He spoke lightly, casually holding people’s lives in the palm of his hand. Jiang Li suddenly felt a sense of absurdity. Was Ji Heng like Princess Yongning—just because he occupied a high position, did he take it for granted that anyone obstructing his path could be discarded without effort?

However, she quickly stopped her wild thoughts. Ji Heng had no grievances with Marquis Ningyuan’s household. He said such things for her sake. If she were still picky and choosy, she truly wouldn’t know what’s good for her.

Jiang Li didn’t want to be someone who ate from the bowl then cursed the cook.

She said, “Thank you for the Duke’s kind intentions, but matters involving lives would be difficult to explain to Marquis Ningyuan’s household. The capital is currently in turbulent times. Creating more incidents would instead invite suspicion.”

She tactfully declined Ji Heng’s help.

Ji Heng was noncommittal. “Then be more careful yourself.” After a pause, he reminded her, “Your life is mine. Don’t carelessly let someone else take it.”

Jiang Li smiled. “Yes.”

After talking with Ji Heng for a while longer, Jiang Li left the room to see Xue Huaiyuan. Situ Jiuyue was administering acupuncture to Xue Huaiyuan for the first time today. Xue Huaiyuan was extremely frightened. Jiang Li had no choice but to support his shoulders and gently coax him before he gradually calmed down.

“He listens to you very much.” Situ Jiuyue glanced at her. “This is quite rare.”

“After I brought County Magistrate Xue out of Tongxiang’s prison, I cared for him for a very long time. Though he’s lost his wits, he dimly knows who treats him well. When I’m here, he feels more at ease.”

“It’s not just that simple.” Situ Jiuyue inserted a silver needle into Xue Huaiyuan’s acupoint without raising her head. “This type of person who’s lost their wits sees everyone the same. They don’t distinguish between extremely good or extremely bad treatment, yet he clearly treats you differently. Ye Mingyu has spent considerable time with him here, but he has no feelings for Ye Mingyu.”

“Did you know each other before?” Situ Jiuyue asked.

Jiang Li’s heart jumped. She firmly denied, “No, I was in the capital, then went to Mount Qingcheng. County Magistrate Xue was always in Tongxiang. We had no intersection.”

“That’s strange.” Situ Jiuyue seemed somewhat puzzled. “To behave this way toward you, you should be someone familiar in his remaining memory and habits.”

Jiang Li could only say, “I also don’t know why it’s like this.”

Situ Jiuyue glanced at her again. “I’ve heard all about your affairs. You’re really bold. No wonder Ji Heng looks at you differently.”

Seeing her address Ji Heng directly by name, Jiang Li was curious and asked, “Miss Jiuyue seems quite familiar with the Duke?”

“I suppose so.” Situ Jiuyue said, “We’ve both saved each other’s lives.”

Jiang Li was inwardly surprised. That Ji Heng had saved Situ Jiuyue’s life didn’t surprise Jiang Li. She remembered Molan’s turmoil was many years ago. Calculating back, Situ Jiuyue should have been a five or six-year-old little girl then. Without ability to protect herself, and with Molan located on Northern Yan’s eastern border, for Situ Jiuyue to reach Northern Yan, someone from Northern Yan must have helped. Whether that person was Ji Heng, Jiang Li didn’t know.

But Situ Jiuyue had actually also saved Ji Heng’s life?

“Don’t look at him so lively now—he nearly died back then.” Situ Jiuyue said, “After barely surviving, now no one can kill him.”

Jiang Li: “…”

This girl really spoke quite impolitely.

There was no one else in the room. Xue Huaiyuan kept making “ya ya” sounds. Situ Jiuyue supported his neck with one hand while slowly inserting a silver needle, saying, “However, his calling me over to help you was quite unexpected. Looking at you, you don’t seem like a bad person. I heard from Lu Ji that back when you were accused of killing your mother and brother, it was all a false charge. Tsk tsk tsk,” she said, “Though you have courage to act in Tongxiang, you’re ultimately just a kind rabbit. The people around Ji Heng are not good sorts. How did you end up mixing with them? If you ask me,” her hands moved skillfully, making Jiang Li dizzy watching, “you should draw a clear line with Ji Heng early on to avoid being implicated later. Even if you’re not implicated, you’ll be scared to death by him sooner or later.”

