Chapter 4: The Young Lady Has No Problems

As soon as these words were spoken, Wang Xingjia's wife froze.

Jiang Xuehui standing to the side and her personal maid wore expressions as if they'd witnessed a ghost, seemingly unable to believe such words could emerge from Jiang Xuening's mouth: Not only did she refrain from wading in willfully to stir up trouble, but her words actually contained sarcasm directed at the servant woman she had always especially trusted and favored?!

Wang Xingjia's wife's eyelids began twitching violently.

She had originally served at Lady Meng's side, though she wasn't among the few servant women who commanded Lady Meng's utmost trust. Four years ago, when ordered to journey to Tongzhou to fetch Jiang Xuening back to the manor, she had recognized an easy target for manipulation: young in age, shallow in experience, high in status, yet raised on the estate without knowing a single person in the manor. After arriving in the capital, she would surely feel anxious and uneasy.

So during the journey, she had fawned over Jiang Xuening in every conceivable way.

Sure enough, after returning to the manor, she subtly hinted twice to Jiang Xuening, and the girl requested her from Lady Meng.

From then on, all matters large and small in Jiang Xuening's quarters had to be managed by her.

Moreover, as Jiang Xuening played together with Young Marquis Yan, everyone in the manor feared her upon sight. She, as the head servant, naturally became increasingly prestigious.

But she never expected that today, Jiang Xuening would utter such words!

"Se-second young lady is joking. This old servant isn't from Sichuan, and has seen opera troupes several times. How could I have learned any face-changing?" Wang Xingjia's wife forcibly suppressed the doubt churning in her heart, waving her hand and shamelessly deploying that energy she used when flattering Jiang Xuening. "You suddenly bringing this up must mean you want to see a performance, right? The other day at Madam's side, this old servant heard that two new opera troupes recently arrived in the capital. Shall I invite them into the manor to perform?"

This kind of flattering, fawning talk—if the previous Jiang Xuening had heard it, even if she didn't beam with joy, she wouldn't have turned hostile and gotten angry.

But the current Jiang Xuening…

She casually straightened the hem of her blue brocade robe embroidered with bamboo leaf patterns in silver thread and unhurriedly settled onto the beauty rest beneath the corridor. Even dressed as a youth with artificially thickened eyebrows, her red lips and white teeth couldn't be concealed. Her face held both the hazy quality of green mountains shrouded in mist and the delicate bearing of flower petals holding dew.

Only that smile playing at the corner of her lips carried a certain coldness.

Jiang Xuening shifted her gaze to Wang Xingjia's wife's wrist, affecting a falsely curious expression: "The bracelet on Mama's wrist is truly beautiful, but it looks somewhat familiar. It rather resembles the one I couldn't find the other day."

Wang Xingjia's wife's heart immediately plummeted.

The beautiful bracelet adorning her wrist, now subjected to Jiang Xuening's scrutiny, felt as if it were being roasted by fire, becoming scalding hot, making her hand tremble in sympathy.

But someone of her character who had survived in the inner quarters for so many years did possess some skill at reading people's thoughts.

In the span of this single sentence, no more than a few heartbeats' worth of time, she vaguely grasped several key points—

The bracelet.

The second young lady's inexplicable change in attitude must relate to the bracelet on her wrist.

Having managed all matters large and small in Jiang Xuening's quarters for so many years, accustomed to wielding power and abusing authority, and with Jiang Xuening maintaining no accounting of her own belongings, how could Wang Xingjia's wife restrain herself?

Having sticky fingers was inevitable.

Usually taking this and that—how could she have known today she'd touch a sore spot?

Her mind racing frantically, she immediately launched into performance: "Similar? This old servant's bracelet wouldn't dare compare to the young lady's fine things. This was purchased from the peddler at the street corner last time. He said it had a small crack and sold it to this old servant at a reduced price. After this old servant bought it, she spent two taels of silver to have it set. Look, it's right here."

As she spoke, she smiled broadly and pulled the bracelet down, attempting to point out that crack to Jiang Xuening.

But just as she was about to indicate it, she exclaimed "Oh my!"

