Chapter Twenty-Nine: Schemes Unveiled, Provocation and Anger

Qin Wanru was running, desperately running, but she seemed unable to find her way—she was lost!

Before her stretched an abyss of darkness, behind her came the heavy breathing of someone in pursuit, as if a blade hovered just beyond her back. Yet, try as she might, she could not discern her direction, nor did she know where to flee.

Someone was calling her. At first, the voice seemed distant; the next time, it sounded right by her ear. She wanted to run toward it—the voice seemed to offer her guidance—but before she could reach it, a cry of agony rang out nearby. Instinctively, she turned her head: blood flooded her vision, painting the world in crimson...

With a scream, she jolted upright.

“My lady, my lady, are you all right? Did you have another nightmare?” Qingyue rushed over in quick, anxious steps, lifting the gauze canopy. Seeing Qin Wanru’s pale face, drenched in sweat—her complexion snowy white, lips vivid and red, a few strands of jet-black hair clinging damply to her cheeks—it was clear even at her young age that she possessed a rare and delicate beauty.

Every time she lay down, Qin Wanru would be tormented by nightmares. She had only been taking a midday nap just now, once again startled awake by a dream.

“I want some water,” Qin Wanru’s voice was hoarse as she reached up to touch her own forehead, her brows knitting slightly. Was that dream real? It felt as though it was, as if there was something she had forgotten upon being reborn, but which replayed itself endlessly in her dreams.

“My lady, I’ve just fetched some warm water!” Qingyue hurried back to the table, wiped her hands, and offered the cup to Qin Wanru.

After taking a couple of sips, Qin Wanru finally began to recover from the nightmare. “Has Liu Rongzhi arrived?”

It was already afternoon; since Lady Di had spoken to her father earlier, she would not make her wait long.

“She hasn’t been here long. Right now, she’s said to be in the eldest young lady’s courtyard, persuading her that Young Master Qi has forgiven her, and even brought gifts!” Qingyue reported. When Miss Qi had arrived, she made quite a stir—the household staff were all abuzz, saying that Young Master Qi was truly broad-minded.

“Help me freshen up,” Qin Wanru steadied herself, threw back the covers, and swung her legs off the bed.

Qingyue quickly left to prepare bath water, knowing that, given her mistress’s sweat-soaked state, a simple wash would not suffice.

After her bath, Qin Wanru sat before the dressing table as Qingyue twisted the water from her hair. “My lady, while you were bathing, someone from the lady’s side came to ask if you’d woken, and to say that you should go keep Miss Qi company as soon as you did.”

“Did you tell them I was bathing?” Qin Wanru asked, gazing at her reflection.

“I did, but the lady still pressed for you to hurry,” Qingyue replied indignantly. “Every time Miss Qi comes, it’s never for anything good. Last time, you nearly fell from the attic; she’s always scheming against you. She’s struck you more than once, and neither the lady nor the eldest young lady cares.”

Qin Wanru fell silent, a trace of coldness flickering in her eyes. How foolish she’d been in her previous life, always believing Qin Yuru and Lady Di’s words, always thinking Qi Rongzhi meant no harm.

She remembered one time when Qi Rongzhi pushed her into the lotus pond, leaving her chronically chilled—a flaw that later became a mark against her in marriage negotiations.

And of course, it was Lady Di who spread the rumor that this chill would hinder her from bearing children.

Knowing full well that Qi Rongzhi disliked her and was actively hostile, Lady Di still deliberately invited her over. The motive was clear.

Whatever happened between her and Qi Rongzhi now, the household would surely demand she yield. After all, in recent events, the General’s Manor was indebted to the Qi family.

She narrowed her eyes slightly, watching as Qingyue deftly dried her hair and arranged it into a simple double bun, finishing with an unadorned hairpin.

“Come, let’s go see Grandmother,” she said, her eyes calculating. In her previous life, Qin Yuru and Qi Rongzhi had always joined forces against her. In this life, she would make sure they never did—and she relished the prospect of watching them turn on each other.

Qi Rongzhi was not one for reason—when she was angry, she cared nothing for ties of kinship. Worse, she had a habit of lashing out at anyone who angered her, friend or foe alike—a mad dog.

“Aren’t you going to keep Miss Qi company?” Qingyue was confused by the sudden change of plan.

“For what? Isn’t she keeping my dear sister company right now?” Qin Wanru shook her head, stood up, and walked outside. As she reached the doorway, she saw Nanny Yu approaching and paused.

“My lady!” Nanny Yu hurried over, nearly tripping in her eagerness, and bowed deeply.

Qin Wanru reached out to help her up, her voice gentle. “No need for such formality, Nanny Yu. Are you well?”

“I’m much better now, nearly recovered!” Nanny Yu nodded repeatedly. In truth, she was not fully healed, but, worried for her young mistress, she had forced herself to come.