Jiang Li smiled. “Thank you for your concern, Miss Jiuyue.”

Situ Jiuyue frowned. “I’m not concerned about you.”

Jiang Li found it amusing inside. Situ Jiuyue appeared to be one or two years older than Second Miss Jiang, but compared to her previous life’s self, she was somewhat younger. Yet her speaking and acting style had quite an elder’s bearing. Speaking with her now was like an older sister admonishing a naive younger sister—half intimidation, half guidance.

But that made sense. When life suddenly undergoes drastic changes, one inevitably matures overnight. Innocent cheerfulness couldn’t preserve one’s life.

While she was still pondering, Situ Jiuyue had already finished inserting the last needle for Xue Huaiyuan. Xue Huaiyuan also seemed tired and fell into a deep sleep. Jiang Li helped him onto the bed to lie down, covered him with the quilt, and tucked in the corners.

Situ Jiuyue stood to the side watching. Though she had a sweet and charming appearance, she insisted on wearing all black. Her smile also carried some ruthlessness—clearly not someone to provoke. She said, “You’re really good at caring for people.”

“Am I?” Jiang Li smiled.

“Has no one said this before?” Situ Jiuyue found it strange.

“You’re the first,” Jiang Li said.

In her previous life at her husband’s family, she had served the entire Shen household impeccably, yet never received any praise. And before she married, caring for people was always done by Xue Zhao. Xue Huaiyuan doted on his daughter but tempered his son. Besides literary and martial strategies, Xue Zhao could even cook.

Sometimes Jiang Li felt that as the older sister, she received much care from Xue Zhao instead.

Lost in thought, she suddenly saw something waving before her. It was Situ Jiuyue waving her hand in front of her eyes. “What were you thinking about, so lost in thought?”

Jiang Li came to her senses. “I was thinking about family matters.”

Situ Jiuyue said, “Alright then.”

“Miss Jiuyue specially treated County Magistrate Xue. Jiang Li thanks you here.”

“No need to thank me.” Situ Jiuyue said, “I dare not disobey Ji Heng’s orders. Do you have other matters? If not, I’ll leave first.”

After saying this, she actually left—carefree, not saying one extra word to Jiang Li. However, Jiang Li didn’t find anything wrong with this. Instead, she found this girl quite interesting.

She walked out. Ji Heng had left at some unknown time. Seeing her come out, Wenren Yao’s eyes lit up and he pestered her with “Second Miss” after “Second Miss.” Made to sweat by his enthusiasm, Jiang Li casually found an excuse and left the Ye residence to return to the Jiang household first.

After Jiang Li left, Wenren Yao stood in the courtyard and asked Situ Jiuyue, “Jiuyue, am I handsome?”

Situ Jiuyue: “Get lost!”

“So strange,” he looked at himself in the mirror. Inside, the young man was still fair-faced and handsome, elegant as jade. He said, “Why does Second Miss Jiang act like she’s seen a ghost when she sees me? When I treat ordinary girls this way, don’t they all smile extra happily?”

Situ Jiuyue laughed coldly. “Ji Heng is far more handsome than you. When Jiang Li sees him, she’s still quite calm. With top-quality delicacies available, who would want to eat shit?”

Wenren Yao: “…”

He said, “You’re truly too vulgar!”

…

In the Jiang household, in Wanfeng Hall, Old Madam Jiang sat with her eyes closed.

Since the Daoist Master Chongxu incident, followed immediately by Concubine Hu’s suicide, the Jiang family had faced tremendous upheaval. Though this matter hadn’t leaked to outsiders, the Jiang family members knew in their hearts. Having things reach such a state, letting Ji Shuran harm several lives right under her nose, Old Madam Jiang seemed to have aged considerably overnight.

She had always been vigorous in spirit. Even in old age, she retained vigor and dignity not inferior to her youth. But after this incident, as if her vital energy had been drained by more than half, the nanny at her side just watching saw Old Madam Jiang only sit with closed eyes all day.