Wang Xingjia's wife widened her eyes with a face full of convincing surprise: "How—how is there no crack?"

Jiang Xuening watched her perform with detached amusement.

Wang Xingjia's wife pondered for a moment and soon displayed a face full of realization, laughing sheepishly: "Look at this old servant's memory! Yesterday when helping the second young lady tidy up her cosmetics, afraid of damaging this old servant's newly set bracelet, I removed it and set it aside. I must have accidentally mixed it up with the second young lady's fine bracelet and taken the wrong one after tidying up. This old servant wondered why this bracelet felt so much more lustrous when worn, feeling like wearing it made one's spirit completely different. Turns out it's the young lady's fine object—it's absorbed your celestial aura!"

Listen to that—even flattery personified couldn't speak so pleasingly!

Comparing this performance to her attitude toward Jiang Xuehui and toward herself moments ago, Jiang Xuening could understand why her previous life's self had requested her from Lady Meng's side and even allowed her to wield power and abuse authority so freely.

She smiled faintly: "So it really is my bracelet?"

"It's all this old servant's fault for being old with poor eyesight to make such a mistake. Still, the second young lady's discerning eye discovered it early. Otherwise, if this old servant later got accused of privately taking your things, even jumping into the Yellow River couldn't wash that clean!"

She wore an appearance full of gratitude.

Because Jiang Xuening sat askew on the beauty rest, she crouched down, making as if to place it on Jiang Xuening.

But halfway through, she seemed to remember something.

"Oh no, this won't do. This old servant is full of common vulgarity—if it gets on the bracelet, wouldn't it taint your celestial aura? Wait while this old servant wipes it clean."

Wang Xingjia's wife pulled down the handkerchief hanging at her waist and carefully wiped the bracelet all over before donning a face full of ingratiating smiles. She gently lifted Jiang Xuening's left hand and slipped the bracelet onto her wrist.

The young lady's fingers were slender and fair.

The jade color of the bracelet was sky-blue verging on rain-gray, further accentuating that section of wrist as white as snow.

Among Wang Xingjia's wife's pile of nonsense, she hadn't spoken much truth, but one thing she hadn't said incorrectly: this bracelet worn by her was merely a vulgar ornament, but worn on Jiang Xuening's wrist, it transformed into a supreme celestial treasure.

"Look how beautiful it looks on you!"

After placing it on, Wang Xingjia's wife praised effusively, while also secretly sizing up Jiang Xuening with her eyes.

If following Jiang Xuening's manner from those two years in the palace, someone like Wang Xingjia's wife would have been ordered dragged down and beaten to death long ago, not surviving until tomorrow.

But right now, after all, this was the Jiang Manor.

Jiang Xuening had just been reborn and didn't plan to enter the palace in the future. She felt she should maintain a low profile. Without such elevated status, naturally she should also restrain her temperament somewhat. So she only casually turned her wrist, as if admiring the bracelet.

Two lifetimes, yet this was the first time she wore this bracelet.

Something Wanniang had preserved as a family heirloom was naturally not poor quality.

But unfortunately…

It wasn't intended for her.

In her calm eyes resided not half a bit of joy, but rather a completely undisturbed indifference. Jiang Xuening looked back at Wang Xingjia's wife, smiling as she extended her hand to pat the woman's shoulder, casually brushing away nonexistent dust from her face, her demeanor entirely benevolent: "Mama truly treats me well."

Wang Xingjia's wife immediately smiled, about to express her loyalty.

However, the next sentence was delivered lightly: "Henceforth, if Mama tells me to go east, I certainly won't go west. I'll definitely be completely obedient to Mama."

The smile that Wang Xingjia's wife had just squeezed onto her face was immediately smashed back in by this sentence!

For a moment, her expression became a colorful, spectacular display.

But Jiang Xuening didn't concern herself with that. However unhurriedly she had sat down earlier, just as unhurriedly did she now stand up.

Only then did she glance at Jiang Xuehui, who had been standing to the side throughout.

