C9 You Said That It Was Not There so It Was Not There

Her main goal today was to win over the Old Matriarch to secure her chance to visit the Exquisite Pavilion. The Old Matriarch hadn’t expected this to be her request. She had heard Mrs. Lau mention that the children from both branches of the family were supposed to visit the Exquisite Pavilion, with the expenses covered by the family funds. The Old Matriarch wasn’t one to be stingy; she believed it was good for the children to broaden their horizons.

But now, it seemed Lan Qingjia didn’t have the right to go to the Exquisite Pavilion? The Old Matriarch's gaze turned sharp as she looked at Mrs. Lau, her voice stern. "Mrs. Lau, didn’t you say the family funds would cover the trip for all the children from both branches? Is Jia not part of the family? Does she really need to come to me for special permission?"

Mrs. Lau felt a jolt at Lan Qingjia's words but hadn’t had time to react before the Old Matriarch questioned her. She quickly composed herself, standing up with a polite smile. "Mother, you misunderstand. That’s not the case at all. Jia is the eldest daughter of our main branch; of course, she has the right to go. Her share of the expenses has already been prepared. She’ll definitely be going with the others. She must have misunderstood and thought she couldn’t go."

Lan Qingjia looked at Mrs. Lau with a hint of distress, then turned to Lan Qingwan, her voice softening, but her pitiful demeanor becoming even more apparent. "But it was my sister who told me not to go. She said it would just be a waste of money if I did."

Lan Qingwan's face turned pale instantly. She sprang up from her seat, forgetting for the first time to maintain her usual gentle and kind sister persona, and shouted back, "You're lying, I didn't say that!"

Qingjia flinched slightly, her lips pressed together, choosing not to argue. Instead, her voice grew even quieter, like a little lost soul. "If my sister says she didn't, then... then she didn't."

There it was again! Just like with the birthday gift incident, she played the part of the aggrieved little victim. If you say it didn't happen, then it didn't. If you say it's not true, then it's not. This kind of self-effacing attitude was even more damaging than confronting Lan Qingwan directly. After all, she had yielded, she hadn't argued, and such a stance left others with nothing to refute.

Lan Qingwan felt as if someone had gripped her throat, with so much to say but unable to get the words out. It was a truly awful feeling. She looked pleadingly at the Old Matriarch. "Grandmother, I really didn't say that..."

The Old Matriarch glanced at her with a calm expression and said in an equally calm tone, "In that case, Jia should go along too. Sisters should support and look out for each other."

Lan Qingjia immediately brightened, her eyes curving into a smile. "Thank you, Grandmother."

The Old Matriarch looked at Lan Qingjia, and her previously stern expression softened a bit.

Lan Qingwan felt that the Old Matriarch's attitude towards her had changed, all because of Lan Qingjia. She couldn't help but clench her fists in silent anger.

Lan Qingjia returned to her seat, feeling quite pleased with herself for achieving her goal. Seeing Lan Qingwan's disheartened expression only added to her satisfaction.

Lan Qingwan, still young and lacking the composure and strategy she would develop later, couldn't fully hide the resentment on her face, despite her efforts. She could no longer pretend to be the sweet sister she once was.

Lan Qingjia thought to herself, if she's already this upset now, how will she handle things in the future?

With the family gifts presented and the hour growing late, guests began to arrive. Everyone moved to the front yard to greet them, leaving the Old Matriarch's presence.

Lan Qingwan finally found an opportunity to approach Lan Qingjia, her face showing anger. "Sister, I didn't expect you to say that earlier..."

Lan Qingjia immediately put on a more pitiful expression. "Sister, I... I misspoke... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have exposed those things in front of Grandma. I should have kept your secret. I'm sorry..."

Her voice was just loud enough for those who hadn't completely left to hear. Not only did she apologize verbally, but she also acted on it, repeatedly bowing to Lan Qingwan in a gesture of submission and apology.

Lan Qingwan was frustrated but not overwhelmed. If she really let Lan Qingjia apologize to her in public like this, wouldn't that make it seem like she was bullying her?

She quickly reached out to help Lan Qingjia up. As soon as Lan Qingjia was supported, she leaned in closer, whispering so only the two of them could hear, "I did it on purpose, you know. I meant to put you down, to expose your flaws, to play the victim. Did you really think I couldn't outsmart you? Fool."

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