She hadn’t even gone to see her most beloved little grandson Jiang Bingji once.

Jade walked in. “Old Madam, Third Miss is still outside, begging to see you.”

Old Madam Jiang opened her closed eyes, but didn’t look at Jade. She only looked at the warming stove before her. “Tell her to return.”

Jade said, “Yes,” and left to reply to Jiang Youyao.

The nanny stood beside Old Madam Jiang, carefully massaging her shoulders. “Third Miss has come to find Old Madam several times these past days.”

“She’s quite clever—not going to find her father but coming to find me instead.” Old Madam Jiang’s tone carried faint mockery.

Jiang Yuanbai doted most on Jiang Youyao, but after this incident, Jiang Youyao hadn’t pleaded for Ji Shuran before Jiang Yuanbai. Instead she came to find Old Madam Jiang. She feared Jiang Yuanbai would blame her because of Ji Shuran’s matter, so she simply chose not to appear before Jiang Yuanbai.

“As shrewd as her mother.” Old Madam Jiang said, weariness in her eyes.

Though she knew what Ji Shuran did had nothing to do with Jiang Youyao, people grew up eating grain and had seven emotions and six desires. Knowing rationally was one thing; whether one could actually do it was another. Old Madam Jiang knew in her heart she shouldn’t blame Jiang Youyao, but just thinking of Ye Zhenzhen, thinking of the deceased Jiang Yue’er, thinking that Ji Shuran even had an illegitimate child with Liu Wencai, Old Madam Jiang felt nauseated. Consequently, even looking at Jiang Youyao, she truly couldn’t bring herself to like her.

In fact, even toward Jiang Bingji whom she’d raised with her own hands, she found it difficult to treat him as before, let alone Jiang Youyao.

“Old Madam… several days have passed. Regarding the Ji family woman, how do you intend to deal with her?” the nanny asked.

Old Madam Jiang’s movements paused slightly.

After a long silence, when the nanny almost thought Old Madam Jiang had fallen asleep, Old Madam Jiang’s flat voice rang out: “Feed her the medicine.”

The nanny’s hand trembled. The Jiang family hadn’t fed anyone medicine in many years. Though Old Madam treated people strictly, she rarely did things that harmed lives. Except for servants who made grave errors, she wouldn’t directly have them beaten to death. This showed she hated Ji Shuran bitterly this time, insisting on her life.

“What? You think my hand is too heavy?” Old Madam Jiang sensed the other’s hesitation. Without waiting for the nanny’s answer, she mocked herself again, “I still feel it’s far too easy on her. Setting aside her adultery with her lover and bearing a bastard child, just speaking of our Jiang family, we also lost three lives. Three lives.” She murmured, “Tell me, what kind of vicious heart would even attack children?”

“I told Yuanbai long ago—when marrying a wife, no need to marry one too clever. With the Jiang family’s standing, there’s no need to climb social ladders. Though the Ye family’s standing was somewhat lesser, what mattered was the person was honest and gentle. Thinking back now, I don’t know if it was fortune or misfortune. Perhaps precisely because Madam Ye was usually too lenient with people, her subordinates developed different hearts, were bewitched by the Ji family woman, and lost their lives. However, this is also my fault for lax household management. If I had paid more attention back then, Madam Ye might not have fallen for the Ji family woman’s schemes.”

“Old Madam need not blame yourself too much.” The nanny said, “Who could know that even when Madam was still alive, the Ji family woman had already set her sights on Madam’s position and harbored evil intentions? Such things are unheard of even in the capital.”

“Not just Madam Ye—I also failed to care well for her daughter, Second girl.” Old Madam Jiang’s smile was somewhat bitter. “Back when Second girl insisted she hadn’t pushed the Ji family woman, I only believed my own eyes. I never imagined it was just a performance staged by the Ji family woman. I just never expected the Ji family woman could decisively sacrifice even the flesh and blood in her own belly.”

Thinking of this, the nanny also felt chilled. That was flesh from her own body. Even if it was an illegitimate child, it shared her bloodline. Yet to frame Jiang Li, the Ji family woman unhesitatingly gave it up. Before everyone’s eyes, she deceived them all.

