In her previous life, she had never known these things. Swallow Holding Branch’s eyes sparkled as she looked at her parents. How fortunate she was to have such parents by her side. “Father is wonderful, and Mother is wonderful too.”
Only after losing something does one realize how precious the love they once had truly was. This also indirectly highlighted just how despicable Wang Caibing, Yan Jingzheng, and Wang Chenbi were.
Swallow Holding Branch’s hatred for her enemies grew even deeper. In her heart, she added a few more gruesome ways for Wang Caibing and the second branch of the family to die. One day, she would make sure they were utterly destroyed, their bones ground to dust, and their deaths anything but peaceful.
As Swallow Holding Branch was lost in thought, Yan Tingbai and Madam Bai worked together to fasten the necklace with pendant ornaments around her neck. The couple then praised how beautiful it looked, one after another.
This made Swallow Holding Branch’s heart swell with joy. Madam Bai, feeling guilty for having forgotten her daughter’s birthday, thought that a pair of jadeite twist bracelets alone were not enough to express her feelings. She asked, “Sister Yuan, is there anything else you want?”
Swallow Holding Branch’s eyes rolled playfully. “Can I have anything I want?”
Madam Bai nodded. “Anything!”
She thought a three-year-old child surely wouldn’t ask for the stars in the sky!
Even if her daughter really did want the stars, Madam Bai pondered—among her dowry, there seemed to be a small piece of meteorite. That could barely count as a star, right?
Swallow Holding Branch didn’t make such an outrageous request, but what she asked for was not easy to fulfill either. “I want Great-Aunt—the Great-Aunt from the Jinling Family Temple.”
“Great-Aunt?” Madam Bai was taken aback. “You want Great-Aunt?”
Swallow Holding Branch nodded. “Yes, I want Great-Aunt!”
In her previous life, she had died in the capital. Thinking no one in the world would care about her, she never expected that upon hearing the news of her death, Great-Aunt would come all the way to the capital, storm into the Jingyuan Marquisate, and give Wang Caibing, Yan Jingzheng, and Wang Chenbi a scathing dressing-down.
At that time, Wang Caibing was the matriarch of the Jingyuan Marquisate, Yan Jingzheng was a high-ranking official, and Wang Chenbi was the marquise—all of them prominent and illustrious, basking in their glory.
Yet, in front of Great-Aunt, these three glorious figures were berated so harshly that they didn’t dare utter a single word in response.
That was the first time Swallow Holding Branch had seen these three suffer a setback, and the satisfaction she felt was indescribable.
But the satisfaction was fleeting. What followed filled Swallow Holding Branch with deep resentment. After Great-Aunt had stood up for her and paid her respects at her grave, she prepared to return to Jinling.
Unexpectedly, on her way back, Great-Aunt encountered river pirates and died in the river, her body lost forever.
Great-Aunt’s death was no accident. The masters of the Jingyuan Marquisate were not magnanimous enough to swallow the humiliation of being publicly shamed by Great-Aunt.
With just a hint of their displeasure, their loyal servants would take the initiative to act on their behalf.
Those wretched servants spread the word that Great-Aunt was boarding the ship with a large amount of treasure. Since ancient times, wealth has tempted people’s hearts, and Great-Aunt, traveling alone, seemed like an easy target—a defenseless lamb ripe for plundering.
And so, tragedy befell Great-Aunt. If it weren’t for the fact that those servants had received rewards from Wang Caibing, Yan Jingzheng, and Wang Chenbi, Swallow Holding Branch might never have learned the truth.
She had always carried this guilt with her. Great-Aunt had protected her, raised her, yet she had caused Great-Aunt to meet such a tragic end. All of it was her fault.
That’s why, in this life, seizing the opportunity, Swallow Holding Branch wanted Great-Aunt to return. Firstly, to give herself a chance to make up for the regrets of her previous life.
Secondly, once Grandfather passes away, the grandaunt would be the best person to suppress Wang Caibing. Swallow Holding Branch truly longed to see Wang Caibing being scolded to pieces again.
“The grandaunt from Jinling?
Why would Sister Yuan think of the grandaunt from Jinling?
Have I mentioned her in front of you?
Brother Bai, have you spoken of her in front of our daughter?” Madam Bai asked her husband after questioning her daughter, utterly unable to understand why her daughter would want the grandaunt from Jinling.
Yan Tingbai shook his head, indicating he had not, and neither had Madam Bai. So how did their daughter know?
The couple simultaneously turned their gaze toward Swallow Holding Branch, who replied, “Grandfather mentioned it. Grandfather said he wanted to see his elder sister from Jinling.”
Since the couple couldn’t possibly go to the Old Master to verify, she would let the Old Master shoulder this blame for her!
