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Mu Wanwan’s arm was fair and pale, but the red mark stood out vividly, piercing the eyes of Xiao Ruyan and Madam Fang with a sharp sting.

“Impossible, absolutely impossible!” Xiao Ruyan exclaimed, her eyes wide with terror.

Her gaze fixated relentlessly on the red mark. To confirm her suspicions, she rubbed it fiercely, but the mark stubbornly remained, glaringly obvious, much to her dismay.

“Sister, tell me, what method did you use? How could your purity possibly remain intact?” Xiao Ruyan’s eyes were bloodshot, filled with malice.

“They say you were violated—how could you have come through unscathed?”

Mu Wanwan’s expression darkened, her eyes glinting with icy sharpness, as if she wished to pierce Xiao Ruyan through with her gaze.

“Miss,” Aunt Rong called out cautiously, fearing that Mu Wanwan’s hatred might overwhelm her reason.

Snapping back to herself, Mu Wanwan shook off Xiao Ruyan’s grip with a flick of her hand. She lowered her eyes and pretended to smooth her sleeve, concealing the murderous intent beneath.

Her crimson lips parted slightly, a cold sneer curling as she spoke slowly, “What is it? Why is my sister so certain that I have lost my purity? Could it be that those bandits who abducted me are somehow connected to you?”

Her tone was laden with meaning, her sideways glance sharp as a blade, like a demon risen from a sea of corpses.

“You—you’re talking nonsense!”

“How could I possibly be involved with bandits?” Xiao Ruyan hastily denied, her eyes darting nervously, unwilling to meet Mu Wanwan’s gaze.

“Sister, don’t slander like this. During your absence these past ten days, I have prayed daily in the mansion for your safety. Yet, you misunderstand me so deeply—oh, I have no face left to live!” She covered her face and sobbed pitifully, making Mu Wanwan’s brows knit tightly.

Ha! What a grand display of innocence and virtue.

Such words, such tone—hasn’t this sister tormented her plenty before?

“Why are you crying? If you feel you have no face to live, then why not just die?” Mu Wanwan’s words were brutally blunt, leaving Xiao Ruyan speechless and unsure how to respond, even forgetting to cry.

“Sister, you actually want me dead? How can you be so cruel?”

“Cruel?” Mu Wanwan chuckled lightly, raising a hand to adjust her hairpin. “Or are you the hypocrite?”

“Enough. Ruyan is a simple-minded child who surely believed the rumors outside and feared your purity was lost, disgracing the Hou family. Why must you be so petty and unforgiving?” Madam Fang cut Mu Wanwan off coldly.

She cast a hostile glance at Mu Wanwan. “Qingqing, as elder sister, how can you speak of your sister’s death? If this spreads, outsiders will think the Hou family’s discipline is lax. Your safe return should be a great joy, but your words just now were utterly vicious—”

She turned and supported the elderly matriarch, smiling sweetly. “Mother, the wind is strong outside; let Ruyan help you back to the courtyard. Leave this matter to me.”

“That’s best. Remember, the Hou family’s reputation must never be tarnished!” The matriarch left without another glance at Mu Wanwan.

Mu Wanwan understood that the old hag was implying to Madam Fang that the best solution was to get rid of her. Regardless of her innocence, her ten days of absence had already stained the family’s honor.

Therefore, her death would be the cleanest resolution.

The matriarch’s coldness pierced Mu Wanwan’s heart—not with sorrow, but with pain.

Sister, is this the kindly, loving grandmother you spoke of with such warmth?

Where is the kindness? Where is the affection? Mu Wanwan saw and felt nothing of the sort.

Only a ruthless crone whose eyes saw nothing but profit.

Of course, with so many grandchildren, how could she truly care for Sister?

All the tales of love were just lies Sister spun so she wouldn’t worry.

“Wait!” Mu Wanwan took a deep breath.

She stepped past Aunt Rong and approached the matriarch, lifting her eyes to meet the old woman’s suspicious and disdainful stare.

“Grandmother, Qingqing is the future Princess Consort of the Regent. If you allow them to treat me like this, has the Regent been informed?”

A threat—bare and naked!

Though mistaken for a ghost by many, countless people had seen Mu Wanwan’s face. The Hou family could never quietly dispose of her.

If this matter escalated and the Regent intervened, the Hou family would be finished.

The matriarch’s expression darkened as she scrutinized Mu Wanwan for a long moment. “Tell me, who exactly are you?”

The old woman suspected the girl before her was not Xiao Qingqing, but had no proof.

“Grandmother, what are you saying? I am Qingqing, your most beloved granddaughter...” Mu Wanwan responded hurriedly, feigning fear with perfect resemblance to her sister.

She was not unfamiliar with the wicked tactics of the women in the rear chambers.

Before she turned ten, her sister would secretly swap places with her, so she could momentarily share in their mother’s love.

Their mother pretended not to notice but carefully taught her everything she could.

Mu Wanwan had learned diligently each time, never imagining she would ever need those lessons—yet fate had other plans.

“Grandmother, Qingqing survived and returned only because of her longing for you, fearing you would worry and lose sleep over her... oh, grandmother.” Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

Aunt Rong chimed in immediately, “Yes, Your Ladyship. If the young lady hadn’t felt she hadn’t yet fulfilled her filial duty to you and brought you peace in your old age, she might never have survived the cliff’s edge. If you doubt it, you may inspect the young lady’s wounds.”

The two, mistress and servant, spoke in unison, choking the matriarch deeply. Her hand trembled slightly on her cane, but she restrained herself, unwilling to say more.

“You lie!” Xiao Ruyan snapped. “I clearly saw Sister’s arm—smooth and tender, no wounds as you claim. Don’t spread lies to deceive Grandmother!” Her eyes glittered with triumph.

Ha, Xiao Qingqing, do you think that just because you returned safely, you can remain the lady of the Hou family and the future Princess Consort of the Regent?

Dream on. Those titles belong to me.

“Sister, a woman’s purity is paramount. Even if you have not lost yourself, who can guarantee no man has ever touched your body? Remember, you will marry into the Regent’s household as the lady of the house. Such a lady losing her chastity is a grave offense. Grandmother and Mother must be cautious. Otherwise, if the Regent investigates, wouldn’t the entire Hou family suffer for your mistakes?” Xiao Ruyan ground her teeth, her words venomous.

“Clap! Clap!” The sound of slapping echoed.

“Everyone says the second young lady of the Hou family is dignified. Today’s sight proves she’s a master of deception!”