“Second girl spent eight years at Mount Qingcheng. Now that she’s returned, look—has she grown close to a single person in this household?” Old Madam Jiang asked.

The nanny couldn’t speak.

Second Miss acted gently and politely, but speaking of closeness, there was none. Even toward Jiang Yuanbai, she was merely courteous.

“She goes to the Ye residence daily. Setting aside other matters, even toward a stranger who’s lost his wits, she’s closer than to us. This is our own doing. Having abandoned her back then, naturally she doesn’t think much of us.”

Old Madam Jiang’s words were sorrowful. Hearing them, the nanny couldn’t help feeling her nose sting. She consoled, “Second Miss just returned to the Jiang household. She hasn’t stayed long and has knots in her heart. Now that the truth about the Ji family woman’s matter is revealed, her knots are also loosened. After more time passes, naturally things will improve. You and the Master are her relatives. If she doesn’t grow close to you, who would she grow close to?”

Old Madam Jiang shook her head. “I’ve lived this many years. With one foot already in the coffin, what kind of person haven’t I seen? At this age, I rarely misjudge people. Second girl won’t grow close to us anymore. Her heart has already hardened. Whatever we do is useless. It’s too late.”

Her tone was unquestionable.

Before the nanny could speak, Old Madam Jiang’s voice came again: “But it’s good. This way, she won’t be bullied like her mother. With a harder heart, always keeping one more eye open about everything, not wearing her heart on her sleeve for just anyone, she won’t be deceived in the future. This way, I can also rest easy.”

The nanny thought for a while. “Old Madam need not speak so definitively. Human hearts are made of flesh. As long as we treat Second Miss well from now on, one day Second Miss will see it.”

Old Madam Jiang waved her hand. “Forget it. While I’m alive, I don’t know if I’ll see that day. Has Second girl not returned to the household yet?”

“She went out to the Ye residence,” the nanny said.

“When she returns, have her go see the Ji family woman. If she has anything to say to the Ji family woman, let her say it.”

“Old Madam, this is…” The nanny was alarmed.

“After she’s seen the Ji family woman, feed the Ji family woman the medicine.” Old Madam Jiang’s brows were cold. “Get on the road early, atone early.”

After saying this, she closed her eyes again, as if asleep.

The nanny was silent for a long while, not continuing to speak.

…

In Yaoguang Residence, Jiang Youyao paced restlessly in her room.

Ji Shuran had been confined, and others weren’t allowed near. She couldn’t go see Ji Shuran. In fact, Jiang Youyao didn’t dare go see her either. No matter how ignorant she usually was, the crimes Ji Shuran admitted to that day were truly too shocking. Setting aside other matters, just that one crime of adultery—Jiang Youyao knew the Jiang family would certainly not spare Ji Shuran lightly.

Back when the capital’s talented and beautiful Scholar’s Wife Xue Fangfei was discovered committing adultery, even now when people mentioned her, they only said “wanton woman.” Now this person had become Ji Shuran. One could imagine that if word spread, the current Chief Minister’s wife committing adultery would absolutely be more scandalous than a scholar’s wife’s adultery.

Fortunately, Old Madam Jiang had already handled things. The household servants’ contracts were all held by Old Madam, guaranteeing not a word would leak out. Even so, Jiang Youyao’s heart was uneasy. And the way the second and third branches looked at her—Lu Shi’s gaze when seeing her these past days was so mocking it made Jiang Youyao want to find a hole to crawl into.

Ji Shuran was dirty, and people’s gazes at her were also dirty, as if she were the illegitimate child. But she wasn’t. She was the Jiang family’s legitimate young lady, a genuine golden branch and jade leaf! This position—others needn’t dream of snatching it away. They could never snatch it away!

“Miss… what should we do… Old Madam’s attitude is too firm.” The maid Jinhua said.

“Has the letter I wrote to Aunt received a reply?” Jiang Youyao asked.

