Early the next morning, something major indeed happened in the Jiang Family.
Marquis Huining, who had been living in a Taoist temple, suddenly fell gravely ill and lost consciousness.
Upon receiving the news, Lord Jiang Bochen, Second Master, and Fourth Master hurried to the temple.
Jiang Lingwan curled her lips. Her grandfather, Marquis Huining, was obsessed with cultivating immortality and refining elixirs, residing year-round at Qingtian Temple. Apart from New Year’s Eve and his birthday, he never returned home.
Having lived two lifetimes, Jiang Lingwan had never spoken to her grandfather alone. Each time, she either followed the crowd to kowtow and offer birthday wishes or listened to his lectures during the family gatherings on New Year’s Eve.
Though he was her grandfather, in Jiang Lingwan’s heart, this man was almost no different from a stranger.
To be honest, Jiang Lingwan actually harbored some resentment toward her grandfather, Marquis Huining. In her previous life, just three days after Mei Xueniang’s death, Marquis Huining fell ill. The entire family busied themselves with his affairs, causing Mei Xueniang’s funeral to be rushed, simplistic, and careless.
While her mother was alive, she had amassed a vast fortune. After her death, the Jiang Family used the money she had earned to spend heavily on seeking medical treatment for her grandfather, yet they treated her mother’s final affairs with such neglect—truly despicable.
This was also why, after Mei Xueniang’s death, Jiang Lingwan’s temperament became peculiar, and she viewed everyone in the Jiang Family except Concubine Qiao and Jiang Lingyuan with disdain.
Little did she expect that in this life, she could use her grandfather’s illness to help her mother leave the Jiang Family smoothly and easily.
Jiang Lingwan took Zhuzhi with her, went out, hailed a carriage, and headed straight for Dabo Lake.
Dabo Lake was located in the western suburbs, fifteen li from the capital. The journey from the capital to Dabo Lake took only half an hour, making it very convenient. Moreover, backed by Weng Mountain, the lake and mountains complemented each other, creating beautiful scenery. Many people in the capital had built villas around Dabo Lake.
Jiang Lingwan and Zhuzhi got off the carriage.
It was midsummer, and in the distance, green mountains stood lush and verdant, while nearby, the lake shimmered with ripples. The willow trees along the shore were like misty smoke, resembling a fairyland, and the lotus flowers in the lake stood gracefully, a breathtaking sight.
The lake offered an expansive view, with small islands scattered like stars, neighboring and facing each other. Private residences and villas were nestled on these islands, hidden among blooming flowers and lush willows.
Boats and painted pleasure boats of various sizes were either moored along the shore, anchored on the lake, or carrying tourists for leisurely fun. A gentle breeze carried the sounds of music and laughter, painting a scene of prosperous summer leisure.
Jiang Lingwan had no time to admire this picturesque scenery. She made her way through the flowers and willows to the shore, hired a small uncovered wooden boat, and arrived at a small island.
“Wait on the boat,” Jiang Lingwan said to Zhuzhi and the boatman. “I’ll be back soon.”
Thinking of what her young lady had said on the way here, Zhuzhi felt a bit afraid and called out hesitantly, “Young Lady.”
“It’s fine, I’ll be back soon.”
Jiang Lingwan stepped onto the island. Worried, Zhuzhi watched eagerly, but her young lady was dressed in emerald green, and her figure quickly blended with the green trees on the island. No matter how wide she opened her eyes, she couldn’t distinguish where her young lady was and where the trees were.
Jiang Lingwan first looked around, scanning the area. When she spotted a tree taller than its surroundings, with leaves vastly different from ordinary trees, a smile appeared on her face.
This was it! The Double Moon Coconut tree—the only one in the entire capital, no, in the entire North Zhili. Its fruit, the Double Moon Coconut, had miraculous effects in treating lung diseases.
Jiang Lingwan raised a hand to shield her eyes from the light, squinting as she peered into the distance. Sure enough, beneath the fan-like leaves, she spotted a large, round fruit.
Delighted, she circled to the other side of the small island, carefully avoiding traps as she inched her way toward the coconut tree based on memory.
Small in stature, her figure was concealed by the lush vegetation, which also obstructed her view. She failed to notice a large black-canopied boat moored on the lake on this side of the island.
Inside the boat sat two young men. One appeared to be around twenty years old, dressed in white brocade robes with embroidered edges. With dark hair, handsome features, sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, and an upright posture, he carried an air of noble elegance.
