I had barely a day to process my new life before the heavy doors creaked open. The sound, which would have meant nothing to me a day ago, now sent a jolt of instinctive fear through my chest.
"Eldest Sister! I heard your fever broke. I dropped my embroidery and rushed here immediately—I was so worried!"
A young woman swept in, smelling of expensive jasmine. This was Tang Ruo-Lan, my younger sister. She had been adopted into the family because of her supposedly lucky aura, meant to heal my younger brother. Luck-bearing, my ass. In my modern life, I would have seen her as an ethereal beauty in a costume. But through the eyes of the other Mo-Xian, she looked like a viper wrapped in silk. My memories confirmed it, this was the woman who would frame me for a crime I didn't commit.
"Second Sister, "I rasped. I tried to sit up, my muscles screaming in protest. Qin-er rushed to prop me up with silk bolsters. "Second Miss, the Physician said the First Miss needs rest. Her body is still weak." Ignoring the maid, Ruo-Lan perched on the edge of my bed. She tucked a stray hair behind my ear, a gesture of affection that made my skin crawl.
"You look so pale," she whispered, her eyes searching mine for any change.
"Grandmother said if you don't recover by the Qixi Festival, we must decline the invitation from the palace of Heavenly Grace. What a shame that would be for the Tang Family."
I felt a surge of bitterness. As if we had the guts to decline a palace invitation. They really thought I was dumb. Imperial Noble Consort Yang will be hosting the banquets specifically to find a wife for the 2nd prince.
"The Consort is woman of high status," I said, carefully mimicking my predecessor's submissive tone.
"I shouldn't offend her with my sickly presence. Perhaps...perhaps it's better if I stay home and you go in my place, Second sister."
Ruo-Lan's eyes flickered. For a split second, a flash of raw, terrifying ambition crossed her face. The original Mo-Xian had been too blind to see it, but it was there. Ruo-Lan was hungry for that life.
"Oh, Sister! You always think of me," she said with fake sweetness. "But Father would never allow it. You are the eldest, you must be the one to represent our Manor."
I watched her closely. As an archeologist, I was trained to look at the smallest details—a crack in a pot or a faded pigment—to uncover a hidden story. Now, I was reading a human face. I noticed her hand tighten on her handkerchief. It must be hard for her, being just a second daughter, I thought.
"I will do my best to recover." I lied, forcing a compliant smile. "I wouldn't want to disappoint father."
"Good" she stoop up, smoothing her skirts. "I'll have my servant send over some bird's nest soup. Second Sister, we must get you strong enough for the festival."
As she walked out, graceful and proud, a cold sweat broke out on my forehead. I knew what was in the that soup, a slow-acting herb that wouldn't kill me, but would make me look haggard and dull-witted before everyone.
"Qin-er," I whispered as soon as the doors closed. "When that soup arrives, do not let a drop touch a bowl. Pour it into the plants in the courtyard. Then tell everyone I ate every bit of it.
"Qin-er's eyes widened, but she didn't ask questions. "Yes, Miss. I understand."
I leaned back, exhausted. Seventeen years felt like a long time but if I wanted to avoid being that skeleton in the coarse cloth, I couldn't be a victim. I had to be the one who knew the ending of the story before the villain finished the first chapter.
I closed my eyes and whispered, "Tang Ruo-Lan...let's see who ends up in the coffin this time."