“Heavens, falling from such a height—could Jiang Wanyi be dead?”
“I doubt he survived. Jiang Wanyi was already simple-minded, and with a vicious younger sister like that, his luck has truly run out.”
The murmurs grew increasingly loud.
Among the crowd of women stood a figure in white. Jiang Wanxin, dressed in a Crescent White Xiang Embroidery Ice Heart Dress, wore an expression of shock on her delicate face. Hearing the relentless condemnation of Jiang Chaohua around her, she stepped forward and softly interjected:
“Surely we must have misseen. Second Younger Sister is Second Elder Brother’s own blood—she would never harm him.”
“Wanxin, you are too kind-hearted. We saw it with our own eyes—Jiang Chaohua is utterly malicious. She’s always been impatient with her elder brother, not even as caring as you, his cousin.”
With just a few words, Jiang Wanxin had further stoked the women’s contempt for Jiang Chaohua. Everyone knew Jiang Chaohua despised her foolish elder brother and treated Jiang Wanyi with open impatience. Before all these witnesses, her attempt to harm her own brother was undeniable!
“Wanxin, do not make excuses for Jiang Chaohua this time. We all saw it.”
A deep male voice sounded from behind. A glint flashed in Jiang Wanxin’s eyes as she stared at Jiang Wanyi. Seeing him motionless, she twisted her handkerchief tightly, turned around, and spoke even more gently:
“Your Highness Prince Jing, I…”
“Enough. Say no more. Jiang Chaohua, this ends here! To capture my attention, you would even harm your own brother? Guards, seize Jiang Chaohua!”
From behind the women, several men in lavish brocade robes slowly approached. The leader possessed noble features—arched brows and starry eyes—and wore a black four-clawed python robe, exuding unparalleled dignity and imperial grace.
This was Prince Jing of the current dynasty, Lu Ming Chuan.
In her past life, Jiang Chaohua’s obsessive love for Prince Jing was known throughout Chang’an City. To marry him, she had committed countless foolish acts, yet Prince Jing never reciprocated her feelings, ultimately wedding Jiang Wanxin instead.
As the emperor’s youngest son, Lu Ming Chuan had been doted upon since childhood. Having recently achieved great military merits at the border, he was enfeoffed as Prince Jing and granted the privileges of a royal prince.
Shen Shi was the only daughter of the Loyal and Brave Marquis. Though estranged from her father, her status remained undisputed. Thus, Prince Jing and other nobles had no choice but to attend the birthday banquet of Shen Shi’s daughter—after all, the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s household was the maternal clan of the Empress Dowager.
“Second Younger Sister, why do you not speak? Quickly summon a physician—saving Second Elder Brother is what matters!”
Lu Ming Chuan’s eyes filled with disgust. He believed this was yet another of Jiang Chaohua’s ploys to gain his attention, for she had often resorted to such tactics in the past.
Jiang Wanxin clutched her handkerchief, growing restless at Jiang Wanyi’s continued stillness. Her gaze darted toward the motionless figures. Seeing no blood, her heart tightened.
Today was her birthday celebration, and the Old Madam intended to persuade Shen Shi to adopt her as a foster daughter. If Jiang Wanyi died—and by Jiang Chaohua’s hand—Shen Shi would be grief-stricken and surely agree to Jiang Laofuren’s proposal.
At this thought, Jiang Wanxin shifted her feet, eager to approach Jiang Chaohua and Jiang Wanyi for a closer look.
“Who says I killed my own brother?”
Countless eyes fixed on Jiang Chaohua.
The momentum of the fall had thrown her forward, cushioning Jiang Wanyi’s impact and scattering the force of his descent. Both now lay on the ground, with Jiang Chaohua’s body shielding Jiang Wanyi from view, leaving his condition unclear to the onlookers.
Her voice was hoarse as she slowly sat up, turning her head to immediately lock eyes with Lu Mingchuan.
He still carried that aloof demeanor, his gaze still filled with disgust, yet now it failed to stir even the slightest ripple in Jiang Chaohua’s heart.
In this lifetime, Lu Mingchuan and Jiang Wanxin were best left shackled together—she would no longer insert herself between them.
Her only regret was Zhou Chi, who had died tragically saving her in her previous life.
Zhou Chi, Zhou Chi…
Just the thought of that name made Jiang Chaohua’s heart ache unbearably.
In her past life, she had committed too many evil deeds and was imprisoned. By then, the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s household had already declined, and she and Shen Shi had become despised criminals.
However, due to existing tensions between Shen Shi and the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s household, the Emperor spared their lives.
To rescue her from prison, Zhou Chi married her despite her tarnished reputation.
A newly crowned top scholar with a bright future ahead—he had been implicated and met a tragic end for the sake of a wicked woman.
Given a second chance, she would not drag Zhou Chi down again. Never again.
Jiang Chaohua sat on the ground with a hoarse voice, head slightly bowed, as the crowd’s accusations and suspicions reached her ears.
Unexpectedly, she didn’t jump up to refute them as she normally would. She remained silent, so silent that it almost evoked pity.
Jiang Chaohua possessed a striking beauty. At fifteen, she already had the poise to captivate a city, but her malicious nature often caused others to overlook her looks.
“Wanyi, what’s wrong?”
Another female voice sounded. Jiang Chaohua sharply lifted her head and saw Shen Shi’s familiar face.
In her memory, Shen Shi was elegant and dignified, deeply affectionate toward her children.
Even when Jiang Chaohua committed the worst offenses, Shen Shi would protect and indulge her.
Only after Jiang Wanyi’s tragic death did Shen Shi gradually distance herself—perhaps believing Jiang Chaohua was beyond redemption for even harming her own brother.
