Chapter 1: Ju Chen

Jiahe, 15th Year. Winter Solstice.

It had been over a hundred days since Ju Chen was reborn.

Every day at Jifang Academy passed in calm monotony.

With the Clothing Ceremony holiday approaching, Lady-in-waiting Shen ended her lectures early, leaving the remaining days for the female disciples to study on their own.

A fresh flurry of goose-feather snow had fallen over the Eastern Capital early that morning.

Now that the skies had finally cleared, Ju Chen took advantage of the windless pavilion corridor to go outdoors for sketching.

The warm sunlight spilled over the tall courtyard walls, casting golden light across the snowy front garden of the academy.

On the other side of the pavilion, a few fellow students gradually gathered. Some leaned on benches reading, others chatted while basking in the sun.

“Where are you going for the holiday?”

“My eldest brother came back to the capital this year for his duty report. Father’s delighted and said he’d take us all to Mount Li.”

“What a coincidence, I wanted to soak in the hot springs there too…”

The girls’ voices were cheerful and lively.

Ju Chen sat very close by, but wasn’t affected by the noise in the slightest, as if she existed in a completely different space.

She bowed her head, carefully dipping her brush in ink. Her hair was neatly bundled under her scholar’s soft-winged cap, exposing a slender, pale neck like a swan’s. Her long lashes drooped gently, casting butterfly-wing shadows beneath her eyes.

It wasn’t until her classmate Xue Wan tapped her shoulder lightly with a book that Ju Chen finally turned her head, as though she had just noticed their presence.

Xue Wan’s gaze landed on the tip of her brush, frowning slightly. “Didn’t the color-filling exam already end? Why are you still practicing double outlines?”

Ju Chen sighed softly. “Lady Shen always says my paintings aren’t good enough. I’m just trying to improve.”

Xue Wan was surprised. “She’s been saying that forever. Why are you suddenly working so hard?”

Normally, the moment lectures ended, Ju Chen would sneak off somewhere. But now she obediently stayed in the academy, diligently studying—it was indeed surprising.

Another classmate, Lu Yun, echoed the sentiment with a laugh. “Aren’t you usually just aiming to pass?”

Ju Chen responded seriously, “Precisely because I lack talent, I have to make up for it with effort. I’m already a block of useless stone—only through grinding can the surface begin to shine.”

A commotion rippled through the pavilion.

“Talent or not, how could you be a block of useless stone?”

“This is the strictest girls’ academy in the Eastern Capital, where the system is meritocratic and harsh. You, Li Ju Chen, are our famous score-controller.”

“You always get just the right score—barely passing when it requires a pass, full marks when it requires full. Your motto is ‘just enough to pass, anything more is a waste,’ and you never give the academy a chance to expel you.”

“With such control, isn’t that a kind of exceptional talent? We’re all jealous of you whenever exams come around.”

But Lady Shen was stern by nature and thought Ju Chen relied too much on clever tricks. She was always critical of her. Ju Chen, however, was carefree and unconventional, never afraid of societal norms or bound by rules. Lady Shen accused her of being “lucky as stepping in dog poop,” so Ju Chen insisted on being lucky every single time.

This rebellious girl now suddenly announced, “I want to become a great talented lady—learned, refined, gentle, and accomplished in all the arts: music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.”

Of course, no one doubted she could master the arts.

“Learned and gentle?” Xue Wan repeated incredulously.

Ju Chen thought it over. That was indeed hard to master in a short time. She compromised: “At least my reputation needs to improve a little.”

Xue Wan frowned even more. “Why are you suddenly caring about such superficial things?”

Because in her past life, it was exactly what destroyed her.

Ju Chen didn’t answer. She merely smiled faintly, picked up her brush again.

Lu Yun wasn’t satisfied with the conversation ending there. She leaned closer and asked, “So, are you going to Mount Li over the break?”

Ju Chen didn’t even turn her head. “I might spend it in the library reading.”

Lu Yun raised an eyebrow and nudged her. “You can read any time. Come to the hot springs—it’s fun.”

Xue Wan sighed lightly when Ju Chen didn’t answer, “Don’t push her. I don’t think she likes hot springs. Every year at Mount Li, I only see her father and younger siblings—never her.”

Ju Chen’s brush paused. Facing Lu Yun’s persistent questioning, she lowered her eyes, a faint, bitter smile on her lips. “I don’t really like it.”

Just then, a snowflake fluttered past the edge of the pavilion and landed gently on the back of Ju Chen’s hand.

The sky had begun to snow again.

The girls returned indoors, and Ju Chen, left to gather her sketching tools, was the last to enter.

Her seat was by the window. Just as she set her drawing board down, snowflakes fluttered inside and settled on the paper.

Ju Chen instinctively looked out the window.

Lu Yun, seated in front of her, helped wipe off the melting water and added, “We weren’t just going to the hot springs—we planned to visit the Three-Lives Stone in the Red Maple Forest and make wishes.”

The Three-Lives Stone in Mount Li was famous for its effectiveness. Rumor had it, all girls who prayed there eventually found suitable matches.

