Chapter 1, Regenerative Flowers

This is truly the most infuriating aspect. Wei Xuan plays a crucial role in Wei Heng's life, while Wei Heng is merely an insignificant younger sister to Wei Xuan

The He family, represented by He Shi, and the Mu family, represented by Wei Xuan's mother, are cousins, with both families having a similar social standing and starting point

Wei Xuan's handwriting is beautiful and neat, and her notes are organized, clear, detailed, and without omissions. The girls in the classroom all love to borrow her notes to read.

As for He, she usually treats Wei Hang with utmost care, as if afraid to drop her, and cherishes her as if afraid she might melt in her mouth. When Wei Hang was ill a few days ago, He kept vigil by her side for three days and nights without changing her clothes, never willing to speak harshly to Wei Hang. One can tell from her nickname, "Zhu Zhu Er," which means a treasured jewel in the palm.

In the Great Xia Dynasty, it was considered virtuous for women to engage in reading.

"My dear girl, you should just have a little bird's nest porridge. You have only just started to recover, and if you fall ill again, I fear the lady's eyes will be in tears all day long." Mother Lu looked at the little girl she had raised since childhood with a heart full of concern. The girl's small face was so thin that her eyes appeared as large as copper bells, nearly taking up half of her face.

Later, He was determined to have more children, believing that nothing could surpass Mu. She felt that her children must outshine hers. However, when He gave birth to her second son, she encountered complications and nearly lost her life. In contrast, Mu was fortunate, giving birth smoothly to three sons.

But now I truly get a headache just from seeing books, Wei Heng said with a look of despair

It is simply the case that comparing people leads to despair, and comparing goods leads to disposal

The shad fish, transported from Jiangnan over a thousand miles to the capital, is indeed a rare delicacy, one that only the nobility in the palace can enjoy. If it were not for the esteemed reputation of the Duke of Jingning before the Emperor, the household would not have had the opportunity to taste this shad fish. After the distribution, the second branch received very few, as most of it ended up in Wei Heng's stomach.

In the Great Xia Dynasty, women were valued solely for their talent and virtue. Daughters from humble families were unable to study and learn due to the constraints of life, while the young ladies from affluent families were incomparable to these modest girls. From a young age, they were required to attend school, studying Confucian classics just like the boys, as well as mathematics, law, and other subjects. By the age of twelve, if they excelled in their studies, they could even take the entrance examination for women's education.

However, upon hearing such words from Wei Heng today, He immediately changed his expression

He touched Wei Hang's head gently and said, "This is due to your body not being well yet. You just need to eat more, and once you feel better, reading will naturally not give you a headache."

After Wei Xuan and the others left, Wei Heng lay on the bed in a daze, staring at the embroidered canopy above. She asked herself, would she have to spend her entire life being compared to Wei Xuan, living a life where she was constantly overshadowed by her?

Moreover, Mrs. He still needed to go to the main room to pay her respects to the old lady. She left a message and comforted Wei Heng with a few words, instructing, "At noon, have the kitchen prepare a bowl of wontons with diced bamboo shoots for the young ladies, ensuring the flavor is light and the broth is rich and delicious." Mrs. He paused for a moment and added, "It would be better to use shad fish for the broth. I remember there was some left over from the other day. This shad fish can nourish the body, stimulate the appetite, and is just right for you to eat."

Thank you, Second Sister. Wei Heng took the notebook, and it is undeniable that Wei Xuan is truly excellent in every aspect and in all matters. Seeing that Wei Xuan, who is only ten years old, is already so adept at handling situations, Wei Heng feels truly ashamed. She, who has lived for over thirty years, sometimes behaves so willfully that she is even outdone by the ten-year-old Wei Xuan

Zhu Zhu'er! He Shi was simply furious beyond measure. How could her usually obedient daughter suddenly throw such a tantrum? Her eyes first swept around the people serving in the room, causing the maids and old women to tremble in fear, wishing they could kneel down to prove their innocence. God knows, they had said nothing at all, only hoping that the young lady would recover soon and return to school.