“Chaochao, Mother is here. How are you? Where is your Second Brother?”
Shen Shi was panicked. From afar, she had heard words like “killed her brother.”
She always believed her child was inherently good, perhaps just a bit willful.
“Jiang Furen, your daughter murdered her own brother!”
Among the noble ladies, one about fifteen or sixteen years old with delicate features spoke up, unable to hide the schadenfreude in her voice.
Hearing this, Shen Shi felt her vision darken, as if all strength had drained from her body.
Jiang Chaohua remained seated on the ground, silent.
She was waiting—waiting for the right moment.
“Young Master, Young Master, what’s wrong? It’s all my fault! If Second Young Lady hadn’t asked you to pick dates, you wouldn’t have fallen. Young Master, please don’t scare Feiyun!”
Shen Shi trembled all over as a young servant rushed over from the side and knelt on the ground.
This servant, named Feiyun, was Jiang Wanyi’s personal attendant.
Jiang Chaohua stared coldly at Feiyun and let out a direct laugh.
So, in her past life, her mother’s resentment had been fueled by these servants as well.
Jiang Wanxin was truly formidable—she had even bribed Second Brother’s personal servant.
If she were to become Mother’s adopted daughter while still holding the status of a cousin, wouldn’t the entire Jiang family become her domain!
“Chaochao, get up first. Tell Mother it wasn’t you who harmed your Second Brother. Tell me quickly.”
Shen Shi was beautiful and graceful, but her nature was too soft.
Jiang Wanyi lay motionless on the ground, and her heart had already turned cold.
“Jiang Furen, my condolences.”
Lu Mingchuan frowned slightly and waved his hand. The guards in black behind him moved to apprehend Jiang Chaohua.
“How vicious, she even killed her own elder brother!”
“Exactly, I think Jiang Chaohua is Chang’an City’s number one wicked woman. Such a scourge should be quickly arrested and imprisoned to avoid implicating others.”
The discussions grew louder. Jiang Chaohua lifted her eyelids, her icy gaze sweeping across each of their faces one by one.
In her previous life, it was these very people who step by step pushed her into the abyss.
With her previous life’s temperament that ignited at the slightest spark, it would have been difficult not to get angry. So this was Jiang Wanxin’s goal, wasn’t it.
“Madam, please don’t be too sad.”
Jiang Wanxin walked to Shen Shi’s side, supporting her arm while comforting her, playing the role of the considerate little darling. Those who didn’t know better would think Jiang Wanxin was Shen Shi’s biological daughter.
“You’re saying I killed Second Brother? Where’s the evidence? Can you convict me based solely on Cousin’s word?”
Jiang Chaohua stared at Jiang Wanxin with a faint, mocking smile.
Jiang Wanxin looked utterly wronged, lowering her head: “Second Cousin, I didn’t…”
“Enough! You harmed someone and still try to drag others down with you. Everyone knows what kind of person Wanxin is.”
Seeing Jiang Wanxin being wronged, Lu Ming Chuan angrily rebuked, taking a step forward.
“Hah, her character? What kind of person is Jiang Wanxin? Just because she says something, does that make it true? Cousin, I never knew you had such ability. Or perhaps, whatever Cousin says becomes true as long as Your Highness Prince Jing believes it?”
Jiang Chaohua’s expression remained calm. She didn’t look at Lu Ming Chuan, merely extending her hand toward Shen Shi:
“Mother, I’m in so much pain. I didn’t harm Second Brother. If you don’t believe me, let Second Brother tell you himself.”
Large tears fell from Jiang Chaohua’s eyes. Behind her, Jiang Wanyi suddenly scrambled up from the ground.
Apart from some scratches on his face and a dislocated arm, Jiang Wanyi was perfectly fine and completely unharmed!
“Mother, it, was, little, sister, who, saved, me. The tree, was, too, slippery.”
Although Jiang Wanyi was simple-minded, he never lied.
He stared at Jiang Chaohua, smiling with simple, foolish warmth.
Little sister was worried about him. Did this mean she didn’t dislike him? Would she play with him in the future?
“Chaochao, my Chaochao, Mother knows you’re a good child. Wanyi, Mother is here, don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid.”
Overjoyed to see Jiang Wanyi safe, Shen Shi pushed away Jiang Wanxin’s hand and rushed over, embracing Jiang Chaohua tightly.
Jiang Wanxin’s hand remained in its previous position. Shen Shi had pushed her away with considerable force, nearly making her stumble.
Jiang Wanyi wasn’t dead, and Shen Shi and Jiang Chaohua hadn’t become estranged. What would happen to her now? Would Shen Shi still adopt her as her foster daughter?
If she couldn’t become Shen Shi’s foster daughter, how could she ever become a daughter of the Jiang family!
“Mother, I’m in so much pain. I missed you so much, missed you so much.”
Held in Shen Shi’s embrace, Jiang Chaohua silently shed tears, clutching tightly at Shen Shi’s waist.
How long had it been since she last smelled Shen Shi’s scent? So long that it felt like she was dreaming.
“It’s Mother’s fault. Mother shouldn’t have doubted you. You’re Mother’s child—I know what you’re really like.”
Seeing Jiang Chaohua crying silently with red-rimmed eyes, Shen Shi’s heart ached. She held Jiang Chaohua close, gently comforting her.
Among her four children, she loved her daughter the most. Even if she had a notorious reputation, even if she was known for her ferocity, she was still her daughter.
“Mother, they all… accused me falsely. I’ve been so wronged.”
The grievances from her past life and present one combined, Jiang Chaohua wept with choked sobs, wept with heartache.
In this life, she would no longer be accused of fratricide, and Jiang Wanxin would never become her mother’s adopted daughter, nor would she ever become an adopted daughter of the Jiang family!