The servants whispered among themselves about the newly arrived young lady.

"Miss Liang Di’s hair color is nothing like Duke Austen’s," one murmured.

"Maybe it matches the late mistress’s?" another guessed.

"Oh, Anna, you’re still new here—the previous mistress had golden hair," a third chimed in.

"That snowy white hair is eerie… like a witch’s."

"Can any witch be scarier than Miss Liang Lin? As long as she’s not a villainess, I’d welcome her being a witch."

A maid set down her rag, turned, and asked, "What if… Miss Liang Di is also the Duke’s illegitimate daughter?"

Another servant glanced up, then quickly lowered her head in fear. Silence fell.

A chill crept down the maid’s spine. Slowly, she turned—and froze under the head maid’s stern gaze.

"If the Duke or the young ladies overhear this gossip, you know the consequences," the head maid said, moving through the crowd. "Curiosity about what doesn’t concern you is unwise."

Meanwhile, in Duke Austen’s study.

"My daughter, you’ve just returned home. Rest first. Miranda and I can handle the shop affairs," Auston said, seated at his desk, a pristine white quill still in hand.

Liang Di sat in a new silver-white wheelchair, lined with soft snow rabbit fur.

"Father, I returned to House Langwendi to serve the family. Our textile business has been declining—even losing money. To cover the loss, didn’t House Langwendi lease its Verit lands to House Nolan?"

"..."

"Father, it’s settled. I’ll manage the textile business." Liang Di pressed a thick stack of papers on the desk. "I’ll make sure House Nolan is satisfied."

Auston’s lips twitched. Silent, he watched as Liang Di smiled, gathered the papers, and wheeled herself out.

After she left, Miranda emerged from behind the curtains, hand on Auston’s shoulder. "My dear, are you just going to let her—"

Auston slammed the desk, veins throbbing at his temples. Voice low and furious: "She was strangled! I threw her into the wasteland myself—why… Miranda, you saw it too! She wasn’t breathing! Wasn’t she dead?!"

Miranda nodded. "Her heart had stopped. A tiny infant… even if not strangled, abandoned near the Demon Spire? No one would go there. Impossible she was found."

"She is… the curse of House Langwendi!" Auston roared, pounding the desk. "All these years with no illness—I thought the prophecy was wrong. But that wretch… she’s still alive!"

"Th-then what do we do?"

"Tomorrow," Auston gritted out. "We go to the palace. We see the Queen and the Crown Prince."

—— —— ——

"Sister Liang Lin, what are you doing crouched here?"

Liang Di had just reached her room when she spotted Liang Lin bent over, rear in the air, squinting through the door crack.

"Eh?! I—!" Liang Lin yelped, spinning around. Hands hidden behind her back, eyes darting to a mural, she whistled lightly, feigning calm.

"I… wanted to chat! Sisters bond by talking, right?" Liang Lin stammered, inwardly insisting: *This is part of the plan.*

Ten minutes earlier.

Liang Lin had concluded it: after entering the room with Liang Di, her blackout and waking in bed meant only one thing—Liang Di was a witch. That eerie white hair? Proof she’d been spellbound!

Liang Lin wasn’t idle. Before dying honorably on the battlefield, she’d been a renowned Marquis. Reborn, how could she accept being a useless lady? Her goal: lead House Langwendi.

Seeing drooling, foolish Edwin once made her gloat—just outlive that old geezer Auston. Then Liang Di appeared: the true heir. Liang Lin? A false daughter. Hope for succession vanished.

Liang Di looked sharp.

Murder flickered in Liang Lin’s heart.

But if she’s truly a witch… tricky. Head throbbing, her gaze landed on a book: *How to Win a Noble Young Lady’s Heart*.

*Yes!* Befriend her. Become her dearest friend, her most beloved little sister. Lower her guard… then strike. *Hehe… hehehe…* Liang Lin chuckled darkly, miming a throat slit.

The maid polishing the window behind her trembled, sweat beading on her brow.

Another "glorious deed" for the villainess: eerie laughter like a specter, scheming in silence.

Back to the present.

Liang Di blinked, recalling yesterday’s haughty Liang Lin—and snorted. *What a tangled mind. Warm one second, cold the next. That forced smile? Definitely hiding something.*

"Sure! I wanted to chat with you too, Sister Liang Lin~" Liang Di wheeled closer, taking Liang Lin’s hand. "Come in with me~"

"Eh?! EH?!"

Before reincarnation, Liang Lin spent years on battlefields—barely seeing women, let alone holding hands. A pathetic virgin from her past life, never having touched a woman. Now, faced with that soft, delicate hand, she bristled. Face flushed crimson, mouth open revealing little fangs—as if ready to bite.

*Oh~*

*What an adorable expression.*

Liang Di’s smile wouldn’t fade.

*Girls cuddling is normal. Girls cuddling is normal. Girls cuddling is normal!!!* Liang Lin chanted inwardly three times before her panic eased.

"I-I’ll push you in."

She tugged her hand gently. It didn’t budge.