Chapter 5: Could It Be That Sister Is the Thief Crying “Thief!”

“Dad… cough cough… how come you’re here? Am I hallucinating from starvation?”

Jiang Wei collapsed to the ground, weakly waving a silk handkerchief and coughing so hard it seemed like she’d cough out all her organs.

Everyone who had crowded into the room exchanged bewildered looks.

What was going on? This third miss looked even frailer than the eldest miss!

What shocked them more was that overnight, Jiang Wei had transformed from an ugly fat girl into a plump but delicate-looking young lady.

Creepy.

Jiang Yan was horrified, like she’d seen a ghost. “Weren’t you mute?” Impossible. The potion she gave her was extremely potent—anyone who drank it would definitely lose their voice.

Unless… she never drank it.

Jiang Yan suspiciously glanced at Third Concubine Chen Yiyi, who stood at the back.

But Chen Yiyi wouldn’t betray her—not for her son or a former engagement.

“Sister, that’s a strange thing to say. What maid in this estate would dare poison a young lady? Unless they were ordered to. Aiya… could it be that you tried to poison me?” Jiang Wei trembled in fear, hiding behind Shen Peirong.

“You’re joking, little sister. We’re blood-related sisters. How could I poison you?”

“You’re right, Sister. I know you love me the most. That’s why you told the maids to stop giving me food—to starve me thin.”

Jiang Dahai frowned. “Xiaoyan, don’t do that again. If you starve your sister to death, who’s going to marry into the Gu family in your place?”

Typical scumbag dad. Not even trying to hide it. Did he think she was deaf or invisible?

Jiang Wei curled her lips. “Luckily, Third Concubine has a kind heart and brought me a bowl of chicken soup. Sadly, my peasant stomach couldn’t handle such luxury—I had diarrhea and vomiting all night, lost 20 pounds, and even expelled the Guanyin clay I ate in the countryside.”

“Do you know what Guanyin clay is?

It’s the kind of dirt that, once eaten, can’t be digested. It causes edema, makes your belly swell, and in the end, it kills you.”

“Guanyin clay?!”

Shen Peirong shrieked, “I send money to your sister every month! How could they let you eat dirt?!”

No matter how biased she was, Jiang Wei was still her daughter. Hearing she’d eaten soil to survive triggered a flashback to the dream last night—where Jiang Wei was covered in blood.

She was furious, and her headache worsened.

So strange. Her headaches were getting more frequent lately. Her whole body felt like it was being drained.

“Maybe the person you sent to deliver the money died on the way,” Jiang Wei said weakly. “Anyway, I haven’t received anything in three years. The foster family cursed me, said I was a wretched brat born of a mother who didn’t raise me… cough cough cough…”

Though the excuse was a little far-fetched, Shen Peirong could mostly guess what had happened. Still, she was too biased to trust her gut.

“Enough. Since we’re all here, let’s not bring up the past.”

Jiang Dahai’s face darkened. “Did you ransack Xiaoyan’s room out of spite?”

“Father, I’m innocent. From yesterday until just before you arrived, I’ve been locked in this room with all the windows and doors sealed. I couldn’t leave, not even to use the bathroom—I had to do my business in here. The maid outside stood guard the whole time. If you don’t believe me, ask them.”

The maid stepped forward. “Master, it’s true. The third miss hasn’t left her room since yesterday.”

After all, First and Third Concubines told her that if Jiang Wei ran off, her own life would be forfeit.

She’d stood guard all night—not even a fly got in or out.

Jiang Dahai, the one who ordered Jiang Wei locked in, awkwardly turned his head.

Jiang Wei leaned in. “Father, I have a question.”

“Speak.”

“You said my sister’s room was robbed last night—but then why did she only discover it this morning?”

“Could it be… that she didn’t sleep in her room last night?”

Shen Peirong frowned. “Xiaoyan, where did you go after giving me acupuncture last night?”

