Chapter 2, New Year's Eve Dinner

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Jiang Ruan glanced out the window, the sound of firecrackers outside was faint and indistinct, making the room, which housed only three people, feel even more desolate

Bai Zhi could only sigh softly

Another petite maid hurried over, carefully picking up the worn-out fan from the ground and fanning gently, scolding: "Lianqiao, be careful, the young lady has not yet fully recovered; what will we do if she chokes?"

She slowly sat up, and Bai Zhi heard the sound of her rising. She hurriedly stood up to greet her and said, "Miss, you are awake. Is there any discomfort?"

Lianqiao pouted, her expression filled with indignation, yet she still lowered her voice and said: "I actually wish there were not even a bit of smoke. Today, I went to find that Zhang from the Lan family. Not to mention silver thread charcoal, even ordinary charcoal blocks, she had the audacity to claim that she has been using a lot these days and that there is no charcoal left in the warehouse. Bah! Who does she think she is fooling? It's the New Year now; how could a household run out of charcoal? It's nothing but bullying the weak. If it weren't for the fact that the young lady is still ill and I don't want to worry her, I would have slapped her twice already!"

Jiang Ruan had already been awake for a while, and the conversation between Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao naturally reached her ears without missing a word. Three days ago, when she woke up from her bed, she realized that she had returned to ten years ago. The events of her past life felt like an afternoon spring dream, yet only she knew that the deep-seated blood feud could not simply dissipate like a dream. Since heaven had given her a chance to start over, she would accept it without hesitation and make good use of it.

Jiang Ruan remembered very clearly that when she first woke up, it was not this early. After waking up, she was left with lingering effects of her illness. More importantly, not long after, rumors began to circulate outside, claiming that at such a young age, she would seduce men, that she did not cherish her own precious body, and that she had attempted to seduce Chen Zhao but fell into the water instead. It seemed to be the handiwork of Zhang Lan, who shifted all the blame onto her. Under the guise of this slander, after Jiang Ruan's beauty blossomed in the future, she was also labeled as a seductress.

Now she wakes up quite early, and the rumors have yet to spread. Presumably, Zhang Lan has not thought of this place yet, so it is a good opportunity to send her a New Year's gift. Living in this place where one is subjected to humiliation offers no future; being sent to the palace as a pawn in four years is also something she cannot endure. Moreover, being taken advantage of for nothing is not her goal; everything comes at a cost, and Chen Zhao is the first to pay the price.

It is the eve of the Lunar New Year, with colorful New Year paintings of abundant harvests pasted at the entrance. Three large red lanterns hang from the eaves, and the sound of firecrackers can be heard outside. Inside, laughter and chatter fill the air, coinciding with the time for the annual reunion dinner. Although it is a farmhouse meal, the eight dishes are prepared with great care, featuring a balance of meat and vegetables: spicy fermented black bean steamed bass, braised pork in soy sauce, tea-smoked chicken, colorful shredded eggplant, lamb and scallion dumplings, auspicious shrimp, four happiness meatballs, and a dish symbolizing wealth. Beside it sits a pot of exceptionally rich sorghum liquor, indicating that the host family is well-off. Although it is a farmhouse meal, the eight dishes are prepared with great care, featuring a balance of meat and vegetables: spicy fermented black bean steamed bass, braised pork in soy sauce, tea-smoked chicken, colorful shredded eggplant, lamb and scallion dumplings, auspicious shrimp, four happiness meatballs, and a dish symbolizing wealth. Beside it sits a pot of exceptionally rich sorghum liquor, indicating that the host family is well-off.

Bai Zhi shook her head: "We are both the young lady's maids, do I not wish for the young lady's well-being? It is just that news from the capital has been delayed for so long, and I do not know how much longer the young lady will have to stay here. If the days were short, it would be one thing, but look, it has already been the fourth year. Has the master sent anyone to inquire? If we are to stay here for a long time, you will end up in disputes with them, and in the end, it is still the young lady who suffers."

A tall young girl with her hair styled in a maid's bun sat in front of the house, carefully adding firewood to the brazier. The room was small, and as the firewood was added to the brazier, it immediately emitted a pungent thick smoke

Most of the young ladies and wives living in the Zhuangzi are likely to be those who have committed offenses, yet they are still considered masters. Unless there are special considerations, it is unlikely that they would live in such destitution, even worse than a servant. The fact that the New Year's Eve meal was not delivered early is indeed thought-provoking

Lianqiao fell silent, and after a long while, she finally said softly: "Could it be that we are just going to let ourselves be bullied for nothing?"

