Chapter 2: Everything Fell Apart

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Jiang Nian followed the maid to the pavilion from earlier. There was no one around, and Xiao Ru was waiting for her.

“Miss Xiao... everything I said today is true. I really didn’t see what happened between Miss Xiao and Miss Meng.”

Xiao Ru lifted her chin and asked, “I believe you didn’t see Miss Meng Yingying provoking me, but why were your eyes following Brother Bo? Do you have feelings for him?”

Jiang Nian listened to the not-so-angry tone and looked up at Xiao Ru.

As expected, Xiao Ru’s words revealed her intense nervousness around Bo Yijin, but her eyes betrayed an indifferent attitude...

It was somewhat strange.

Jiang Nian withdrew her gaze and poured out a basketful of kind words: “Not at all! Only a heavenly beauty like Miss Xiao could stand beside the elegant and handsome Young Master Bo. What merit do I have to fancy Young Master Bo!”

“You’re sharp-tongued. Do you know I was going to have you slapped ten times today?”

“...” Oh, I know that all too well!

“But your sharp tongue helped me. If you hadn’t spoken up in time, who knows what might have happened between your cousin and Brother Bo… I forgive you. Go back and tell your cousin that Brother Bo’s future wife will only be me. She should give up those thoughts.”

Jiang Nian replied truthfully, “She tried to harm me today. I’ve already torn ties with her.”

The implication was clear: whatever crazy stunts Tang Qingwan pulls in the future have nothing to do with her.

“You’re not completely clueless,” Xiao Ru appraised Jiang Nian again from head to toe. “But after you left just now, Brother Bo asked for your name.”

Jiang Nian was surprised. “Has Young Master Bo taken a grudge against me?”

Xiao Ru laughed at her tease. “Jiang Nian, go home and live your life well. Don’t hang around Brother Bo so much.”

“All right.”

Jiang Nian’s intuition told her Xiao Ru didn’t like Bo Yijin that much.

In the original story, Xiao Ru was the spoiled and temperamental second female lead, quick to anger. She had seemed that way during the day as well.

But now, with Xiao Ru earnestly advising her and even giving her a box of calming snacks before she left... Jiang Nian couldn’t figure her out.

She had to suspect the snacks were poisoned...

As she carried the food box and stepped out of the Earl of Yongning’s mansion, she ran into Meng Yingying around the corner.

Compared to the fiery Xiao Ru, Jiang Nian preferred the gentler Meng Yingying and smiled awkwardly. “Miss Meng, what a coincidence.”

“Not a coincidence. I was waiting for you on purpose.”

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Jiang Nian was no fool and caught the coldness in Meng Yingying’s words. She stopped smiling. “Miss Meng, just say what you want.”

“Has Miss Jiang already been betrothed?”

Hearing this and recalling Xiao Ru’s words, Jiang Nian suddenly understood. Could it be that Bo Yijin had taken a liking to her?

In the original story, today’s matter of Bo Yijin taking a concubine was a misunderstanding. But thinking carefully now, Tang Qingwan’s scheme was true, and Bo Yijin had actually taken someone behind the rockery... he wasn’t so innocent!

Jiang Nian answered seriously, “Not yet, but soon.”

“Miss Jiang, take care of yourself.”

Jiang Nian watched Meng Yingying’s carefree back disappear and finally had a moment to sort through her thoughts.

Right now, her understanding of the original story’s male lead, female lead, and second female lead had all shattered.

But no matter what schemes they had in mind, she still knew what they planned to do next.

Suddenly, a shiver ran through her body.

Xiao Ru and Meng Yingying had reminded her. She recalled another minor character from the original story. Bo Yijin had once shown interest in a quiet, unnoticed girl, but after Meng Yingying and Xiao Ru found out, they teamed up to expel that girl from Bianjing city.

Better to be a mere passerby than a pawn between the leads!

Before knowing she had transmigrated into a book, Jiang Nian only thought about being filial to her parents, finding a husband to marry into the family, and living a comfortable life in this era.

After knowing she had transmigrated, she still wanted to be filial and find a husband, but more importantly, she had to stay far away from the main characters and survive!

Finding a husband had to be put on the agenda!

“Miss, why are you out?” asked the Jiang family maid, Lv La, puzzled.

Jiang Nian sighed lightly. “Let’s return home. Someone’s waiting for me.”

Lv La didn’t understand. Only upon returning to the Jiang residence and hearing the annoying cries did she realize what her mistress meant.

“Miss, those are your cousin and Lady Tang’s voices…”

“The villain complains first.”

Uncle and aunt had soft hearts for mother and were sentimental, often borrowing money from her and never repaying. Father and mother had argued many times over this.

Now the cousin was using her as a stepping stone to climb higher. Jiang Nian had truly had enough of this family.

Jiang Nian steadied herself and immediately switched to battle mode.

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She rushed into the house in panic and ran straight into Madam Jiang’s arms. “Mother, please stand up for me! I was almost killed at the Marquis of Yongning’s mansion. I was really scared... boohoo...”

Madam Jiang’s reprimand caught in her throat. She hurriedly scanned her daughter from head to toe. Seeing no injuries, she asked, “What on earth happened? Your cousin says you wronged her!”

Jiang Nian looked up and feigned surprise upon seeing Tang Qingwan. “My cousin still has the nerve to slander me!”

“Jiang Nian, you’re lying!” Tang Qingwan accused.

“What happened at the Marquis of Yongning’s mansion today will be known all over Bianjing by tomorrow! Cousin, how can you behave like this with uncle!”

Lady Tang looked doubtfully at Jiang Nian. “What really happened? Nian Nian, did you really harm Qingwan?”

“My cousin bribed a maid at the Marquis of Yongning’s mansion and schemed to seduce Young Master Bo, but Miss Xiao caught her red-handed... many noble ladies saw it, and I was embarrassed on her behalf!”

Hearing Jiang Nian’s words, everyone in the room understood.

Tang Qingwan was furious. “If you and Xiao Ru hadn’t said we were behind the rockery, how could we have been found out!”

Lady Tang didn’t think her daughter had done anything wrong and instead blamed Jiang Nian for spoiling things. She frowned. “Nian Nian, you still say it wasn’t you who harmed Qingwan! If no one had found out, maybe the Bo family would have come to propose by now!”

“Aunt, that makes no sense. My cousin used me to block Miss Xiao, and Miss Xiao had her people tear me apart. I had no choice but to tell the truth to protect myself.”

Madam Jiang hugged Jiang Nian, heart aching.

Jiang Nian continued calmly, “Besides, I only saw a seductive back. How was I supposed to know that shameless person was my cousin…”

“You!” Tang Qingwan glared at Jiang Nian fiercely, forgetting to pretend to cry.

Lady Tang, realizing her family was at fault, no longer mentioned the Marquis of Yongning’s mansion but earnestly lectured Jiang Nian:

“You’re not biological sisters, but the Tang and Jiang families rise and fall together. If anything happens in the future, you must support your cousin in front of others!”

“If my cousin is right, I will support her. But if she schemes, should I help her do evil?” Jiang Nian retorted to Lady Tang.

Then she turned her head, looking confusedly at her parents. “What you taught me is to have a clear conscience before heaven and no shame before others…”

Lady Tang snorted coldly, “Enough with this fake righteousness!”

Jiang Nian blinked. “Clearly, Aunt, you’re the one full of nonsense.”