He Shi sat beside Wei Heng and gently touched her little face, "Zhu Zhu, are you not eating again? If you don't eat, how can your body get better? If you don't improve, you will fall behind in your studies at the school. I heard that Xuan Jie has already finished reading the 'Analects' and has started on the 'Doctrine of the Mean'"

Upon hearing this voice, Wei Heng was taken aback, wishing she could wrap herself in a blanket and never have to see this person again

In Wei Xuan's eyes, there is genuine concern; even though Wei Heng absolutely dislikes her, it is impossible not to like such a person.

Wei Heng felt a surge of irritation and kicked the quilt beneath her, exclaiming: "I hate studying; seeing books gives me a headache"

What Wei Heng said was certainly said in anger; however, she endured a lifetime of hardship in her previous life, and was merely an average student. In this life, she no longer wishes to suffer the pains of studying. In fact, studying is not that painful; it was only the phrase "comparing oneself to others" that caused her suffering in her past life.

Yet there is such a person, who, since their rebirth, has been sighing day after day, frowning deeply, wishing that this were all just a dream

This women's academy is truly remarkable, established by the royal family, gathering renowned teachers from all over the world. Even the esteemed scholars from the Imperial Academy come to teach the female students here. Women from all states and counties take great pride in being able to enter this academy.

Subsequently, when the second son of the Mu family was born, the He family finally gave birth to their eldest child after much anticipation. However, nothing could compare to the joy that the elder would feel for the legitimate grandson.

In fact, without He Shi's explanation, Wei Heng also understands this principle. In her previous life, she lived for over thirty years and was no longer just a headstrong young girl.

As soon as Mama Lu mentioned the lady, a series of footsteps could be heard at the door. Before anyone arrived, a voice anxiously called out "Zhu Zhu Er." When the curtain was lifted, a woman in her thirties entered, possessing both beauty and grace. She wore a butterfly hairpin adorned with emeralds and stepped into the room in bejeweled shoes made of green silk, truly embodying wealth and nobility

He Shi then reminded Wei Heng a few more times before hurriedly leaving the old lady's upper room. Wei Heng, being ill, did not need to pay her respects, and at this moment, after having eaten, she lazily lay in bed to recuperate.

He picked up the bowl to feed Wei Heng, but Wei Heng tightly shut her mouth. Angered, He slammed the bowl down with a "bang," yet ultimately could not bring himself to scold his precious darling. He turned to the servants in the room and said: "All of you, kneel down. You may only get up when the young lady finishes her porridge."

By a twist of fate, the two later married into the Wei family of Jingning Marquis, with the Mu family becoming the matriarch, now known as the wife of the heir of Jingning Marquis. The He family married the second son, who, although also a legitimate son, could not inherit the title, which placed them at a disadvantage.

Thus, the Wei family now has five legitimate grandsons. Both the old marquis and the matriarch are hoping for a legitimate granddaughter, while the He family has fallen behind, as Mr. Mu has named Wei Xuan.

The problem is that Wei Heng has regarded Wei Xuan as a lifelong rival, but she, Wei Heng, is not even worthy to be considered Wei Xuan's enemy

Unfortunately, Wei Heng truly had no appetite, wishing that heaven would quickly take her away. Experiencing suffering in this world was enough; in the next life, she could become a pig or a cow, as long as she could eat and sleep without care, and ultimately being slaughtered would be worth it.

But how can those who serve her know her intentions

This could be overlooked, but the two sisters-in-law have begun to compete in having children. Mrs. Mu entered the house and gave birth to a son, while Mr. He had a daughter who, unfortunately, passed away in less than a month. It is truly a lamentable situation.

