C3

A sizable piece fell directly onto Feng Changge's quilt, leaving her unharmed, but it startled Biying beside her.

"Miss, are you alright? That Second Miss is so rude..."

"No harm done..." Feng Changge brushed the charcoal off the bedding. Feng Chang'an was capricious and unreasonable. While the elite in the capital saw her as clever and kind, she was really just a blockhead, all show and no substance.

As she touched the singed corner of the quilt, Feng Changge seemed deep in thought, then suddenly flashed a sly smile, her lively eyes twinkling.

That evening, the kitchen staff brought her a bowl of ginseng soup and a bun for dinner, with a few token pieces of pickled vegetables on a small black plate. The Feng family excelled at putting on a show. The ginseng soup was served in a fine porcelain jar rumored to be from the palace. Outwardly, Feng Changge appeared to live in splendor, but when she opened the lid, the soup was as clear as water with just two ginseng roots. It was all just for show.

Feng Changge smiled and closed the lid. Feng Chang'an's temper was just like that; if someone displeased her, they wouldn't have an easy time for a while.

"Miss, don't be angry. Let me report this to the master. The kitchen staff is so out of line; let's see if the master won't deal with them," Biying said, storming off.

"Come back. Where do you think you're going? Losing your temper will only give them the upper hand."

"But you're the eldest Miss! How can they treat you so harshly?"

"What does being the eldest Miss matter? The current mistress of the house isn't my mother; it's Xiao Yan, Feng Chang'an's mother. In other words, the most favored Miss in this household is her, not me..."

Feng Changge's expression grew serious as she clenched her hands tightly, her fingertips turning white, leaving deep red nail marks on her palms. She had been at the mercy of others before. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she said, "I won't fight her. Winning or losing isn't decided now. Besides, how do you know Father will help me? Enough, let's eat."

The Phoenix Duke Mansion was bound to face unrest, so there was no need to rush.

After dinner, the evening sky darkened, and the year-end chill was biting. The earlier flurries had turned into a heavy snowfall, blanketing the courtyard in white. Feng Changge, wrapped in a mink coat, sat on the second-floor balcony. The sky grew darker, the wind howled, and the snow intensified with the gusts. Her breath turned to mist and vanished into the cold air, yet she found solace in watching it all, cherishing everything she had regained, quietly taking it in.

In the distance, a lavishly adorned carriage stopped at the mansion's gate. Feng Changge watched closely as someone stepped out. The man leaned out, revealing a face all too familiar, one that stirred her disdain. She brushed the fur on her sleeve and lazily remarked, "An old acquaintance, huh..."

It was another snowy night when Feng Chang'an and Feng Changxuan falsely accused her of infidelity, leaving her to kneel in the snow all night in a thin gown. Yue Jingfeng had thrown her into the cold palace without hearing her defense, sealing her fate.

Feng Changxuan was Feng Chang'an's brother, and no matter how much she tried to appease them over the years, they never let her be. Now, why should she offer them any mercy?

The carriage didn't enter the mansion but headed in the opposite direction of the back gate. Feng Changge's eyes followed it, catching a glimpse of a young woman inside. The girl seemed familiar, but she couldn't quite place her.

The snow had fallen all night, and when she opened the door, it reached her ankles. Rising early, Feng Changge went to pay her respects to the matriarch.

Mrs. Jin, the most authoritative and respected figure in the Phoenix Duke Mansion, commanded deference even from Xiao Yan. As the daughter of the esteemed elder of the Heaven Moon Country, she held great influence. Though she rarely meddled in affairs, she had a soft spot for Feng Changge, who had lost her mother. Yet, Xiao Yan's arrogance was unchecked, and Mrs. Jin couldn't prevent Feng Changge's tragic fate.

After getting ready, Changge sat in front of the mirror, her eyes fixed on the reflection of the charcoal brazier behind her. "Biying, bring me a piece of charcoal that isn’t glowing red."

"Miss, why do you need that? You just finished freshening up. How will you explain it to the matriarch if you get dirty?"

Changge casually picked a red agate bracelet from her jewelry box and put it on. "Just get it for me. I have my reasons."

Biying fetched a brazier and tongs from the side room, handing two pieces of charcoal to Changge. She picked up one with the tongs, hesitated for a moment, then pressed it against her wrist.

"Hiss..."

With a clatter, the tongs fell to the ground as Changge winced in pain, her teeth biting down on her lip, her face pale. Biying, shocked by Changge’s sudden action, turned ashen.

Biying rushed forward and knocked the brazier off the table. "Miss, what are you doing? Why would you hurt yourself like this?" she exclaimed, worriedly applying a cold, damp cloth to Changge’s injury.