The Return of the Avenger

At our stepmother’s funeral, my father brought home his illegitimate daughter.

The mourning hall was a sea of white, but she stood out in a pink dress and gaudy jewelry.

My elder sister’s gaze was sharp as a blade, and the girl cowered behind our father, her eyes glistening with tears, the picture of fragile innocence.

Father took her hand with a doting smile. “Don’t be afraid. She’s your elder sister. From now on, this is your home. In a few days, I’ll bring your mother here too.”

I watched from the side, barely suppressing a cold laugh.

These two had some nerve!

Little did they know, my elder sister had returned from the dead.

---

1.

My name is Rosalind Ashford, the second daughter of the Ashford family, born to a concubine in the Viscount’s household.

My father, Edmund Ashford, came from a fallen noble line. His talent at a lantern festival caught the eye of Princess Celeste, who chose him as her husband and secured him a viscountcy. For the next two decades, he lived in luxury.

My mother, Lin, had been the princess’s handmaiden. They were as close as sisters, and when the princess couldn’t bear to let her go, she elevated her to the rank of concubine.

Princess Celeste was strong-willed and capable, and my mother never vied for favor. Our household was orderly and harmonious, with everyone knowing their place.

The princess thought she had my father firmly under control—until her sudden death. She never knew he had a childhood sweetheart, Willow Rivers, whom he had kept hidden for over a decade. Their daughter was only a month younger than my elder sister.

The moment our stepmother passed, before the mourning period even ended, my father rushed to bring his illegitimate daughter, Viola Rivers, into the house.

In the past life, Viola wept like a rain-soaked pear blossom, and my elder sister, Victoria, kind and naive, allowed her and her mother into the household.

But Viola and her mother were wolves in sheep’s clothing.

They schemed to ruin my sister, leaving her dishonored before marriage. Her betrothal to the crown prince was broken, and she was forced to marry Viola’s fiancé, Prince Nathaniel.

Viola then stole my sister’s place, marrying the crown prince and becoming the crown princess.

Later, Prince Nathaniel rebelled and seized the throne. He wanted to make Viola his empress.

My sister, eight months pregnant, was cut open by Nathaniel’s order to provide a “medicine” for Viola. She died in agony.

And her maternal family—over a thousand lives—were all slaughtered by Nathaniel.

Now, my sister has returned, burning with hatred. She will slay gods and buddhas alike, determined to make that vile pair pay.

Oh, you’re wondering how I know?

Because I’m a transmigrator.

This is a novel I once read—a tale of revenge, redemption, and triumph.

In the original plot, I was a minor character, killed off by that mother-daughter duo soon enough.

In this timeline, I’m just a bystander, watching the drama unfold.

---

2.

When my father and his bastard daughter made their shameless declaration, my elder sister stood up in her mourning robes, a small white flower pinned in her hair. Her sleeves swept back as she rose, her presence fierce and commanding.

A crowd of maids and servants followed her lead, and I quickly joined them.

She stared coldly at Viola, her eyes filled with disdain. “Where did this wild girl come from, with no sense of propriety?

“My mother, Princess Celeste, has just passed. During the mourning period, you dare to appear in her funeral hall dressed like this? Is this an insult to the imperial family?”

Viola’s eyes reddened, tears falling like pearls as she clung to our father’s arm, the picture of pitiable beauty.

“Sister, I didn’t mean to… I just thought, since it’s my first time home, I should dress properly, so as not to be rude…”

Before she could finish, my sister slapped her across the face.

“Silence! Who is your sister?

“You’re nothing but a bastard from nowhere. How dare you call me sister?”

Viola staggered, nearly falling if not for our father’s support.

Father was furious. “How dare you! She’s your sister! How can you strike her?”

I watched with glee. In the book, I hated this venomous female villain, Viola. Seeing her slapped made me happier than if I’d been hit myself.

I stepped forward to support my sister. “Elder Sister, calm down. Don’t let her anger harm your health.”

Father’s fingers trembled with rage. “Rosalind, how can you…”

I quickly shrank behind my sister. My persona was that of a timid, cowardly, useless concubine’s daughter. I couldn’t break character—but that didn’t mean I couldn’t stir trouble.

My sister softened, patting my hand reassuringly. “Don’t be afraid, Rosalind. I’m here.”

Then she turned to Father. “Have you forgotten, Father, that you are the princess’s husband? Taking a concubine requires Mother’s approval and must follow the clan’s rules.

