Chapter 72: Unveiling the Truth

 Chapter 72: Unveiling the Truth

"Cousin, thank you so much," Qingyu said, cherishing the small porcelain jar that Hu Po handed her, carefully cradling it in her hands. "After using this ointment for only a few days, my wound has almost completely healed, and the scar is almost gone." Qingyu gently touched the scar on her face, feeling both relief and gratitude.

"We're family, no need to be so formal," Hu Po smiled and said, while also gauging the right moment. She added, "By the way, this is a miracle ointment from the renowned physician at Jishi Hall. Use it sparingly..."

"I still have duties to attend to, so I'll take my leave now," Hu Po said, ready to leave, clutching her handkerchief.

"Let me escort you out," Qingyu offered quickly.

As they reached the door of the courtyard, they encountered Liu Shi and Chu Qianling. Liu Shi immediately recognized Qingyu but had not paid much attention to her previously, as Qingyu was just a second-rank maid. However, now that she noticed Qingyu’s face, she recalled the injury from a few days ago, when Qingyu had been cut by broken porcelain.

Liu Shi had overheard the conversation between the two cousins earlier and her face darkened.

"You, come here!" Liu Shi gestured to Qingyu, who obediently approached her and knelt to pay her respects.

"Lift your face," Liu Shi ordered.

Qingyu complied and raised her face. Liu Shi looked carefully and noticed that there was only a faint red mark, almost invisible unless looked at closely.

Liu Shi couldn't remember how deep Qingyu's wound had been, but she clearly remembered the blood. Now, seeing how quickly it had healed, she felt suspicious.

Chu Qianling leaned forward to inspect Qingyu’s face, surprised, and immediately asked, "Qingyu, did you use this ointment?" She pointed to the small porcelain jar in Qingyu's hand, her voice sharp.

Qingyu shrank back slightly, clutching the jar tightly in her hand, and replied meekly, "Yes, it was given to me by my cousin."

Chu Qianling's gaze immediately turned to Hu Po, her eyes sharp as arrows, as though trying to pin her to the wall.

Liu Shi asked Hu Po on Chu Qianling's behalf, "Where did you get this ointment?"

Hu Po replied, "This is a tonic ointment that our young miss bought from Jishi Hall. Qingyu is my cousin, and seeing her injured, I asked the young miss for some to give to her."

For Chu Qianling, this response was like lighting a fuse to a firecracker. She exploded in anger.

"You mean, this is Chu Qianchen's ointment?!" Chu Qianling nearly spat the words out, nearly beside herself with rage.

Chu Qianchen had been seeking out the renowned physician from Jishi Hall and had asked for the ointment herself. Yet, she had kept it from Chu Qianling, not giving it to her!

Without saying another word, Chu Qianling spun around and stormed out of the courtyard, heading straight towards the main courtyard, walking faster and faster.

"Ling'er!" Liu Shi called after her, but Chu Qianling ignored her, walking even quicker.

Chu Qianling's mind was buzzing, as though a thousand bees were swarming around her head, or like flames were burning inside her...

When she reached the main courtyard, she saw Chu Qianchen coming out of Chu Yunmu's room, and her anger flared even higher.

"Chu, Qian, Chen! What do you mean by this?!" Chu Qianling yelled, her voice filled with fury.

Her breathing was heavy, and her chest heaved as she spoke.

At that moment, the sun had already set, casting golden light over the rooftops and treetops, outlining the slender figures of the two young women in their elegant clothes.

Chu Qianchen stopped, looking up at Chu Qianling. A faint smile played at the corner of her lips, her demeanor calm and composed.

This nonchalant expression and smile only added to the irony in Chu Qianling's eyes.

Chu Qianling's hair was slightly disheveled from her run, and compared to Chu Qianchen’s calm elegance, she appeared somewhat disheveled, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.

The cool evening breeze lifted her veil, revealing the scar on her cheek—a scar that had already healed but remained as a raised, discolored patch of flesh, like a flesh-colored centipede curled on her face.

Chu Qianling instinctively pulled down her veil, and her fury intensified, consuming her reason.

She stormed up to Chu Qianchen, standing in her way and demanding, "Chu Qianchen, why didn’t you give me the ointment?!"

Her heart was a mixture of anger and urgency. She felt that Chu Qianchen had done this on purpose.

