When I first transmigrated here, I had met a fortune teller on the streets. He had told me that I had a destiny which clashed with fate and that it was hard—nearly impossible—to ever defy fate.
Back then, I had said with great certainty that I do not believe in the impossible and I am not controlled by any fate.
But now? Well, now, letting fate control me is looking far more tempting to my lazy self.
After my decision to go with my mother, she told me our destination was the capital. She had come here for a wellness trip and had stumbled upon me, cutting her trip short to return home.
I had worked so hard to run from the capital only to allow my stupid cravings for familial affection to send me right back.
But I don't entirely regret it. As someone who lost her parents early, having a mother who worried and fussed over the littlest thing was quite nice. She held my hand the whole journey and told me stories about my father, brothers, and the home I would be returning to.
There is no human who doesn't want love or affection—me included—but I am also not one to allow my emotions to cloud my judgment.
If they aren't worth the trouble, I will simply leave. After all, I have an adopted sister at home. What if she turns out to be a green tea who frames me, and Mum and Dad support her wholeheartedly?
I have no interest in dealing with that. I'd rather just bump into the crown prince, let him slice my throat, and get it over with.
"Xin'er, Mama has already informed your father and your brothers of your homecoming. We are almost at the mansion, so they will most likely be waiting at the main gate."
"Alright, Mother."
"Are you nervous?"
I squeeze her hand gently and shake my head. "Not nervous. I'm sure they will all be great."
As soon as we arrive at the Su family mansion, Mother gets out of the carriage first and then leads me down.
I scan the faces of the servants and then my brothers and then my father.
I freeze as I take in the familiar face. In my life, my mother had died in childbirth. My father had been my rock, my biggest supporter, and my number one fan for 16 years before a car crash took him from me.
So, as I look at this man—my father—his exact face and smile, saying his exact words: "Jing'er, you've suffered."
"Father?"
"Yes, I'm your father."
I pay no mind to looks or what is considered propriety. I simply run into the arms of the man I had longed for for so many years.
"Father… Father, your Jing'er missed you so much. You… you had promised. You promised to watch me grow up, but then you left me… You left me all alone. Why?... Why did you leave me?"
"Mmm, it was all Father's fault. Look at you, so grown yet crying so much."
"So this is our new little sister? She looks like a crybaby."
"You're the crybaby! Your whole family is a crybaby! I simply just had something in my eye."
Father secretly sneaks a handkerchief into my hand at my words, and I realize I must look like a mess. I quickly clean my eyes and turn once more and say hi to my three brothers.
"When she met me, she was so distant. But seeing your dad, she runs into his arms and cries. Already keeping favorites, aren't you, my dear daughter?"
"Hey, that's not right. Even when she was young, she would always cry when she was away from me. It is simply a situation where some habits are never grown out of."
I just lower my head in further shame, refusing to meet anyone's eyes as they lead me inside the mansion.
"Father, Mother, Brothers, is this my new elder sister that just returned from the countryside?"
I look up and instant warning bells. Emphasizing "countryside," acting cute and speaking in that sickly sweet voice—I just might have encountered a textbook example of a green tea.
She walks up to me, takes my hand, and opens her mouth. I can already guess what she wants to say.
"Sorry, Sister. I took your place and your parents' love for 18 years. I will return everything to you. It's just that I have stayed beside Mother, Father, and our brothers. Please don't send me away. I wi…"
She suddenly stops her dramatic dialogue as she realizes I was saying it with her. My parents looked between us both with questioning gazes, while my brothers seemed to be stifling laughter.
"Sister, do you hate me? Is that why you are trying to embarrass me?"
"Sorry, Sister. I had read a novel, and the situation seemed to fit, so I was just trying to guess and see if I would get it right. I didn't expect that my sister's sincere speech would actually match. Sorry."
Does she really think she can fight me? She's still too green.
"Ah, it's okay, Sister. I know you didn't mean it. If you want, I can show you the courtyard Mum had prepared for you in advance."
"Master, Madam, urgent news! Prince Zhenbei is entering the mansion now and requesting an audience with the whole household."
"Prince Zhenbei? Who is that?"
"He is a high-ranking official who is neither royalty nor nobility. He has enough power to rival the current king, crown prince, and regent," Father explains quickly as we head back to the main gate.
"How can one man have so much power?"
And he wasn't even mentioned in the original script.
"Let's just say if the crown prince is considered the war god, he is the embodiment of war itself. No matter what you do, do not offend him or even get involved with him."
"Alright, Mother. I will absolutely not get involved with him."
"Greetings, Prince Zhenbei. We welcome you to our humble abode."
"Please rise. No need for such unnecessary formalities."
"Thank you, Prince Zhenbei."
That voice sounded familiar, and I really don't want to raise my head now. If I ignore it, maybe it would go away.
"Xin'er, won't you raise your head?"
Heaven, are you really this cruel? I slowly raise my head to meet the stunned gazes of my family and the mischievous smirk on his face.
"Zhou'er!"
I knew it. He really was a scumbag.
Well, Su Jingxin, welcome. You are officially part of the plot.