“She’s nothing but the daughter of a kept woman, with no status. On what grounds does she enter this house?”

---

3.

Father was speechless, stammering, “You… how dare you! I am your father!

“Your mother is gone. This household is not yours to rule!”

My sister’s anger flared. “How dare you! Mother is dead. As the eldest legitimate daughter, I am in charge of household affairs.

“My mother was Princess Celeste, the emperor’s own cousin. Do you dare to disturb her rest?

“Shall I submit a petition to His Majesty, accusing you of moral depravity and disrespect to the imperial family?”

Without another word, she ordered, “Guards! Throw this woman of unknown origin out!

“If the Viscount wishes to leave, throw him out too!”

Father had lived off the princess’s wealth for twenty years, coddled and protected. He fancied himself noble and aloof, believing the princess had forced him into the marriage. Despite a life of luxury and indulgence, he claimed he was unhappy.

Now that the princess was dead, his own daughter dared to stop him from bringing his true love and their daughter into the house.

How unfilial! How outrageous!

And so, this man of over four hundred months—barely forty years old—sat on the doorstep and wept.

“Victoria, you are unfilial!

“You defy all moral order, treating your own father like this!

“Willow and I were childhood sweethearts. If not for your mother forcing me into marriage, Willow and her daughter would be my wife and legitimate daughter!

“I have wronged them all these years. I waited for your mother to die so I could bring them home and make amends. And now you refuse!

“You are my daughter! I am your father! How dare you refuse?

“Do you know how much they have suffered?”

---

4.

I didn’t know how much Willow and Viola had suffered, but my father certainly had.

The noble Viscount, shamelessly weeping on his own doorstep, drew a crowd of onlookers.

If this wasn’t “true love,” I didn’t know what was.

“Isn’t that Edmund Ashford, the Viscount? Thrown out of his own house?”

“Serves him right! Who brings home a bastard daughter while the wife’s body is still warm?”

“The eldest daughter threw him and the girl out.”

“Ha! Quite the temper. No one will want to marry her now.”

“Don’t worry about that. She’s about to be betrothed to the crown prince. She’ll be the future empress!”

That gossip was spot on.

Viola, the little green tea, sat beside Father with a swollen face, her eyes burning with jealousy and hatred.

When she caught me staring, she immediately resumed her innocent, fragile act, lowering her head pitifully.

I whispered to my sister, “Sister, if Father keeps this up, word will reach the palace. The empress and the crown prince might misunderstand.”

Prince Damian was the male lead of this novel.

In the past life, he deeply loved my sister, Victoria. But when she was dishonored by Prince Nathaniel, he could only watch helplessly as she married his younger brother, forced to take Viola as his wife.

During the year of their marriage, he never touched Viola. Instead, she secretly carried on with Nathaniel.

In the end, they conspired together, using my sister and her unborn child as leverage to kill Damian.

As a fan of this tragic couple, I knew they would be together in this life. But I also remembered that the empress didn’t particularly like my sister.

As a devoted supporter, I felt obliged to warn her.

My sister glanced at me and chuckled. “You’ve become much cleverer since your fall into the pond.”

My face froze. I forced a sheepish smile. “I only care about you, Sister. If you don’t like it, I’ll keep quiet…”

She just smiled and patted my head. “Being clever is a good thing.”

Ah! Sister is so warm! I want to stick close to her!

But… did she suspect I wasn’t the same person?

---

5.

My sister wasn’t about to indulge Father and Viola’s theatrics.

She shut the door in their faces.

When their wailing and pounding proved useless, Father awkwardly stood up, wiped his tears, and took Viola back to the house he had set up for Willow in Weeping Water Lane.

Willow had once been from an official family, but her father was dismissed for corruption, and she ended up as a singing girl. Lucky for her, she soon contacted Father, who bought her freedom and housed her in a modest compound.

Father was the youngest son of a declining noble house. Even so, his family would never allow him to marry a woman of such low status—especially as his legitimate wife. When his father found out, he beat him and threw him out.

Father and Willow enjoyed a brief, carefree time together. But soon, they squandered all their money.

That was when Princess Celeste, the unlucky benefactor, appeared!

She fell for Father, made him her husband, and gave him wealth, status, and comfort. She fed him, clothed him, and pampered him.

But Father, outwardly obedient, secretly continued his affair with Willow, bleeding the princess dry.

Forced into marriage? Ha! He had volunteered!

