Chapter 2

After soaking in medicinal baths for seven full days, my sister and I were finally allowed to leave the tubs. Under normal circumstances, our skin should have been wrinkled and pruned from soaking for so long. But instead, after those seven days, our bodies emerged with skin as soft as porcelain, fair and luminous. I could even vaguely sense a strange restlessness stirring inside me, as though something deep within was awakening, hungering. My sister, however, looked at me with visible concern. I smiled faintly at her. “Sister, you don’t need to worry about me. For me, it’s never about being possessed by men. It’s about me devouring them!” Those who dare to desire me would all become my stepping stones. Tears welled up in her eyes as she clutched my hand tightly. Then, with a resolute voice, she declared, “In this lifetime, the two of us must survive, no matter what.” I nodded firmly and then shared with her the key players in the imperial court and some of its hidden secrets. She responded with a warning. “Spring Wind Haven is controlled by Uncle Jax. On the surface, he’s gentle and kind, but in reality, he’s ruthless. You must tread carefully around him. If you cross him, he’ll throw you into the snake pit without hesitation…” Her words faltered, and she closed her eyes in pain. I quickly nodded. “Don’t worry, Shayna, I understand.” The Lambert family’s decision to send their own daughters to Spring Wind Haven to be at the mercy of others was never just about money. What they craved was the throne, the ultimate seat of power, the ability to rule the world. After the family sent someone to inspect our bodies, our father’s face lit up with joy. Then, he turned to the two of us and said, “Shayna, Angeline, everything I’m doing is for the future of the Lambert family!” “Angeline, I know sending you to Spring Wind Haven is a great injustice to you, but without sufficient funds, how can we accomplish great things?” “Don’t worry. Every guest you serve will be handpicked by Jax. They will all be important and distinguished individuals. I would never allow those filthy, unworthy men to so much as lay a finger on you.” Hearing his words, I felt nothing but disgust. Handpicked distinguished guests? Were they not still just clients? The Lambert family might have a bright future ahead, but what about the future of Shayna and me? They sacrificed us, yet they still expected us to willingly give everything for the family. How absurd. But Shayna and I showed no signs of resistance. We simply nodded obediently at our father. “We understand, Father.” Satisfied, he nodded repeatedly. “Good, good. It’s good that you understand my good intention.” “When the Lambert family achieves greatness, your contributions will be acknowledged before anyone else’s.” My sister and I both nodded faintly. But in our hearts, there was only mockery. When that day comes, the first people to eliminate us will undoubtedly be them.