C7 A Hidden Secret

"When did I ever say I didn't like it? I'm just not very hungry. I haven't eaten all day, so having a few pieces is fine. Yuvyi worked hard to make them, so I should appreciate her effort." Yanwu's eyebrows furrowed slightly, as if she was reproaching Lvyu for her lack of manners.

"My apologies," Lvyu replied, though she still held the plate of pastries firmly in her hands.

"Just set it down," Yanwu's tone had a sharp edge. Lvyu nodded and moved toward Yanwu.

Unexpectedly, Lvyu slipped, losing her balance, and the pastries crashed to the floor along with the plate.

"Why are you so clumsy?" Yanwu said coldly, watching the mess at Lvyu's feet. "Never mind, just clean it up."

Lvyu repeatedly apologized, saying she deserved punishment, and began to clean up the broken plate and dirty pastries.

Yanwu glanced at a small shard of the plate left on the floor and smirked. By now, Lvyu was probably in some corner examining the note Yuvyi had hidden in the pastries.

Yuvyi... she hid it well...

If Yanwu hadn't caught a glimpse of Lvyu discreetly tucking a note from the broken pastry into her sleeve, she wouldn't have confirmed that Lvyu was Yuvyi's planted spy.

She knew her relationship with Yuvyi was never good, always just polite on the surface. Why would Yuvyi make pastries and send them over? Clearly, there was an ulterior motive. If the pastries weren't poisoned, then they must hold some secret. She believed her sister wasn't foolish enough to resort to poison, so the pastries must conceal something.

When did she and Yuvyi stop being close like other sisters?

Perhaps from birth. Yanwu was born without complications, while Yuvyi's birth caused their mother's death due to complications.

So, their father, Nan Ying, saw Yuvyi as a curse, neglecting her from a young age, while showering Yanwu with love and care. Whenever he saw Yuvyi, he was either cold and indifferent or outright hostile.

In Nan Ying's heart, Nan Yanwu was the daughter he had with his beloved wife, while Nan Yuvyi was the harbinger of the tragedy that tore them apart. Nan Yanwu, the esteemed eldest daughter, was known for her rebellious and domineering nature. In contrast, Nan Yuvyi, the second daughter, was gentle and humble. Aware that her status was not as high as Yanwu's and lacking her father's affection, Yuvyi shaped herself into a gracious and poised woman, standing in stark contrast to Yanwu. She quickly learned to read the room, earning the favor of the household staff, who preferred her over the haughty eldest daughter. Yet, Yanwu's high status demanded a certain level of deference.

Yuvyi resented Yanwu for taking what she believed was rightfully hers, unaware that Yanwu did care for her sister. Yuvyi mistook Yanwu's kindness for condescension, and with misunderstandings fueled by Yilan's deliberate manipulations and the blame for Mo Ruyan's death unfairly placed on Yanwu, Yuvyi's hatred for her sister grew.

No one believed that Yanwu loved and protected her sister, nor did they see the guilt she harbored for Yuvyi, all overshadowed by Yuvyi's relentless retaliation and deep-seated resentment. Yanwu knew all too well what kind of person Yilan was. Yuvyi's alliance with Yilan would only end in betrayal and death at Yilan's hands once she was no longer useful.

In this life, Yanwu vowed not to let Yilan interfere in the conflict between her and Yuvyi. The score with Yuvyi was one she intended to settle personally.