In this world, it is generally hoped that everyone can have a chance to be reborn. Those who attain it rejoice with great delight, settling old grudges, repaying past kindnesses, and fulfilling their wishes. With the foresight of the future, they can take pleasure in avenging grievances and rewarding kindnesses. How carefree and joyful it would be

"Miss San is much better now, please come in, ladies." Wei Heng's head maid, Mu Yu'er, lifted the curtain and invited Wei Heng's lifelong rival, Wei Xuan, into the room

Once a woman enters a women's academy, her value multiplies. Throughout history, all empresses and royal consorts have been students of women's academies, and when noble families choose a wife, it is often a student from a women's academy. Even daughters from commoner families, as long as they can enter a women's academy, have had precedents of becoming princesses. It can be said that a woman's lifelong happiness is tied to her education at a women's academy

"Mother." Wei Heng, who was called Zhu Zhu Er, raised her head in response

For example, when Wei Xuan started walking at the age of 1, Wei Heng had to walk at the same age. To achieve this, He Shi would get up every night to train Wei Heng to walk. Furthermore, when Wei Xuan began to call out to people at 8 months, He Shi tirelessly taught Wei Heng to call out to people every day.

However, the most compassionate heart belongs to a mother. Upon seeing two hot tears rolling down Zhu Zhu's face, He softened her heart immediately and said in a gentler tone: "Zhu Zhu, how can you say such things? In families like ours, how can a daughter not study?"

Upon hearing the words "Sister Xuan," Wei Heng felt a tightness in her chest and a headache, as if she could hardly catch her breath. Meanwhile, He continued to speak about Sister Xuan in great detail.

A few young ladies exchanged some words, and Wei Xuan, concerned that everyone might disturb Wei Heng's rest, soon stood up to lead everyone in bidding farewell

Mother! Wei Heng complained, yet she could not deny that the He family's tactic was quite effective, so she could only obediently drink the porridge

"Today, Mr. has been feeling unwell and will not be holding class this afternoon. Let us arrange to see how San Mei is doing. " Wei Xuan suddenly seemed to remember something, "Oh, right, here are the class notes from the past three days. I brought them for you. Don't rush to the school; taking care of your health is the most important thing."

Wei Heng looked at Wei Xuan, then at the eldest daughter of the Wei family, Wei Fang, who was standing behind her, as well as several girls from relatives who had come over from the Wei family school. It felt as if she had traveled back in time; no, it should be said that she truly had returned to a bygone era, unexpectedly finding herself back in her childhood.

"Sisters, please take a seat. I apologize for my rudeness." Wei Heng, being held down by Wei Xuan, could not get up. She asked, "What brings you here at this time?"

This is what is called He’s family, simply spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood. She has lived her life this way, yet hopes that her daughter can surpass Wei Xuan. From a young age, she has been strict with Wei Hang, comparing her to Wei Xuan every day, fearing that she might lose to Wei Xuan in the slightest degree.

However, later on, the Mu family produced a queen, their status rising ever higher, and they even received the title of count. In contrast, the He family's status continued to decline, gradually losing influence in the court, and even resorting to competing with merchants for profit, engaging in trade. Although they possessed immense wealth, their reputation was not as respectable as before

Moreover, let us discuss the origin of Wei Heng's emotional entanglement, which ultimately traces back to the He family.

With He's meddling like this, how could Wei Heng in her past life not regard Wei Xuan as her greatest rival for life

The group of sisters naturally listened to Wei Xuan. Although she ranked second in the Wei family and was not the oldest in the academy, there was not a single girl in the household, big or small, who did not look up to her as their leader, including Wei Heng herself.

Later on, Mu entered the girls' school, while He failed to pass the entrance exam. How could the consistently proud and arrogant He endure this

At this moment, Wei Heng naturally could no longer lie in bed. Just as she was about to get up, Wei Xuan quickly walked over a few steps and pressed down on her hand, saying: "Third sister, please don't get up. We are all sisters in this family, so there is no need for any formalities."

By noon, a series of footsteps sounded outside Wei Heng's room, and a clear voice could be heard from beyond the door curtain asking, "Is Third Sister feeling any better?"