NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1: Rebirth
Liu Qianniang had passed away.
She died on the thirteenth day of the twelfth lunar month in the six hundred and thirty-seventh year of Yonghe, on the thirtieth day of the tenth month in the year of Xinchou.
This incident caused quite a stir in the capital. After all, Liu Qianniang of the Liu family was once a renowned figure in the capital. After marrying Shen Huan, the Minister of Revenue, she remained childless for several years and eventually passed away in their grand manor.
It is said that the Liu family demanded an explanation from the Shen family, but how could the declining Liu family compare to the prominent Shen family? After a few refusals from the Shen family, the Liu family backed away and were never seen again.
People lamented at the fate of the beautiful woman, but there was nothing they could do to help.
“Master, Miss Liu has passed away.”
Suddenly, the sound of breaking glass echoed in the room. The young man’s hands, with distinct joints, were filled with fragments of green-glazed white porcelain teacups, and threads of blood oozed from between his fingers.
From the darkness, a cold voice was heard, “How did she die?”
A guard, half kneeling on the ground as cold sweat beaded on his forehead. He swallowed hard and respectfully replied, “It was the work of the Shen family.”
“…”
A few days later, Madam Zhuang of the Shen family and her daughter, Shen Zhizhi, were found in the backyard dry well, with their bodies mutilated beyond recognition. The walls of the well were marked with blood streaks, clawed out by them, making the scene even more horrifying. The head of the Shen family, Shen Yun, erupted in anger when he learned about that. Together with his son Shen Huan, they searched for clues tirelessly, but the case remained unresolved.
At this very moment, all the assets under the Shen family’s name were looted. Everything seemed to go awry, making the Shen family in a state of panic. A few days later, Shen Yun’s career path was abruptly cut off, meanwhile Shen Huan’s position in the court was on the brink of collapsing. After half a month, the Shen family fell because they were implicated in a murder case. This made the entire clan to be exiled to Lingnan, never to return to the capital.
People speculated and discussed the issue that happened to the once formidable Shen family, assuming that the Shen family must have offended someone powerful to end up in such a dire situation.
Six months later, Mei Sanlang, who held the positions of Grand Minister of Justice and Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, suddenly retired from his official post and returned to his hometown. Those in the court were questioning his decision, but despite the numerous attempts to persuade him, Mei Sanlang remained resolute in his decision.
Two years after Mei Sanlang retired from his post, on a serene hill outside the capital, there stood a tombstone with a young man sitting beside it. His eyes were tinged red, and tears glistened in them.
On the tombstone, the inscription read: “The grave of the late Liu Jiyu.”
As a gust of wind swept by, carrying with it a mournful wail, the scene was filled with a profound sense of sorrow. Starting anew, honoring his parents, seeking a worthy partner, they would journey together towards the heavens.
***
As summer came upon the capital, the weather grew increasingly hot. Despite the early morning rain dampening the sidewalk made of stone, the heat remained. Huixiang carried a bowl of sour plum soup in her hands as she lifted the white jade beaded tassel curtain and walked into the room.
Passing by the sandalwood and white jade flower and bird screen, she saw a young girl leaning on a luxurious chair. Huixiang smiled and approached the girl, “Miss, this sour plum soup is made for you by the kitchen to help you relieve the heat.”
The young girl was only thirteen years old, but had a delicately crafted face resembling a steamed bun. Beneath her dewy apricot eyes, there was a prominent red mole. Liu Jiyu glanced at her maid lazily and said, “Just leave it here. I’ll drink it later.”
With a sigh, Liu Jiyu turned her gaze elsewhere as her thoughts brought her in a circle. Deep down, she couldn’t help but lament: Perhaps even heaven couldn’t bear to see her poor fate, leading her back to the age of thirteen.
Huixiang sighed softly and obediently placed the porcelain bowl on the table.
“Liu Yinyin!”
A lively voice of a girl came from outside the curtain.
Yinyin was Liu Jiyu’s courtesy name.
The curtain was lifted and dropped, producing a crisp and pleasant sound. Liu Jiyu lifted her head, straightened her posture, and looked towards the visitor.
Yunrumei took her hand and said crisply, “Why are you still staying inside? There are guests in our manor. Our sisters have all gone to Xinrong Hall to greet them. Come with me quickly to take a look.”
Liu Jiyu looked at her, her eyes sparkling, and smiled, “Who has come?” She then walked outside with Yunrumei, who was wearing heels. The girl pulling her along was Yunrumei, her cousin.
As they walked, Yunrumei held her hand and said, “It’s the Mei family. I heard that all three brothers from the Mei family have also arrived.”
They reached the corridor, and Liu Jiyu looked up at the sky. “This scorching sun is really hard to bear.”
Hualing handed Yunrumei an oiled paper umbrella, saying, “Miss Mei, quickly take this to shield yourself from the sun.”
