Su Jin didn't believe for a second that Gu Xiangyun had truly changed—but she couldn't say that outright to the old lady. She could only respond vaguely:
"Grandmother, perhaps it's best to observe her for a few days before drawing any conclusions."
It was a passive response, but a safe one. After all, if Gu Xiangyun was under the old lady's watchful eye, her true nature would reveal itself soon enough.
"Hmm, let her stay for two days then," the old lady said, her voice tinged with doubt. She too didn't fully believe that someone like Gu Xiangyun could change overnight.
Meanwhile, Gu Xiangyun busied herself in the kitchen. Unfortunately, she didn't know the first thing about cooking and quickly made a mess of everything.
Worried that the old lady might be displeased, she scrambled to clean up after herself.
Her humble, almost pitiful behavior made the household servants exchange glances and shake their heads. None of them had ever seen her like this.
Su Jin quietly observed, and a thought struck her—
She's retreating in order to advance. Playing the emotional card to gain sympathy.
It was an old trick, but cleverly used.
Just then, the old lady turned to Su Jin with a smile.
"Xiao Jin, go try on the dress. Let me have a look."
Lately, the old lady's thoughts were consumed by Su Jin's engagement ceremony.
Even though it wasn't a real relationship, she was truly delighted—as if Su Jin were genuinely about to be married.
Su Jin smiled and nodded.
"Alright, I'll go change now."
The dress had been custom-made—elegant and refined, perfectly matching Su Jin's temperament and age.
When she stepped out, the old lady beamed with delight, her smile wide and full of pride.
"Beautiful… Xiaojin, you really look lovely," she said, nodding again and again.
Off to the side, Gu Xiangyun watched Su Jin's glowing face. Her fingers curled tightly into her palms, nails digging into her skin—yet the smile on her lips remained gentle and composed.
"Tomorrow's the engagement ceremony, isn't it?" she said calmly.
"Yes… tomorrow." The old lady's expression grew slightly awkward. As Su Jin's adoptive mother, Gu Xiangyun should be present—but given her current condition, she could hardly appear in public.
Gu Xiangyun understood her situation and quickly said,
"I won't attend the ceremony tomorrow. But I've prepared a gift."
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small velvet box, handing it to Su Jin.
"I don't have much to give you for your engagement, but this is something decent."
Su Jin opened the box.
Inside lay a dazzling diamond bracelet—one she instantly recognized. It was Gu Xiangyun's favorite, a luxury item she had once boasted about buying for $3 million dollars.
The old lady recognized it too. She was quietly surprised but kept her expression neutral.
"Since she's giving it to you, go ahead and accept it."
Su Jin took the bracelet and smiled.
"Then I'll thank you, Mom."
Gu Xiangyun could act—and she wasn't bad at it either.
But Su Jin wasn't fooled. She was just waiting to see when Gu Xiangyun's fox tail would finally show.
That evening, Su Jin quietly sought out Mrs. Li and gave her instructions in a low voice.
"These next few days, make sure anything the old lady eats or drinks is handled personally by you. Don't let anyone else take charge."
Mrs. Li looked stunned.
"Third Miss… are you saying someone might try to harm the old lady?"
There was only one person in the house capable of such a thing—Gu Xiangyun.
But without concrete proof, Mrs. Li couldn't say for sure.
Su Jin gave a faint smile and said nothing more.
"Just do as I say."
"…Alright. I understand." Mrs. Li nodded, though concern clouded her expression. Then she hesitated.
"Should we tell the old lady about this?"
Gu Xiangyun's behavior had been so out of character today that even Mrs. Li, who had served the Su family for decades, could sense something wasn't right. She wasn't sure what the old lady thought, but something clearly unsettled her.
Su Jin shook her head gently.
"Don't mention anything to Grandma for now. She's getting older. I don't want her to be frightened."
Gu Xiangyun's act today may not have convinced the old lady entirely… but it had definitely planted a seed.
She was the mother of Su Nuo and Su Jue—the mother of two grachildren. That fact couldn't be changed.
Because of the children's future, the old lady gave her a chance.
Su Jin felt a wave of sadness. The old lady's kindness was too soft, too forgiving—and that softness gave Gu Xiangyun the opening she needed.
Tomorrow is the engagement banquet, Su Jin thought. How could someone like Gu Xiangyun possibly let such a golden opportunity slip by?
But this time, Su Jin wouldn't let her succeed.
Whatever Gu Xiangyun planned—she would be made to reap what she had sown.
---
The news of the Fu family's engagement had already spread throughout all of Kyoto.
