Chapter 33: Deep Sisterly Bonds and Stark Contrasts

The onlookers were stunned by the scene, but they quickly regained their composure. Realizing that Luo Xiang’er was lying on the ground injured, they hurriedly rushed over. It was not out of genuine concern, but necessity; having come to watch the spectacle, they could not afford to be seen doing nothing, lest they face repercussions later.

Watching Luo Xiang’er struggle to stand while eyeing her like a fool, Luo Qianfan looked on with a cold sneer. The girl’s legs were unsteady, and she collapsed back to the ground after only a moment. Truly a pampered young lady, unable to withstand even a single blow.

Luo Yunyun had just arrived when she saw Luo Xiang’er lying weakly on the ground. Glancing at Luo Qianfan standing nearby, she didn’t need to ask what had transpired. Useless! Collapsing so quickly!

So, has the infighting begun? She had deliberately arrived late today, hoping for some interesting developments. It seemed she was right. Taking care of two at once—it appeared that Luo Qianfan’s return served a purpose after all.

With a gasp, Luo Yunyun rushed to Luo Xiang’er’s side, putting on a performance of sisterly devotion. "Third Sister, how could you be so heartless? What did our Sixth Sister ever do to offend you that you would torment her like this?" Luo Yunyun’s act was so convincing that one could not help but believe her.

The onlookers, who had been hesitant, were immediately swayed by Luo Yunyun’s sudden appearance and her words. Public opinion shifted in favor of Luo Xiang’er.

"How could the Third Young Lady be so vicious? After all, they are sisters!"
"Exactly, exactly!"
"I wonder why the Master and Mistress even brought her back?"

The gossip grew increasingly heated. They had conveniently forgotten that it was Luo Xiang’er who had first attempted to kill Luo Qianfan, and that Luo Qianfan had merely acted in self-defense. Yet, in their eyes, she was the one poisoning her own kin. It seemed Luo Yunyun’s words carried significant weight.

In this vast Prime Minister’s estate, only a few held any real standing. There was the Fourth Young Lady, Luo Yuhuan, the daughter of the current mistress, who was pampered beyond measure. She had a biological brother who had been sent to an academy for training at a young age and enjoyed a close relationship with the Crown Prince, effectively marking her as the successor of the estate. As for the Second Young Lady, Luo Yunyun, and the Sixth Young Lady, Luo Xiang’er, although born to concubines, they possessed immense talent and had shown their brilliance at a young age, earning the deep favor of Luo Jingsong—to a degree far beyond that of the "counterfeit" daughter, Luo Qianfan.

The remaining young ladies were of little consequence, lacking both martial talent and family background, usually trailing behind these stellar young women.

However, the estate also had a Third Young Lady—Luo Qianfan. She was no less famous than her sisters, though while the others enjoyed a good reputation, she was notorious and despised by all.

*Hmph, what a fine group of sisters indeed!* A flash of ruthlessness crossed Luo Qianfan’s eyes.

"Stop the act!" A cold, piercing voice cut through the air, tinged with impatience. The crowd froze as the voice continued. "If you’re finished, shut your mouths. The incessant chattering is annoying!" Luo Qianfan’s ink-black eyes released an invisible blade, shooting straight at Luo Yunyun. "And you, who told you I hurt her? Was it him? Or him...? Or did you see it with your own eyes?" Luo Qianfan spoke directly to Luo Yunyun, her sharp gaze causing everyone it touched to panic.

Luo Yunyun choked, her expression stunned, her hand stroking Luo Xiang’er pausing mid-air. She had expected Luo Qianfan to be flustered in such a situation, but she had never imagined this reaction; she looked nothing like someone who had been bullied for years. Could it be that she had been living quite well in that place? That shouldn't be possible.

Luo Yunyun raised her eyes, finally looking at the woman before her in earnest. Suddenly, Luo Qianfan’s breathtaking face imprinted itself upon her vision for the first time. Luo Yunyun trembled. Who was this? Luo Qianfan? How could this be? How could she possess such an exquisite, otherworldly beauty? Even Leng Qin’er would be eclipsed by such features.

How could this possibly be Luo Qianfan? Because she had been standing far away, Luo Yunyun hadn't looked closely before. Only now did she realize that Luo Qianfan was not the coarse creature she had imagined; rather, she possessed an ethereal quality, and the arc of her lips added a mysterious charm. At this moment, Luo Qianfan was unrestrained, wicked, and alluring; standing against the light, it was impossible to look away.

*She seems... different from before.* The thought flashed through Luo Yunyun’s mind, and looking at the stunning girl before her, she felt a momentary sense of inferiority.

"Don’t provoke me again. You couldn't beat me before, and you certainly don’t stand a chance now!" Luo Qianfan’s expression grew colder, her impatience deepening. "What are you waiting for? Do you really want to watch her die here? Take her back to see a physician; if her condition worsens, don’t you dare blame me!"

These sisters were truly interesting—speaking words of sisterly love while privately wishing the other would die quickly. Indeed, the schemes of noble families were deep; everyone was a master actor. Luo Qianfan sneered.

Hearing this, Luo Yunyun snapped back to reality. She suppressed her shock, cast a meaningful glance at Luo Qianfan, and ultimately, without a word, helped the injured Luo Xiang’er away. Luo Qianfan watched it all, the smile on her lips deepening. It seemed Luo Yunyun was a bit smarter than Luo Xiang’er, but her petty schemes were still not worth mentioning. She was waiting for the final, big fish to surface on its own.

The farce ended just like that.

Meanwhile, the main hall was filled with a different, festive atmosphere. The hall was opulently decorated, with two rows of six seats arranged neatly on a black carpet covered in goose-down velvet. Two majestic, high-backed chairs stood at the head of the hall, exuding solemnity and grandeur.

Three people currently occupied the hall, bringing a touch of humanity to the vast space. Luo Jingsong, dressed in his bright red official robes, sat respectfully in the seat below the head. In the highest seat sat a man of noble temperament and unparalleled handsomeness.

The young man had sword-like brows and star-bright eyes, clad in a dark purple-brown brocade robe. He held a plain fan, on which the subtle marks of a master craftsman were faintly visible. A jade belt at his waist signaled his extraordinary status. His long, ink-black hair was tied high, giving him a dashing, arrogant, yet delicate appearance.

He spoke with ease, his dragon-like eyes captivating and piercing. His amber pupils shimmered, and his thin, curved lips were mesmerizing. His aura was overwhelming, standing firm even before an old fox like Luo Jingsong, with a hint of dominance that suggested he might even surpass him.

Below him