Now, with the princess gone, he dared to bite the hand that fed him. What a piece of work!

The original owner of this body, in the past life, was drowned by Viola when she caught her meeting Prince Nathaniel in secret.

And my mother, Lin, was beaten to death by Father after being framed by Willow for adultery with the steward.

Though these were just background details, as Rosalind, I felt them deeply.

I wanted to see how Viola, that little green tea, would be crushed in this life.

---

6.

When Princess Celeste died, Lin fell ill from grief.

She didn’t witness Father’s disgraceful scene with Viola at the funeral.

When she learned that my sister had thrown them out, she exclaimed, “Well done!

“The princess hasn’t even been buried for seven days, and he dares to bring that bastard to her funeral!

“To think he hid this from us all these years…”

Indeed.

To be honest, Father had nothing going for him except a decent face and a bit of literary flair. Everything else was worthless.

Princess Celeste was a strong woman. If she had lived, she would have made Willow, Viola, and Father pay dearly.

But she died too soon. In the past life, my sister was too sheltered, and that mother-daughter pair stole everything.

Lin patted my hand and said earnestly, “Rosalind, the princess was kind to me. Her death must have hit your sister hard.

“You are her only sister. Stand by her, be loyal to her, do you understand?”

I felt Lin’s genuine affection for the princess and nodded.

Lin had been the princess’s handmaiden, later elevated to concubine. But they had always been close, like sisters. The princess never used Lin’s background against her. She returned Lin’s freedom contract and erased her lowly status.

Thus, Lin was a “good concubine,” eligible to become a legitimate wife—unlike common or lowly concubines.

Because Lin was loyal to the princess, Father disliked her. After I was born, he rarely visited her.

Fortunately, Lin had no feelings for Father either. She focused solely on raising me behind closed doors.

---

7.

Heeding my advice, my sister wasted no time. The next day, she took her petition to the palace gates.

Princess Celeste was from the House of Tranquil Prince, the emperor’s own cousin. Though the prince had passed, his sons—my sister’s uncles—were still alive and held official positions.

When they learned of the disgrace at their sister’s funeral, they all submitted memorials condemning Father.

Father was not only reprimanded but also stripped of his official post.

He had held a sinecure as a cavalry general. Now, even that pittance was gone.

With my sister in charge, Father received not a single coin.

For a month, Father, Willow, and Viola lived outside without support. They couldn’t last.

Father had always lived on credit, sending bills to the household to be paid. But my sister cut off his funds. The shopkeepers, unpaid, refused to extend credit.

Willow had been with Father for over a decade. She must have amassed land, property, and cash. But why would she spend her own money?

Within a month, she began crying poverty, claiming they had nothing left and blaming my sister.

She led Father and Viola to the Viscount’s gate, threatening to crash into it.

“The eldest daughter may hate me, but Viola is your father’s own blood! How can she not accept her own sister?

“I may be a lowly singing girl, but I came from a respectable family. I didn’t choose this life. I was with the Viscount first! The princess stole him from me!”

She was quite the actress, this aging beauty. Her tearful, pitiful performance melted Father’s heart.

“Willow! Don’t say that!

“It’s that unfilial daughter who dares to defy me!

“Victoria! Did you order the accounts to refuse payment? This is the Viscount’s household! I am your father! I am the master!”

My sister laughed.

“Father, you wrong me.

“It’s not that I’m stingy. It’s that your account has no money!

“When Mother married you, you had nothing. If not for the emperor granting you the title and building this mansion, you would have married into the House of Tranquil Prince.

“Everything in this household was funded by Mother’s dowry. Your salary and stipend went to your mistress and your daughter.

“And even that wasn’t enough. Mother subsidized you with tens of thousands of silver taels every year.

“All of this is recorded.

“I am Mother’s only daughter. By law, a woman’s dowry passes to her children after her death.

“You, as my father, have no right to use my inheritance to support your mistress and bastard daughter.”

---

8.

My sister said all this at the front gate, where passersby could hear.

Everyone pointed at Father.

“The Viscount has some nerve, living off his wife and complaining about it.”

“That mistress and her daughter are shameless. Too bad the princess died without knowing the truth.”

“Hey, those two aren’t bad-looking. If they opened a brothel, I’d be a regular…”

The gossip reached the trio’s ears.

Father and Willow’s faces turned pale, then red.

But they were older and thicker-skinned. All they could do was glare at us.