Not only had Chu Qianchen deliberately ruined her face, but now, knowing that she needed the ointment to heal her injury, she kept it from her, watching her suffer in pain.

Even worse, she had given the ointment to a lowly maid instead of her. How could anyone be so cruel?

Fire seemed to burn in Chu Qianling’s eyes.

Chu Qianchen smiled lightly at her, unfazed, and asked, "Is this the ointment you’re talking about?"

She pulled a small porcelain jar from her sleeve, a white base with blue floral patterns, just like the one Qingyu had been holding earlier.

The sight of it made Chu Qianling’s heart skip a beat.

The small jar in Chu Qianchen's hand was identical to the one Qingyu had just held, the same familiar blue chrysanthemum design.

She hadn’t expected that Chu Qianchen still had a bottle of the ointment!

Chu Qianling had never met Gu Zhiyan, but she had heard from Zhang Mama that the renowned physician from Jishi Hall had an ointment called "Shiquan Ointment" that was very effective in removing scars. Gu Zhiyan’s injuries had been more severe than hers, yet in just a few days, her scars had faded to the point of being nearly invisible.

Zhang Mama had spoken of the ointment in awe, and Chu Qianling had placed great hopes on the legendary physician who was said to possess medical skills even greater than Hua Tuo’s. However, every time she sought treatment, the physician refused to meet her. Honestly, Chu Qianling had doubted the physician’s abilities, but when she saw how Qingyu’s facial injury healed so quickly, all her doubts vanished.

At this moment, the ointment represented all of Chu Qianling's hope.

"Give it to me!" Chu Qianling’s eyes lit up with intense desire as she reached out to grab the jar.

"No," Chu Qianchen replied coolly, smiling faintly.

As she spoke, she loosened her grip, and the small porcelain jar slipped from her fingers, quickly falling toward the ground...

"Ah!" Chu Qianling let out a desperate scream, her eyes widening as she instinctively lunged forward to catch the jar.

But her hands grasped nothing.

"Bang!"

The fragile porcelain jar crashed against the hard stone ground, shattering into pieces. The transparent ointment splattered across the floor, mingling with the broken shards.

Chu Qianling felt as if her heart had shattered along with the jar.

She crouched down in despair, her fingers reaching toward the spilled ointment. Without it, her face would never heal, and the Second Prince would never look at her again...

Chu Qianchen took a step closer to Chu Qianling, her aquamarine skirt swaying into her view, and the embroidered butterfly pattern on her shoes catching her attention.

Chu Qianling looked up, and she saw Chu Qianchen’s delicate chin raised slightly, her posture exuding a sense of superiority.

In that moment, Chu Qianling felt a sense of unfamiliarity toward the graceful, ethereal girl standing before her.

Chu Qianchen casually brushed off her sleeve and spoke in a calm, indifferent tone, "Chu Qianling, I’d rather smash this ointment than give it to you."

She didn’t address her as “Third Sister,” but simply by her name, the distance in her voice unmistakable.

From the moment she realized that Chu Qianling’s earlier attack had been intentional, she no longer considered her a sister.

In her past life, Chu Qianling had ruined her face, condemning her to live with a terrifying scar for the rest of her life.

At first, she had thought of this as a form of retribution, but since Chu Qianling had repeatedly provoked her, she no longer cared to be kind.

Chu Qianchen believed that she wasn’t the type to be magnanimous. After all, she had created the ointment, so why should she give it to Chu Qianling?!

"Chu Qianchen!"

Chu Qianling was on the verge of losing control.

Her slender fingers, covered in the transparent ointment, glared at Chu Qianchen with eyes full of hatred and madness, as if she wanted to tear her apart.

Chu Qianchen was truly malicious. She clearly didn’t want her to heal because she feared that if her face recovered, she would compete with her for the Second Prince’s affection!

Chu Qianling’s eyes turned red, tears welling up, and the fire of anger burned even brighter in her chest.

"Don’t like it?" Chu Qianchen stared straight into Chu Qianling’s eyes, her smile cool and aloof, her expression full of condescension. "If you don’t like it, just keep it to yourself."

"Chu Qianchen!" Chu Qianling suddenly sprang up from the ground, lunging at Chu Qianchen with long, sharp nails aimed at her face, desperate to tear her features apart.

Chu Qianchen nimbly dodged, and Chu Qianling missed, crashing to the ground in an awkward heap, her hands landing hard on the rough ground, stinging her tender palms.

