Shen Wan walked toward the area and, from afar, saw Shen Wu and Ye Caiwei hurrying down the steps to witness the commotion.
Shen Wan had always known the two resembled each other, but she had never imagined they were actually half-sisters.
Four years ago, her uncle, General Ye, died on the battlefield after taking an arrow for her father. Unable to endure the blow, her aunt fell gravely ill and soon passed away, leaving only her cousin behind.
Out of pity for the orphaned child, Shen Wan’s father wanted to bring her back from Qingzhou and raise her in the Shen household. However, because he was occupied with military affairs, the Second Master personally went to attend the funeral and fetch the child back. The person he brought home was Ye Caiwei.
After Ye Caiwei entered the Shen family, Shen Wan’s parents doted on her dearly, giving her everything they gave their own daughter.
When Shen Wan’s father earned military merit and the emperor wished to bestow the title of County Princess upon Shen Wan, he gave the honor to Ye Caiwei instead.
In her previous life, Ye Caiwei married Xiao Yun’s cousin and became the Duchess of Song. The two sisters climbed to the heights of glory by stepping on the blood of Shen Wan’s father, brothers, and maternal family.
Hatred wrapped itself around Shen Wan like thorny vines, tightening so hard she could barely breathe.
Yet Shen Wan had only learned of Ye Caiwei’s true identity after her death, when she accidentally overheard the Second Master’s concubine speaking about it. Most likely, even Shen Wu and the Second Madam had been kept in the dark. Otherwise, with their pride and status, how could they possibly have allowed an illegitimate daughter to marry into the Duke’s household as the heir’s wife?
At first glance, Ye Caiwei failed to recognize Shen Wan. After taking a closer look, surprise flashed across her face.
“Cousin?”
Shen Wu abruptly stopped in her tracks. Turning around and seeing Shen Wan dressed as a maid, she exclaimed, “Why are you here?!”
“Am I not allowed to be here?”
Realizing she had spoken poorly, Shen Wu quickly corrected herself. “A servant just reported that the carriage horse had gone mad. We thought it might be you and hurried over to check. Thank heavens you’re alright. But why are you dressed as a maid?”
Wearing servant’s clothing was one thing. Wearing it openly in front of them without even trying to hide it was another.
Shen Wan had already buried her hatred deep inside. Her gaze swept lightly over Ye Caiwei’s face as she replied calmly, “The incense stick I offered earlier snapped in half. Cousin feared it was an omen of bloodshed, so I asked a Taoist priest nearby to perform a divination. The priest said that if I returned to the residence myself, one of us, either the maid or me, would die while the other would be injured. But if the maid returned in my place, then both of us would remain safe.”
She was safe.
But what about Xiao Yun becoming emperor?
Shen Wu immediately rushed toward the scene of the accident.
Just like in the previous life, Xiao Yun had saved someone and fallen down the hillside, injuring himself in the process.
When he learned that the person he had risked himself to save was merely a maidservant, Xiao Yun’s face darkened instantly, fury surging in his eyes.
Shen Wan stepped forward, bowed gracefully, and said with sincere gratitude, “Thank you, Your Highness, for saving my maid’s life. Had it not been for Your Highness’s help, she would surely have died on the spot. Since Your Highness saved her life, I offer her to you in repayment of this great kindness.”
Beside her, Bao Cui blushed deeply, her delicate face glowing with shy anticipation as she looked at Xiao Yun.
To serve a prince meant a lifetime of wealth and honor.
Veins bulged across Xiao Yun’s forehead.
“I have no shortage of maids!”
Seeing him clutching his arm, Shen Wu asked anxiously, “Prince Cheng, your arm…”
“I’m fine.”
The words were practically forced through gritted teeth.
He could not bear the humiliation of injuring himself while trying to save a mere servant girl.
Xiao Yun mounted his horse. Before leaving, his malicious gaze swept coldly across Shen Wan’s face.
Watching him depart, Shen Wan sincerely hoped he was merely pretending to be alright and that his injuries were actually serious.
Once Xiao Yun left, the crowd gradually dispersed. Shen Wu and Ye Caiwei no longer had the mood to continue sightseeing at Huguo Temple, so they returned to the residence together with Shen Wan.
Although the carriage was spacious, the atmosphere inside felt unbearably cramped with the three of them seated together.
As the carriage rolled through the bustling streets, Shen Wan listened to the lively noise outside. She lifted a corner of the curtain and casually looked out.
Among the crowded streets, a striking man riding horseback entered her sight with an overwhelming and domineering presence.
It was a face so handsome it made the entire street seem dull in comparison.
But to Shen Wan, it felt as though the words “terrible luck” had been slapped directly onto her forehead.
That man was none other than…
Xie Jingyu.
The very man who had scattered her ashes.
She had finally been reborn, yet before even reuniting with her parents and elder brother, she had already run into a string of detestable people, including this bastard.
Remembering how he had humiliated her in her previous life and even scattered her ashes after her death, Shen Wan felt an uncontrollable urge to kill him on the spot.
Sensing killing intent, Xie Jingyu suddenly turned his head and looked in her direction.
Their eyes met unexpectedly.
In the very next second, Shen Wan immediately lowered the carriage curtain.
A madman.
Someone she absolutely could not afford to provoke right now.
Once she dealt with Xiao Yun and the Second Madam, she would settle accounts with him too.
The grudge of scattering her ashes…
She would definitely repay it.