The wind rattled the windows violently. A maid reached out to close them. On the floor of the room stood bronze green oxen, their bellies filled with heavy blocks of ice.
Yanjing’s summers arrived early each year, and ice had to be transported from cellars a hundred miles away. A small piece was worth ten taels of silver, let alone such a complete, stone-plate-sized block—and even more so when all four corners of the room held identical green oxen.
The room was cool and fresh. Near a small table, on a daybed, sat a beautiful woman. She rested her chin on one hand, lazily examining the account books before her. Beside her was a delicate, pretty girl of thirteen or fourteen, eating a chilled fruit paste with crushed ice while casually flipping through a stack of invitations piled high like a small mountain. Two maids stood quietly behind them, gently fanning the pair.
“The rain is so heavy…” the pretty girl murmured, staring blankly out the window.
The beautiful woman glanced at her and said, “Eat less cold food, or you won’t have an appetite when your father returns tonight.” She then turned to the maid beside her. “Ruyi, take the fruit paste away. This pot of tea has gone cold—bring a fresh pot of hot, fragrant tea.”
Though the girl seemed displeased, she said nothing. Ruyi set down her fan, bent to pick up the fruit paste from the table, and was about to leave when a nanny dressed in silk entered. Without greeting Ruyi, the nanny hurried straight to the beautiful woman, clearly with urgent news.
Ruyi paused briefly, then carried the fruit paste and cold tea out of the room. Faintly, she could hear voices from behind.
“…They say she’s gravely ill…found out about Third Miss’s engagement and had a fierce argument with Jing An Shitai…”
“Her health is poor—she’s already bedridden…”
“The physician says she won’t last the summer. Should we inform the master…”
Silence fell in the room for a moment before the beautiful woman’s gentle voice replied, “The master has been busy with official duties lately. There’s no need to trouble him with such trivial matters. I’ll speak to him myself when he has time.”
Then, the girl’s uniquely charming voice chimed in, “Why bother about her? She should know her place—daring to reach for any family she pleases.”
“Let’s not speak of that,” the woman changed the subject. “I heard the wife of the newly appointed top scholar passed away a few days ago. We must pay a condolence visit tomorrow.” Her tone was filled with sympathy. “So young, yet she fell ill and died. What a pitiable soul.”
What a pitiable soul, Ruyi thought to herself, her steps unwavering as she carried the silver tray toward the kitchen.
The lady in the room was Ji Shuran, the current Grand Secretary Jiang Yuanbai’s second wife. The girl was the Grand Secretary’s daughter, Ji Shuran’s biological child, Third Miss Jiang, Jiang Youyao.
As for the one they said “wouldn’t last the summer,” it was likely Second Miss Jiang, Jiang Li.
Five years ago, Jiang Li had been sent to a temple to learn discipline after making a mistake. In those five years, the Jiang family had almost forgotten her existence. Now, Ji Shuran was in charge, and the only legitimate daughter of the Jiang family was Jiang Youyao. The legitimate daughter of the Grand Secretary was on the brink of death, yet no one in the household seemed aware.
And even if they knew, it seemed nothing would change.
Ruyi sighed inwardly, glancing at the cold tea in her hand. What could be done? The first wife was long gone, and Second Miss Jiang had such an unappealing reputation.Such is the way of the world—when a person is gone, the tea turns cold.
……
The Helin Temple on Qingcheng Mountain was a renowned monastery.
Though the mountain path was rugged, the scenery was quite beautiful with its deep, elegant pines and rocks, lush forests, and tall bamboos. Particularly famous was Abbot Tongming, known far and wide. It was said that prayers offered at Songhe Temple were especially efficacious, which was why many people braved the arduous journey to Helin Temple just to light a stick of incense.
Not far from Helin Temple stood a nunnery. Compared to the constant stream of pilgrims at the temple, the nunnery appeared desolate and almost entirely empty.
After a night of rain, the mountain wind grew even colder. From a room near the nunnery’s firewood shed, the sound of a woman sobbing could be heard incessantly.
