Chapter 1: Transmigration, A Matter of Life and Death, Escaping Overnight

In the winter of the eleventh year of Yongning, the cold wind swept through the city. Snow whirled fiercely, rushing beneath the eaves, lifting the door curtains and revealing flickering firelight.

White mourning banners fluttered outside the Lin residence. Paper money burned in a brazier, spiraling upward before scattering across the courtyard and landing on the withered branches nearby.

Lin Shuwan stood at the corner of the entrance hall, gazing at the middle-aged man exchanging words with the guests who had come to offer condolences. She sank into thought. It had already been three days since she transmigrated here. Three days ago, she had just won the Chinese Gold Chef Award. In the next moment, a sudden accident struck her down, and when she opened her eyes again, she was in this unfamiliar dynasty.

“Assistant Minister Lin sacrificed his life during disaster relief. His body was never recovered. Though he fulfilled his duty with loyalty, it left behind only this widow and orphan.” The man at the door glanced toward Lin Shuwan and sighed heavily. “Such a pity. She has lost her father, and I also hear she injured her head some time ago. I fear this young lady’s marriage prospects will not go smoothly.”

“Brother Qin speaks the truth. My poor sister-in-law and niece, how pitiful they are. Fortunately, they still have me. I will not allow outsiders to bully them.” Lin Zhichang bent forward with clasped hands, smiling as he spoke.

Only after sending away the last guest did Lin Zhichang finally breathe a sigh of relief. He whispered a few words to the steward beside him, then strode toward the rear courtyard. As he passed by Lin Shuwan, he patted her thin shoulder. “Your father is gone. From now on, your uncle will treat you as his own daughter. Once your mourning period ends, I will arrange for your marriage with young master Qian.”

At these words, Lin Shuwan lowered her gaze. Her long, dark lashes concealed the emotions in her eyes. “Thank you, Uncle.”

Hearing her obedient reply, Lin Zhichang smiled with satisfaction, patted her shoulder again, and told her to look after her ailing mother, Madam Jiang. His brows furrowed slightly at the mention of her, but he said no more. He hurried to the rear courtyard with his steward, unaware that Lin Shuwan was watching his back thoughtfully. She called over the maid who had been sent by Madam Jiang, quietly asking about her condition.

When she learned that Madam Jiang had just taken medicine and fallen asleep, she nodded and led Qingwu after Lin Zhichang.

“Madam, what if Master refuses to hand over the shop accounts?” Qingwu whispered nervously as they stopped before a small courtyard, peeking at the tightly closed door.

Suddenly, they heard a young woman’s sobbing voice inside. “Father, I am carrying Qian Shun’s child. How can you let Sister Wan marry him?”

“All right, Yinniang, I only said those words to comfort the girl. Madam Jiang is gravely ill. Once your mother returns with medicine and Madam Jiang breathes her last, all of Second Branch’s businesses will fall into our hands. By then, Shuwan will be nothing but a lonely orphan, completely at our mercy.” Lin Zhichang’s voice was calm.

“When that time comes, I want Mother to sell that wretched girl to Yanchun Brothel.” Lin Shuyin’s tone was vicious. There was no trace of tears on her face as she caressed her still-flat stomach, already dreaming of her glorious future as the daughter-in-law of the Minister of Revenue’s household.

A chill ran down Lin Shuwan’s spine. She instinctively shivered, clutching the furious Qingwu who was about to storm in to confront them. Gritting her teeth, she shook her head, and the two of them quietly left the doorway.

“Madam, they want to kill Mistress?” Qingwu whispered after shutting the door softly, her eyes red with shock. “Not only that, they even want to sell you to a brothel?”

“Keep your voice down. Do not let anyone hear us.” Lin Shuwan glanced around, speaking in a low voice. The residence was filled with spies from the main branch. If they were alerted, there would be no chance of leaving today.

She sat beside Madam Jiang’s bed, gazing at her increasingly gaunt face. All the details she had previously overlooked suddenly came together. When the news of her father’s death arrived, Madam Jiang had fainted from grief. The doctor who was called in was arranged by the main branch, and from then on, all her medicine had been prepared and delivered by them. Yet after taking the medicine, Madam Jiang had not improved. Instead, her waking hours grew shorter by the day.

