The Eldest Daughter is Delicate and Pretty, How Can She Be a Malicious Supporting Character - Chapter 12

Chapter 12: The Fox

But she never expected that her seemingly flawless plan would be ruthlessly exposed by a mature teenager.
Well, to be precise, he did give her some face.
Her thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant. She had done it all based on the situation at the time, taking advantage of Princess Zhaoren sitting in the pavilion while the servants were scattered around, keeping a distance.

After the incident, Princess Zhaoren had visited her once, seemingly suspicious, but she had prepared her responses well and quickly dispelled the princess’s doubts.
After all, even though Princess Zhaoren was raised in the palace, she must have some understanding of such schemes, given her mother’s protection.

However, she underestimated Pei Lingyi, or rather, she never thought that a child of just over ten years old could have such meticulous thoughts.
Later, the palace sent many rewards, and even the Eldest Princess visited the Pei mansion to see her. Just when she thought the matter was settled…

The palace suddenly sent someone to summon her, saying that Princess Zhaoren wanted to see her. She was puzzled, wondering if the princess had discovered something. But after careful thought, she realized that her alibi for that day was solid, and the princess’s expression didn’t seem suspicious.
She entered the palace with trepidation, but it wasn’t Princess Zhaoren who awaited her.

Instead, she saw a young man with black hair and dark clothes, a jade-like face with a smile, and an unknown grass in his mouth. He had a hint of ruffian air about him. This was her first time seeing Xiao Yan.
At that time, Xiao Yan was only sixteen, a half-grown teenager with piercing eyes like an eagle’s. Under his gaze, Pei Lingyi felt like she was completely seen through.
Despite the bright sunlight, Pei Lingyi felt a chill run down her spine. However, she had to suppress her panic and ask politely, “I don’t know who you are, sir. Why did you summon me to the palace under the princess’s name?”

The young man’s voice was like the sound of jade striking stone, clear and melodious. Yet, his words were piercing: “Summoned under the princess’s name? Ha… You think quickly, but unfortunately, I’ve come today to tell you…”
“Miss Pei, I saw everything you did in the Imperial Garden that day. You orchestrated a clever plan, not only making my sister take the blame for you but also turning yourself into County Lord Changle’s savior.”

“The family education in your noble household is truly… breathtaking.”
Unbeknownst to her, the young man had already approached her side, standing incredibly close. She could feel his breath grazing her ear.
From a distance, it looked like a young master flirting with a girl.
“Remember… to keep your schemes to yourself in the future.”

A gust of wind blew through the bamboo forest. It wasn’t until a palace servant came to summon her to meet Princess Zhaoren that she snapped back to reality.
Later, she learned from the princess that the young man’s name was Xiao Yan, her cousin and the Heir of King An.
According to the princess, Xiao Yan had lived in the palace for a period when he was young and was close to her. Upon learning that she had been punished with house arrest for a month due to her carelessness in taking care of her younger siblings, he came to visit her.

During their conversation, Xiao Yan mentioned wanting to meet her, so he used the princess’s name to invite her to the palace. Princess Zhaoren thought he came to thank her, but unbeknownst to her, he came to warn her.
Thus, their feud began that day.
Later, when attending banquets in the capital city, she would often see Xiao Yan. Gradually, to avoid him, she became more reclusive.

After all, everyone in the capital city knew that Pei Lingyi from the Pei mansion was kind-hearted and stunningly beautiful. However, she couldn’t afford to offend Xiao Yan, especially since he now held leverage over her.
She thought that by avoiding him, he would eventually forget what she had done four years ago. But his disdainful tone when he approached her at the banquet today made it clear that he had never taken her seriously.
How annoying.

A dream had ultimately made her realize that some things couldn’t be avoided, especially when it came to Xiao Yan, who didn’t hesitate to express his appreciation for Xue Yiran.

The incense burner in the carriage emitted a gentle fragrance, and the girl’s bright eyes were veiled by the mist, making it hard to discern her expression.
After the flower appreciation gathering, rumors about the Xue family’s young lady spread throughout the capital city, and people talked about it for a while.

However, nothing lasts forever in the midst of bustling crowds, especially in a prosperous city like the capital.
In just a few days, the rumors were replaced by another topic of interest.
Mid-Autumn Festival had passed, and the Double Ninth Festival was approaching. Pei Lingyi’s small courtyard was filled with many flowers and plants. The chrysanthemums were in full bloom, and the osmanthus flowers were no less impressive.

As soon as one entered the courtyard, they were greeted with a fragrant aroma.
On this day, with nothing much to do, she picked many chrysanthemums in the courtyard to brew several jars of chrysanthemum wine.
Fresh chrysanthemums were picked, washed, and placed in a tray.
Layan brought over steamed glutinous rice, while Luoxu was collecting osmanthus flowers in the courtyard.

“Miss is brewing wine and making osmanthus cakes today. We’re in for a treat,” Layan said with a sweet smile, her mouth watering at the thought of the osmanthus cake.
“You’re always the one who’s most greedy. These things are for guests, not for you,” Pei Lingyi said, dressed in a soft, green silk dress, her slender figure and hair styled in a half-updo, secured with a jade hairpin. Even in such simple attire, she outshone the autumn scenery in the courtyard.

“Although you say that, Miss, you never forget about this little greedy cat of yours,” Luoxu said, collecting osmanthus flowers without turning back.
“Hehe, of course, the Miss is always the kindest to us,” Layan chimed in.

“Meow, meow…”
In the midst of their laughter, a sudden cat’s meow interrupted them.
A snow-white ball of fur jumped onto the table, rubbing against the soft, white hands.

“Oh, Snow Ball, have you caught wind of something delicious?” Pei Lingyi washed her hands and carefully dried them with a silk handkerchief before scooping up the snow-white cat from the table and cradling it in her arms.
“Good boy, you’ll be the first to have some osmanthus cake when it’s ready,” the girl’s voice was unusually gentle and soft, a stark contrast to her usual dignified demeanor. The sweetness in her tone sent shivers down one’s spine.

As if understanding that it was about to be fed, the cat in her arms began to purr and rub against her: “Meow, meow.”
“You’re favoring Snow Ball, Miss. You said earlier that the cake was for guests, but now you’re giving it to Snow Ball first,” Layan complained, not pleased that the little creature was getting special treatment.
“Alright, alright. The first batch of cakes will be shared among everyone,” Pei Lingyi said with a smile.

“Yay! Meow!” Both the girl and the cat exclaimed in unison.
The chrysanthemum wine was buried under the tree and would be ready to drink in a few days. The first batch of osmanthus cakes was divided between Layan and Luoxu, while Pei Lingyi fed the rest to Snow Ball.
Watching the adorable cat, Pei Lingyi’s heart swelled with affection. Snow Ball was a birthday gift from her older brother two years ago.
At that time, her brother was sent to guard the border on the emperor’s orders. Before leaving, he gave Snow Ball to her. She wondered if he was doing well on the border and if he would return for the New Year’s Eve this year.

When she first met Snow Ball, it was just a tiny kitten that needed to be fed milk. After two years of care, it had grown more affectionate.
Snow Ball especially loved eating the osmanthus cakes she made.
Looking at Snow Ball’s sleeping form, Pei Lingyi felt a deep longing to give this little creature her heart. After years of scheming, she sometimes felt tired and had no one to confide in. But with Snow Ball by her side, she could find moments of peace.