Xue Wan chuckled. “That reason’s even less convincing.”

Ju Chen never believed in divine fate or arranged love. She had no need for heaven’s help. In fact, she was famously popular among men in the capital.

“She always says she’s too adored to want to be tied down to just one man.”

Everyone laughed.

Ju Chen was quiet for a moment, then asked, “Is it really effective?”

“It is!” Lu Yun thought she was finally relenting, her eyes lit up as she clung to Ju Chen’s arm. “We’re eighteen now. No matter how much we study, unlike the men, we can’t take the civil exams. We’ll have to marry eventually. You’re so beautiful—you should think about your future. Surely your family has started considering matches for you?”

Ju Chen was silent.

“If they haven’t, it’s fine. I know a great candidate—my second brother! He’s handsome and would suit you perfectly. If you go to Mount Li, I’ll invite him to meet you?”

So that’s what this was about.

Ju Chen smiled faintly and asked, “Wouldn’t that be too forward?”

“He wouldn’t think so! He’s not afraid of anything—what I mean is, he’s very easygoing, it’s fine.”

Just then, the evening bell rang.

Ju Chen looked at the sky, lowered her head to pack up. “Maybe another time. I need to head back.”

Lu Yun frowned, “Why are you leaving so early? We haven’t even agreed on our holiday plans.”

Ju Chen rushed toward the door, winked playfully. “Next time. It’s snowing… my family’s probably waiting outside for me.”

“Hey—!” Lu Yun called after her.

Her green robe fluttered behind her. Ju Chen didn’t look back, leaving only a graceful silhouette.

Lu Yun sat down dejectedly. Xue Wan chuckled. “Why are you so bent on matchmaking your brother and her? With her temperament, could she even survive your family’s strict house rules?”

“I just think she’s perfect. I want her to be my sister-in-law. My second brother’s always unlucky in exams—he needs someone like Ju Chen to bring him luck.”

“But she’s not interested.”

“She didn’t say no! How do you know she’s not willing?”

Xue Wan sighed. “We’ve studied together for years. Have you ever seen her family pick her up in rain or snow?”

---

Ju Chen stepped through the academy gates.

Snow drifted down in flurries. Many carriages had come to pick up students—but none for her.

She stepped aside to let others pass, glanced briefly, then put on her cloak and carried her book box into the dusky streets.

As the sky darkened, the lively market turned quiet. Snowy streets were near-empty. Without the academy’s high walls, the world seemed colder.

Ju Chen exhaled and rubbed her hands. As she adjusted her cloak’s fur trim, she suddenly recalled a scene from her past life—being given poisoned wine by imperial decree on an evening just like this.

Back then, she’d sat alone in a dim dungeon, staring at a snowy white world through a small window.

Suddenly, a light appeared ahead.

A carriage approached. Under its canopy, a lantern glowed warmly.

There was no coachman. A striking white horse halted before her and turned its head, gazing at her with noble, intelligent eyes—eyes identical to its master’s.

Snow continued falling.

Ju Chen stood stunned for a moment before reaching out.

The horse lowered its head reluctantly, brushing her hand with its nose.

She playfully ruffled its mane, messing it up, and caught the disdain and resignation in its gaze. It had ignored her in her past life—now, it had no choice.

Ju Chen giggled and stepped onto the carriage, feeling much lighter.

Inside, it was warm and cozy, lined with fur. Hot ginger tea awaited. One cup in, her whole body relaxed.

Once Ju Chen boarded, the horse’s pace changed. No longer lazy, it charged forward, drawing the carriage toward a secluded courtyard.

The yard was quiet, with only the sound of trickling water.

A soft mist rose from a clear spring at the door, where ever-blooming water lilies thrived.

This was “Fare-Worry Retreat,” a refined residence, each detail carefully arranged.

Ju Chen walked in like she belonged. Beyond the door stood a beautifully carved screen with snowy cranes.

She set down her book box and sat before the bronze mirror, removing her student’s headdress.

A cascade of black hair fell. In the mirror, her youthful face stared back.

Even now, looking at her raven-colored hair, she felt slightly dazed. She couldn’t forget that once, for the sake of the Great Liang dynasty, she had grayed her entire head.

A tall figure silently entered, lifting the curtain.

Just as Ju Chen reached the coat rack and began to undo her sash, she was suddenly embraced from behind.

Startled, she turned sharply.

The man before her was a full head taller, with elegant features, dressed in dark robes. His relaxed demeanor only enhanced his noble air.

Their eyes met. Ju Chen seemed scorched by the gaze and coughed lightly to hide her delight. “You’re back?”

He didn’t answer—just gently tilted her chin and kissed her.

His hand slid beneath her robe, only to be stopped by hers.

He raised his eyebrows slightly. Ju Chen whispered, “I haven’t bathed yet…”

Song Mi raised a brow and withdrew.

Ju Chen sighed quietly, then, cheeks flushed, turned her back to remove her outer robe.

As she headed to the bath, he suddenly stepped forward and scooped her up.

Caught off guard, Ju Chen gasped and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

He carried her straight into the screen-covered bathing room.