Chapter 003: A Fortune

Xue Fangfei's thoughts involuntarily soared far away; she never expected that she had not died, or rather, that she had died yet come back to life, becoming Jiang Li, the daughter of the current Prime Minister of the Jiang family in Yanjing.

Later, although Ye Zhenzhen passed away, the engagement between the heir of the Ningyuan Marquis and Jiang Li remained valid. Although it was not publicized in Yanjing City, both families had marriage certificates as proof.

It was clearly Jiang Li who was betrothed to the heir of the Ningyuan Marquis, so how did it become Jiang Youyao? Jiang Li is as fierce as fire and intends to return to Yanjing to seek an explanation, but she was met with cold mockery from the arriving matron.

Nowadays, the people of Yanjing only know Miss Jiang San, but who knows who Miss Jiang Er is? Even if they do know, she is merely a venomous woman who harms her legitimate mother and younger brother. How could such a person be a match for the heir of the Ningyuan Marquis? It seems that the Ningyuan Marquis's household does not take Jiang Li seriously; otherwise, they would not have agreed to the matter of exchanging brides.

To return to Xiangyang, she must first go back to Yanjing, but she cannot even leave this nunnery now

Even after watching it many times, Xue Fangfei still finds it very unfamiliar

Perhaps, this is what they have arranged

The second young lady of the Jiang family, Jiang Li, has come back to life

However, the life of this prime minister's daughter is truly not remarkable. Jiang Li's biological mother came from the renowned wealthy merchant family of the Yan Dynasty, the Ye family of Xiangyang. The Ye family possesses immense wealth, with their jewelry store, Hongxiang Building, having opened fifty-six branches in the Yan Dynasty. At that time, Jiang Yuanbai was not yet a grand scholar of the cabinet, but he caught the eye of Old Master Ye, who then married his youngest daughter, Ye Zhenzhen, to Jiang Yuanbai.

Jiang Li's maternal family, the Ye family, is located in Xiangyang, and she wishes to return to Xiangyang Tongxiang

I am Jiang Li she said to herself

Jiang Li took her own life.

Xue Fangfei was slightly moved

Jiang Yuanbai was furious, and it was thanks to Ji Shuran's intercession on behalf of Jiang Li that the situation was somewhat alleviated. Nevertheless, Jiang Li was still sent to the family temple for reflection.

Tong Er was angrily chopping firewood on the side. Although it was not hot on the mountain, it was cold and damp. The master and servant had to take care of their own food, clothing, and shelter, which they euphemistically referred to as "tempering the mind and cultivating one's character." They were being silently tormented by the Taoist nuns in the nunnery who had received silver.

Who knows that Ye Zhenzhen took three years to conceive Jiang Li after getting married, and Jiang Li passed away when she was one year old. Jiang Yuanbai remarried the legitimate daughter of the Deputy Capital Governor, Ji Shuran. Ji Shuran gave birth to Jiang Youyao in the first year of her marriage, and when Ji Shuran became pregnant with her second child, Jiang Li was seven years old. During a banquet, in front of the ladies, Jiang Li pushed Ji Shuran down the stairs, causing Ji Shuran to have a miscarriage and lose a son, which severely injured her and rendered her unable to conceive again. Ji Shuran gave birth to Jiang Youyao in the first year of her marriage, and when Ji Shuran became pregnant with her second child, Jiang Li was seven years old. During a banquet, in front of the ladies, Jiang Li pushed Ji Shuran down the stairs, causing Ji Shuran to have a miscarriage and lose a son, which severely injured her and rendered her unable to conceive again.

Jiang Li was stunned at that moment

On the copper mirror adorned with embroidery, there is a crack, and the reflection of the face also bears a crack. The visage appears distorted, and the girl in the mirror, seemingly around fourteen or fifteen years old, is as shockingly thin as her maid, Tong'er.

Xue Fangfei was also aware of these idle rumors and amusing tales in the capital, but she did not expect that the so-called ruthless and cold-hearted daughter of the Prime Minister was living in such a dire state. Meanwhile, Jiang Yuanbai, who had an excellent reputation in court, and Ji Shuran, known for her compassionate heart, were indifferent to the dying Jiang Li.