Now with walls falling and crowds pushing, sending out a letter was harder than ascending to heaven. She had used considerable silver to bribe a Jiang household servant to send the letter out to Chen-Ji Shi. In her heart, Jiang Li had Chen-Ji Shi go to the palace to find Consort Li. Consort Li would surely have a solution.

Yinhua shook her head.

Jiang Youyao’s face immediately showed disappointment. “Impossible. Could it be Old Madam currently guards the Jiang household too strictly, so letters from outside can’t enter? Jinhua, go inquire again.”

Jinhua said carefully, “Miss, I’m afraid Madam Chen won’t come anymore. After Madam had her incident the other day, the Ji family came once, but later left… Are they, are they planning to no longer care about Madam?” If there were room for turning things around, the Ji family wouldn’t have left so decisively. They would have at least lingered at the household longer. But they left directly.

At these words, with a “slap,” Jinhua received a slap from Jiang Youyao. Jiang Youyao said hatefully, “Nonsense! How could Grandmother and Aunt not care about my mother? It’s clearly a delaying tactic! Who knows what Grandmother and Father said to deceive Aunt and the others into leaving. Aunt and the others don’t know Mother’s current situation. Now that I’ve written everything clearly in the letter, once they learn of Mother’s circumstances, they’ll immediately send people to rescue us!”

Jinhua quickly knelt on the ground. “This servant was wrong. This servant spoke nonsense. Madam Chen will surely come to rescue Madam.”

Though Jiang Youyao spoke with certainty, following Jinhua’s words, her heart also gradually grew uneasy.

Ji Shuran hadn’t told her that day exactly how Jiang Li would be unlucky, but Jiang Youyao vaguely guessed the final result shouldn’t be like this. That Daoist Master Chongxu later also disappeared. If Chen-Ji Shi sought help from Consort Li in the palace, Consort Li definitely wouldn’t stand by idly. But why had there been no news until now? Even if Chen-Ji Shi couldn’t enter the Jiang household, having someone relay a message should be doable.

But there was nothing. Nothing at all.

This couldn’t continue. Though Jiang Youyao was afraid inside, she knew that in the household, the only one who truly considered her interests was Ji Shuran. Jiang Yuanbai was currently angry at Ji Shuran—who knew if he would forgive Mother? But waiting idly like this was unfavorable to her. Who knew if that wretch Jiang Li would secretly use some underhanded tricks again?

She suddenly stood up. “No, I must find a way to leave the household.”

“Miss?” Yinhua froze. “The household is currently guarded so strictly. How can you leave?”

To prevent servants from spreading this matter, not even a fly was allowed out of the household, let alone a living person like Jiang Youyao. Though Jiang Youyao wasn’t under house arrest, in reality she couldn’t go anywhere.

“Hateful.” Jiang Youyao sat down in the chair dejectedly. “What should I do?”

…

The sky gradually darkened.

Speaking of those who could still freely enter and exit the household, Jiang Li was probably one. She had just returned from the Ye residence and walked to Fangfei Courtyard. Qingfeng and Mingyue sat in the courtyard embroidering sachets. Seeing Jiang Li return, they rose to greet her.

“Has anything happened in the household?” Jiang Li asked.

“Baoqin came once and returned all the silver and charcoal Young Lady had given to help Concubine Hu.” Mingyue said, “Baoqin followed Concubine Hu for a lifetime. After Concubine Hu left, Baoqin had nowhere to go. Old Madam returned the contract to Baoqin and let her return home. However, Baoqin seems to have given up hope. She said she wants to go to a temple and spend the rest of her life before Buddha’s green lamp.” Mingyue sighed. “Also a pitiful person.”

“Has she already left?” Jiang Li asked.

“She leaves the household tomorrow.”

Jiang Li handed the silver back to Mingyue. “Though she’s going to a temple, silver is still essential. The future is long—no need to gamble away all escape routes now. But saying these things now, she also won’t listen. Think of a way to bring this silver to her without letting her know.” Jiang Li said.

Mingyue took the silver and froze. After a long while, she smiled. “Young Lady has such a kind heart.”

“It’s just sentiment,” Jiang Li shook her head.

