How Did the Female Lead in the Angst Novel Become My Ex-Wife’s Sister? - Chapter 18

At that moment, Pei Linlang was being introduced to the Emperor by the Eldest Princess, Rong Qingzi.

Qingzi’s description of her was glowing: “This one has incredible hands, a real knack for the unusual. I’ve seen her work; they are rare treasures, truly one-of-a-kind. Didn’t Your Majesty mention seeking a master craftsman to restore that unfinished piece in your treasury? I believe she’s the one for the job.”

The Emperor was a thin, sickly man with a pale complexion, looking every bit the “consumptive ghost” described in the original novel, the kind of person who looked like they might drop dead at any second. Of course, he wouldn’t. Not only would he survive, but he’d eventually be cured by the grand finale. He was, quite frankly, annoyingly resilient.

“Is she truly that talented?” The Emperor glanced toward Shen Zhao, who was standing nearby. “A while back, Minister Shen mentioned this brother-in-law of his was quite exceptional and insisted I meet him. I wonder what kind of spell this person has cast on you both.”

Linlang was stunned. Shen Zhao recommended me? Since when did she become so helpful?

Li Jue was equally surprised. He nudged Shen Zhao and raised an eyebrow. “No wonder you bristled when I teased your brother-in-law earlier. So, you’re the one behind this after all.”

Before Linlang could turn around to look at them, she heard Cen Xianyue speak up: “Your Majesty, my brother Linlang is actually quite an ordinary man. His ‘craftsmanship’ is merely a hobby he tinkers with. He… he’s never been much of a scholar, and he struggles with even basic poetry or prose. Asking him to write a proper character would be a challenge in itself. To be honest, he’s a bit lazy, so he makes these trinkets just to get by. Otherwise…”

Linlang felt like Xianyue was airing out all her dirty laundry in front of everyone. Her face turned beet-red as she tugged on Xianyue’s sleeve. “What are you saying?! I’m not that bad!”

Her protest didn’t just make Cen Juexing snort with laughter; even the Emperor let out a hearty chuckle.

“Hahaha! I see. No wonder Minister Shen was so eager to introduce him. She’s worried about her brother-in-law’s future prospects. Come, lift your head and let me see this ‘lazy craftsman’ for myself.”

“Yes…”

Linlang slowly raised her head and met his gaze.

In an instant, the Emperor’s expression shifted. He looked at her with a mix of surprise and shock, but beneath that, there was a flash of cold, guarded hostility.

Rong Qingzi, still smiling radiantly beside him, let her gaze linger on Linlang before looking back at the Emperor. “Well? Don’t those eyes look remarkably like the eccentric who served by your side two years ago?”

“They do…” The Emperor nodded blankly. Realizing he had lost his composure, he forced a smile that looked a little too natural to be genuine. “Very beautiful eyes. You are…?”

“I am Pei Linlang, Your Majesty.”

“Pei Linlang, do you have one of your ‘rare treasures’ with you today?”

“I do not, Your Majesty.”

“Ah…” The Emperor nodded absently and turned toward Rong Qingzi. Without skipping a beat, Qingzi began talking about the Female General, Liang Qianqiu, mentioning she had just returned to the capital and was invited to relax at the feast. Together, the royals moved toward the General.

Once they were gone, Linlang finally had a chance to grumble to Xianyue. “Sister, that was mean! I know you were trying to save me from a charge of deceiving the Emperor, but did you have to embarrass me in front of everyone?”

A thought suddenly struck her. Could Shen Zhao’s rush to recommend me to the Emperor be linked to this?

No, impossible, she thought. I haven’t even had a chance to get on her bad side yet.

Linlang shook the thought away, only to notice Xianyue staring off into space. “Sister?”

Xianyue was looking toward a dark corner of the courtyard wall. A shadowy figure seemed to leap across it. Xianyue’s eyes narrowed.

Linlang followed her gaze. “Is that a cat? Even in the dead of winter, they’re still so energetic.”

Xianyue remained silent for a moment before turning back. “If you don’t want me to tease you, fine. I’ll go tell the Emperor and the Princess your true identity right now.”

Linlang knew Xianyue was only pushing because she was worried about the danger, but she still couldn’t bring herself to make a decision. She equivocated: “…Let me think about it a little longer.”

