Chapter 1 — Returning to the Marquis of Ding’an Residence
The Marquis of Ding’an Residence.
After waking from her afternoon nap, Old Madam Gui of Changshou Hall ate her usual bowl of yangnai geng—a soup made from boiled goat’s milk.
At that moment, a servant woman entered from outside and respectfully reported,
“Old Madam, Second Madam and Third Miss have arrived at the inner gate.”
Old Madam Gui paused, her spoon hovering in midair. She lifted her eyelids slightly.
“Who has returned?”
“Second Madam… and…”
The servant hesitated briefly.
“Third Miss…”
Setting down her bowl, Old Madam Gui spoke in a displeased tone,
“I only told them to go to the estate and check on Wen Yan—why bring her back? Judging by the time, they must have set out around noon. It may be autumn, but it’s still hot. What if Yan-jie’er suffers from the heat? How careless can they be?”
Meanwhile, Wen Yan followed her Second Aunt, Madam Cao, toward Changshou Hall.
Unaware of Madam Cao’s gaze, Wen Yan gently stroked the fur of the black cat in her arms while quietly observing the Marquis Residence.
If she had to describe it, the place felt unfamiliar.
When the late emperor relocated the capital northward, Lin’an City in Jiangnan became the former capital. Over the decades, many noble families moved to the new capital, but the Marquis of Ding’an Residence did not.
The residence had been established during Wen Yan’s grandfather’s time, though he passed away before she was born.
Out of leniency, the court had not immediately stripped the residence of its title, allowing it to remain until the Old Madam’s passing.
To preserve the name of the Marquis Residence, Old Madam Gui did everything she could to live a little longer.
Wen Yan had been born and raised in the capital.
Her father, who entered the Hanlin Academy under the tutelage of Grand Tutor Xia, married his teacher’s second daughter, and Wen Yan and her brother were born from that union.
When she was very young, she had once accompanied her parents to Lin’an to visit relatives, but she remembered little of it. After becoming a study companion to a princess at the age of eight and entering the palace, her opportunities to travel far gradually disappeared.
Last year, her maternal aunt’s family became entangled in a struggle for imperial power, dragging her maternal grandfather’s household into it. Her father, who had strongly supported his teacher and relatives by marriage, was also falsely accused.
Grand Tutor Xia’s disciples did everything they could to protect Wen Yan and her brother. That winter, the Marquis Residence paid a large sum of silver to bring the siblings safely to Lin’an.
For this, Wen Yan was naturally grateful to her grandmother and uncles.
After staying at the residence for about half a month, Wen Yan fell ill from the winter cold. Her grandmother then sent her to a countryside estate with hot springs to recuperate.
There, Wen Yan lived a peaceful life, free from worry about food or clothing. She harbored no resentment and spent her days quietly and obediently.
In her previous life, she lived like this for five years.
Later, summoned by Imperial Consort Dowager Huo, Wen Yan returned to the capital, married Huo Yixiao, and cleared her maternal family’s name.
She had taken her revenge.
Though she had not acted directly and it took eight long years, she ultimately drove her enemies onto a path of no return.
When she returned to Lin’an again one day, Old Madam Gui had already passed away, and the place was no longer the Marquis Residence, but merely the Wen Residence.
All items that exceeded their station had been removed and destroyed. Due to the family’s decline, the estate had even been divided by high walls into several sections and sold off.
Wen Yan already knew the truth.
Her grandmother had only paid a small portion of the silver used to save her brother. Most of it had been gathered by her grandfather’s disciples, and the money used to redeem her had nothing to do with the Wen family at all.
She also knew that her grandmother hadn’t sent her to the estate out of care—but because she didn’t want to see her.
…
Still, whether out of concern for appearances or for some other reason, her grandmother, uncles, and aunts had ensured that the siblings never lacked food or clothing.
Looking at the fallen family, Wen Yan had sighed—but she felt no hatred.
There was only regret.
Her younger brother had suddenly fallen ill, and Huo Yixiao had spared no effort to uncover the truth.
That had been the price of revenge.
It was not something she welcomed, but she had done her best.
She had lived her entire life that way.
Yet when she opened her eyes, she found herself returned to that autumn.
She was still only fourteen years old—and her enemies were living well.
After thinking it over for several days, Wen Yan grew furious.
Of course, she could wait patiently at the estate, just as in her previous life, for Imperial Consort Dowager Huo to send for her.
But that was far too slow.
Five years in seclusion, eight years to take revenge—she would be allowing her enemies thirteen full years of freedom!
More than a complete cycle of the zodiac.
Wen Yan did not want to wait.
She wanted to return to Lin’an—and to the capital—to repay kindness and exact vengeance.
All she needed was one decisive opportunity.
With minimal cost, she could achieve maximum results.
She lightly tapped the head of the purring cat in her arms. The cat lifted its eyes lazily.
Ahead, Madam Cao inwardly muttered, wondering how she had ended up bringing this girl along.
She knew very well that the Old Madam did not welcome Wen Yan. Yet the Old Madam concealed her true feelings and visited Wen Yan once every season.
Whenever the Old Madam showed gentle affection, Wen Yan would obediently comply—maintaining a harmonious balance where everyone appeared satisfied.
But unexpectedly, Wen Yan was not so agreeable today.
She did not make a fuss. Instead, with clear eyes brimming with tears, she looked at Madam Cao with a sorrowful expression and said softly,
“I miss my younger brother.”
“My parents’ death anniversary is approaching… I haven’t been able to sleep.”
“The estate is comfortable, but it’s too lonely.”
…
Faced with this, Madam Cao found herself unable to refuse and, before she knew it, had brought Wen Yan back with her.