Yunrumei’s apricot eyes flashed mischievously as she grabbed Liu Jiyu’s hand and dashed outside. “It’s just a few steps away, I won’t get sunburned anyway.”
Hualing paused for a moment, watching the girls run outside, then stamped her foot in frustration. “Miss Mei isn’t afraid of getting sunburned, but please don’t take my young lady along.” With that, she hurried her steps to catch up with them.
***
Liu Jiyu was pulled all the way to the Xinrong Hall by Yunrumei, and they entered the room one after the other.
“Oh my goodness, why didn’t you bring an umbrella? I feel so sorry for you,” exclaimed Li Mama, Yunrumei’s wet nurse, as she wiped the sweat from Yunrumei’s brow with a handkerchief.
Upon entering the room, Liu Jiyu rushed towards her grandmother, who was seated at the head of the table. “Grandma~”
Old Madam Liu embraced her, calling her endearingly, and wiped the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief.
Sitting nearby, Madam Sui chuckled and scolded Liu Jiyu, “Yinyin, why haven’t you come to greet Madam Mei yet? How rude.” Liu Jiyu nestled in Grandma Liu’s embrace, playfully sticking out her tongue at her, then burying herself back in Grandma Liu’s arms, pretending not to hear Madam Sui’s words.
“It’s been a long time since I last saw Yinyin. She has grown so clever and lively,” said a lady, glancing at Liu Jiyu before turning her gaze back to Madam Sui.
This was Madam Qin, from the Mei family.
Madam Sui replied, “She has become more mischievous as she’s grown older, never staying put for a moment.” Although she spoke sternly, there was a hint of indulgence in her eyes.
Seeing Madam Qin looking at Liu Jiyu again, Madam Sui added, “Yinyin, why don’t you come out and greet Madam Qin?”
Liu Jiyu rose from Grandma Liu’s embrace and looked towards Madam Qin, bowing respectfully. Her smile deepened as she greeted, “Madam Qin.”
Madam Qin glanced at her, her expression unchanged, but she was inwardly pleased with Liu Jiyu. “Yinyin, there’s no need to be so formal. Just call me Aunt Qin.”
Liu Jiyu smiled but remained silent. Meanwhile, Yunrumei chartered away beside her, and the two girls sat down next to Grandma Liu, chatting happily. Liu Jiyu divided her attention between conversing with Yunrumei and observing the people in the room. Apart from Grandma Liu and her mother Madam Sui, Madam Qin was the only elder present.
Her gaze swept past her sister, Liu Jiluan, who smiled at her, and Liu Jiyu returned it with a sweet smile.
Beside Madam Qin sat another girl, her daughter and the eldest of the Mei family, Mei Jianxue.
“Alright, we’ll discuss something. You youngsters can go play outside. Looks like you’re all getting bored,” Madam Sui said.
Yunrumei, pulling Liu Jiyu along, was about to dash outside, but Madam Sui added, “Take Miss Mei with you, but don’t cause any trouble, especially you, Yinyin. Do you understand?”
Liu Jiyu smiled at her. “I know!”
With that, the girls laughed and chatted as they walked out.
The group of the young girls arrived at the Lotus Fragrance Pavilion, where Liu Jiyu was chatting heartily with Yunrumei while Liu Jiluan was engaged in a pleasant conversation with Mei Jianxue, creating a particularly harmonious atmosphere.
Seated in the pavilion were the four of them, with Liu Jiyu and Yunrumei mostly carrying the conversation. They seemed like a pair of chatterboxes, covering their mouths with handkerchiefs when they laughed heartily.
“What’s got you all so cheerful?” asked a group of three or four youngsters who suddenly entered the pavilion. Leading them was Liu Jiyu’s eldest brother, Liu Jiyuan.
Liu Jiyu raised her head, glanced at the young men, and called out cheerfully, “Brother!”
Liu Jiyuan smiled back at her, nodded to the girls, and then took a seat with the other young men.
Liu Jiyu leaned her head on Yunrumei’s shoulder, calmly surveying the people in the pavilion. Suddenly, her gaze settled on one person, and she couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Among the Mei family’s male guests today were Mei Jinyan, Mei Shenxing, and Mei Shuyu, who was born out of wedlock. Watching the elegant profile of the young men, Liu Jiyu’s feelings were complicated. In her previous life, Mei Shuyu, despite being born out of wedlock, eventually rose to become the Grand Minister of Justice and Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, wielding immense power and influence.
He was known for his ruthless cunning and cruel methods. It was rumored that he even killed his own elder brother in retaliation for being plotted against. Because he was the third in line at home, he was known as Mei Sanlang (Mei’s third boy) by the public.
However, this wasn’t Liu Jiyu’s main concern. She was concerned about the fact that she had received a confession from him not long ago. But that wasn’t the main point either. The main point was that at that time, she had not yet been reborn, and her temperament was extremely stubborn. She had spoken harshly to him, and the scene from that day was still vivid in her mind.