“Miss… what will become of you, miss…”
The moment Xue Fangfei opened her eyes, she felt a clamor in her ears. With great effort, she moved her fingers, only to feel her body unbearably heavy. As she stirred again, she suddenly realized it wasn’t her body that was heavy—it was the quilt covering her that was too thick.
The cotton quilt, originally thin, had become cold and heavy from dampness, weighing uncomfortably on her. She pushed it aside, feeling much relief in her chest, and slowly sat up.
The sobbing beside her abruptly ceased. In the dim candlelight on the table, a face brimming with delight came into view. The girl exclaimed, “Miss, you’re awake!”
Miss?
Xue Fangfei was taken aback and studied the person before her. The maid appeared no more than fifteen or sixteen years old, her eyes swollen like peach stones. Though her features were sweet, her gaunt, bony frame was heartbreaking to behold. Dressed in an ill-fitting dark blue cloth garment, she wore no jewelry whatsoever and gazed at Xue Fangfei with a foolish grin.
Calling her “miss”—could she be a servant girl? But even the maids she had before her marriage in Tongxiang hadn’t been dressed so shabbily.
Xue Fangfei jolted back to her senses. No, the important point was—she didn’t remember having such a maid. After marrying into Yanjing, she had four personal maids. Two later married, and the remaining two… After the incident on the day of the banquet, Shen Yurong’s mother had wanted to have them beaten to death as well. It was only after Xue Fangfei’s desperate pleas that they were spared and sent away. Those who served her afterward were likely Princess Yongning’s spies.
Princess Yongning! Fragments of memories flashed rapidly before her eyes. Xue Fangfei remembered clearly—Princess Yongning had come to provoke her, and she had been strangled by the princess’s servants. Could it be that she hadn’t died? How was that possible? Someone like Princess Yongning, who eradicated every root of trouble, would never have spared her life.
Unless… she had been rescued? By Shen Yurong? Or someone else?
Xue Fangfei stared straight at the little maid without speaking. The girl’s foolish grin faded, replaced by fear, and she whispered timidly, “Miss? Miss?”
“Who are you?” Xue Fangfei asked. The moment the words left her lips, she froze, sensing something amiss, yet unable to pinpoint what exactly was wrong.
The little maid grew even more anxious. She said, “Miss, I’m Tong’er!”
Tong’er? Xue Fangfei couldn’t recall anyone by that name."Miss," Tong'er looked as if she was about to cry. She said, "Miss, this servant knows you're upset. How could Second Miss Jiang and the others steal your marriage arrangement? That was a match Madam arranged for you while she was still alive. How could the Ningyuan Marquis's family commit such dishonorable, treacherous acts? And Master, Miss, this servant knows you resent Master, but you can't abandon everything in despair. Even if you won't think for yourself, think of Madam. How heartbroken Madam's spirit in heaven would be to see you like this!"
Xue Fangfei stared blankly at the little maid's dramatic weeping, but her mind was elsewhere, wondering what this had to do with Marquis Ningyuan. Xue Fangfei knew the Heir of Marquis of Ningyuan - Shen Yurong's younger sister Shen Ruyun, her own sister-in-law, greatly admired the Heir of Marquis of Ningyuan, who was renowned throughout Yanjing City as a handsome man. But what did that have to do with her?
While the little maid continued weeping intensely, a sudden thunderclap outside illuminated the room. The cold, dilapidated house and icy bedding were lit up, along with Xue Fangfei herself.
Xue Fangfei suddenly realized something was wrong.
This voice... delicate and crisp, though weary, carried the unique soft sweetness of a young maiden.
This wasn't her voice.
"Who am I?" Xue Fangfei asked.
Tong'er was taken aback.
"Who am I?" Xue Fangfei asked again.
"What are you saying," Tong'er thought she was expressing indignation and immediately replied, "You are the legitimate daughter of the current Grand Secretary Jiang's household, the Jiang family's Second Miss." She added, "A genuine golden branch and jade leaf, the Grand Secretary's precious daughter!"
The Jiang family, the Grand Secretary's precious daughter, Second Miss Jiang, Jiang Li.
Xue Fangfei closed her eyes.
She had become Jiang Li.
(End of Chapter)
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