The maid fanning herself sighed and said, "You should temper your stubbornness. Although this family is indeed overbearing, we are currently under their roof and must lower our heads. If you truly engage in a dispute, it will be the young lady who suffers the consequences."

Having died once, the various events of my past life have not faded away but are instead vividly clear in my memory. Four years ago, when my mother passed away, a wandering Taoist who came to our home immediately calculated that her fate was extremely harsh, bringing misfortune to both husband and mother, marking her as a star of calamity. Jiang Quan initially intended to send her to the family temple, where she would live a life surrounded by the dim light of ancient lamps and the presence of Buddha. It was only when Jiang Susu knelt down to plead for her that Jiang Quan changed his mind and sent her to a village in the countryside. Because of this incident, Jiang Ruan has always held a sense of gratitude towards Jiang Susu. Looking back now, the bullying I endure here is entirely due to the actions of Jiang Susu and her mother.

Lianqiao cast a disdainful glance at her: "Baizhi, I truly did not know you were so timid. What status does this family hold, and what status do we young ladies have? Regardless of what happens to the young lady, given her status, she absolutely cannot allow these lowly people to bully her!"

Bai Zhi noticed that Jiang Ruan had not moved for a long time, and with a hint of confusion, she lowered her head. Just then, she caught a fleeting emotion in Jiang Ruan's eyes, which was quickly replaced by a slight smile as she raised her head.

Three houses with blue tiles and red walls stand in a spacious farmhouse courtyard covered with a thick layer of snow. The large black dog, guarding the home, wanders to the door, lazily takes a bite from a broken bowl of bones, seemingly frozen by the cold air, and retreats back into its nest.

Lianqiao was taken aback, and Jiang Ruan said: "Come in." The door creaked open, and a girl dressed in festive attire entered, carrying a food basket in her hand. With a beaming smile, she said: "Aunt Lan instructed me to bring some food for you, Miss. Please have some."

It is indeed the cold winter months, with the pond water icy and piercing. Coupled with the harsh conditions imposed by Zhang Lan in recent years, Jiang Ruan's body has become increasingly frail, and suffering from the cold is like adding frost to snow, leading to a serious illness.

Three days ago, she woke up from her bed. Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao let out a huge sigh of relief. Jiang Ruan had been in a coma for more than ten days since falling into the water, and the doctors who had come said there was no hope for recovery. Even Zhang Lan's family had gone out to inquire about coffins and funeral arrangements. Who would have thought that she would wake up again? Lian Qiao held her hand and cried bitterly, repeatedly saying that heaven had blessed her, but Jiang Ruan merely squinted her eyes.

Zhuangzi entrusted the management of his affairs to Zhang Lan's family. Zhang Lan is a greedy and miserly person, extremely fierce, and often insults Jiang Ruan under the guise of indirect criticism. Zhang Lan's husband, Chen Fu, is even more of a slothful drunkard and gambler. This couple has a son and a daughter; their son, Chen Zhao, is excessively lecherous, while their daughter, Chen Fang, is sharp-tongued and malicious. When Jiang Ruan arrived, she brought many pieces of jewelry and valuables, which either fell into Zhang Lan's hands or were deceived away by Chen Fang. More than ten days ago, Jiang Ruan accidentally fell into the water, also because Chen Zhao was being inappropriate with her by the pond, leading Jiang Ruan to jump into the water out of humiliation. Chen Zhao, realizing he had caused trouble, hurriedly fled. By the time Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi called for help to rescue Jiang Ruan, she was already unconscious.

It is approximately the hour of the dog, Bai Zhi said

Here, the clinking of glasses and lively conversations abound, while at the same time, in the innermost and most secluded courtyard of the farmhouse, there is an air of desolation. In the only room, the candlelight flickers dimly, as if it is about to extinguish at any moment

Before Jiang Ruan could respond, there came a series of knocks at the door, and a clear voice from outside said: "Miss, the maid has come to deliver the New Year's Eve dinner"

Lianqiao put down the fan: "Miss, are you hungry? I will go to the kitchen and bring some food."

Jiang Ruan shook her head: "What time is it now?"

The room fell into silence once more, with only the crackling sound of the firewood breaking the stillness. Two maids continued to fan themselves, oblivious to the fact that the person on the bed had already awakened