Chapter One

  Xian Yi wiped the uneven window frame, the paint on top had almost all fallen off. Sometimes when she touched it with her hand, she could still feel a bit of residue left behind. Next to Xian Yi was a bucket of clear water, in this season, the well water still felt icy cold. She washed the cloth several times, and her delicate fingers were already starting to turn red and swollen. This was the first time since arriving in ancient times that she had spent such a day. Although she had always been a slave, with the protection of her mother and the merits of her father who had died as a loyal servant, she didn't live like a young lady, but absolutely lived more comfortably than most slaves in the Jin Fu household, to the point where it could be considered luxurious.

  However, at this time, even though Xianyi's life was not going smoothly, she felt that this was the most peaceful life she had lived since learning that the madam wanted to send her to be a concubine for her eldest brother-in-law. There were no mocking words from the main courtyard, whether intentional or unintentional, nor could she see those so-called sisters who used to get along with her but now stood aside, looking at her with strange eyes. Nor was there the madam and the elderly lady, who after her mother's passing, did not cherish past relationships, constantly coming back to bully her, hoping that she would not be able to bear the suffering and voluntarily become a concubine.

  Life suddenly became quiet, excluding all past things.

  Xian Yi carried the water bucket out, glancing at Pan Tao who was staring at her in surprise. The corner of her mouth curled up slightly. If she were really Yao Xian Yi, this kind of life might indeed force her to bow her head to the madam and fulfill the wishes of the madam and eldest daughter. Unfortunately, she had never been a person of wealth and status since her previous life. She had experienced lives that were even more bitter and laborious than this one. She wasn't as delicate as these people imagined. A high-quality life was indeed what she desired, but she could also accept days of poverty. What she cared about was living, not anything else. Moreover, although her current standard of living couldn't compare to before, it was still far from being impoverished.

  "Xian Xian Jie, how did you end up doing this?" Pan Tao said in a soft and hesitant tone as she saw Xian Yi walking over.

  Xian Yi turned her head and smiled: "Whoever does it is doing it, all the same."

  After finishing speaking, Xian Yi didn't bother to care about Pan Tao's little thoughts, and after pouring out the water in the bucket, she walked towards the house. She still remembered the first time she met Pan Tao, this little girl, and thought that her mind was simple and straightforward, although a bit impulsive. However, after being together for a long time, Xian Yi could only sigh that people are not as they seem at first glance. Fortunately, even though this girl had some small thoughts, it didn't matter much, and besides, who would want their original position to be taken by someone else? Xian Yi was too lazy to bother with her.

  The room still had that strange smell, even after opening the window to let in some air in the morning, it was unable to dispel the lingering breath. This breath contained not only a medicinal smell but also a suffocating dead air, which was a unique smell found only in the rooms of people who were chronically ill.

  Xian Yi carefully fed water to Madame Han, who had now become so thin that she was nothing but skin and bones. Her eyes were dull and lifeless, and she hadn't eaten for many days.

  Looking at Madame Han's weak appearance, Xian Yi felt a pang in her heart. Although she didn't understand the doctor's diagnosis of various illnesses, she vaguely sensed that Madame Han might have cancer. However, even if it wasn't said in this era, but also in modern times, cancer was still an incurable disease, so it was no wonder that Jin Fenghua had given up on using those harsh medicines on Madame Han and instead gradually switched to supplements with analgesic effects, probably thinking of letting Madame Han leave the world without too much suffering.

  Footsteps sounded outside, Xianyi walked to the side and turned her head to look, Jin Fenghua just happened to walk in, followed by Yatou Pantao who had been waiting outside.

  Xian Yi glanced at Taohua and then asked Jin Fenghua, "Has the lady really returned?"

  Jin Fenghua came over to take a look at her mother, then replied: "She's gone, with such a big thing happening, how could she still be staying in the Jin Mansion? Although Auntie likes to take advantage of small benefits, she absolutely wouldn't sell out her granddaughter to get back her honor."

