Chapter 78- Winning Over the Sisters – Transcendental Translations

Get updated every time a new chapter is released and Get the Passwords to Password Protected Content at our Discord Server -> Click Here to Join now (Protected Content will be available within few days of release)

Chapter 78

“All right, no more talk like that,” Jiang Ruohua said as she ate her breakfast. She gently blew on her still-hot porridge. “You two can stop busying yourselves now—go have your meal.”

“Miss…”

Yinqiu and Huachan froze for a moment. Seeing Jiang Ruohua nod and wave them off, they no longer insisted. Normally, they would serve their mistress until she was fully satisfied before eating.

Though slightly worried, they left. Jiang Ruohua quickened her eating pace. She had told her maids to eat early because she expected something to happen soon. If her guess was right, someone would show up as soon as she was done eating.

She intended to prepare thoroughly. After finishing her meal and wiping her mouth, she adjusted her clothes and took out the items she had bought yesterday, placing them neatly on the table.

The items were finely crafted accessories. After visiting the theater yesterday, she and Liu Xiyun had gone to a few other jewelry shops. Though the pieces weren’t as valuable as those from Qianzhen Pavilion, they were still the best the shops had to offer. None of the items sold to her had a trace of poor craftsmanship.

“Second Miss, why are you here? I’ll announce your visit.”

“No need. Is my elder sister awake?”

A familiar voice came from outside. Jiang Ruohua smiled. “Is that you, Second Sister? I’m awake—come in!”

The person she’d been waiting for had arrived.

Jiang Ruoting entered with a maid and smiled as she noticed the items on the table. “Elder Sister, why did you buy so many accessories?”

“After furnishing the estate yesterday, I thought it was still early. So, I went shopping with Sister Liu and bought some accessories. Second Sister, sit down!” Jiang Ruohua pulled her over and picked up a butterfly hairpin. She placed it in Jiang Ruoting’s hair. “I thought this was lovely and decided to share it with you.”

She then turned to a young maid. “Go and invite the other sisters over. I bought quite a few things, and we should share them together.”

The maid nodded and left. Jiang Ruoting hadn’t fully processed what was happening before Jiang Ruohua brought out a mirror and smiled. “Second Sister, take a look. I told Sister Liu this would suit you. Your dresses often have butterfly embroidery, and this hairpin matches perfectly. Do you like it?”

Jiang Ruoting glanced at herself in the mirror. She didn’t care much about accessories; her mother had told her that when the time came, everything Jiang Ruohua had would become hers anyway.

What frustrated her was that Jiang Ruohua had gone out with Liu Xiyun yesterday without her. She had worked so hard to form ties with these noble girls, yet Jiang Ruohua had casually spent one day with them and already received such attention.

“It looks nice,” Jiang Ruoting said, suppressing her displeasure. She couldn’t help but ask, “Why did you decide to invite Sister Liu out yesterday, Elder Sister? I had no idea.”

Ah, she couldn’t hold back after all.

Feigning innocence, Jiang Ruohua’s clear eyes sparkled. “I’d sent a note to Sister Liu inviting her and the others to the estate. She replied, saying she was bored and wanted to go out.

“I thought about asking you to join us, but I remembered that your tutor was coming to review your lessons yesterday. It didn’t seem right to disturb you.” Jiang Ruohua took Jiang Ruoting’s hand. “Dear Sister, I never meant to leave you out. Aunt worries about your studies so much. How about we all go out together next time?”

Jiang Ruohua acted as if Jiang Ruoting’s slight annoyance was just disappointment at missing a fun outing. Knowing Jiang Ruoting’s jealousy only made her act even more oblivious.

Why make it easy for Jiang Ruoting?

“Oh, yesterday Sister Liu and I went to a theater that had amazing performances! Once you’re free, we should go watch together,” Jiang Ruohua said warmly, holding Jiang Ruoting’s hand. “Don’t be upset, okay? See, I even bought so many things as an apology. Pick whatever you like!”

But the more Jiang Ruohua said, the harder it was for Jiang Ruoting to feel happy. She had put so much effort into integrating herself with the circle of virtuous noblewomen, ensuring her perfection in every way. Now Jiang Ruohua had stolen their attention after just one outing.

Jealousy churned in Jiang Ruoting’s heart. Once the center of attention, she now felt overshadowed. The gap in treatment was unbearable.

“Elder Sister, you must be joking. Why would I be upset?” Jiang Ruoting forced a smile, her fingers touching the hairpin in her hair. For a moment, she felt as though her position had swapped with Jiang Ruohua’s.

Before, it was she who handed out gifts, maintaining balance among their peers. But without the engagement holding her back, Jiang Ruohua now seemed to outshine her effortlessly.

It all came down to status.

The jealousy burned deeply within Jiang Ruoting, mingling with pain and resentment. Xie Shuyan, Liu Xiyun, and the others were all either from noble families or had fathers and brothers in high-ranking positions. These women were praised as virtuous and graceful by society, their reputations impeccable.

Jiang Ruohua had no idea how much effort Jiang Ruoting had put into forging those friendships. Yet now, she was taking them away with ease.

Why was Jiang Ruohua born as the legitimate granddaughter of the Duke’s family, the daughter of a first-ranking general? Why did Jiang Ruohua always have what she could never attain?

In the world of noblewomen, reputation was built at social gatherings, where ladies were judged on their demeanor and associations. Gaining a single compliment from a respected elder could elevate one’s standing immensely.

Jiang Ruoting couldn’t bear to lose everything she’d worked for, nor hand it all to Jiang Ruohua.

At the end of the day, it was all Jiang Ruohua’s fault. If she hadn’t been born, none of this would’ve happened. Without her, Jiang Ruoting’s life would have been perfect.

“This one suits Elder Sister well.” Jiang Ruoting picked up another hairpin, her mind filled with hatred. Yet her mother’s constant warnings echoed in her head: Do not lose sight of the bigger picture. Do not let momentary displeasure ruin everything.

If she wanted everything Jiang Ruohua had, she had to endure. She had to remain flawless.

Of the Jiang sisters, there were eight in total. The youngest, Jiang Ruohan, was just three years old and too young to understand anything. However, the others quickly arrived as summoned.