107. Powerful aura! Luo Ningshuang's scheming!
Updated: 2013-06-16 10:57:30 Word Count: 4393
Luo Zhiheng greeted them with a smile: "Oh my, what a coincidence! You were just thrown out of our Prince's mansion courtyard. Consort Li couldn't help you, so you came to ask the Second Miss for help? You have quite a wide network of connections, with the Prince's consort and the General's daughter. Tch! Three deliverymen, you've got quite the ability."
Luo Zhiheng's words made people's faces turn pale and then red. She fully displayed the characteristics of a vicious person with a sharp tongue and a naive fool, pointing at a maid and saying, "Go and bring me a chair. I'm going to sit here and listen carefully to how these vegetable delivery women recount their miserable experiences of being beaten by Luo Zhiheng. I'll also see how our Second Miss, who always wins people over with virtue and reason, stands up for these three vegetable delivery women!"
As she spoke, she burst into laughter, a maniacal and sarcastic laugh: "Are these three old women idiots? I am the elder sister whom the Second Miss has always respected, and they actually asked the Second Miss to kill me? Or is the Second Miss just bored out of her mind? How did she come to know these three scoundrels? And how did their relationship become so strong that they would come to her door to ask for her help? I also want to see if the Second Miss is willing to put righteousness before family! To kill her own sister for a few old women!"
Luo Zhiheng's gaze met Luo Ningshuang's in mid-air, and in an instant, sparks flew and a fierce battle ensued!
Luo Ningshuang felt a surge of anger stuck in her throat, her mind screaming, "How did Luo Zhiheng change? She wasn't like this before! Wasn't she used to be like dough, completely at her mercy? Why is she so assertive today? And so sharp-tongued? Damn it, damn it! What's going on?" Luo Ningshuang was furious, yet she couldn't utter a single word. Faced with such a powerful, assertive, and thuggish Luo Zhiheng, she felt utterly helpless and frustrated.
"Zhiheng again, Your Highness." Luo Zhiheng is too formidable; her imposing aura and silver tongue completely overwhelmed the entire General's Mansion. A maidservant trembled as she brought over a chair, and Luo Zhiheng sat down nonchalantly, looking on with anticipation for a good show: "Second Miss, please. Let your own sister see how you kill her to appease public anger."
The three old women trembled, stammering and not daring to say another word. Their previous stubbornness was completely gone in front of Luo Zhiheng, because Luo Zhiheng was even more domineering than them.
Luo Ningshuang certainly couldn't side with the three old women at this moment, but she also needed to maintain a fair, gentle, and kind image in front of these two, so she said softly, "Aren't you three delivering vegetables to the General's Mansion? You can speak your mind if you have any grievances, but don't wrong anyone. My sister is the little princess of the Prince's Mansion, how did you get to see her? If you have any grievances or difficulties, I will do my best to help you. May I have someone take you down to rest for a while?"
That's incredibly meticulous! But at this moment, this obvious attempt to smooth things over only gives the impression of indecisiveness and hesitation.
The three old women nodded hastily, wishing they could escape from any place where Luo Zhiheng was, because Luo Zhiheng's fists were simply too terrifying.
"Wait!" Luo Zhiheng said with a smile, "Second Miss, don't you want to know why these old women came to beg you? Let me tell you, it's because they went to the Prince's Mansion to cause trouble for me. They went to stand up for you, and they even talked about dowry. I find it so strange that outsiders are interfering in the affairs of our General's Mansion. What's more, these outsiders know more about the General's Mansion than I, the eldest daughter of the General's Mansion. They didn't explain clearly either. I came back this time to hear what you have to say about this dowry that's supposed to be left for me. What's going on? They said you want to take my dowry for yourself?"
Luo Ningshuang was almost overwhelmed by Luo Zhiheng's ability to twist the original words! She felt that today was truly a day of disaster, because Luo Zhiheng, this jinx, had come knocking on her door while the two of them were present.