Thinking about it now, her teeth ached in frustration.
She glanced sideways at Wen Yan.
Her niece’s beautiful appearance and lively eyes, combined with just a few words, had somehow bewitched her.
If it was genuine, that was one thing.
But if it was all an act… then it was truly remarkable.
Taking a deep breath, Madam Cao looked toward Changshou Hall ahead and pressed her lips together.
Inside was someone who loved acting—and was good at it.
Whether willingly or not, it would become a contest between grandmother and granddaughter.
With that thought, Madam Cao smiled and said,
“Yan-jie’er, leave the cat outside before going in. The Old Madam dislikes animals.”
Wen Yan smiled faintly.
“You may not know this, but the Princess also keeps a cat sent from Persia. It has white fur and emerald-green eyes and is dearly loved. If anyone in the palace were to call it a ‘beast,’ the Princess would be upset.”
She paused, then continued,
“I miss that cat very much. There isn’t one like it in Lin’an, and the estate only had this black cat, so I caught it with some difficulty. Since Grandmother dislikes it, I’ll leave it behind.”
After speaking, Wen Yan handed the cat to her maid, Sui-niang.
“Hold it carefully and take it to my quarters. Don’t let it run away.”
Madam Cao felt a headache coming on.
‘Persia,’ ‘upset’—and now this…
Was Wen Yan certain the Old Madam wouldn’t send her back to the estate for the sake of appearances?
Forget it. She had no desire to get entangled in a battle between grandmother and granddaughter.
As the maid at the door lifted the curtain, Madam Cao and Wen Yan entered in turn.
Upon stepping into the eastern side room, Wen Yan immediately saw Old Madam Gui seated on a luohan couch.
Before the Old Madam could speak, Wen Yan stepped forward, knelt before the couch, and said gently,
“Last night, I dreamed that Grandmother was calling ‘Yan-jie’er.’ Even after waking, I couldn’t calm my heart. Even if Second Aunt hadn’t come today, I would have returned on my own. Grandmother, I missed you so much.”
Madam Cao, who had been about to greet the Old Madam, swallowed unconsciously.
Incredible.
Truly incredible.
She could not help but applaud Wen Yan inwardly.
What kind of person was Old Madam Gui?
Having been her daughter-in-law for twenty years, Madam Cao knew better than anyone the Old Madam’s gentle façade.
She wasn’t exactly someone whose “kind face hid a cruel heart,” but she was deeply attached to maintaining that image of kindness.
Wen Yan’s words struck directly at that point.
No matter how much the Old Madam disliked her, she could not openly say, “I never called you,” or “I did not miss you.”
That would contradict the image she always upheld.
As expected, regardless of her true feelings, Old Madam Gui embraced Wen Yan and spoke in a gentle voice,
“You care for this old woman so much! Your health isn’t good—why trouble yourself like this? It’s hot at noon and chilly in the evening. Why didn’t you wait and come later? If you fall ill, your grandmother’s heart will ache. Come, let me take a look at you… you’ve grown thinner.”
Wen Yan replied softly,
“I missed home.”
“Poor child…”
Old Madam Gui narrowed her eyes slightly as she looked at Wen Yan.
In total, they had lived together for less than a month. She had always thought Wen Yan was merely an obedient child—she hadn’t realized she could act coquettishly and be so willful.
Or perhaps this had always been her nature, only hidden before.
It seemed she would have to reassess her.
Still, the Old Madam was not pleased that Wen Yan had returned of her own accord and no longer wished to continue the charade.
“The journey must have been tiring,” she said.
“Your quarters are just as before. Have someone clean them up. You should rest first.”
Wen Yan obediently agreed and, though reluctant to leave, followed Madam Cao to her quarters.
Residences near Changshou Hall were already occupied, while Wen Yan’s residence, Xiyuan, was located in the northwest corner of the estate, opposite the garden.
In her previous life, when the residence had been divided and sold, the northwest quarters and half the garden had been separated and reorganized, so its current appearance differed greatly.
It was only natural that it felt unfamiliar.
Since she had only just returned, everything was arranged quickly.
She had little luggage—just one servant woman, one maid, one cat, and a few sets of daily clothing.
The ornaments and toys she once loved had all been confiscated in the capital.
However, when she left, the Princess had secretly sent her jewelry and jade pendants, expressing her concern.
After pouring her some water, Sui-niang showed the scratches on her hand.
“No matter the color of their fur, cats are all the same. Look away for even a moment, and they’ll scratch you.”
Wen Yan smiled faintly.
“Tell that to the Princess later. Ask her to compare which of the two cats has sharper claws.”
Lowering her voice, Sui-niang asked,
“Miss, are you really going to the capital? Can you return?”
“I intend to,” Wen Yan said, pressing her shoulder lightly.
“I can go.”
At this time in her previous life, she had been burdened by painful memories of the capital. She had no desire to return and rarely even spoke of her life in the palace.
If she had not been unable to refuse the summons from Imperial Consort Dowager Huo, she would have stayed at the estate for several more years.
But now that she had set foot near the capital again, her resolve was even stronger than she had expected.
Her benefactors—and her enemies—were all there.
She would not be the one trembling in fear, trapped by the past.
Having already lived through it once, she chose a different path this time.
Not fear—but anticipation and excitement filled her heart.
“It won’t take long,” Wen Yan said softly, as if to reassure Sui-niang.
“The Imperial Censor conducting inspections in Jiangnan will be arriving in Lin’an.”
Sui-niang blinked in confusion.
She didn’t understand what that had to do with returning to the capital—but if her young lady said so, there must be a reason.
Seeing that Wen Yan was slightly tired, Sui-niang dismissed the other young ladies of the household and let her rest properly.
