Jiang Yunniang was determined to leave the Song family. But before leaving, she would take revenge and claim the compensation she deserved.
In her past life, before she even died, Jiang Bairou had come flaunting her swollen belly. Stroking it proudly, she sneered: “Elder Sister, you don’t know yet, do you? At the start of last month, Wenling married me as his new wife. Tearing up your divorce letter is useless. You’re jealous and immoral—there’s no place for you in the Jiang family. Only Wenling’s kindness let you remain in the Song household.”
At that time, though Jiang Yunniang despised Jiang Bairou, she hadn’t realized that Jiang Bairou and Wenling had long been lovers. Jiang Bairou continued: “Why look at me like that? Oh, right—on your wedding night, while you sat alone in your bridal chamber, Wenling was in the next courtyard making love to me. That’s the grudge you should bear against me.”
Knowing it was Jiang Yunniang’s wedding night, Jiang Bairou had deliberately sought Song Wenling out, only to savor Jiang Yunniang’s humiliation when the truth came out.
Watching Jiang Bairou’s smug smile, Jiang Yunniang had wanted to claw her face apart. But her body was already failing, her strength gone. She could only bite her lip until it bled and rasp, “Get out!”
“Elder Sister, you needn’t hate me so much. If you hadn’t suddenly returned to the Jiang family, I wouldn’t have become the laughingstock ‘false daughter.’ I would have married Wenling smoothly. Blame yourself—had you not come back, I wouldn’t have had to debase myself in secret with Wenling, nor lose Mother’s favor.” Pausing, Jiang Bairou laughed coldly. “We’re both Father’s daughters. Why is it that only I must live in the shadows?”
“What do you mean?” Jiang Yunniang was stunned.
“You still don’t understand? I am Father’s daughter too. Only, you had a proper mother, while mine could never be acknowledged.” Hatred filled Jiang Bairou’s eyes. She had once been cherished—her brothers adored her, her father doted on her. But once her true parentage was exposed, her mother refused to see her, and her father denied her blood.
Jiang Bairou cursed fate. Especially when she learned the Songs had chosen Jiang Yunniang to marry Song Wenling—she hadn’t slept a wink that night.
Jiang Yunniang had stolen everything from her. So she plotted revenge, deliberately seducing Song Wenling until he was hopelessly devoted.
Seeing Jiang Yunniang’s ashen face, Jiang Bairou smiled in satisfaction.
And Jiang Yunniang, even at death’s door, had still wondered what Jiang Bairou’s words—“I am Father’s daughter too”—truly meant. Now, reborn, she looked at Jiang Bairou with only cold laughter.
“No!” Song Wenling was the first to object. His mother had promised that once he secured his position at court, he could divorce Jiang Yunniang and marry Bairou.
“Why not?” Jiang Yunniang’s gaze was steady. “Second Young Master has already taken my sister’s body. Does he mean to shirk responsibility?”
Song Wenling flushed red. “That’s not what I meant. It’s just—Bairou cannot enter the household as a lowly concubine.”
Madam Zhang shot her son a glare. At such a time, did he not realize appeasing Jiang Yunniang was paramount?
She stepped closer, coaxing: “Yunniang, Bairou is also a Jiang daughter. If she entered as a lowly concubine, your father and grandmother would never agree. If word spread, how shameful it would be.” Her tone carried a veiled threat.
“And sneaking into her brother‑in‑law’s bed isn’t shameful? Besides, the Second Young Master is scheduled to take the palace exam soon. His reputation matters more, doesn’t it?” Jiang Yunniang was unafraid.
Madam Zhang least wanted this scandal exposed. If it spread, the First Branch would lose all face, and Song Wenling’s career would be ruined.
Madam Zhang’s patience snapped. “If you insist, it only proves the Jiang daughter lacks upbringing. Yunniang, think carefully—if this is made public, we can divorce you.”
“By all means.”
Jiang Yunniang had been waiting for this. “If Mother wishes Second Young Master to cast me aside, I don’t fear the uproar. The law is clear: a man who divorces his wife without cause is sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. Does Second Young Master truly wish to throw away his future?”
Madam Zhang’s head throbbed. Wenling was her only legitimate son, her sole hope. And Yunniang—raised in the marketplace—how did she know the law?
Song Qingbai, silent until now, asked through clenched teeth, “What exactly do you want?”
Jiang Yunniang sighed deeply. “I don’t mean to be cruel. But this wound is too deep—anyone in my place would never forget it. Father and Mother know I wished to live peacefully with the Second Young Master. Yet you all see how he shields Bairou. Where is there room for me?”
She dabbed her eyes.“If Second Young Master insists on giving Bairou a title, then she must enter as a lowly concubine. If this reaches my father, I will stand firm. He would not want all of Shengjing to know he raised a daughter without virtue. Otherwise, send Bairou to my uncle’s household in the distant Lu clan. Then I will let the matter rest.”
The Lu family lived far in the bitter northern frontier. If Jiang Bairou were sent there, disgraced, her life would be a misery.
Jiang Bairou’s face turned white. She clutched Song Wenling’s sleeve, pleading, “Wen… Wenling.”
That cry pierced Song Wenling’s heart. He seized her hand, thinking: even if the Lu family held power, he would abandon it. “If I cannot divorce, then let us annul the marriage!”
“Silence!” Song Qingbai roared. He had always valued his son, but to be so muddle‑headed for a woman enraged him.
Jiang Yunniang feigned heartbreak. “Second Young Master truly wishes to annul with me?”
“I…” Song Wenling faltered. Seeing her sorrow, guilt pricked him.
Madam Zhang tried to defend him, but her husband’s glare silenced her.
Song Qingbai’s face was grim. “The ancients said: better to tear down a temple than destroy a marriage. Yunniang, since you are wed to Wenling, live with him in peace. As for Bairou, we will discuss with your elders. It grows late—let us end this.”
Though his mood was foul, he could only offer placation.
But Jiang Yunniang was no longer the same. Hearing the perfunctory tone, she nodded, then pressed firmly: “I suffered outside for over ten years. My mother cherishes me deeply. Even my uncle personally attended my coming‑of‑age ceremony. So even if Father shields Bairou, I will not yield.”
Either Jiang Bairou became a lowly concubine, forever in the shadows—or she was sent to the frozen frontier to marry some rough soldier.
Having spoken, Jiang Yunniang ignored their faces and left with Qiuyue.
Of the four left behind, Song Wenling tried to speak for Jiang Bairou, but his father dragged him into the study.
At the doorway, Jiang Bairou faced Madam Zhang’s dark expression, her heart pounding.
“Take her back the way she came,” Madam Zhang ground out. “I once thought you good, pitied you, and gave you favor. But you heard Yunniang’s words. Our Song family cannot afford disgrace. If your father won’t protect you, prepare for the northern frontier.”
She would never sacrifice the First Branch’s honor for Jiang Bairou.
At that, Jiang Bairou collapsed to her knees. “Madam Song, I beg you—I cannot go to the frontier. I… I truly…”