Concubine Du strangled the fish to death with a bloodthirsty smile at the corner of her mouth, then threw the dead fish back into the tank.
"It’s just the same old trick," she mused, "except last time, I was the one who fell into the water. Now it’s your turn."
"I have suffered from illness for five years. It’s time to switch and have you endure it."
Young Master Jie was hit on the head with a teacup by Master Jie until he bled profusely, and while he clung tightly to his beloved, not wanting her to worry, he left the residence to find a doctor outside to dress his wounds.
He had no idea that a major incident would occur in the residence today.
Concubine Du, with her maid in tow, went to find Miss Du. Since Miss Du had clearly expressed her wish to divorce Young Master Jie, Concubine Du’s attitude towards her had softened somewhat.
She thought to herself, there’s no need to harbor so much hatred at this critical juncture. If she was pressed too hard and changed her mind about the divorce, wouldn’t it be a loss for me? As long as she’s not a wife of the Jie Family, she is nothing but a lowly cast-off woman. Once I become the principal wife, wouldn’t it be easy to deal with her then?
"Big sister, I’ve come to visit you," said Concubine Du earnestly, even bringing with her the pastries Miss Du loved.
Miss Du understood what she meant. The divorce hadn’t been finalized for so long, and now she was getting antsy.
She said indifferently, "There’s no need for such gestures. It’s a matter of time before Young Master Jie and I divorce. Master Jie will come around."
Miss Du didn’t like Concubine Du to begin with, so there was no need to deal with her on a daily basis when she was about to leave. These years had been exhausting for her.
Concubine Du ordered her attendants to put down the food box and then dismissed her maids.
Miss Du looked at her maid Cuiya and also dismissed her.
Now only Miss Du and Concubine Du remained in the room. Miss Du’s expression was indifferent as she asked, "What do you want to say? Let’s drop the pretenses between us, shall we? You’re not tired of playing the role, but I’m tired of watching it."
Concubine Du let her smile fade, paused in surprise, but then forced a smile again.
"Why bother, big sister. I admit I’ve wronged you over the years, but I had no choice. You and I are different. Although father has passed away, he left you a way out and found you such a good marriage. As for me? Who ever cared about me? My mother died when I was young, and my husband also lost his mother that year. We found solace in each other, and he said he’d marry me when we grew up.
But when we grew up, Master Jie said he wanted to marry you instead. You’ve had everything since childhood, and the only thing I had was my husband. Without him, I had nothing. Though we loved each other, you insisted on interjecting. What was I supposed to do? Big sister, I never wanted to harm you, but please tell me... what should I have done?"
Miss Du closed her eyes and swallowed down the sourness rising in her stomach.
If not for this man, they, as sisters, could have depended on each other and wouldn’t have ended up in such a state.
After a moment, Miss Du opened her eyes and looked at Concubine Du, saying, "It’s true, you two loved each other, and I was the one who forcibly inserted myself into the middle. Thus, I couldn’t gain his love, and I don’t blame you. No matter how he treats me, I don’t blame you. But you’re my sister, and you’ve tried to murder me countless times. Have you kept count?
Our parents are gone, we are the only family each other has in this world. If it were me, I wouldn’t take your life over a man, and I certainly wouldn’t involve others. Wanqing, how did Hen Ying die? Do I need to remind you?"
"Hen Ying?" Concubine Du took a step back, remembering the death of that maid, which had left her drenched in sweat with terror.
Two years ago, she had wanted Miss Du’s life, and that loyal maid died trying to save her. She had died with her eyes wide open, and that image had been a nightmare for Concubine Du.