Yongsheng Year Two, Third Month of Spring
Outside the Chancellor’s Estate in Shengjing City, lanterns and colorful decorations were hung, and the streets bustled with carriages and horses.
Inside the inner courtyard of the Chancellor’s Estate.
“Father, your daughter’s heart belongs to Brother Jing Heng, and I am willing to marry into the Marquis Estate.”
“You were right—the emperor is fickle and not a suitable match.”
“In the past few days, I have been unfilial, blinded by foolishness, repeatedly defying you and disregarding your heartfelt efforts.” Jiang Wanfu knelt on the ground, speaking earnestly.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhixu’s hand trembled as he held his teacup, and he looked at her with disbelief.
Jiang Wanfu’s gaze was resolute, though her face remained somewhat pale.
This was due to her hunger strike a few days earlier, when she had protested to make him agree to her participation in the Imperial Selection.
Seeing this, Madam Qin, who was sitting nearby, hurried forward to help her up from the ground, saying with relief, “Good child, get up quickly. It’s good that you’ve come to your senses, truly good!”
“Because of this matter, your father and I have been so worried these past few days that we couldn’t eat or sleep properly.”
“Mother, it was my immaturity that caused you both such worry.” Jiang Wanfu’s eyes reddened.
Jiang Zhixu set down his teacup, and the heavy weight in his heart over the past few days finally eased. He spoke again to confirm, “Fu’er, have you truly come to your senses this time?”
Jiang Wanfu nodded heavily, her eyes already reddened. When she looked up at him, her gaze was filled with remorse and guilt.
How could she not understand?
This was the profound realization she had gained in her previous life through blood, tears, and pain.
That man was not someone she could afford to provoke.
“Father, it was Fu’er’s fault for failing to appreciate your efforts. Brother Jing Heng is sincere and genuinely cares for me. Marrying him would be the best possible outcome.”
Then, shifting her tone, Jiang Wanfu spoke with a mix of sadness and hesitation, “But now that the Imperial Edict for the Imperial Selection has been issued, the emperor’s command cannot be defied. What about…”
“Fu’er, don’t worry. I naturally won’t let you enter the palace to suffer. Besides, our Jiang family has more than one eligible Legitimate Daughter of the right age.” Jiang Zhixu affectionately patted her head.
A flash of resentment quickly passed through Jiang Wanfu’s eyes before she feigned surprise and said, “Is Father referring to Sister Tang’er?”
Jiang Zhixu nodded, looking at her with approval. “Exactly. I have already sent someone to bring her back to the estate. By my calculations, she should arrive in a couple of days.”
“But will Sister Tang’er be willing? What if she doesn’t…”
Jiang Wanfu pretended to wipe the already-dried tears from the corner of her eye with a handkerchief.
Jiang Zhixu’s expression turned harsh, and he said disdainfully, “How dare she! This household is not a place for her to act recklessly!”
Hearing this, Madam Qin quickly stepped forward to hold Jiang Wanfu’s hand, comforting her, “Fu’er, don’t worry. Being able to enter the palace as a Noble Lady is a Blessing that Tang’er couldn’t attain even in several lifetimes. How could she possibly refuse?”
Jiang Zhixu’s expression softened slightly, but his words remained cold. “If she has that awareness, it would be for the best. Otherwise… hmph!”
With that, he flicked his sleeve. “Enough, let’s not talk about her!”
“Yes, yes, let’s not talk about her, not at all!” Madam Qin chimed in with a smile to smooth things over.
“Today is our Fu’er’s birthday, the most joyous occasion in the estate.”
“Good child, go back and prepare. The guests will be arriving soon.” Madam Qin patted the back of Jiang Wanfu’s hand and said affectionately, “Our Fu’er will surely be the most dazzling and radiant birthday star in all of Shengjing City today!”
Jiang Wanfu obediently curtsied and then withdrew.
As she turned away, the innocent and obedient expression vanished from her face, replaced by one full of resentment and malice.
Upon waking this morning, she discovered she had been reborn.
Not only reborn, but reborn before she had entered the palace.
Everything was just right—truly heaven was helping her!
Thus, the first thing she did upon waking was to eagerly go and tell her father that she no longer wished to enter the palace, nor would she.
