June, as dusk settled over the capital.
In the Diejinlou, the residence of the third young miss of the Huininghoufu, the low murmurs of a young girl drifted out intermittently, with scattered words that sent shivers down one’s spine.
“Mother… affair… elopement… bastard child… divorce…”
Inside the bedroom of the Xiulou, Jiang Lingyuan finished recounting the entire sequence of events in one breath before asking with concern, “Third sister, are you all right?”
Jiang Lingwan lay half-reclined on the bed, her head lowered, her pearly teeth clenched tightly against her lips. After a long while, she managed to squeeze out a sentence: “I’m fine. I just never expected…”
Never expected that the gentle, kind, and caring second sister, Jiang Lingyuan, was a devil in human skin.
Never expected that the low-key, virtuous, and unassuming Concubine Qiao harbored malicious intentions and had caused her mother’s death.
What she least expected was that after enduring immense suffering, rising to great heights, and exacting her revenge, she was struck down by a bout of cold, only to open her eyes and find herself back at the age of twelve.
Two earth-shattering events had occurred this year: the day before, she had attended the Fengheyan and been publicly rejected in marriage; the following day, her mother had died from a miscarriage.
Even after all she had experienced later in life, the memory still stirred hatred within her.
A concerned sigh from Jiang Lingyuan reached her ears: “Yes, I never expected it either.”
Jiang Lingwan raised her head and met Jiang Lingyuan’s gaze. At this moment, Jiang Lingyuan looked at her with worry, her eyes filled with concern, anxiety, and pity.
Jiang Lingwan couldn’t help but sneer inwardly: You never expected?
Never expected that the scheme would be so easily realized? Never expected that I would be publicly humiliated by the one I loved? Never expected that I would fall ill with a fever, my grief and anger compounded by sickness, making me more easily provoked and quicker to anger, so your wicked plan could succeed faster?
Did you truly never expect?
You did. All of this was part of your plan. My mother would die a tragic death, and I would be cast into a Zhuangzi by my father, isolated from the world. Concubine Qiao would be elevated to the position of the legitimate wife, and together, you would conspire to seize my mother’s assets. I, Jiang Lingwan, would become your stepping stone, forever serving as your foil.
You would gain a sterling reputation, first as a Huangzifei, then as a Houfuren, forcing me to become a Xiatangqi, surviving on your mercy while barely clinging to life.
But fate is unpredictable. No matter how meticulously you schemed, you never expected that I would cling to the Shezheng Wang, that towering tree, rising to great heights in a single day, trampling you underfoot and forcing you to kneel and beg for mercy.
Recalling the struggles of her past life, Jiang Lingwan momentarily lost control, her body trembling slightly.
Jiang Lingyuan could never guess the true reason for her trembling. She believed Jiang Lingwan was trembling with rage, seething with hatred, her teeth clenched and her entire body shaking.
“Such a major scandal has occurred within the family, and on top of that, there are those gossiping outsiders commenting on yesterday’s events at the Fengheyan.”
Jiang Lingyuan sighed, expressing pity and indignation on Jiang Lingwan’s behalf: “You clearly won the title of Huawang, and you’re so beautiful, yet Ning Xuan had to reject you.”
At this point, she paused to observe Jiang Lingwan’s reaction.
Sure enough, Jiang Lingwan’s hands resting on the brocade quilt clenched tightly.
Ning Xuan, the Yongpinghou Shizi, the Hou’s own nephew. Not only was he of noble status, accomplished in both literary and martial arts, but he was also exceptionally handsome, graceful, and poised. He was one of the capital’s rare young talents, the Dongchuang Kuai Xu whom young ladies of noble families eagerly pursued.
Jiang Lingwan adored Ning Xuan, yearning to marry him with an almost obsessive fervor.
At yesterday’s Fengheyan, Jiang Lingwan disregarded both her dignity and life, leaping from the boat to dive into the water and pluck the Huawang. Later, soaked to the bone and clutching the flower, she begged the Hou to grant her a marriage. Before she could even finish speaking, Ning Xuan had already refused her.