The other was about twenty-five or twenty-six, clad in a dark gray martial attire. Broad-shouldered and sturdy, his appearance was dignified, though not as striking as the younger man, he was still considered quite presentable.
The younger man sat in the main seat, relaxed and at ease, while the older one sat beside him, his expression steady and respectful. It was clear at a glance that the two were master and servant.
Just then, a few clear bird calls echoed in the air.
“Fifth Master,” the servant respectfully inquired, “her movements seem suspicious, as if she intends to steal something. Shall I go and apprehend her?”
The young man addressed as “Fifth Master” glanced toward the figure crouching and tiptoeing on the island not far away.
The young girl wore a green blouse and skirt, resembling tender willow shoots swaying softly in the spring breeze.
Fifth Master’s expression remained leisurely, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips. “No need. She’s bold enough to steal from our Peng Island Yaotai. Pass the word—have everyone step aside. Don’t frighten this young girl.”
The servant immediately stepped out of the boat’s canopy and stood at the bow, emitting a series of bird calls. A response soon came from the other side.
Only then did the servant return to his seat. Watching as the girl had already reached the courtyard wall and was preparing to climb it, he couldn’t help but ask, “Are we just going to let her do this? Look at her luck—she’s managed to avoid all the traps by sheer accident.”
“Of course not,” Fifth Master replied with a faint smile, watching as the slender green figure had already reached the top of the wall. “Have you forgotten about Hei Zai?”
The servant chuckled. “Right, Hei Zai is fierce and formidable. He barks loudly at strangers but won’t harm anyone without our orders. He’s perfect for scaring this girl away.”
The servant thought to himself, this girl is truly lucky to have caught the master in a good mood. He only hoped that when Hei Zai appeared, she would run back to her own boat instead of fainting from fright.
As he pondered this, he suddenly heard his master call out to him, “Qingfeng, have someone drive away the boat waiting over there.”
Qingfeng was taken aback but quickly responded, “Yes, sir,” and immediately issued orders in bird calls.
Yet he couldn’t help but wonder—if that were the case, what would happen to the girl when Hei Zai arrived?
Had he misjudged? Perhaps the master wasn’t in a good mood after all and had no intention of letting the girl off lightly. Instead, he planned to teach her a harsh lesson?
Qingfeng nodded to himself. Yes, that would be more in line with the master’s character.
Poor girl, she was likely in for a rough time. Everything today would become a lifelong nightmare for her.
But then again, it wasn’t the master’s fault. Who told her to come to Peng Island Yaotai to steal?
Wait, something seemed off. It didn’t look like she was trying to break into the courtyard to steal. Instead, she had somehow found a long bamboo pole with a blade tied to one end and was straining to reach the tall tree, as if trying to pluck the large fruit from its branches.
The fruit was large, bearing only one per year. At first, they had found it quite rare and fought over who would get to eat it. Later, they discovered its taste was rather ordinary—bland as water—and no one paid any attention to it anymore.
Could this little girl be a glutton, wanting to try it because she had never seen it before?
Suddenly, fierce, savage barking echoed from the small island. A large, pitch-black, robust, and ferocious dog, as vicious as a wolf, leaped onto the wall.
“Ah!” The little girl on the wall let out a startled cry, which quickly faded away.
Qingfeng thought, Could she really have fainted from fright?
He looked up and saw Hei Zai wagging its tail excitedly, its front paws pawing at the little girl, its mouth wide open as it eagerly licked her hand.
Qingfeng was stunned. What happened to the ferocious, wolf-like demeanor?
This fawning, sycophantic, poodle-like behavior—was this really the same aloof Hei Zai who, aside from its master, never let anyone touch it?
Could it be that the master had secretly befriended this little girl without introducing her to them, instead letting Hei Zai recognize her as its mistress first?
It wasn’t just Qingfeng who was surprised. Fifth Master also set aside his dismissive expression, suspicion flickering in his eyes.
In truth, Jiang Lingwan was also astonished. She hadn’t expected to see Hei Zai so soon.
When she saw Hei Zai barking and running toward her, she was startled. In her previous life, after she had joined her master, Shezheng Wang, she had been the one to care for Hei Zai. She knew well that this dog had a bad temper and was fierce toward strangers. At a single command, it would pounce and bite.