Jiang Wanfu gazed at her own charming and captivating reflection in the bronze mirror, a smile curling at the corner of her lips as she murmured, “Jiang Wantang, in this life, I will become the mistress of the Marquis Estate, possessing everything that rightfully belongs to me.”
“And you… hmph!”
“Mud should be trampled underfoot, left for others to tread upon!”
Then, she looked up at the two rows of maids waiting outside and said, “Bring out my finest clothes and jewelry.”
“Today is my birthday banquet. I want everyone to see what a true legitimate daughter of the Jiang family looks like, the foremost beauty of the capital!”
With her as the shining gem, when Jiang Wantang appeared again, the difference would be like that between clouds and mud.
“Yes, miss.”
After Jiang Wanfu left, Madam Qin also went to the front hall to busy herself with preparations for the day’s birthday banquet.
Only Chancellor Jiang Zhixu remained alone in the courtyard, hands clasped behind his back, lost in thought.
Steward Xu, who had served by his side for many years, recognized the complex expression on the master’s face and understood what was on his mind.
Now that the eldest miss had come to her senses and was no longer clamoring to enter the palace, the next variable would be this second miss who was about to arrive.
Yet, after so many years, no one knew whether she was alive or dead.
He smiled faintly and said, “Chancellor, rest assured. After all these years, there has been no news from the manor, so the second miss must surely be well.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhixu’s pupils darkened slightly, a flicker of indescribable emotion passing through his eyes.
This time, even Steward Xu could not decipher it.
It was laughable, really. As fellow legitimate daughters of the Jiang family, although Jiang Wantang could not compare to Jiang Wanfu, who was doted upon and cherished, she should have grown up loved by her mother, just like her younger sister Jiang Wanhe.
Unfortunately…
She bore a face that Chancellor Jiang disliked and feared.
From a young age, Jiang Wantang possessed an exceptionally striking appearance. Even as a child, her bright and lovely face hinted at a beauty that could topple cities, far surpassing that of the eldest legitimate daughter of the Chancellor’s Estate, Jiang Wanfu, who was praised by all.
Each time Chancellor Jiang saw her, the shadow in his eyes grew darker.
Indeed, when she was six years old, he truly harbored murderous intent.
What kind of complex and intense emotion could drive a father to such a mad act as killing his own daughter?
Steward Xu did not understand either.
“For some reason, I have been feeling uneasy lately…” Jiang Zhixu suddenly said in a low voice.
“Send someone to keep a close watch in the front hall. Today is Fu’er’s birthday; there must be no mishaps.”
“Yes, Chancellor.” Steward Xu bowed and withdrew.
…
At that moment, the entrance to the Chancellor’s Estate was adorned with lanterns and decorations, grand and bustling, with carriages coming and going in an endless stream, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
Jiang Wanfu, the eldest miss of the Chancellor’s Estate and the foremost beauty of the capital, was celebrating her birthday. Naturally, countless nobles, aristocrats, and young masters from prominent families had come to offer their congratulations.
Yet, among the many luxurious and exquisite carriages, one particularly ordinary and shabby carriage stood out conspicuously.
As the carriage came to a stop at the entrance of the Chancellor’s Estate, the bustling noise outside fell silent at that very moment.
All eyes turned to the carriage, which was so ordinary it seemed out of place in such a setting.
Nanny Li stepped down from the carriage, trembling with fear. Seeing so many onlookers, she wiped the cold sweat from her forehead repeatedly, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum: “Second… Second Miss, we’ve arrived home.”
As an old servant by Madam Qin’s side, she had been sent by Xiangfu to bring Jiang Wantang back to the capital. Before departing, she had been explicitly instructed not to let this second miss from the countryside appear in public.
Nanny Li knew all too well that Xiangfu despised this rustic second miss, fearing she would tarnish the reputation of the Chancellor’s Estate.
The original date for their return to the capital was two days later, but she hadn’t expected this young second miss to be so difficult to manage.
Despite hurrying along the journey, they had ended up arriving precisely on the day of the eldest miss’s birthday celebration.
Given the grand occasion unfolding before her, Nanny Li knew that if anything went wrong, the master and mistress would surely have her skinned alive.
Chapter 6: Return to the Capital
The second year of Yongsheng, the third month of spring.
