Chapter 2

A wild, malicious glint flashed in Wang Jiao's eyes. She wanted Wang Si to go to the Duke Weiguo's household and live under someone else's roof. She wanted Wang Si to be controlled by her stepfather and stepbrothers, and then forced to marry either a poor, fallen nobleman or some vile husband from the Princess's household. As for Wang Si's future husband—the Emperor—and her first love, the young general, Wang Jiao would take them all for herself. She would meet Zhe Congjie, who was stationed at the border, and later encounter Prince An, who had been exiled to the border city. In the end, she would return to the capital and become the most honored woman in the entire realm. Wang Si was awakened by Wang Jiao's voice. She slowly processed everything her sister had said. Her sister actually didn't want to follow their mother and was fighting to go into exile? Her thoughts shifted, and the confusion in Wang Si's eyes faded, replaced by a hint of amusement. Oh? Wang Jiao, my dear elder sister, you've been reborn too! “Sister, how can you say that? Mother isn't selfish or cold-hearted at all.” Wang Si composed herself, keeping the innocence and purity appropriate for a girl her age. She couldn't stand hearing her twin sister slander their mother, so she indignantly said, “Father accepted bribes from the salt merchants. He even helped them hide their account books and stolen money. After Mother found out, she tried desperately to persuade him, but Father not only refused to listen, he even called Mother an unvirtuous and narrow-minded woman!” “All these years, Father has repeatedly humiliated Mother because of his concubines. Mother endured all of it for the sake of us siblings!” “When the Wang family was convicted, Grandfather and Uncle spent who knows how much money and used countless favors just to protect Mother. They are even willing to take one of the two of us with them!” “You can be an ungrateful wretch who doesn't know how to appreciate kindness, but you can't abandon all sense of propriety and filial piety by slandering and insulting Mother!” Wang Si stood up. After spending three days in prison without enough food or sleep and constantly living in fear, her already slender body swayed slightly. She forced herself to remain standing and firmly walked to Madam Zhao's side. Taking her mother's hand, Wang Si said, “Mother, I know you haven't been happy in the Wuchang Marquis household!” “You've suffered so much and endured so many grievances for the sake of us siblings!” “The downfall of the Wang family isn't your fault. You don't need to die alongside the Wang family! And you certainly shouldn't hurt Grandfather, Uncle, and your other relatives who love you.” “Sixth Sister has been spoiled. She's also foolish. Please, Mother, don't take her words to heart!” Wang Si looked at Madam Zhao with the filial affection of a daughter, but there was also an understanding and support that seemed far beyond her years. Madam Zhao's heart had been aching like it was being pierced by needles after hearing her elder daughter's words. Now, feeling her younger daughter's defense and comfort, her wounded heart was finally soothed. “Hmph! Wang Si, you make it sound so nice. Since you said that, then you should be the one to go with Mother!” “That's right, I'm an ungrateful wretch. Hmph! But this ungrateful wretch is still a proud daughter of the Wang family. I don't care about the wealth of the Duke Weiguo's household. I want to go into exile with Grandmother and Father!” Wang Jiao also stood up as she spoke, deliberately shoving Wang Si. “Enough!” Seeing this, Zhao Chang frowned. He looked at Wang Jiao with a chilling coldness in his eyes. It was true that he could only allow his sister to take one daughter with her, but that didn't mean he truly intended to abandon his other nieces and nephews. He had already prepared one thousand taels in silver notes, planning to secretly give some to each of the three children. The journey into exile would be unimaginably difficult. With some money, at least the children could suffer a little less. But now, Zhao Chang regretted his plan. He wouldn't give them the money for the time being. At least, he certainly wouldn't give any to Wang Jiao. Heh. This daughter of the Wang family seemed to look down on the Duke Weiguo's household. Since she had so much backbone, she should stick to her principles. Wouldn't giving her money be an insult to her? As for his two nephews in the men's prison next door, Zhao Chang also wanted to observe them carefully. If they were as heartless as Wang Jiao, recognizing only their father and refusing to acknowledge their mother, then as their maternal uncle, he wouldn't bother interfering anymore. “Little Sister, since A-Jiao doesn't want to go, don't force her.” “Just take A-Si with you. She's the youngest, and she's also obedient and sensible.” Zhao Chang spoke in a deep voice, his expression firm. He wasn't discussing it with his sister. He was giving her an order. “...” Sniffling, Madam Zhao was still a mother. Although her elder daughter's words had hurt her deeply, she couldn't truly abandon her. She wiped away her tears with her sleeve and looked deeply at Wang Jiao and Wang Si. “A-Jiao, A-Si, I'll give you one final chance to choose. Which one of you will go with Mother?” Wang Jiao immediately spoke again. “I'm not going with you! I want to go into exile!” Her voice was filled with excitement and enthusiasm. It was as though she wasn't choosing a punishment that everyone feared, but some incredible opportunity. Wang Si sneered inwardly. My dear sister, don't tell me you think the reason I lived so well in my previous life was simply because I chose the right path? Exile had never been an opportunity. If she hadn't transmigrated into this world and possessed her special advantage, she would have died on the road to exile long ago. And the people of the Wang family weren't some loving blood relatives either. They were heartless, ungrateful beasts. In her previous life, she had sacrificed so much for her family and had nearly exposed her greatest secret. And how had they repaid her? Although she ultimately prevented their schemes from succeeding, her heart and feelings had still been deeply wounded. Having been given a second life, even if Wang Jiao hadn't fought for it, Wang Si would never involve herself with the Wang family again. What Wang Si hadn't expected was that Wang Jiao had also been reborn. Not only was she fighting to go into exile, she was even treating those heartless people as good people. Fine. I'll give you exactly what you want! Wang Si raised her head, her beautiful peach-blossom eyes sparkling brightly. “Mother, I'll go with you!”