Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Meanwhile, at Jinyuan.

With a sharp hiss, a strand of hair was suddenly yanked taut—nearly tearing the skin from Fang Shi’s scalp.

*Smack!* Fang Shi instantly retaliated, slapping Lv Ping hard across the face as she raged, “You foolish girl! Are you trying to kill me with pain?”

The blow sent Lv Ping staggering sideways; she stumbled and crashed into the dressing table, nearly toppling all the cosmetics and powders.

Seeing this, Fang Shi gritted her teeth in fury and snarled, “Clumsy fools, the lot of you! What good are any of you?”

She glared venomously at Lv Ping, eyes blazing with rage—as if she wished to reduce her to ashes.

Lv Ping immediately dropped to her knees, trembling violently.

Outside the doorway, Xiao Fang Shi and Yu Shi exchanged uneasy glances, hearts pounding with anxiety.

Yu Shi had heard the commotion in the mansion the previous night—the front courtyard bustling late into the night, lights burning brightly throughout. Suspecting something serious had occurred, she’d wanted to send someone to investigate—but her husband had stopped her. This morning, noticing the tense atmosphere in her mother-in-law’s courtyard, she’d intended to question Xiao Fang Shi.

Just then, Lv Ping rushed out, clutching her cheek and holding back tears. The cut on her forehead from the impact was bleeding—and looked horrifying.

Yu Shi fell silent at once.

Inside the room, Lu Mama tried to soothe Fang Shi: “This Lv girl is new—her skills are naturally still unrefined. Don’t let her upset you, madam. It’s not good for your health.”

After a pause, she added, “Wasn’t Luo the same when she first arrived? With a bit more training and time, she’ll surely improve.”

Lu Mama continued patiently persuading her.

Fang Shi’s anger seemed to ease slightly—though she remained clearly agitated.

It turned out her personal maid, Qiluo, had indeed been seized and sold off the day before by Lu Jingrong’s people. Qiluo had been her most capable servant; since her departure, nothing had gone smoothly. But with the girl already sold, further outrage was pointless. Under Lu Mama’s patient persuasion, Fang Shi finally suppressed her frustration and left the room.

Yet the moment she stepped out of her bedroom, she found Xiao Fang Shi and Yu Shi standing like sentinels at the entrance—an annoyance that flared anew. Then, upon reaching the dining table and seeing the plain, unappetizing food, Fang Shi’s anger surged to its peak.

Fang Shi came from humble origins, with no notable family status. Though she had married into the Zhongyong Marquis Estate—marrying upward—her dowry had been meager, leaving her with little disposable income. The Marquis Estate’s finances were firmly controlled by Xiao Shi, leaving Fang Shi no room to intervene. She held the title of Marquis Estate Madam only nominally—maintaining a facade of prestige.

Later, when her eldest son married, she couldn’t contribute a single coin. Though reluctant, she had dipped into her savings for her younger son’s wedding—since the bride was her niece. This drained all her retirement funds, making her life increasingly difficult.

Then Shen Anning appeared. Daily, Shen curried favor—seemingly recklessly spending money on her and personally preparing exquisite meals. Shen’s culinary skills were exceptional, and under such pampering, Fang Shi grew plump and round within half a year. Yet this good life lasted only six months—before ending abruptly.

As the saying goes: it’s easy to grow accustomed to luxury—but hard to return to simplicity.

Now, faced with a table of plain food from the main kitchen, she found it inedible. To eat well, she would need to arrange private meals—requiring bribes slipped to the kitchen staff—a step Fang Shi refused to take.

She felt utterly frustrated and bitter.

Looking up, she saw Yu Shi standing there—feigning ignorance. Unlike the former Shen Anning, who spent freely, Yu Shi appeared meek but was calculating and sly. Even her niece, Xiao Fang Shi, now seemed dull and clumsy—and even her niece Yan no longer felt endearing.

She realized that without Shen Anning, her life had become unbearable. In just over a month, she had grown noticeably thinner.

How had Shen Anning changed so suddenly?

Fang Shi felt a pang of regret. If only she hadn’t meddled with the Luo family.

But too proud to admit fault, she swept the bowl of plain congee off the table and said coldly, “I’ve lost my appetite. I won’t eat.”

Then she pointed at Yu Shi and Xiao Fang Shi, berating them harshly—before storming back into her room with a dark expression.

Lu Mama hurried after her and found Fang Shi grim-faced. “Mei’er,” Fang Shi said, “send word to Nanny Jiang. Tell her to return quickly. If she doesn’t come back soon, that country girl will trample all over me.”

Fang Shi blamed all her current misfortunes on Shen Anning.