Just moments ago, she had thought Hei Zai was going to pounce and bite her, especially since she hadn’t raised it yet and it didn’t know her. But to her surprise, it had rushed over to show affection, fawn over her, and get close to her—just like it used to when she returned after being away for a few days in her previous life.
In her previous life, she had been struck down by a severe cold. While she was ill, Hei Zai had also been listless, staying by her bedside to keep her company. When she closed her eyes for the last time, Hei Zai had anxiously jumped onto her, licking her face with its tongue.
One moment, she felt an itch on her face; the next, she opened her eyes and found herself reborn at the age of twelve, back in her boudoir in the Jiang Family.
Jiang Lingwan was puzzled, but a sudden realization flashed in her mind. Unable to contain herself, she let out another “Ah!” and crouched down.
She familiarly rubbed Hei Zai’s head, overjoyed. “Hei Zai, you’re just like me, aren’t you? You’re just like me, right?”
Hei Zai couldn’t speak human words, but it raised its head to lick her face, its round eyes filled with fervent longing.
Now Jiang Lingwan was certain: Hei Zai, like her, had been reborn.
“Good dog, sweet dog. It’s no wonder I loved you so much. You really are a good Hei Zai.” Jiang Lingwan hugged Hei Zai tightly, and the two of them stayed close for a while before she finally let go.
“Good Hei Zai, I need to pick the Double Moon Coconut. Don’t make a sound. Keep watch for me and let me know if anyone comes, okay?”
Hei Zai barked twice. Seeing Jiang Lingwan press a finger to her lips to shush it, it immediately fell silent, sat upright on the wall, and kept glancing around to stand guard for her.
With Hei Zai’s help, Jiang Lingwan could focus entirely on reaching for the coconut. She no longer had to worry about being discovered or getting distracted. Soon, she managed to cut the coconut loose. With a thud, it fell to the ground and rolled several times.
Hei Zai leaped down in a single bound. By the time Jiang Lingwan climbed down from the wall, Hei Zai had already run over to the coconut.
“Good boy!” Jiang Lingwan picked up the coconut, not forgetting to pat Hei Zai’s head in praise, then said, “I have to go now, I’ll come see you again next time.”
Hei Zai grew anxious, following her and even tugging at her skirt with its teeth, pulling her back toward the path—clearly trying to drag her back.
“Hei Zai, sit!” Jiang Lingwan commanded it, then said sternly, “I have important business to attend to for my master. You stay home and wait obediently. I’ll be back in a few days. Guard the house well, no mischief. Now go back.”
Hei Zai let out a resigned whimper and reluctantly turned back, leaping onto the top of the wall. It glanced back twice, reluctant to part.
Jiang Lingwan kept a stern face: “Go back now!”
This dog was excellent at reading expressions. She couldn’t show any softness now; if she revealed the slightest hint of it, Hei Zai would immediately jump down and circle around her.
It wasn’t that Jiang Lingwan was heartless, but she couldn’t take Hei Zai with her. Although she had raised Hei Zai for several years in her past life, the dog belonged to her master. She had only been caring for it on her master’s behalf and couldn’t claim it as her own.
Only after Hei Zai jumped down from the wall and disappeared from sight did Jiang Lingwan pick up the coconut and head back. When she reached the lakeside, she was shocked to find that the small boat that had been moored by the shore had vanished without a trace.
The lake shimmered, and many boats dotted the distant waters, but all were far from her. Waving to call one over was impossible. What should she do now?
Just then, rapid, orderly footsteps suddenly approached, accompanied by a man’s stern shout: “Who are you? What are you doing at Pengdao Yaotai?”
Jiang Lingwan inwardly cursed her luck and sprinted toward the bushes. Clutching the coconut in both hands, she felt branches scratching her face with a stinging pain but had no time to care.
Rounding a bend, she spotted a black-canopied boat moored by the shore and immediately saw hope. She dashed over and boarded the boat in a few quick steps.
Qingfeng pursed his lips. It hadn’t been in vain for the master to have someone deliberately startle her—the young girl had indeed walked right into their trap and boarded their boat.
Now, it was up to the master to deal with her.
“Have a seat.” Fifth Master nodded to the young girl and instructed Qingfeng, “Let’s go.”
Qingfeng was stunned once more. He went outside to row the oars, puzzled. Hadn’t the master intended to personally deal with this girl? This attitude didn’t seem like it. But when the girl was playing with Hei Zai earlier, he had clearly seen the master displeased. Could he have been mistaken?