How is the investigation into that matter going?

Jiang Xueyu burst into a loud, cheerful laugh.

For a long time, she had simply detested how Lin Rou enjoyed more favor than both she and Jiang Shuwan. She had never been able to understand why until recently, when she received a letter from her mother explaining that Lin Rou was Jiang Xunnian’s daughter, born to one of her grandmother’s maidservants. It was solely because that maid had once saved her grandmother’s life that Lin Rou managed to outshine her in every possible way. At the time, she had eagerly planned to return home and mock her mercilessly.

Yet before she could even make the trip back, Lin Rou was dead—and had died in such a scandalous manner.

With a thorn in her eye now dead, how could she not be overjoyed?

Lady Li cast a nervous glance toward the door, and only after confirming there was no one outside did she let out a sigh of relief, warning her daughter, "Xue'er, I know you are happy, but you must never speak of this matter outside again."

"Why?" Jiang Xueyu asked, looking deeply bewildered.

"Just think," Lady Li gently tapped her on the forehead. "If anyone found out that our household produced a cousin who died of illicit liaisons, do you think any respectable noble family would ever come to our door to seek your hand in marriage?"

Jiang Xueyu experienced a sudden moment of realization.

She had originally intended to go out and spread the rumor herself, but prompted by Lady Li's warning, she instantly dismissed the thought.

Clutching her mother’s arm, Jiang Xueyu said, "I understand, Mother."

Suddenly remembering something, she straightened up and looked at her with a serious expression. "Mother, how is the investigation into that matter going?"

Lady Li immediately understood that she was referring to the identity of the person who had defiled her. When Jiang Xueyu had been sent away to the secondary estate, Lady Li had promised her that she would thoroughly investigate and find the culprit.

"Not yet. I have been looking into it for a long time, but there is still no news at all," Lady Li said, drawing a translucent, exquisite jade pendant from the collar of her dress, which was strung with a cyan silk thread. "However, judging by the quality of this jade, the man must undoubtedly be someone of noble status."

Lady Li had told her this before, but Jiang Xueyu wore an expression of utter disdain. "No matter how noble he is, can he be more noble than the Marquis of Pingning? Why is it that Jiang Shuwan gets to marry the Marquis of Pingning? Why must she always outshine me in everything?"

She had seen Gu Yunting several times. He possessed a more rugged and striking appearance than any of the young gentlemen in the capital, and on top of that, he had earned military achievements that won the Emperor's favor.

Aside from being somewhat older than her, he was flawless in every other aspect.

Had she known that Gu Yunting was so handsome and would return alive, she would have insisted on marrying him herself, leaving no chance for that little wretch Jiang Shuwan.

The thought that Jiang Shuwan could secure such a magnificent match while she herself had been defiled by an unknown perpetrator—without even knowing who the man was—filled her with a rage so intense she wanted to kill Jiang Shuwan to vent her hatred.

Lady Li was equally resentful of Jiang Shuwan’s fortunate marriage, but she was powerless to change it and could only comfort Jiang Xueyu. "Xue'er, do not worry. Mother will certainly find you a husband far better than the Marquis of Pingning."

Jiang Xueyu smiled happily. "Thank you, Mother."

Abruptly, a hearty voice rang out from outside the door, calling, "Mother."

A moment later, a young man walked in with a smile at the corners of his mouth. He was dressed in a round-collared brocade robe, cinched at the waist with an intricately embroidered belt.

***

"Rui'er, you're here." Lady Li’s face lit up with a smile as she saw her son, Jiang Rui.

Upon entering and finding Jiang Xueyu there, Jiang Rui looked slightly surprised. "Second Sister, you're back."

Jiang Xueyu nodded in response.

She sat down beside them, poured herself a cup of tea, and took a large gulp.

"Rui'er, you came rushing in like this. Is something the matter?" Lady Li asked.

