Chapter 004: The Girl Has No Flaws

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Translator’s Note: ✨ The previous chapters are getting a glow-up! ✨ They’re being fully edited and translated to match the original novel. Here’s the polished chapter! ??

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Upon hearing this, Wang Xing’s wife froze in shock.

Standing nearby, Jiang Xuehui and her maid were even more astonished, wearing expressions as if they’d just seen a ghost. They couldn’t believe such words had come from Jiang Xuening’s mouth. Not only did she refrain from meddling with her usual reckless interference, but she even made a sarcastic remark about one of her previously favored servants!

Wang Xing’s wife’s eyelid began to twitch uncontrollably.

She originally served beside Madam Meng but wasn’t among the most trusted maids. Four years ago, she was sent to Tongzhou to escort Jiang Xuening back to the household. From that moment, she saw Jiang Xuening as an easy target: young, naive, of high status but raised in the countryside on an estate. With no acquaintances in the capital, she was bound to feel overwhelmed and insecure.

Thus, Wang Xing’s wife began flattering her endlessly along the journey.

Sure enough, after their return to the estate, with just a few subtle hints, Jiang Xuening transferred her from Madam Meng’s service to her own household.

From then on, Wang Xing’s wife managed everything, big or small, in Jiang Xuening’s quarters.

As Jiang Xuening grew close to the Young Marquis Yan, her prominence in the household rose, making others fearful of her. Naturally, as her trusted steward, Wang Xing’s wife also became increasingly influential.

But she never imagined that Jiang Xuening would say such a thing today!

“Se-Second Miss, you must be joking. This old servant isn’t from Shu, nor have I ever watched face-changing opera often enough to learn such a trick,” Wang Xing’s wife forced down her confusion, waving her hands dismissively. Thick-skinned as ever, she reverted to her old habit of flattering Jiang Xuening. “You must have brought this up because you’re in the mood for a play, right? Just the other day, I overheard Madam mentioning that two new opera troupes have arrived in the capital. Why don’t I invite them to the estate for a performance?”

Such ingratiating words, if heard by the previous Jiang Xuening, would have at least been met with tolerance or perhaps even mild amusement.

But the current Jiang Xuening?

She casually adjusted the hem of her green brocade robe, embroidered with silver bamboo leaf patterns, and leisurely took a seat on the railing of the veranda. Dressed in boyish attire, her appearance—rosy lips, pearly teeth—retained a captivating blend of ethereal grace and youthful charm, with a misty allure akin to a mountain shrouded in fog.

Only the faint smile on her lips felt cold.

Her gaze slowly moved to Wang Xing’s wife’s wrist, her tone feigning casual curiosity:

“That bracelet on Mama’s wrist is truly lovely. It just looks… oddly familiar. It somewhat resembles one I misplaced recently.”

At that moment, Wang Xing’s wife’s heart skipped a beat.

The beautiful bracelet on her wrist, now scrutinized by Jiang Xuening’s gaze, felt like it was being scorched by flames. It became so unbearably hot that her hand started to tremble.

Still, her years of survival in the inner court had taught her to read people’s thoughts.

In the brief moment Jiang Xuening spoke, countless ideas flashed through her mind, and she began to piece together a faint understanding of the situation—

The bracelet.

The second young miss’s sudden change in attitude must have something to do with the bracelet on her wrist.

Having managed all the affairs in Jiang Xuening’s room for so many years, growing accustomed to wielding power and making decisions, Wang Xing’s wife knew full well that Jiang Xuening had never been very mindful of her possessions. How could she not understand the situation?

It was only natural for someone with sticky fingers to behave this way.

On a usual day, she would take this or that, never suspecting that today she might have picked the wrong item and run into trouble.