Fortunately, there was still Nanny Jiang—a resourceful woman who would surely help her force Shen Anning’s submission.

On the other side, at Snow Residence, three of her trusted maids had vanished overnight. Now, only Chi Yu remained—Lu Anran’s sole capable attendant.

Early that morning, Chi Yu—the head maid—had to fetch breakfast from the kitchen herself. Thanks to Lady Fang’s protection, the kitchen had not yet dared slight them, despite the house arrest. Yet upon returning, Chi Yu found four additional guards posted outside Snow Residence.

“What are you doing here?” Chi Yu demanded. “This is the young lady’s residence. How dare you men intrude?”

She tried to shoo the guards away—but the leader replied sternly, “Miss Chi Yu, the Marquis ordered us to guard the young lady. Don’t worry—we’ll remain outside the courtyard and not step inside.”

With a wave of his hand, the four guards dispersed to the four corners of the yard—effectively surrounding Snow Residence.

Furious, Chi Yu thought: *This isn’t house arrest—it’s imprisonment!*

She glared resentfully at the guards and hurried into the main hall—where she found Lu Anran kneeling in repentance before the altar, clad only in a thin white undergarment.

Her frail figure looked solitary and vulnerable.

The commotion outside had undoubtedly reached the hall.

Seeing her young lady’s slender back, Chi Yu’s heart ached. “Miss, what are you doing? The master and the heir only punished you with house arrest—not kneeling. Why… why are you torturing yourself?”

But Lu Anran’s pale, fragile-looking face revealed no fragility. Instead, a cold determination emerged as she spoke slowly: “Since my skills fell short, I must reflect. This is my punishment for my recklessness.”

She raised her eyes and stared intently at the Buddha statue before the altar. After a long moment, she declared, “Only through pain can one remain clear-headed, maintain clarity of mind, and fully grasp one’s situation. Only then can I see clearly who my opponent is. Chi Yu—I won’t fall in the same place twice.”

Beneath her frail appearance lay no weakness—only a sharp, hardened resolve, like frost on a winter window, born of cold.

This fierce vitality left Chi Yu momentarily speechless.

…

As for the impact last night’s events had on the entire Lu family—the discussions among each household branch that day, and their remarks about Shen Anning—Shen Anning neither knew nor cared. Her attention had gradually shifted away from the Lu family.

She directly ordered a carriage prepared—and, accompanied by several maids and elderly servants, headed to the old residence.

The moment she alighted from the carriage, Butler Meng greeted her with a kindly expression. “The young lady previously sent word asking this old servant to hire a few attendants. They’ve all been arranged. Would you like to see them yourself?”

As he spoke, Butler Meng gestured toward the courtyard—where eight attendants, neatly dressed in dark-blue servant uniforms, stepped forward. “Quickly pay your respects to the young lady,” he instructed.

The moment Butler Meng finished speaking, the eight attendants clasped their fists and knelt on one knee in unison. “We greet the young lady.”

Butler Meng announced loudly, “In this residence, the young lady is our sole master. Remember that!”

The attendants replied in unison.

Butler Meng then turned to Shen Anning and asked, “What does the young lady think? If they’re unsatisfactory, I will find replacements!”

As Butler Meng finished speaking, Shen Anning stepped forward and looked over each servant one by one.

The eight servants before her all had decent-looking appearances, with no one looking sly or shady-looking. Seeing that each was strong, she turned to Butler Meng with approval and praise, saying, "Butler Meng, you truly live up to your reputation as a veteran butler. You have a good eye for picking staff, and I am very satisfied with your choices."

Butler Meng felt a great sense of accomplishment upon receiving the compliment. Despite his old age, he could still serve his former mistress and use what energy he had left, feeling even more spirited than when Shen Anning first met him over half a year ago.

"By the way, have the Wu family arrived yet?"

After some small talk, Shen Anning slowly headed inside, asking as she walked.

Butler Meng personally escorted her in and quickly answered, "Yes, yes, they got settled yesterday. We’ve temporarily put the Wu family up in the South Courtyard."

The South Courtyard was formerly the guest quarters of the Shen family.

Shen Anning nodded. At that moment, Butler Meng remembered something and added, "Oh, Miss, a few days ago, Master Pei sent a message saying that the matter you entrusted to him has been moving along. As for the specifics, he mentioned that he might need to go over the details with you."

The Master Pei Butler Meng referred to was Pei Yujin, and the matter entrusted to him was finding a tutor for her.

Shen Anning knew about this matter.

After all, a few days ago at the palace banquet, Pei Yujin had already mouthed it to her. Shen Anning had ignored it because, firstly, Pei Yujin seemed a bit unreliable, and secondly, the Shen clan members had not yet been found. Without any students, even if a teacher were found, there would be nothing for them to do.

