How Did the Female Lead in the Angst Novel Become My Ex-Wife’s Sister? - Chapter 8

Pei Linlang mured over her plan, finishing her dinner in a hurry before taking her leave. However, she was intercepted at the courtyard gate by Yunxiu.

The girl grabbed Linlang by the collar, teeth gritted. “You ungrateful thing! My Lady went out of her way to tell the kitchen to make a whole table of your favorite dishes, and you treat it like a chore! Do it again tomorrow and see if I let you off!”

Linlang froze.

As she watched Yunxiu’s retreating back and the meaning of the words sank in, she felt a sudden wave of warmth. Her fighting spirit flared, and she pumped a fist in the air.

A mere Luofuchun Banquet? I’ll conquer it easily!

Of course, easier said than done. This wasn’t just any common gathering. Linlang didn’t hold much hope of getting an invitation through proper channels; she was already mentally calculating the best way to sneak in.

But as fate would have it, the very next day brought an opportunity served on a silver platter.

*****

The following morning, the Zoumadeng Tea House was a completely different world. It was packed to the rafters. Linlang had to squeeze her way through the crowd at the entrance, only to see Qin Yufeng spinning like a top, far too busy to acknowledge her.

“One at a time! Don’t rush! Everyone gets a turn! You over there! Yes, you! Did you just cut the line? No cheating; get back to the end!” Qin Yufeng barked, her eyes fixed on the passage of time.

As the sand in the hourglass finally ran out, the guest in front of her still hadn’t managed to complete a single side of the cube. Qin Yufeng snatched the puzzle away with a laugh. “What a shame; challenge failed.” She handed the guest a piece of pine nut cake from a nearby basket. “Here, take your consolation prize. Wishing you a smooth path in the New Year.”

The guest had looked dejected, but after tasting the cake, a smile returned. The pastry wasn’t exactly a gourmet delicacy, but it was free, and because it was free, everyone was eager to try the challenge.

Since the cakes were mostly sweet and dry, people found them hard to swallow without a drink, leading them to order a small pot of tea to wash it down.

With seats at a premium, no one minded sharing tables with strangers. The air was thick with talk of the strange object. They marveled at the cube’s curious design, noting that nothing like it had ever been seen before, and wondered where the shopkeeper had found it.

“I asked the boss; she said she got it from a Great Master. Apparently, he’s been in seclusion for years and is just now traveling through the capital!”

“No, no, she told me it appeared on her desk suddenly this morning. It must be a celestial treasure from the heavens!”

“Celestial treasure? Nonsense, it’s clearly an occult object. Didn’t you hear what she calls it? A Magic Square!”

Hearing this, Linlang felt a cold sweat break out. She had told Qin Yufeng to exaggerate a little to build some hype, but she hadn’t expected her to start writing a fantasy novel.

She signaled a waiter and headed up to the second floor.

The crowd here was thinner but present. These guests sipped their tea leisurely, surrounded by intricate pastries. According to the rules Linlang had laid out, these were the guests who had successfully completed one side of the cube. Their snacks were also complimentary, but in terms of shape, color, and taste, they were far superior to the cheap pine nut cakes below. Consequently, these patrons looked quite smug, and the tea they ordered was significantly more expensive.

Linlang had specifically instructed Qin Yufeng to source the high-end pastries, but the tea was simply their existing stock. The northern climate was dry, and the shop’s long-term slump meant they had a massive backlog of aged tea. It didn’t spoil; in fact, a year or two of aging made it more fragrant. Combined with the “free” snacks, customers didn’t feel cheated even if the tea prices were higher than other establishments.

Linlang found a corner seat and ordered a pot of tea and some snacks for herself. Just as before, it wasn’t until the lunch rush subsided that Qin Yufeng found a moment to join her.

The woman wiped beads of sweat from her forehead, a grin stretching from ear to ear. “It’s all thanks to you, Master Pei! If not for your brilliant idea, I wouldn’t have seen a day like this. Following your orders, I’ve sent people to spread the word throughout the city. I expect business this afternoon will be even better!” She poured herself a cup of tea as she spoke.

Linlang took a small sip from the rim of her cup and teased, “Since I am now ‘Master Pei,’ Shopkeeper Qin, I trust you aren’t planning to withhold my rightful share of the profits.”

Qin Yufeng’s expression flickered for a fraction of a second before her face bloomed into a smile as bright as peach blossoms. “Master Pei, what a thing to say! There is no need for such formality between the two of us.”

Linlang matched her smile. “Even biological brothers keep clear accounts. I’ll trouble you to bring the ledger. As you know, your ‘brother’ has been having a very difficult time lately.”