As her thoughts raced, she quickly shifted into acting mode: “Does it look similar? This old servant wouldn’t dare compare this bracelet to the young miss’s treasured belongings. I bought it from the peddler at the street corner last time. He claimed it had a small crack and sold it to me at a low price. I even spent a little extra silver to get it repaired. You see, right here…”

With a beaming smile, she began to remove the bracelet, intending to show Jiang Xuening the supposed crack.

But as soon as she pointed it out, she let out an exaggerated gasp.

Wang Xing’s wife widened her eyes in apparent surprise. “What… what happened? There’s no crack!”

Jiang Xuening simply watched her performance in silence.

After a moment’s thought, Wang Xing’s wife quickly feigned realization, putting on a sheepish smile. “Oh, what’s wrong with me? Yesterday, when I helped the second young miss organize your dressing table, I was worried about the bracelet getting damaged, so I took it off and set it aside. I must have mixed it up with the young miss’s precious bracelet while tidying up, and after finishing, I must’ve gotten confused and put it on by mistake. I kept wondering why this bracelet felt so refined when I wore it, as if it brought out a certain energy. It must have been because it’s your precious item, infused with your celestial aura!”

Listen to that! If flattery could be made into an art, she was a master at it.

Comparing her attitude towards Jiang Xuehui and her own behavior, Jiang Xuening could finally understand why she had taken Wang Xing’s wife from Madam Meng and let her behave as she pleased in her previous life.

She smiled faintly. “So it really is my bracelet?”

“Oh, it’s all my fault, old age has taken its toll, and I made such a mistake,” Wang Xing’s wife replied, her face full of gratitude. “If you hadn’t discovered it so quickly, I’d have been falsely accused of stealing your things. No matter how I tried to explain, I couldn’t clear my name!”

She acted as though she were truly grateful.

Since Jiang Xuening was reclining on the beauty’s couch, Wang Xing’s wife bent down, pretending to help her put the bracelet on.

But halfway through, she seemed to remember something.

“Oh, wait, no! I’m too common. If I touch your bracelet, I might dirty it with my mundane energy. Please, allow me to wipe it first.”

Wang Xing’s wife pulled out a handkerchief from her waist, carefully wiped the bracelet, and then, with a forced smile, gently raised Jiang Xuening’s left hand to put the bracelet on her.

The girl’s fingers were long and fair.

The jade color of the bracelet was a soft, sky-blue hue, which only accentuated the pale, flawless wrist.

As for Wang Xing’s wife’s many flattering words, most of them were empty, but there was one that wasn’t completely false: the bracelet, when worn by her, was just an ordinary trinket, but when worn by Jiang Xuening, it became a priceless treasure.

“See, it looks so beautiful on you!”

Wang Xing’s wife finished putting the bracelet on and began to praise her, all the while secretly observing Jiang Xuening.

If this had been Jiang Xuening during her two years in the palace, Wang Xing’s wife would have likely been dragged away and punished severely, not allowed to see the next day.

But this was Jiang Manor after all.

Jiang Xuening had just been reborn and wasn’t planning to return to the palace. She believed she should keep a low profile, and with her status now, she had to be more restrained. So, she merely turned her wrist casually, as if admiring the bracelet.

In two lifetimes, this was the first time she had worn this bracelet.

It had been a family heirloom left by Wanniang, so it was undoubtedly precious.

But unfortunately…

It wasn’t meant for her.

There was no joy in her eyes, only a calm indifference. She turned to look at Wang Xing’s wife, smiling as she extended her hand to pat her shoulder, gently brushing away nonexistent dust from her face, her expression kind and amiable. “Mama, you’re so good to me.”

Wang Xing’s wife immediately began smiling and swearing her loyalty.

However, Jiang Xuening’s next words were delivered in a calm tone. “From now on, Mama tells me to go east, I won’t go west. I will listen to Mama’s every word.”

Wang Xing’s wife’s smile froze, as though it had been struck by a hammer. For a moment, her face contorted with various emotions, a spectrum of colors flashing across her expression.

Jiang Xuening, unfazed, stood up just as slowly as she had sat down.

