The inner chamber of Yutang Courtyard fell into a brief silence.
No matter how hard Zheng Yutan tried, she couldn't force a smile.
The Wen family had sent gifts to every lady in the Zheng household—even the newborn daughter of the Second Branch had received a pair of tiny tiger-head shoes.
But not her.
Zheng Yutan, who had always been the most favored, had just been publicly humiliated.
The Old Madam wanted to lose her temper, but when she thought of the gold beans and the tourmaline prayer beads the Wen family had given her, the anger stuck in her throat.
"Perhaps… the old matriarch simply overlooked Second Miss in her old age," a servant offered carefully.
Zheng Yutan, ever gentle and virtuous in public, let out a cold laugh."Yes, she overlooked me. It's such a small matter—surely we wouldn't fall out over it, would we?"
The room grew awkward.
Xi Baochen nearly burst out laughing.
Serves her right. That slap from the Wen family—worth the trip alone.
This would spread through the entire residence in no time.
"Besides, it's not even my future in-laws, right, Grandmother?" Zheng Yutan added, her smile turning more sincere.
Thinking of Prince Yu—who would defy even the Emperor to make her his principal consort—her future was beyond comparison with these petty people.
The Wen family would be the ones flattering her eventually.
"Exactly! What are they but lowly merchants!" the Old Madam snapped.
Everyone: "..."
If they were so lowly, why marry the eldest daughter into that family?
The Old Madam clearly had no regard for Zheng Qian's dignity.
Zheng Qian, who had been sitting quietly, finally lifted her eyes.
"Grandmother is right. What's so special about them?" she said calmly. "Servants, return the Wen family's gifts to Grandmother."
The servants were stunned.
The Old Madam choked.
Zheng Qian continued with a smile, "Actually, never mind. That's too troublesome. Since Grandmother finds them beneath her, I'll take them instead—I don't mind."
Everyone: "..."
Xi Baochen stared at Zheng Qian in shock.
Since when did Eldest Cousin become this ruthless?
"You—!" the Old Madam sputtered.
"Mei'er, don't make trouble," Third Madam quickly intervened, worried the Old Madam might faint from anger. "One doesn't return gifts—it's improper."
The Old Madam had already lost most of her money to Zheng Qian. Those gold beans and tourmaline beads meant a great deal to her.
If Zheng Qian took them too, she might truly lose her mind.
"Didn't Grandmother say they were beneath her?" Zheng Qian said lightly, not taking the hint to back down. "Besides, Second Sister didn't receive anything either. The Wen family's behavior is outrageous.
"Third Aunt, why don't you give me your gifts as well? Wouldn't want them to sully you. Families like the Wen household—how could they associate with people of your standing? Leave them to someone like me—plain and useless."
Third Madam immediately suspected Zheng Qian was about to seize her gifts too.
Compared to the Wen family, this eldest daughter was far more ruthless—utterly without regard for sentiment.
She had never been like this before.
Where had that timid, soft-spoken girl gone?
"Get out! Get out of my sight!" the Old Madam finally lost all composure.
Those gifts had to be protected at all costs!
Zheng Qian simply bowed and left.
The others spent quite some time calming the Old Madam.
Of course, Zheng Qian had never truly intended to take the gifts.
She only wanted to disgust them.
Acting all high and mighty—what a joke.
The Wen family had humiliated Zheng Yutan for her. No matter what, Zheng Qian had to repay that favor in spirit.
Xiao Zhan rested his paw against her arm and let out a soft meow, as if praising her.
Well done.
It was deeply satisfying.
He liked this version of Zheng Qian—fierce, unyielding, no longer swallowing her grievances in silence.
Even if I haven't returned to my human form, no one will dare bully you, he thought.
Strangely, he was beginning to enjoy being a cat—light, agile, able to move unseen.
Recently, he had gathered quite a few secrets this way.
His only regret—Zheng Qian couldn't understand him.
Back at the Wen residence, the old matriarch called her grandson over to check on him.
Three days had passed. Wen Zhao was recovering well.
"Mother… did we go too far?" Madam Wen asked quietly. "We're forming an alliance with the Zheng family, not making enemies."
"You're mistaken," the old matriarch said calmly. "We're forming an alliance with Mei'er—not the Zheng family."
Madam Wen fell silent.
The old matriarch understood women.
This gesture wasn't about gifts—it was about giving Zheng Qian back her pride.
And Zheng Qian truly felt satisfied.
Why hold back when she could avenge the original owner's grievances?
Watching Zheng Yutan lose face brought her genuine joy.
Soon, rumors spread throughout the residence, further damaging Zheng Yutan's reputation.
Her only hope now was Prince Yu.
When he returned next spring and made her his principal consort, she would rise again—no longer a neglected daughter of a declining house, but a royal princess.
Then—
She would crush the Wen family… and Zheng Qian.
"You're not as beautiful as me. Even if you don't marry Wen Zhao, you'll never find a man of power. You'll always be beneath me," Zheng Yutan muttered, clenching her fists.
"What use is your money? Your medical skills?"
Her face darkened as she left.
This humiliation would be repaid.
She summoned her third brother.
"Kill her. I can't tolerate her any longer—not for a single moment!"
A murderous glint flashed in his eyes.
"Leave it to me," he said coldly. "She needs to learn the price of offending us. Her reputation is growing—if we don't kill her now, she'll trample us sooner or later."
Zheng Yutan nodded.
She leaned in as he whispered a plan into her ear.
"…Wait until just before the Mid-Autumn Festival," he said. "Let her live one more month."
Zheng Yutan smiled in satisfaction.
To them, discussing murder was as casual as talking about dinner.
Finally, she felt her dignity returning.
"Oh, and before that," she added, "make sure she retrieves the silver from Prince Ancheng."
Her brother scoffed. "Are you stupid? Once she's dead, do you think Prince Ancheng would dare keep her money? He'll return it."
Zheng Yutan paused—then nodded.
That made sense.
Last time, they failed to kill her—and she rose to fame instead.
This time—
They would not fail.