Viola, however, couldn’t bear the humiliation. With tears in her eyes, she shot my sister a hateful look and then charged headfirst at the gate.

Whether she was truly desperate or just putting on a show, the force and speed were enough to kill anyone.

I buried my face in my sister’s arms, trembling.

Not from fear—from excitement.

Was the little green tea about to die?

How wonderful!

But just as she was about to hit the gate, a figure appeared out of nowhere, blocking her path and catching her in his arms.

“Miss, are you alright?” he asked, concerned.

Viola sobbed, opening her tear-filled eyes. When she saw the man, she froze.

“You?”

Then she began to struggle. “Why did you save me? Let me die! Let me die!”

I recognized the man and gasped.

“Damn!” I cursed under my breath.

Wasn’t that Prince Nathaniel, my sister’s abusive husband from the past life?

They had met before Viola even entered the household?

---

9.

I knew Nathaniel well. In the information I had received, the original owner of this body was drowned by him after catching him with Viola.

My sister knew him even better. In the past life, he had cut open her belly and ripped out her unborn child to use as medicine for Viola.

Seeing him now, my sister’s grip on my arm tightened. Hatred blazed in her eyes.

“Prince Nathaniel?”

Nathaniel held Viola, his face full of concern and tenderness. But when he looked at my sister, his gaze was icy.

“You recognize me, yet you don’t bow?

“The eldest daughter of the Viscount’s household certainly has airs. In broad daylight, you try to commit murder. Do you have no respect for the law?”

What was this scumbag babbling about?

My sister was shaken, not expecting to see him here.

I clung to her arm, looking up at her with innocent eyes. “Sister, why is Prince Nathaniel holding Viola? Men and women shouldn’t touch each other. They’re so shameless…”

My words shifted the focus.

Everyone turned to look at the pair.

Viola seemed to realize she was fully in Nathaniel’s arms, his hand pressed against her waist. She gasped, blushed, and pushed him away.

My sister quickly caught on. Her gaze turned cold as she addressed Nathaniel.

“What is your relationship with Viola Rivers? Embracing her in public—what kind of behavior is that?”

Nathaniel hadn’t expected her to confront him. His face darkened.

“I’ve only met this young lady once. I acted on impulse when I saw her trying to kill herself. Don’t twist things!”

I glanced at him, pouting. “Prince Nathaniel, you’re so unfair. You can accuse my sister, but she can’t say a word about you?”

Hypocrite! Get lost!

---

10.

My sister patted my hand and handed me to her head maid, Begonia. Then she curtsied to Nathaniel with dignity.

“Which of Your Highness’s eyes saw me trying to kill anyone?

“This woman threw herself at our gate for no reason. I haven’t even complained about her defiling our doorstep. What does she have to be upset about?”

By now, Nathaniel’s guards had gathered information.

One whispered to him, “Your Highness, this young lady is the Viscount’s daughter by his mistress. The princess’s seventh day of mourning hasn’t even passed, and the Viscount wanted to bring her into the household. Naturally, the eldest daughter refused.

“Also, His Majesty intends to betroth Miss Victoria to the crown prince. It’s best not to offend her.”

The first part made Nathaniel hesitate. Such behavior was unacceptable in any noble household.

But the second part made him bristle.

He snorted. “Future crown princess or not, the law applies to everyone. As a daughter, you are cruel, unfilial, and disrespectful. You threw your own father out and left his flesh and blood to wander outside!

“With such character, how can you be crown princess? How can you be the mother of the nation?”

This was a blatant, biased attack!

My sister was furious. “Which law says I must accept my father’s mistress and her daughter?

“Especially when Mother’s seventh day hasn’t passed. Even if Father wanted to take a concubine, he should wait.

“I, as his daughter, dare not condone him taking a woman of low status as a concubine. If word gets out, what noble lady would marry you as a second wife?”

Father and Willow were stunned.

“Who said I was taking Willow as a concubine?” Father sputtered.

My sister shot back, “Are you saying you want to make her your legitimate wife?

“Then I’d rather die right here, crashing into the gate!

“Our family is a noble house. If you marry a woman of low status as your wife, what face will I and my sister have left?”

I joined in, wiping my tears. “It’s so shameful! If people find out, what will they say about our family? Sister, I don’t want to live anymore!

“Let’s die together to preserve our honor!

“Prince Nathaniel, you’re helping these two drive us to our deaths. How will you explain this to His Majesty?”

---

11.