In her previous life's memories, this elder sister's appearance had almost become blurred. Even when surfacing during midnight nightmares, it was only a faint outline. Looking again now—clear brows and beautiful eyes—she didn't seem to possess that detestable appearance Jiang Xuening had always perceived in her before.

But she didn't speak a single word to her.

Between her and Jiang Xuehui lay Lady Meng, lay Wanniang, lay the machinations of birth and fate, and their temperaments were completely different—they absolutely weren't the same kind of people.

Taking ten thousand steps back, even if Jiang Xuehui harbored no grudge against her, she herself still carried a knot in her heart.

There was no need to speak.

She also couldn't be bothered to engage.

Jiang Xuening turned and departed along the covered corridor.

Jiang Xuehui couldn't help but turn her gaze to follow, watching her retreating figure. She only felt that upright spine and the lightly swaying green jade bracelet on her wrist emanated a feeling vastly different from usual.

As soon as the person left, Wang Xingjia's wife's legs went soft and her whole body collapsed.

Her powder-caked face turned deathly pale, only now realizing her back was completely soaked with cold sweat.

When Jiang Xuening had spoken those words just now, her expression and tone had been completely flat on the surface, but the flatter they were, the more terrifyingly creepy they felt!

Having said it without making a scene, just walking away like that—it could frighten someone to death!

The maid following Jiang Xuehui was called Mei'er. Having witnessed everything clearly from beginning to end, at this moment she couldn't help but rub the goosebumps that had erupted on her arm: "Se-second young lady today, today how did she…"

How did she become so frightening!

Mei'er sidled up to her own young lady and muttered: "She stayed out all night and has practically become a different person. Young lady, could something have happened to the second young lady while she was out?"

"Nonsense! With Young Marquis Yan present, how could anything happen?"

But carefully recalling this matter, Jiang Xuehui also found it inconceivable. Her brows furrowed as several parts of worry arose. She glanced at Wang Xingjia's wife slumped on the ground beside them.

Where was that earlier domineering and aggressive air now?

She beckoned for Mei'er to follow her and leave, only saying: "Perhaps this Wang Xingjia's wife violated some taboo of hers. In any case, with her temperament, we can't afford to provoke her. As long as she doesn't come knocking on our door, we'll act as if we saw nothing."

Mei'er agreed wholeheartedly: "Yes."

---

In early autumn, outside drifted the faint fragrance of early-blooming osmanthus.

Jiang Xuening walked along the covered corridor all the way to her own west wing room.

Stepping through the door, she encountered a maid with double buns sleeping soundly, sprawled across the table in the outer room. Not far in front of her sat a sewing basket containing unfinished needlework.

This was one of her two senior maids in the manor—Lian'er.

Jiang Xuening didn't call out to her, proceeding directly from the outer room into the inner chamber.

Every object felt familiar yet strange.

Half the clothes in the wardrobe consisted of women's clothing, half men's. On the square table by the window sat a brazier of fine agarwood incense. Arranged before the cosmetics table were various pearl flowers, hairpins, and rouge and powder…

As a woman, Wanniang's most formidable skill could be summarized in one word: "makeup."

Yangzhou courtesans were divided into three ranks.

First-rank courtesans composed poetry and painted, played the zither and flute, practiced deportment, and moreover learned makeup arts—selling romantic charm and beauty.

Second-rank courtesans were secondary in literacy and musical ability, but first-rate at using the abacus and keeping accounts—selling capability.

Third-rank courtesans were illiterate, only learning some needlework and cooking skills, excelling at managing household affairs.

Wanniang had originally been a second-rank courtesan, born with five parts beauty, yet she had mastered makeup skills that even first-rank courtesans might not possess—able to enhance those five parts into eight. Combined with her clever mind and ability to read men's thoughts, before encountering Lady Meng, she had gotten along like a fish in water.

What young lady doesn't love beauty?

Raised by Wanniang, Jiang Xuening naturally adored these things that could make her dress up even more beautifully.

She had learned quite extensively.

Moreover, she was Lady Meng's daughter, born with ten parts beauty. Now at eighteen years old, though not yet fully matured, with just a bit of adornment she could easily mesmerize people, rendering them unable to look away.