"What are you saying, sister? I don't understand." Luo Ningshuang could only pretend to be stupid. 15459433
Luo Zhiheng also calmly pretended to be stupid: "You don't understand? Then I understand even less. What exactly is going on? The three of them came to my courtyard in the Prince's Mansion early this morning and made a scene, saying that you were wronged and bullied by me, and that if you were to get married, you would bring the dowry that my father and mother gave me. Isn't that what you wanted? Otherwise, how would outsiders know so much? Even if they are lying, they can't be so convincing, can they?"
I really want to have Luo Zhiheng killed right now!!
Luo Ningshuang gritted her teeth inwardly and forced a smile: "I really didn't know about this. There have always been a lot of rumors about us, so you don't need to take it too seriously, sister."
"How can I not care? I've always been a selfish and vicious person. No one is allowed to touch the things my mother left me or the things my father prepared for me! I'll kill anyone who dares to touch my things!" Luo Zhiheng said deliberately with a vicious tone.
Luo Ningshuang shuddered, whether from fright or anger, it was hard to tell. The others also felt a chill creep up from their feet.
But in the blink of an eye, Luo Zhiheng smiled and said, "I hadn't even thought about the dowry at all. If they hadn't reminded me today, I would have completely forgotten about it. But I don't believe them when they say you want to take my dowry. Aren't you, Luo Ningshuang, always so indifferent to desires? And you've never cared about finances or anything like that, often using your own savings to give away porridge. But I'm very curious, where do you get so much personal savings?"
She generously replied, "Of course, I know you definitely don't want to take my dowry. Now that I've married the young prince, and it's public knowledge, let's not worry about anything else. We've changed people, so naturally the dowry should be returned. I'll have someone come and carry my dowry tomorrow, and then return yours. Don't worry, I won't embezzle your things, but I won't allow even one of my things to be missing."
How could Luo Ningshuang willingly give her dowry to Luo Zhiheng? She intended to use this incident to suppress Luo Zhiheng. She had planned it all along; Luo Zhiheng would definitely take the bait, and most likely, she would be unable to bear the provocation and come knocking to steal the dowry. She even deliberately sent those three old women to provoke Luo Zhiheng today, letting them witness Luo Zhiheng's violence after so long. Then she could give the dowry to Luo Zhiheng; her goal was to create an image of Luo Zhiheng as unreasonable, selfish, and self-serving. This would cause Luo Zhiheng endless trouble and ultimately crush her under the weight of public opinion.
But she never expected Luo Zhiheng to so readily admit to being selfish and self-serving, and even brazenly demand her dowry, suggesting an exchange for it—something the old Luo Zhiheng would never have done. What was going on? Luo Ningshuang was so enraged she wanted to kill someone. Things were developing according to her plan, but they had deviated from her design. What happened?
Suppressing her irritation, Luo Ningshuang said, "Sister, this is a big matter, and we need to consider it carefully."
"What are you being so indecisive about? You don't really want to give it back to me, do you?" Luo Zhiheng's eyes suddenly turned sinister, and she said angrily.
"No, it's just that the dowry on the original gift list was exactly what was sent over. If we bring it out now and send it back, I'm afraid people will gossip about you," Luo Ningshuang said gently.
Luo Zhiheng said impatiently, "I'm not afraid of gossip. Haven't I been talked about enough because of you? Besides, I'm just taking back what belongs to me. Let whoever wants to talk, talk."
Luo Ningshuang was about to speak when the two noblewomen who had been standing there like wooden figures finally spoke up. One of them smiled at Luo Ningshuang as if she hadn't experienced what had just happened, saying, "Second Miss, we'll take our leave now. Please reconsider participating in this year's competition for the title of First Talent. After all, you participate every year, and if you participate today, you're very likely to win the title of First Talent for ten consecutive years. This is an excellent opportunity that you can't miss. It would be a pity if you didn't participate this year."
Luo Ningshuang's eyes instantly welled up with tears. She sadly lowered her eyelashes and unconsciously touched her face beneath the veil. The gesture unmistakably conveyed her sorrow and inability to participate, stemming from her bruised and swollen face. And this face was Luo Zhiheng's handiwork!