  Xian Yi sighed, such a grandmother is not rare, but also not all, there are always some people who use the marriage of women in their family for their own benefit or for their children and grandchildren, sacrificing a daughter can bring benefits to their own family, this is not uncommon, at least in large families this has become the norm, but unfortunately, Mrs. Meng seems to have such kindness, only to be met with ingratitude from Meng Hualan.

  However, it's also possible that Mrs. Gu saw things clearly and knew that giving up her granddaughter would not bring any benefits to her daughters-in-law, given their nature. Jin Fenghua, as usual, liked to think of people in a bad light.

  Xian Yi really wanted to mock, but still endured it. The beautiful boy in front of her wasn't a harmless little kitten, and she still had nightmares about Jin Fenghua's murder and burial from time to time.

  "Is...my mother awake today?" Jin Fenghua asked hesitantly.

  Xian Yi hadn't spoken yet when Pan Tao walked over a few steps and said: "Auntie only drank some water today, she hasn't woken up yet."

  Xian clothing raised an eyebrow, no matter in which era, there will never be a lack of blue powder and water, but she is also too unfortunate, every time she becomes the target for others. Previously it was Lu Shuang, this time it seems that Pan Tao has been added, but Pan Tao seems to be only twelve years old, is it really okay to mature so early?

  Jin Fenghua didn't even notice Xun Tao, but instead reached out and grasped the hand of Xian Yi, just holding it like that, without saying a word.

  Xian Yi was not surprised, seeing Pan Tao biting her lower lip, with a hint of red around her eyes.

  It wasn't until a month later that Madame Han truly came to. Outside, everyone was celebrating the second young master's success in the imperial examination. Although he didn't rank particularly high, being selected as a candidate was still a great achievement. From now on, the second young master would be known as the second jinshi of the Jin family. The old master was overjoyed, not to mention the old lady and the first mistress. They were so proud that they wanted to tell the whole world. For a time, the entrance to the Jin estate was bustling with carriages and horses, as relatives and friends from all sides came to offer their congratulations. Without mentioning anything else, it was clear that next year, after the second young master had taken his post, he would definitely be appointed to an official position. The Jin family's two generations of officials would surely bring prosperity to the family from then on.

  The bustle was only for the other members of the Jin family, while Madame Han's courtyard remained as quiet as ever. By her side were only Jin Fenghua, Xian Yi, and Pan Tao. Even the old woman who had been with her for years had passed away half a month ago. When Madame Han woke up to see Xian Yi, she was first startled, then learned that Xian Yi had been sent here by the mistress, and revealed a comforting smile. This smile looked somewhat strange on her gaunt face, but when she gazed at Jin Fenghua, her eyes were too warm and loving, almost making one forget her current illness.

  "Mother..." Jin Fenghua furrowed his brow, sitting quietly on the edge of the bed. He didn't shed tears or choke back sobs; he just sat there, tightly grasping Madame Han's hand like a child afraid of losing his mother.

  "Okay...... Help me invite your grandmother over." According to Jin Fenghua, Han Yinniang had already arranged all the aftermath before she fell into a coma, so at this moment, Han Yinniang was leaning against the pillow, gazing lovingly at her son with reluctance to part.

  Jin Fenghua nodded and held her mother's hand again before standing up and walking out.

  "Pan Tao... you go outside and keep watch, see when the old lady comes over." Han Yiniang said with some difficulty.

  The peaches were unwilling and reluctant, but they couldn't disobey their master, so they could only glance at the immortal clothes for a moment before quietly leaving.

  Xian Yi was left alone, standing by the bed feeling somewhat uneasy. Although she had always been used as an excuse by Jin Fenghua, she would often sneak a peek at Han Niangniang, but being alone with her like this was unprecedented. She lowered her head, not daring to look at Han Niangniang's expression, and couldn't understand what Han Niangniang wanted to say to her.

  "Xian xian......" Aunt Han's voice was laced with fatigue and a subtle cautiousness that wasn't easily detectable.

