On the official road, horse hooves kicked up clouds of dust. Inside the carriage, Xiao Wanyan never ceased her fussing—one moment complaining that the bumpy road made her bones ache, the next clamoring for osmanthus cakes, her noise grating enough to give anyone a headache. Now she began scolding again: “Qinghe, quickly close the curtain! Dust is getting in!”
Lin Chunian swiftly lowered the carriage curtain, lowering her eyelids: “Yes, Second Miss.”
The dust itself wasn’t the real concern; it wouldn’t ruin the Second Miss’s makeup. She was already rather plain in appearance, yet today she insisted on wearing a peach-red and emerald-green ruqun dress, with three silver hairpins in her hair, her face heavily powdered and her lips painted a bright red. Lin Chunian was genuinely worried about her attire, but she couldn’t offer advice. Any suggestion would be met with scolding, accused of being a servant who didn’t understand the fashions of Bianjing—forgetting that she herself had spent ten years in the countryside.
“Once we enter the capital, all of you must be sharp,” Xiao Wanyan declared with her chin raised, her tone arrogant. “Don’t embarrass me, especially you, Qinghe. Although you have some looks, in the County Duke’s mansion, a maid is just a maid. Don’t harbor any ideas of climbing the social ladder.”
“This servant wouldn’t dare,” Lin Chunian replied meekly, keeping her head bowed. Having transmigrated three years ago, she had long since grasped the rules of this ancient world: strict hierarchies, lives as cheap as grass, and maids treated as mere commodities to be bought and sold. All she wanted was to live quietly, save enough silver to buy back her indenture, and gain her freedom—that would be enough.
Dongling, sitting beside her, gently touched the back of her hand in comfort. Dongling was two years older, with a round face and almond-shaped eyes, and a gentle temperament. If not for Dongling looking out for her everywhere these past three years, Lin Chunian—a modern person with no strength to even tie a chicken—would likely have long since given up.
“Second Miss, the heir personally came to fetch us. This shows the mansion still values you,” said the flattering Nanny Liu, her face full of coarse features.
A smug smile appeared on Xiao Wanyan’s face: “Of course. After all, I am Father’s own daughter. Having recuperated in the countryside for so many years, it’s time to return to the mansion and enjoy the prosperity I deserve.”
Lin Chunian sighed inwardly. This Second Miss was truly naive. If the County Duke’s mansion truly cared for her, why would they have left her in a remote countryside for ten years, attended only by a crude nanny and two maids? This sudden summons back to the capital surely had some hidden motive.
But she didn’t voice her thoughts.
The carriage rumbled along the rugged mountain path, with deep forests on both sides. The wind rustled through the leaves, and the surroundings were so quiet that only the sound of rolling wheels and horse hooves could be heard. Not a trace of human activity was in sight, carrying an indescribable desolation.
Liu Zhou rode up beside Xiao Jueyan and reported in a low voice: “Heir, the path ahead is remote, with overgrown grass and trees. There may be bandits lying in ambush. We must be extra cautious.”
Xiao Jueyan nodded. Just as he was about to raise his voice to give orders, dozens of masked men suddenly sprang out from both sides of the mountain path, each brandishing knives and axes, their roars shaking the sky: “Leave your valuables, and we’ll spare your lives!”
Before the words had fully faded, the sharp neighing of horses pierced the air, and the whistling sound of arrows cutting through the sky shot straight toward the carriage.
“Ambush! Protect the carriage!” the guards shouted urgently, immediately forming ranks to meet the attackers. Blades and swords instantly clashed, screams followed one after another, and the smell of blood soon spread.
Inside the carriage, Xiao Wanyan was scared out of her wits, shrieking in a shrill voice: “Help! Brother, save me! Nanny Liu! Protect me quickly!”
Nanny Liu frantically lifted the carriage curtain, pulling Xiao Wanyan as she jumped down, but before they could run more than a few steps, a bandit slashed her in the back with a single blow, and she collapsed stiffly to the ground, lifeless. Several servants from the manor also fell one after another. Xiao Wanyan was so terrified her legs gave way; she slumped to the ground, trembling all over, too frightened even to run. Soon, a bandit spotted her, struck her shoulder with a blade, and a hideous gash instantly opened across her neck, blood gushing out in a steady stream.