The two noblewomen's expressions turned slightly unpleasant. They had never encountered such an extraordinary person as Luo Ningshuang in all their years. She was fluent in all languages, skilled in songwriting and poetry, and even her dancing was breathtaking. For such a multi-talented woman to win the title of "First Talented Woman" every year was simply a miracle.
Just when it seemed Luo Ningshuang was about to turn this miracle into a legend, this unfortunate incident occurred. They were the organizers of the First Talent Competition; they didn't belong to the Mu Dynasty, but the power behind them was not to be underestimated. If they could truly achieve the miracle of the First Talent winning ten consecutive times—the first time in a century—their status within the clan would naturally rise significantly. Unfortunately, this year, thanks to Luo Zhiheng and the others, their hopes seemed to be dashed.
Given their status, it would be impossible for them to invite Luo Ning Shuang to participate in such a formal manner time and time again, but they still came. And then they encountered Luo Zhi Heng, a person even a dog would dislike. Their faces darkened, and without saying another word, they prepared to take their leave.
Luo Zhiheng had been listening intently; she had heard about the First Talent Competition. Was Luo Ningshuang secretly blaming her for preventing her from participating? Seeing the cold and angry looks in their eyes, Luo Zhiheng grinned and said, "Are you two here to find someone to participate in that competition? If she's not going, how about I go and help you get a spot?"
The two noblewomen's faces turned pale instantly. Their eyes revealed undisguised contempt. "You? You think you can participate in the First Talent Contest? You're dreaming!" They ignored her completely and walked straight ahead.
Luo Zhiheng had only said it casually, but being ignored made her indignant. It was just a lousy competition; why be so arrogant and disdainful? She sneered, "If I could get Luo Ningshuang to participate in your competition, my condition would be that you let me participate too, and you wouldn't agree?"
The two men stopped abruptly, staring at her expressionlessly, but their eyes betrayed their confusion.
"Sister, no! I absolutely won't participate this year. The competition is about to start, and my body just can't fully recover. I can't let the competition down!" Luo Ningshuang said anxiously, though her heart was already tempted. She knew all too well that Luo Zhiheng was a complete idiot; she couldn't do anything except dream about handsome men all day long. What talent did she have? If she went, she would definitely embarrass herself, and Luo Zhiheng's status in the Prince's mansion would be even more awkward. This stark contrast would also make it clear to everyone that she, Luo Ningshuang, was more noble and capable than Luo Zhiheng.
Moreover, Luo Ningshuang was certain that as long as she participated in this year's First Talent Competition, she would definitely still be the first place winner!
When the time comes, the twin sisters will both be number one, but Luo Ningshuang will truly be the top performer, while Luo Zhiheng will definitely be the last one to come in first place. The scene is sure to be very exciting and interesting!
"Can you really convince the Second Miss to participate in this year's competition?" one of the women asked, her expression a mixture of disbelief and reluctance. If she could truly persuade Luo Ningshuang to participate, then giving Luo Zhiheng a spot wouldn't be a problem; after all, it would be Luo Zhiheng who would embarrass herself. But Luo Ningshuang was different. The First Talent competition had been around for a hundred years, and their clan held it in various countries; it had become a competition for their clan in different nations. The more powerful a contestant joined, the greater their chances of winning. 12.
“Of course! I’m her older sister. If I say she has to go, she has to go,” Luo Zhiheng said confidently and domineeringly.
The two men's lips twitched. Was she really that naive, or just too confident? But the next moment they were dumbfounded.
Luo Zhiheng asked Luo Ningshuang in a deliberately willful manner, "I'm asking you to go. I want to participate in that competition. Will you go or not?"
She knew Luo Ningshuang would definitely agree. Because in Luo Ningshuang's eyes, this was something she was digging her own grave for, yet it would also elevate Luo Ningshuang's status; Luo Ningshuang would surely agree. And she also wanted to use this competition to put down her self-important younger sister.