"Ah, Third Sister, are you alright?" Chu Qianchen said with a look of mock concern, moving toward her as if to help her up.

Her back was to the house, and as she approached Chu Qianling, she leaned down and whispered, her voice low enough only for the two of them to hear, "Third Sister, I forgot to tell you... I still have one more jar of ointment. This is the last one."

Chu Qianling: "?"

"However, why should I give it to you?" Chu Qianchen’s voice dropped even lower, every word clear and sharp. "You nearly ruined my face. Why would you expect me to repay you with kindness?"

"It’s you who tried to ruin my face! Now, this is all you deserve."

"Do you agree?"

Chu Qianchen's voice was soft, cold, and chilling, as though it came from a soul-reaping messenger from the underworld. Chu Qianling’s limbs went cold at the sound.

Chu Qianling started to panic, her body trembling slightly.

She was afraid that Chu Qianchen, in her anger, would actually smash the last jar of ointment.

"No..." Chu Qianling knelt on the ground, raising her hand as if to grab Chu Qianchen’s sleeve, but Chu Qianchen lightly flicked her wrist and effortlessly avoided her.

With a soft sigh, Chu Qianchen straightened up and was about to leave. Chu Qianling hurriedly called out, "Second Sister, don’t go..."

"It wasn’t me... I didn’t want to harm you..."

Her voice softened, her gaze and tone filled with pleading, so fragile, so terrified.

"You didn’t want to harm me?" Chu Qianchen tilted her head, a hint of confusion and mockery in her expression as she asked deliberately, "Could it be that someone made you do this?"

Chu Qianling: "..."

She froze for a moment, her mind in turmoil.

"Third Sister, there’s no need to explain," Chu Qianchen walked around to Chu Qianling's right side, her voice rising slightly, speaking in a normal tone. "I won’t give you the ointment."

With that, she stopped looking at Chu Qianling and walked directly toward the yard’s exit.

Chu Qianling felt ice-cold all over, as though she were in a freezing cavern, from her limbs to her chest, her mind a jumbled mess.

In the past, Chu Qianchen had been weak and timid, always carefully trying to please others. She had never dared to speak to Chu Qianling like this.

But now, it felt as though Chu Qianchen had become an entirely different person—confident and resolute, standing like a towering mountain, making Chu Qianling feel uneasy, with an inexplicable sense of fear.

Today, in her rage, Chu Qianling had destroyed Jishi Hall. She had offended them completely, and now it seemed impossible to ask the renowned physician for help.

If Chu Qianchen truly preferred to destroy the last jar of ointment rather than give it to her...

Chu Qianling raised her hand to touch the scar on her cheek under the veil, her fingertips easily feeling the raised scar.

She must look so ugly now. Was she going to live with this for the rest of her life?

Chu Qianling’s expression became vacant, lost in thought.

Suddenly, a woman’s voice echoed in her ears:

"Third Sister, Second Sister is really beautiful, don’t you think? No wonder Cousin Zhao likes her..."

Chu Qianling stared blankly at Chu Qianchen’s retreating figure, murmuring as if possessed, "No... no, that’s not it."

At that moment, Chu Qianchen, having reached the gate, stopped and still did not turn around. "I won’t give the ointment to someone who has intentionally tried to harm me."

Chu Qianchen then took a small porcelain jar from her sleeve pocket, holding it high, as if ready to drop it at any moment.

"Stop!" Chu Qianling scrambled to her feet, shouting, "It wasn’t me! I really didn’t want to harm you."

"It was Eldest Sister... It was Chu Qianhuang who told me to ruin your face!"

"Third Sister, what nonsense are you talking about?!" A familiar voice rang out from behind, sharply scolding.

Chu Qianling turned to see Chu Qianhuang walking out of Chu Yunmu’s room with Shen Shi. The young girl, dressed in red, looked pale, her eyes filled with disbelief as she stared at Chu Qianling.

"Third Sister, how could you say such things?"

"Mother, Third Sister... she... she..."

Chu Qianhuang was both angry and anxious, her delicate face flushed with indignation, her words tumbling out in confusion. "Third Sister, I know you want the physician’s ointment, but you can’t just make wild accusations about me!"

Chu Qianchen slowly turned around, still holding the small porcelain jar in her hand, squeezing it as she glanced between Chu Qianhuang and Chu Qianling, her expression confused.