Lin Chunian’s heart clenched at the sight, and she couldn’t help but gasp aloud—the Second Young Lady she had served for three years now lay lifeless in a pool of blood.
Holy shit… someone really died? This wasn’t a performance; it was real, brutal slaughter!
“Qinghe… will we die here?” Dongling’s voice trembled uncontrollably, tears streaking her face as she clutched Lin Chunian’s sleeve with a death grip.
“No.” Lin Chunian’s voice shook as she tightly grasped Dongling’s hand in return, her own fingertips trembling uncontrollably. In her over ten years of life, when had she ever witnessed such a bloody scene? But she knew that in this ancient world where human life was cheap, waiting passively meant certain death. Fear was one thing, but running offered a chance to survive!
“Let’s go!” Gritting her teeth, Lin Chunian grabbed the petrified Dongling, lifted the carriage curtain, and dashed toward the woods beside the mountain path.
“Qinghe… there are so many bandits… I’m so scared…” Dongling clung to her hand, stumbling as she ran, her sobs choked with tears.
The two of them ran desperately forward, but before they had covered half a li, the sound of hoofbeats suddenly closed in from behind. A bandit with a brutish face reined in his horse, his gaze fixed intently on Lin Chunian’s face as he leered and approached: “What a stunning little beauty! Even the top courtesan in Bianjing can’t compare! Come with me, and I’ll guarantee you a life of luxury!”
As he spoke, he reached out to grab her. Lin Chunian hastily dodged to the side, but her wrist was still seized, and she was forcibly dragged toward the horse. Seeing this, Dongling threw herself forward to push him away, only to be kicked to the ground, where she clutched her stomach, weeping in pain.
Just as Lin Chunian’s heart sank, a flash of cold light streaked like lightning, too fast for the eye to follow. Warm liquid mixed with the heavy scent of blood splattered across her face. The arm restraining her suddenly went slack as the bandit’s head separated from his body with a thud, rolling to the ground beneath the horse.
She lost her balance and began to fall, but before she hit the ground, a strong arm caught her steadily. Looking up, she saw Xiao Jueyan. His dark brocade robes were stained with blood, and the tip of the long sword in his hand dripped with fresh blood. His features were deep and profound, like ink, the very image of a noble young master, yet he was enveloped in a chilling aura of killing intent that made Lin Chunian’s heart tremble with fear.
His skill was too ruthless—he hadn’t even blinked during that strike just now.
In the distance, Chen Jing and Liu Zhou had already slaughtered the remaining bandits. Dozens of bodies lay scattered across the mountain path—bandits, servants of the Duke’s manor, and guards all mixed together. Not a single one of the twenty escorts had survived.
“All dead?” Xiao Jueyan asked sharply, gently setting Lin Chunian down. She staggered, barely managing to steady herself, her whole body weak and her mind blank—as a modern person, such a bloody scene had already left her speechless with terror, her very breath trembling.
All dead… except for the few of them, everyone else was gone…
Chen Jing stepped forward and bowed as he reported: “Young Master, the Second Young Lady… has perished. Nanny Liu is also dead. Of the twenty escorts, not a single one survived. These bandits struck with ruthless precision and were well-trained, unlike ordinary mountain thieves.”
Liu Zhou also approached, his expression grave. “Young Master, I have examined the bandits’ bodies. Their arrows and some of their weapons bear markings, resembling military issue.”
Xiao Jueyan pondered for a moment, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Wanyan’s corpse without a trace of grief. He then turned to the trembling Dongling, and finally settled on Lin Chunian’s face, his eyes deep as if appraising an object.
“Young Master,” Chen Jing spoke hesitantly, “the Second Young Lady is dead. How will we explain this to the Duke upon returning to the capital?”
“Bringing her back to the manor was never about rekindling any familial affection,” Xiao Jueyan’s voice was flat. “She left the capital at eight years old. No one in Bianjing would recognize her appearance. Now, aside from myself and the two of you, only these two remain who know the truth.”
He raised an eyebrow slightly and slowly approached, looking down at Lin Chunian with overwhelming pressure. “What is your name?”
“This servant’s original name is… Lin… Lin Chunian. Three years ago, I was bought by the Second Young Lady from a human trafficker.” Lin Chunian’s voice trembled with lingering fear, her mind in turmoil. It’s over. What does he want to do? Why is my luck so bad? I endured three years as a maid, finally about to reach Bianjing to save money and buy my freedom, only to encounter bandits on the way and get caught up in a murder.
