FRGNM -Chapter 5 Provoking the Second Sister

“Miss Ling, where one can spare another, one should. I just saved your life—could you let her go now? Let’s call it even between us.” Ye Ningfeng looked calmly at the woman. With Xiao Xue in his arms, that strange feeling rose again in his heart, yet he couldn’t quite grasp it.

A flash of cold light passed through Ling Ruoxi’s eyes. She didn’t reply. Striding quickly to the silvery-white longsword, she smoothly pulled it free and walked forward without even turning her head back.

Since they were even now, she owed him nothing.

“Miss Ling, ahead is the depths of the Bamboo Sea. The Ling Residence is on West Street in the capital—you need to go that way.” Ye Ningfeng pointed in the opposite direction from where Ling Ruoxi was heading and smiled faintly. “Let me escort you back.” He draped the clothes over Ling Ruoxi’s shoulders—dressed so lightly, she would surely draw scorn if she walked the streets like this.

The Ling family? Right. Before she fully understood this world, she needed to go to the Ling Residence first—at the very least, to figure out who she was and who had framed her.

“No need. You should keep these clothes yourself.” Ling Ruoxi rolled her eyes at Ye Ningfeng, returned the long robe to him, and immediately set off toward the unfamiliar direction.

…

The capital. Ling Residence.

The Ling family was an official household. A single, grand courtyard stood proudly, stone lions guarding the gate on both sides. Six guards stood outside, chests out and heads high. After casting surprised glances at Ling Ruoxi, they soon returned to their impassive expressions.

“Well, well, who do we have here? So it’s my third sister.” A coy laugh rang out as a woman in green stepped out from inside. She smiled like a blooming flower, but her eyes carried a hint of seduction, adding a touch of bewitching allure. “Third sister must be terribly hot—going out dressed like this. Who are you trying to seduce?”

Who was she? Ling Ruoxi didn’t know the woman’s identity. She lifted a brow lightly. “Women don’t get loved unless they’re a little bad. Wearing less isn’t seducing men—what, am I seducing aunties instead? Do you think dressing like that will help you hook a handsome guy? Aunty, your complexion looks sallow—are you hitting menopause?”

Boom!

It was like a thunderclap over everyone’s heads. The people around felt their mouths twitch, all holding their breath as they stared at the woman opposite.

“You—!” Ling Roudan’s face flushed crimson. Clutching her clothes, she nearly shouted, “Ling Ruoxi! I’m your second sister! Watch your words. Don’t think I wouldn’t dare touch you just because you’re the Crown Prince’s future consort!”

“Oh? So you’re my second sister.” Ling Ruoxi smiled coolly to herself. “From what you just said, I thought you were my enemy. Turns out you’re family! If you treat me as your third sister, then of course I’ll treat you as my second sister.”

If she truly saw her as a sister, would she have insulted her like that?

Ling Roudan couldn’t save face anymore. She cleared her throat lightly and said coldly, “Third sister, whether you acknowledge it or not, I’m still your second sister—Ling Roudan! But look at how you’re dressed, and what about those marks on your body—what’s going on?”

“Ling Meatball?” What a painfully ridiculous name! Ling Ruoxi felt a chill run through her whole body—only such a top-tier specimen could match such a top-tier name.

But this time Ling Roudan was clearly targeting her. Not five sentences in, she had already shifted the topic, drawing attention to the red marks on Ling Ruoxi’s body.

Any woman who had come of age knew what those marks were. Saying it out loud in front of so many people—wasn’t that meant to utterly disgrace Ling Ruoxi?

Pressing lightly on the marks, Ling Ruoxi smiled. “What, second sister doesn’t know? This mark is just like the one you had back then—so red, so special, and quite memorable.”

Pff—

Everyone spat at once.

Ling Roudan’s face burned red. She wasn’t married yet and was still pure—how could she have such a thing? Enraged, she shouted, “Ling Ruoxi, explain yourself clearly! I’m going to find Father. I refuse to believe Father can’t deal with you!”

“Oh, getting angry now? Don’t be shy—you’ve seen it before.” Whistling, Ling Ruoxi followed behind Ling Roudan with the air of a street hooligan, smiling all the way.

Even Ye Ningfeng was left speechless. He’d only ever heard others say that the Ling family’s third young miss was born unable to condense Dou Qi, couldn’t even learn martial arts, and was shy and introverted—someone who blushed after saying just a few words. But now… that bold, carefree demeanor truly surprised him. Was this really how she usually got along with her family?

“Miss! Miss!” At that moment, a small figure came running out. Before Ling Ruoxi could steady herself, the girl had already thrown herself into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Wuwu, Miss, I’m sorry. If it weren’t for Xiao Yu, you wouldn’t have ended up like this. Wuwu… I’m so sorry…” She cried nonstop, tears falling like broken pearls, clutching Ling Ruoxi tightly, her eyes already red and swollen.

Xiao Yu? Ling Ruoxi didn’t recognize the little maid before her. Seeing how heartbroken she was, Ling Ruoxi could only instinctively pat her head and smile gently. “Don’t cry. Look—I’m fine now, aren’t I?”

It was rare for someone to care about her like this, and Ling Ruoxi had no intention of putting on a cold face.