ATMIWPT Chapter 4 You’re not her!

But Madam Qin had already taken a step ahead and left.

Qin Muyao could only helplessly rub her temples, knowing that she could not stop Madam Qin from doing as she pleased.

Whoosh!

Another silver needle flew through the air.

Qin Muyao reacted swiftly, her fingers nimbly pinching the needle mid-flight. Without missing a beat, she hurled it back at the assailant before anyone had time to react. She mocked, “Since you like ambushing so much, let’s see how you handle the power of your own silver needle!”

The needle zipped through the air and, with a deadly precision, struck the masked figure in the eye.

The masked man’s pupils dilated as he stared at Qin Muyao in disbelief, clutching his injured eye as he fell to the ground, screaming in agony, “Ahh, it hurts! Help!”

The guards immediately stepped forward, surrounding him without hesitation. Within moments, they had captured the assailant.

…

At the front hall.

Qin Muyao observed the residence with a calm demeanor, listening to Madam Qin’s long-winded explanation about Marquis of Zhongyi, her so-called cheap father, not being there to welcome her.

It turned out that he was occupied with military matters and hadn’t been able to return on time.

Qin Muyao nodded in apparent understanding, but inwardly, she didn’t care. “Mother, I understand. There’s no need to explain, I understand.”

Because if her cheap father truly cared about her, he wouldn’t have used military affairs as an excuse to avoid her.

These polite words might work to placate Madam Qin, but they wouldn’t fool her.

Madam Qin nodded with relief. “I’m glad you understand, but from now on, don’t hold grudges against your father. Understand?”

Qin Muyao smiled brightly, though her response was far more indifferent. “I understand, Mother.”

Soon after hearing that Qin Muyao had returned from praying at the temple, two concubines and their daughters came to visit.

After a few pleasantries and casual exchanges, they all slowly trickled out, one by one.

With other matters demanding her attention, Madam Qin instructed the maidservants to take good care of the Eldest Young Lady before she left.

But there was one person who had not yet left.

A young maiden stood before Qin Muyao, her smile warm and inviting, as if there were something she wanted to say.

“Second Sister, you’re finally back! I was starting to think you had disappeared…” 

This was Qin Ningxin, the Fifth Young Lady of the Marquis of Zhongyi’s residence.

According to the information provided by Fu Hanzhou, this woman and the original Qin Muyao were sisters on the surface. Yet, she was always scheming to harm the original Qin Muyao. A typical smiling tiger, a woman who hid her malice behind a pleasant demeanor.

Qin Muyao raised an eyebrow and shot back, “Fifth Sister, don’t worry. I’m standing here alive and well. Judging by your tone, were you hoping I’d stay missing? What a pity—I’m afraid I can’t grant you that wish…”

Though Qin Muyao was the legitimate daughter, it was clear from their previous exchanges that the relationship between the legitimate and illegitimate daughters wasn’t exactly harmonious. The original Qin Muyao had hardly enjoyed the glamorous life others might have imagined. Instead, it seemed that the original Qin Muyao had lived a rather suffocating existence. 

It appeared that the so-called glory was merely superficial—nothing to take seriously.

This Marquis of Zhongyi’s residence was quite amusing!

Qin Ningxin’s expression twisted with frustration. “You!”

Qin Muyao raised an eyebrow and sneered, “What do you mean you? Can’t even speak properly? I suggest you learn some manners from your tutor—otherwise, if you can’t even string a sentence together, you’ll only embarrass yourself in public!”

Qin Ningxin’s face contorted with fury, as if she wanted to swallow Qin Muyao whole. She suppressed her anger and managed to force out a thin smile. “Second Sister, I’ve come to deliver an invitation to you.”

It had been more than a month since they’d last seen each other. Qin Muyao’s tongue had grown sharper, much to her irritation.

What was worse, she couldn’t even find a way to retort.

No, she had to find a chance to teach this little bitch a lesson!