"Is this all for the Shiquan Ointment?" she seemed to be asking herself, or perhaps questioning them.

The Shiquan Ointment!! Chu Qianling fixed her eyes on the jar in Chu Qianchen’s hand, and when she saw that it wasn’t being smashed, she couldn’t help but breathe a small sigh of relief.

Chu Qianling clenched her fists tightly, forcing herself to meet the varying gazes of Shen Shi, Chu Qianhuang, and Chu Qianchen, as well as the complex expressions of all the servants in the yard, who whispered among themselves, casting sideways glances at her.

Chu Qianling was only twelve years old and had never encountered a situation like this before, so she was confused and frantic.

However, the words that had slipped out were like water spilled from a jar—she couldn't take them back now.

After all, everything she said was the truth!

Chu Qianling raised her hand and pointed at Chu Qianhuang, accusing, "It was Eldest Sister! She’s the one who made me do it!"

In that moment, the words that Chu Qianhuang had once said to her echoed in her ears:

"Third Sister, do you know that the family plans to choose one of you or Second Sister to become Cousin Zhao’s concubine?"

"I remember when we were little, Cousin Zhao was always closer to you, but now, Second Sister is growing more beautiful, and even I can’t help but take a second look. How much more must Cousin Zhao be taken with her."

"Like Grandmother said, some things are fated. If Second Sister's beauty catches Cousin Zhao’s eye, that’s her good fortune."

"Third Sister, don’t be too upset. As the saying goes, beauty is in the bones, not just the skin. No matter how beautiful someone is, it doesn’t last forever."

"..."

Chu Qianling repeated everything Chu Qianhuang had said to her, emphasizing, "These are all words Eldest Sister said!"

At that very moment, Chu Qianling had a sudden epiphany, as though a divine insight had struck her.

Although she had always disliked the delicate and enchanting Chu Qianchen, if Chu Qianhuang hadn’t said those words in front of her, she would never have thought of ruining Chu Qianchen’s face!

"By the way, it was also Eldest Sister who praised my sword dancing, saying that Cousin Zhao liked watching me perform with the pair of mandarin duck swords, which is why I suddenly got the idea to dance with them in front of him..."

And because of this, everything else had unfolded the way it did!

Yes!

It was all Chu Qianhuang’s fault!

It was Chu Qianhuang who had harmed her!

Chu Qianling glared at Chu Qianhuang with eyes filled with resentment, her disgust for Chu Qianchen and fear of disfigurement now transferred onto Chu Qianhuang.

"Third Sister." Chu Qianhuang urgently interrupted Chu Qianling, her face unable to conceal her outrage at being wronged. She said seriously, "I didn’t do it!"

"Huang Jie’er, did Ling Jie’er say the truth?" Shen Shi, looking at Chu Qianhuang with a complex expression, asked in shock, hesitation, and confusion.

She had heard the argument outside while she was in the room and had come out to see what was happening. To her surprise, she heard this conversation.

She couldn’t bring herself to believe Chu Qianling’s words.

Chu Qianhuang was the daughter she had personally raised, a sensible and obedient girl, respectful to her elders, kind and caring to her younger sisters. In this vast capital city, her daughter was considered one of the most esteemed young ladies. How could she do such a thing?

How could her daughter do such a thing?

Encouraging one sister to harm another with words?!

Her instincts told her that couldn’t be true, but as she listened to Chu Qianling’s every word and saw her current expression, it didn’t seem like she was lying...

"Mother," Chu Qianhuang shook her head again and again, looking at Shen Shi, "I didn’t do it."

She looked directly into Shen Shi’s eyes and said, "Mother, please believe me... I had no reason to harm Second Sister." Her eyes slightly reddened, filled with nervousness, anger, and unease.

Chu Qianchen muttered softly, "Yes, Eldest Sister had no reason to harm me." She caressed the small porcelain jar in her hand, seemingly confused by both Chu Qianhuang and Chu Qianling.

That’s right. Shen Shi stared blankly at Chu Qianhuang, her hand unconsciously tightening the handkerchief she was holding.

Logically speaking, why would her daughter harm Chu Qianchen? Doing something like this would only hurt others without benefiting oneself.

"No!" Chu Qianling cried out, her voice strained and desperate.

She was stuck, trapped in a dilemma, and hated Chu Qianhuang even more. It was clear that Chu Qianhuang disliked Chu Qianchen, yet she had manipulated Chu Qianling to do her dirty work!