“Since you’re nearly well, I’d like you to return to my side. From now on, you’ll be in charge of my courtyard—I’ve already spoken to Grandmother about it,” Qin Wanru’s eyes glimmered as she spoke. She understood that Nanny Yu had only come so quickly out of concern for her, just as she had in her previous life.

After Nanny Fang had been executed, she had asked the old madam to let Nanny Yu take over the running of her courtyard.

“Don’t worry, my lady. I will take good care of the courtyard for you!” Nanny Yu replied, deeply moved by her young mistress’s trust.

“Rest for now in the side room. If the lady comes looking for me again, just say I’ve gone to see the old madam,” Qin Wanru instructed, hesitating for a moment before deciding to stay and give these orders.

“Understood, my lady,” Nanny Yu answered.

Qin Wanru and Qingyue left. At the gate, instead of heading toward the old madam’s courtyard, they turned toward the garden.

She had only just departed when a matron bustled into the courtyard, led straight to Nanny Yu.

“The second young lady still hasn’t gotten up? Miss Qi has been waiting for so long! The lady says you must hurry—it's not right to keep a guest waiting!” the matron complained, clearly irked at having had to come twice.

“My lady is already up, but she’s gone to see the old madam,” Nanny Yu replied evenly, repeating Qin Wanru’s instructions.

“What do you mean? Didn’t I just tell her to keep Miss Qi company? What’s she doing going to the old madam now?” the matron demanded, eyes wide.

“That’s what the young lady said. I don’t know the details,” Nanny Yu answered, spreading her hands, then turned aside and coughed softly.

“I’ll go report to the lady. If you see the second young lady, tell her not to dawdle any longer!” the matron said, getting nothing more from Nanny Yu, and stomped out in a huff.

But as she reached the gate, she paused. A little maid came out, glanced around, and whispered, “The second young lady didn’t go to the old madam’s. I saw her go toward the garden,” pointing the way.

That road didn’t lead to the old madam’s courtyard at all.

The matron nearly laughed in exasperation—clearly, the second young lady didn’t want to see Miss Qi and was deliberately avoiding her. With a snort, she went to report to Lady Di.

When Lady Di heard that Qin Wanru had deliberately avoided them, she let out a string of cold laughs and immediately ordered someone to report this to Qin Yuru. But in reality, the message was meant for Qi Rongzhi. Everyone knew Qi Rongzhi was not one to be trifled with—even before, when she disliked Qin Wanru, she had made her suffer.

She found trouble when there was none to be found—how much more so now that there was a real grievance!

Sure enough, when she heard Qin Wanru had dared avoid her, Qi Rongzhi was furious. She snorted coldly, rose to her feet, and was about to storm out when Qin Yuru caught her hand.

“Sister Qi, where are you going?”

“I’m going to find Qin Wanru and see how she dares claim she went to see the old madam!” Qi Rongzhi was always arrogant; now she felt humiliated by Qin Wanru and spoke icily.

“And what if you go and she really is with Grandmother?” Qin Yuru reminded her.

“How could that be? Didn’t your mother’s servant say she took another path? That road circles the other way—why would she walk in the wrong direction if she meant to see the old madam?” Qi Rongzhi sneered. When she saw Qin Wanru, she would make her pay.

With tempers flaring, Qin Yuru was happy to watch the drama unfold, but she feigned concern, holding Qi Rongzhi’s hand and advising, “You’re right. My second sister must have gone to the lotus pond. Be careful—she’s become much more vicious lately, who knows who’s been advising her. I’m afraid you’ll suffer for it.”

“Me, suffer? Qin Wanru would have to be capable of that! Who’s advising her? It must be that delicate Miss Shui in your manor—I knew from the start she was no good,” Qi Rongzhi snorted. Her brother had already told her that Qin Yuru was the victim of Shui Ruolan’s schemes.

“Just be careful,” Qin Yuru said, patting Qi Rongzhi’s hand and earnestly warning her. “Grandmother always favors my second sister. If you quarrel with her, she’ll be angry. And if she really is by the lotus pond, don’t go—it may not look deep, but just the other day a maid nearly drowned there.”

“I know, I know. When we were children, Qin Wanru fell in once herself and tried to blame me,” Qi Rongzhi grumbled, shaking off Qin Yuru’s hand, and strode out with her servant in tow.

What did it matter if the old madam favored Qin Wanru? Years ago, she had managed to push Qin Wanru into the water—she could do it again.

Qin Yuru’s reminder had jogged her memory; what a perfect spot it had been. If not for Qin Wanru’s wet nurse, who had kept a close eye on her mistress and was a good swimmer, Qin Wanru would have died that day.

Every time she saw Qin Wanru’s face, Qi Rongzhi felt a rush of anger. In the past, others had always praised her beauty, but once Qin Wanru appeared, all compliments went to her.

But this time, she’d heard the wet nurse was unwell and hadn’t followed—what perfect timing...