Qin Muyao blinked her bright eyes, studying the invitation in Qin Ningxin’s hands, and instantly understood her intention. It seemed she wanted to invite her to the Chrysanthemum Banquet. With a small nod, Qin Muyao spoke thoughtfully, “I see. Fifth Sister, just say what you want. For your sake, I’ll consider whether to attend.”

Qin Ningxin forced a smile, but there was an edge in her voice. “…Second Sister, I heard that the Third Prince will also be attending. You used to love discussing poetry and the arts with him, didn’t you? This is a rare opportunity, after all…”

Qin Muyao’s smile remained faint, but her eyes were as cold as ice.

The Third Prince?

In the information Fu Hanzhou had given her, there was no mention of any relationship between ‘Qin Muyao’ and the Third Prince.

Could there be some secret hidden within?

Perhaps this was the key to finding a useful clue.

Qin Ningxin watched Qin Muyao, who remained unmoving, her heart filled with confusion. If it were the past, she would have eagerly agreed to anything related to the Third Prince. Why was Qin Muyao hesitating now?

Qin Ningxin narrowed her almond-shaped eyes, her gaze filled with malice, though it quickly faded into a smile. “Second Sister, if you miss this opportunity, it may never come again. It’s better to make a decision soon. If you don’t trust me, I can go with you tomorrow.”

No matter what, Qin Muyao had to attend the banquet.

Qin Muyao seemed to be in a dilemma, but after a moment’s pause, she nodded. “Alright.”

Qin Ningxin smiled slightly, hiding the venom in her eyes.

…

Mingyue Pavilion.

In the deep of night, Qin Muyao lay on the soft bed, preparing to sleep.

Perhaps because of her transformation into a mermaid, her hearing and vision were sharper than before. Every subtle movement of the wind, every rustle of leaves, reached her ears with perfect clarity.

A dense smoke began to spread through Mingyue Pavilion.

Creak—

After a brief moment, the faint sound of a door creaking open reached her ears.

A figure in black slipped quietly into the room.

Qin Muyao quickly opened her eyes but pretended to remain deeply asleep.

The man in black approached the bed, casting a glance at Qin Muyao, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Then, he raised a dagger and quietly moved toward her neck.

Qin Muyao’s eyes fluttered open, her expression as calm as ever. “Who are you?”

The man in black widened his eyes in shock, his gaze filled with confusion and anger. “You’re not Qin Muyao! Who are you really?”

Qin Muyao’s voice softened, but her eyes chilled with coldness. “How do you know I’m not Qin Muyao?”

The man in black let out a sigh of relief and smiled smugly. “Because I killed her.”

He paused for a moment, reveling in the satisfaction of his words. “Not only did I kill her, but I also used Bone-Corrosive Water to destroy her body. You’ll never find her again! And you… you’ll be the next soul to fall under my blade!”

The man showed no hesitation in revealing all this to Qin Muyao. In his eyes, she was nothing more than a dead woman walking. What did it matter if he spoke a little longer?

He swiftly broke free from Qin Muyao’s grip, gripping the dagger tightly as he prepared to finish her off with one clean strike. His voice was cold and full of malice. “You’re unlucky to have crossed paths with me.”

However, Qin Muyao was quicker than he anticipated. With a deft movement, she dodged his attack, and in the blink of an eye, she slapped a talisman onto his chest. Instantly, his body froze, unable to move.

Slap—

Qin Muyao slapped him across the left cheek.

Slap—

As though unsatisfied, she delivered another slap to his right cheek.

Taking out a handkerchief, she leisurely wiped her hands, as though the man before her was little more than a piece of filth to be avoided.

Qin Muyao then pressed the dagger to his chest, drawing a small circle, as though preparing to pierce it straight through his heart. She spoke calmly, her voice carrying an air of quiet authority. “Tell me, where is the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Zhongyi’s residence, Qin Muyao?”

——