Volume One, Chapter 8: Miss, You Have Changed

“Still not attending to your young mistress’s morning routine?” Leng Yueheng gently patted the small maid’s head. She was no more than fifteen or sixteen, and today had truly frightened her.

Zhu Qing wiped her tears away twice and busied herself with helping the young mistress wash up.

“Miss, madam said there aren’t enough hands in the front courtyard, so she asked me and Nurse Zhuang to go assist…”

“I know, it’s not your fault!” Leng Yueheng was enjoying, for the first time, the luxury of having maids attend to her morning routine. Life in this ancient era wasn’t so bad—being served in everything was precisely the life she had yearned for in her past life. Only it came with a hint of danger and a bit of mental strain.

Leng Yueheng changed into the original owner’s nightclothes—a moon-white ru skirt—and kept yawning as she lay down in the soft, comfortable bed. Yet she noticed Nurse Zhuang and Zhu Qing standing still, appraising her, hesitating to speak.

“If you have something to say, just say it!” Leng Yueheng was so sleepy that her eyelids felt glued shut.

“Miss, you’ve changed!” Zhu Qing said shyly, looking to Nurse Zhuang for agreement.

“Isn’t that a good thing?” Leng Yueheng didn’t want to pretend anymore. It was rare to have transmigrated; having to impersonate the original owner made life suffocating. Besides, none of these people had evidence against her.

“Good! Today’s young mistress is clever and imposing, just like a female general!” Zhu Qing’s vocabulary was limited. “But prettier than the female general!”

“You’re underestimating your young mistress! Would I have survived until today if I acted too smart? From now on, I won’t pretend anymore!” Leng Yueheng made up an excuse on the spot.

Zhu Qing looked up to her with admiration and delight, showering her with the few praises she could muster.

Nurse Zhuang said nothing but her eyes were full of worry.

“Miss, if you continue like this in the future…” Nurse Zhuang hesitated. Given her astuteness, she had already seen through that the young mistress’s innocence was likely lost.

“Nurse, living is what matters most, isn’t it?” Leng Yueheng knew she couldn’t hide it from Nurse Zhuang.

“You’re right, Miss. You’re an exceptionally wise lady, with a bright future ahead!” Nurse Zhuang wiped her tears and smiled, a strange gleam flickering in her eyes.

Looking up again at Leng Yueheng, she was already fast asleep.

That night, many in the Leng household found sleep elusive. Madam Jiang smashed numerous porcelain pieces in her room, while Leng Yuemei pondered how to inform Xiao Jingyun about Leng Yueheng and Prince Ji’s affair.

Xiao Jingyun, the legitimate grandson of General Xiao, had been betrothed to five-year-old Leng Yueheng at a banquet, with the marriage arranged by General Xiao and Leng Xuanru. They planned for the marriage to take place when Leng Yueheng came of age at sixteen.

Leng Xuanru was overjoyed. To tie the Leng family to the General’s household was a blessing beyond measure at the time.

He had even proposed the match for his own legitimate daughter, Yue Mei, but General Xiao insisted it was only for Yueheng.

The old general was dispatched to the frontier, while mother and daughter Leng Yueheng were sent to the countryside. With the general away, the two families had little contact, limited to occasional gifts during festivals.

However, Xiao Jingyun’s talents and charm among the young elites of Jingjing city made him increasingly outstanding. With his flamboyant nature, he attracted the admiration of many young ladies in the city.

Gradually, rumors spread that Leng Yueheng had simply gotten lucky.

At a plum blossom viewing banquet, Leng Yuemei had seen Xiao Jingyun’s handsome face and witnessed his poetic talent.

Since then, her feelings took root deeply, and she began to diligently study poetry and literature. Now, with some accomplishments and a small reputation among the city’s young ladies, she could no longer remain silent.

A man like Brother Yun, how could the rustic country girl Leng Yueheng possibly deserve him?

The mere thought of Xiao Jingyun with Leng Yueheng tore her heart apart.

Leng Yueheng had surely done something with Prince Ji. She had instructed that enough love potion be given to Leng Yueheng.

Daring to snatch her Brother Yun, she intended to ruin her, leaving her disgraced and without a resting place. She just hadn’t expected the man to be Prince Ji.

Since returning to Butterfly Garden, Leng Yujiao had been listless. Originally, both she and Leng Yueheng were concubines’ daughters, and with Madam Meng favored, she considered herself superior to Leng Yueheng.

But now, Leng Yueheng had the general’s fiancé, and on top of that, she had climbed into the favor of Prince Ji. How could she ever hope to rise in the household?

Madam Meng noticed her daughter’s unhappiness and stepped forward to comfort her.

“Fourth Miss, it’s time for bed!”

Only twelve years old, Leng Yujiao was coaxed by her mother and suddenly burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Auntie, why is Leng Yueheng so fortunate? I wish I could be that lucky too!”

Madam Meng was born into a humble background and had suffered hardship all her life. After entering the Leng household, she enjoyed luxurious clothing and fine food, and even her natal family benefited.

In Madam Jiang’s eyes, she was merely the master’s plaything, not worth much fuss as long as Leng Yujiao grew up crookedly.

Madam Meng felt quite comfortable with her life but harbored resentment toward those who had what she did not, always stirring up trouble.

“What’s so good about her? I hear Leng Yueheng has gotten involved with Prince Ji somehow, and no one knows what seductive tricks she used. The prince even gave her his jade pendant. They must have gotten together back in the countryside. She hasn’t even been formally married and is already sleeping around! Tsk tsk, such a worthless piece—how could Young Master Xiao want her?”

The bitterness in Madam Meng’s words could be smelled from miles away.

Thankfully, she wasn’t foolish and knew to be cautious around the master. Coupled with her natural charm and talent in the bedroom, she had gained favor.

“But she still has Prince Ji protecting her…”

Leng Yujiao thought with hatred. How had Leng Yueheng managed to win over Prince Ji? She wished she had such skills too.