As Rare as Hen’s Teeth

Murong Rui's carefully planned words were completely disrupted. She didn't anticipate that Murong Yu would actually give up on Huo Yuan. If Murong Yu would give up on anything, it certainly wouldn't be Huo Yuan! Murong Rui couldn't help but wonder if this was a test.

Lost in thought, Murong Rui finally spoke, "Sister, your words really unsettle me. How could I dare to compete with you for Lord Huo? I'm fully aware of my own social standing. You and Lord Huo are the perfect match. Sister, please don't be like this. We are still good sisters, and you've always been the one who pampered me the most." 

Murong Rui's eyes reddened as she spoke.

Murong Yu looked at her sister, who could summon tears at will, and felt a tinge of sympathy for her past self. It wasn't that she had been stupid; rather, Murong Rui was exceptionally cunning.

Murong Yu's mother came from the prestigious household of Duke Li, and Murong Yu's father owed much of his success to her maternal family's support. Her mother had even taken an arrow for her father in their early years. As a result, unlike other self-made men who favored concubines over wives, her father had always treated her mother with great affection.

Madam Xue was a gift from the emperor during a palace banquet, as a reward. Not long after she arrived at the mansion, she gave birth to Murong Rui. Despite her low status, she always knew her place.

Although Murong Rui was a child of a mistress, she had grown up alongside Murong Yu and Murong Jin. As the legitimate eldest daughter, Murong Yu had always looked out for Murong Rui, even though she was only a few months older. Who would have thought that this sister, seemingly innocent, harbored such schemes?

In the end, Murong Rui used Murong Yu as a stepping stone. She became Huo Yuan's wife, while Murong Yu herself was sent off to the Northern Lord, Ji Chengxuan's tent, relegated to a demeaning concubine role.

"We are indeed still good sisters." Murong Yu maintained a sincere expression, revealing nothing. "But you know I've watched you grow up. How could I not understand you? If you like Huo Yuan, then I won't have any thoughts for him. I didn't greet you or Huo Hongyu earlier simply because I didn't sleep well last night. Please don't take it to heart."

Murong Rui was completely stunned and thought, 'What was Murong Yu trying to pull?'

"Sister…" Murong Rui said.

Murong Yu cut her off, impatient with her theatrics, and said, "I've made up my mind about this. If you don't like Huo Yuan, then forget it. But I won't like him anymore, either."

Murong Rui was in turmoil. She couldn't fathom why Murong Yu was suddenly so unyielding. In the past, a simple act of submission on her part would have prompted Murong Yu to display her deceitful, magnanimous older sister act.

Returning to her own courtyard, the facade of vulnerability vanished from Murong Rui's face.

"My lady, do you think Lady Yu is serious?" Murong Rui's maidservant, Qiao'er, couldn't help but ask.

Murong Rui was also puzzled. She said, "Today, Huo Hongyu came, and Sister didn't even greet her…"

'Before, whenever Sister saw Huo Hongyu, she would always warmly send her off with gifts. But today, Huo Hongyu had been blatantly ignored. Coupled with her words, was she really going to give up on Huo Yuan? I don't buy it. I needed another opportunity to test the waters.' Murong Rui thought.

"No matter what, Lord Huo likes you, my lady!" Qiao'er remarked, looking at Murong Rui's troubled face.

"What use is he liking me when he is engaged to Murong Yu?" Murong Rui lamented, her brows furrowed in sorrow. "Why am I not the legitimate daughter? Why must I always be beneath Murong Yu?"

'One day, I will trample Murong Yu underfoot.' Murong Rui vowed inwardly.

After dismissing Murong Rui, Murong Yu began to write prescriptions, one after another, leaving them to dry as she finished.

Aman, who had brought in some snacks, looked worriedly at these prescriptions but was also distracted by them. She asked, "My lady, what are these?"

Having completed most of the writing, Murong Yu set down her pen satisfactorily and said, "These are all prescriptions as rare as a hen's teeth."