Tap. Tap. Tap.
The sound echoed in the room, and it was enough to make the maids nervous, their heads lowered, sweat dripping from their foreheads. The change in her demeanor was unmistakable, and even the maids couldn't ignore it. Before, they would slink around with a careless attitude, but now, they moved with caution, as if walking on eggshells. No one dared slack off or talk behind her back. The youngest miss was no longer the same.
The silence that had settled around her was heavy and unnerving. Feng Qingqing, once known for her aloofness, had become a mysterious figure—a quiet force no one fully understood. The maids, though initially unsure of the cause, had sensed the shift in her aura. Something had changed a week ago, and none of them could figure out what it was.
Feng Qingqing, however, knew exactly when it all began. It was the day the original Feng Qingqing had died—when her soul had taken over this body, inheriting the memories and presence of a girl who had never fully belonged to this life. The moment she returned to the estate after the incident, a new awareness had settled within her. The fear, the loneliness, the unspoken struggles of the original Qingqing—they were all hers now. It was as if she had inherited the weight of a life she hadn't lived, but was forced to carry nonetheless.
Now, she sat at her vanity, her eyes reflecting nothing but emptiness. The maids' nervous whispers lingered in the background, but she paid them no mind. They had no clue what had truly happened, nor did they understand the changes stirring inside her. As she reached for a hairpin, the cold metal against her skin reminded her of her new reality.
One thing she knew for certain—she had to tread carefully.
Feng Qingqing sat at her dresser table, the tap of her fingers on the wooden surface punctuating the stillness of the room. She stared down, eyes fixated on the polished hardwood floor, lost in thought. The encounter with Feng Ruyi had raised more questions in her mind than answers. Should she trust Feng Ruyi's story? There was no reason not to. Was it told truthfully? Not exactly.
Feng Qingqing's extensive studies in criminal justice had taught her to read people's words and actions, and when she listened to Feng Ruyi's tale, something didn't quite add up. It was subtle—almost imperceptible—but Feng Qingqing had honed her skills enough to catch it. Feng Ruyi's story was masterfully spun, but Feng Qingqing sensed she was hiding something. What it was, she couldn't say yet.
For now, she had to stay close to Feng Ruyi and observe her every move. There was no rush. She would give Feng Ruyi a chance, but if the woman turned out to be a snake in disguise, Feng Qingqing wouldn't hesitate to eliminate her. One way or another, the truth would eventually surface.
The quiet shuffling of footsteps broke her concentration. Meili, her only maid, entered the room. "Young Miss, the Master has requested your presence in the main hall."
"Did he say why?" Feng Qingqing asked, curiosity creeping into her voice. It was strange. Her father had never called for her before, at least not since she had acquired the memories of this body.
"No, Young Miss. He just said for you to come." Meili's voice trembled slightly, her head lowered in deference.
Feng Qingqing paused for a moment, her brow furrowing in thought. Something didn't sit right, but she couldn't ignore her father's summons. Rising from her chair, she gave a small nod. "Let's go."
As she entered the main hall, the atmosphere shifted. The room was filled with an awkward silence, thick with tension. To the left, Feng Ruyi was lounging, peeling grapes with an air of nonchalance. To the right, her father, Feng Wangshu, sat with his sharp gaze and flushed, furious expression. His eyes were narrowed, and his mouth was set in a hard line.
At the center of the room, however, sat a man who instantly caught Feng Qingqing's attention. He was tall, his posture impeccably straight despite his relaxed demeanor. He wore a navy blue silk robe with intricate gold embroidery tracing along the edges, a sign of nobility. His face was strikingly handsome—chiseled features with a strong jawline. His eyebrows were sharp like swords, giving him an air of coldness and nobility. But it was his eyes that intrigued her most: sharp, calculating, and yet… mischievous. There was a hint of playfulness buried beneath that serious exterior, like a predator toying with its prey. His long, dark lashes cast a shadow over his eyes as he took slow, deliberate sips of tea, his gaze seemingly distant.
