Were the people who pushed her and the ones who harmed Lu Huaian the same group—or were there multiple groups involved?
Ah… Jiang Ning felt like she was going crazy.
No matter how bad this place was, she didn’t want to die again right after getting a new life!
She was carefully replaying every detail in her mind, trying to piece everything together—
When suddenly, a hoarse voice called from outside:
“Ning girl, your grandfather is here! Why aren’t you coming out yet?”
Jiang Ning frowned. One thing after another—would they ever let her rest?
If she weren’t afraid of fainting on the way, she would have already gone to see a doctor.
Annoyed, she pushed open the door and stepped out, leaning against the doorframe as she coldly looked at the old man she was supposed to call grandfather.
Liu Chunsheng, over sixty years old, dressed in fine cloth, with graying beard—he looked kind enough on the surface.
But in the original girl’s memories, she barely knew this grandfather. She only knew he was a grain merchant in the county.
His family had been in business for three generations. He had even split off his youngest son’s family into farming status, hoping future generations could pass the imperial exams and elevate the family.
As for affection—there was none.
The original girl had grown up without ever stepping into the inner courtyard of the Liu household.
For him to come in such a hurry today—surely nothing good.
Jiang Ning glanced at him lazily and said,
“Go on—what do you want from me?”
Liu Chunsheng was displeased by her lack of manners. Frowning, he scolded her sternly:
“Ning girl, how could you behave so recklessly today? Is the academy a place for a young woman to go? You caused such a public disturbance—do you know that if Scholar Lu hadn’t stopped the carriage, who knows how many people would have been harmed?
“He’s still unconscious in the clinic now—no one knows if he’ll wake up. If anything happens and the academy investigates, reporting it to the magistrate, even I won’t be able to protect you.
“Tell me—why did you go stop that carriage in the first place?”
Only then did Jiang Ning realize—after the original girl had run back home, she had no idea what was happening in the county.
She remembered how Lu Huaian had caught her, preventing her from being injured—and yet she had run away, leaving him behind.
Her face flushed with embarrassment.
What a mess this was…
But strangely, Liu Chunsheng didn’t mention anything about her “improper conduct” with Lu Huaian. Instead, he focused only on Lu Huaian being injured because of her.
That was odd.
Had this grandfather suddenly changed? Or was there something else going on?
Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow and sneered:
“Then you should ask your precious granddaughter. If she hadn’t persuaded me to go, I wouldn’t have gone looking for trouble.”
Liu Chunsheng sensed something was off.
This granddaughter, who used to be timid like a quail, now seemed like a completely different person.
She no longer lowered her head in obedience—instead, she looked straight at him, unflinching, as if warning him not to provoke her.
Earlier, his grandson Liu Chenghu had complained to him, saying Jiang Ning’s actions had gotten him scolded by his teachers.
He had come intending to reprimand her—but seeing her attitude, he decided to change tactics.
“No matter what, you must come with me now to visit Scholar Lu. Admit your mistake and apologize properly. We’re doing this for your own good…”
Rumors were spreading outside: the academy head’s daughter had injured someone with a carriage, and Scholar Lu had heroically saved a beauty.
The academy head wanted to shift the blame onto Jiang Ning.
No matter what, Liu Chunsheng had to help make that story stick.
Jiang Ning sneered inwardly. Did they really think she was a fool who couldn’t tell who the real culprit was?
But she did need treatment.
So she touched her forehead and said pitifully:
“Grandfather, don’t you see I’m injured? My head hurts terribly—maybe my skull is cracked. Shouldn’t you get a doctor for me first?”
Since a fool willing to spend money had come to her, she might as well take advantage.
Given her current condition, she needed a doctor for peace of mind.
Whatever she planned next, getting better was the priority.
“…,” Liu Chunsheng choked.
Only now did he notice the cloth on her forehead, faintly stained with blood.
“What, Grandfather won’t?” she pressed.
He forced a helpless smile.
“Of course not. Scholar Lu is already being treated at the clinic. Since you’re injured, come with me—we’ll have Doctor Chen examine you as well.
“I rushed over as soon as I heard something happened to you. If Scholar Lu doesn’t wake up, you…”
He spoke as if he cared deeply for her.
Jiang Ning had no interest in watching his performance and cut him off:
“In that case, let’s go.”
She had already planned to go anyway.
Although it was the original girl who caused the trouble, she had witnessed everything.
Since she was now in this body, she had to take responsibility for its consequences.
“Wait, Ning girl.”
Zhuang Fugui hurried over after seeing they had reached an agreement, quickly explaining the villagers’ earlier decision.
Jiang Ning was stunned.
She had thought they were just here to watch the drama—who knew they were arranging her marriage?
She had just broken off one engagement—and now she had to marry again?
On the same day?!
She cleared her throat.
“Village head… shouldn’t you ask Scholar Lu first?”
“Don’t worry, we’re just informing you. We’ll go to the county to see him soon anyway. Since he’s injured, it’s only right for the village to visit him.”
Zhuang Fugui had heard that Lu Huaian was seriously injured.
There were only two scholars in the village—he couldn’t let anything happen to one of them.
Jiang Ning could only nod.
At the Zhuang family hall—
Zhuang Yunqing, already aware of everything, paced back and forth in anger.
He had originally planned to use Jiang Ning’s reckless behavior today as the perfect excuse to break off the engagement.
As for the past favor, he would compensate with money.
When he heard she had smashed her head in an attempt to die, he had secretly rejoiced—only to find out she hadn’t died.
Worse, she had turned the tables and pushed all the blame onto him.
Outrageous!
He slammed the table hard in anger.
“Qing’er, Mother messed everything up… what should we do? I’m sorry…” Ma Shi said guiltily as soon as she returned home.
“Mother, calm down.”
Zhuang Yunqing helped her sit down, his face dark.
“We underestimated Jiang Ning.”
“Yes! That girl has a sharp tongue—she argued so well your mother couldn’t even respond. We can’t just let her off like this,” Chen Shi chimed in.
She had put in a lot of effort today—her hands were still sore from scraping.
Ma Shi frowned.
“Luckily, the village wants to marry her off to that unlucky star. Otherwise, our family’s reputation would…”
Zhuang Yunqing took a deep breath and said calmly:
“Mother, Aunt, you’ve both worked hard today. From now on, don’t do anything. I have my own plans.”