2 Rebirth

“Has the eldest miss not woken up yet?”

“Not yet. Although her fever has subsided, she remains drowsy every day. Today she didn’t even eat breakfast before going back to sleep.”

“Heavens have been cruel. Such a fine young lady falling into the pond and becoming so seriously ill. Why don’t you try to get her up? The second master Gu and Madam Gu have been waiting a long time. Today is her betrothal day, and it wouldn’t do if she’s not present.”

Jiang Shuwan woke slowly, gazing at the ornate canopy bed carved with peach blossoms, the pink silk quilt. This was her bridal chamber before she had left her family home.

About two meters away stood a four-panel screen painted with blue plum blossoms, shielding the room from outside view, though two shadows could be discerned behind it.

Jiang Shuwan recognized the voices — the younger one was her personal maid, Liusu; the other was Granny Li, her grandmother’s attendant.

But wasn’t Granny Li dead, beaten to death? Why was she here?

She raised her hand and saw not the wrinkled skin she remembered but smooth, fair hands. Suddenly, everything became clear.

She had been reborn!

Tears streamed down Jiang Shuwan’s cheeks as she clutched the quilt tightly.

She hadn’t expected the heavens to grant her a second chance, returning her to the day of her betrothal.

Her nose tingled with emotion, and she sniffled, the sound carrying outside.

The crisp ringing of a bell soon followed, and Liusu entered wearing her blue gown. Seeing Jiang Shuwan’s red-rimmed eyes and tear-streaked face, she hurried over and gently patted her back. “Miss, don’t be afraid, it was just a nightmare. Everything is fine now. The doctor said your health is good; you only need to rest a while to recover.”

Jiang Shuwan stared unwaveringly at the familiar face before her, trembling, unable to speak for a long moment.

Liusu’s brutal death was as vivid as if it had happened yesterday, flashing through her mind.

She gripped Liusu’s hand tightly, afraid this was all a dream.

Thinking Miss was still frightened, Liusu’s tender voice softened further. “Don’t be afraid. No matter what happens, your servant will stay by your side.”

Jiang Shuwan knew she was misunderstood but did not explain. Raising her reddened eyes, her voice hoarse, she whispered, “The Gu family…”

Before she could finish, Liusu interrupted, “Miss, if you don’t want to see them, we won’t.”

Then she called outside, “Granny Li, the young lady isn’t feeling well today. Please return to Madam Gu…”

“Granny Li, please go inform grandmother. I’ll come out shortly,” Jiang Shuwan tugged her sleeve, taking over.

Granny Li smiled warmly. “There’s no rush, eldest miss. Take your time. I’ll go tell Madam now.”

“Thank you, Granny Li,” Jiang Shuwan replied.

After Granny Li left, Jiang Shuwan turned to Liusu. “Help me dress, please.”

“Certainly.”

Jiang Shuwan sat before the bronze mirror, observing her pale complexion but delicate skin, and the hair on her head was not the gray she remembered from her previous life. Only then was she certain she had truly been reborn.

Recalling the past life, the Pingning Marquisate had risen to great wealth on her blood and flesh. Without her, Gu Xin’s title would have long been lost. Since she had been granted this second chance, if Lin Rou wanted her, so be it. But for all they had done to her, she would repay each one.

Now Gu Xin was eager to marry her, valuing her dowry above all else to handle matters.

Since the Pingning Marquis’s death, the family had grown thin, with no one outstanding besides Gu Xin. They had no influence at court, and the estate had no funds.

Her maternal grandfather was the richest man in Jiangnan and could provide whatever sum they desired in an instant.

Moreover, she was the legitimate daughter of the Yongbo Mansion, with countless noble sons in the capital vying for her favor.

Yet in her previous life, blinded by Gu Xin’s looks, she had chosen that scoundrel.

And on the day of their engagement, they had behaved disgracefully.

This time, she would reveal their true faces to everyone.

“Miss, is this the dress you want to wear?”

Liusu’s words pulled Jiang Shuwan from her thoughts. She looked up into the mirror, seeing Liusu holding a pale pink layered jacket.

“Not this one today. Wear the soft blue pleated skirt I wore a few days ago,” Jiang Shuwan said calmly.

That was the very outfit she wore the day Lin Rou pushed her into the water. Today, she would wear it to repay every insult.

“Ah? Isn’t that a bit plain?” Liusu asked, surprised.

“Precisely because it’s plain.”

Seeing the cold fire in Jiang Shuwan’s eyes, Liusu thought she was upset over being pushed into the water and that Gu Xin had rarely visited her. She dared not say more.

Once dressed, Liusu noticed the chill outside and draped a white fox fur cloak over her shoulders, adjusting it before supporting her as they stepped out.

The spring chill was biting, a light breeze brushing Jiang Shuwan’s face, causing her to shiver.

Seeing this, Liusu suggested, “Miss, shall I fetch a brazier for you?”

“No need. Let’s go.”

Now, all she wanted was to reach the main hall and lay everything bare. Otherwise, she couldn’t predict what might happen next. She also eagerly anticipated the moment Gu Xin and Lin Rou would be utterly disgraced.

Jiang Shuwan quickened her pace across the bluestone path.

The Jiang residence was a grand six-courtyard mansion, exquisitely decorated, clearly built with great wealth and effort.

Originally, the house was part of her mother’s dowry, but when the Jiang family faced calamity and near ruin, her mother had given this mansion as the main residence for the family, supporting the entire Marquisate with her dowry.

Her mother managed everything for the Marquisate but ultimately fell ill and bedridden, and not once did her father come to see her before she died.

Thinking of this, Jiang Shuwan clenched her fists tightly.

All her mother’s sacrifices had only nurtured a pack of ungrateful wretches.

“Is Sister Yun well?”

Suddenly, a familiar voice called out.

Jiang Xiyu tilted her head and saw beside her a moderately built, elegant nobleman holding a white fan, his peach blossom eyes filled with affection as he looked at Jiang Shuwan.

Jiang Shuwan’s eyes narrowed, her grip tightening.

She hadn’t expected to meet Gu Xin so soon. In her previous life, after falling into the water and hearing that Gu Xin hadn’t come to see her, she was furious and stayed shut away in her courtyard.

Those words struck Gu Xin like a slap, making his face burn with embarrassment.

His hand tightened around the fan.

Before his father’s death, noble young ladies in the capital would flock to his handsome face, eagerly responding to his charm. But Jiang Shuwan was always aloof toward him.

If not for her family’s status and her grandfather’s wealth, he wouldn’t have bothered with her at all.