Jiang Li walked in.

Ji Shuran stared at her in a daze. Over the past two days, apart from the old servants who spoke harshly to her, she hadn’t been able to see anyone. Needless to say, she couldn’t see Jiang Yuanbai and Old Madam Jiang, nor could she see Jiang Youyao and Jiang Bingji. As for her personal maids, they had probably all been locked up. Ji Shuran had no way of knowing what was happening outside. Alone, she thought about many things—her own way out, and also Jiang Li’s situation.

At that time, Jiang Li’s appearance clearly showed she had been possessed by ghosts. Although she herself had ended up in this state, Ji Shuran still thought vindictively that it would be good if Jiang Li remained possessed by ghosts, or if those vengeful spirits simply killed her. Now that Jiang Li appeared, for a moment, Ji Shuran thought the Jiang Li she was seeing was no longer among the living.

But then she saw Jiang Li softly instructing the maids beside her, and disappointedly accepted the fact that Jiang Li hadn’t died. On the contrary, judging by her appearance, she hadn’t been affected at all.

Jiang Li entered the room alone. The maids all remained outside, and the door was closed. Jiang Li didn’t light any lamps, so apart from the candlelight, only the white lantern Jiang Li carried emitted a pale, ghostly glow.

Ji Shuran felt even colder. However, a cold smile appeared on her face: “What are you doing here?”

“I came to see you.” Jiang Li sat down in the chair by the table. She casually placed the lantern on the ground and looked at Ji Shuran. Her gentle features were perfectly calm, but the words she spoke couldn’t let Ji Shuran remain composed. She said: “After all, you’ve spent so many years in the Jiang Manor. Before you leave, I should come see you.”

“Leave?” Ji Shuran frowned. “What do you mean, leave?”

Jiang Li looked at her quietly. After a while, she said: “After doing so many things, Madam doesn’t think you can escape unscathed, does she?”

Ji Shuran felt her entire body beginning to spasm. The clothes couldn’t bring her a trace of warmth. She said: “Jiang Li, stop trying to frighten me! This time I was merely outmaneuvered, which is why I fell into your trap!”

“Madam really does have a decade-long habit of making others bear false accusations. Having fallen to such a state, isn’t it Madam’s own retribution? You didn’t fall into my trap—you were simply found by those you murdered.”

These words struck at the panic that had filled Ji Shuran’s heart over the past few days. But the more panicked she became, the more she had to deny Jiang Li’s words, as if this could give her courage. She said: “Ridiculous! There’s no such thing as karmic retribution in this world. If there really were karmic retribution, why didn’t it come earlier instead of waiting until now? Now that ghosts have come to find me, would I be afraid? It’s just a waste of effort!” She said coldly: “I’ve long since established my footing in the Jiang family and given birth to a son and daughter. My elder sister is even His Majesty’s favored consort. Even having reached this point, it’s not entirely hopeless. For the sake of my father’s face, the Jiang family won’t do anything to me.”

She looked at Jiang Li provocatively: “Ye Zhenzhen is dead, and Jiang Yue’er is dead too! They’re all dead, but my children still have bright futures ahead. What does it matter if there’s retribution in the world? The retribution came too late—I still won!”

Having said this, she laughed almost maniacally.

Jiang Li just watched her. She herself didn’t come from a prominent family, and in the Xue family, she didn’t have to scheme against others either. Therefore, when she first learned of all of Ji Shuran’s crimes, apart from astonishment, Jiang Li only felt incomprehension. But now, looking at her, she could understand a little.

The Ji family had raised a selfish, malicious woman. She was fundamentally vicious, having nothing to do with her environment. Even if Ji Shuran had been born into an ordinary family, she would still have used others as stepping stones for her own benefit.

The two sides of human nature—good and evil—in Ji Shuran, Jiang Li only saw evil.

She smiled faintly.

Under the dim lamplight, the young girl’s plain dress made her features appear even colder. Her delicate features usually carried a warm smile, but when her expression turned cold, she seemed to become a different person.

