Shen Wan walked in that direction and saw Shen Wu and Ye Caiwei descending the steps from afar, hurrying to serve as witnesses.
Shen Wan had always known that the two looked very much alike, but she never imagined they were half-sisters sharing the same father.
Four years ago, her uncle, General Ye, had died on the battlefield while shielding her father from an arrow. Unable to bear the blow, her aunt fell gravely ill and soon passed away, leaving only her cousin behind.
Feeling guilty toward her cousin, her father decided to bring her back from Qingzhou to care for her in the mansion. However, as he was tied up with military affairs, it was her second uncle who went to attend the funeral and bring her back—and the one he brought back was Ye Caiwei.
After Ye Caiwei entered the mansion, her parents doted on her immensely. Whatever Shen Wan had, Ye Caiwei received as well.
Even when her father achieved military merits and the Emperor intended to confer upon her the title of County Princess, it was given to Ye Caiwei instead.
In her past life, Ye Caiwei married Xiao Yun’s cousin, becoming the wife of the Duke of Song’s heir. The two sisters climbed upward, stepping over the blood of her father, brother, and maternal family.
Hatred, like vines, tightly entangled Shen Wan, nearly suffocating her.
However, Shen Wan only learned of Ye Caiwei being the illegitimate daughter of the second master after her own death. Shen Wu and the second wife were likely kept in the dark as well; otherwise, given their temperament, how could they have allowed a bastard daughter to become the wife of the Duke of Song’s heir?
Meeting face to face, Ye Caiwei did not recognize Shen Wan at first glance. After a second look, she revealed surprise, “Cousin?”
Shen Wu’s steps halted abruptly. Turning around and seeing Shen Wan dressed as a maid, she exclaimed, “What are you doing here?!”
“Can’t I be here?”
Shen Wu realized her slip of the tongue. “Just now, a maid reported that someone startled a carriage. We were worried it might be you and were rushing over to check. Thankfully, it wasn’t. But why are you wearing a maid’s dress?”
Wearing a maid’s dress was one thing, but to do so so openly without avoiding them was another.
Shen Wan had already concealed her hatred completely. Her gaze swept over Ye Caiwei’s face. “The incense I lit broke. Weren’t you worried I’d face a bloody disaster, cousin? So I went to consult a Taoist priest over there. He said if I returned to the mansion as I was, either I or my maid would die or be injured. But if the maid returned in my place, both of us would remain safe and sound.”
She was fine now!
But what about Prince Cheng?
Shen Wu hurried to the site of the startled carriage.
Just as in her past life, Xiao Yun rescued someone, fell down the hillside, and was injured.
Upon realizing he had saved only a maid, Xiao Yun’s face turned ashen, his eyes smoldering with suppressed anger.
Shen Wan stepped forward, curtsied, and expressed her gratitude, “Thank you, Prince Cheng, for saving my maid’s life. If not for Your Highness’s rescue, she would likely have died on the spot. I offer her to Your Highness so she may repay your life-saving grace.”
Bao Cui stood to the side, her delicate face flushed with shyness, her eyes filled with anticipation as she gazed at Xiao Yun.
To serve Prince Cheng would mean a lifetime of endless wealth and luxury.
Xiao Yun’s temples throbbed with anger. “This prince does not lack maids to attend to him!”
Seeing him clutching his arm, Shen Wu asked with concern, “Prince Cheng, your arm…”
“It’s fine!”
The words seemed to be forced through gritted teeth.
To have injured himself saving a mere maid—he could not bear the humiliation.
Xiao Yun mounted his horse, his gaze dark and piercing as it swept over Shen Wan’s face before he rode away.
Watching Xiao Yun depart, Shen Wan hoped he was merely putting on a brave front and was not truly unharmed.
With Xiao Yun gone, the onlookers dispersed as well. Shen Wu and Ye Caiwei no longer felt like strolling around Huguo Temple and returned to the mansion with Shen Wan.
Although the carriage was spacious, with three people seated inside, it still felt cramped.
Passing through the bustling street, Shen Wan listened to the clamor and liveliness outside. She lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and gazed out. On the crowded street, a handsome and elegant man on horseback forcefully captured her attention with an undeniable presence.
It was a face that could make entire streets pale in comparison.
But Shen Wan felt only the word "unlucky" slam into her mind.
That man was none other than Xie Jingyu—the one who had scattered her ashes!
Having finally returned through rebirth, she hadn’t even seen her parents or eldest brother yet, but she had already encountered a crowd of detestable people, and now even this scoundrel.
Recalling how this scoundrel had humiliated her to the extreme in her past life and hadn’t even spared her ashes after her death, Shen Wan could hardly suppress her urge to kill.
Sensing the murderous intent, Xie Jingyu glanced in her direction.
Their eyes met unexpectedly.
In the next moment, Shen Wan lowered the carriage curtain.
A lunatic.
Better not provoke him.
Once she dealt with Xiao Yun and the second branch of the family, she would find an opportunity to take him down!
The grudge of scattering her ashes—
Must be avenged!