Earl Pingkang had five concubines, three sons, and six daughters. In his eyes, none of the children mattered—only those with value could earn his favor.
“Father, look at her…”
“Enough.” Ignoring Jun Qingnian’s complaints, the Earl cast a deep look at Jun Ning before saying to Jun Qingnian: “She is your legitimate sister. Do not forget your place.”
It was unclear whom he favored, but the servants, ever quick to follow the wind, realized their attitude toward the second young lady might need to change.
Jun Ning was not surprised. She had long expected this reaction. Her father was cowardly and calculating; to him, daughters were nothing more than bargaining chips for power.
“Father, I have something to say to Madam Lou.”
Her back was soaked in blood, yet she stood with poise, as if she felt no pain at all.
This sight reminded Jun Daoyuan strangely of Jun Ning’s late mother. Against his better judgment, he nodded.
“Madam Lou, if I wished to harm you, I would not resort to such crude methods as poisoning. By noon tomorrow, I expect you to give me an explanation. Do not force me to investigate myself.”
A flicker of panic crossed Madam Lou’s eyes. Jun Qingnian opened her mouth, but when she met Jun Ning’s cold, piercing gaze, her scalp tingled with fear, and she shrank back behind her mother.
“Second Miss, I will investigate.” Madam Lou gritted her teeth as she spoke, then fled the courtyard with Jun Qingnian, nearly in disgrace.
Jun Ning turned, but as she took a step, she staggered. A bitter taste rose in her throat, and she coughed up blood, her vision darkening. She had been forcing herself to stand. Now that everyone had left, her strength reached its limit.
“Miss!” Yu Zhu was terrified. Ignoring the wound on her own forehead, she hurried to support Jun Ning back into the house.
“Miss, please don’t scare me…”
Before fainting, Jun Ning caught a glimpse of Yu Zhu’s anxious face. She wanted to reassure her, but at that moment, she could not.
The candlelight flickered, the moon slanted across half the window. The bed curtains were tied to either side, and a carved incense burner shaped with entwined green leaves released a faint, delicate fragrance.
When Jun Ning awoke again, she guessed it was already the hour of Xu (around 7–9 p.m.). She was lying face‑down on the bed. The wound on her back seemed to have been treated; it no longer tore with unbearable pain.
A warm touch rested on her hand. Following it, Jun Ning saw Yu Zhu curled at the bedside, asleep with her knees drawn up.
Jun Ning frowned. This girl—she only thought of guarding her mistress, yet hadn’t even tended to the wound on her own forehead.
Jun Ning forced herself upright. As she tried to sit, Yu Zhu stirred, rubbing her eyes. Seeing her mistress awake, she instantly lost all trace of sleepiness.
“Miss, you’re finally awake! Master called for a physician to examine your wound. The doctor said it will take at least half a month to heal. It’s all my fault—I’m useless, I couldn’t do anything.”
As she spoke, Yu Zhu’s tears fell like strings of pearls.
Jun Ning’s heart ached. Yu Zhu had been with her since childhood. Even when threatened and tempted by Jun Qingnian, she had never thought of leaving. If she weren’t Jun Ning’s maid, she would not have suffered so much humiliation.
But Yu Zhu never complained. She truly regarded Jun Ning as her mistress to follow unto death.
Jun Ning raised her hand and gently wiped away Yu Zhu’s tears.
“Silly girl, you’ve already done more than enough. It was my weakness before that made you suffer alongside me.”
In her past life, her endless endurance had led everyone around her to tragic ends. It was her mistake. This time, she would not allow it. Even if it cost her life, she would protect those by her side. If anyone dared harm them, she would show no mercy.
“No, no,” Yu Zhu shook her head again and again. “Miss is kind, always good to me. To serve you is enough—for me, even if it means dying in this life, I…” *am content.*
“Hush! Don’t say such nonsense.” Jun Ning covered Yu Zhu’s mouth. “You promised to stay with me for a lifetime—not a single day less, understand?”
“Mm!” Yu Zhu nodded firmly. Suddenly remembering something, she quickly wiped her tears and stood up.
“It’s my fault—Miss, you must be hungry. I’ll go fetch food right away!”
“Wait.” Jun Ning stopped her. “Go to the bottom of the cabinet and bring me that small chest.”
Yu Zhu hesitated, but followed the order, retrieving the little box from the far corner.
“Miss, what is this? I’ve never seen it before.”
Jun Ning opened the chest, lifting the first layer. Inside were black and white jars and bottles. The second layer held acupuncture needles and similar tools.
Seeing her mistress skillfully take out a vial, Yu Zhu’s eyes widened in shock. Though she didn’t understand medicine, she had seen doctors’ kits before—Jun Ning’s box looked no different.
Could it be that Miss actually knew the art of healing?
“What are you standing there for? Come here. Why haven’t you treated the wound on your forehead? What if it leaves a scar?”
Yu Zhu leaned close. Only when the cool ointment stung her wound did she react.
“Hiss… Miss…”
“Bear with it, it will be fine soon.” Jun Ning’s hand moved more gently.
“It’s not that, Miss. I’m just surprised—you actually know medicine…”
Jun Ning’s hand paused. “Only a little. Don’t think too much of it.”
Yu Zhu didn’t know the truth: Jun Ning had studied medicine for Xiao Yunjie. Once, he had been gravely wounded, nearly beyond saving. From then on, she trained in martial arts while also studying medicine. Heaven rewarded her persistence—she truly mastered it.
In her past life, she used these skills countless times to save Xiao Yunjie.
But in this life, even if Xiao Yunjie died before her eyes, she would clap her hands in delight.
“Miss is so amazing. I would never despise you. But isn’t it wasteful to use such fine ointment on me?”
“Don’t talk nonsense.” Jun Ning tapped the uninjured part of Yu Zhu’s forehead. “Remember this, Yu Zhu—you belong to me. Whatever I, Jun Ning, use, you will use too. Understand?”
Her aura shifted suddenly, and Yu Zhu was awed into silence before timidly nodding.
Since the day Miss was beaten by the Earl, and then awoke again, she seemed changed—more forceful, more protective. This new Miss would never be bullied by the other sons and daughters.
“Oh, Miss—Du Yi sent word yesterday. The Fifth Prince will return to the city tomorrow at noon.”
Du Yi was Xiao Yunjie’s personal guard. Whenever he sent messages to Jun Ning, it was always through Du Yi.
Jun Ning placed the precious wound medicine back into the chest and said coldly: “From now on, anything concerning Xiao Yunjie need not be reported to me. If Du Yi comes again with a message, treat it as though you never heard it.”
“Ah?”