Chapter Eleven: And What Impact Did It Have on Me?

Luo Yunqiao removed her clothes, allowing the two maids to apply medicine to her wounds.

“Miss... you’ve suffered so much!” Jin Xin’s tears flowed uncontrollably as she looked at the scars on Luo Yunqiao’s body.

“It’s already in the past, it doesn’t matter,” Luo Yunqiao replied indifferently. Because of these wounds, she had finally come to see her true position within the Marquis’s mansion and no longer harbored unrealistic hopes about so-called family.

Jin Xin’s voice was thick with emotion. “Miss, you must be in so much pain, it hurts me just to see it.”

Wiping away her tears, she glanced at the ointment in her hand and changed the subject. “This ointment is very effective—seems to be the legendary Snow Lotus Balm used by noble ladies.”

She even brought it to her nose for a sniff. The faint fragrance was surprisingly pleasant.

“Miss, how did you come to know the Prince of Yan? I’ve heard he’s ruthless and cold-hearted,” Jin Xin said anxiously as she looked at Luo Yunqiao.

“I fell into a feverish coma on my way back. It was the Prince of Yan’s household who saved me. That was our first meeting. You can ask Yin Xin,” Luo Yunqiao did not hide the truth.

Yin Xin quickly nodded, “I can testify. The Prince of Yan is nothing like the rumors. Though I haven’t seen him personally, since he was willing to help Miss, he must be a good person!”

Hearing this, Luo Yunqiao found it amusing in her heart. Is saving someone enough to make you a good person? So that’s how simply ‘good person’ is defined.

“Miss, the Prince of Yan is so kind and saved you. If in the future you were to marry him—”

“Enough!” Luo Yunqiao interrupted softly. “The prince only helped because he pitied me, just like you would rescue an ant struggling to drown in water.”

“Besides, I am worlds apart from the Prince of Yan. I mustn’t entertain such unrealistic dreams, lest I invite disaster.”

“I understand, I promise I won’t say another word!” Yin Xin hurriedly assured her, and Jin Xin nodded repeatedly.

After the medicine was applied and clothes worn, Luo Yunqiao sat on the soft couch.

“Do either of you have family members still around? I want to get some things done, but I lack hands to help.”

To find evidence from that day or to accomplish other tasks, she needed assistance. With only these two maids by her side, many things were impossible.

Yin Xin shook her head. “My parents are both here in the mansion, but they only work here. They might be helpful with minor tasks, but probably not for gathering information.”

Jin Xin thought for a moment. “My parents live outside the mansion. They could help with outside matters. My brother serves the eldest young master; if you want to inquire about something, perhaps he could assist.”

Hearing this, Luo Yunqiao nodded. Each maid had their own uses: Yin Xin’s parents inside the mansion could be helpful when needed, while Jin Xin’s family outside could be useful for gathering information.

As the three chatted, footsteps sounded outside. Luo Zefeng strode in.

Instantly, Luo Yunqiao’s expression turned cold. A grown man invading a young lady’s chamber at night—such conduct was forbidden in the Marquis’s mansion.

“What brings you here, brother? All three of us have injuries. I already punished these two maids this afternoon. Surely you know that?” she said sharply.

Luo Zefeng glanced carelessly at the two maids.

“I’m not here about them.”

“I came to discuss the family registry. Yunzhen has walked the world these years as the eldest daughter of the Luo family. Suddenly making her the second daughter would harm her reputation.”

“And this matter will surely become known to outsiders. That would ruin Yunzhen’s hard-earned image and affect her chances for a good marriage.”

Luo Zefeng’s tone had lost its earlier irritability, becoming gentle, like a refined nobleman. If one didn’t know his nature, Luo Yunqiao might have been fooled.

“Finished?” Luo Yunqiao’s voice turned cold.

Luo Zefeng sensed trouble but quickly dismissed the thought.

“You’ve been away from the mansion all these years; you don’t know how hard Yunzhen has worked. Her reputation was earned bit by bit. If you snatch away the title of legitimate eldest daughter, all her efforts will be wasted, and the family’s prestige lost!”

Jin Xin and Yin Xin remembered Luo Yunqiao’s words earlier, so though they were angry, they held their tongues.

“Are you concerned about the family’s reputation or Yunzhen’s?” Luo Yunqiao’s tone was gentle and even, but Luo Zefeng felt her anger.

“Luo Yunqiao, don’t be so selfish. If you insist on claiming the eldest daughter’s status, outsiders will think Yunzhen has been stealing your place all these years—”

“Isn’t that true?” Luo Yunqiao interrupted.

“You and I are siblings by blood, Luo Zefeng. We are true brother and sister. I don’t expect your or our eldest brother’s or parents’ affection, but can you at least treat me like a human being?”

“You say that if I take the title of legitimate eldest daughter, Yunzhen will be gossiped about. Have you considered that this is my rightful status? Yunzhen is the usurper. If I can’t reclaim what’s mine, have you thought what people outside will say about me?”

“I don’t dwell on past events, but that doesn’t mean they’re over for me. If you truly consider me a person—whether as blood relatives or even as a mere acquaintance, a sister, or niece—would you let a few slanders throw piles of filth on me?”

Luo Yunqiao calmly and plainly spoke the words she had long suppressed.

“Luo Zefeng, let me remind you, what I’ve said today is my true feeling. If you came to notify me of the family’s decision, I will listen. But if you came to ask my opinion, I do not agree!”

Her expression suddenly turned icy.

Luo Zefeng was inflamed by her cold gaze.

“Fine! Fine! Never thought that after the family kindly took you back, you’d harbor so much resentment!” Luo Zefeng ground his teeth in anger.

Pointing a trembling finger at Luo Yunqiao, he said bitterly, “Don’t even think about taking Yunzhen’s things. I will never acknowledge you as my sister!”

“What use is your acknowledgment? I want what rightfully belongs to me,” Luo Yunqiao sneered coldly. “It’s late; I won’t keep the second young master any longer. Jin Xin, Yin Xin, see our guest out.”

Jin Xin and Yin Xin had long harbored anger. Hearing Luo Yunqiao’s words, they promptly stepped before Luo Zefeng, offering a perfunctory bow and signaling him to leave.

Luo Zefeng glanced at Luo Yunqiao once more, then furiously swept his sleeve and left.

Jin Xin and Yin Xin slammed the courtyard door shut with a loud bang, their tone thick with scorn.