Not Eating?

Watching Liang Di’s unusual move, Liang Lin paused her chewing. The next second, she spat out the uneaten cookie crumbs still in her mouth.

“Too sweet. Cloying.”

She tossed out an excuse to brush off Liang Di.

*Could something be wrong with these cookies?*

Liang Lin rushed back to her room and sat there anxiously until evening—only to find absolutely nothing happened.

“What? Could it be… I was just overthinking it?”

—— The Next Day: At the Tea Party ——

True to plan, Liang Di’s uniquely styled gown caught Felice’s eye.

“I’ve never seen clothing like this,” Felice murmured, bending close to examine them. Fan pressed to her lips, she added, “Practical, light—no stiffness of traditional gowns. Patterns are simple, but…”

Liang Di met her gaze with quiet confidence.

Felice nodded firmly. “Distinctive. I like it. Which tailor made this?”

“Our family’s own shop.”

“Oh…”

Felice had heard whispers: the young mistress of House Langwendi planned to spin off part of her family’s tailoring business to craft affordable, stylish wear for commoners. Skepticism was widespread—and understandable. No noble had ever done such a thing.

“Does your shop truly make clothes for commoners?”

“Yes.”

Knowing Felice’s compassionate nature, Liang Di said softly, “I hope commoners can wear beautiful, practical clothes too—just like us.”

Felice fell silent a moment, then her face lit with warm surprise.

“Tomorrow, I’ll visit your shop to order a gown. I trust it will meet my expectations.”

“Rest assured, Miss Felice. I’ll tailor it for you myself.” Liang Di lifted a hand to hide a smile, revealing slender fingers. The blue diamond on her index finger glittered in the afternoon sun.

Not just Felice—other young ladies swarmed around, eyes locked on her hand, chattering eagerly.

“I felt our lavish gowns clashed with bare nails,” Liang Di explained smoothly. “So I dyed mine and added diamonds.”

She waved a generous hand. “If you all like it, my family’s nail salon will offer one free dye session per lady.”

*One trial leads to the next.* The dye lasted five or six days; resin held diamonds barely a week. And she’d promised only *dyeing* was free—not the diamonds. If they bought stones from her salon? Prices rose ten percent.

This tea party did double duty: cementing House Langwendi’s “commoners’ tailor” reputation and flooding her new nail salon with clients. A tidy profit indeed.

Liang Lin, however, couldn’t care less. She scowled through the girly gathering like someone owed her a fortune. No one dared approach—past encounters had left deep bruises.

“Hmm. You really are quite ugly.”

“If I *must* compliment your figure… you resemble the cute, round stone block by our gate. Always blocking my view—so mischievous.”

“So, Miss Donna, you don’t think tripping on flat ground is cute? Maybe work on your balance.”

Yes—every blunt, razor-sharp remark came straight from Liang Lin. After those incidents, no invitations came her way. And she preferred the quiet.

“She’s drowning in jealousy! A vicious woman with zero emotional intelligence!” the ladies hissed behind her back—and repeated the same to Prince Gar.

“Liang Lin? A brainless brute who only knows fighting. Zero grace. Used to be just stupid. Now? Stupid *and* malicious.”

“Oh? Truly that foolish?”

“Absolutely! Back when she was merely gullible—believed every word (her old self). Now she’s stubbornly malicious. I’ve seen her twist her ankle walking (really just unused to heels). How sharp can someone be with zero coordination?”

*If she really is that stupid…* Gar stroked his chin, smiling gleefully.

Too easy.

Inside the palace:

“Mother, I believe we can adjust the plan.”

Doris pruned her red roses with shears. “What did you learn?”

“Auston says Liang Lin obeys him readily. Other ladies call her foolish, jealous, malicious. So… no need to force friendship with Liang Di. Instead, make Liang Lin *jealous* of her. Then…”

“Your idea is far more mature than Auston’s,” Doris set down the shears, stroking her son’s hair fondly. “Worthy of a future king. Proceed. I’ll handle Auston.”

Gar’s plan unfolded swiftly:

Step One: Seed crisis in Liang Lin—the fear that Liang Di is more beloved by peers and family.

Step Two: Occasionally belittle Liang Lin, elevate Liang Di.

Step Three (his favorite): Make Liang Lin believe *he* favors Liang Di over her.

Of course. He was certain no maiden could resist his charm. All should willingly become his secret lover.

True to script, Auston’s attitude toward Liang Lin flipped overnight. The moment the sisters returned from the tea party, he glared and launched in:

“Liang Lin! Can’t you learn from Liang Di? Act like a proper lady! Obsessing over swords—having a daughter like you is embarrassing!”

“Then don’t mention it.”

Auston: “?”

Her words left him speechless.

Liang Lin’s face was stone-cold, eyes nearly glazed like a dead fish’s.

“I’m tired. Stop following me. Use that time to find a maid flirtier than Miranda. You *do* prefer that… Father.”

*Pfft~*

Liang Di snorted, barely containing laughter.

Liang Lin always delivered unexpectedly spicy lines Liang Di secretly adored.

*How delightfully cute would this sharp-tongued girl look, crying after being “disciplined”?*

Liang Di’s curiosity deepened.