Chapter 15: The Long Song—Ugly Face, Dark Heart (Part 2)

At the Changge Manor, in the Fallen Moon Pavilion.

“Tell me, where did that wretched Changge Yue go?” Changge Yuqing snarled fiercely, brandishing the whip in her hand as she shouted at Bizhu.

Biting her lip, Bizhu’s clothes had already been torn open, blood seeping through. “I don’t know.” All she wished was that Third Miss wouldn’t come back, or at least wait until Second Miss and Fifth Miss had left before returning.

Seated nearby, sipping the finest Snow Mountain Cloud Mist tea, Changge Yujiao’s eyes flickered with impatience. “What good is beating this wretched servant? Second Sister just wants those bracelets back, right? Bizhu, go search for them.”

Bizhu’s eyes brightened. She had once served Third Miss, who, though impoverished, was said to have inherited many pieces of jewelry and porcelain from the late madam. She knew exactly where those treasures lay.

Without hesitation, Bizhu didn’t bother looking for bracelets for Changge Yuqing. Instead, she lifted the heavy canopy of Changge Yue’s grand bed. Beneath it lay a hollow space, and precious porcelain immediately caught her eye.

“Miss, these are all treasures,” Bizhu said, her eyes gleaming. She had long suspected that the poor Third Miss had quite a few valuable items.

Hmph. She had served that poor wretch all her life and never gained a single thing. Today, if Fifth Miss ate meat, she might as well have some soup—no harm done.

After all, having served that pauper for so long, it was only fair she claimed some of her belongings.

At this moment, Bizhu didn’t feel at all that serving a mistress was a duty.

Changge Yujiao snorted coldly, her eyes filled with indifference. What could a maid’s “treasures” possibly be worth?

Her father was a great general, her grandfather the Duke of Zhen’guo, and her aunt the Prime Minister’s wife. What rare treasures hadn’t she already seen?

Just then, Changge Yuqing rushed over as well. Her eyes lit up at the sight of the antiques, porcelain, and a delicate jewelry box. “Fifth Sister, these really are treasures.” The porcelain pieces ranged from pure white to vivid green, all flawless.

Even the painted vases were unmistakably valuable.

Changge Yujiao sneered, standing proudly with a touch of arrogance. Her words were nonchalant, “No wonder Mother said you hadn’t seen the world... Ah, this is Tianhan white jade porcelain? And that one is made from cold jade water? The painting... the painting...”

Hurriedly, Changge Yujiao picked up one of the painted vases, touching and examining it repeatedly. “This... this is actually the work of Master Nanguo from the previous dynasty. Ah... how could a fallen family like hers possess so many treasures?!”

Master Nanguo’s painted porcelain from the former dynasty was a priceless treasure, and legend had it that only ten pieces existed across the entire Jiuzhou Continent. Her grandfather even had a high-quality replica, a cherished treasure kept safely in his study.

But hadn’t her mother said that the birth mother of that wretched Changge Yue was just a fallen family? She had shamelessly married their father only because she once saved grandfather!

Changge Yuqing, however, did not share Changge Yujiao’s many thoughts. She bit her lip lightly, her tone hollow yet tinged with greed. “Fifth Sister... perhaps we should…”

Changge Yujiao hesitated. She was the legitimate eldest daughter; how could she stoop to the level of a mere concubine’s daughter with such shallow ambitions?

But... these truly were treasures beyond price!

Even her grandfather didn’t have them.

Changge Yujiao’s heart waged a silent war within. Changge Yuqing sneered coldly. Having acted shamelessly, she still wanted to maintain appearances? But these treasures were too valuable for her to keep alone. Perhaps she would have to drag Changge Yujiao into this scheme after all.