The sun hung low in the sky, casting an orange glow over the Qin Manor. The house was silent, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the courtyard. A calm before a storm.

Qin Yufei stood in the middle of the grand hall, her hands trembling slightly as she stared at her sister. Qin Yuli's eyes were dark with fury, her face twisted with a look of disgust that Yufei had become all too familiar with. The air around them was cold.

"How dare you show your face this late, Yufei?" Qin Yuli's voice rang out, sharp and biting. "Out past curfew, alone, and you think you can just waltz back in like nothing happened? You disgrace this family!"

Qin Yufei didn't respond. She knew better than to speak when her sister's anger was so raw. The more she tried to explain, the worse it would get. Instead, she kept her head bowed, trying to make herself small, to fade into the background. But even then, she could feel Qin Yuli's eyes burning into her.

"Father is away at war, and I am left to manage everything in this household!" Qin Yuli continued, her voice rising with every word. "And yet, you choose this time to embarrass us, tarnishing our reputation for the sake of your own selfishness!"

The anger was palpable, crackling in the air between them. Without warning, Qin Yuli took a step forward, her hand raising high. The slap came fast and hard, echoing throughout the hall. Qin Yufei barely had time to react, her cheek stinging from the force of the blow.

"You think you can just get away with everything, don't you?" Qin Yuli sneered, her voice dripping with contempt. "You've always been in my shadow, always trying to undermine me, trying to make me look bad. You need me to put you in your place."

Qin Yufei's knees buckled, but she caught herself just in time, refusing to let her sister see her weakness. She clenched her jaw, holding back the tears that threatened to spill. She had been enduring this for years. The beatings, the insults, the constant berating. But no matter how much it hurt, she never showed it. She had long since learned that if she showed any sign of weakness, it would only make things worse.

Qin Yuli's grip tightened on her arm, pulling her closer with a brutal yank.

"You are nothing but a stain on this family. A disappointment," she hissed, her breath hot and heavy against Yufei's face.

The words stung more than the physical blows. Yufei knew the truth of them. She had always been the lesser of the two sisters, the second-born, the one who could never quite measure up. Her mother had favored Qin Yuli, and their father's affection had always been distant, rarely noticing the quiet girl who stayed in the shadows.

"I'll tell Father what you've done," Qin Yuli threatened, her eyes gleaming with malice. "When he returns, I'll make sure he knows exactly how you've dishonored this family."

Yufei remained silent. What could she say? Her sister would never understand. No one in the house ever had. She could never win against Qin Yuli's cruelty, and she had long since stopped trying.

"You're a failure, Yufei," Qin Yuli spat, her grip loosening, but her disdain unwavering. "You'll never be anything more than that."

And with that, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, leaving Qin Yufei standing alone in the hall, the sting of the slap still fresh on her cheek, the weight of her sister's words heavy in her chest.

Qin Yufei always knew there would never be an escape. Not from her sister's malice, not from the suffocating expectations of her family.

Returning to her pavilion, Qin Yufei walked slowly. The small lanterns lining the pathway flickered softly in the night breeze, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch toward her, as though even the darkness sought to pull her into its embrace.

Inside her room, Xiao Tong, her maid, was already waiting with a basin of cold water and a soft cloth. The young girl's face was etched with worry as she took one look at her mistress's reddened cheek. Without a word, she guided Qin Yufei to sit in front of the ornate bronze mirror that had once belonged to her late mother.

"Miss, please let me tend to you," Xiao Tong said gently, her voice trembling ever so slightly. She wrung out the cloth and pressed it carefully against Yufei's swollen cheek. "It'll help with the pain."

Yufei nodded absently, her gaze fixed on her own reflection in the mirror. Her serene eyes looked back at her, clouded with fatigue and sorrow. The faint candlelight painted her pale face in hues of amber and gold, accentuating the bruise that was beginning to bloom across her cheekbone.

Her fingers tightened slightly on the wooden edge of the vanity. She hated how fragile she looked-like a porcelain doll, delicate and powerless to stop the world from breaking her.