Only then did the couple realize what was going on. Yan Tingbai pondered thoughtfully, “If the Old Master brought this up, could it be that he wants the grandaunt to return?”
“Speaking of which, Brother Bai, what exactly is the story with the grandaunt from Jinling?
If it weren’t for the annual funds sent to her, I wouldn’t even know there was such a grandaunt in the family?”
Madam Bai was also unfamiliar with the grandaunt from Jinling. Since the topic had come up, she took the opportunity to ask.
Yan Tingbai’s expression turned somewhat peculiar. “The grandaunt from Jinling is the Old Master’s elder sister. Over twenty years ago, she was a true noble lady of the capital.
By seniority, we should address her as Aunt, while Sister Yuan would call her Grandaunt.”
Madam Bai was astonished. “Elder sister?
Then she must be the legitimate eldest daughter of the marquisate. Why is she in the family temple?”
Could it be that she committed some grave mistake?
If so, she absolutely must not allow this grandaunt to return, lest she corrupt her daughter!
Yan Tingbai’s expression grew even more peculiar. “That’s a long story, dating back over thirty years ago, when my grandfather was still in charge.
My grandfather had a sharp eye back then and rendered meritorious service by supporting the previous emperor’s ascension to the throne. Afterward, the Jingyuan Marquisate enjoyed unprecedented favor and glory.
Aunt was born during that time. Because she was born in the most splendid period, her name was even given by the Empress—Yan Cunzhen.
Aunt Cunzhen’s childhood life was comparable to that of a royal princess. She was doted on by her parents and, in addition, was quite talented herself.
She mastered all the skills expected of a woman of her status, and even the scholarly pursuits and equestrian arts of young men posed no challenge to her. In those days, she captivated the hearts of countless young men.”
However, no one is perfect. Yan Cunzhen’s temperament was not gentle or compliant; she was proud and not one to be trifled with, and she had little patience for the intricate schemes of women in the inner quarters.
“Because of this, when Grandfather and Grandmother were seeking a son-in-law for Aunt Cunzhen, they gave it much thought. After careful consideration, they settled on the heir of the Wuyang Marquis.”
At this point, Yan Tingbai’s tone turned nostalgic. “Grandfather and Grandmother valued the fact that the Wuyang Marquis’s heir kept a quiet household and was not overly fond of beauty.
Moreover, the Wuyang Marquis’s heir was quite ingenious. The Curved Shaft Plow and Waterwheel used by common people were actually improved by him.
It is said that these innovations reduced the resistance in plowing and increased the efficiency of turning soil.
The heir also invented the Honeycomb Briquette, mixing coal dust with clay and pressing it into a honeycomb shape. Paired with ventilated stoves, it lowered the heating costs for common people in winter and reduced excessive deforestation.
Both of these inventions spread to countless households, benefiting the common people greatly.”
Not only that, the heir also composed poetry, such as “Sympathy for the Peasants,” “Ode to the Goose,” “Thoughts on a Quiet Night,” “Spring Dawn,” and “Painting”—all concise and easily understood masterpieces.
For these reasons, the heir of Wuyang Marquis even received praise from the emperor, becoming a highly sought-after figure in the capital.
Grandfather and grandmother believed the heir of Wuyang Marquis would be a suitable match for their daughter.
Since the heir had notable achievements but was not involved in deadly court struggles for succession, marrying their daughter to him meant they wouldn’t have to worry about him causing trouble that could endanger the entire family.
Aunt Cunzhen also held a favorable impression of this young talent renowned throughout the capital, so the marriage was arranged by both sets of parents.
This was originally a well-matched union, but no one could have anticipated that the heir’s tranquil inner courtyard was not due to a lack of interest in women.
Rather, it was because he was a cut-sleeve. While his inner courtyard had no women, his front courtyard study housed many male favorites.
The heir lavished affection on a man named Su Nu, who, emboldened by this favor, dared to cause trouble in front of Yan Cunzhen.
Who was Yan Cunzhen?
The esteemed eldest daughter of the prestigious Jingyuan Marquisate!
How could she tolerate the insolence of a male favorite?
Not only did Yan Cunzhen whip him and send him flying, but she also ordered her servants to beat Su Nu with boards before returning him to the heir of Wuyang Marquis.
This, however, enraged the heir. This celebrated talent of the capital, as if kicked in the head by a donkey, went to Yan Cunzhen and declared that his true love was Su Nu, and no one could replace him.
If Yan Cunzhen wished to enter the Wuyang Marquisate, she must behave like a proper woman and possess the magnanimity of a prime minister. Otherwise, he would condemn her to a lifetime of widowhood in name only.
“How could Aunt tolerate such humiliation? So she…” Yan Tingbai’s expression grew increasingly indescribable. “In a fit of rage, she castrated the heir.”