Тhе thirtееnth year оf thе Great Dуnasty—sо muсh hаd hаррened this уear, the very turning pоint оf her fаte. Еvеrуthing sеemеd tо fоllоw its nаtural сourse, yеt nоw, loоking back, therе were sо many susрiсiоus роints.
Fоr instаnce, if Маdam Zhоu wаs trulу as wеll-behаvеd as she арpеared, how сould she havе еntеred thе household sо sооn aftеr hеr mоthеr’s dеаth? For instаnсe, whеn she аnd Zhuangshan wеnt up thе mоuntаin to wоrshiр Вuddhа, why was it prеcisely her that thе bandits kidnapрed? For instаncе, if thе bandits hаd truly sought wealth, why didn’t they notify the royal mansion? And if they sought something other than wealth, why did they do nothing but wait for Madam Zhou to lead people to find her? For instance, with so many people in the royal mansion and so many mouths to talk, how was this secret so well-protected all these years? For instance, how could Ming’er, only eleven years old, suddenly get into a brawl over a courtesan, accidentally kill the other party, and be sent to prison?
Back then, she hadn’t thought of these layers. She had only blamed heaven for its unfairness, relied on her father and Madam Zhou, and lived in her own sorrowful world. In the end, she gained nothing but caused the loss of lives around her.
But now, having died once and looking back on the path she had taken, everything seemed suspicious—yet she had believed it all back then!
It all felt like a nightmare, as if the tragedy of her wedding night was merely a nightmare from a certain late night when she was twelve. But Han Yan knew it was not a dream.
Since heaven had granted her rebirth in this year, it meant her fate was not yet sealed! It meant she was given a chance to exact revenge on her enemies and reverse everything!
The thirteenth year of the Great Dynasty—everything would begin to change from here. In this life, she would absolutely not let the events of her past life repeat themselves!
Zhuangshan, Madam Zhou, her so-called father, and Wei Rufeng—she had the patience to engage in a slow, careful battle with them!
“Mama, send someone to inform Father that I’ve awakened.” Han Yan lowered her gaze, tucking her hands into her sleeves.
Ji Lan looked at Han Yan in surprise. She didn’t know if it was her imagination, but ever since the young lady woke up this time, she seemed very different from before, as if she had become a different person.
The young lady had always been innocent and pure-hearted. Ever since the mistress passed away, she had been weeping day and night, as if she had suddenly lost her backbone. After the master tried to console her a few times, he grew impatient, which only made the young lady even more sorrowful, anxious, and uncertain. This was only natural—when the mistress was alive, she had doted on the young lady immensely. The young lady was still young and understood nothing. Faced with such a sudden, drastic change, she simply couldn’t adapt. Ji Lan and Shu Hong wanted to help but didn’t know where to start. A few days ago, when the master announced his intention to take a new wife, the young lady vehemently opposed it. After being scolded by the master, she caught a cold and took to her bed. Mama Chen was so worried that she could only bitterly curse the new wife-to-be, then curse the master for disregarding marital affection, and finally sigh over the young lady’s misfortune.
Ji Lan and Shu Hong were terribly anxious, afraid that the young lady would become so depressed that she’d fall seriously ill. In large households, it was common for those with heavy hearts to end up with incurable illnesses, which would drag on and become severe, ruining the rest of their lives. They had kept vigil by her bedside day and night, and the physician had been consulted. Finally, she had awakened. But this time, upon waking, Ji Lan noticed that the young lady had changed.
Although she had wept inexplicably at first, after calming down, she was no longer panicked. Those dark, black eyes were as clear as before, yet they resembled a tranquil lake—unfathomable, calm, and without a ripple.
“Ji Lan.” Han Yan suddenly called her. Ji Lan was startled and quickly withdrew her gaze, silently scolding herself for losing focus at such a time."Shu Hong." Han Yan continued, "You two are my personal maids, and naturally, I trust you. But staying with me may not lead to a good future. I don’t want to deceive you—the current situation is already somewhat difficult for me to handle." She smiled faintly. "If... if you don’t wish to stay by my side, I can arrange for you to leave the manor."
She truly meant it. If Ji Lan and Shu Hong did not want to follow her, she could let them go. In her past life, they had already given their lives for her—that was enough.
Shu Hong’s knees bent, and she knelt straight down. "This servant is your personal maid. In this lifetime, I recognize only you as my mistress. Even if I die, I will die by your side."
Ji Lan also grew anxious. "Miss, please don’t speak like that. How could we abandon you in such a situation? That would be inhuman. Miss, don’t be afraid. Even if Madam Zhou enters the household, we will protect you from being bullied. Please don’t send us away."
Han Yan’s eyes reddened slightly. It was rare to encounter such loyalty. In this world, for every person who betrays, there are those who remain true.
"Rise," Han Yan said, a smile appearing on her face. "What I meant was, if you have someone you fancy, I’ll arrange for you to leave the manor and marry. It seems there isn’t anyone yet."
Ji Lan and Shu Hong exchanged glances, their faces flushing. "Miss, please don’t tease us."
Han Yan reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, winding a small lock around her finger as she spoke slowly. "If you follow me, the path ahead will be perilous. But I will do everything in my power to keep you safe."
Shu Hong was taken aback. The words seemed inexplicable, yet coming from a twelve-year-old miss, they gave her a sense of reassurance. Thinking back to what had just been said, could it truly have come from an innocent, sheltered young lady? She looked up. On Han Yan’s plain, delicate face, her smile was calm and composed, suddenly revealing a wisdom that seemed to hold mountains and valleys within it.
The miss truly was different now.
"If you follow me, you must obey my orders. Especially you, Ji Lan—your temper is hasty. But from today onward, you must change your nature, because the first thing we must do is endure."
Endure—endure what ordinary people cannot. Concealing one’s talents and biding one’s time was something Zhuangshan could do as well. But having lived through this once before, when it came to patience, Madam Zhou and her daughter might not surpass her. As the saying goes, the one who endures reigns supreme. Then let’s see who can endure longer.
"The master is here." Mama Chen lifted the crystal bead curtain and cautiously entered the room. Behind her followed a tall figure, clad in a vibrant, brocaded crimson robe with cloud patterns, who stopped before the sickbed.
Han Yan couldn’t help but sneer silently. It had only been three months since her mother’s burial, yet he had the heart to wear such bright red robes. How arrogant and lawless, truly believing no one could restrain him.
She lifted her head, her delicate face beneath dark hair looking pitifully touching. With tears in her eyes, she offered a smile that softened the hearts of everyone around her.
"Father," Han Yan spoke timidly.
Zhuang Shiyang looked down at his legitimate daughter. Her fragile face struggled to lift into a smile, and this ingratiating expression greatly satisfied his pride, softening his tone slightly. "Yan’er, are you feeling better?"
Han Yan lowered her head, answering softly, "Your daughter is already fine. I’ve worried you, Father."Han Yan remembered this year, because her father mentioned taking a second wife, she was extremely heartbroken and refused outright, earning a scolding from Zhuang Shiyang. In her distress, she caught a chill and fell ill in bed, yet this father of hers did not even come to see her once. Their relationship had long since turned cold.
"During my days of illness, Yan'er thought it over. It was Yan'er's fault before—I shouldn't have angered Father." Seeing Zhuang Shiyang's gaze soften, she forced a smile. "After Mother passed, Father has been toiling day and night. It's true that there is no one close to look after you in your chambers."
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