“I need an ‘Xiao Wanyan,'” Xiao Jueyan looked into her eyes, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. “You will do.”
Lin Chunian’s eyes widened sharply. She opened her mouth, her voice hoarse with shock. “Me?”
Have me impersonate Xiao Wanyan? He’s insane! What kind of place is the Duke’s manor? It’s one of the most powerful households under royal authority. The class hierarchy here is immense; these people could crush me with a flick of their fingers. As a counterfeit, if I show even the slightest flaw, my life is over! But judging by his demeanor, can I say no? I’m afraid the choice isn’t mine.
Xiao Jueyan tilted his head slightly, giving Chen Jing a faint glance. When his gaze returned to Dongling, Lin Chunian saw bone-chilling killing intent. Chen Jing immediately drew his blade, the tip pointing to the ground, and began walking step by step toward Dongling.
“This maid is a potential liability. Deal with her.”
As the icy words fell, Dongling shrank into a ball, tears streaming down her face as she kowtowed repeatedly. “No… Young Master, spare me! Qinghe, save me… Qinghe, save me!”
Cold sweat instantly broke out on Lin Chunian’s back—another killing? To silence her, he’s this ruthless! Dongling is my only anchor in this world. I absolutely cannot let her die!
Without thinking, she stepped in front of Dongling, shielding her desperately. Her gaze fixed on Xiao Jueyan, her body trembling uncontrollably. “You… you can’t kill her!”
She feared him, feared these nobles who held the power of life and death, but she feared losing her only “family” even more. She could only steel herself and speak.
Xiao Jueyan raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement in his eyes, his tone full of mockery. “Oh? A lowly maid dares to interfere in this Young Master’s affairs?”
Lin Chunian clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay calm. She spoke rapidly, though unable to fully conceal the fear in her voice. “I… I can impersonate the Second Young Lady, but I need Dongling. Dongling has served the Second Young Lady since childhood. She knows all her trivial matters and past. Once we reach the Duke’s manor, she can constantly remind me, helping me avoid all pitfalls! If you kill her, I know nothing about the Second Young Lady’s childhood in the manor. I’ll be exposed sooner or later! Moreover, Dongling is the Second Young Lady’s old servant. Having her by my side will prevent suspicion from the manor’s longtime staff!”
Bet on it! What he wants is a “Xiao Wanyan”—keeping Dongling alive would only benefit him. He knows how to weigh the pros and cons.
Xiao Jueyan’s gaze lingered on her face, and he remained silent for a moment. Liu Zhou stepped forward and whispered, “Young Master, she makes a valid point. Prince Jing is waiting for the second young lady to marry into his family, and Prince Rui is also keeping an eye on the Duke’s residence. We absolutely cannot afford any mishaps. Keeping this maid alive is far safer than killing her.”
Xiao Jueyan remained silent for a long while before finally uttering a single word: “Fine.”
He turned to look at Dongling, his tone carrying an air of authority: “Remember, from now on, she is the second young lady of the Yongning Duke’s residence, Xiao Wanyan. If you dare reveal even a hint of what happened today, you will die.”
Dongling scrambled to kowtow, her voice trembling yet resolute: “Yes! This servant remembers! She is the second young lady!”
Lin Chunian felt half of her anxiety ease, but her heart remained unsettled. She looked up at Xiao Jueyan, only to be met by his cold, penetrating gaze, which made her quickly lower her head. A whirlwind of emotions surged within her.
Fear—endless fear. But she had no choice. In this era where the powerful held the power of life and death, a lowly maid like her could only submit to their will.
Xiao Jueyan stared at her, his warning clear in his eyes, as if reminding her to recognize her new identity.
Lin Chunian bit her lip, suppressing the fear and panic in her heart. She slightly bent her knees and kowtowed, her voice stiff and timid, awkwardly uttering the words: “Elder… elder brother.”
For now, survival came first. She silently repeated her new identity in her heart: the illegitimate daughter of the Yongning Duke’s residence, Xiao Wanyan. Yet, her dream of redeeming herself and becoming a free person—she wondered when it would ever come true.