"Ling Jie’er!"

At this moment, Liu Shi rushed over, breathless and flustered.

When she saw her daughter standing there helplessly, surrounded only by Shen Shi and her daughters, along with the servants from the main courtyard, it looked like the entire household was bullying her.

Liu Shi had always been protective of her children. She quickly walked over and called out, "Ling Jie’er, don’t be afraid. Mother is here!"

"Mother."

As soon as Chu Qianling saw Liu Shi, she seemed to find a lifeline. Tears instantly streamed down her face, and she rushed into Liu Shi’s arms, crying, "Mother, it’s Eldest Sister!"

"It was Eldest Sister who incited me! It was her! That’s why I wanted to ruin Chu Qianchen’s face."

"And then... my face..."

Chu Qianling painfully covered her cheek behind the veil.

The suffering she had endured in recent days, and the despair every time the physicians told her that her face might be ruined, all came rushing back to her in this moment.

As she repeatedly said, "It’s Eldest Sister who harmed me," Chu Qianling had completely convinced herself of this.

All her hatred, all her resentment, all her grievances were now directed at Chu Qianhuang.

Liu Shi listened, her heart sinking as she hesitantly said, "Ling Jie’er, what are you saying? Are you sure you’re not mistaken?"

Chu Qianhuang was the legitimate eldest daughter of the Chu family, always elegant and wise, how could she do such a thing?

Liu Shi’s shock and hesitation were clearly written on her face.

Seeing that even her own mother didn’t believe her, Chu Qianling became even angrier, her features twisted in frustration.

She pointed directly at Chu Qianhuang, yelling, "Everything I said just now, it was all you who said!"

"I, Chu Qianling, swear to the heavens, if I’ve lied even once, may thunder strike me, and may I die a horrible death!"

"Let my face never heal!"

Chu Qianling screamed in desperation, her eyes burning with hatred as she glared at Chu Qianhuang, "Chu Qianhuang, do you dare swear it? Go ahead, say it!"

She was like a wounded animal, mad with despair, cornered and desperate.

Chu Qianhuang: "I..."

Chu Qianhuang's face turned even paler, her breath seemingly halted.

Her gaze wandered as she took a deep breath, then slowly spoke, "Since Third Sister says so, then I, Chu Qianhuang, swear to the heavens that if I really incited it..."

"Enough!"

At this moment, Shen Shi suddenly interrupted Chu Qianhuang.

Shen Shi stood tall, as graceful as ever, but her gaze toward Chu Qianhuang was sharp, filled with deep disappointment.

When Chu Qianling had demanded that her daughter swear, a fleeting look of unease had appeared on Chu Qianhuang’s face. Although she tried to hide it, Shen Shi had seen it clearly.

In that moment, it became obvious to Shen Shi that her daughter had most likely said those things.

Shen Shi’s phoenix eyes deepened with a somber look as she spoke in a hushed voice, "Huang Jie’er, tell me, did you say those things to your third sister?"

"Whenever you’ve been nervous or uneasy, you’ve always nervously scratched your own finger."

"Don’t try to deceive me!"

The last five words were sharp and piercing, like an arrow aimed directly at Chu Qianhuang.

Chu Qianhuang’s heart skipped a beat. Instinctively, she loosened her grip.

The crumpled handkerchief slipped from her hand and fell to the cold ground.

On the pad of her index finger, a bright red scratch mark was clearly visible.

Chu Qianhuang’s pupils flickered uncertainly.

She gritted her teeth, her face as pale as paper, and said, "Mother, I never tried to incite Third Sister to hurt Second Sister. Things are not as Third Sister says."

"Mother, during those days, Third Sister was always in a bad mood. She kept saying... kept saying..."

She glanced at Chu Qianchen, who was standing to the side, biting her lip slightly, as if finding it hard to speak. "She kept saying that Second Sister was trying to seduce cousin Zao, feeling down and gloomy, so I just comforted her a bit."

"I did say those things, but Third Sister completely misunderstood. I just wanted to tell her that Second Sister is beautiful, but beauty lies in the bones, not just the skin. A husband should value his wife for her virtue, not just her looks. Third Sister shouldn’t be upset over it, as it would affect the relationship between us sisters."

"Mother, I really didn’t know that Third Sister would develop such thoughts!"

(This chapter ends.)