Such explosive news, delivered one after another from A-Man’s mouth, made Shen Xinyan feel as if her very soul was trembling.
Her gaze instinctively fell upon Madam Luo. Just as A-Man had said, after setting down her wine cup, Madam Luo was casting an unfriendly look at the timid little maid beside her.
Then the maid stiffened, her body trembling uncontrollably. After being scolded a few words by Madam Luo, her eyes brimmed with tears, and she hung her head low, not daring to move a muscle.
Shen Xinyan couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath—it seemed what A-Man said was true.
At that moment, Shen Xinyan saw Second Miss Li rise under the guidance of a garden maid and walk toward the side gate. Before leaving, she didn’t forget to shoot Fourth Miss Liu a meaningful glance.
Shen Xinyan took a deep breath. What was wrong with this world? Why was it so completely different from the one she saw?
Noticing the change in Shen Xinyan’s expression, Yingtao put away her handkerchief and leaned closer. “Madam, are you all right?”
It was only natural for Madam to be in low spirits after nearly falling victim to a scheme.
Shen Xinyan took the opportunity to press her temples. “I’m afraid I’ve had too much to drink today, Yingtao. Help me outside for a walk to clear my head.”
Yingtao nodded. This was Madam’s first cup of wine since sitting down; she couldn’t possibly be drunk.
But as a dowry maid who had grown up with Shen Xinyan since childhood, Yingtao was well aware of the sorrows her mistress could not speak of to outsiders. Coupled with what had just happened, Yingtao set down her round fan, helped Shen Xinyan up, and led her toward the garden.
Along the way, she cautiously inquired, “Is Madam finding the song and dance too noisy? Perhaps we could find a quiet place to rest for a while.”
Then she added indignantly, “Whoever was behind that earlier incident nearly succeeded in tricking Madam. Once we return, we must definitely find out who it was.”
Wasn’t her mistress’s life already hard enough? How could someone scheme against her like this?
Just as Shen Xinyan was about to speak, A-Man’s cold snort reached her ears: “Truly, having been a widow for so long makes one more delicate than ordinary people.”
These words struck directly at Shen Xinyan’s sore spot—she usually couldn’t bear to hear the word “widow.”
Almost every official in Daliang knew that Shen Xinyan was an ill-fated person.
She came from the Ning Guogong Fu, a family with three generations of only sons. She lost her mother at five, and her father passed away when she was twelve. Fortunately, the Empress Dowager had some ties with the Ning Guogong Fu and, pitying her loneliness, took her in and personally raised her.
At fifteen, the Emperor personally issued an edict betrothing her to the second young master of the Zhen Yuan Jiang Jun Fu.
The ancestors of Zhenyuan Jiangjun had fought alongside the founding emperor to establish the realm. The men of the family had died off, one after another.
Although the old general did not die in battle, he was carried off the battlefield. Having lost a leg, he remained in the residence, living out his years in honor.
By her father-in-law Master Yao’s generation, in order to preserve the family bloodline, the old general had his only son study literature and take the imperial examinations. Unfortunately, Master Yao’s talent was limited, and he only reached the fourth rank official position.
This rank was not particularly outstanding in the capital, just enough to keep the family fed and clothed.
In his old age, the old general had originally intended to return the general’s residence, but he never expected that among his grandsons would emerge a young general—the very second young master Shen Xinyan married.
The eldest young master had originally wanted to follow his father’s path and take the imperial examinations. His talent was far greater than his father Master Yao’s, but unfortunately, his constitution was too weak. He passed away from a bout of wind-chill at the age of twenty.
The second young master had grown up with his grandfather on the frontier. His body was extremely robust, and by the age of twenty, he was already a renowned young general.
The Emperor himself once said this young man had limitless prospects, so marrying her off to him would not be a disgrace.
Originally, it was a fine match. Yet, on the very night of the wedding, just as the second young master lifted the bridal veil, he was urgently recalled to the front lines and never returned.
This only further confirmed her fate as the Tian Sha Gu Xing.
And so, this widow who had “cursed” her husband to death took charge of the entire general’s household, and three years passed in the blink of an eye.
Fortunately, with the Empress Dowager standing behind her, no one dared gossip in her presence, and her days remained relatively peaceful.
But who could have expected that such filth as aphrodisiacs would appear at what was supposed to be a serene flower-viewing banquet?
Why did she hear that eerie voice of A-Man? Why did it offer to help her, and why did it insist it was her future self?
This series of questions made Shen Xinyan’s temples throb with pain.
Regardless, this matter could not be revealed to outsiders, or she might be tied up and burned at the stake.
Yingtao watched Shen Xinyan nervously. “Has Madam recovered somewhat?”
Seeing Yingtao’s concern, Shen Xinyan waved her off. “I’m much better now. Go fetch me a damp cloth. This dress is tied too tightly—I can hardly breathe.”
The current emperor favored slender waists, and noblewomen from prominent families competed to emulate this standard of beauty. Thus, her explanation held no hint of incongruity.
Yingtao acknowledged the order and quickly left the pavilion, heading toward the pond.
Once Yingtao was gone, Shen Xinyan whispered to herself, “Since you claim to be my future self, tell me, how will my life turn out?”
She asked several times, but A-Man’s voice did not return, as if everything she had heard earlier was merely an illusion.
Shen Xinyan felt deflated and murmured softly, “If you won’t speak, I’ll return now.”
It seemed she should hurry back; staying away from the banquet too long might invite unnecessary speculation.
But just as she rose, A-Man’s voice echoed once more: “After you return, swap the wine in your cup with Yao Jinning’s. The drug in your wine was her doing—she deserves retribution.”
At the mention of “retribution,” A-Man’s voice carried a hint of gritted teeth.
Shen Xinyan slumped back onto the stone stool. “That’s impossible!”
She was Yao Jinning’s second sister-in-law.
Even after the incident with the skirt hem, she had assumed Yao Jinning’s actions were merely childish pranks. After all, the entire general’s household now relied on her dowry for support.
A-Man’s voice grew even colder. “What’s impossible about it? You are the sole heir of Ning Guo Gong Fu. Keeping you alive only means receiving monthly allowances, but eliminating you could bring a lifetime of wealth and honor. What do you think she would choose?”
Shen Xinyan’s face gradually paled, her hands clenching into fists. “Why would Jinning treat me this way?”
Though she knew Jinning might not like her, that was no reason to harm her.
A-Man sneered again. “Wealth stirs greed. She believes you have too much and give too little, so naturally, she’d want your life.”
Having lost both parents at a young age, Shen Xinyan had long regarded the Yao family as her own kin.
Now, her body trembled violently, and she felt sick to her stomach, yet she believed A-Man’s words. “Did you escape that cup of wine?”
A-Man fell silent for a moment before replying leisurely, “No.”
If possible, she would have forced the wine down Yao Jinning’s throat herself.
Remembering A-Man’s claim that she was her future self, Shen Xinyan felt the world spin around her.
Coincidentally, Yingtao returned just then with a damp handkerchief. Seeing Shen Xinyan in such a state, Yingtao was frightened and hurriedly supported her arm. “Madam, what’s wrong? Please don’t scare this servant.”
Recalling A-Man’s words about Yao Jinning scheming against her, Shen Xinyan grabbed Yingtao’s hand and abruptly stood up. “A-Man, let’s return to the banquet.”
She intended to confront Yao Jinning and demand an explanation.