“Madam,” Chen Xiaolian quickly answered, “Xiaoyan has a speech issue. Last night, she too had a headache, and after giving you acupuncture, the eldest miss treated her as well.

Since it was late, she let Xiaoyan stay in her room overnight.”

To reinforce the headache claim, Chen Xiaolian rubbed her temples dramatically.

Shen Peirong frowned again. It wasn’t ideal for Xiaoyan to get too close to the third branch.

Strangely, although Third Branch always opposed her, they treated Xiaoyan like family.

All the best food and fun went to Xiaoyan.

Even Yunhe hadn’t been so spoiled by Third Branch.

Thinking about her dream, where her father said Xiaoyan was actually Third Branch’s child, her eyes darted between Chen Xiaolian and Jiang Yan.

She was horrified to realize that Xiaoyan, who used to look like her, was now starting to resemble Third Concubine. And Jiang Wei, now thinner, actually looked more like her.

No… not like her—more like her deceased father.

Jiang Yan had noticed this too when she looked in the mirror earlier. Her appearance had subtly changed—and her jade pendant had vanished.

She had searched both Shen Peirong and her mother’s rooms and still couldn’t find it.

Although she had already bonded with the pendant, without it to support her, her ability to absorb luck would weaken.

In short, she had to keep absorbing more luck to stay lucky and stay in control.

Jiang Dahai, seeing his beloved woman feeling unwell, turned his anger on Jiang Wei. “Your sister has always been kind. No one in this household ever crosses her—except you.”

“Father, you really think highly of me. I heard Sister’s bed, vanity, wardrobe, and even undergarments were stolen.

Do you really think a girl like me, who hasn’t eaten in two days, could lift a wardrobe or a bed?”

Jiang Dahai was speechless. Even he would have a hard time moving a wardrobe.

Jiang Wei took the chance to smear her sister. “Father, could the thief possibly be my sister’s lover? Who else would steal a girl’s underwear?”

Third Concubine screamed, “Nonsense! The eldest miss is pure and virtuous—she’s nothing like you, you uncultured fool raised without a mother!”

Jiang Wei pitifully turned to Shen Peirong. “Mother, Third Concubine insulted me in front of you. She called me a stupid orphan raised without a mother.”

Shen Peirong scolded her, “Third Concubine, you’ve overstepped. Jiang Wei is my daughter, the third young lady of this household. You have no right to criticize her.”

“Madam, I was wrong.” Chen Xiaolian bowed her head and rolled her eyes. Tsk. Shen Peirong, acting high and mighty when you’re just being played like a fiddle by me and my daughter.

Jiang Yan wiped away tears. “Mother, it was my sister who slandered me first.”

“She just came back from the countryside. Why get upset with her?”

So odd. Usually, seeing Xiaoyan cry tugged at her heartstrings—she wanted to give her the world.

But now, she felt a bit put off by Xiaoyan’s petty behavior.

Feeling uncertain, Shen Peirong tried to defend her elder daughter and warned Jiang Wei, “Xiaoyan is your older sister. Don’t speak badly of her again, understand?”

“Of course, Mother. It was my mistake. Since Sister is such a noble lady, she definitely wouldn’t have a secret lover.

Then there’s only one explanation—the thief who emptied her room must’ve been Grandfather… transformed into a ghost!”

“Utter nonsense!” Jiang Dahai’s mouth twitched. “Your grandfather was a righteous man. Even in death, he wouldn’t stoop to something so immoral.

Besides, this is a modern society. Jiang Wei, no more of this feudal superstition nonsense!”

“Then you explain it, Father. Don’t forget—Grandfather was killed on his way to pick me up.

There’s a real chance… he did become a vengeful ghost.”

“Don’t talk nonsense!” Jiang Dahai glared at Shen Peirong. “Look at your fine daughter. Xiaoyan didn’t inherit a shred of ladylike behavior, but this one—she talks back and believes in ghosts!”

“If it’s not this and not that, are you saying… Sister emptied her own room and then yelled ‘Thief!’ just to throw us off?”