Right now, you’re acting like a shrew.

Gu Xin composed his expression, a smirk playing on his lips. "Sister Yun, today is the day of our betrothal. After today, we will be a betrothed couple; why must you be so distant with me?"

Jiang Shuwan felt only revulsion. She wanted nothing more than to tear his face apart, yet she kept her expression blank. "The Heir has spoken correctly—we are not yet betrothed, and the future remains unknown. If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave. My grandmother is waiting for me."

Without so much as a glance at him, she turned and headed toward the main hall.

Gu Xin frowned deeply. In his previous life, Jiang Shuwan had been cold toward him at first, but after they married, she had provided him with money and run errands for him everywhere. Why was she so indifferent this time around?

*It must be her modesty!*

At this thought, Gu Xin’s irritation dissipated significantly. He quickened his pace to catch up with her.

Unbeknownst to them, the entire scene had been observed by Lin Rou, who watched their retreating figures with intense, burning hatred.

Upon reaching the hall, Jiang Shuwan saw the matriarch, Old Madam Jiang, sitting in the place of honor. Despite her graying hair, she appeared vigorous. Beside her sat a woman in her early forties, dressed simply yet with an air of nobility—this was Old Madam Gu.

Her worthless father sat to the side of Old Madam Jiang, accompanied by her stepmother, Lady Shen. Opposite them sat Lady Shen’s children, Jiang Rui and Jiang Xueyu.

Jiang Shuwan approached and curtsied slightly to the two elders. "Wan'er pays her respects to Grandmother, Father, and Old Madam Gu."

Old Madam Jiang gestured for her to come closer, and Jiang Shuwan obediently stepped forward to take her hand.

"Heaven have mercy, why are your hands so cold, Wan'er? You’ve only been gone a few days, yet you’ve grown so thin. My poor darling has suffered," Old Madam Jiang said, gently stroking her hand with a look of genuine heartache.

If this were her previous life, she would have been moved by such displays of affection. But having lived through that life—knowing how she lacked influence in the Marquis of Pingning’s estate and how they had cast her aside like trash—she finally understood their true nature.

Furthermore, she had been burning with fever for days, and not a single soul from the estate had come to visit her. If not for the fact that her grandfather had continued to send large sums of money every month following her mother's death—funds that were all absorbed into the family’s public coffers—her grandmother likely wouldn't even have deigned to look at her.

"The young lady has truly suffered. Do not worry, Old Madam; once she enters our Marquis of Pingning’s estate, we shall surely see her well-fed and thriving," Old Madam Gu said with a comforting smile.

Jiang Shuwan raised her eyes to look at Old Madam Gu. She had a round, kindly face. In her previous life, even though Gu Xin had neglected her, Old Madam Gu had treated her quite well. Unfortunately, consumed by the grief of losing her own child, the old woman’s spirit had withered once she saw her grandson married, and she had passed away less than a year after Jiang Shuwan entered the household.

Jiang Shuwan lowered her gaze, her heart a complex storm of emotions.

Old Madam Jiang, assuming she was still angry about being pushed into the water, attempted to soothe her. "Grandmother knows you have been wronged. I have already punished that girl, Rou, by making her kneel in the ancestral hall; that should settle your grievance. I know you are a good girl and will not hold it against her."

Jiang Shuwan couldn't help but curl her lips into a cold sneer.

*Heh!*

Every time Lin Rou committed a wrong, her grandmother would raise her hand high only to let it fall gently. This time, she had been pushed into the water, and the punishment was merely kneeling in the ancestral hall? She had nearly died from a high fever; if the heavens had not been watching, she wouldn't even be here today.

Old Madam Gu looked at Jiang Shuwan apologetically. "It is my fault that the young lady suffered. If our Xin had not taken her to the pond to admire the willows, she would not have fallen into the lake. If any harm had come to her, our estate would have felt the guilt for a lifetime. Fortunately, Xin rescued her."

*She had crawled out of the water herself.* She had not expected Gu Xin to be so shameless as to claim all the credit.

Jiang Shuwan kept her head lowered, a cold, mocking smile playing on her lips.

Old Madam Jiang smiled. "It is thanks to the Heir. Our Wan'er has always been lively and straightforward, as well as kind and magnanimous—just as kind as your Heir."

Old Madam Gu looked at the shy, obedient girl with her head bowed and grew even fonder. "Indeed. It is the blessing of several lifetimes that our Xin has earned, to be able to marry such a virtuous wife. We are truly honored by the Emperor’s decree of marriage; our Marquis of Pingning’s estate has been greatly blessed."

"Grandmother is right."

Suddenly, Gu Xin’s voice came from the doorway. Behind him followed Lin Rou, dressed in a pink pleated skirt, chirping in a delicate voice, "Brother Xin."

All eyes turned toward the pair.

*I was truly blind in my previous life,* she thought. *I never realized they had been carrying on behind my back right under my nose.*

Gu Xin ignored Lin Rou, his gaze fixed on Jiang Shuwan, who sat beside Old Madam Jiang. The young girl looked aggrieved, her head bowed, revealing a long, slender neck that flushed from white to red—a sight that made one want to reach out and bruise it.

He had never realized before that her jealous, angry appearance could be so soft and adorable.

*Slap!*

Before anyone could react, Lin Rou was struck, a bright red handprint appearing instantly on her face. She looked at Jiang Shuwan in disbelief. "Cousin, why did you hit me?"

Her voice was choked with tears, and she began to weep, her delicate face streaming with sorrow.

Everyone was shocked; they had not expected the previously docile Jiang Shuwan to turn and bite so suddenly.

Before Jiang Shuwan could speak, Lin Rou covered her face and sobbed softly. "Cousin, I know you are angry, and I deserve it. It’s all my fault for not knowing how to swim—I was so terrified when I fell in that I lost my composure and clung to my brother-in-law. Please, Cousin, do not blame him, and do not ignore him, alright?"

Jiang Shuwan felt a wave of nausea. Unable to listen any longer, she backhanded her, striking her on the other cheek. She looked at the symmetrical prints on her face with satisfaction.

"Jiang Shuwan!" Old Madam Jiang slammed her hand against the table, causing tea to spill from the porcelain cup. She glared at her granddaughter. "How can you strike someone without rhyme or reason?"

To do so twice in front of the Gu family was to spit in the face of the Jiang family.

Lin Rou was numb with pain, but hearing the Old Madam’s words, she lifted her tear-stained face and said with forced understanding, "Grand-aunt, please do not blame sister. As long as it makes you and sister happy, Rou..."

Before she could finish, Jiang Shuwan raised her hand again. Terrified, Lin Rou shrieked and hid behind Gu Xin, gripping his arm tightly.

Forgetting all propriety, Gu Xin instinctively shielded Lin Rou and scolded coldly, "Jiang Shuwan, do not go too far. You are a lady of high birth; look at yourself now, acting like a shrew. Where is your dignity?"