It must be said that one reason she succeeded in her previous life was that this face proved a great contributor.

One must understand—

The most unreasonable thing in this world is beauty.

Jiang Xuening stood quietly before the makeup mirror, regarding that beautiful face in the reflection: at this time, it didn't yet possess those three parts of dignity from when she was Empress. But precisely because of this absence, the natural charm and radiance at the corners of her eyes and brows became even more pronounced.

It was the face men most loved and women most hated.

She suddenly gave a light snort of disdain, pressed down the makeup mirror, and also pulled off the bracelet Wang Xingjia's wife had placed on her wrist earlier, tossing it onto the cosmetics table with a resounding clang.

In her previous life, she had been jealous of Jiang Xuehui and stolen her study companion position, only to enter the palace and encounter Grand Princess Leyang, suffering all manner of difficulties.

In her previous life, she had resented Jiang Xuehui and stolen her marriage, becoming an Empress only to enter an arena of carnage, performing alongside a troupe of cunning schemers. Unable to outmaneuver anyone, she even forfeited her life.

From this, one could see that worldly cause and effect were interconnected.

Heaven wasn't muddled after all.

Having thrown down the bracelet, she settled into her seat.

But Lian'er, who had been sleeping in the outer room, was startled awake. Hearing the sound, she quickly stood up. As soon as she lifted the curtain to the inner chamber and spotted Jiang Xuening sitting there, she was immediately frightened into a shiver, her small face turning half white as she approached: "Lian'er didn't know the second young lady had returned…"

Jiang Xuening glanced back at her.

This little maid had been selected by Lady Meng in the Jiang Manor. In her previous life, she had served her for six years. Her heart wasn't malicious. After Jiang Xuening married Shen Jie, this maid had also been married off and no longer served at her side.

Estimating that she hadn't returned last night, all the servants in her quarters must be nervous.

Jiang Xuening had no intention of blaming her. Seeing the dark circles under her eyes, her voice involuntarily became much gentler as she said: "I'm fine. You should go back to your room to sleep."

As soon as these words left her mouth, Lian'er, who had been standing, dropped to her knees with a "thud."

The expression on her face turned even more terrified than before.

"Young, young lady, Lian'er guarantees she'll never sleep again before you return, and won't dare sleep sprawled on the table anymore. Please don't have the matrons sell this servant off. This servant has parents above and younger siblings below…"

Jiang Xuening knew she had misunderstood her meaning. Both amused and exasperated, she reached out to pull her up: "The floor is cold, don't kneel. I didn't say I was going to punish you…"

"…"

Lian'er was pulled up by her, but the expression on her face became even more wrong.

She stared fixedly at Jiang Xuening for a while, then suddenly turned and ran outside, shouting as she fled: "Tang'er, Tang'er, come quick! The second young lady stayed out all night and must have caught some ailment—something's wrong with her!"

That Tang'er was Jiang Xuening's other personal maid.

Lian'er dragged her in to look, her voice breaking into a crying tone: "She just told me to go sleep and even said the floor was cold so I shouldn't kneel. Tell me, did the second young lady bump her head somewhere while out and become not right? If she really develops some problem, what will we do!"

"…"

Hearing these words, Jiang Xuening finally understood why her earlier expression had been so peculiar. Momentarily speechless, listening to her sob and shout endlessly, the corners of her mouth and eyes twitched slightly, and a bit of her old bad temper resurfaced.

She furrowed her brows and her expression turned cold.

"Try crying one more time!"

"Hic!"

Lian'er had been crying in panic. Hearing this, she was so frightened she hiccupped and immediately stopped.

This was clearly a scolding, but after hearing it, she suddenly transformed from sorrow to joy, breaking into a smile through her tears: "It's fine, it's fine! This is how she was before! Tang'er, the second young lady has no problems, the second young lady has no problems!"

Jiang Xuening: "…"

For some reason, she suddenly remembered that cold joke Shen Jie had once told her called "no problems."

It seemed she wasn't cut out to be a benevolent mistress.

This maid—she pondered—should still be sold off at the first opportunity.

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