Luo Ningshuang hesitated for a moment, glanced timidly at Luo Zhiheng, and finally nodded with a wronged and strongly unwilling expression: "Okay, if you insist that I participate, then I agree."
What a hypocrite! Luo Zhiheng thought to herself. Perhaps her bandit-like thoughts were vicious and crude, but Luo Ningshuang clearly agreed, yet she insisted on putting on an expression of being forced, which was truly hypocritical and disgusting.
The two men laughed, "Good, good, it's good that Second Miss agreed. We'll be waiting for you in a few days." After saying that, they glanced at Luo Zhiheng, their expression indifferent but their eyes disdainful, and said, "We're also waiting for Eldest Miss to participate. The invitation will be sent to the Mu Prince's residence immediately."
Second update! Another 11,000 words today! Hey everyone, are you still awake? Please leave comments and vote! Group chat kisses!
108. Be a villain, and you'll either be scared to death or disgusted to death! You'll lose both your wife and your army!
Updated: 2013-06-18 09:47:19 Word Count: 7799
Luo Zhiheng smiled sweetly at Luo Ningshuang. Although Luo Ningshuang's face was covered and her expression couldn't be seen, her large, watery eyes still made Luo Zhiheng feel awkward and disgusted. Damn it, even her eyes were the same as Luo Ningshuang's. Apart from the difference in their gazes, their biggest difference was probably only their personalities.
Luo Zhiheng suddenly had a strange thought: what if they were put together one day? Would outsiders mistake them for each other? If Luo Ningshuang did something bad and used Luo Zhiheng's name, wouldn't he be in deep trouble?
Touching her chin, the smile on her face changed slightly. It wasn't impossible, was it? They needed to find a way to make themselves easily distinguishable to others, otherwise, things might get complicated.
She subtly touched her right chest. She remembered seeing a small, red birthmark on her chest while showering; it was shaped like a teardrop. She recalled that Luo Ningshuang didn't have such a birthmark. But such birthmarks were hidden inside the body, not to be known or seen by outsiders. It seemed she could only rely on her personality; she needed to make their true identities immediately apparent.
"You're still reluctant to let those two go? You'll see each other again in a few days, there's no need to be so reluctant," Luo Zhiheng said slowly, deliberately banging the lid of her porcelain teacup loudly, making a rude sound.
Luo Ningshuang withdrew her gaze, and when she looked up again, her eyes were already filled with tears. She looked at Luo Zhiheng with fear and awe, and said respectfully and carefully, "Sister, it was all my fault today. Please don't be angry, okay? No matter what, I still want to advise you, sister, that First Talent Competition is really not suitable for you. The competition itself isn't anything special, but..."
"But what?" Luo Zhiheng coldly interrupted Luo Ningshuang, violently smashing her teacup. The porcelain shattered, water splashing everywhere. Her voice was sharp and brimming with anger as she pointed at Luo Ningshuang's nose and arrogantly shouted, "Don't try to lecture me! Don't use your hypocritical pretense on me! Do you think I don't know? Aren't you just afraid I'll win that competition and steal your glory? Aren't you afraid I'm too powerful, and that you'll be completely useless once I appear? Aren't you afraid your honor as the tenth number one talent will be completely lost because of my sudden emergence? You're afraid of losing to me and losing face!"
With each arrogant question Luo Zhiheng posed, Luo Ningshuang's lips twitched uncontrollably beneath her veil. Eventually, Luo Ningshuang felt her entire face was about to go numb.
A feeling she couldn't quite define—whether anger or mockery—surged within her. How could someone be so shameless? How could someone claim to be an all-around genius when they themselves are utterly worthless? Everyone in the entire Mu Dynasty knew Luo Zhiheng's true worth; she was nothing but a dog whose belly couldn't hold two ounces of sesame oil.