Thinking this, Shen Anning inquired, "By the way, Grandpa Meng, has there been any progress in finding the people I asked you to search for down south?"

Butler Meng replied with both worry and relief, "There’s still no news from those sent to Lingnan. However, we’ve gotten word about some other Shen clan members. Some are already distant relatives, while others are only loosely connected. If we really follow the family tree, I’m afraid they’re many generations removed."

Hesitantly, he added, "Should we bring them here as well?"

Shen Anning said firmly, "As long as they are members of the Shen clan, even if they are distant relatives, it doesn’t matter. Consider it doing a good deed."

Nowadays, it was difficult to get far on your own. Often, one had to rely on the strength of an entire family. If one person succeeded, the whole clan could benefit. Conversely, to avoid being bullied, one had to integrate into a larger family. Shen Anning had seen this often in her village. In Lingshui Village, no one dared to bully the village chief or his family, while outsiders like them were naturally at a disadvantage. For a family to achieve greatness, they must sink or swim together.

Although Shen Anning was a woman and unable to make her own way, she at least needed to have a backup plan.

She added with emphasis, "As for the one in Lingnan, I must trouble you to try harder, Grandpa Meng. No matter what, we must find a way to bring him here. He might be my last living relative in this world."

Shen Anning spoke with seriousness.

Seeing her resolute tone, Butler Meng immediately agreed without hesitation.

As they spoke, the two arrived at the second gate. In the main hall inside the gate, Wu Youcai and his family were waiting anxiously.

From a distance, seeing Shen Anning approach, Wu Youcai’s usually quiet and honest face brightened with excitement. He hurriedly crossed the doorway and rushed forward. However, after taking a dozen steps, as if too shy or intimidated by her fancy appearance, which bore no resemblance to the daughter he had raised, he suddenly became flustered, shuffling nervously on the spot, too scared to come closer.

It was Shen Anning who stepped forward and took Wu Youcai by the hand, trying not to smile as she said, "Dad, do you not recognize Ling Jieer anymore?"

Shen Anning still addressed Wu Youcai as she had in the past. Wu Youcai was both happy and touched, his eyes instantly getting teary. Yet, he stumbled awkwardly, "I... how could I... how could I deserve..."

His words stumbled, but his weary, yellowed eyes couldn’t help but repeatedly steal glances at Shen Anning’s face.

Seeing the daughter he had raised transform from a country bumpkin into a gold phoenix, he was thrilled but clearly knew his place.

At that moment, Hao Shi hurried over, swatting Wu Youcai’s hand away and saying, "You clumsy oaf, what if you hurt our Ling Jieer? You’re all rough hands and clumsy words. Step aside, go on!"

"Wait, no—look at my foolish tongue! What Ling Jieer? There’s no Ling Jieer anymore. Now we must call her the Lady of the Manor!"

Hao Shi, swaying her thick hips, pushed Wu Youcai aside and eagerly took Shen Anning’s hands, looking her over. Her eyes widened in astonishment as she exclaimed, "Oh my heavens! Look at this fairy-like lady before us! Is this really the same girl from our Lingshui Village? She’s dazzling my eyes!"

Hao Shi spoke with exaggerated flattery.

Hao Shi was coarse and domineering, bullying the weak. Back in Lingshui Village, while she had never physically abused Shen Anning, verbal abuse and occasional pinches were common. Shen Anning was no pushover either; though she didn’t openly confront Hao Shi, she often retaliated with tricks like putting insects in her bowl or snakes in her shoes. The two had been locked in a daily battle.

Once, Hao Shi had glared at Shen Anning with disdain, but now she fawned over her with the same exaggerated obsequiousness she once reserved for the village chief’s wife. "I remember a traveling monk once said our family would produce a gold phoenix. I didn’t believe it then, but now I’m utterly convinced!"

"I’m destined for a life of hardship, never meant to enjoy luxury. But heaven has been kind to me, sending this gold phoenix to our home. In my old age, such a blessing has fallen upon us!"

"Child, I was blind and foolish back then, mistaking a phoenix for a common hen. Please don’t hold it against a simple country woman like me."

"You have no idea—when you sent someone to fetch us, the entire Lingshui Village was stirred up. Half the village came to see us off! Even the village chief’s wife tried to cozy up to me. Can you believe it? That snobbish woman who once looked down on us was fawning all over me! It’s all thanks to you. I never thought you’d be so grateful—"

Hao Shi rambled incoherently, dabbing her face with a handkerchief, tears and snot mingling.

Though her acting was crude and seventy percent performance, there was thirty percent genuine emotion.