In Shengjing City, the area outside the Chancellor’s Estate was adorned with lanterns and streamers, teeming with a constant stream of carriages and horses.
Inside the inner courtyard of the Xiangfu.
“Father, my heart belongs to Brother Jing Heng. I am willing to marry into the Marquis Estate.”
“You were right. The Emperor is cold-hearted and truly not a good match.”
“These past few days, I have been unfilial. I was blinded by my own folly, repeatedly defying you and failing to appreciate your painstaking efforts.” Jiang Wanfu knelt on the ground, her words filled with earnest sincerity.
Hearing this, Jiang Zhixu’s hand trembled as he held his teacup, looking at her with disbelief.
Jiang Wanfu’s gaze was firm, though her face remained somewhat pale. This was the result of the hunger strike she had staged a few days ago to force him to agree to let her enter the palace for the Imperial Selection.
Seeing this, Madam Qin, who was sitting nearby, hurried forward to help her up from the ground. She said with relief, “Good child, get up quickly. It’s enough that you’ve come to your senses. It’s enough!”
“Because of this matter, your father and I haven’t been able to eat or sleep well these past few days.”
“Mother, I was immature before and caused you both worry.” Jiang Wanfu’s eyes reddened.
Jiang Zhixu set down his teacup. The heavy feeling that had weighed on his heart for days finally dissipated. He spoke to confirm once more, “Fu’er, have you truly come to your senses this time?”
Jiang Wanfu nodded heavily, her eyes already brimming with tears. When she looked up at him, her eyes were filled with remorse and guilt.
How could she not understand?
This was a profound realization she had paid for in her previous life with blood, tears, and agony.
That man was not someone she should ever provoke.
“Father, it was Fu’er’s fault. I failed your painstaking efforts. Brother Jing Heng is a straightforward man and truly loves me. Marrying him would be for the best.”
As she spoke, Jiang Wanfu’s tone shifted, sounding somewhat sad and conflicted. “However, the Imperial Edict for the Selection has already been issued. Imperial orders cannot be defied. Then…”
“Fu’er, do not worry. I naturally will not let you enter the palace to be mistreated. Besides, you are not the only legitimate daughter of our Jiang family of the appropriate age.” Jiang Zhixu stroked her head affectionately.
A flash of poisonous resentment flickered through Jiang Wanfu’s eyes before she feigned surprise. “Is Father speaking of sister Wantang?”
Jiang Zhixu nodded, looking at her with approval. “Exactly. I sent people to fetch her back to the estate long ago. By my count, she should arrive in two days.”
“But will sister Wantang be willing? What if she doesn’t…”
Jiang Wanfu pretentiously used a handkerchief to wipe away the tears that had already dried at the corners of her eyes.
Jiang Zhixu’s expression turned fierce, and he said with disdain, “She wouldn’t dare! It is not her place to act presumptuously in this house!”
Hearing this, Madam Qin stepped forward to clasp Jiang Wanfu’s hand, offering comfort. “Rest assured, Fu’er. Being able to enter the palace as a Noble Lady is a blessing Wantang couldn’t earn in several lifetimes. Why would she be unwilling?”
The expression on Jiang Zhixu’s face softened slightly, though his words remained cold and indifferent. “It would be best if she has that level of awareness. Otherwise… Hmph!”
With that, he flicked his sleeves. “Enough, let us not mention her!”
“Yes, yes, let’s not mention her!” Madam Qin smiled to smooth things over.
“Today is our Fu’er’s birthday; it is the most important occasion for our estate.”
“Good child, go back and get ready. The guests will be arriving soon.” Madam Qin patted the back of Jiang Wanfu’s hand and said lovingly, “Our Fu’er will surely be the most dazzling and eye-catching star in Shengjing City today!”
Jiang Wanfu performed a graceful curtsey and withdrew.
The moment she turned away, the innocent and obedient look on her face vanished, replaced by a mask of venomous resentment and ruthlessness.
When she woke up today, she realized she had been reborn.
Not only was she reborn, but she had returned to the time before she entered the palace.
Everything was perfect; heaven was truly helping her!
Therefore, the first thing she did upon waking was to rush over to tell her father that she did not want to enter the palace.