Luo Zhiheng can write, but doesn't like to study; she can wield swords and spears, but absolutely cannot hold a needle and thread; she can eat, but can't cook; she is beautiful, but her taste is vulgar. She knows nothing about music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, and is completely clueless about poetry and prose. She's good at wielding swords and spears, but whether she'll fall and break a tooth or twist her back while dancing is another matter.
How dare someone like that be so smug and arrogant in front of a woman as talented as her? Where does she get such a thick skin and confidence?
But isn't it better that Luo Zhiheng is like this? Never knowing her own ugliness and flaws, she'll always just be a disgrace! Clenching her fists, Luo Ningshuang felt a burning desire for the talent competition to arrive quickly. In the talent competition, in front of the entire Mu Dynasty, even the whole world, she would defeat Luo Zhiheng, surpass Luo Zhiheng, and even far exceed her! She would let those who looked down on her see just how excellent and powerful she, Luo Ningshuang, truly was.
The difference between them is obvious. Once the pampered Luo Zhiheng reveals her true nature and falls into the mire, people will feel more deeply the arrogant attitude she had when looking down on Luo Zhiheng from her high position. So Luo Zhiheng, be arrogant now, be cocky now! The more rampant you are today, the more miserable you will be tomorrow!
Luo Zhiheng stared at Luo Ningshuang with a crooked mouth and slanted eyes. Beneath her roguish and wicked exterior, her sharp gaze didn't miss the occasional glint of cunning in Luo Ningshuang's eyes. Although she didn't know what Luo Ningshuang was thinking, her calm demeanor suggested she was very much looking forward to the talent competition and confident of victory. She was probably still fantasizing about how to embarrass Luo Zhiheng, right?
Luo Zhiheng pouted. What on earth made Luo Ningshuang so confident? Sitting there so composed, she seemed to be telling Luo Zhiheng that she, Luo Ningshuang, was the winner of the First Talent Competition! This strange feeling made Luo Zhiheng wonder if those two noble ladies had leaked the questions to Luo Ningshuang beforehand? Otherwise, why did Luo Ningshuang seem to know everything?
"Is it allowed to cheat in this competition?" Luo Zhiheng suddenly asked out of the blue. Gone was the previous tension; she even sat down next to Luo Ningshuang with a smile. Her sudden change of expression caught Luo Ningshuang completely off guard. 12.
Luo Ningshuang was taken aback by Luo Zhiheng's question, her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly lowered her eyes, her voice very soft: "Of course not. Every year, the organizers set the questions for the competition, and each year they are different. Moreover, the questions are only revealed on the day of the competition. No one knows what kind of questions they will face. Sometimes, even the two opponents don't know what questions they will be given. If it's something you're good at, that's fine, but if they don't tell you, then..."
If you don't say anything, then you're out of luck; losing is bad luck too. 15460330
Luo Zhiheng blinked. This competition format was quite good, but Luo Ningshuang definitely wasn't telling the whole truth. She didn't expect Luo Ningshuang to say anything, but now she could understand why Luo Ningshuang valued those two noble ladies so much. Those two clearly held important positions in the First Talent Competition; gaining the favor of such an important figure from the organizers could only bring benefits. Luo Ningshuang was indeed very cunning.
"Sister, this competition seems simple, but it's actually very cruel. Why don't you not participate? Don't let your anger over the dowry make you sad, okay? It makes me so sad," Luo Ningshuang suddenly said. These words sounded reasonable, since Luo Zhiheng was angry about the dowry. But upon closer inspection, it didn't quite make sense.
What does it mean to act impulsively out of spite for the sake of a dowry?
Is this some kind of attempt to sow discord between Luo Zhiheng and Luo Ningshuang? Luo Zhiheng blinked. Her initial goal in participating in that talent competition was simply to display her arrogance in front of the whole world, to make it clear to everyone that Luo Zhiheng was bad, but she was bad in an open way. She was a person without any guile. If she could also cause trouble for Luo Ningshuang in that competition and disgust her, then Luo Zhiheng could gracefully retire.