Their eyes met, sparks of calculation flying between them. Ultimately, Qin Yufeng conceded. “Fine. Just you wait.”

She left briskly and returned a moment later, slamming a ledger and an abacus down in front of Linlang. It was clear she had come prepared; the numbers in the ledger were written with painful clarity. She gave the abacus a quick, practiced flick and said coolly, “After deducting the costs for the venue, tools, labor, and the ‘running money’ for those out shouting your praises, your share comes to… four taels, five mace, and eight fen.”

“You said how much?” Linlang nearly climbed onto the table in shock.

Qin Yufeng remained stone-faced. “Considering we are old friends and looking forward to a long-term partnership, I’ll round it up for you. Here—five taels of silver. Keep it safe.”

The silver was pushed forward along with the ledger, which indeed displayed the figure of four taels, five mace, and eight fen. Linlang scanned the entries and discovered that even the pot of tea she was currently drinking had been meticulously billed to her account.

Heaven have mercy, Linlang thought. She had provided the idea, the labor, and the literal swarms of customers downstairs, only for this miser to toss her a few measly coins.

“Qin Yufeng, your… your heart is pitch black! You’ve made over fifty taels today! You could at least give me eight!”

“Well, it is my shop, after all.” Qin Yufeng tilted her head back, gathered the ledger, and rose to her feet.

“Retribution will find you sooner or later!” Linlang shouted after her.

Qin Yufeng’s triumphant laugh echoed back, her entire body swaying with satisfaction. “Oh, right,” she added, pausing mid-stride and looking back over her shoulder. “A certain ‘Noble Person’ took a liking to that contraption of yours. She wants you to meet her at the Shuxue Pavilion in the south of the city in five days.”

Linlang took a silk-wrapped token from a servant. Peeking inside the silk, she quickly clenched her fist around it, fearing Qin Yufeng might change her mind.

******

The token was a jade pendant. On the way back to the Shen Estate, Linlang examined it under the moonlight. Though small, the craftsmanship was exquisite. The jade was translucent, carved with a ‘Double Carp’ motif where every scale was visible. More impressively, the eyes of the fish were inlaid with vibrant red agates—clearly no common trinket.

Perhaps… Linlang mused, this noble is a truly high-ranking figure. That would explain why a “Iron Rooster” like Qin Yufeng surrendered the token and played fair with the silver; she was likely too terrified to offend the sender.

And as for “nobles” in this book… was it the sickly Emperor? Or… that notoriously eccentric Princess Regent?

While the luck felt a bit too convenient, if this person was truly powerful, they could be her ticket into the Luofuchun Banquet!

Lost in thought, she suddenly spotted a splash of green official robes emerging from the shadows. It was Shen Zhao. Linlang stopped by the gate to wait.

Shen Zhao noticed her from a distance and slowed her pace, stopping about three meters away. Her gaze immediately locked onto the jade pendant in Linlang’s hand, her eyes turning cold.

Linlang quickly tucked the pendant into her waist sash and smiled. “Brother-in-law, you’re off duty early today.”

Shen Zhao approached, her tense expression gradually smoothing into a mask of courtesy. “It is nearly 4:00 PM; it is not early. But you…” She tilted her head, a pleasant but hollow smile appearing. “That pendant is warm and radiant, clearly not a common object. It seems you have caught the eye of a Noble Person, Little Brother?”

Linlang had been in the estate for several days, but this was the first time Shen Zhao had truly looked at her. She knew this person looked down on her, a feeling she heartily reciprocated. Seeing her up close, Linlang had to admit that Shen Zhao looked every bit the protagonist—tall, handsome, with a face that radiated ambition. Compared to her, Linlang felt that aside from her own face, she fell short in every category.

Linlang gave a nonchalant shrug. “Just a common toy. Nothing to be surprised about.”

“Common? That looks like a design from the Palace.” A sharp edge of scrutiny pierced through Shen Zhao’s gaze.

Linlang stiffened. “Brother-in-law, you must be joking.”

*****

At the dinner table, Shen Zhao brought it up again. “Xianyue, this brother of yours is quite remarkable. In just a few days, he’s already established a connection with the Palace. You previously asked me to find him a quiet post, but it seems there’s no need for a brother-in-law’s help anymore.” She spoke with a smile, sounding genuinely happy for her.

Shen Zhao was not a person who smiled easily, yet the other two at the table were far from smiling. Linlang looked at Cen Xianyue and found her brow furrowed in what looked like displeasure.

