C2 It Was Not His Own Daughter

Hua Yunjin was born to Lau Yuemei, a concubine of Hua Gongfeng, making her an illegitimate daughter. Yet, in the Hua family, she was far more favored than the legitimate eldest daughter, enjoying the love and care of both parents and wielding considerable influence. Hua Xiangxue, on the other hand, lost her mother at the age of five, and her life had been on a downward spiral ever since. Despite being the legitimate eldest daughter, she was often treated worse than a high-ranking maid. The Snow Reflection Pavilion frequently went without proper meals, and during holidays, she was left to eat leftovers alone.

However, things had changed recently at the Snow Reflection Pavilion. After Hua Xiangxue's attempt on her own life, Hua Gongfeng ordered that she be well taken care of, and Lau Yuemei made sure that the best food and drink were sent to her first. This sudden shift in attention left Hua Yunjin feeling quite resentful towards Hua Xiangxue.

Hua Yunjin, accompanied by her maid, approached Hua Xiangxue, who was reclining with a bandaged forehead, enjoying some fruit. Hua Yunjin's expression immediately soured.

"Summer Lotus, tell me, why aren't there any watermelons in my Yunjin Garden?" she demanded.

Summer Lotus quickly bowed, her voice trembling as she replied, "M-Miss, it's not yet the season for watermelons to ripen. This watermelon must have been a gift from Noble Consort Yan yesterday, and it seems it was sent to the Snow Reflection Pavilion first..."

Hua Yunjin's expression darkened further as she shot a glare at Xia Lian before turning to Hua Xiangxue with a cold laugh. "I suppose you've never tasted such expensive fruit before, have you?"

Hua Xiangxue blinked, glancing at Hua Yunjin's clothes and then at her own. The difference was indeed striking. Hua Yunjin's outfit was made of the finest silk, while hers resembled something a maid might wear. It's true what they say: clothes make the person.

"Dear sister, I've been feeling unwell lately and desperately need some supplements. Just yesterday, I asked Qingliu to find the supplements the Empress Dowager gifted me, but they seem to have disappeared. With no other choice, Qingliu brought back those two watermelons for me to enjoy. Do you want some, sister? Don't be shy; we're family, after all."

Hua Xiangxue's smile was gentle and polite, but her next words made Hua Yunjin's face change color. "Once we're done, you can help me find out who had the audacity to meddle with the Empress Dowager's gifts. That could be a crime punishable by death, don't you think?"

After speaking, Hua Xiangxue looked at Qingliu beside her, blinking her eyes. Qingliu shivered, quickly lowering his head, not daring to meet Hua Yunjin's gaze. "Yes, yes, it is indeed a serious crime."

Hua Yunjin felt a sudden jolt of panic. If it were just ordinary items, she wouldn't bother fighting over them. But the supplements gifted by the Empress Dowager were top-notch, and she couldn't resist having Xia Lian bring them all back to her own quarters. Now, with Hua Xiangxue bringing it up, she was understandably flustered.

She knew the Empress Dowager well—outwardly kind, but with a notoriously unpredictable temper. Last time, she had inadvertently angered the Empress Dowager and faced punishment. The mere mention of it still filled her with dread.

Hua Xiangxue glanced at Hua Yunjin and immediately understood her thoughts. This little girl was cunning and willful, but she still hadn't mastered the art of concealing her emotions—at least not in front of her.

"Hmph, what do you mean? Are you suggesting I took them? Do you think I care?" Hua Yunjin lifted her chin, feigning indifference.

"Is my sister not interested in the Empress Dowager's gifts? Oh my—" Hua Xiangxue feigned shock, her expression dramatically changing.

Realizing her slip of the tongue, Hua Yunjin quickly corrected herself, "What I mean is, I'm not interested in fighting with you over them! And stop calling me your sister. I don't have a sister like you! You're not my sister!"

Hua Yunjin's disdain and disgust were evident in her reaction to Hua Xiangxue's address.

Hua Xiangxue didn't seem to mind at all and chuckled softly, "Look at you, sister. Aren't you also our father's daughter? Oh, did Concubine Lau tell you this?"

Hua Yunjin was taken aback by Hua Xiangxue's quick wit, her face darkening. "Of course, I'm father's daughter, not you!"

A glint of coldness flashed in Hua Xiangxue's eyes, but she continued to smile at Hua Yunjin. "If that's the case, sister, you should have a word with father. If I'm not his daughter, all the better. I wouldn't have to go to the Li Duke Mansion. Otherwise, he might be deceiving the king—"

Hua Yunjin was speechless. She hadn't expected Hua Xiangxue to respond like this, nor did she anticipate that every encounter with Hua Xiangxue would leave her defeated.

Frustrated, she stomped her foot and turned to leave. "Summer Lotus, let's go!"

Watching Hua Yunjin leave in such a huff, Qingliu looked at Hua Xiangxue in surprise. "Miss, this—"

Hua Xiangxue sighed, gently shook her head, and closed her eyes. "Qingliu, you see, people with a quick temper are like this. I didn't even get a chance to tell her that her brow was a bit dark today. She might have a little mishap!"

No sooner had Hua Xiangxue finished speaking than they heard someone shouting in panic not far ahead, "Oh no, oh no, the second miss has fallen into the water! Come quickly to save her—"