"Tomorrow will be better," she whispered, more to herself than to Xiao Tong.

Her voice was quiet, a murmur meant to reassure the small part of her that still dared to hope. "Tomorrow, I'll stay in my room. I won't go out, won't give her a reason to beat me more."

She trailed off, her voice fading as the weight of reality pressed down on her. Staying silent, staying hidden-this had always been her way of surviving. Yet it felt like no matter what she did, trouble found her. Her sister found her.

Xiao Tong frowned but said nothing, carefully dabbing at the bruised skin. The maid's small hands moved with care, her concern evident in her every motion. After a moment, she hesitated and glanced at Qin Yufei in the mirror.

"My Lady," she began cautiously, "why do you let First Young Lady treat you this way? You've done nothing wrong this time."

Yufei's lips twitched into the faintest semblance of a smile-bitter and fleeting.

"Because there's no use fighting, Xiao Tong. Yuli is the favored one, the eldest. In Father's eyes, she can do no wrong. If I were to resist... it would only make things worse."

She exhaled softly, almost as if releasing the weight of her words into the air. "I just need to endure."

Xiao Tong's grip on the cloth tightened, frustration flashing across her face, but she bit back any retort. It wasn't her place to question her mistress, even if her heart ached to see Qin Yufei suffer. Will she ever get accustomed to it? It's been years.

The room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the occasional soft pat of the damp cloth against Qin Yufei's skin. The flickering candlelight danced across the mirror, casting fleeting illusions of light and shadow across her reflection.

"My Lady," Xiao Tong said quietly after a pause, "you deserve better than this. One day, things will change. I believe it."

Yufei's smile was softer this time, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "One day," she repeated, her voice distant.

For now, though, she would endure as she always had. Because what choice did she have?

Xiao Tong finished her task, carefully placing the cloth aside.

"Rest, My Lady," she said, bowing slightly. "I'll stay nearby in case you need anything."

Qin Yufei nodded, watching her maid retreat to the outer chamber. Left alone with her reflection once more, she studied her face, her bruised cheek, her tired eyes. One day, she thought, echoing Xiao Tong's words in her mind.

But as she blew out the candle and lay down on her bed, the faint light of the moon filtering through the lattice window, Yufei couldn't shake the feeling that "one day" would never come. Not for someone like her.

✤

When the morning sunlight streamed through the lattice windows, Qin Yufei stirred awake to the soft rustling sounds of Xiao Tong preparing her morning attire. Xiao Tong approached her bed with a gentle smile, holding up a simple white dress with delicate embroidery along the sleeves.

"My Lady, this one will suit you well today," Xiao Tong said, her voice soft as she helped Yufei out of bed.

Yufei nodded, running her fingers over the light fabric. White-plain, simple, and unassuming. It was her choice, always. Unlike her elder sister, who draped herself in vibrant silks and shimmering jewels, Yufei preferred to blend into the background. Perhaps if she looked dull and uninspiring, Qin Yuli wouldn't feel the need to torment her as much.

Once dressed, Yufei settled by her small table, where a modest breakfast had been laid out. Steam wafted from the bowls of porridge and side dishes, and the quiet was soothing, almost sacred. Xiao Tong moved in the corner, brewing the tea they had purchased together just the day before. The faint aroma of jasmine filled the room, a rare indulgence Yufei allowed herself.

Taking a small sip of porridge, she let her gaze wander to the morning light filtering through the window. She cherished these moments of peace, no matter how fleeting they might be.

But as always, tranquility never lasted long in the Qin household.

The door burst open suddenly, without so much as a knock. Startled, Yufei's hand froze mid-air, her spoon hovering above her bowl. Xiao Tong, equally shocked, quickly set the tea kettle down and turned toward the intruder.

It was Nanny Xu, her imposing figure framed by the doorway. The older woman stormed in, her sharp eyes darting around the room before landing on Yufei. Her lips were pursed, and her expression betrayed a mix of irritation and urgency.