At this moment, she cast a glance at Jiang Xuehui, who had been standing silently by the side.

In her previous life’s memories, her sister’s face had become blurry, only a vague outline would appear in her nightmares. But now, looking at her again, Jiang Xuehui was still graceful, with delicate features—she didn’t seem as repellent as Jiang Xuening had once thought.

But she didn’t say a word to her.

Between Jiang Xuening and Jiang Xuehui, there was a gap—one created by Madam Meng, by Wanniang, by fate, and by different temperaments. They were entirely different people, not of the same path.

Even if Jiang Xuehui had no ill feelings toward her, Jiang Xuening still carried a knot in her heart.

There was no need to speak.

She couldn’t be bothered to.

Turning away, Jiang Xuening walked down the corridor.

Jiang Xuehui couldn’t help but turn her gaze, watching her sister’s receding figure. The way she held herself was different today—her back was straighter, and the jade bracelet on her wrist swayed lightly, giving off an aura that felt unlike her usual self.

As soon as Jiang Xuening left, Wang Xing’s wife’s legs gave way, and she collapsed onto the ground.

Her heavily powdered face turned pale, and she could feel the cold sweat on her back.

The expression and tone Jiang Xuening had used when speaking those words seemed calm, but the more composed it appeared, the more unsettling it became!

She said nothing more, just walked off—such calmness was enough to scare anyone!

The maid who had been standing beside Jiang Xuehui, named Mei’er, had watched the entire exchange and couldn’t hold back, rubbing the goosebumps that had formed on her arms. “W-what happened to the second young miss today? Why is she so…”

So terrifying!

Mei’er leaned closer to her young mistress and whispered, “She didn’t come back last night… Could something have happened to her?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. With Young Marquis Yan around, how could anything happen?”

But as Jiang Xuehui reflected on the situation, she felt uneasy, her brow furrowing with concern. She glanced at Wang Xing’s wife, who was slumped on the ground beside her.

At this point, there was no longer any sign of the earlier arrogance and imposing attitude.

Jiang Xuehui waved for Mei’er to follow her and said, “It’s likely that Wang Xing’s wife has offended some taboo. Anyway, with her temperament, we can’t provoke her. Let’s just pretend we didn’t see anything if she doesn’t come to us.”

Mei’er fully agreed, saying, “Yes, miss.”

It was early autumn, and the faint fragrance of osmanthus flowers filled the air.

Jiang Xuening walked along the corridor and soon arrived at her west wing.

As she entered, she saw one of her two main maidservants, Lian’er, who had her hair styled in two buns, fast asleep at the desk in the outer room. Not far from her was a sewing basket with unfinished needlework inside.

Jiang Xuening didn’t wake her up, instead walking directly into the inner room.

Everything in the room felt familiar yet strange at the same time.

The clothes in her wardrobe were half women’s wear and half men’s wear. On the small table by the window, there was an incense burner with fine sinking water incense. In front of the vanity, various hairpins, flowers, and rouge powders were arranged neatly…

Wanniang, who had raised her, was particularly skilled in one thing—beauty.

In Yangzhou, there were three types of “companions”—women who were considered refined and accomplished.

The first type of “companion” was skilled in poetry, painting, playing the guqin, and flute, practicing graceful manners, and learning makeup to sell beauty and charm.

The second type was proficient in reading, playing music, and calculating, selling their skills.

The third type couldn’t read or write but focused on embroidery, cooking, and managing the household.

Wanniang, originally a second-tier “companion” with natural beauty, learned makeup techniques that even first-tier women struggled with, able to enhance her modest beauty and make it look much better. Her intelligence and ability to read men’s minds helped her navigate life smoothly until she met Madam Meng.

What woman didn’t love beauty?

Having been raised by Wanniang, Jiang Xuening naturally shared the same love for things that could enhance her appearance.

She had learned quite a bit.

