37 Shopping

Lin Rou’s tears fell from the sheer pain, but she dared not fight back, only clutching at Lady Li’s hand. "Madam, please, Madam."

But Lady Li showed her no mercy. Lin Rou let out a sharp cry of agony.

"Madam, let go! If you continue, I will fight back!"

"You base creature! Go ahead, fight back! Let’s see how a wretch like you dares to strike back."

Driven by pain and fury, Lin Rou abandoned all pretense. She reached out, grabbing Lady Li’s hair and pulling with all her might. The two women instantly descended into a chaotic brawl.

Suddenly, a young man in a long robe rushed out from the side. "Stop!"

He stepped forward, pinning Lin Rou’s hands and forcibly prying her fingers from Lady Li’s hair. Wincing in pain, Lin Rou let go, only to be shoved hard to the ground by the youth. He stood over her, pointing a finger down. "Lin Rou, you wretch! You live in our Jiang household, yet you dare to raise a hand against my mother? Who gave you the audacity?"

Lady Li snatched up a tree branch as thick as a thumb from the ground and began to lash out at Lin Rou. "Wretch! I’ll beat you to death! I’ll beat you to death!"

Lin Rou struggled on the ground, not daring to retaliate, wailing, "Madam, please, stop hitting me! Stop!"

Jiang Li stepped forward, warning her, "If there is a next time, I will ensure you do not live to see tomorrow’s sun."

Jiang Shuwan sat in the pavilion, sipping tea and watching the farce nearby, enjoying the show with her maid, Liusu.

Jiang Shuwan took a sip and smiled. "Liusu, quite a lively scene, isn't it?"

The corners of Liusu’s mouth remained curled in a smile. "Indeed, it is." Then, a thought crossed her mind, and she said with some concern, "I only fear the Old Madam and the Master will not be pleased."

"I couldn't care less if they are pleased. As long as I am amused, that is enough." She set down her cup, stood up, and said, "Let’s go."

Liusu looked at her, puzzled. "Miss, where are we going?"

"I’m in a good mood today. I want to go out and buy some things to relax. It’s better to find some peace and quiet than to stay here and let others find trouble for me."

"Miss is wise."

They exited through the back and headed straight toward East Street. Because it was the afternoon, the streets were bustling with people. Jiang Shuwan was in high spirits, wandering about aimlessly.

She spotted a street vendor selling jewelry not far away. Jiang Shuwan walked over, picked up a hairpin with a glazed pendant, and examined it from all angles before placing it in her palm. Then, she picked up a jade hairpin.

"Boss, how much for these two?"

"You have a fine eye, Miss. The glazed pendant is one tael, and the jade hairpin is one and a half taels."

"Package them for me. I’ll take them." Jiang Shuwan handed them to the merchant.

"Right away, Miss!" The boss quickly wrapped them up and handed them over, and Jiang Shuwan paid him.

"Thank you, Miss," the merchant said with a smile. Jiang Shuwan gave a slight nod.

She turned around and handed the jade hairpin to Liusu. "Liusu, this is for you."

Liusu was startled by the jade hairpin and refused without a second thought. "Miss, I cannot accept this."

Jiang Shuwan shoved it directly into her hand. "If I give it to you, take it."

In her previous life, Liusu had been defiled by men sent by Gu Xin, and to protect her reputation, she had thrown herself into the river. In this lifetime, she would not let her suffer such grievances again.

Liusu had no choice but to accept it, moved to tears. "Thank you, Miss. You are truly too kind to me."

Jiang Shuwan took her hand. "You grew up with me and have taken care of my daily needs; if I am not good to you, who should I be good to? From now on, your food and clothing will be just as good as mine."

Liusu was so touched she knelt down. "I will never forget your great kindness, Miss. I shall serve you as a beast of burden for the rest of my life."

Jiang Shuwan pulled her up. "You silly girl, get up. There are so many people watching."

As Liusu stood, she was bumped forcefully by someone passing by. She stumbled forward, and had Jiang Shuwan not caught her by the wrist, she would have fallen.

"Are you blind? Can’t you look where you’re going?" the person who bumped into her shouted angrily at Jiang Shuwan and Liusu.

Jiang Shuwan looked at the woman in the loose green robe—clearly a maidservant—and her expression turned cold. "Apologize."

"Who do you think you are? You have no right to demand an apology from us. You were blocking my mistress’s path; you should be the one apologizing to her!" the woman said haughtily.

Jiang Shuwan glanced behind her and saw a woman wearing a green veil hat and silk garments. She looked wealthy and noble!

This must be the mistress!

In her past life, Jiang Shuwan would have been afraid of inviting trouble, but reborn, she wanted to protect those she cared for and would no longer be weak.

Jiang Shuwan stepped forward, shielding Liusu behind her, her eyes cold. "I don't care who your mistress is. Since you bumped into someone, you must apologize."

The maid was momentarily startled, but then, thinking of something, she raised her hand to slap Jiang Shuwan. "You wretch, how dare you—"

Jiang Shuwan caught her wrist firmly, her eyes turning icy, and backhanded the maid across the face. "Wretch? Who are you calling a wretch?"

The maid’s face turned from the impact. She held her cheek, staring at Jiang Shuwan in disbelief. "You dare hit me?" She lunged forward as if possessed, intending to strike back.

"Yu'er, stop."

Just as she raised her hand, the person behind her spoke. Yu'er froze.

The veiled woman stepped forward, her voice cold. "So, Miss Jiang is exactly as the rumors describe."

Jiang Shuwan knew she was referring to the reputation for being spoiled that Lady Li had spread about her. She wasn't angry; instead, she smiled sweetly. "Thank you for the compliment!"

The woman paused, her gaze scrutinizing. Jiang Shuwan did not flinch, staring right back at her.

After a long moment, the woman said with a warning tone, "I hope Miss Jiang has the foresight to realize that you and the Marquis of Pingning are not a match. You would do well to end your engagement with him soon."

Jiang Shuwan was stunned for a few seconds, her gaze fixed on the veiled woman, looking her up and down. The visible skin of her hands was fair, her figure slim, and her entire bearing was aristocratic.

This must be a daughter of some high-ranking official who secretly admired Gu Yunting and had come to pick a fight upon hearing of their engagement.

"And if I say no?" Jiang Shuwan asked with a playful smile.

As the words left her lips, a somber, oppressive aura surrounded the woman.

"If you wish to die, then try it," the woman said, each word dripping with murderous intent.

It seemed this person was not to be trifled with. In her previous life, she would have been truly terrified by such a threat, but in this life, she would no longer live in fear.

"Then I shall wait and see," Jiang Shuwan said, walking away with a smile.

The woman’s gaze followed her like a blade, but Jiang Shuwan kept her spine straight, showing no fear at all.

After they had walked quite a distance, Liusu clutched her chest, still shaken. "Miss, who exactly was that woman? Do you know?"