CHAPTER SEVEN — NOT A TRACE OF PEACE
Su Zijin slept so deeply she lost all sense of time. Whether it was the lingering weakness from her injury or the exhaustion of yesterday's ordeal, she didn't know. She only knew that when Xia He finally shook her awake for morning greetings, she felt as though she had been submerged in darkness for days.
But the long rest had done her good. Her limbs no longer trembled with weakness, and the fog in her mind had lifted. Her steps felt lighter, steadier—almost buoyant.
She left Xia He behind with a few hurried instructions, striding towards the courtyard gate.
"Miss—wait! You walk too fast, this servant can't keep up!"
Xia He stumbled after her, breathless, hands braced on her knees as she panted.
"You," Su Zijin said, half‑amused, half‑worried, "need training. If trouble comes, how will you run?"
Xia He blinked her large, innocent eyes. "Miss, our mansion is safe. Why would we need to run?"
Su Zijin opened her mouth, then closed it again. How could she explain? How could she tell Xia He that danger lurked behind every painted screen, every polite smile, every cup of tea?
She sighed. "Never mind. Let's go."
She had barely taken a step when a voice called out behind her.
"Big Sister, wait for me!"
A pair of soft, delicate hands grabbed her arm. Su Ying stood there, cheeks flushed from hurrying, eyes shimmering with carefully crafted tears.
"Big Sister, why did you walk so fast? I called you several times. Are you angry with me?"
"Angry?" Su Zijin turned, her smile cool and sharp. "Why would I be angry with Second Sister? Unless… Second Sister has done something to disappoint me?"
Su Ying froze, her smile faltering for a heartbeat before she forced it back into place.
"How could I ever disappoint Big Sister? I only called out to you and you didn't answer. I feared I'd offended you."
She clung to Su Zijin's arm, shaking it playfully, as though they were the closest of sisters.
But Su Ying lacked Su Lingshan's subtlety. Her sweetness was too sugary, her gestures too forced. The disgust she tried to hide flickered in her eyes like a shadow.
"I was injured," Su Zijin said, stepping out of her grasp. "My ears aren't sharp. If you have something to say, say it."
The coldness in her gaze made Su Ying's temper flare. Yesterday's humiliation still burned in her chest. Today, she had lowered herself to curry favour—and Su Zijin dared to treat her like this?
Fine.
Let her act arrogant now.
After today, she would be ruined.
"It's about the Floral Feast in four days," Su Ying said, smoothing her expression. "You know Momo Li will be favoured by the Empress Dowager this year. If she sees us, she'll surely speak well of us."
She leaned closer, voice soft and coaxing.
"Big Sister, you'll be fifteen next year. You must seize this chance. Momo Li's eyes are sharp—your clothes must outshine the other noble misses. The feast is held in Li Palace this year, so we must prepare early. I heard there's a clothing shop in the west of the city that's very good."
"A clothing shop?" Su Zijin raised a brow, her dark eyes studying Su Ying's face.
Su Ying's gaze darted away.
"I've already told Grandmother," she added quickly. "She approved. After all, the Floral Feast is hosted by our mansion this year. We can't lose face."
Su Zijin glanced toward Purple Stone Cottage, a cold smile tugging at her lips.
So that was their game.
If she refused, she would be accused of deliberately shaming the Su family. They had barely finished yesterday's battle, and already they were pushing her into another trap.
Very well.
If they wanted to play, she would play.
"Fine," she said lightly. "Let's go."
"The carriage is waiting outside!" Su Ying said brightly. "Big Sister, go ahead. My sleeve was splashed with tea—I'll change quickly."
She fled down the stone path, as though terrified Su Zijin might change her mind.
Xia He watched her go, frowning. "Miss, why would Second Miss invite you to a clothing shop today? It feels wrong."
Su Zijin tapped her forehead gently. "You can already tell she has bad intentions. What's there to fear?"
She walked out of the courtyard, calm as still water.
---
The carriage waited at the gate. Su Zijin climbed in and waited the length of a cup of tea before Su Ying finally arrived, breathless and smiling.
The moment she stepped inside, Su Zijin noticed her outfit.
A light green skirt.
A dark green half‑sleeve top.
A colour combination strikingly similar to the dress Su Zijin had worn earlier.
And at Purple Stone Cottage this morning… Su Ying had worn a dress identical in colour to hers.
A pattern.
A deliberate choice.
Su Ying caught her frown. "Big Sister, are you unhappy because you waited so long?"
"No."
Su Zijin's expression remained unreadable, though her mind was already turning.
Su Ying, oblivious, relaxed. She no longer bothered to flatter her. After all, once they left the house, everything was under her aunt's control.
Su Zijin was finished.
---
The clothing shop in the west of the city was close to Yongning Lane. The journey took only a short while.
As soon as the carriage stopped, Su Ying leapt out eagerly and rushed inside.
Su Zijin stepped down with Xia He's support, her gaze sweeping the street with quiet calculation.
Concubine Fang… you truly underestimate me.
"Xia He," she said softly, "who prepared my clothes today?"
"Xiao Cui, Miss. Liu Zhu is ill."
"I see." Su Zijin nodded. "Find a chance to hire a carriage and wait for me behind the street. And buy a set of the Four Treasures."
"Yes, Miss."
Before Xia He could take another step, Su Ying came running back, holding two long skirts with forced enthusiasm.
"Big Sister, look! These would suit you perfectly. The shopkeeper says you can try them on. Let's try them!"