Jiang Li said: “Is that so? Do you really think Jiang Youyao and Jiang Bingji will have good lives in the future? Or… do you think Consort Li will be safe and sound? I’m sorry to say, but Consort Li can barely protect herself now. You asked Consort Li to help you, but instead dragged her into trouble. The Ji family resents you—they don’t have time to blame you, so how would they expend resources to keep you safe? You’re a member of the Ji family yourself. You understand how the Ji family operates, don’t you? Or do you know but insist on deceiving yourself?”

Ji Shuran’s expression changed. She said: “You’re lying!”

“Daoist Priest Chongxu was a fraudulent charlatan,” Jiang Li smiled. “He was a fugitive wanted by the authorities who fled from his hometown after two murders. If he hadn’t come to the Jiang Manor to perform rituals this time, no one would have discovered him. But now that the truth has come to light, how will Consort Li in the palace explain? After all, years ago, the noble lady His Majesty favored died after this priest identified her, allowing Consort Li to have no rivals for the Emperor’s affection in the palace and reach her current position.”

“Tell me, if the current Emperor discovers he was deceived, that the noble lady he loved was wrongly murdered, that this priest was a fraud, won’t he think Consort Li deliberately set up this scheme to eliminate her rival? Won’t he regret it? An emperor won’t admit his own mistakes—he’ll only double down on blaming others for past errors.”

Ji Shuran listened to Jiang Li’s words in a daze. She said: “How do you know this?”

Not many people knew about the incident years ago when Consort Li was framed by that noble lady in the palace. Ji Shuran knew only because the person involved was her own blood sister. Even Jiang Youyao didn’t know about this matter, let alone Jiang Li, who wasn’t close to her at all. Moreover, such palace secrets weren’t simple to investigate. But Jiang Li just knew, and from her appearance, she seemed to know quite a lot, taking it all for granted.

“You don’t need to worry about how I know. You only need to know that this time, Consort Li probably can’t protect herself.”

A chill slowly crept into Ji Shuran’s heart. She knew Jiang Li was right. Once it was discovered that Daoist Priest Chongxu was a fraud, it meant the case in the palace years ago would have a completely different outcome.

But she still stubbornly said: “How do you know Daoist Priest Chongxu is a fraud? You…”

“I have my methods.” Jiang Li only said this one sentence.

Ji Shuran looked at her.

“In fact, people from the Ji family came yesterday, though you didn’t know and no one told you. They originally planned to rescue you after learning of your situation.” Jiang Li’s tone contained faint mockery. “But they’ve already left. After meeting with Father and Old Madam, I think they won’t come again in the future.”

“Impossible!” Ji Shuran cried out miserably. Jiang Li seemed to have stripped away her last shred of hope. She shouted desperately: “They can’t abandon me!”

“Why not?” Jiang Li answered coldly. “You could sacrifice your own flesh and blood to eliminate me and protect yourself. Why can’t the Ji family sacrifice you to protect themselves?”

Ji Shuran glared at Jiang Li hatefully. As a member of the Ji family, she understood better than anyone the self-serving nature in the Ji family’s bones. Yes, she carried the Ji family’s selfish blood. There was no reason the Ji family wouldn’t be the same.

“The Ji family has already abandoned you. Father and Old Madam were tolerant of you in the past only because you had lost a child. Now it’s been proven that the pity shown to you was just part of a conspiracy you orchestrated. You still have several lives from the Jiang family on your hands, and ultimately you must pay for them.” Jiang Li spoke in a soft voice, yet it chilled Ji Shuran’s heart. “After you die, Father will still remarry. The manor cannot be without a new madam. However you treated me back then, the new madam will treat Jiang Youyao and Jiang Bingji the same way.”

These words were like a curse. Ji Shuran screamed: “No! I must see the Master! I must see the Master!” She raved frantically.

“Father won’t come see you. Every time he sees you, it reminds him of how foolish he was back then. Who would seek out such suffering?” Jiang Li smiled again. “You spoiled Jiang Youyao until she became lawless. Without the new madam lifting a finger, sooner or later she’ll block her own path. As for Jiang Bingji…” Jiang Li deliberately paused before slowly continuing: “Although when Jiang Bingji was born, Liu Wencai had already been dead for years, because you’re his mother, while Father won’t take out his anger on him, I’m afraid it will be difficult for there to be no barrier between them. If even Father treats him this way, how would a new madam care about him? As long as the new madam gives birth to a son, Jiang Bingji will naturally be cast aside. Of course, if this new madam has an even more ruthless heart… just like what you did to Jiang Yue’er…”

“No!” The composure Ji Shuran had barely maintained on her face finally shattered. Like a wild beast whose cubs had been snatched away, she shrieked viciously: “The Master won’t treat them this way! They’re the Master’s flesh and blood!”