No wonder Qingwu had been blocked when she tried to request a prescription. Such malicious intent. Lin Shuwan looked at Qingwu, who crouched before her, eyes red but holding back tears. With a sigh, she took the girl’s hand and seated her on the stool at the bedside. Qingwu had served by her side since childhood, but she was still only thirteen or fourteen, still just a child.

Speaking softly, Lin Shuwan laid out her plan. “Uncle covets the shops of our branch. That is why he wants to kill Mother. Qingwu, we must leave today. If we delay any longer, it will be too late.”

Once her mind was set, Lin Shuwan retrieved Qingwu’s deed of servitude and carefully combed through the original owner’s memories.

This dynasty, the Yongning era, was not recorded in later histories, though its economy seemed prosperous and the emperor a wise ruler. The original owner was the only daughter of the Assistant Minister of Revenue, while Madam Jiang came from a wealthy merchant family and brought a generous dowry.

Raised in riches, the original Lin Shuwan had grown simple-hearted and naive, always eager to share rare trinkets with her cousin from the main branch. Yet her cousin had taken this as deliberate flaunting. Out of spite, she seduced Lin Shuwan’s fiancé, Qian Shun. Five days ago, when news of her father’s death came and her mother fainted, Lin Shuwan panicked and sought Qian Shun’s help, only to catch him in an affair with her cousin. During the ensuing quarrel, he pushed her from the attic, and that was when she transmigrated.

What a pair of despicable scoundrels. Lin Shuwan cursed them silently. Since she was leaving, she might as well leave a parting gift for them and the main branch.

By chance, her uncle had invited an opera troupe that had yet to depart. Lin Shuwan’s eyes lit up as she formed a plan. She summoned Qingwu and whispered in her ear.

Qingwu’s eyes widened in shock, her earlier fury giving way to excitement. “Madam, will this really work?”

“Of course. Do you not trust your mistress?” Lin Shuwan pinched the maid’s chubby cheek with a smile.

“I will prepare right away.” Qingwu grabbed the box of banknotes and rushed off to the western courtyard where the opera troupe resided.

Watching her leave, Lin Shuwan thought, she could not carry the silver with her anyway. Better to spend it where it would cut the deepest. By tomorrow, the whole capital would know that Second Master Qian had betrayed his betrothal, carrying on an illicit affair with Lin Shuyin, who was already pregnant with his child. A shame she would not be here to watch the spectacle.

The courtyard trees stood bare. Snow fell steadily as the cold wind whistled through the branches.

Before long, Lin Shuwan arrived at the east wing chamber, where she heard Lin Shuyin’s coquettish voice speaking with their grandmother, Nanny Wang, inside. Raising her brows, Lin Shuwan thought to herself that she was fortunate; she would not even need to summon her cousin. She pinched herself, tears welling in her eyes, and pushed the door open.

“Sister Yinniang, if you like Qian Shun, you could have told me. I would have spoken to his family and withdrawn from the engagement…”

Before she could finish, Nanny Wang stormed forward, hand raised. “You wretched girl! You killed your father, and now you slander Yinniang? Truly shameless like your mother!”

Before the slap landed, Lin Shuwan fell to the ground, clutching her cheek with reddened eyes. She wept, “Grandmother, am I not also your granddaughter? My father just passed away, yet I heard my cousin admit she carries Qian Shun’s child. You ignore the truth and shield her instead. With my father gone and my mother gravely ill, do you all think you can trample me because I have no one to rely on? If Grandmother will not give me justice today, I will take this matter before the magistrate.”

Her pitiful appearance left Nanny Wang stunned, hand frozen in midair. Lin Shuyin, anxious, glanced outside, saw no one, and relaxed. Leaning against the nanny, she said softly, “Sister Wan, even if Qian and I truly love each other, your actions today will only harm Grandmother’s health. Can you bear that responsibility?”

Snapping back, Nanny Wang jabbed her finger at Lin Shuwan. “You venomous brat! Your father’s body is barely cold and you already stir up trouble. You are nothing but a home-wrecker. Someone, drag her out at once!”

