Volume One, Chapter 12: The Young Lady

In recent days, the system had not assigned her any tasks, and Qin Xianxian was delighted with the leisure. She began teaching the maids in the courtyard how to write.

Firstly, because teaching was her original profession in the modern world, she wanted to practice to avoid becoming rusty when she returned.

Secondly, she felt that the maids in her household were burdened with deeply feudal mindsets and strict constraints.

Unmarried women must obey their fathers; once married, they must obey their husbands; if the husband dies, they must follow their sons...

Although knowledge might not necessarily change their fates, it could certainly broaden their minds.

Qin Xianxian wanted to do as much as she could for them while she was still here, even if the effects were slight.

One day, as Qin Xianxian was supervising their writing in the courtyard, Nurse Li hurried in from outside.

"Second Miss, Miss Zhao from the Zhao family has come to visit. Madam wants you to come quickly!"

Qin Xianxian, holding a ruler in her hand, slowly turned around.

"Miss Zhao?" Qin Xianxian searched her memory for the name, then suddenly a flash of insight struck her. She said, "Zhao Wanwan?"

"Yes! Second Miss still remembers. Miss Zhao hasn't visited in years," Nurse Li replied.

Qin Xianxian swallowed hard, suddenly feeling a chill spreading from within.

She was very familiar with the Zhao Wanwan connection.

This cousin, two months older than her, had fallen on hard times and was placed to live in the Qin household for a while. During that time, she had an affair with Qin An and was later taken in as a concubine in the household. However, after entering the residence, she was gloomy and melancholy every day and died soon after. On the night of her death, a fire broke out in the funeral hall, leaving no remains. The next day, the Qin estate was said to be haunted, and the mistress was so frightened she fell gravely ill.

The more Qin Xianxian thought about it, the colder she felt inside. Having watched many ghost stories as a child, she was extremely afraid of such supernatural matters. If this story continued, she feared she wouldn't just fall ill—she might die of fright...

"I—I’m not feeling well. Nurse Li, please tell my mother for me. I won’t go over there," Qin Xianxian said, swaying slightly as she lay down in the nearby rocking chair.

"Oh! Very well. I will tell Madam. Second Miss, please rest well."

After Nurse Li left, Qin Xianxian lost all interest in teaching the maids. She sent them off to do other chores and sank into the rocking chair, lost in thought.

---

It was strange—Zhao Wanwan and Qin An had the affair first, which was then discovered, leading to her becoming a concubine in the household. Normally, newlyweds should be sweet and happy, so why was she so melancholic?

Her sister-in-law, Wen Ying, was truly unfortunate. She had only been married to Shen An for a year before such a mess occurred!

As Qin Xianxian pondered this, two figures approached from outside the courtyard.

"Xianxian, cousin!"

She heard the voice before seeing the person.

Qin Xianxian shivered slightly and turned toward the gate.

Nurse Li was leading a young woman dressed in a water-blue embroidered lily skirt into the courtyard.

The woman walked lightly, her hair tied simply, jet-black like a waterfall, with delicate eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, a small nose, and smiling cherry lips. She appeared lively and charming.

"Second Miss, Cousin heard you were unwell and came specially to visit!" Nurse Li introduced her.

Qin Xianxian stared blankly as the woman approached, forgetting to rise to greet her.

This Zhao Wanwan looked somewhat different from what she had imagined—she was a lively and adorable girl, not the gloomy elder sister she had expected!

Qin Xianxian was even more puzzled. Was this really the person who later died in sorrow?

Zhao Wanwan laughed aloud, noticing Qin Xianxian's dazed gaze. "So many years have passed, cousin Xianxian. Have you forgotten me?"

The one in the rocking chair finally came to her senses, stood, and bowed. "Xianxian pays respects to Cousin!"

A flicker of surprise crossed Zhao Wanwan’s eyes, then she smiled. "So many years gone, and Xianxian has grown distant. I remember I used to climb trees to get kites for you when we were young!"

The autumn wind blew softly, and Qin Xianxian felt a thin sheen of sweat break out on her forehead.

She now dreaded anyone mentioning the past, for as an impostor, she knew nothing of it...

---

"The wind is strong in the courtyard. Cousin, please come in and sit!"

Qin Xianxian led her to the soft couch inside the room and told Lu Qi to brew some tea.

"Cousin, after all these years, your health is still so frail. You must take better care of yourself," Zhao Wanwan said, gently touching her shoulder with a look of concern.

"Much better recently, just a little headache from the wind," Qin Xianxian forced a smile. With her omniscient perspective, she found Zhao Wanwan somewhat eerie now.

"Before coming here, I bought a kite. When we have time, let's fly it together," Zhao Wanwan said brightly.

"That sounds wonderful! I wonder how long Cousin will stay this time so we can catch up!"

Qin Xianxian asked knowingly, simply hoping to extract useful information from her.

As expected, Zhao Wanwan lowered her gaze slightly, the corner of her lips curving downwards. "To be honest, Cousin, my father is imprisoned for a mistake. My mother fears trouble may follow me, so she sent me to the capital to lay low."

"I see. Cousin, don’t worry. Everything will get better," Qin Xianxian comforted her.

Alas! She regretted not reading the book carefully and now had to waste her mind piecing the story together.

"Cousin, it's been a while since you last came. Let me accompany you for a walk in the back garden!"

"That would be lovely!"

Su Yiqiu usually loved tending flowers and especially adored chrysanthemums.

At this moment, the garden was steeped in autumn hues, with multicolored chrysanthemums blooming in splendid competition, breathtakingly beautiful.

As Qin Xianxian and Zhao Wanwan entered the garden, they spotted a couple sitting in a pavilion, laughing joyfully, their voices soft and clear.

Qin Xianxian’s expression stiffened.