Chapter 2 The Source of a Lifetime of Misfortune

Chapter 2: The Source of a Lifetime of Misfortune

On the brink of death, Jiang Shuning seemed to return to the moment she accidentally fell into the water at sixteen.

Icy lake water flooded her nostrils and choked her mouth, the suffocating sensation causing her immense suffering.

Someone swam toward her, strong arms lifting her limp body, bringing her from the depths to the surface.

She greedily gasped for fresh air, instinctively clinging tightly to him.

It was the Princess Royal's birthday banquet. The young noblewomen were all vying for the princes' attention, but she, uninterested, had wandered to the lotus pond, only to lose her footing and fall in.

It was Xiao Lingchuan who saved her.

Because he saved her, she developed a crush on him. From then on, it was as if she were bewitched, unable to forget him. She even disregarded her parents' advice and opposition, resolutely marrying him, the least favored prince in Daye.

Now, looking at this youthful face, identical to the one in her memory, Jiang Shuning parted her red lips and uttered two words:

"Bad luck!"

Xiao Lingchuan: "..."

On the verge of death, she was still dreaming of her first encounter with Xiao Lingchuan.

That was the very source of her lifetime of misfortune!

Jiang Shuning opened her eyes again, and what she saw was her mother's face, tearful with joy.

"Thank heavens, Ning, you're finally awake!"

Jiang Shuning stared blankly at her mother.

That familiar face had smooth, flawless skin and few silver strands—it was a face not yet ravaged by time.

Her heart jolted violently as she realized an incredible truth—she had been reborn!

Tears instantly blurred her vision. She threw herself into Madam Jiang's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. "Mother..."

In her previous life, she had endured endless coldness and humiliation in Prince Jing's mansion. Afraid of worrying her mother, she had never spoken a word of it.

Now, back in her mother's embrace, the long-suppressed grievances burst forth like a broken dam. She cried until she could no longer control herself.

"Don't be afraid, Ning, it's alright!" Madam Jiang, thinking she was frightened, patted her back soothingly. "Fortunately, the Fourth Prince happened to pass by the lotus pond and rescued you..."

Jiang Shuning was stunned. "Mother, what did you say? Who saved me?"

"The Fourth Prince, don't you remember?" Madam Jiang's tone grew even gentler. "He personally brought you back to the mansion. Worried you might catch a chill, he even specially fetched a robe to drape over you. Although the Fourth Prince isn't favored in the palace, who would have thought he could be so considerate and meticulous?"

Jiang Shuning found it utterly unbelievable.

In her previous life, Xiao Lingchuan had clearly avoided any association with saving her.

After rescuing her, concerned about propriety between men and women, he had immediately entrusted her to a passing palace matron, instructing her not to breathe a word of it to anyone. His attitude had been cold and distant, eager to sever any connection.

Yet in this life, he had personally escorted her back, deliberately creating an impression of meticulous care in front of her parents. What exactly was his purpose?

While she was lost in thought, Chancellor Jiang arrived.

"Ning, are you alright?" Chancellor Jiang asked with concern.

In court, he was decisive and formidable, but in Jiang Shuning's eyes, he was a gentle father who dearly loved his children.

For many years, he had shared a deep and affectionate bond with Jiang Shuning's mother, Madam Jiang.

His only indiscretion had been over a decade ago, when he became infatuated with a stunningly beautiful songstress and brought her into the household as a concubine.

That songstress later died in childbirth, and the daughter she gave birth to was Jiang Yaozhen.

Chancellor Jiang treated his children equally, regardless of their status as legitimate or illegitimate. He showed no favoritism toward Jiang Shuning, her elder brother, or her half-sister, Jiang Yaozhen.

"Your daughter is fine, thank you for your concern, Father." Seeing his hesitant expression, Jiang Shuning added, "If you have something to say, Father, please speak frankly."

"Ning, it was the Fourth Prince who saved you. Although only he and the people of the Chancellor's mansion know of this, it still concerns your reputation. If the Fourth Prince intends to propose marriage—"

"Father, the Fourth Prince absolutely has no such intention," Jiang Shuning hurriedly interrupted him, her tone firm.