As the saying goes, the fierce fear the reckless, and the reckless fear those who don’t value their lives.

Viola was just one person trying to die. We were two.

My sister was the legitimate daughter of the Viscount’s household, the emperor’s own niece. Nathaniel was merely a prince born of a concubine. If he had any sense, he wouldn’t dare cause such a scandal.

But to my surprise, Nathaniel had no sense at all.

He sneered, “Threatening me with death? Go ahead! Try it!

“I don’t believe you’ll actually do it…”

Before he could finish, a troop of soldiers surrounded the Viscount’s mansion.

Prince Damian, clad in silver armor with a crimson cloak, leaped from his horse and rushed to my sister’s side, taking her hands. “Victoria, are you alright?”

Oh! The male lead had finally arrived!

My ship was real!

Begonia, my sister’s loyal maid—who had been shot full of arrows by Nathaniel in the past life—stepped forward to accuse him.

“Your Highness, you’ve come just in time.

“Prince Nathaniel is heartless! Our princess has only just passed, and he’s helping that mistress and her daughter drive our young ladies to their deaths!”

I joined in, tears streaming. “Your Highness! Prince Nathaniel said my sister is cruel and vicious! He said she’s unworthy to be your crown princess!

“My sister is known for her gentleness and virtue! They’ve pushed her to this!”

Damian glared at Nathaniel. “Since when does my sixth brother decide who my crown princess should be?”

Damian was the empress’s legitimate son, the heir to the throne. He had military achievements and real power. Nathaniel was just a prince.

In the past life, if not for Nathaniel and Viola using my sister as leverage, Damian would never have lost!

This little sixth prince—get lost!

---

12.

Nathaniel immediately backed down.

“Your Highness, I wouldn’t dare!”

I seized the opportunity, sobbing, “Prince Nathaniel says he wouldn’t dare, but I think he dares plenty!

“For the sake of a lowly woman’s daughter, he tried to drive my sister and me to our deaths!

“Your Highness, please seek justice for us!”

Damian had grown up with my sister and always treated me like a little sister. Seeing me so distressed, he was furious.

“Sixth brother, you dare to threaten a member of the imperial family?

“Princess Celeste was Father’s cousin. By rank, Victoria and Rosalind are your cousins!”

Nathaniel, thoroughly scolded, protested weakly, “But… Viola is also the Viscount’s daughter. She’s my cousin too…”

Damian was exasperated. “A bastard daughter with no status—how dare you compare her to Victoria and Rosalind?

“Have you lost your mind over this woman? You can’t even distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate, elder and younger!”

When Nathaniel tried to speak again, Damian cut him off. “What are you waiting for? Return to your residence and reflect on your actions!

“I will report this to Father!”

Nathaniel glared at me, then at Viola, and reluctantly left.

With Nathaniel gone, Viola fainted from distress.

Willow and Father wailed over her as if she were dead.

I quickly pulled everyone inside. “Sister, close the door! She fainted on her own. No one touched her. Don’t let them blame us!”

Father, who had never paid much attention to me, shouted my full name for the first time.

“Rosalind Ashford!”

Without a word, I slammed the door shut.

---

13.

With Damian’s guards outside, Father and his companions couldn’t get in no matter how much they cried.

The crowd grew, and the trio, embarrassed, carried Viola away.

Damian paid his respects to Princess Celeste and spoke with my sister under the eaves.

Begonia and I stood behind them, shipping the couple.

Begonia: “The crown prince is so wise and heroic. He and Miss are a perfect match.”

Me: “Absolutely.”

Begonia: “Miss has suffered so much. Thank goodness for the crown prince. Otherwise, that mistress and her bastard might have gotten in!”

Me: “You said it.”

Begonia turned to me with a strange look, a hint of disdain. “Second Miss, can you say something yourself?”

Me: “When will they get married? Actually, just skip to the wedding night! I want to see babies! Babies!”

Begonia quickly covered my mouth.

“Second Miss, please say no more. The princess is still in mourning!”

Her words reminded me.

In the past life, my sister observed three years of mourning for the princess, giving that mother-daughter pair time to scheme.

This time, I had to hurry their marriage along, before anything could go wrong.

I ran toward my sister and Damian.

My sister looked surprised. “Rosalind, why are you running? What’s wrong?”

I knelt before Damian. “Your Highness, please marry my sister soon!”

My sister was taken aback. “What nonsense are you talking? Mother is still in mourning…”

I explained, “I know. Normally, you’d observe three years of mourning. But there’s a rule that allows marriage within the first hundred days.

