Qiao Wanyan beamed at her sister, wholeheartedly agreeing with the Crown Prince's assessment. "Yes, sister, that hairpin was undeniably the most exquisite of all the hairpins and jewelry I selected that day. You tend to dress far too plainly. You need to adorn yourself more beautifully so that my future brother-in-law will find you even more captivating."
Okay, let's embrace my role as a matchmaker, since I'm already here, she mused inwardly, a mischievous glint sparkling in her eyes.
The curve of Qiao Wanyan's lips was as sweet and radiant as the warm spring sun, effortlessly dispelling all gloom and casting a pure, ethereal beauty upon the world.
With such a disarming demeanor, where was there even a trace of the viciousness, the meanness, and the inherent evil that had defined her character in the past? Yanyan was acutely aware of the advantages that her current facade afforded her, so she would simply allow the heroine to grow accustomed to her being a sweet, sticky rice cake, clinging affectionately until Qiao Yihuan's defenses were completely lowered.
And so, she offered her purest, most innocent smile, radiating an air of carefree joy and boundless affection.
Qiao Yihuan's cheeks immediately flushed a vibrant crimson. "What brother-in-law? Sister, don't speak such nonsense!" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Xiaoying, her eyes narrowed, glared at Qiao Wanyan with unconcealed animosity. Just yesterday, she had punished her to kneel with an air of haughty superiority, and yet today, she was acting like a well-behaved, affectionate little sister. Wasn't it all just a calculated ploy to make a favorable impression on the Crown Prince?
He Zhiyu, catching Xiao Ying's barely concealed disgust out of the corner of his eye, quietly averted his gaze, his expression unreadable.
"You sisters may continue your conversation. I am now en route to Zhaohua Palace," he announced, his tone polite yet detached.
The group bowed in unison, offering their farewell greetings.
However, instead of departing through the moon gate at the bend, He Zhiyu paused behind a strategically positioned artificial hill.
The dense, withered branches of the surrounding foliage obscured the view, rendering it impossible to observe the two individuals standing there from the outside. However, from behind the Jianshan hill, the activity by the bamboo slurry pond could be clearly observed.
"Your Highness, are we not proceeding to Zhaohua Palace? Prince Jing should be arriving soon," Jingyuan inquired, his voice hushed with a hint of curiosity.
He Zhiyu's gaze remained fixed on the edge of the bamboo liquid pool, his expression thoughtful. "Yi Huan is a gentle and kind soul who is reluctant to punish those around her. Xiaoying, as her maid, is indeed somewhat unruly. But I remain uncertain as to whether the Qiao second miss and Yi Huan share a truly close bond."
Whether Qiao Wanyan was merely feigning affection for Yi Huan in his presence, or whether their sisterly bond was genuine and deeply rooted, would become abundantly clear in this very moment.
When there are no outsiders present, no one bothers to maintain a false facade, He Zhiyu mused, his gaze unwavering.
Although the specifics of their conversation remained inaudible, their demeanor and actions were easily discernible from his concealed vantage point.
Qiao Wanyan approached Qiao Yihuan, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, and took her sister's hands in her own, her smile radiating warmth and sincerity.
Qiao Yihuan was somewhat taken aback by this sudden display of affection, detecting even a subtle hint of eagerness to please.
If Wan Yan is truly willing to extend an olive branch and befriend me, I am also willing to set aside past grievances and strive to get along harmoniously with her, she thought, her heart cautiously optimistic.
But the premise is that she doesn't compete with me for the Crown Prince's affections, a small voice of doubt whispered in the back of her mind.
"Sister, I genuinely want to give you the Shu brocade and that hairpin. I know I've treated you unfairly in the past, and you may find it difficult to believe me, but I am truly sincere this time," Qiao Wanyan declared, her voice earnest and heartfelt.
Qiao Yihuan frowned slightly, her expression a mixture of skepticism and cautious hope. She remained uncertain as to whether her younger sister had truly recognized the error of her ways or was merely putting on an elaborate act.
"Sister, do you truly understand the extent of your past wrongdoings?" she inquired, her voice laced with a hint of suspicion.
Qiao Wanyan nodded her head repeatedly, her eyes wide with sincerity. "I truly do. I know I've been acting spoiled and entitled. There's nothing I can do to undo the past, but I vow to never bully you again. I swear it!"
So, my dear heroine, please secure your happily ever after so that I can conclude my assigned task early, okay? Qiao Wanyan silently pleaded, her thoughts laced with a hint of desperation.
Qiao Yihuan still harbored a sense of unease. Could someone as habitually spoiled as her sister truly undergo such a sudden and dramatic transformation?
Qiao Wanyan tilted her head slightly, offering Yihuan a sweet, captivating smile, her eyes sparkling with an irresistible charm. I'm going to employ my full arsenal of charm to subdue you, she thought mischievously.
Yihuan gazed at her sister's disarmingly sweet face and began to waver, her resolve crumbling under the onslaught of Qiao Wanyan's carefully calculated charm. Perhaps her sister was genuinely capable of change? But before she could articulate her thoughts, Xiao Ying abruptly shoved Qiao Wanyan away, glaring at her defensively, and declared, "Second Miss, don't you dare think that I will fall for your charade! My young lady is far too kind-hearted, so you may be able to deceive her, but you won't deceive me! A person like you is incapable of genuine change!"