqin, please admit the First and Second Ladies."

The door opened softly, and Yunru and Yunling stepped into the sickroom still smelling faintly of medicine. They saw Xiao Yunyi propped up against the headboard, her face as pale as paper, her raven hair cascading loosely, making her seem even more frail. Only her eyes, upon seeing the visitors, held a cold, settling stillness.

Yunru gracefully approached the bed. Her visit held no genuine concern; she was here to vent frustrations elsewhere upon this orphaned girl. "Third Sister," she began with feigned solicitude, her eyes devoid of warmth, "The manor has been supplying top-grade medicines like water flowing, spending who knows how much silver. Yet you... still look like a walking skeleton?"

A cold laugh echoed in Yunyi's heart, though her expression remained placid. She merely lifted her gaze. "Oh? I trouble Eldest Sister to worry. But... I was unaware that after my father died serving the country, even the silver for my medicine as an orphaned daughter has become a 'waste' within this manor? Should such words reach beyond these walls, I wonder how outsiders would view the 'benevolence' of our main branch?"

The words, delivered calmly yet sharp as needles, struck their mark. Yunru choked on her reply, her mask of concern freezing on her face.

Yunling, unable to contain herself, pushed forward. "Xiao Yunyi! Do you still think it's when Second Uncle was alive, backing you? Wake up! It's *our* main branch managing the household now! You..."

"Managing the household, so what?" Yunyi's gaze snapped coldly onto Yunling, her voice hardening. "Every single one of the manor's profitable estates—which one was acquired by Eldest Uncle? Second Sister, if you are unclear, perhaps you should go back and get your facts straight before presuming to instruct me!"

Yunling faltered, her face flushing crimson. Yunyi spoke the truth. The estates currently sustaining the manor were indeed acquired by her late father, the Second Master, with silver rewarded during his service at Prince Jin's residence. Only because the family hadn't formally divided the estate, and the Second Madress was of a placid nature, had the income remained pooled. This unspoken truth was now laid bare by this sickly girl!

They had come to provoke and vent anger, yet the usually docile Xiao Yunyi proved unexpectedly sharp-tongued today, her words piercing, leaving the sisters humiliated.

Fury overwhelmed Yunru. Forget maintaining the dignity of the eldest sister! Pointing at Yunyi, she spat venomously, "So what! However capable he was—he's still dead! And *he* ruined it! Made me miss my auspicious wedding date, got my engagement broken! If I suffer, the Second Branch—you orphans and widow—won't have peace either!"

Seeing her elder sister shed all pretense, Yunling gleefully piled on: "I say it's that little ill-omened child! Brings misfortune to kin!"

The words "misfortune to kin" struck Yunyi's ears. Her face turned to frost, the last trace of warmth vanishing from her eyes, replaced only by icy scorn and suppressed fury.

"Heh," she laughed, a sound colder than winter. "Just how Eldest Sister secured *that* match, the main branch knows best. Now, cast aside, you choose to blame the Second Branch's orphans and widow? That is utterly disgraceful!"

"You!" Stung to her core by the truth, shame and rage obliterated Yunru's reason. Her hand shot up, aiming to strike Yunyi's face!

In that lightning flash, Yunyi didn't flinch. Instead, she snapped her head up, her gaze like a honed blade piercing Yunru. "Strike! Go ahead! But dare to lay a finger on me, and I will go straight to the manor gates! I will make a public spectacle, beat the drums, and let the *entire* capital see how the main branch bullies the orphaned children of a general who died serving his country! How they mistreat a sickly, helpless cousin! And while I'm at it... I'll spread the 'virtuous' name of you, First Lady Xiao!"

Yunru's upraised hand froze mid-air. Staring into Yunyi's fathomless, fearless eyes, a chill shot up from her feet. She couldn't bring the blow down. The air hung thick, charged only by Xiao Yunyi's glacial stare, silently proclaiming: Times have changed.