“Since I have nothing to do right now, why don’t I accompany Ningning back?” Yan Shiyao said with a gentle smile.  

Yan Yuning affectionately hooked her arm, her eyes curving into little crescents. “Sister is so kind.”  

She felt a bit guilty—after all, she was stealing her sister’s boyfriend.  

Ah!  

But there was no helping it! Who knew her sister would end up dragging her down too?  

She had no choice!  

Don’t blame her!  

Just as she stepped over the threshold of the main hall, a teacup came flying toward her. Startled, Yan Yuning couldn’t dodge in time, and the cup, still full of tea, smashed onto the floor, splashing all over her dress.  

She lowered her head, staring at the large wet stain on her skirt, her lungs nearly bursting with rage.  

“Mother, what are you doing?” Yan Shiyao walked to Chu Wantang’s side and gently patted her back.  

Chu Wantang looked at her with tender affection and patted her hand. “Yaoyao.”  

“Ningning just got back. Even if she did something wrong, please don’t scold her.”  

Chu Wantang shot an icy glare at Yan Yuning. “Yan Yuning, what exactly did you do today?”  

Yan Yuning met her gaze calmly, replying without hurry or panic, “Today, I ate dragon’s beard candy, mung bean cakes, candied fruit, and—”  

“Who’s asking about that?!” Chu Wantang snapped sharply, her face stern. “I’m asking what happened between you and the Third Prince today!”  

Yan Yuning clicked her tongue. [Am I not her biological daughter?]

Fafa: [Master, of course you’re not.]

[I mean the original host. Isn’t the original host her biological daughter?]

Fafa: [The book doesn’t say, but judging by this attitude, probably not. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so biased.]

Yan Yuning: […]

“You are forbidden from meeting the Third Prince in private from now on,” Chu Wantang declared coldly.  

“Mother, what do you mean by that?” Yan Yuning shot her a sidelong glance.  

A flicker of anger flashed in Chu Wantang’s eyes. “Yan Yuning, the rules of the Prime Minister’s residence are that you do as I say.”  

After a pause, she added with emphasis, “Go kneel in the ancestral hall. You may come out once you’ve learned obedience.”  

Yan Yuning sneered, firing back without backing down, “My rule, Yan Yuning’s rule, is not to listen to your nonsense—”  

“You—!” Chu Wantang paled with fury at the sudden defiance. “Servants, bring the family discipline whip!”  

Yan Yuning watched as a servant approached with a long whip covered in sharp spikes, its very sight enough to send chills down one’s spine. [Good heavens, this old hag is truly vicious.]

Fafa: [Master, you’d better think of a way to get out of this.]

Chu Wantang took the whip in hand, her voice icy. “Today, I will teach you a lesson.”  

“Mother, don’t!” Yan Shiyao’s eyes welled with tears, her voice trembling. “Ningning is just being childish. Don’t take it to heart.”  

“Yaoyao, step aside.” Chu Wantang remained unmoved.  

Yan Shiyao shook her head desperately, shielding Yan Yuning behind her.  

“Servants!” Chu Wantang commanded the attendants waiting nearby. “Take the eldest miss away!”  

[Now I get it—this Prime Minister’s wife is definitely not my birth mother!] Yan Yuning cursed inwardly.  

Fafa: […]

“What is going on here?” Yan Ruijing flicked his sleeves, his hands clenched tightly behind his back.  

“Father, save Ningning!” Yan Shiyao pleaded with reddened eyes, tears streaming uncontrollably.  

Yan Ruijing shot a cold glance at Chu Wantang.

Chu Wantang met that icy gaze, her heart tightening.  

“Ningning is also your child. Whatever treatment Yaoyao receives, she must receive the same—not a single thing less. Wife, if you can’t grasp this, I won’t hesitate to…”  

“Understood, my lord.” Chu Wantang swallowed her resentment with great effort.  

“Ningning, weren’t you clamoring for beggar’s chicken? Today, your father brought one back just for you,” Yan Ruijing said with a hearty laugh.  

Yan Yuning swallowed hard. “Father, I love you so much.”  

Yan Ruijing reached out and ruffled her hair, his gaze carrying a trace of imperceptible melancholy. “It’s all my fault for letting our Ningning suffer.”  

Yan Yuning blinked. [Fafa, Dad’s a good dad.]

Fafa: […] 

In the pavilion.  

Yan Yuning unwrapped the lotus leaves covering the beggar’s chicken on the round table, savoring it with deep satisfaction.  

“Second Miss, in a good mood?” Xuan Yanyu casually took a seat beside her, leaning back slightly as he narrowed his eyes at her. “Why did you make Ah Yao cry? Hmm?”  

Yan Yuning swallowed a mouthful of chicken. “It wasn’t me. It was her mother who made her cry.”  

“Her mother?” Xuan Yanyu raised an eyebrow, his slender fingers tapping the table. “Yet I heard it was because of you.”  

“Then you heard wrong.” Yan Yuning didn’t even lift her eyelids, taking a bite of a chicken leg.  

“Ah Yao was so upset she skipped dinner because of you. Go and comfort her,” Xuan Yanyu said coolly, giving her a sidelong glance.  

Yan Yuning choked. [Fafa, shouldn’t I be the one who’s upset? No motherly love, no care.]

Fafa: [Sigh, the female lead has a kind-hearted persona. She probably felt bad for you.]

Yan Yuning smacked her lips. *Her acting like this is making me feel guilty.]

She glanced at Xuan Yanyu. The man’s bone structure was exceptionally striking—his looks were top-tier.  

He idly played with the jade ring on his finger, his robes luxurious, his every movement exuding nobility.  

Maybe instead of competing with the female lead for the male lead, she should try flirting with Xuan Yanyu?  

“Did you hear me? Hmm?” Xuan Yanyu’s voice cut in abruptly, laced with intimidation.  

Yan Yuning shook her head. Never mind—she’d stick to stealing the male lead.  

“Got it, got it.” Yan Yuning finished the chicken leg in a few bites and wiped her mouth carelessly.  

Xuan Yanyu stared at her, displeased.  

“Going, I’m going right now. Don’t rush me.” Sensing his gaze, Yan Yuning batted her eyelashes.  

“Then why aren’t you moving?” Xuan Yanyu’s voice was low.  

“Not going.” Yan Yuning sprawled ungracefully across the table.  

What kind of attitude was this?!  

The man’s handsome face darkened, his obsidian eyes narrowing. “Second Miss, do you know where the last person who defied me is now?”  

His expression was frosty.  

“What’s that got to do with me?” Yan Yuning pretended not to understand.  

“Second Miss, I had his limbs—”  

“Sister, I’m here!” Yan Yuning suddenly shouted, her face pale with fright as she bolted out.  

Xuan Yanyu watched her fleeing figure and chuckled lowly. ‘So timid, yet still dares to defy me.’

“Your Highness.” Yechen emerged from the shadows. “Today, the Prime Minister’s wife intended to punish Yan Yuning with the family whip. The eldest miss couldn’t bear to see it, which is why she tearfully pleaded with the Prime Minister.”  

“Family whip?” Xuan Yanyu smirked faintly. “With her being so timid, how could she possibly provoke the Prime Minister’s wife to such fury?”  

“Your Highness, that part is unclear. But that Prime Minister’s wife is ruthless. If the Prime Minister hadn’t returned in time, Yan Yuning would’ve been in for a rough time.” Yechen’s tone was full of pity.  

“Still a little pitiful thing?” Xuan Yanyu murmured under his breath.