Chapter 2: A Life of Toil in Both Lifetimes

Zhuang Xiaoyu had only been taken in by the old man for five years before the roles reversed and she started taking care of him.

She’d thought being reborn as a noble young lady meant living in luxury, with food and clothes served to her on a silver platter—but no, the old man had taken her up into the mountains instead.

“You old man, your cooking is awful. I’ve had enough!”

“If you can do better, then you do it.”

And so, from the age of five, she took over all the cooking and cleaning.

“Old man, tell me—why did you even take me away? You ruined my life as a rich young lady.”

“The will of heaven must not be revealed.”

“Didn’t you say I was full of resentment? With you spouting that kind of nonsense, wouldn’t people say I jinxed my own mother to death?”

“Zhuang Xian isn’t that foolish.”

“He’s not? If he wasn’t, would he have let you take his own daughter away?”

More than a decade passed in this way, filled with bickering. Unknowingly, Zhuang Xiaoyu became light-footed as a swallow and her internal strength grew deep.

The stinky old man told her she was eighteen now, her fate approaching—it was time to leave.

“When I’m gone, won’t you starve alone?”

“I won’t. You’re not my only disciple. The others have been off enjoying life for years—it’s time they showed me some filial piety.”

“Liar. Disciples? In all these years, not one of them’s come to see you.”

“Well, I never told them where I live.”

“What kind of disciple doesn’t even know where their master lives? Who are you trying to fool!”

“Once you leave, you won’t find me again. If fate allows, we’ll meet again.”

And with that, he kicked her off the mountain. He really did travel light—not even leaving her a way to return. Luckily, she’d set up a small business at the base of the mountain. Otherwise, she’d have had to beg her way back to the capital.

She withdrew all the silver from her shop just in case the old man had no money after she left. But when she went back to leave him some, she couldn’t find their place no matter how hard she tried. Just like he said—once she left, she could no longer find him.

“Damn, that cranky old man might really be a deity. If I’d known, I would’ve asked to learn immortality from him! What a waste of all those years.”

She had thought about leaving the shop behind to fund the old man’s wine habit, but it looked like he wouldn’t need it. So she sold the place and took the silver to the capital.

Zhuang Xun only stayed at the residence for two days before returning to his academy. At such a young age, he already acted like a stern scholar—if this continued, he’d turn into a total bookworm.

“Is the academy far from home?” Zhuang Xiaoyu asked Xiaowan.

“It’s fifty li from the capital. An hour by carriage.”

“So that means half an hour on horseback.”

“Elder Sister, what are you planning?”

“Nothing, I was just thinking we could go visit him sometime. Want to come?”

“Stepmother won’t approve.”

“Why not? We’re going to bring him some warmth and care—why would she be against that?”

“She’d say we’d distract Brother Xun from his studies.”

“Don’t you think he’s already turning into a bookworm?”

“Books are important. He needs to pass the exams. How can he do that without studying?”

“There’s more to life than just books.”

…

“This must be the sister who came back from the countryside, right? First thing she does is try to ruin Brother Xun’s studies. What kind of motive is that?” A girl in a pale yellow dress entered the room.

“There are more sisters in this house?”

Zhuang Xiaoyu didn’t recognize her. She’d been back for days and hadn’t heard of this one.

“Elder Sister, this is Cousin   from our uncle’s side. She’s two years older than me and visits often.”

“Clearly. Barging in without even announcing herself—seems like she doesn’t consider herself an outsider.”

“Typical country folk—so rude and blunt, aren’t you?”

Oh hell no. This little green tea is looking for a beating. Zhuang Xiaoyu stood up and took two steps toward her, scaring Zhang Xue into stumbling back.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m a rough country girl, right? What do you think I’m doing?”

“Elder Sister, don’t! We’re all family,” Xiaowan said, rushing to hold her back.

Zhang Xue always talked like that—sweet on the surface, full of barbs underneath. Stepmother had told her not to follow her example, and she’d also said that Xiaoyu had a bit of a temper and shouldn’t be provoked. But what if they really started fighting?

“Are you two close?” Zhuang Xiaoyu asked.

“Elder Sister, she’s family, and we see her often. It wouldn’t be good to hit her.”

“Exactly! I only said a few truths—it’s not like I was being that mean,” Zhang Xue said, clearly a little guilty.

“She wasn’t being mean?” Zhuang Xiaoyu turned to Xiaowan again.

“Big Sister, just let it go for my sake, please don’t be angry anymore.”

“Fine. Then apologize to me.”

Zhang Xue looked at Zhuang Xiaoyu’s cold and aloof expression and actually felt a bit intimidated. She had a gut feeling that if she didn’t apologize, she might really get beaten up.

