You must be absolutely obsessed with money.

Ningfengtang

The stunning debut of Pan Yulian captured everyone's attention.

Madam Lin, seated at the head of the table, remained silent, her eyes fixed intently on Pan Yulian.

Pan Nianyao and Pan Fangyan were not idle either; they showered Pan Yulian with unrelenting praise, almost elevating her to a paragon unmatched in both heaven and earth.

Meanwhile, Pan Yulian, kneeling in formal attire, felt a bit lightheaded inside.

This sudden selection for the imperial consort competition... she wasn’t sure if it was the system’s doing.

She could hardly recall whether the original story mentioned any such event at this point in the Pan household.

After all, no one memorizes an entire novel word for word.

Especially since most of the plot was told from the perspective of the male and female leads.

Moreover, the vivid descriptions of the ‘ornamental beauties’ in that section of the original text had hit Pan Yulian like a blow she was not prepared for—so deeply etched that she could remember her own fate as clearly as if it were carved on her coffin. That was why she knew so precisely what would come next.

When Madam Lin first mentioned the selection, Pan Yulian exerted all her willpower to restrain herself from rushing forward in tears, begging to participate.

After all, who would willingly rush toward something everyone else dreaded?

Yet Pan Yulian dared not delay either, fearing that if she hesitated, it would soon be the male lead’s arrival in the capital and her becoming one of those ‘ornamental beauties.’

Her current performance was the best she could muster on short notice, squeezing every last ounce of acting talent.

“Rise, all of you, rise,” Madam Lin finally said after staring at Pan Yulian for a long while, as if coming back to herself. Seeing all three kneeling, she softened her tone and ordered everyone to stand.

She had expected the selection within the mansion to drag on for a day or two, but unexpectedly, a visibly affluent Pan Yulian suddenly appeared.

Honestly, Madam Lin even hesitated momentarily, thinking this decision required Pan’s father’s approval. So she dismissed all the young ladies.

This time, however, it was nanny Wu who personally escorted Pan Yulian out.

Walking alongside, nanny Wu wore a gentle smile and kindly advised, “The weather has been warm one moment and cold the next. Fourth Miss, please take care of your health.”

Pan Yulian, suddenly treated with such special regard, felt both proud and gratified, smiling repeatedly as if her tail were wagging to the sky.

Nanny Wu, observing Pan Yulian’s shallow-hearted demeanor, found it unsurprising.

After all, this Fourth Miss was always like this—usually frivolous and shallow-witted. If she suddenly became sharp and perfect in every way, that would be the real surprise.

Once outside Ningfengtang, Pan Yulian barely had time to analyze the sudden selection invitation before running into her two Pan sisters waiting for her.

Instinctively, Pan Yulian braced herself, but before she could speak, Pan Fangyan stepped forward.

“Fourth Sister, with your looks, intelligence, and courage, the only family worthy of you would be the imperial family…”

Hearing such flattery, Pan Yulian instantly understood their purpose.

They feared she might think clearly and refuse to enter the palace, so they had come to persuade her.

On the surface, though, Pan Yulian seemed to bask in their compliments, her heart blossoming.

She proudly looked at Pan Fangyan, chest out, exuding pride: “Indeed.”

Pan Nianyao, trailing behind, almost laughed out loud at Pan Yulian’s attitude but quickly composed herself and added, “Fifth Sister is usually sharp-tongued and unforgiving, but today she speaks honestly and sincerely.”

Upon hearing this, Pan Yulian’s head lifted even higher.

Seeing Pan Yulian’s arrogant bliss, Pan Fangyan quickly turned her head, forcing a smile.

She coughed softly and lowered her voice: “Fourth Sister, to be honest, among all the sisters in our household, none can compare to you in appearance.”

“I used to be childish and shallow-minded. For that, I held some jealousy. But you, Fourth Sister, have always been magnanimous and never held it against me…”

Having flattered and apologized, Pan Fangyan truly seemed sincere.

“Only because you did not take offense, I realize my fault now. I apologize and hope you can forgive me.”

As soon as Pan Fangyan finished, Pan Nianyao immediately followed.

She looked at Pan Yulian with equal apology: “Yes, Fourth Sister, I too have been neglectful these years. I often quarrelled with my sisters and treated you poorly…”

Tsk, tsk, tsk.

Pan Yulian clicked her tongue in admiration at their performance.

At this moment, the household had yet to decide who would be chosen for the selection.

Yet, these two had already fallen to their knees, apologizing and lavishing praise so promptly.

With such insight and resilience…

They were truly the embodiment of the Pan family’s legacy of endurance.

No wonder, in the original story, only Pan Yulian suffered misfortune.

But really, Pan Yulian held no deep grudge against these sisters.

She even regarded them as distant colleagues.

Seeing them both looking at her expectantly, Pan Yulian decided to accept their change in attitude before she risked messing up the selection opportunity—and having no place to cry about it.

So, holding her head high, clearly pleased, she looked down at the two sisters bowing low before her.

She even waved her hand arrogantly, pretending to be magnanimous: “Ahem, we’re all sisters after all. Why speak of such nonsense?”