Looking at her charming and beautiful reflection in the bronze mirror, Jiang Wanfu’s lips curled into a smirk as she murmured, “Jiang Wantang, in this life, I will become the mistress of the Marquis Estate and possess everything that was meant to be mine.”
“And you… hmph!”
“Rotten mud should stay on the ground to be trampled upon!”
Then, she looked up at the two rows of maidservants waiting outside and spoke. “Bring out all of my best clothes and jewelry.”
“Today is my birthday banquet. I want everyone to see what a true legitimate daughter of the Jiang family, the Capital’s First Beauty, looks like!”
With her being the “shining pearl” in front, when Jiang Wantang appeared, the contrast would be as different as cloud and mud.
“Yes, Miss.”
After Jiang Wanfu left, Madam Qin also went to the front hall to busy herself with organizing the birthday banquet.
Only Prime Minister Jiang Zhixu remained, standing alone in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, deep in thought.
Steward Xu of the Xiangfu had followed him for many years. Seeing the complex expression on his master’s face, he knew what he was thinking.
Now that the Eldest Miss had come to her senses and no longer insisted on entering the palace, the next variable was the Second Miss, who was about to arrive.
However, after so many years, they didn’t even know if she was dead or alive.
He said with a faint smile, “Rest assured, Prime Minister. No news has come from the manor for all these years. The Second Miss must be doing well.”
Hearing this, Jiang Zhixu’s pupils darkened, and an indecipherable emotion flickered in his eyes.
This time, even Steward Xu could not read him.
It was ironic. Though both were legitimate daughters of the Jiang family, Jiang Wantang was not pampered like Jiang Wanfu, nor was she raised with a mother’s love like her younger sister, Jiang Wanhe.
Unfortunately…
She possessed a face that Prime Minister Jiang disliked and feared.
Since childhood, Jiang Wantang had possessed an extraordinary beauty. At a young age, her bright little face already hinted at a world-toppling loveliness, far surpassing that of the Eldest Miss, Jiang Wanfu, whom everyone in the capital praised.
Every time the Prime Minister saw her, the gloom in his eyes deepened.
When she was six years old, he had even truly harbored the intent to kill her.
What kind of complex and intense emotion would drive a father to commit the madness of attempting to murder his own daughter?
Even Steward Xu did not understand.
“I don’t know why, but I have felt a sense of unease lately…” Jiang Zhixu said suddenly in a low voice.
“Send people to keep a closer eye on the front hall. Today is Fu’er’s birthday; there must be no mistakes.”
“Yes, Prime Minister.” Steward Xu bowed and withdrew.
At this moment, the entrance to the Chancellor’s Estate was festive with lanterns and streamers. The scale of the event was grand, with a continuous stream of carriages coming and going, creating a bustling scene.
The birthday banquet for Jiang Wanfu, the Eldest Miss of the Xiangfu and the Capital’s First Beauty, naturally attracted countless noble families and young masters of prestigious clans.
However, among the crowd of elegant and exquisite carriages, the appearance of an extremely ordinary and simple carriage was particularly eye-catching.
As the carriage stopped at the entrance of the Xiangfu, the surrounding clamor instantly fell silent.
Everyone’s gaze turned toward this carriage that was as ordinary as could be; it seemed such a humble vehicle had no business appearing here.
Nanny Li stepped off the carriage with fear and trepidation. Seeing so many people watching, she repeatedly wiped the cold sweat from her forehead. Her voice was as faint as a mosquito’s buzz. “Second… Second Miss, we have arrived home.”
She was an old servant of Madam Qin. When the Xiangfu sent her to fetch Jiang Wantang back to the capital, she had been specifically instructed before leaving that this Second Miss from the Rural Countryside was not to show her face in public.
Nanny Li knew well that the Xiangfu disdained this Second Miss from the countryside for being vulgar, fearing she would tarnish the reputation of the Chancellor’s Estate.
The original date for the return to the capital was two days later, but she hadn’t expected that this Second Miss, despite her young age, was not someone easily manipulated.
They had hurried all the way, and she had happened to return to the estate precisely on the day of the Eldest Miss’s birthday.
Looking at the grand scene before her, Nanny Li knew that if things were ruined, the Master and Madam would surely skin her alive.