“This must be a misunderstanding,” Xianyue said weakly. “I know my own brother. If he had such talent, I wouldn’t have to worry about him every day.”

Linlang remained silent and focused on her food. Shen Zhao’s gaze never left her, a blunt scrutiny that told Linlang one thing: Shen Zhao had become wary of her.

*****

In the back garden of the Shen Estate, a grove of Buddha-belly bamboo swayed in the breeze. The scent of the leaves was fresh and clean, like jade mist. Away from the suffocating tension of the dining room, Linlang felt her mood improve. She decided to be honest and told Cen Xianyue exactly where the jade pendant came from.

To her surprise, Xianyue’s face grew even paler. She held the jade in her palm, turning it over. “Shuxue Pavilion in the south of the city…”

Linlang poured some tea. “Doesn’t this bring honor to you, Sister? You should be happy for me. Why the long face?”

Xianyue looked up. “You want to go?”

“Why wouldn’t I? It’s a great opportunity.”

Xianyue set the jade down, her expression hardening.

“Sister, what is the meaning of this?”

“I do not want you to go,” Xianyue said, her voice unusually firm. It wasn’t a suggestion; it was an order.

“Why? Is there something wrong with the pendant?”

“There is nothing wrong with the pendant. I simply do not want you to go.” Xianyue stared her down. When Linlang reached for the jade, Xianyue placed her hand over it, pinning it down.

Linlang felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped on her. Frustrated and confused, she frowned. “I need a reason. You have to give me an explanation.”

Xianyue looked agitated, her lips trembling as if fighting back words.

“Sister.”

Finally, Xianyue spoke. “You are currently cross-dressing. If you truly enter the Palace, it is a capital offense. Even if you escape that, do you not know that ‘serving a ruler is like serving a tiger’? The path ahead is treacherous. You are not a ‘dragon among men’, how could you possibly handle such danger?”

“I may not be a dragon, but I have my own luck. But you, Sister…” Linlang narrowed her eyes, studying Xianyue intently. “You seem to know something else.”

Xianyue slowly withdrew her hand, unable to answer. Linlang seized the moment to snatch the pendant back and tuck it away.

“Your mother entrusted you to me,” Xianyue persisted. “I must ensure your safety.”

Linlang’s voice turned cold. “I know you mean well, but nothing has even happened yet. If I must enter the Palace, I can simply wear a dress. As for the rest… I cannot live under someone else’s roof forever. Life is long, can you truly support me for the rest of my life?”

Linlang’s mind was made up. She stood to leave, signaling the end of the conversation.

But Xianyue, driven by a sudden urgency, grabbed Linlang’s wrist. “As long as you are safe and alive, what would be the harm in supporting you for a lifetime?”

Linlang froze, then laughed. “Sister, you really know how to joke.”

They stood face-to-face. Xianyue looked so fragile under the flickering candlelight, yet her eyes were burning with a fierce, unwavering determination. She was serious.

The laugh died in Linlang’s throat, replaced by confusion. Even for a “moral compass” character, surely there was no need to go this far for a simple promise to a deceased aunt.

Linlang took a breath and steadied her voice. “There’s no need for that. The past is the past. Why waste your own life for a mere promise? But I thank you. I promise that if the opportunity arises, I will proceed with the utmost caution.”

Linlang spoke calmly and bowed respectfully. But while she meant the words as a polite dismissal, they hit Xianyue differently. Xianyue bit her lip, her grip on Linlang’s wrist tightening instead of loosening.

“…A promise?”

“Is it not?”

After a long silence, Xianyue’s gaze finally softened, and her hand slipped away. “Forgive me. I always forget that you have already…”

She looked genuinely despondent.

Linlang rubbed her wrist, which was still warm from the contact. “Already what?”

She sensed a strange emotion radiating from Xianyue, something she couldn’t name, but something her body reacted to. For a split second, she felt an inexplicable urge to cry.

Xianyue quickly masked her emotions, offering a small, sad smile. “I forget that our Linlang has already grown up.” She reached out as if to pat Linlang’s head but stopped herself. “It is late. Go to sleep.”

Linlang saw Xianyue to the door. The night wind tossed Xianyue’s hair and robes, making her look painfully frail. Feeling a pang of guilt, perhaps she had been too harsh, considering Xianyue had never shown her anything but kindness, Linlang spoke softly.

“I know you only want what’s best for me, Sister. And I feel the same for you.”

“Sister… that Shen Zhao is not a good person. You should divorce her as soon as possible.”

Xianyue nodded slightly, but she didn’t say yes or no. She didn’t even look surprised.

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