“The crown prince is already twenty. Can you bear to make him wait three years?

“I’m still young. I can observe the mourning period for you. By the time I’m seventeen, it’ll be over.

“Sister, please marry him. Let me mourn for you!”

My sister blushed, her eyes reddening.

Damian looked at me approvingly.

“Victoria, I think your sister is right. I’ll return to the palace and speak with Father about our marriage. Wait for me!”

My sister hesitated. “But…”

I leaned in and whispered, “Sister, don’t forget—everything in this household is Mother’s dowry. If you marry, you’ll take it all with you.

“Then, even if Father brings that pair in, they won’t get a single coin!

“Please, marry quickly!”

My sister stared at me but said nothing.

---

14.

Damian stayed a while longer and left ten guards behind.

They stood like statues outside the Viscount’s mansion, not even a fly daring to enter.

I was about to share the good news with Lin when my sister called me to her room.

Nervously, I entered to find her sitting expressionless, her eyes fixed on me.

My heart raced, and I immediately knelt.

“Sister, why did you call me? Have I done something wrong?”

My sister stared at me for a long time, then burst into tears.

She cupped my face and said, pained, “Rosalind… is it you… have you come back?”

I was confused.

She lowered her voice. “Did you… also return from the dead?”

My eyes widened in shock.

“Sister, you…”

She hugged my head. “You don’t have to say it. I know. Because I’m the same as you.

“Do you know how much it hurt me to see you pulled from the water?

“And your mother… such a good person…

“I failed to protect you.”

It dawned on me. My sister thought I was also reborn!

What a coincidence!

I quickly said, “Sister, I saw everything. I watched as you all died at the hands of Prince Nathaniel and Viola. I hated it so much that I came back!”

My sister took my hand, her eyes full of heartbreak. “All these years, I knew your death was suspicious. Tell me, how did you die?”

I gritted my teeth. “I saw Viola meeting Prince Nathaniel in secret. When they caught me, Nathaniel drowned me in the lotus pond.

“Sister, don’t marry Nathaniel. Your marriage to him was their scheme. They wanted to steal your position as crown princess.

“The crown prince died trying to save you.

“I want to protect you and Mother. I don’t want the past to repeat itself!”

As a fan of the original novel and a transmigrator, I spilled all the spoilers.

My sister was finally convinced. She resolved to marry quickly, taking the princess’s dowry with her, leaving nothing for Father, Willow, or Viola.

---

15.

My sister’s marriage to Damian went smoothly.

As the only girl of her generation in the House of Tranquil Prince, she had three uncles and eight male cousins, all holding high positions. The match was perfect.

Nathaniel, for his part, was scolded by the emperor, stripped of his duties, and sent to guard the imperial tombs.

Father and Willow, meanwhile, were plotting something. They returned to the mansion, claiming that Father, as the bride’s father, had to be involved in the wedding preparations. They didn’t mention bringing Willow and Viola into the household.

With the wedding approaching, my sister had no reason to act against Father as long as he behaved.

The preparations were rushed, but Damian sent palace staff to help. Within a month or two, everything was more or less ready.

As for me, my role in facilitating the marriage earned me the goodwill of the household. Life was good, save for the mourning period, which meant simple food and plain clothes.

One day, after praying for Princess Celeste in the family shrine, I took some pastries to visit Lin. To my surprise, I saw Father sneaking into her room.

Soon, Lin’s anguished voice rang out.

“These were gifts from the princess for Rosalind’s dowry! Are you really going to take even my savings and my daughter’s marriage portion?”

Father coaxed her, calling her “Moon” as he used to. “Moon, I have no choice. Have a heart—you’re a mother too. Can you bear to see Willow and her daughter starve?

“For my sake…”

I understood immediately.

So this was why Father had been so well-behaved lately. He was waiting for my sister to be busy with the wedding so he could rob us in secret!

My maid, Peony, had been trained by the princess herself. She was as capable as her sister, Begonia. At my signal, she ran off to fetch help.

---

16.

I listened as Father grew more outrageous.

Fortunately, Lin, though his concubine, had no loyalty to him.

She sneered, “If you want to support your mistress, use your own money. Why scheme against your concubine and daughter?

“Rosalind doesn’t have a powerful maternal family like the eldest miss. She doesn’t have a crown prince as a fiancé. Her father is useless. I have to plan for her myself.”