“Ji Shuran.” Jiang Li said calmly: “The retribution you spoke of being helpless against you—that’s impossible. The sins you committed must be slowly repaid. If you were let off easily, then your children would be treated harshly. However I was treated by you back then, that’s how others will treat your flesh and blood in the future.” Jiang Li smiled. “That’s very fair.”

Ji Shuran’s tears and snot ran together in a messy tangle. She looked utterly wretched.

She wasn’t afraid of anything. Though she feared death, what worried her most were still the two children. Ji Shuran had prepared for the worst—using her own death to exchange for Jiang Yuanbai’s guilt and extra affection toward the two children. But now Jiang Li had ruthlessly crushed even this wish.

That’s right—to pave the way for her son and daughter, she had killed other children, stolen others’ marriage prospects, and secretly hired assassins. As long as someone might block their path, Ji Shuran wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate them. Anything her own children fancied, she would snatch from others. That’s why Jiang Youyao had developed such a reckless temperament. She couldn’t handle Jiang Li, and even Ji Shuran herself couldn’t handle Jiang Li.

Despair filled Ji Shuran’s heart, and from that despair grew resentment. She looked at Jiang Li and said: “Even if Daoist Priest Chongxu is a fraud, you’re an evil entity.” She said: “You’re not Ye Zhenzhen’s daughter! You’re not Jiang Li!”

Ji Shuran was venting her unwillingness.

She had schemed her entire life only to lose completely to a young girl barely weaned. How could she be reconciled! At such a young age, Jiang Li was full of cunning schemes. Since returning to the manor, in every confrontation, she had never gained the slightest advantage over Jiang Li. She kept losing ground step by step—the marriage alliance with Marquis Ningyuan’s manor, Jiang Youyao’s reputation for talent… and this time. If it weren’t for dealing with Jiang Li, why would she have invited Daoist Priest Chongxu to the manor? How would it have ended up like this!

She had only meant to vent, but upon hearing this, Jiang Li tilted her head slightly, looked at her for a while, then stood up.

Ji Shuran instinctively retreated, but her back was against the wall. Her hands and feet were bound and she couldn’t move. She could only watch helplessly as the young girl slowly approached.

Though clearly a delicate young maiden in her budding years, Ji Shuran felt as if she were facing a malevolent ghost. Jiang Li walked step by step before her and crouched down.

The young girl’s eyes were dark and bright. It was hard to imagine there could be such clear, distinct eyes in the world, but Ji Shuran knew that within her eyes wasn’t clean innocence—she knew everything.

Jiang Li looked at her and suddenly revealed a playful smile. She said lightly: “So you’ve discovered it.”

Ji Shuran felt a moment of confusion. Discovered what?

When she understood what Jiang Li actually meant, cold sweat broke out all over her body.

—You’re not Ye Zhenzhen’s daughter! You’re not Jiang Li!

—So you’ve discovered it.

Ji Shuran fearfully shrank back. Jiang Li smiled as she scrutinized her. Her voice was extremely soft, like lovers’ whispers. Speaking right next to Ji Shuran’s ear, even if there were a third person in the room, they wouldn’t hear what she was saying clearly.

A tremor-inducing sensation came from her ear as the young girl smiled and said: “Too bad no one will believe your words.”

Ji Shuran suddenly understood.

Why had Jiang Li’s temperament suddenly changed so drastically? Why could she win first place in the Six Arts? Why was she so scheming at such a young age, and why did she know everything?

It seemed everything had an answer.

“You… you’re not her…” Ji Shuran’s voice trembled. “Why are you harming me?”

“For Ye Zhenzhen, Jiang Yue’er, Concubine Hu, Siqi, and Jiang Li. For everyone you’ve harmed,” Jiang Li smiled. “So guess, what will I do to Jiang Youyao and Jiang Bingji?”