It was originally a verbal agreement, but soon the Marquis of Ningyuan learned of it and had his wife formally draft a marriage contract with the Jiang family. Although Ye Zhenzhen had some hesitations, she also thought that being able to marry into the Marquis's family would bring joy. The Marquis's wife was kind-hearted, and having such a mother-in-law would surely lead to a stable life.

Just like when Princess Ningyuan and Shen Yuyong wanted to starve Xue Fangfei to death

However, a few days ago, the servant who came to the nunnery to deliver rice mentioned that the heir of the Ningyuan Marquis has become engaged, and his fiancée is the third young lady of the Jiang family, Jiang Youyao

Jiang Yuanbai's connections are widespread in the court, and Emperor Hongxia trusts him greatly, yet Jiang Yuanbai does not seek the limelight. Xue Huaiyuan once remarked that this apparent moderation is, in fact, a way of conducting oneself in office. However, one thing is beyond doubt: Jiang Yuanbai is a high-ranking official, and Jiang Li, is indeed a daughter of a prominent family

Xue Fangfei recalled that when she was around fourteen or fifteen years old, she certainly did not look so haggard and emaciated. Although she was the daughter of the Prime Minister, in this state, she seemed to be worse off than the common people. This face, compared to her original beauty as the most beautiful woman in Yanjing, truly cannot be mentioned in the same breath.

However, that face ultimately did not meet a favorable end, still a case of beauty being short-lived, reduced to a handful of yellow earth

Only the poison of Jiang Pear is a crime that cannot escape the charge of murdering her legitimate elder brother, and when the people of Yanjing mention Miss Jiang Er, they will only remember her infamous reputation for cruelty

Raising my hand three feet, there are deities; on rainy days, when I lift my head, I only see the dark night, unable to perceive the deities

The old woman mocked that if Miss Jiang Er were to cause a scene, it would merely be a joke. Even if, in the end, the Ningyuan Marquisate had no choice but to marry Jiang Li, they would not treat her seriously and would instead come to despise her

No matter what, she walks step by step, and she always reaches the place she wants to go

The origin of the matter dates back to when Ye Zhenzhen was still around. The Jiang family had a good relationship with the Ningyuan Marquis. The heir of the Ningyuan Marquis was born a year earlier than Jiang Li. Ye Zhenzhen and the marquis's wife thought it would be a good idea to arrange a betrothal between their children, as both families were well-matched and familiar with each other, which would be beneficial for future support.

Princess Yongning, on the brink of death, gave her advice, urging her to be reborn into a wealthy family in her next life. Now she has indeed been reborn into a wealthy family, albeit as a fallen heiress, yet she will no longer be at the mercy of others. It remains to be seen whether they are prepared this time.

Xiangyang

Perhaps only after her death will someone come to collect her remains

If I had known it would be like this, I might as well have returned to the Ye family in Xiangyang. Tong'er said: What kind of life is our young lady living now

As the Chief Grand Secretary and the Emperor's mentor, Jiang Yuanbai commands the respect of all civil officials, who are keen to follow his lead. In the court, Jiang Yuanbai does not exhibit arrogance; rather, he appears moderate, acting as a peacemaker in various matters. However, it is precisely for this reason that many openly seek his favor, while the number of those who do so covertly is even greater.

Xue Fangfei is dead; from now on, she is no longer Xue Fangfei

After Ye Zhenzhen's death, fearing that her stepmother would mistreat Jiang Li, the Ye family once sent someone to take Jiang Li away. If Jiang Li was willing, she could go live with the Ye family in Xiangyang. However, regardless of the situation with the Jiang family, Jiang Li herself was unwilling, and over time, the Ye family ceased their visits.

Miss Jiang Er turned around and jumped into the lake

Perhaps they intend to let Jiang Li die in the nunnery, allowing her to naturally "pass away" and everything will be at their discretion

She wishes to return to pay her respects to her father, to bow before him. It is her unfilial conduct, having married a heartless and ungrateful person, that has brought about this unwarranted disaster, causing her elderly father to die of anger and her younger brother to lose his life

After being rescued, she fell seriously ill, gradually losing weight. She was already very thin, and now she could be blown over by a gust of wind. Yet, even in such a state of illness, no one from Yanjing came to see her