“Stop!” Lin Shuwan dodged the grasping hands of two older maids, shouting in anger, “Grandmother, will you allow servants to humiliate me like this?”

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Madam Jiang rushing toward them. Shocked, Lin Shuwan staggered, nearly falling, and was soon pinned to the floor by the two women.

Madam Jiang pushed them away and shielded her daughter, coldly saying, “Mother, if I spread the word that Yinniang seduced her cousin’s fiancé and became pregnant before marriage, how would outsiders view the Lin family?”

Nanny Wang frowned, thinking the once soft-hearted Madam Jiang had grown bold at the end of her days. But since her illness left her with little time left, the old woman did not argue further.

“You came just in time. I was about to send for you. With your husband gone and Shuwan acting mad, it is best to send her to Xishan Nunnery. You have no sons, so after discussing with the main branch, they agreed to painfully give up the Young Master Jun to be adopted under your name. This way, the second branch’s estate will not be left without an heir.”

Madam Jiang’s face twisted in disbelief. “We need no adopted son. Though Shuwan is not a boy, she is a proper young lady we raised with care. In the future, she can marry well. There is no need to burden Elder Sister.”

“You ungrateful wretch!” Nanny Wang exploded. “No wonder you gave birth to such a wicked child. If I had not begged your Elder Sister to pass her son to you, you would be nothing but a barren hen. We should have cast you out long ago.”

She ordered coldly, “Drag them out to Xishan Nunnery. They may return only when they repent.”

Just then, Madam Diao, a loyal servant from the second branch, returned from shopping and saw the scene. Alarmed, she hurried over. “Madam Jiang, Young Miss, what is going on?”

“Aunt Diao!” Lin Shuwan cried, her eyes red.

“Miss Wan and Madam Jiang offended the old madam,” one maid said coldly, pushing aside Aunt Diao, who wanted to argue. “The old madam ordered them to go to Xishan Nunnery to reflect. You should step aside. Once they have repented and gained her forgiveness, I will fetch them back myself.” With that, she shoved the mother and daughter through the side gate.

With a loud thud, the narrow gate slammed shut before their eyes.

The wind howled, snow fell thick, and the two stood in plain mourning clothes as the mournful notes of suona echoed nearby, eerily fitting the scene.

Madam Jiang turned to glance at the tightly closed gate, then sighed and forced a smile at her daughter. “Come with me to Lianzhou. The climate is warm, your grandmother is kind, and she will welcome you with joy.”

Lin Shuwan held her mother’s hand. Moments later, they saw Qingwu rushing toward them with a bundle in her arms. Spotting them, she cried out happily, “It is done, Madam! As soon as I showed the banknotes, the troupe agreed. By tomorrow, everyone in the capital will know of the scandal between Second Master Qian and your cousin Yinniang.”

“Well done. I also met Aunt Diao just now,” Lin Shuwan said with a smile.

“Madam Diao is loyal. She saw you and Mistress thrown out. The whole household will know within the hour.” Qingwu clapped her hands in delight.

Meeting Madam Jiang’s questioning gaze, Lin Shuwan explained her plan as they walked.

After listening, Madam Jiang was stunned for a moment. Then, seeing the faint guilt in her daughter’s eyes, she chuckled. “Shuwan is clever. For Lin Zhichang, losing face will wound him more deeply than death.”

Relieved, Lin Shuwan linked arms with her mother and led them toward the western docks. The journey to Lianzhou was long. Qingwu’s bundle contained her deed of servitude and only fifty taels of silver. Not much, but enough. Lin Shuwan planned to buy ten days’ worth of provisions, a stove, and cooking utensils.

Half an hour later, the three emerged from the market fully supplied. Alongside rice and flour, Lin Shuwan purchased preserved meats and cabbages. Food always came first. No matter how hard life became, she would not let her meals suffer.

From her mother’s words, she knew that in Lianzhou her maternal family still had her grandmother and an uncle, who ran a struggling teahouse.

Seated in the swaying donkey cart, Lin Shuwan pondered their future livelihood.

The cart halted at the western docks. The driver helped unload their belongings. Standing on the pier, Lin Shuwan cast one last look at the bustling capital before turning southward.