Chapter 3: The Rebirth of the Underdog

She was determined to become the legitimate daughter; she would transform into a woman worthy of the man she loved.

The next target was Zhao Erdong’s useless mother. Only when both mother and daughter were gone could her own mother be elevated to the status of First Lady, and she, Zhao Erqin, would naturally become the legitimate daughter of the house.

A maid dressed in a light green tunic hurried over, looking flustered and constantly glancing around. "Eldest Miss, have you seen the Second Miss?"

"Lily, how have you been looking after the Second Miss? You’ve actually lost her? When we return, Father will surely break your legs for this," Zhao Erqin said, her gaze cold as she scrutinized the usually sharp-witted maid. This girl could not be allowed to live; she was a certain liability.

Lily met Zhao Erqin’s gaze and saw a flicker of cruelty and triumph within her eyes. Her heart sank. The Eldest Miss had always been causing trouble for the Second Miss, both openly and in secret, desperate to get rid of her. The Second Miss had not intended to attend this Chrysanthemum Banquet at all; it was she, Lily, who had insisted and even lent her a fine silk garment. As the saying goes, a weasel greeting a chicken for the New Year—it was never out of kindness. It had been Zhao Erqin who deliberately sent her away earlier, and now she was blaming her for losing the Second Miss. A terrible thought struck her: had the Second Miss already fallen victim to her schemes?

Without a moment to lose, Lily called out to two guards standing in the distance and led them into the small woods to search.

Zhao Erqin did not stop them. It didn't matter; Zhao Erdong was already dead. Even if they found her, what could they do? She had been here all along, and there were many who could testify to that.

Before long, a sharp, terrified scream echoed from the woods, followed by loud, wailing sobs.

In high spirits, Zhao Erqin set down her white porcelain teacup, beckoned to her maid Cuihuan, who was waiting nearby, and strolled slowly toward the forest.

"Second Sister? What happened to Second Sister?" Zhao Erqin wiped the triumphant smile from her face, replacing it with a look of anxious, grief-stricken rage. She rushed forward and shoved Lily aside. "You useless girl, how have you been taking care of her? You knew she couldn't swim, yet you let her play by the lake alone. What were you thinking?"

Zhao Erqin looked down at Zhao Erdong lying flat on the grass. She was deathly pale, breathless, and clearly long dead. A thrill of satisfaction surged through her.

"What are you standing there for? Go find a doctor!" Zhao Erqin roared at Lily.

Lily was so distraught her legs had gone weak, her mind a total blank. At the sound of the shout, she snapped back to reality. Yes, a doctor—perhaps the Miss could still be saved.

Just then, the noble sons and daughters attending the banquet rushed over, clamoring to see the commotion.

Lily immediately turned back, stripped off her own outer jacket, and covered the Second Miss. Though she was only thirteen, the Miss had already begun to develop. Her clothes were soaked through and clinging to her skin; if the men were to see her like this, her reputation would be utterly destroyed.

"Isn't that the Second Miss of the Prime Minister's residence?"

"The one who is a waste with zero talent?"

"I heard she doesn't even have a primordial energy field."

"Sigh, it's better that she's dead. What's the point of living without an energy field?"

"Exactly. And I heard her mother isn't long for this world either. As a little waste, without her mother's protection, she was bound to die sooner or later, wasn't she?"

"..."

Lily glared viciously at these richly dressed young men and women. Her fists were clenched so tightly that she struggled to suppress the fury rising within her, terrified that she might lose control and lunge at them.

The girl was already dead, yet they stood there gloating and mocking her. Were these people even human?