*****

That was when it happened. Over by Liang Qianqiu’s side, something caused a stir. People began whispering and looking around in a panic.

Linlang grabbed a passing maid. “What’s going on?”

“I heard the General’s prayer beads are missing! The Emperor is furious. He’s ordered us to seal the courtyard entrances. They’re going to search everyone!”

“What?!”

How is Liang Qianqiu involved in this? Why is she adding to the chaos?

Linlang’s mind raced. She glanced at Shen Zhao, then at the Emperor, before finally looking at Xianyue.

She looked her up and down, wanting to search her but not daring to touch her. She was terrified she’d actually find something, and if the wrong person saw it, Xianyue would be finished.

But Xianyue seemed to understand her look. She reached into her sleeve, then felt around her waist. Suddenly, her expression went pale.

Linlang knew she’d found it. She looked at the General’s maid in the distance and realized it was a setup. She pulled Xianyue aside and hissed, “Give it to me!”

Xianyue slowly shook her head. Strangely, now that the crisis was here, she wasn’t panicked. She pulled out the beads and prepared to walk toward the crowd.

Linlang grabbed her. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to return them and explain myself, of course,” Xianyue said calmly.

“And how are you going to explain it?”

Xianyue gently brushed Linlang’s hand away. “Wait here for me.”

“Hey—” Linlang followed close behind, whispering urgently, “I heard Shen Zhao and Liang Qianqiu grew up together. Your marriage must have made them resent you. Sister, Shen Zhao is nothing but trouble—she’s always attracting these messes!”

To her surprise, Xianyue laughed. She wasn’t rushed or angry. She smiled at Linlang and said, “It’s sweet of you to dig up all this gossip for me, Linlang. But I think only the maid bears me any ill will. This has nothing to do with the General.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“The way the General looks at Shen Zhao… I don’t think she sees her that way.”

“Really?” Linlang looked at her, thinking: If she doesn’t see her that way, then why do they move in together after you die in the book? Is the author’s writing just a joke?

Through their time together, Linlang realized Xianyue was incredibly sharp, but she always seemed to have a blind spot regarding Shen Zhao. She trusted Shen Zhao completely, even when Shen Zhao was cold and cruel. Now, it seemed she was losing her basic judgment of the situation.

Linlang was frustrated by Xianyue’s lack of spine, but she didn’t want to push it—she didn’t want to make Xianyue sad.

In the heart of the plum grove, the guests stood with lowered heads and bated breath.

Linlang followed Xianyue to the edge of the circle to assess the situation. Rong Qingzi was comforting Liang Qianqiu, who appeared indifferent, though her maid looked absolutely livid. The Emperor was berating the servants in charge, who were kneeling and begging for mercy.

“If you know you’re wrong, then start looking!”

“Yes, yes!”

The servants began scurrying around in circles.

Linlang scanned the room, wanting to whisper a plan to Xianyue, but when she reached out, Xianyue was already gone. She had stepped forward.

“Sister, wait for me!”

In front of the assembled nobility, Xianyue gave a graceful bow. Before Linlang could stop her, she held the item out in both hands. “Your Majesty, Your Highness… the beads are with me.”

It was a string of red beads—red agate, most likely. It had a long tassel ending in a delicate jade piece, translucent and lustrous. Even a glance told you it was a priceless treasure.

It’s over…

Pei Linlang covered her forehead, unable to watch any longer.

Sure enough, a moment later, that “consumptive ghost” of an Emperor spoke up. “It was with you? How did it end up with you?” His tone dripped with smoldering fury. As he spoke, he cut a sharp look at Rong Qingzi.

Everyone in the capital knew that Cen Xianyue used to work under Rong Qingzi. Even though she was now a married woman, the Princess couldn’t entirely distance herself from this mess.

Rong Qingzi’s expression shifted slightly, but she maintained a calm smile. “I’m sure there’s been some misunderstanding. Xianyue, where did you get these beads?”

“In response to Your Highness,” Xianyue replied with poise and grace, “I found these beads in the grass nearby. Fearing they might fall into the wrong hands, I kept them on my person, intending to find an opportunity to present them to Your Highness.”