In her previous life, if she hadn't used her reputation to pressure him, Xiao Lingchuan would never have married her.

Forced into the marriage, he treated her with extreme coldness, and in intimate matters, he made her suffer greatly.

Having been reborn with such difficulty, she absolutely must not repeat the same mistakes.

"Since you say this matter is known only to him and the people of the Chancellor's mansion, my reputation naturally remains intact. Presumably, the Fourth Prince acted out of pure kindness. We simply need to send a generous gift to express our gratitude."

Chancellor Jiang nodded, a hint of admiration in his words. "Your mother and I both feel his actions this time were very considerate. He not only saved your life but also took care to protect your reputation."

Hearing her father's praise for Xiao Lingchuan, Jiang Shuning said calmly, "Perhaps he merely wanted to leave a good impression on you, so that in the future, he could marry another daughter of the Chancellor's mansion."

Chancellor Jiang was taken aback. "You mean he wants to marry Zhen?"

Jiang Shuning neither confirmed nor denied it.

Xiao Lingchuan had always been deep and scheming. If he deliberately acted respectful and considerate, he must be trying to curry favor.

Chancellor Jiang was rather satisfied with this possibility. Marrying his illegitimate daughter to this low-profile Fourth Prince wouldn't be a bad thing.

"Rest well for now. I'll go see Zhen and have the steward prepare a gift of thanks for the Fourth Prince." With that, Chancellor Jiang rose and left.

Watching her father's retreating figure, Jiang Shuning felt a wave of relief.

In this life, she could finally sever all ties with Xiao Lingchuan.

She had barely lain down when her maid, Dong Mei, announced that Jiang Yaozhen wanted to see her.

The thought of Jiang Yaozhen and Xiao Lingchuan's relationship in her previous life filled Jiang Shuning with irritation. "Tell her I'm still not fully recovered and to come another day."

"Yes, Young Miss."

Dong Mei withdrew. But moments later, a faint rustling sound came from outside the window.

Jiang Shuning looked up to see Jiang Yaozhen climbing in through the window.

Her brow immediately furrowed, a flash of annoyance in her eyes.

Seeing her, Jiang Yaozhen immediately called out loudly, "Sister, come quickly and give me a hand!"

Jiang Shuning's expression remained cold and detached as she stood motionless.

If it were before, she would have definitely reached out to her half-sister, seeing her lively and adorable nature.

But having been reborn, she knew better than anyone that this half-sister of hers was not as innocent as she appeared.

As the legitimate daughter of the Jiang family, she had been taught since childhood to be elegant, dignified, and composed in demeanor. In contrast, Jiang Yaozhen was quite different. As a daughter of a concubine who lost her mother young, Madam Jiang had always gone easy on her.

Combined with her naturally lively and outgoing personality and her strikingly beautiful appearance, she actually outshone Jiang Shuning, the legitimate daughter.

Jiang Shuning lowered her gaze, looking at the radiant Jiang Yaozhen before her, her emotions churning inside.

In comparison, her own appearance could only be considered delicate and refined at best, and her temperament was too reserved and introverted, with nothing about her that drew the eye.

No wonder, in her past life, no matter how hard she tried, she could never carve out a place in Xiao Lingchuan's heart.

Jiang Yaozhen gave Jiang Shuning a strange look and let herself in. "Sister, why didn’t you want to see me?"

Jiang Shuning composed herself. "What brings you here, sister?"

"Father said he plans to marry me off to the Fourth Prince. Sister, what do you think?"

Even after living a second life, hearing these words still sent a pang through Jiang Shuning's heart.

She reminded herself that in this life, Xiao Lingchuan was her future brother-in-law, and she would seek her own true happiness.

Summoning her strength, she forced a smile and said, "Congratulations, sister. Although the Fourth Prince is not favored, he is still a prince. If you marry him, you will surely enjoy wealth and honor in the future."

Unexpectedly, Jiang Yaozhen pouted. Though her eyes betrayed a hint of pride, she deliberately said, "But I don’t like the Fourth Prince!"