“Cousin, I’m sorry. It’s my fault—I shouldn’t have said those things.”

“Alright, I’ll let it go this time. But remember—you’re just a cousin. You have no right to meddle in matters concerning Wan’er and Xun’er.”

“Got it,” Zhang Xue replied meekly.

“Your name is pretty—‘Xue’ like snow. Too bad it’s not as pure as snow.”

Zhang Xue: My name is Zhang Xue, not Bai Xue (White Snow)…

Zhang Xue didn’t dare linger. After mumbling a few words, she quickly left.

“I was just trying to scare her. I wasn’t actually going to hit her.”

If she did throw a punch, she’d have to be careful with her strength. Otherwise, she might really kill someone.

“Big Sister, you were so impressive! Cousin Zhang is usually full of herself in front of others. That was the first time I’ve ever seen her back down like that!”

“Oh? I’m that awesome? Aren’t you scared of me?”

“I’m not! I treat you with sincerity. You wouldn’t hurt someone who treats you sincerely.”

“Good girl. You’re teachable.”

Lady Zhang had already begun to consider potential suitors in the capital for Zhuang Xiaoyu. At eighteen, she was a bit late to the game—many girls her age were already married.

Zhuang Xiaoyu’s temper still needed some smoothing out. Otherwise, she’d have trouble winning over her future mother-in-law.

If Zhuang Xiaoyu knew what Lady Zhang was thinking, she’d definitely say: Then I’ll just marry someone without a mother-in-law. Problem solved.

In recent days, Zhuang Xian hadn’t been picking on Zhuang Xiaoyu like before. In fact, he even looked oddly… pleased.

Zhuang Xian was the Prime Minister, part of the Emperor’s loyalist faction. Since his children were still underage, there were no official ties to the royal family yet. Even if the princes wanted to win him over, it wasn’t the right time.

But today, the Crown Prince suddenly asked about Zhuang Xiaoyu, setting off alarm bells in Zhuang Xian’s head.

He didn’t want Zhuang Xiaoyu to enter the Crown Prince’s residence. With that temper of hers, the palace would be in chaos within days.

Wan’er was still too young, and the inner palace was a treacherous place. She wouldn’t be able to survive the schemes. But if the Crown Prince insisted—how was he supposed to refuse?

Honestly, those weren’t even the biggest issues. The real problem was the Crown Prince’s character. It was terrible. He already had more than a few concubines and chambermaids, and he hadn’t even become Emperor yet. His harem was practically full already.

And sure enough, what he feared most came to pass—the Crown Prince suddenly visited the Prime Minister’s manor, bringing gifts for Zhuang Xiaoyu. His intentions were crystal clear.

Zhuang Xiaoyu asked Xiao Wan, “Does the Crown Prince visit often?”

“No. This is his first time.”

“What’s his personality like?”

“I heard from Father… his back courtyard is full of women.”

“I see. Got it.”

Zhuang Xiaoyu swaggered into the main hall and greeted Murong Xiao with an exaggerated, totally improper curtsy.

“Xiaoyu greets His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“No need for such ceremony, Lady Zhuang. I heard you just arrived in the capital—this is a welcome gift. Please accept it with a smile.”

“Hahaha…” Zhuang Xiaoyu accepted the gift, grinning foolishly.

“Xiaoyu, what are you giggling about? Hurry and thank His Highness properly.” Zhuang Xian glared at her. She was usually sharp-tongued with him, so how come she was suddenly acting like an idiot?

“But His Highness said ‘accept it with a smile’—so I smiled. What’s wrong with that?”

Zhuang Xian nearly facepalmed. So embarrassing.

“Hahahahaha! Lady Zhuang makes a good point. You’re not wrong at all. Hahaha…”

“Your Highness, why are you laughing like an idiot now?”

Zhuang Xiaoyu asked Murong Xiao with a dead-serious expression.

Murong Xiao stopped laughing. Before coming, he’d assumed Zhuang Xiaoyu would be rustic, timid, and unpresentable. He never expected her to be… a fool. A bold fool, at that.

“Your servant has failed in raising his daughter properly. I beg Your Highness for forgiveness.”

Zhuang Xian had already dropped to his knees in fear, praying the Crown Prince wouldn’t take offense.

“Father, what’s wrong? Did I do something wrong?”

“You unfilial girl, kneel and apologize to His Highness!”

“Why? What did I do wrong?”

…

Even after Murong Xiao left the Prime Minister’s estate, Zhuang Xiaoyu still wore a look of total confusion. She had no idea why her father knelt and begged for forgiveness, or why the Crown Prince had laughed so strangely.