But now, Luo Ningshuang's repeated tests and feigned obstruction have convinced Luo Zhiheng that Luo Ningshuang definitely wants to defeat her in the competition, embarrass her, and make her even more worthless, so that her future path will be even more difficult. Or perhaps, Luo Ningshuang's ambition is even greater; she hopes that Luo Zhiheng will use this competition to expose her lack of talent, virtue, and ability, and coupled with the dowry issue, thus giving her a reason to be completely expelled from the Prince's mansion?
Could Luo Ningshuang be so ruthless?
Luo Zhiheng was instantly enraged by this idea, but she remained calm. An idea is just an idea, but since she could even think of it, it was only right to be cautious. If she discovered that Luo Ningshuang truly harbored such intentions, then she shouldn't blame Luo Zhiheng for turning her back on her.
Even if it's her own sister, anyone who dares to scheme against her will pay a terrible price!
Luo Zhiheng ignored Luo Ningshuang's mention of the dowry, as if she had forgotten that Luo Ningshuang had come for the dowry. Instead, she said, "I need to go to my room to get some things. When we switched places that day, everything I took was yours."
The few memories that Luo Zhiheng received from the previous Luo Zhiheng happened to include what good things Luo Zhiheng had. However, the previous Luo Zhiheng didn't care, but the Luo Zhiheng who was chosen was a bandit who specialized in robbing others and would never let go of her own things.
Luo Ningshuang's expression under her veil changed immediately. She wanted to bring up the dowry to make Luo Zhiheng want to snatch it again, so that there would be more rumors against Luo Zhiheng during the competition. The reason she repeatedly prevented the nude photos from being submitted to the competition was because she knew Luo Zhiheng's temper. The more people forbade her to do something, the more she would do it, and she would never turn back.
Only one of these two preconditions has been met so far. Since Luo Zhiheng didn't mention the dowry, Luo Ningshuang couldn't say anything more. However, Luo Zhiheng couldn't escape her grasp. She could also make Luo Zhiheng stumble on the two important matters of the dowry and the competition, thus causing Luo Zhiheng to become discouraged.
Luo Ningshuang's expression turned somewhat unpleasant when Luo Zhiheng mentioned going back to her room to get something. She knew Luo Zhiheng's possessions better than Luo Zhiheng herself, and the money she used to give away porridge in the name of charity all came from Luo Zhiheng's little treasury, which she never bothered to guard against or value.
Why did her father always give Luo Zhiheng so many treasures, gold, silver, and fruits? He gave her nothing, though. She needed a reputation for benevolence and charity, and she needed money to maintain it. Luo Zhiheng was a ready-made little treasury she could take whatever she wanted. But Luo Zhiheng, who had never cared about money, actually wanted to take her things back, which made Luo Ningshuang feel a little guilty and angry.
Since she's already married, anything she didn't take with her doesn't belong to her anymore. How dare she come back to take it? How shameless!
But Luo Ning Shuang, though furious, could do nothing. She could only hope that Luo Zhi Heng would still not care about the valuables and would only take some clothes.
"Sister!" Seeing that Luo Zhiheng was about to walk out of the hall, Luo Ningshuang quickly called out. When Luo Zhiheng turned around to look at her, she was not flustered. Instead, she said gently and considerately, "Sister, the room has not been cleaned for a long time. It is dusty everywhere. How about I have Chunnuan clean it first and then you can go back?"
Luo Zhiheng raised an eyebrow, her eyes sparkling with a hearty laugh, and waved her hand dismissively, saying, "No need, my room is a pigsty, but I don't mind."
Seeing Luo Zhiheng turn and leave, Luo Ningshuang quickly called out a few more times, but this time Luo Zhiheng ignored her. Luo Ningshuang's eyes turned cold, and she whispered to Chunnuan, "This bitch is very different this time. I don't know if she's suddenly become wise or if she's been guided by some expert. She seems even more arrogant. Although she's still herself, we must be careful in everything we do. Send someone to tell the spies in the Prince's mansion to see if Luo Zhiheng is acting strangely."