Recalling the cold mockery and ridicule she endured yesterday, and the foolish, laughable spectacle she had made of herself, Jiang Lingwan’s jade-like fingers turned white at the knuckles, her face flashing with humiliation and pain.
Only then did Jiang Lingyuan cover her mouth, feigning regret for her careless words: “Look at me, why am I bringing this up? What matters most now is Mother’s situation.”
She gave Jiang Lingwan a troubled glance, wearing an expression of deep concern and hesitation. After a long pause, she seemed to steel herself, adopting a tone of painful but necessary resolve, as if severing a limb to save the body: “Third Sister, since Mother’s heart is no longer in this family…”
First, she had skillfully brought up the incident at Fengheyan where Ning Xuan rejected her, shaking her to the core, filling her with grief and indignation, and stripping away her reason. Then, she had mentioned Mother’s affair.
On the surface, it appeared to be sensible persuasion, but in reality, it was adding fuel to the fire, stoking the flames of discord.
Exactly the same as in her past life.
Yet the Jiang Lingwan before her was no longer the same Jiang Lingwan from before.
She had endured betrayal by loved ones, the torment of being cast aside, and had gritted her teeth to climb her way up, rising high above.
She did not stab her enemies to death; instead, she watched them cling to life, trembling and groveling at her feet, allowing her to mold and crush them at will.
Because wasn’t that more satisfying and exhilarating?
Jiang Lingyuan, since you enjoy acting, I’ll play along with you!
“Enough!” she suddenly looked up, sharply cutting off Jiang Lingyuan’s words: “I don’t want to hear it!”
“Alright, alright, I won’t say anymore.” Jiang Lingyuan, ever the doting elder sister, naturally backed down. She picked up the medicine bowl from the table, gently stirring it with a spoon: “Drink your medicine first. Bitter medicine is good for illness. No matter what, you must take care of your health.”
The bitter, sour scent of the medicinal broth wafted toward her, and Jiang Lingwan couldn’t help but pause as she caught a whiff.
What a clever move, Jiang Lingyuan! To think she had actually added Wushisan to her medicine.
Wushisan, with its heating properties, could cause heat to rush to the liver and surge upward to the eyes. Consumed in small amounts, it would make a person restless, agitated, excitable, and prone to outbursts of anger in the short term.
“Here, let your sister feed you the medicine.” Jiang Lingyuan personally brought the bowl to her lips. With a swift wave of her hand, Jiang Lingwan sent it flying. A loud crash echoed as the bowl shattered into pieces, the medicinal broth spilling across the floor.
What a fine Second Sister! To achieve her goals, mere verbal provocation wasn’t enough—she had even resorted to drugging her. Truly meticulous in her schemes, with a Buddha’s mouth but a serpent’s heart.
It was just a shame that now the medicine was spilled.
Jiang Lingyuan’s expression darkened, a mix of reproach and concern: “Third Sister, what are you doing? When you’re sick, you must take your medicine. How can I rest easy if you act like this?”
With that, she stood up and called out loudly for Tao Ye: “The Third Young Lady has spilled her medicine. Bring another bowl.”
Tao Ye responded from the doorway and hurried away.
Jiang Lingwan understood that Jiang Lingyuan would not give up until she achieved her goal—she was determined to make her drink the Wushisan. But she would not give her another chance.
“I won’t drink any wretched medicine! I want to see Mother! I want to ask her why she would do this!”
Jiang Lingwan sprang from the bed, just as she had in her past life, without changing her clothes. Wearing only her undergarments and slipping on her shoes, she dashed out of the embroidery room, clattered down the stairs, and headed straight for her mother’s Jinghaoyuan.
Jiang Lingyuan tried to stop her but was shoved aside, stumbling as her thigh collided with the sharp corner of a chair. By the time she regained her composure, Jiang Lingwan was nowhere to be seen.
Jiang Lingyuan pursed her lips, gently rubbing her bruised thigh as a flicker of frustration passed through her eyes.
She hurried downstairs and handed a cloak to Tao Ye, her face unable to conceal her concern. “Quickly, take this to the Third Young Miss. She hasn’t fully recovered yet, and running around in just her undergarments with her hair disheveled—what will people think if they see her? As her head maid, you should advise her more.”
