Chapter 11: A Figure

If that maid were in someone else’s courtyard, it would be one thing—but she was precisely in Tingfeng Pavilion!

Lady Shen came from a prominent family, cherished by her parents and elder brothers since childhood, and had scarcely known hardship in the first half of her life.

After marrying into the Jiang family, her days were initially quite smooth.

But later, her mother-in-law arrived from the old home, bringing along a distant niece of her own.

Disregarding Lady Shen’s objections, she forcibly arranged for her son to take the girl as a concubine, who was called Concubine Cheng.

This Concubine Cheng was fortunate in fertility, becoming pregnant less than a year after being taken into the household.

At the time, the old madam watched over this pregnancy with extreme vigilance, constantly on guard against Lady Shen, fearing she might resort to some underhanded scheme.

Unfortunately, she watched too closely, pampering Concubine Cheng too well.

In the end, the belly grew too large, leading to a difficult labor that nearly claimed both mother and child!

Coinciding with heavy, continuous snowfall at the time, Concubine Cheng failed to recover properly and passed away within two months.

The old madam, stricken by the blow, fell ill for over half a month.

After recovering, she ignored her son’s objections and directly took the second son under her own care to raise.

It could be said that the second son was the old madam’s very lifeblood!

Even Lady Shen, as the mistress of the household, could not overly interfere in the affairs of Tingfeng Pavilion.

Lady Shen hesitated, torn between her own flesh-and-blood daughter and the filial duty owed to her mother-in-law…

After pondering for a long while, Lady Shen finally said, “Allow me to think it over carefully. It’s not that Mother is unwilling to agree to you—it’s truly a matter of your Second Brother and your grandmother…”

Hearing this, Jiang Jin merely smiled faintly, her words tinged with an unshakeable melancholy: “Daughter knows she shouldn’t ask Second Brother for this maid, fearing he might refuse and harm the harmony between siblings.”

“But daughter also knows she won’t remain in the household for much longer. After marrying in the future, I’ll have to live according to the whims of my mother-in-law and husband. If I encounter a kind family, my days may still be smooth; but if I meet with a difficult one…”

As Jiang Jin spoke, her voice inevitably took on a sob.

“So while still at home, daughter wishes to be willful just once, rather than regret countless times in the future…”

“Mother, if you find it troublesome… then daughter… will just—”

“Mother agrees to you!” Lady Shen could not bear to see Jiang Jin in such distress yet so understanding. She knew well that she had wronged this daughter in many matters; if she couldn’t grant her this small request, she would truly be failing as a mother!

————

After Lady Shen left, Jiang Jin suddenly laughed at herself in self-mockery.

So… Mother could also be moved because of her.

But why, in her past life, when she wept and knelt begging Mother, did she refuse to let her divorce and take her back home?

They had already gotten what they wanted—why were they unwilling to grant her even the slightest shred of pity!

Jiang Jin raised her head, blinking, trying to hide the tears in her eyes.

When the attempt failed, she had no choice but to reach up and wipe the tears away, then force a smile back onto her face.

“Miss, Sister Muyu is here.” Furong came around the screen, leading the person over.

“Third Miss, this servant has been sent by His Highness to deliver some grapes to you.”

As Muyu spoke, she was about to open the food box when she suddenly noticed the redness at the corner of Jiang Jin’s eyes.

“Third Miss, you… why are you crying?” Muyu was somewhat flustered; she rarely saw people cry and didn’t know how to comfort them.

Jiang Jin shook her head: “It’s nothing. It has nothing to do with you; there’s no need to be nervous.”

Muyu fell silent, secretly committing this matter to heart.

The Zhangshi had said that upon returning, she must report every word to His Highness—she had to remember it clearly!

“The Zhangshi said that if you have any other food or items you desire, please feel free to tell me,” Muyu continued.

Jiang Jin replied, “I lack for nothing, but I thank the Zhangshi for his kindness.”

“I’ll accept the grapes. Our main kitchen has prepared some pastries, which likely taste different from those of Prince Ning’s Mansion. Take some back to enjoy.”

Muyu did not refuse and accepted them readily.

Carrying the food box, she walked to the wall and, with a few deft movements, vaulted over it using her strength.

Furong watched with envy, then returned inside and recounted the incident to Jiang Jin.

Shortly after, she sighed wistfully, “If only Miss had a maid as skilled in martial arts as Muyu! Then, when we first entered the capital, we wouldn’t have—”

“Furong!” Jiang Jin cut her off. “That was years ago. Don’t dwell on it anymore.”

Furong immediately fell silent.

As her mistress said, it was all in the past. They must look forward.

But looking ahead…

Furong couldn’t help but feel anxious again.

Jiang Jin glanced up at her, understanding her thoughts.

She pointed to the food box on the table and said, “What are you thinking about? Hurry and wash those grapes to eat. They’ll spoil if left too long!”

In this season, it was already rare to enjoy fresh fruit, let alone grapes, which were so perishable.

With a task to occupy her, Furong no longer had time to worry.

She responded promptly and soon returned with the washed grapes.

“Miss, look! These grapes are each larger than my eyeballs, and every one is fresh, not a single spoiled one!” Furong exclaimed excitedly. “Even back in Jingzhou, we never had grapes this big!”

“Miss, you must try them.”

After speaking, Furong peeled a few grapes and placed them on a small plate, handing it to Jiang Jin.

Jiang Jin picked one up and placed it in her mouth. A slight tartness gave way to a refreshing sweetness.

If someone told her these were freshly picked and delivered, she would believe it!

But she also knew these grapes couldn’t possibly have grown in the capital. They must have been carefully preserved and rushed from their place of origin to retain such freshness.

Prince Ning had sent jewelry and now fruit. Jiang Jin understood perfectly—this was both an expression of gratitude and a reminder!

A reminder to her—to remember her promise!

————

The next day, the sky was overcast, dark clouds blotting out the sun.

Though it was still midday, it looked as if night were about to fall.

Jiang Jin sat by the window, watching the swaying shadows of the trees outside, feeling inexplicably unsettled.

In her previous life, it had been on a day like this.

The wind howled fiercely as she lay in bed. Beyond the roaring gusts, she heard wave after wave of screams and cries.

But at the time, her consciousness was fading, her ears as if blocked, unable to make out what they were saying.

Until the scorching flames surged into the room, the thick, searing smoke choking her, leaving her speechless…

Later, as she watched the waves of fire nearly engulf her, a sudden sense of impending liberation washed over her.

But soon, as her consciousness faded, she seemed to glimpse a figure.

The silhouette was both unfamiliar and familiar, advancing undeterred, striding through the flames toward her…

Jiang Jin pressed a hand to her chest, feeling an inexplicable emptiness, as if something were missing.

Her brow furrowed as she tried to recall the final memories of her past life, but her head throbbed uncooperatively.

Not daring to dwell further, Jiang Jin leaned back on the small couch, taking deep breaths.

Only when she felt better did she slowly rise again.

Walking to the writing desk, relying on that faint memory, I attempted to sketch out that figure.