After finishing his tea and setting the cup down on the table, Jiang Rui replied, "Mother, Second Sister, I have wonderful news to share with you both."

Seeing Jiang Rui beaming with joy, Lady Li and Jiang Xueyu exchanged glances, both reading the delight in each other's eyes.

Lady Li grabbed Jiang Rui's hand, her voice trembling with excitement as she asked, "Rui'er, have they found the person who harmed your Second Sister? Is that it?"

Jiang Rui shook his head. "No."

The smile on Lady Li's face instantly faded.

Unaware of her disappointment, Jiang Rui continued, "Mother, Second Sister, Lin Rou is dead."

"We already knew that," Jiang Xueyu said flatly.

"You already knew?" Jiang Rui looked somewhat surprised.

"Yes. That’s why I rushed home. And let me tell you, Jiang Rui, it’s not as if Jiang Shuwan died. Lin Rou was just a little wretch; there’s no need to be this overjoyed over her death."

Jiang Shuwan was far more formidable than Lin Rou.

No matter how favored Lin Rou had been, she could never surpass a legitimate daughter of the house. Jiang Shuwan, however, was different—she was a legitimate daughter, and older than Jiang Xueyu to boot, meaning she would always hold a higher status.

Knowing Jiang Xueyu's mindset, Jiang Rui sought to comfort her. "I know you have always hated Jiang Shuwan to the bone, so I have already figured out a way to deal with that wretch. In a couple of days, her time will be up."

The more Jiang Rui spoke, the more vicious his expression became.

"What is your plan?" Lady Li and Jiang Xueyu asked in unison.

Jiang Rui lowered his voice and laid out his entire plan.

Both women's eyes lit up. Jiang Xueyu said excitedly, "Let's do it just as you said. I refuse to believe that little wretch Jiang Shuwan can escape death this time."

***

Jiang Shuwan remained completely oblivious to all of this. At that moment, she was still debating whether or not she should attend Gu Xin’s upcoming funeral.

Reasonably speaking, considering how Gu Xin had treated her in her past life, she truly never wanted to see him again, not even in death.

Yet, she was now Gu Yunting's betrothed wife, and Gu Xin was technically her stepson, which meant propriety dictated that she should at least pay her respects.

After pondering for a long time, she ultimately decided against going.

The history between her and Gu Xin was well-known throughout the capital; if she attended, it would only stir up gossip and drama, which was the last thing she wanted.

She stood up and instructed Liusu, "Lusu, go and fetch me a cup of calming tea."

Although confused as to why Jiang Shuwan suddenly wanted calming tea at this hour, Liusu went to fetch it nonetheless.

Jiang Shuwan walked over to her desk, picked up a fine-tipped brush, jotted down a few lines on a piece of paper, and folded it neatly.

When Liusu returned with the calming tea, Jiang Shuwan handed her the folded note. "Deliver this calming tea to the Marquis, and bring this letter to him as well."

"Very well, Miss." Liusu took the items and turned to leave.

Not long after Liusu departed, Ma Liu walked into the room. "Miss."

Seeing Ma Liu, Jiang Shuwan was slightly surprised. "Is something the matter?"

Ma Liu hesitated, looking reluctant to speak as he rubbed the back of his head.

"If there is something to say, just speak your mind," Jiang Shuwan said, setting her teacup down on the table.

Ma Liu glanced at her a few more times before finally blurting out, "Miss, just now while I was cleaning, I saw the Eldest Young Master have a large quantity of kerosene carried back into the estate. I have no idea what he plans to do with it. Our household already has more than enough kerosene on hand, so I couldn't figure out why he would need so much. I thought it best to come and inform you."

Jiang Shuwan’s brows knitted tightly together. "Did you say kerosene?"

Ma Liu nodded. "Yes, several large jars of it. The servants had to carry them in pairs."

A memory flashed vividly through Jiang Shuwan's mind—in her past life, she had nearly been burned to death. She had not expected them to make their move so early in this lifetime.