Liang Lin smacked her lips, hesitated with words stuck in her throat, then finally said, “How about this—you push me away first? I’ll shove you in, then you grab my hand.”

“Alright…”

Liang Di slowly released her grip. Tears shimmered in her sapphire eyes as she lowered her head with a pitiful, wronged expression.

*Huh? Why does my conscience feel like it just took a heavy hit?* Liang Lin’s eyes went dead-fish flat, mouth frozen in a perfect square. *I didn’t even do anything! Why do you look so utterly wronged? Hey!*

*How do you even please a noble lady…?*

*Wait—please a noble lady?* In her past life—no, *before* reincarnation—she’d never tried pleasing any girl, let alone a noble one. Sure, blooming maidens had flirted, but her heart was locked on the battlefield. Who had time for twittering swallows?

Liang Lin sat stiffly on the plush armchair, hands folded neatly on her knees. She gently rubbed her skirt fabric, lips pressed tight, silently watching Liang Di.

Liang Di sorted documents about House Langwendi’s textile trade at her desk, utterly ignoring Liang Lin’s burning gaze.

*Hm…?*

Her eyes landed on a densely scribbled page. Something felt off.

“Liang Lin, since you’ve lived with House Langwendi—do you know anything about our clothing stores in Nanwei City?”

Liang Lin froze.

*How would I know? My mind was all swords and military scrolls. Family shops? Never paid attention. Even if I had, I wouldn’t get it.*

“Huh? We run… clothing stores?”

“…”

Liang Di nodded inwardly. *Hm… This fake young mistress is pretty negligent. Probably doesn’t care about becoming family head. Makes sense—a girl faces steep odds. Barely a threat. That choking incident? Likely just jealousy over losing affection.*

She glanced up, meeting Liang Lin’s intense stare.

*Anyone serious about inheriting would know House Langwendi’s wealth comes from commerce. Ignoring it means zero ambition.*

Satisfied, Liang Di gave a small nod.

Liang Lin: head tilted, confusion etched deep, eyes shrunk to tiny dots.

That manor-piglet expression made Liang Di nod again. *Not just harmless—practically pet material.*

Liang Lin: *Blah blah blah… Do I feel like an idiot? Yes. Yes, I do.*

Liang Di returned to her papers.

*Women are weird,* Liang Lin mused. *Warm one second, icy the next.* Bored, she fiddled with her waist sword, straining to recall *How to Please a Noble Lady*.

*Ahem.*

*Oh!*

*Signal! She’s thirsty! Time to be the caring older sister!*

Liang Lin shot up, face solemn. “Thirsty? I’ll get you water—*now*.”

The sudden burst made Liang Di flinch.

“Huh? Ah… Um…? Hah?”

Before she processed it, Liang Lin vanished.

*Wait…?*

Now Liang Di’s eyes shrank to dot-dot size.

“Pfft~ Hahaha!”

Laughter cut short. Nanwei City store accounts were *too* profitable—more than all other branches combined. Meanwhile, House Nolan’s letter announced termination of textile cooperation this quarter. Unstated reason? Obviously House Mist’s doing—either poached the deal or whispered poison to House Nolan’s head.

“Sigh…” Liang Di pressed her temples. *Too much. Nanwei’s days away. And confronting House Nolan’s head? Ugh.*

“The moment I return—so much chaos. Auston really is a brainless, self-important fool,” she muttered, disgust flickering across her gentle features.

*The plan must move up.*

*Tap~*

A honey-water cup appeared before her.

“Here. Added honey,” Liang Lin said, nudging it forward. She stole quick, “casual” glances at the papers—clumsy as a three-year-old. Liang Di saw every bit.

*Let her look. She won’t understand.* Liang Di accepted the cup, chatting lightly. “Study at the Imperial Academy?”

“Um… Not lately.”

“Why?”

“Oh, I made the House Pips and House Grot kids cry. Auston—*cough*—*Father* ordered house arrest.”

Liang Di blinked. “Huh? If I recall… the Pips boy’s built like an ox? You… made him *cry*?”

Liang Lin’s eyes lit up. She slapped her thigh, jumped up, flashed cute canines, grinning proudly. “You bet! Heave-ho! One suplex—” *hands leaping* “—slammed him down! Foaming mouth, full-body twitch!” *She mimicked convulsions.*

“Pfft~ HAHAHA!”

Liang Di’s laughter burst forth—surprisingly hearty, infectious, bold yet warm. Liang Lin blinked, then cracked, laughing alongside her.

*Hm. This woman’s easy to handle. Guard’s already down.*

Two girls laughing, each with hidden motives.

“How much longer under house arrest?” Liang Di wiped laughter tears. “I start at the academy soon—same class, per Duke Austen’s arrangement.”

Liang Lin shook her head. “Not sure. Auston didn’t say. But he mentioned taking me to the Imperial Palace tomorrow. He’ll likely tell you too.”

*Imperial Palace?*

The smile vanished from Liang Di’s face.