Moreover, as the daughter of Madam Meng, she was born with outstanding beauty. Now, at eighteen, she had yet to fully mature, but a little makeup could easily make her the center of attention, enchanting everyone around her.

She had to admit, in her previous life, her beauty played a huge role in her success.

It should be known—

The most unreasonable thing in this world is beauty.

Jiang Xuening stood quietly in front of the mirror, gazing at the beautiful face reflected there. Though it was not yet the regal, composed look she would later have as an empress, the natural charm and allure at the corners of her eyes and brows were more pronounced, making her appear even more striking.

It was the kind of face that men adored and women despised.

She suddenly sneered lightly, pressing the mirror down, and pulled off the bracelet that Wang Xing’s wife had placed on her wrist earlier. With a sharp “clink,” she tossed it onto the vanity.

In her previous life, she had been envious of Jiang Xuehui, stealing her position as a royal study partner, only to end up in the palace, where she met Princess Leyang and faced countless difficulties.

In her previous life, she resented Jiang Xuehui, stealing her marriage, becoming an empress, and ending up in a battlefield of scheming, where she could never win, ultimately losing her life.

Thus, it could be seen that the cause and effect of the world are linked.

Heaven was not blind.

After tossing the bracelet, she sat down.

However, Lian’er, who had been asleep in the outer room, was startled awake by the noise. She immediately stood up and rushed to lift the curtain separating the inner room, only to see Jiang Xuening sitting there. She was so frightened that her face turned pale, and she hurriedly came to her side, saying, “Lian’er didn’t know the second young lady was back…”

Jiang Xuening glanced at her.

This little maid had been chosen by Madam Meng from the Jiang family. In her previous life, she had served her for six years and wasn’t a bad-hearted girl. After Jiang Xuening married Shen Jie, Lian’er was likely given to him, and no longer served her.

It seemed that her absence last night had made the servants nervous.

Jiang Xuening had no intention of blaming her. Seeing the dark circles under her eyes, her tone softened considerably. “I’m fine. Go back to your room and sleep.”

As soon as Jiang Xuening spoke, Lian’er, who had been standing, suddenly dropped to her knees with a loud “thud.” Her expression was even more terrified than before.

“Miss, Lian’er promises she won’t sleep before you return again, and I won’t dare lie on the table to sleep anymore. Please, don’t let the madam sell me off. I have parents and younger siblings to take care of…”

Jiang Xuening realized that Lian’er had misunderstood her intentions. She was both exasperated and amused, and reached out to pull her up. “The ground is cold. Don’t kneel. I never said I was going to punish you…”

Lian’er was pulled up, but her expression only became more peculiar.

She stared at Jiang Xuening for a moment, then suddenly turned and ran out, shouting, “Tang’er, Tang’er, come quickly! The second young lady didn’t return last night, she must be sick, something’s wrong with her!”

Tang’er was another personal maid of Jiang Xuening’s.

Lian’er rushed in with Tang’er following her, practically on the verge of crying. “She just told me to go sleep, and said the ground was cold, not to kneel. Do you think the second young lady hurt herself somewhere? What if something really happens, what should we do?”

Jiang Xuening listened to this and finally understood why Lian’er’s gaze had been so off. She remained silent for a moment, watching her sob and wail non-stop. The corners of her mouth twitched, and her old temper flared up again.

She frowned, her expression cooling immediately.

“Try crying again!” she said.

Lian’er, who had been crying in a panic, startled and hiccupped at her sharp tone, then immediately stopped.

It was clearly a reprimand, but Lian’er, after hearing it, suddenly broke into a smile, wiping away her tears. “Alright, alright! It’s just like before! Tang’er, the second young lady is fine, she’s fine!”

Jiang Xuening: “…”

For some reason, she suddenly remembered the “no problem” joke Shen Jie had once told her.

It seemed she wasn’t cut out to be a good mistress.

This girl… she thought, maybe she should just find a chance to sell her off after all.