"Second Young Lady," Nanny Xu began, her tone clipped and authoritative, "what are you still doing here, lazing about like this? First Young Lady is waiting for you in the main hall. You've been summoned."

Yufei set her spoon down gently. Nanny Xu had always been loyal to her elder sister, more a lapdog than a servant. Every interaction with her carried judgment, a reminder that Yufei was considered lesser in her own home.

"Summoned?" Yufei asked softly, folding her hands in her lap to steady herself. "For what purpose?"

Nanny Xu huffed, as if the question itself was an insult. "Do you think it's my place to question First Young Lady's orders? Hurry up and make yourself presentable. Don't keep her waiting."

Xiao Tong took a cautious step forward, her brows furrowed. "Nanny Xu, Second Young Lady was just-"

"Silence, girl," Nanny Xu snapped, glaring at Xiao Tong. "Know your place."

Yufei raised a hand, a subtle gesture for Xiao Tong to stop. She rose from her seat with quiet dignity, her movements calm despite the simmering anger she felt. There was no use arguing-not with Nanny Xu, and certainly not with her sister. Resistance would only bring more trouble.

"Very well," Yufei said, her voice even. "I'll go."

Nanny Xu gave a curt nod, her satisfaction evident as she turned on her heel and marched out of the room.

Xiao Tong approached Yufei hesitantly. "Miss, do you really have to go? What if-"

"It's fine, Xiao Tong," Yufei interrupted gently, offering her maid a faint smile. "I won't be long."

But as she stepped out of her pavilion, following the path that led to the main hall, a sense of unease settled in her chest. She knew her sister well enough to realize that being "summoned" was never a good sign. Whatever awaited her in the main hall, it was unlikely to bode well for her.

The grand hall was silent when Qin Yufei stepped inside, the faint echo of her footsteps swallowed by the heavy tension in the air. Her gaze immediately fell upon her sister, Qin Yuli, who knelt with perfect poise before a woman dressed in elegant palace robes. The woman held a golden scroll in her hands, the symbol of imperial decree gleaming under the morning light streaming through the hall's wide windows.

Yufei's heart sank. She didn't need an explanation to sense the gravity of the situation. Without hesitation, she dropped to her knees beside her sister, keeping her head bowed low in deference. The weight of the moment pressed down on her shoulders, and she could feel the silent scrutiny of both her sister and the palace envoy.

The lady from the palace, her bearing radiating authority, looked down at the two sisters with an air of detachment. Unfurling the golden scroll, she cleared her throat and began to speak, her voice steady and unwavering.

"By the decree of His Majesty, the Emperor," she announced, her words filling the cavernous space of the hall, "the Crown Prince has reached the age of marriage. To ensure the stability and prosperity of the Bai Dynasty, all noble families are hereby summoned to send their eligible daughters of appropriate age to the palace. There, the Crown Princess selection shall take place. The chosen lady shall be betrothed to the Crown Prince and become the future queen."

The declaration hung in the air, heavy with implications. Qin Yufei felt her breath catch, her stomach knotting as the reality of the situation began to sink in. She stole a glance at her sister out of the corner of her eye. Qin Yuli's expression, though outwardly composed, was alight with a barely contained excitement. Her lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile, a stark contrast to the dread building in Yufei's heart.

The palace envoy continued, "The selection will start in three days. The daughters of the Qin family must arrive at the palace gates by sunrise. Ensure you are properly prepared. Failure to comply will be considered an act of defiance against the imperial will."

Qin Yuli finally lifted her head, her voice calm and confident as she addressed the envoy.

"This humble daughter of the Qin family expresses gratitude for the Emperor's decree. We shall not disappoint the Crown Prince or His Majesty."

Yufei, too, echoed her sister's words, though her voice was softer, tinged with reluctance. "This humble daughter understands and will obey the Emperor's will."

The envoy nodded curtly, satisfied with their responses. She handed the scroll to Qin Yuli, who accepted it with both hands as if it were a treasure. Rising to her feet, the lady turned on her heel and exited the hall, her attendants trailing behind her in synchronized steps.

