Volume One, Chapter Four: Wasn't It Just Acting?

Su Zhizhi did not answer; instead, she walked straight to the chest.

She hurriedly opened it, and a dazzling array of colorful jewels shimmered before her eyes. "Truly authentic treasures. That Su Wanwan actually didn't deceive me."

Qingzhu frowned, her face full of worry. "Young Miss, your injury..."

A smug smile played on the corners of Su Zhizhi's lips. "Your mistress is not someone so easily injured."

"But the doctor said..."

The blade had not grazed her in the slightest; she had long since tampered with the situation, and the blood that had seeped out was merely pig blood from a packet she had prepared in advance.

Su Zhizhi was so skilled at deception that everyone present believed the assassin had wounded her severely. The pulse the doctor had felt was irregular only because she had pricked herself with a few needles beforehand. In reality, she was completely fine.

Su Zhizhi frowned, removing the top layer of jewelry and placing it on the floor, only to discover that the bottom of the box was filled with cheap trinkets like combs and hanging scrolls, used merely to fill space. Su Wanwan was truly only capable of superficial gestures.

Never mind. Having something was better than having nothing at all.

"Qingzhu, come with me. You are going to accompany me somewhere."

The Duke of Su’s estate was heavily guarded; one could not simply leave whenever they pleased. Qingzhu, having only just arrived at the estate, had seen her young mistress suffer a grave injury while saving the eldest daughter, and now, fearing her mind had become unhinged, she was shocked that she wanted to leave the grounds.

"Young Miss, we cannot get out."

"What are you thinking? I never said I was leaving the estate."

Su Zhizhi instructed Qingzhu to style her hair like a maid’s and to dress her in a pink maid’s gown. The two of them set off together for Wanxin Pavilion.

As soon as they reached the entrance, a wolfhound bared its vicious fangs, barking incessantly. How many wicked deeds must have been committed here? With so many guards in the Duke’s estate, Su Wanwan still needed a vicious dog to guard her door.

Su Zhizhi tossed a piece of osmanthus cake from her basket. The beast sniffed it and swallowed it whole. Moments later, the dog suddenly grew quiet, crouching down docilely and allowing Su Zhizhi to enter Wanxin Pavilion.

The pavilion was filled with maids who blocked their path. Qingzhu explained, "My young mistress has come specifically to thank the eldest daughter for her gift. Please be accommodating."

Furong, Su Wanwan’s personal maid, stood in their way. "Is the eldest daughter’s private chamber a place that people from Jingyan Pavilion can just waltz into?"

The way the maid spoke bore a striking resemblance to Su Wanwan. Truly, she looked down on others with dog’s eyes.

Su Zhizhi deliberately raised her voice, shouting, "Sister, I have come specifically to apologize. Are you still angry with me?"

Su Wanwan, inside her chamber, recognized Su Zhizhi’s voice. If she didn't let this scarred Su Zhizhi in, wouldn't it make her appear too cold-hearted? Besides, if this sickly weakling were to have an accident here, it would be terribly unlucky. Who would then take her place to marry that dying demon, Prince Jin?

"Second Miss, my mistress says you may enter." The maid who emerged from Su Wanwan’s room looked much more pleasant.

"Qingzhu, wait for me here."

Su Zhizhi entered the room and placed a box of osmanthus cakes on the golden nanmu wood table. "Sister Wanwan, I have come to apologize."

Su Zhizhi stared directly at her, and Su Wanwan was so startled that she took a step back.

"Is your injury already healed, sister?"

"If it weren't, how could I marry in your stead?"

Su Zhizhi’s aggressive tone sent a chill through Su Wanwan’s entire body.

"It is your blessing to marry in my place. You have usurped my position for so many years; everything you suffer is what you deserve." Su Wanwan flicked her sleeve, sending the osmanthus cakes on the sandalwood table scattering to the floor. "You should leave quickly. If Father, Mother, or my brothers come and punish you, do not blame me."

Su Zhizhi recalled her past life—though she had been willful and impulsive, she had never harbored the intent to harm anyone. How could this Su Wanwan spend every waking moment plotting to bully others?

She truly deserved a beating. Su Zhizhi lifted her gaze, her icy stare seemingly capable of stealing a soul.

"Oh, did you forget, sister, that these osmanthus cakes were the favorite treat of the assassin’s wife?"

"You..." Su Wanwan suddenly felt a sense of dread. The woman had indeed made a basket of osmanthus cakes on the day she died. "What do you know?"

The hatred in Su Zhizhi’s eyes could no longer be contained. She stepped forward, forcing Su Wanwan back until she was pinned against the room’s pillar. "How many innocent lives have you taken for your own gain? Are you not afraid of their vengeful ghosts coming for you?"

Fearing her secrets would be exposed, Su Wanwan dismissed all the maids and locked the door tightly. "Su Zhizhi, who exactly are you!"

Su Zhizhi sneered. I am the Black and White Impermanence here to claim your life!

In a flash, she pulled a silver needle from behind her and plunged it into the top of Su Wanwan’s head.

"You..." Su Wanwan collapsed instantly, her head falling onto Su Zhizhi’s shoulder.

Su Zhizhi gritted her teeth and summoned her strength to drag Su Wanwan toward the bed. "So heavy. Su Wanwan, you really need to lose some weight."

Having finally heaved Su Wanwan onto the bed, she sat on the floor, exhausted. She wiped her hands with the hem of her skirt and scanned the room. The maids had been sent away, and as a thief, this was her chance to get to work. She rose quickly and began searching.

"Where are those land deeds and property titles hidden?"

In her past life, Su Wanwan had usurped a significant portion of the Duke of Su’s wealth. Her three brothers, doting on this long-lost sister, had gifted her gold and jewels, all of which Su Wanwan had converted into land and property deeds. No one in the Duke’s estate knew of this secret.

Su Zhizhi only knew because, in her past life, Su Wanwan had seen her at Prince Jin’s estate and, in her triumph, had told her everything. That night, Su Wanwan’s words had been the final straw that broke her.

Su Zhizhi was determined to take these things back. Since they said she had stolen her life, she would steal it back completely. With so many refugees in the capital, she would become the female thief who robs the rich to aid the poor.

However, Su Wanwan was deeply suspicious; she would never keep these treasures in plain sight. They must be hidden...

As she pondered, Su Zhizhi crawled under the bed. Indeed, a woman’s mind is best guessed by another woman. Amidst a pile of rags, Su Zhizhi found a plain-looking iron box.

Upon opening it, she found a thick stack of documents stamped with bright red official seals.

"I’m rich!"

Su Zhizhi stowed all the land and property deeds into a hidden compartment in the basket that had held the osmanthus cakes. She lit a stick of incense before the statue of Guanyin, then quietly opened the door.

Su Zhizhi wailed tearfully, "Since you do not like me, sister, and wish to punish me, I shall obey!"

She spoke loudly on purpose, so the maids waiting outside could hear her clearly.

The heavy snow continued to fall, landing on Su Zhizhi’s pink gown like white pear blossoms. She fell to her knees at the entrance of Wanxin Pavilion. Handing the empty basket to Qingzhu, she whispered, "Qingzhu, I may not survive the day. You must ensure my father and mother find a quiet place to bury me."

Su Zhizhi covered her face and sobbed, her cries heart-wrenching. With a final, choked gasp, she collapsed, lying motionless in the snow.

A splash of pink lay against the pristine white snow, and drops of blood seeped into the frozen ground, lingering for a long time. Though Qingzhu had been mentally prepared, seeing this scene still terrified her. Her young mistress had said it was only an act, but how could it be so realistic?