On the day of the engagement banquet, the event drew an unprecedented crowd. Nobles, tycoons, and dignitaries from every corner of high society came to offer their congratulations. The celebration was extravagant, the atmosphere magnificent.
Su Jin sat quietly in the lounge, overlooking the grand hall from the second floor.
As she gazed down, she saw the sea of influential faces below—people of status, wealth, and power. Nearly every figure of importance in the business world had shown up to offer their blessings.
Even political figures had arrived, further proving the Fu family's towering influence in Kyoto.
Old Master Fu, dressed in a tailored suit, looked spirited and full of energy. Fu Siyan stood just behind him, respectfully greeting the guests one by one.
From her vantage point, Su Jin spotted Su Mingyuan among the crowd. He carried himself with unusual confidence today—gone was the humility of the past. Surrounded by flattery, he was basking in the spotlight.
Just then, the lounge door creaked open.
"Congratulations, Sister," said Su Nuo as she stepped in, wearing a delicate princess gown that accentuated her elegance.
But the smile on her face was false—layered with envy, resentment, unwillingness, and just a hint of schadenfreude.
Su Jin glanced at her briefly, then turned away, offering the same polite smile.
"Thank you."
Just two words—calm, indifferent, not too warm, not too cold.
And with that, Su Nuo's fake smile froze on her face.
Bitch.
Don't think you've really become a phoenix just because you've flown to a higher branch, Su Nuo silently cursed.
Today's the day you make a fool of yourself. Just wait and see.
You think you've flown to the top, but today… we'll see how pathetic you will fall.
Swallowing down her irritation, Su Nuo walked over to Su Jin and handed her a silver tray.
"It's still early. You must be hungry, Sister," she said sweetly. "I brought you something to eat."
The tray was filled with delicately arranged snacks and a glass of wine. Sitting neatly among them was a slice of Su Jin's favorite—Black Forest cake.
Su Jin's gaze flicked to the cake, a knowing glint in her eyes. The corners of her lips lifted into a gentle, charming smile.
"Then I'll thank my dear sister."
She reached for a fork, just about to take a bite of the cake, when Su Nuo quickly interrupted,
"Why not have a drink first?"
She pushed the glass of wine closer, eyes watching Su Jin with thinly veiled nerves.
Su Jin lifted the glass slowly, bringing it close to her lips—but then paused.
Her brows furrowed lightly. "Hmm…"
"What's wrong?" Su Nuo asked, barely hiding her tension.
Su Jin let out a small sigh and said with a slight frown,
"My earring just fell. I think it's on the floor."
Su Nuo clenched her teeth behind a forced smile.Why are there some complications always? she cursed inwardly.
Still, she swallowed her annoyance and knelt down quickly. "No problem. I'll help you find it."
Taking advantage of the brief distraction, Su Jin swiftly switched the wine glasses.
"Is this the one?" Su Nuo asked, holding up the earring.
Su Jin took it with a grateful smile and slid it back into place.
"Yes, that's it. Thank you, Sister."
Then, without hesitation, she lifted her glass and took a sip.
Su Nuo stared at her intently, every muscle tense as she watched Su Jin swallow the wine.
Hmph. I thought she'd be more cautious. Turns out she's still as gullible as ever.
So easy to fool.
Just as Su Nuo was gloating internally, Su Jin looked up at her with a light, unreadable expression.
"What are you staring at me for? Drink."
Snapped out of her daze, Su Nuo quickly picked up her own glass and took a long sip—if only to conceal her sudden nerves.
But the moment the wine passed down her throat, something felt off.
Her brows furrowed.
"Wait… I feel… dizzy…"
A wave of disorientation hit her. Her vision began to blur, and her legs felt unsteady.
"What's going on?" she murmured, stumbling slightly.
Through the haze, she saw Su Jin standing in front of her—calm, elegant, unmoved.
Su Jin looked down at her, eyes as cold as the wine glass she held.
That look in Su Jin's eyes—it was like an ice cone, sharp and cold enough to pierce straight through flesh and bone.
Su Nuo shuddered.
"Why… why are you still standing?" she asked, voice trembling, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps. For a brief moment, her mind cleared—and fear sank deep into her chest.
It shouldn't be like this.
Gu Xiangyun had promised—guaranteed—that the drug was potent. Even a tiny sip would knock out a healthy adult within minutes.
But Su Jin was still there, perfectly composed, not even a ripple in her expression.
Meanwhile, Su Nuo's own heart was pounding erratically, her face flushed with heat. Most terrifying of all was the strange sensation crawling up her spine.
She didn't just feel dizzy anymore—she felt hot.
Too hot.
And then the most shameful thought crept in—
She was… thinking about a man.
Her eyes widened in horror.
No… No, this can't be happening!