"Qing'er, you're finally here. Quick, have a seat," Feng Wangshu called softly, his tone laced with concern.
Feng Qingqing noticed the nervousness in her father's tone and obediently sat down next to her. She glanced at the stranger across the room, only to find that he was already watching her intently, his gaze deep in thought. She quickly looked away, unsure of how to respond to such intense scrutiny.
Feng Ruyi, sitting lazily to the side, broke the silence with a tone of mockery. "Your Highness, my younger sister is finally here. Now, what is it you have to say? Finish it already."
When Feng Ruyi had learned that the Crown Prince had come to their home, she had already guessed the reason for his visit—to cancel the engagement. She had to admit, the Crown Prince was handsome, but he was meant for Feng Qingqing, not her. The engagement was only a formality. Yet, the way her father raged at the announcement was almost more entertaining than any soap opera she had ever watched. He did not seem to care that the man he was yelling at was none other than the Crown Prince of Feng Huang.
Feng Ruyi suppressed a smile. This was turning out to be quite the show.
Feng Wangshu, his face red with fury, turned to the Crown Prince, his voice booming. "Explain yourself, Your Highness. Why do you want to cancel the engagement with my daughter?"
Without hesitation, Tian Weilong's voice cut through the tension, cold and direct. "I want to cancel the engagement with Feng Ruyi because I am not in love with her."
Feng Qingqing's heart skipped a beat. Her sister's fiancé? And he wants to break the engagement? What a bastard. The initial thought she had, that he was handsome and charismatic, quickly faded. She had imagined him to be a noble and respectable figure, but hearing this declaration, she felt her disinterest grow. She shifted in her seat, purposely avoiding any further attention to him.
But Tian Weilong's gaze lingered on her. His sharp eyes softened, and for the briefest moment, he studied her, appreciating the quiet power she exuded. It was as if his presence alone had drawn her into the scene—whether she liked it or not.
Feng Wangshu recoiled in shock, clearly rattled by Tian Weilong's words. "Love? Marriages are not based on love, Your Highness! You will learn to love her once you're married. Do you understand the consequences of your actions?"
Tian Weilong smiled slightly, an almost imperceptible curve to his lips. "That may be true if I had no one else in my heart. But I do. I am in love with someone else."
Feng Wangshu's face turned even darker, his fists clenched tightly. "What?! You are in love with someone else?" he roared, his voice trembling with fury. "How dare you disgrace me like this!"
The atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically. Feng Ruyi, to everyone's surprise, didn't react with tears or anger. Instead, she seemed amused, her lips curving up in a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She watched the scene unfold with the sort of detached interest one might have when watching a play.
Everyone in the capital knew how much Feng Ruyi was in love with the Crown Prince. In fact, their engagement was all of her doing. She begged and begged Feng Wangshu to request this engagement with the Emperor. As someone who has been in politics all his life, he knew how dangerous the position of a princess consort could be and did not want Feng Ruyi to be in the midst of a political struggle. However, Feng Wangshu, of course, could not say no to his eldest daughter.
Feng Wangshy expected Feng Ruyi to scream and throw a tantrum but all he was met with was a face of amusement. Feng Wangshu glanced at her, confused. Wasn't she heartbroken? Why wasn't she reacting as he expected?
Tian Weilong, unfazed by Feng Wangshu's rage, continued. "I wish to have Qing'er's hand in marriage."
Silence.
Ah, here it is. The moment we've all been waiting for.
Feng Ruyi felt all giggly and leaned back on her chair, throwing a grape in her mouth. Everything is going exactly as planned.
Popcorn would have tasted better than these grapes. Too bad it hasn't been invented yet.
Feng Ruyi peeled another grape but this time offered it to Feng Qingqing. "Mei mei, would you like a grape? I've never tasted ones that were so delicious." Feng Qingqing turned her head and glared at Feng Ruyi. Feng Ruyi slowly retracted her hands and popped the single grape in her mouth. "...Or not."