It was a perfectly appropriate answer, but the maid, Biyun, chose that moment to rush forward. “Blatant lies!”

She threw herself down before the Emperor and the Princess, her voice thick with grief. “Your Majesty! Your Highness! My lady wore those beads constantly; they never left her side! How could they possibly be ‘lost in the grass’? Besides, the only person my lady saw alone just now was Madam Shen! I believe Madam Shen did this because—”

“Biyun!” Liang Qianqiu, who had been silent until now, barked a sharp command. What was she in such a hurry for? This scene was exactly what she wanted to see.

Liang Qianqiu moved to step forward, but the Emperor raised a hand to stop her. His sickly eyes remained fixed forward. “Continue. Because of what?”

Biyun slammed her forehead against the ground with a loud thud. “Your Majesty, these beads were a gift from Master Shen. Master Shen and my lady grew up together as childhood friends—they are as close as siblings!”

The Emperor’s face darkened further. He turned to the female general behind him and asked in a low voice, “Is this true?”

“It is. But the beads…”

“Enough! Say no more!”

The “Dog Emperor” was livid. He tucked his hands behind his back, his eyes bulging as he glared, sometimes at Cen Xianyue, sometimes at the crowd.

“Calm yourself, Your Majesty. I will handle this,” Rong Qingzi said, stepping out to stand before Xianyue. She looked down at her and asked quietly, “Xianyue, is it as she says?”

The grove fell into a dead silence, but the verdict was already written on everyone’s faces. The looks directed at Cen Xianyue were filled with pity and judgment.

It was common knowledge that Shen Zhao had no affection for Xianyue. It seemed perfectly “natural” for a neglected wife to be jealous of her husband’s childhood sweetheart, especially when that sweetheart was a legendary female general. No matter how noble Xianyue’s reputation was, she was, after all, only human.

Watching from the edge of the crowd, Pei Linlang felt a surge of pure resentment. Xianyue could have simply said she had no idea how the beads got on her person; given her character, people would have guessed the truth. But she had insisted she “found” them, clearly trying to leave an out for the maid, only to have the girl bite back.

Linlang began pushing through the crowd just as Shen Zhao did the same. Shen Zhao reached the royals first, dropping to one knee. “I have failed to manage my household and neglected my wife’s discipline, leading her to offend the Imperial dignity. I deserve ten thousand deaths!” She then turned to glare at Xianyue, hissing, “Kneel and admit your fault!”

“Don’t you dare kneel!” Linlang shouted as she burst into the clearing. “Shen Zhao, my sister isn’t your subordinate! You don’t get to lecture her!”

Linlang stood beside Xianyue, chest out and head held high as she faced the group. “Your Majesty, Your Highness, General—I was the one who took the beads.”

With that, she flipped her robe and dropped to her knees, ignoring Xianyue as she frantically whispered her name. “It’s all sister Biyun’s fault for hanging them so loosely from her waist. They were so eye-catching, I couldn’t resist ‘borrowing’ them.”

The Eldest Princess let out a cold, incredulous laugh. “You took them… simply because you liked them?”

“Yes, simply that. My sister loves me too much; she only tried to take the blame to protect me. Your Highness knows my sister’s character. She would never do something so disgraceful to her family name.”

“No! That’s not how it happened!” The maid Biyun cried out, starting to scramble up. But the moment she met Rong Qingzi’s gaze, she buried her head back in the dirt.

“Then tell us,” the Princess said. “How did it happen?”

The maid stammered, her words becoming an unintelligible mumble. She had panicked. She flattened herself against the ground, trembling.

“But these beads are clearly a lady’s ornament,” the Emperor said, turning the string over in his hands and eyeing Linlang suspiciously. “A grown man like you has a taste for such vibrant red?”

He had hit the nail on the head.

Linlang’s face fell, momentarily stuck for an answer. Beside her, Xianyue knelt as well. Usually as immovable as a mountain, she now looked more panicked than when she herself was under fire. “Your Majesty—”

Linlang knew exactly what she was about to say. Before Xianyue could open her mouth, Linlang blurted out the first thing that came to mind:

“That’s because I’m a woman!”

She reached up, yanked off her hair ribbon, and let her long hair cascade down her shoulders.

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