Father dropped all pretense. His face twisted with rage.

“You! You wretched woman! Will you give it or not?

“When the princess was alive, I had to bow to her. Now that she’s gone, must I listen to you too?

“Hand over the money, or I’ll marry Rosalind off to a beggar or a butcher!

“See how you cry then! She has no imperial relatives. I’m her father. I can do whatever I want!”

Lin trembled with fury, clutching the money box.

“I won’t give you a single coin!”

Father tried to snatch it.

I couldn’t stand by. I leaped out and shouted, “Father! What are you doing? Are you stealing from my mother to give to that pair?

“We are your family too! How can you be so cruel!”

Father had hoped to take the money quietly. He and Willow had planned to work together—he would get the funds inside the mansion, and she would wait outside.

But my sister had locked down the accounts. So Father turned to Lin.

Now that his crime was exposed, his face turned green. He pointed at me, cursing, “You unfilial wretch! What nonsense are you spouting?

“Don’t think I don’t know you’ve been stirring trouble!”

He pulled off his shoe and chased after me.

---

17.

I couldn’t boast about much, but I was an expert at running.

When I was a child and failed my exams, my mother would chase me with a slipper—far more fiercely than Father.

With his body weakened by wine and women, how could he catch me?

Sure enough, after a few steps, he was panting and pale.

I slowed down to let him think he had a chance.

“Father! How can you be so cruel!

“I only wanted to stop you from being fooled by that pair! Is that wrong?

“Go ahead and beat me to death!”

Father was fuming. “Then stop running and let me beat you!”

As if I would.

Just as I was about to provoke him further, I saw my sister approaching with a group of servants.

I immediately fell to the ground with a cry.

Father thought he had his chance and raised his shoe.

My sister rushed over and pushed him away. “Father! What are you doing!”

Tears welled in my eyes as I looked up at her pitifully.

“Sister, my foot hurts…

“Father wanted to take Mother’s savings. When I saw him, he said he’d beat me to death…”

My sister’s face darkened. She helped me up, her voice cold.

“Father! Have you lost your mind? How can you treat Rosalind like this?”

Father felt wronged. “She fell on her own! I didn’t touch her!”

I sobbed, “Sister, it hurts so much. Will I become a cripple?”

Father was fed up. Seeing my sister’s accusing glare, he pointed at us.

“Fine! You two are so close! You don’t respect me at all!

“I’m leaving! I can’t stay in this house another day!”

He put his shoe back on and stormed off.

My sister and I looked at each other.

My sister: “Is he really gone?”

Me: “He’ll be back, won’t he?”

---

18.

Father did return—but carried by servants.

Apparently, he had gone to a tavern to drown his sorrows, couldn’t pay the bill, and was chased by the owner and waiters. He ran into the street and got hit by a carriage.

The accident left him paralyzed.

He lay in bed, his mouth twisted, unable to move or speak, completely dependent on others.

The servant reported that after the accident, Father was first taken to Willow and Viola. When they realized he was beyond recovery, they immediately sent him back to the mansion.

My sister glanced at me and whispered, “Rosalind, did you arrange this?”

I denied it. “Of course not! Did you?”

My sister shook her head. “No.”

We both sighed in relief.

It seemed Father had gotten what he deserved. Karma had caught up with him.

When Lin heard the news, she looked at Father’s bedridden form and muttered, “Why didn’t it kill him? Half-dead like this, he’s worse than useless. He should have gone down to serve the princess…”

Indeed. What a nuisance.

Since Father was the crown prince’s future father-in-law and a viscount, the accident couldn’t be ignored. The大理寺 investigated and found the culprit.

It was Prince Nathaniel, who had been sent to guard the imperial tombs.

He had secretly returned to the capital to meet Viola. After hitting Father, he fled to avoid being identified.

Because of the delay, Father became paralyzed.

Nathaniel had to take responsibility!

He didn’t want to, but Damian and the emperor made him.

He was no longer sent to the tombs, but as a royal, the incident was ruled an accident—Father had been drunk and ran into the carriage. Nathaniel was sentenced to house arrest.

---

19.

When Viola learned of Nathaniel’s house arrest, she wept bitterly. Every day, she stood outside the prince’s mansion, clutching her handkerchief, her tears flowing.

Willow, meanwhile, came to the Viscount’s gate, demanding that my sister take responsibility for her as Father’s mistress.

My sister, surprisingly, welcomed her warmly