  Xian Yi responded with a dry tone, "Auntie doesn't need to worry about Third Young Master, he's a lucky person. Auntie should take good care of herself, as Third Young Master will still be relying on her in the future."

  "Xian Xian, you're a good girl, I'll leave the glory to you in the future." Xian Yi had heard Mrs. Han say this more than once, but this time, she felt that there was something more in her words, and even the way she looked at Xian Yi seemed to carry a hint of understanding.

  Xian Yi's heart beats faster, she doesn't know if Han Niang has found out the truth, that she and Jin Feng Hua have joined forces to deceive her. She only feels that Han Niang's eyes are exceptionally bright today, this sentence carries more weight than usual, so heavy that she dares not respond lightly.

  "Fenghua has been sensible since he was young, but it's just that he's too sensible. As his mother, I've never been able to do anything for him. Xianxian, I've been worried for a lifetime, and now it's time for me to think carefully about the child." Madam Han's words were intermittent, but became more and more calm, while Xianyi had an increasingly bad feeling.

  "Aunt... Aunt..." Xian Yi's throat seemed to be choked by something, no matter if she had listened to Jin Fenghua's instructions and coaxed Han Yiniang in the past, but at this moment, she was truly calling out to her as "Aunt", because she deserved it, she was worthy of being a mother.

  The two of them waited silently for the passage of time, until a voice came from outside and a group of people hastily entered the room. Xian Yi then heard Han Niang call out tearfully: "Mother, you've come."

  Xianyi hastily walked over to one side and bowed to the old lady, saying: "Xian Xian greets you, elderly lady."

  The old lady came to the bedside with a wave of her hand, and when she saw the appearance of Mrs. Han, tears almost fell, holding Mrs. Han's hand tightly, muttering: "How did you become so thin, how could this be..."

  Aunt Han just sobbed: "It's the daughter-in-law who is unfilial, the daughter-in-law can't serve her mother again."

  The old lady had only come to see her former daughter-in-law, who had been sentenced to death by the doctor, out of respect for Jin Fenghua's face. But after seeing her and hearing what she said, she couldn't help but recall the scenes of her daily interactions with her mother-in-law in Linqing back then. At that time, her daughter-in-law was still young and beautiful, but now she had become like this. The old lady's heart softened, and she also shed tears.

  "Daughter-in-law is probably in trouble, before leaving, can mother look at daughter-in-law's good behavior and agree to two things for her." Han Niangniang tightly grasped the old lady, due to poor breathing, her face was red with suffocation.

  The old lady wiped away her tears, hesitated for a moment, and didn't dare to agree readily. What if Madame Han wanted to bury her with the rites of a wife in the ancestral tomb? Not to mention what Eldest Brother would say, but even if he agreed, Second Sister-in-law would absolutely not agree, and it would cause more trouble at home.

  "Daughter... the prime of life is not small, it's time to get married. After the daughter-in-law leaves, I'm afraid no one will take care of things anymore." Han Yiniang seemed to see the old lady's concerns and smiled bleakly, saying directly.

  "Don't worry, I'll take care of this!" The old lady agreed very quickly when she heard it wasn't about the family name.

  But Lady He shook her head, pointing to Xian Yi's clothes: "I don't think Xian Yi will amount to much, as long as she has enough to eat in the future, that's all. I've taken a liking to Xian Yi, please make the decision, Mother."

  The old lady opened her mouth, furrowed her brow, not because she thought that Jin Fenghua marrying Ya Tou was a humiliation, but because this Ya Tou was obviously from the eldest daughter-in-law's room. If she agreed to it, what if the eldest daughter-in-law didn't want to?

  "Mother... could it be that you don't even want to help your daughter-in-law with this small matter?" Han Niang's eyes were fixed on the old lady, her tears falling like a small stream from the corners of her eyes onto the quilt, looking extremely pitiful.

  The old lady thought of the good deeds of Mrs. Han towards her, and then thought of the evil of her eldest daughter-in-law, she suddenly became hot-headed and agreed: "It's just a little girl, since that's the case, I'll fulfill your wish."