After so many years, seeing these familiar faces again, Shen Anning felt that the petty squabbles in Lingshui Village were trivial compared to the schemes in the marquis’s household. She said to Hao Shi, "The past grievances are long gone. Among family, there are no lasting grudges. Let’s just focus on living well from now on—"

At Shen Anning’s words, Hao Shi let out a long sigh of relief. Throughout the journey, she had been ecstatic but also anxious, fearing that Ling Jieer, now with her wings spread, would look down on them. To her surprise, not only was there no disdain, but Shen Anning still treated them with respect. Hao Shi’s exaggerated performance now carried a bit more sincerity as she repeatedly agreed, "Yes, yes, yes! We’ll all live well from now on, live well…"

After exchanging pleasantries with the two elders, Shen Anning soon looked past them and noticed a round-faced boy peeking from behind the door. When she wasn’t looking, he would stick his head out to gaze eagerly, but the moment she glanced his way, he would duck back.

This was none other than Wu Youcai and Hao Shi’s only son, Gui Geer.

He was also the younger brother Shen Anning had raised with her own hands.

"What’s this? Hiding and peeking—don’t you recognize me anymore?"

Shen Anning walked to the door and teased the figure hiding behind it with a raised eyebrow.

When she left, the eight-year-old Gui Geer had been silent and hadn’t uttered a word to stop her. But when her carriage reached the neighboring village, it suddenly halted. The coachman said someone was following them.

When they dragged the person out from behind a small mound, they discovered it wasn’t a bandit or ruffian but her younger brother, Gui Geer. He had followed them all the way from Lingshui Village to the next village—over ten miles—wearing out his shoes, trailing them steadily all the way.

When asked why he had followed so far, he merely pursed his lips and said, "I heard there are no wild berries to eat in the capital."

Looking down, she saw he had gathered a bundle of berries in his clothes, but after the long journey, they had all been crushed and spoiled, staining his clothes red and black.

Those were the wild berries Shen Anning loved to eat.

In her previous life, Shen Anning had touched Gui Geer’s sweaty little face, her eyes moistening as she repeatedly comforted and promised him, "Once your elder sister is settled, I’ll come back for you and Father to live a good life in the capital."

But in her previous life, Shen Anning had broken that promise.

Now, she was grateful for the chance to make amends.

"You silly child, your elder sister doesn’t recognize you? You were so excited on the way here you couldn’t sleep. Why are you mute now that you’ve seen her?"

Hao Shi dragged Gui Geer out like a chick and presented him to Shen Anning.

After half a year apart, the nine-year-old Gui Geer had grown to her chin height.

"Not bad, you’ve grown taller. You’re a big kid now."

Shen Anning pinched Gui Geer’s cheek and teased him.

Gui Geer kept backing up, feeling a little awkward after such a long time apart. His stubborn nature remained unchanged, much like the old ox his family used to raise.

Shen Anning, who had plenty of experience dealing with him, looked him over from head to toe and said, "After I left, have you been getting beaten up by the village chief’s twin boys again?"

As expected, a boy his age couldn’t stand being provoked. He immediately clenched his fists and shot back proudly, "I can take on two at once. You think I'm afraid of them?"

Shen Anning chuckled and pinched his cheek. "Still so easily provoked," she teased.

Then, she took his fist in her hand, noticing the calluses covering it. Yet, despite its small size, the fist was surprisingly powerful.

Holding his fist, Shen Anning said, "Since you love fighting so much, how about I find you a martial arts teacher to teach you someday?"

Gui Geer, whose face had already turned red from her pinching, was about to shy away. But upon hearing her words, he suddenly looked up, his eyes wide and shining like a young calf’s. "R-really?" he stammered.

Shen Anning pinched his tiger-like face again. "Of course, really. When have I ever lied to you?"

This time, Gui Geer let her pinch him without resisting, even as his face turned redder and his ears flushed bright red.

Seeing how she still loved pinching his cheeks just like before, he finally felt that familiar connection again. After a long pause, Gui Geer hesitantly pulled something out from inside his clothes and handed it to her.

Shen Anning took it and unwrapped it. It was a package of preserved wild berries.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

She could easily imagine the scene of his small figure picking every last berry from the mountains.

He must have been waiting all summer for her to return and taste them.

She thought back to her past life. In her past life, she had devoted all her energy to the Marquis’s household, only to meet a tragic end.

In her past life, this old Shen family home, which held little emotional attachment for her, had been left behind and gradually fallen into ruin.

But now, the house was filled with servants, bustling with people, and gradually regaining its lively, vibrant atmosphere.

That so-called "home" of the Lu family—she neither deserved it nor wanted any part of it.

Her real home was right here.

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