Jiang Lingyuan exchanged a meaningful glance with Tao Ye, signaling her to keep a close watch on Jiang Lingwan’s every move.
Tao Ye gave a slight nod of understanding, then hurried out with the cloak in hand.
At Jinghaoyuan, Jiang Lingwan did not enter the main quarters but stood at the doorway, shouting loudly. Her tone was urgent, her voice raised, and in her agitation, she even stomped her feet.
Mama Du was gently trying to soothe her. “…There’s no such thing. It’s just rumors spread by others. Please rest assured.”
Just then, Tao Ye arrived and was taken aback by the scene.
She hadn’t expected Jiang Lingwan to be stopped and unable to see the Madam.
A cold smirk flashed in Jiang Lingwan’s eyes, though she pretended not to notice Tao Ye’s surprise. Instead, she clutched Mama Du’s sleeve, demanding reassurance. “Then you mustn’t lie to me. As soon as Mother wakes up, you must send someone to notify me.”
Mama Du repeatedly assured her, patiently coaxing, “Don’t worry, Young Miss. The moment Madam wakes, I’ll inform you right away.”
Jiang Lingwan released Mama Du’s sleeve with lingering doubt, then added uneasily, “Then let Tao Ye stay here and keep watch. When Mother wakes, she can come back and tell me.”
Tao Ye was startled. How could this be? The Second Young Miss was still waiting for her report.
“Young Miss…”
“Tao Ye, stay with Mama Du and keep watch here,” Jiang Lingwan cut her off sharply, her tone stern and commanding. “Wait here for Mother to wake up. Do not go anywhere else, understood?”
As she spoke, her eyes remained fixed on Tao Ye. The evening glow fell upon her beautiful, delicate face like fine rouge, adding a touch of allure to her already radiant features. Her round, almond-shaped eyes shimmered with a captivating brilliance, stunningly beautiful.
Such a pair of lovely eyes made Tao Ye unable to meet her gaze, sensing an eerie beauty within them, tinged with a chilling coldness and an unyielding authority that left her breathless. Compelled by the situation, she could only nod in agreement. “This servant understands.”
Jiang Lingwan gave a satisfied “Mm.”
Mama Du, who had been momentarily stunned, finally snapped back to attention. She quickly took the cloak from Tao Ye and draped it over Jiang Lingwan, then sent a young maid to escort her back.
Upon returning to Diejinlou, Jiang Lingwan addressed the maids and matrons in her quarters. “Leave only Zhuzhi downstairs to guard the door. The rest of you may disperse. Without my orders, no one is allowed to come upstairs.”
She went upstairs, entered her bedroom, stepped past the screen, and walked into the Guanxishi.
Inside the Guanxishi, which should have been empty, sat a young and beautiful married woman.
She wore a moon-white gown with embroidered borders and a lake-blue beizi adorned with a four-joy ruyi pattern, paired with a duck-egg green Xiang skirt. Her jet-black hair was meticulously combed and styled into a high chignon, secured with a white jade plum blossom hairpin. On her wrist gleamed a vibrant green two-strand twisted jade bracelet, accentuating her fair, snow-like skin, as delicate as fine porcelain.
Her demeanor was serene, elegant without being ostentatious, her refined face more tranquil than a water lily under moonlight. Her gentle eyes exuded warmth and calmness, possessing a soothing power.
If Jiang Lingyuan were here, she would surely be astounded.
The earlier words of provocation and slander, spoken by her and heard by Jiang Lingwan, must never reach a third person’s ears.
Yet unexpectedly, the woman behind the screen had heard every word clearly and distinctly.
This beautiful woman was none other than Mei Xueniang, the second wife of Jiang Bochen, the eldest master of the Jiang family, and Jiang Lingwan’s biological mother.
Unlike Jiang Lingwan’s impulsive temperament, Mei Xueniang was composed, dignified, and steady—a fitting mistress of the household.
Jiang Lingwan hurried to Mei Xueniang’s side and whispered, “Mother, now do you believe what I said?”