Whatever Miss Jiang offers, I favor.

Once, when the manor prepared pastries, Old Madam Gu had a servant bring some to Gu Yunting. Upon smelling the cloying sweetness, Gu Yunting frowned and ordered the servant to throw them away immediately. He further commanded that nothing sweet should ever be brought to him again, not even as food.

Yet, as he stood there now, the peach blossom pastry gave off a scent so sweet it was almost sickening, and Gu Yunting was actually eating it.

"Since it was sent by Miss Jiang, it is to my liking," Gu Yunting said, popping the remaining half of the pastry into his mouth.

Feng Ye’s mouth twitched. He had never imagined that his master, once he found a woman he loved, could go to such lengths. The thousand-year-old withered tree had finally blossomed!

Ever since the Madam passed away, his master had remained single for years, never showing interest in any woman. It was entirely unexpected that this marriage arrangement, made by the Marquis’s estate while the Marquis was away, had accidentally led Gu Yunting to fall in love. It was, all things considered, a good thing.

"As long as the Marquis is pleased," Feng Ye said, his attitude shifting instantly to one of fawning compliance.

***

Begonia Court.

The door was tightly shut. Jiang Xueyu sat on a low stool while her maid, Liutiao, knelt on the floor, carefully applying medicine to her hands.

"Ah! You clumsy wretch, are you trying to kill me with pain?" Jiang Xueyu shrieked. She kicked out, landing a heavy blow on Liutiao’s stomach, sending the maid sprawling.

Too terrified to mind her own pain, Liutiao immediately knelt back down, head bowed, begging for mercy. "Please, Miss, spare me! Have mercy, Miss!"

The lingering pain in her hands did nothing to appease Jiang Xueyu’s fury. She stood up and began to kick Liutiao viciously. Liutiao curled up, shielding her head and pleading repeatedly, but she dared not resist. The more Jiang Xueyu kicked, the more energized she became, her blows growing heavier.

Finally exhausted, Jiang Xueyu sat back down and hissed, "Jiang Shuwan, I will not be human if I do not take revenge for this."

"Oh my, Cousin, what are you doing?"

Suddenly, Lin Rou’s voice came from the doorway. Jiang Xueyu looked up to see Lin Rou walking in, dressed in a pale green gown, her hair adorned only by a simple hairpin, devoid of any other jewelry.

"What are you doing here?" Jiang Xueyu asked, her face twisted in disdain. She had always loathed Lin Rou. Although Lin Rou was merely a distant relative living under the Jiang family’s roof, she was treated exactly the same as the daughters of the house. Jiang Xueyu had long resented this.

In the past, she had caused scenes over it, but Jiang Xunian and the Old Madam always ignored her, telling her to be more broad-minded. They claimed that since Lin Rou’s mother had passed away and her father’s whereabouts were unknown, the family should treat this orphaned girl like a sister as a matter of humanitarian duty. Jiang Xueyu could never understand why they valued a distant, orphaned relative so highly.

Lin Rou took advantage of their affection to act understanding and gentle, but Jiang Xueyu knew better—Lin Rou was not as innocent as she appeared. That fool Jiang Shuwan might be deceived by her white-lotus act, but she certainly wasn't.

Lin Rou ignored her hostility. She glanced briefly at the bruised and battered Liutiao, then looked away and sat on a low stool as if she were in her own quarters, pouring herself a cup of tea.

"Cousin, why be so angry as to take it out on a maid? Being beaten like that was not her fault."

Liutiao’s body trembled. She looked up at Lin Rou with eyes full of gratitude, thinking to herself how wonderful it would be if she served the cousin instead.

"My affairs are none of your business," Jiang Xueyu snapped impatiently. "If you have something to say, spit it out. If not, get out."

Lin Rou’s hand paused on the teacup. Her eyes darkened, but when she looked up, a smile was back on her face. She set the cup down. "Why must you be so hateful, Cousin? I came here because I want to help you."

Jiang Xueyu didn't believe for a second that Lin Rou was so kind. "I don't need your help. Just worry about yourself." She thought of the despicable things Lin Rou had done on the day Jiang Shuwan and Gu Xin were betrothed, and she couldn't help but feel a wave of contempt.

Lin Rou remained unruffled. She reached out with slender fingers to pour a cup of tea for Jiang Xueyu. "I don't know why you look down on me so much, but surely our common enemy right now should be Jiang Shuwan."

Jiang Xueyu sat up straight, staring at her. "You have a way to deal with Jiang Shuwan?"

Lin Rou smiled, stood up, and leaned in to whisper into Jiang Xueyu’s ear. Jiang Xueyu’s eyes brightened, and she slapped the table in excitement. "That’s a brilliant idea!"

*Jiang Shuwan, you made me suffer such a beating; I will see you ruined.* Jiang Xueyu’s expression turned utterly cold and malicious.

Standing nearby, Lin Rou wore an equally sinister smile. Lin Rou sat down, and Jiang Xueyu turned to Liutiao. "Go and tell Jiang Shuwan that I invite her to Mingfeng Restaurant tomorrow at the hour of the snake for tea, to apologize for what happened at the Marquis’s estate."

"Yes," Liutiao replied, bowing her head as she hurried out.

***

Magnolia Court.

On a low table sat a palm-sized bronze burner, its intricate lattice lid emitting thin, fragrant wisps of smoke that curled into the air. Jiang Shuwan sat quietly on a round stool, reading a book. Feeling a chill, she pulled her pale pink padded jacket closer. "Liusu, add more charcoal."

Liusu took the tongs, dropped a piece of charcoal into the burner, and seeing only glowing embers, added another. She turned to Jiang Shuwan and, noticing her tea had gone cold, poured her a fresh cup. "Miss, you have only just recovered; you should rest more."

Jiang Shuwan sipped the tea, feeling her body warm up. She looked up with a gentle smile. "I am fine, I was just a bit cold."

Liusu took the cup from her and sighed helplessly. Ever since her mistress had fallen into the water, she had changed—not just her temperament, but her entire way of acting. Before, she had always listened to Lady Li, believing that a woman’s lack of talent was a virtue, and she had spent her days embroidering, never touching a book. But lately, whenever she had a moment, she was either writing or reading; it seemed she hadn't touched her embroidery in ages.

Liusu’s gaze drifted to the half-finished peach blossom pouch lying forgotten to the side.

Jiang Shuwan followed her gaze, and her expression darkened when she realized what she was looking at. That half-finished pouch was something she had intended to embroider for Gu Xin. But since her rebirth, knowing the truth of everything, she had never picked it up again. Looking at it now, she felt only disgust and nausea.

"Liusu, take that away and burn it," Jiang Shuwan said coldly.

"Why, Miss?" Liusu asked, bewildered.