“When I become a palace consort, then…”

Watching Pan Yulian’s shameless grandstanding, Pan Nianyao and Pan Fangyan struggled to hold back laughter, nearly bursting.

Pan Nianyao covered her mouth, as if stifling a cough, when a glint of gold suddenly flashed before Pan Yulian’s eyes.

Following that golden sparkle, Pan Yulian’s gaze involuntarily fell on Pan Nianyao’s wrist—

There hung a red-gold Ruyi twisted-wire bracelet.

Noticing Pan Yulian looking, Pan Nianyao instinctively tried to withdraw her hand but stopped mid-motion.

After a brief moment, she grimaced through the pain and removed the bracelet.

“Look at me, as an elder sister, I haven’t given you anything decent all these years.”

With a smiling face, she pressed the bracelet into Pan Yulian’s hand.

“This pair of bracelets was newly made by me. They say gold and jade enhance a beauty’s charm; these bracelets will suit you perfectly.”

A pair of dazzling gold bracelets now gleamed in the hands of Pan Yulian—the money-hungry, hypocritical adult she was.

Pan Yulian held the bracelets tightly but, like a child pretending modesty when wanting a red envelope during New Year, she kept declining, “These bracelets are your treasures. How could I accept such a fine gift without reason?”

She knew that receiving a gift meant owing a favor.

Pan Nianyao grasped the bracelet and fastened it around Pan Yulian’s wrist.

“Oh, Fourth Sister, how can we speak of ‘yours’ and ‘mine’ between sisters?”

Pan Fangyan, stunned, looked on—

This is not how it was supposed to go!

But seeing the bracelets smoothly fastened, Pan Fangyan bit her lip and took off her gold-wire jade plum blossom hairpin.

“Fourth Sister, your presence is so radiant, even if you dress plainly, there’s nothing to fear.”

Afraid she’d regret it, Pan Fangyan gave Pan Yulian no chance to refuse, smiling as she pinned the hairpin into her hair.

“This hairpin belongs to me, but it’s like a pearl covered in dust when with me. Now, it shines anew with your grace.”

Well, Pan Yulian, who was about to enter the selection, had just pulled off a perfect “free ride.” Who could be dissatisfied?

After sending Pan Yulian off with smiles, the smile on Pan Fangyan’s face twisted instantly.

She glared at Pan Nianyao with reddened eyes and said sarcastically, “Ha, Third Sister has such a big heart. Come to think of it, these years, you’ve never given me anything decent. Good sister, why don’t you give me something?”

“Gold and jade enhance beauty,” Pan Nianyao replied, eyeing Pan Fangyan with equal sarcasm, “But you…”

Pan Fangyan’s face flushed with anger.

She was about to retort when Pan Nianyao waved her hand, “Enough. Say less. Do you think my bracelets fell from the sky?”

“Then why did you give them to her?!”

“The bracelets are mine. I gave mine away. What does that have to do with you? And did I take your hairpin and put it on her head?”

“You gave them, so how could I refuse?”

Pan Fangyan gritted her teeth in frustration, pointing in the direction Pan Yulian had left.

“Look at her, so shallow and arrogant!”

At this, Pan Nianyao rolled her eyes, “What else? Isn’t it good that she’s shallow? If we don’t appease her now, would you want to go to the selection instead?”

“If Fifth Sister is willing to go, Third Sister swears, I’ll make sure you get a pair of bracelets!”

Pan Fangyan was instantly silenced.

The selection… she knew her chances were slim.

But what if—

One must always fear that ‘what if.’

She was not like Pan Yulian, that flirtatious fool with big looks but little sense.

What madness possessed her to gamble her entire life on luck?

Pan’s father held a low official rank; she was a concubine-born daughter. At best, her support came from her stepmother’s influential family, a third-rank official.

If she married out, with her status, she could live well and even command respect in her own home, like her stepmother.

But entering the palace?

In the past decade, the high-ranking consorts had already claimed the prime positions.

While the emperor lived, she would have to be a low-ranking concubine, bowing her head, bearing endless hardships, constantly watching others’ faces, unable to meet outsiders, let alone go out.

If the emperor died… she would be sent to a royal Buddhist temple to live as a widow, never to see prosperity again, surviving on plain porridge and vegetarian meals, clothed in gray robes, chanting until death.

Pan Fangyan shuddered at the thought.

Seeing her dazed and pale, Pan Nianyao knew she had come to a realization.

She sighed and took Pan Fangyan’s hand to lead her back.

“It’s good you’ve thought it through. These are just worldly possessions. Consider them sacrifices to avert disaster—much better than risking our lives.”

Her voice softened, “Besides, if she truly has that kind of luck, these gifts will remind her of our sisterhood. If she turns out like our eldest sister… then you needn’t worry about getting these things back.”

Pan Fangyan’s expression brightened.

She looked at Pan Nianyao softly and said, “Third Sister, we’re both concubine-born. In looks, though Pan Yulian was born unique in this world, in status, she can’t compare to Second Sister…”

Pan Nianyao nodded, “I understand that well, or else I wouldn’t be wasting time with you here all these years.”

“Stay low-key until the selection. Don’t cause any trouble or draw attention to yourself.”

“I know.”

…