“Oh right, Pearl from Old Madam’s side also came once.” Qingfeng remembered something. “Pearl said Old Madam wants Young Lady, after returning, to go see the Ji family woman. If there’s anything to say to the Ji family woman, you can go tell her.”

Tong’er was surprised. “Didn’t Old Madam forbid people from approaching that madwoman from the Ji family?”

“Who knows? Perhaps it’s specially for Young Lady to vent. The Ji family woman harmed Young Lady and Madam so terribly. Naturally she should be scolded properly to relieve anger.” Qingfeng was unconcerned.

Jiang Li didn’t think so. Old Madam suddenly saying this could only mean she had made up her mind. Ji Shuran’s road ended here. Old Madam was letting her see Ji Shuran one last time.

Jiang Li said, “Since it’s Old Madam’s words, let’s go.”

“Now?” Tong’er asked.

“Right now.”

Any later would be too late.

…

Ji Shuran was tied up in an old room in a side courtyard.

Inside and outside the room hung white silk. Concubine Hu had died. Originally when a concubine died in a household, wealthy families needn’t hold funeral rites, especially for someone like Concubine Hu whom no one in the household remembered for years. But because Concubine Hu died too miserably and the Jiang family felt guilty, even though she was a concubine, she was still properly buried, and everyone in the household wore mourning.

The room where Ji Shuran stayed was the same. Only two white candles burned in the room. The wax dripped into strange shapes like human tears. At the door, someone had set up a copper basin still containing unburned paper money. Some had flown out and reflected on the window, dancing eerily into strange shadows.

Ji Shuran huddled in a corner, her back cold.

There wasn’t a single person in the room. She was very afraid inside. Even those coarse old women who spoke harshly to her—she now found herself greatly missing them. At least if there were someone in the room, she wouldn’t feel it so ghostly.

She had always believed she didn’t fear ghosts and spirits. As long as people had methods, even ghosts feared evil people. But the day Daoist Master Chongxu came to exorcise evil, she saw with her own eyes and it shattered her inner conviction. There truly were ghosts in this world. Once this was confirmed, when Ji Shuran closed her eyes, she could see those she had killed coming with bared fangs and claws.

Ye Zhenzhen, Jiang Yue’er, Liu Wencai, Siqi, and many, many more, including the child in her belly. Her mind was especially noisy with many people talking. At this time, she felt extremely vulnerable and very much hoped Jiang Bingji and Jiang Youyao were before her eyes.

However, they hadn’t come.

Thinking about it, that made sense. She was now unforgivably guilty before the Jiang family. Her pair of children naturally should also be expressly forbidden from coming to see her. Fortunately, Jiang Yuanbai and Old Madam Jiang weren’t unreasonable people. They wouldn’t blame the pair of children because of her. This way, Ji Shuran’s heart felt somewhat better.

Just then, some sound seemed to come from outside. Ji Shuran nervously curled up again. Her hands and feet were bound, preventing her from moving or escaping. Since birth, though not imperial relatives, she hadn’t suffered any hardship, let alone being treated this way by others. Ji Shuran thought that the Jiang family was treating her so harshly. When she got out, she would definitely have her sister Consort Li find ways to ruthlessly retaliate against the Jiang family.

Yes, Ji Shuran still thought about getting out.

At first she thought she wouldn’t have a chance to live because Liu Wencai’s ghost had appeared. But somehow, Liu Wencai hadn’t taken her away. As long as someone wasn’t dead, the desire to survive would be especially strong. After Ji Shuran recovered her wits, she thought about how to escape.

Setting aside other matters, at least her sister was the Emperor’s most favored consort. If the Jiang family wanted to touch her, they’d have to weigh their options.

The footsteps outside gradually became clearer. Step by step, neither light nor heavy, yet Ji Shuran felt each step heavily struck her heart.

Outside came the sound of people talking.

The door opened with a “creak.”

Wind lifted the paper money on the ground. Someone in plain white clothes and skirt, wearing a white flower in her hair and carrying a lantern, walked in.

It was Jiang Li.

—Author’s Note—

Has it been a long time since we had a chapter title like “XX’s Death”?