The moment the palace envoy disappeared, Yuli's mask of decorum slipped. She stood abruptly, clutching the scroll with a triumphant gleam in her eyes.

"This is it," she said, her tone barely containing her glee. "The chance I've been waiting for. To become the Crown Princess... the future queen."

Her gaze flickered down to Yufei, a mixture of disdain and smugness crossing her features. "Of course, little sister, they welcome you to try. But we both know you stand no chance."

Yufei remained on her knees, her hands folded tightly in her lap. She bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from responding. There was no use in engaging with Yuli when she was like this. Rising to her feet slowly, she kept her head bowed.

"I will just head there as ordered," Yufei said quietly, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions raging within her. "Nothing more, nothing less."

Yuli snorted, the sound dismissive. "Do try not to embarrass the family, Yufei. It would be a shame if your presence tarnished my chance."

With that, Yuli turned on her heel and swept out of the hall, her attendants trailing behind her. Yufei remained where she was, her gaze fixed on the polished floor. The weight of what had just happened pressed down on her like an unrelenting tide.

After a while, Qin Yufei made her way back to her pavilion, her mind full with heavy thoughts. The moment she stepped into her room, she let out a sigh, slumping onto the edge of her bed. The idea of joining the selection filled her with dread-not because she coveted the crown princess position, but because it would bring her into direct conflict with Qin Yuli once again.

Even when she tried to stay invisible, fate always found a way to force her into her sister's path. It was like the heavens themselves delighted in giving Yuli opportunities to torment her. Yufei's chest tightened at the thought of enduring more of her sister's wrath. If there was one thing she knew for sure, it was that Yuli would stop at nothing to secure her place as the Crown Princess.

She wasn't foolish enough to entertain ideas of competing with her sister-not when Yuli's ambition burned so brightly and her hatred for Yufei was so deeply rooted.

All Yufei wanted was peace. If letting Yuli win would grant her even a shred of freedom from the endless cycle of cruelty and rivalry, then so be it. The crown princess spot could be hers. Let her stand at the top of the world and leave her at the bottom, where she can finally be left alone.

Yufei's resolve solidified. She needed to lose the selection quickly and gracefully, without drawing attention or suspicion. If she made it clear that she wasn't a threat, perhaps Yuli would focus her energy on winning and leave her in peace.

But how? The selection process was designed to test intelligence, beauty, poise, and resourcefulness. Simply failing on purpose wasn't an option-not when their father's reputation and the family name were also at stake. She had to tread carefully. Any misstep could give Yuli more opportunities to punish her.

Yufei exhaled, leaning back against the pillows on her bed. The faint aroma of tea brewing in the room drifted to her, bringing her a momentary sense of calm. Xiao Tong entered, her hands cradling a tray with freshly brewed tea and a bowl of steamed cakes.

"My Lady, you didn't eat much earlier," Xiao Tong said softly, placing the tray on the table. She glanced at Yufei, concern etched across her face. "Are you all right?"

Yufei offered a small smile. "I'm fine, Tong'er. Just thinking."

Xiao Tong hesitated, then reached out to adjust the loose strands of Yufei's hair. "You'll do well, My Lady. You always do."

Yufei didn't reply. Instead, she picked up the teacup, letting the warmth seep into her palms. Xiao Tong didn't know the weight of what was coming. If Yufei succeeded in her plan to bow out of the selection, it might bring peace to her life- but if she failed, she risked being stuck in the palace for the rest of her life, subject to Yuli's manipulations even there.

For now, all she could do was wait for the selection to begin and hope that she could navigate the storm without being consumed by it. She had three days to plan ahead.

___________

Qín Yǔ Fēi, 秦雨非, Second Young Mistress

Qín Yǔ Li, 秦雨丽, First Young Mistress

Xiǎo Tóng, 小佟, Qin Yufei's personal maid

Nanny Xú, 徐妈妈