Chapter Thirteen: Let Her Go

“Don’t see her. Let her go!” Luo Yunqiao didn’t even look back, his hand continuing to practice calligraphy without pause.

The little maid hesitated, then her gaze involuntarily drifted toward Yin Xin.

Yin Xin gave the little maid a subtle signal. The girl bowed slightly and retreated.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the little maid came back again. Seeing this, Yin Xin put down the inkstone and carefully approached the door, pulling the girl outside.

“Is there something else?”

Yin Xin was somewhat displeased by the repeated interruptions. The mistress had finally found a rare moment of peace, yet these little troublemakers couldn’t manage their tasks properly.

“Sister Yin Xin, it’s not that I want to disturb the mistress, but Miss Luo Yunzhen refuses to leave. It’s already been a cup of tea’s time. I told her many times the mistress does not want to see her, yet she still won’t leave and is standing right outside the courtyard gate,” the little maid said, her voice full of grievance.

Hearing this, Yin Xin glanced back to ensure that no one inside could hear or see outside. Only then did she pull the girl out of the courtyard.

Luo Yunzhen was waiting at the gate. Seeing Yin Xin come out, she immediately offered a gentle smile. “Yin Xin, please tell your mistress I have some matters to discuss with her.”

Yin Xin stepped before her. “The mistress does not want to see you. You should leave now. Don’t block the gate!”

With that, she turned and began to walk away.

“If your mistress won’t see me, I won’t leave. You know our elder brother and younger brother, as well as our parents, care more for me. If I were to faint at her courtyard gate, they would surely think your mistress bullied me. Your mistress wouldn’t want to cause herself trouble.”

“So you’d better inform her!” Luo Yunzhen’s voice was cold, unlike the composed demeanor she usually displayed in public. Yin Xin frowned and turned around, only to see Luo Yunzhen smiling sweetly.

“Thank you for your trouble,” her voice now soft and different from the earlier sternness.

Yin Xin snorted coldly and returned inside the courtyard.

“Miss, Miss Luo Yunzhen refuses to leave. She has been waiting outside for a cup of tea’s time already!” Yin Xin pouted as she entered the room.

---

Luo Yunqiao was still practicing calligraphy. Hearing this, he straightened up and looked at his work, then after a long moment, crumpled the paper and tossed it aside.

“Let her in. I want to see what she wants,” Luo Yunqiao said, smoothing out a fresh sheet of rice paper to continue his writing.

Yin Xin bowed and stepped out. When she returned, Luo Yunzhen followed with a faint smile.

Luo Yunqiao set down his brush.

“You insist on seeing me. What is it you want?” He lifted his eyes, his gaze cold and indifferent as if nothing mattered.

It was precisely this icy calmness that stirred a jealous pang in Luo Yunzhen’s heart.

She smiled lightly and opened a small box she held, revealing an array of precious jewelry.

“I came to give you these,” Luo Yunzhen said softly. “By some twist of fate, both of us are in the Luo household. The conflicts between us have frozen our relationship, but I believe it shouldn’t be this way.”

“These are some of my treasured possessions. I give them to you. I no longer want the status of the legitimate eldest daughter. It’s yours now,” Luo Yunzhen smiled warmly. “If we get along better, Mother won’t be so heartbroken. We’re family and should love one another.”

Luo Yunqiao listened and felt a hint of amusement.

When had a thief ever brazenly presented stolen goods to win favor and demand forgiveness from the rightful owner?

Luo Yunzhen placed the box aside and took out an intricately carved magnolia flower.

“This is my favorite magnolia. My younger brother brought it back for me once after his studies abroad.”

“This was carved from warm jade specially made by Father. When I was young and weak, Father searched far and wide for this rare warm jade and had a skilled artisan carve my zodiac sign.”

“And this…” she introduced the items one by one, then looked at Luo Yunqiao with a touch of sadness.

“Yunqiao, these should have been yours originally. Now I’m transferring them to you. Please stop quarreling with Father and Mother. Don’t throw tantrums with them anymore.”

Jinxin and Yinxin, overhearing Luo Yunzhen flaunt her favored status, clenched their fists in anger, nearly bursting to confront her.

Luo Yunqiao signaled them to stay calm, then looked back at Luo Yunzhen.

“If you want the affection of our parents and brothers, I won’t compete with you. I don’t need their love. But there is one thing: from now on, stay away from me!” Luo Yunqiao’s eyes were sharp and fierce.

“I didn’t!” Luo Yunzhen hastily denied, trembling from the intensity of Luo Yunqiao’s gaze.

How could her eyes be so ruthless?

---

Luo Yunqiao sneered coldly and sat back lazily in the grand chair behind the desk, one delicate pale hand resting lightly on the table.

“That day, I was called out by your maidservant. She told me you had matters to discuss, and since we are family, I followed willingly.”

“But when we passed Shanggantang, your maid suddenly circled behind me and knocked me unconscious when I wasn’t paying attention.”

Luo Yunzhen’s face turned pale. “You’re lying!”

No... she couldn’t let this dirt stain fall on her.

“The Luo family is the maternal side of the Third Prince. The Third Prince’s mother, Consort Duan, is Father’s own younger sister.”

“But I had only returned three months prior. I hadn’t even figured out the relations in the Jing’an Marquis Estate, much less met the Third Prince. Why would I climb into his bed?”

“Even if I had such intentions, how could a powerless, friendless lady of the inner quarters obtain the Third Prince’s whereabouts?”

Luo Yunqiao stood and approached, leaning close to whisper in her ear, “Tell me, if the Third Prince knew the whole truth, would you still be so pure and flawless in his eyes?”

After speaking, Luo Yunqiao stepped back. Luo Yunzhen looked up in panic, her eyes filled with hatred and anxiety meeting the calm, cold gaze before her. She finally knew she was no match for the person before her.

“I have other matters. I’ll take my leave!” Luo Yunzhen stammered, finding an excuse and hastily leaving Luo Yunqiao’s courtyard.

Watching her flee in disarray, Luo Yunqiao’s eyes narrowed. Is that all you’ve got? So weak!

Returning to the desk, he instructed Yin Xin to grind the ink. Staring at the delicate rice paper, he finally wrote two bold characters: “Counterattack!”

---

Nearby, Luo Zefeng was walking with the Third Prince in the garden when he looked up and saw a hurried figure approaching.

“Zhen’er?”

“Younger Brother? Your Highness, the Third Prince?” Luo Yunzhen looked up in panic, her eyes wide with fear reflecting in their own.

“Who bullied you? Was it Luo Yunqiao?” Luo Zefeng’s voice was fierce, his eyes burning with uncontrollable anger.