Chapter 2 (2/2)

After dying once, not only did the experiences from her past life not vanish like smoke into thin air, Jiang Ruan could remember them even more clearly. When her mother passed away four years ago, a wandering Taoist came to the manor and divined her character to be unyielding from a glance. She was said to bear bad luck for her parents, and her life was destined to be the bane of another’s existence. At first, Jiang Quan wanted to send her to the family temple to be a nun. It was precisely because Jiang Su Su kneeled and begged for mercy that Jiang Quan changed his mind and sent her to a residence in a village instead. Because of this incident, Jiang Ruan bore a gratuitous heart for Jiang Su Su. But, now that she had thought about it, all of the endless bullying and humiliation that she was being subjected to were bestowed by Jiang Su Su and her mother.

The residence was entrusted to the care of Zhang Lan family. Zhang Lan was someone who was avaricious, stingy and extremely shrewd. Every day, she did not fail to scold and humiliate Jiang Ruan indirectly. Her husband, Chen Fu, was an alcoholic loafer and a gambling addict. They had a son and a daughter. The son, Chen Zhao, was a complete pervert. The daughter, Chen Fang, wielded sharp and unkind words. The pieces of jewelry and accessories that Jiang Ruan brought with her when she initially arrived, either fell into Zhang Lan’s hands or were tricked away by Chen Fang. Ten days ago, Chen Zhao touched her inappropriately by the lakeside. Jiang Ruan could not bear the abasement and jumped into the water. Chen Zhao escaped as soon as he realized that he had caused trouble. By the time Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi asked someone to save Jiang Ruan, she had already lost her consciousness.

As it was during the final days of the lunar year, the lake water was cold and piercing to the bone. Additionally, under Zhang Lan’s harsh mistreatment over these past few years, Jiang Ruan’s body had grown more and more frail. Catching a cold just made things worse in a bad situation. She immediately came down with a severe illness.

Jiang Ruan remembered very clearly. Originally, she did not wake up as early as this. After she gained consciousness, she had contracted a nearly incurable illness. However, a more significant incident occurred not long after. Gossip heard from outside mentioned that she was already seducing men at such a young age, without caring about her invaluable body. She fell into the water, after she took the initiative to seduce Chen Zhao and failed in her attempt. Thinking back, the act of pushing the blame on her must have been Zhang Lan’s doing. As a result of this marred reputation, when Jiang Ruan met the elders face to face in the future, the title of temptress befell her.

Now that she has woken up earlier, the gossip has not spread yet. Until now, the thought must have not occured to Zhang Lan, so she could actually use this chance to send her a New Year’s gift. There was no future in extending her stay in this residence, where they could torment her. After four years, she would be sent into the palace as a pawn. This was not something that she could endure. Her purpose was not to be taken advantage of without reason and there was always a price to pay for everything a person did. Thus, she singled Chen Zhao out as the first target to meet her blade.

Jiang Ruan peered outside the window. The faint sound of the firecrackers caused the house with the trio to seem even more cold and dreary. She righted herself slowly into a sitting position. Bai Zhi heard her rising, so she stood up and went towards her quickly, “Miss, you have woken up. Do you feel discomfort anywhere?”

Jiang Ruan shook her head, “What time is it now?”

“It should be around seven to nine in the evening,” Bai Zhi answered.

Lian Qiao placed her fan down, “Is Miss hungry? Let me bring some food from the kitchen.”

Most of the misses and madams that stayed in the residence were usually the ones who had committed crimes. Regardless, they were still masters. Unless they were being cared for in a “special” manner, it was unlikely that the treatment would be so disappointing that it could not even be compared to a lowly servant. One might ponder deeply about why the New Year’s Eve dinner was never sent earlier.

Before Jiang Ruan could reply, she heard knocks on the door. A clear voice spoke from outside, “Miss, I have come to deliver the New Year’s Eve dinner.”

Lian Qiao was stunned. Jiang Ruan said, “Come in.” The door opened with a sound. An extremely festive-looking maid entered, carrying a food basket in her hand. She was all smiles, “Auntie Lan ordered me to bring some food over. Miss, you should eat some too.”

When Bai Zhi saw that Jiang Ruan was still for a long time, she lowered her head unsurely. She watched a glimpse of emotion flash across Jiang Ruan’s eyes. Then, Jiang Ruan turned and raised her head with a slight smile.