"By the decree of the emperor, it says..."
"The low-born daughter of the Jiang Family, Ning of Jiang, is evil-minded and lowly in conduct!"
"She harms her own siblings, and has secret dealings with the South Kingdom, revealing Qizhou's confidential military maps and defense strategies which led to the death of countless soldiers."
"By the law, she shall be sentenced to be dismembered, the execution shall be carried out immediately! As it is decreed!"
The shrill voice of the eunuch echoed in the dark, damp prison, he stared at the shadow in the corner of the cell and said disgustedly, "Sinful Ning of Jiang, do you have anything to say?"
In the prison cell, a shrunken, frail body curled up, appearing as dark as an old mouse.
After listening to the old eunuch's proclamation, she let out a hoarse laugh that made her whole body tremble.
Dismembered?
Qi Sheng really was afraid of making her suffer, so he chose to punish her in the most cruel and vicious way.
He was afraid that she would tear off his deceitful face, and pull him down from the throne that he had struggled so hard to ascend.
Even more, he was afraid that she would seek revenge, for the blood debts of the massacre of the loyal and brave Hou Family!
Her grandfather and uncle were killed by her, and in the vast world, she was left struggling to survive.
She was not afraid of death, but she was unwilling to let the injustice of her loved ones go unavenged even till her death.
"Qi Sheng, Ning of Jiang!" Ning's tone was fierce, her eyes a deep crimson, "I will certainly return as a grudging ghost to exact vengeance on you!"
The old eunuch and the jailers were expecting to see her terrified and pleading for mercy, but in the next second, there was a loud "bang".
Jiang Yunin slammed against the wall, with fresh blood gushing crazily from her head.
She fell to the ground, with her eyes wide open, dead without closing her eyes.
...
"Miss? Miss? Why are you sleeping outside?"
"The weather is chilly outside, don't catch a cold, shall Chunzhi help you inside to rest?"
Chaotic sounds rang in Jiang Yunin's ears, as she slowly opened her eyes hit by the dazzling sunlight, she subconsciously raised her hand to block it.
The sadness and hatred in her heart had not yet calmed down, a sudden headache struck her, leaving her a bit disoriented.
"Miss, are you alright?"
Familiar voices echoed in her ears, as Jiang Yunin looked at the source, her eyes widened in shock.
Wasn't this... her personal maidservant Chunzhi?
But, had Chunzhi not passed away years ago?
"Miss, shall we go inside? The birthday gifts prepared by the Madam and the Marquis have already been delivered, you will certainly be delighted when you see them!"
Birthday gifts?
Jiang Yunin was a bit dazed.
Chunzhi assisted her into the house, where a few exquisitely crafted boxes were laid out on the table, filled with rare and precious treasures, along with a beautifully tailored long dress made from Yun brocade.
Looking at the familiar objects, Jiang Yuning's expression became even more bewildered.
These gifts seemed like those given to her by her maternal grandfather and mother on her 14th birthday.
Why was the past replaying itself?
Jiang Yuning paced quickly into the inner room, standing in front of the dressing table.
In the bronze mirror, a young girl about fourteen or fifteen years old, with a radiant face, stunning features, and beautiful almond eyes were filled with shock.
She remembered distinctly that after she was imprisoned, she was subjected to severe torture. Her face was ruined, her limbs were disabled, and not an inch of good flesh was left on her body.
And now...
She lowered her head, raising her hands, these hands were as white as jade, exquisite enough to make one's eyes dazzle. There were no marks of scars.
A ridiculous thought suddenly emerged in her heart. It gradually grew bigger, filling her heart with joy.
Could it be that she’s been reincarnated?!
Looking at Chunzhi, who was watching her with a worried expression, Jiang Yuning hardly held back the joy in her heart. She grabbed Chunzhi's arm hastily, "Chunzhi, where are my maternal grandfather and mother?"
Chunzhi looked at her strangely and replied, "Miss, have you forgotten? You said you wanted to spend your 14th birthday in the Marquis's mansion, so you came here. Naturally, the lady
your mother
is at her home. As for the Marquis...he should be discussing with the young master in the study at this moment. He will come to dining with you a little later. I heard they are discussing your marriage. Next year, you will be of age."
At the moment, Jiang Yuning wasn't interested in this. All she could think about were events of her previous life, concerning the downfall of the Qin family of Zhongyong Marquis's mansion.
A certain ancestor of the Qin family had once assisted an ancestor of the Qi family in attaining the realm. Originally, the realm was to be split between the two families, but out of righteousness, the Qin's ancestor had yielded the throne to the ancestor of the Qi, placing him in the position of the Emperor.
The ancestors of the Qi family, out of their gratitude for the Qin family's immense kindness, bestowed upon the Qin family's patriarch the title of 'Marquis of Loyalty and Courage', and issued a decree that both the Marquis's household and the royal family of the Qi Kingdom would inherit this honor.
Over the years, successive generations of the Qin family served in the army, contributing significantly to the expansion of the Qi Kingdom's territories and protection of its people. In the long run, the Marquis household's prestige within the military even surpassed that of the Qi royal family, evoking both admiration and envy.
Now, the Marquis's household has few members left, with no one currently holding office in the court. However, former subordinates can still be seen everywhere in the Qi Kingdom's army, a testament to their lingering influence.
Thus, the Emperor of Qi is still greatly displeased with the Marquis's household and oppresses them both publicly and privately.
After the Crown Prince Qi Sheng ascended the throne in her previous life, he accused the Marquis's household of treason and annihilated them completely!
In this reincarnation, she wouldn't just change the fate of the Marquis's household, but she'd also ensure those evil ones from her past life paid their blood debts!
"Miss! Something terrible has happened!"
A voice filled with panic came from outside. Jiang Yuning looked and saw it was her other personal maid, Yulu, running in hurriedly.
"Miss, the Master has brought that woman home. He intends to marry her as a formal wife and he even carried her through the city in a grand palanquin! Now, the ceremonial wedding procession is halfway to our home!"
At this news, Jiang Yuning felt as if her head had exploded.
A floodgate of hatred burst open in her eyes.
She almost forgot, on this very day in her past life, her "beloved father," Jiang Huan, had done the exact same thing!
Not only did he bring the woman from outside into their home, but he also stepped on the face and honor of her mother, Qin Qinglan, and the entire Marquis's household by inviting the woman to be his formal wife!
Later on, that woman's daughter, Jiang Ningxue, replaced Jiang Yuning as the legitimate eldest daughter and became a much sought-after noble lady in the capital city.
Jiang Yunin and her mother, along with the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery's mansion, immediately became the laughing stock of the entire imperial city!
Only now did Jiang Yunin realize why Jiang Huan had persuaded her to live in the marquis's mansion.
Turns out, her dear father was afraid that she would disrupt the marriage arrangement, so he intentionally sent her away!
In her previous life, her mother's depression ended in death, the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery's mansion was wrongfully destroyed. The origin of all tragedies was that mother and daughter entering the mansion!
This time, she absolutely could not watch that woman step on her mother’s face and gloriously marry into the prime minister’s mansion as the new matron.
And Jiang Ningxue, she can forget about becoming the legitimate daughter in this lifetime!
A ruthless look appeared in Jiang Yunin's eyes, and she immediately made up her mind.