A desperate shriek emerged from Ji Shuran’s throat. Jiang Li stood up. Ji Shuran trembled violently and cursed: “You evil entity! You’re not Jiang Li! I must see the Master! You evil entity!”

Jiang Li looked down at her from above and smiled: “Farewell forever, Ji Shuran.”

She left the room without looking back.

The moment Jiang Li left the room, two stout old servants walked in, one carrying a tray with a porcelain pot on it.

Ji Shuran realized what was happening and said in terror: “What are you doing? What are you doing? Someone help! Help!”

The sounds of struggle in the room gradually weakened. Soon, there was no movement at all.

Having walked some distance, Jiang Li stopped and turned to look back toward the side room.

Tong’er and Bai Xue stood silently beside Jiang Li.

Jiang Li stood in the snowy ground as flurries of snow began falling from the sky.

Ji Shuran would die no matter what. Given the Jiang family’s circumstances, they wouldn’t let her die in an unseemly manner.

But having committed crimes, she should pay the price. Letting her die easily would be too lenient. Dying with unwillingness and unease, with fear, worry, despair, and terror—dying with eyes wide open in misery—only this could be worthy of those people underground.

Second Miss Jiang, Jiang Li thought silently in her heart, you can rest assured now.

…

The snow stopped by the next day. It was a rare sunny day.

That night, Jiang Li slept exceptionally soundly. In her dream, there was a young lady with delicate features standing in the snow, bowing deeply to her and saying: “Thank you.” Her voice was unfamiliar, but her face was very familiar—it was Jiang Li herself.

No, that wasn’t Jiang Li. That was the real Second Miss Jiang.

When Jiang Li woke up, she stared at her palm in a daze. She had met Second Miss Jiang in her dream. She didn’t know if it was coincidence from thinking about her during the day, or if that pitiful young lady had truly come to express her thanks.

She believed in karmic cycles in the world, so after being surprised for just a moment, she felt at ease. Whether or not Second Miss Jiang had come to thank her, what she could do for this young lady—at least she hadn’t stood by and watched.

Tong’er came in from outside. As soon as she entered, she looked around. Seeing this, Jiang Li laughed: “What are you looking at?”

Tong’er was startled and said: “Miss, you’re awake. This servant thought you were still sleeping.” She came over to help Jiang Li get out of bed while saying: “It was rare to see you sleeping so soundly this morning, so this servant didn’t wake you. You’ve worked hard these past few days—it’s good to rest more.”

Jiang Li hadn’t forgotten Tong’er’s expression from earlier and asked: “Has something happened?”

Tong’er’s movements paused. She looked up at Jiang Li: “Miss, Ji Shuran is dead.”

Jiang Li showed no surprise.

Tong’er immediately understood. When she learned this news early in the morning, Tong’er had actually felt quite puzzled inside. Last night, Old Madam had specifically sent Jiang Li to see Ji Shuran. At the time, Tong’er had vaguely sensed something but didn’t dare speculate recklessly. Now it seemed to have come true, though judging from Jiang Li’s expression, she had clearly anticipated it long ago.

Come to think of it, if even she could sense it, Miss could certainly guess it.

However, Old Madam had acted decisively and swiftly against Ji Shuran. Originally, Tong’er had thought that even considering the Ji family’s reputation, it would take some time. She hadn’t expected a decision to be made so quickly.

“But… although Ji Shuran is dead, the manor hasn’t been discussing it much, and it seems those outside don’t know yet either.” Tong’er was somewhat hesitant.

Jiang Li said: “Ji Shuran’s death wasn’t natural. Making a big fuss about it would be strange instead.”

“This servant isn’t worried about other things, only about Third Miss.” Tong’er said worriedly: “Everyone in the manor knows Third Miss’s temperament. Now that Ji Shuran is dead, Third Miss will definitely blame this on you, Miss. If she becomes relentless…”

When Jiang Youyao went mad, she might become another Ji Shuran. Though not very intelligent, she was vicious.

“No need to worry.” Jiang Li smiled faintly. “With Ji Shuran’s death, her power is gone. She can’t cause any trouble.”

Jiang Youyao wasn’t worth fearing. At worst, Zhao Ke was still watching from the side. What needed to be dealt with now, what was most important, were still Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong.

The enemies who belonged to Xue Fangfei.