Chapter One

  Xian Yi felt that the days of this period were like a dream, and she naturally became married. She inexplicably transformed from a slave to the legitimate wife of a young master. The boy who used to be covered in blood had changed into a completely different person since leaving the capital city. He was humble and courteous, treating people with warmth. Just when Xian Yi thought that Jin San Shao was going to abandon his evil ways and become good, he decided to take the path of imperial examination instead? When she heard this news, Xian Yi's first reaction wasn't joy or mixed feelings, but rather a feeling that this country was doomed. Don't ask her why she had such a premonition, and don't ask her how she felt about Jin Feng Hua being so powerful, because sometimes a woman's sixth sense is closer to the essence of things than a pile of evidence.

  It seems that Jin Fenghua has no intention of abandoning his evil ways and starting anew, but rather had been plotting this from a very early stage. Xian Yi is not in charge of the front yard at the Jin Manor, so she's not clear how Jin Fenghua and Jiang Fuzi got to know each other. However, she is very aware that Jin Fenghua has probably been laying the groundwork for today since Madame Han fell ill, because every scholar who wants to take the imperial examination must start from the county exam, and they must return to their hometown, even if their ancestors were born in the capital city three generations ago, as long as their household registration is still in their hometown. From now until next February, there are still more than half a year's time, but Xian Yi believes that this time is absolutely sufficient for Jin Fenghua.

  However, Jin Fenghua's affairs didn't make Xianyi worry too much. She quickly went to the library with Jin Fenghua at dawn, while Jin Fenghua was there to study, and she was sent by Jin Fenghua to Madam Jiang's place to learn how to be a real noblewoman. Xianyi had been a slave for so many years, and she never thought that one day she would be learning etiquette every day from morning till night. The humble and obedient attitude she had learned from her mother, which was the best education for a slave, had now become an obstacle in her learning of new knowledge. Even though she didn't think of herself as a lowly slave in her heart, years of habit still made her subconsciously think like a slave and act like one.

  Fortunately, Mrs. Chiang never showed any impatience, and it was not she who gave specific instructions, but rather a nanny who was said to have come from the palace, who had been by her side since childhood. The nanny had never married, her maiden name was Chu, and she was an old lady who looked gentle on ordinary days, but became strict and rigid when teaching, like a fierce nanny. If there was even a slight mistake in the fairy dress, she would not punish or scold, but only gaze at you with her somewhat cloudy eyes, as if trying to see through you, making you feel ashamed and want to hide. Nevertheless, under such intense training, the fairy dress had undergone a transformation from temperament to demeanor in just ten days, even Chen Nanny, the fairy dress's mother, couldn't help but sigh that the education of their family was completely different from that of the shallow-rooted official family. The foundation is built up over generations with countless wealth and culture, no matter how well you learn on the surface, inside it's always empty, a discerning eye can see through it at once, it's hard to deceive. So not only did the fairy dress have to learn on the surface, but also Mrs. Chiang specially took out time every day to teach her lessons, from books to arts, multiple categories, even including clothing matching and seasonal food, which was the most important and fulfilling experience in the fairy dress's life.

  Watching Xian Yi's changes, Jin Fenghua put his mind at ease. He knew that as long as Jiang Tai Tai agreed, she would wholeheartedly pour out her resources, which was a huge fortune for both of them. This was one of the few good thoughts Jin Fenghua had, and he used it three times on Xian Yi - first to save her, second to marry her, and third to teach her. Putting aside Han Niang's and his own curiosity, with normal marital life, this originally dispensable woman suddenly became clearer, like a silhouette by his side that was washed clean by water. He saw through her appearance, understood her little thoughts, and felt the warmth from her body. He had always been determined to walk his own path, and since his rebirth, no one could stop him except for himself. Although he could give up anyone if needed, this time he hoped Xian Yi could keep up with his pace. Even though it wouldn't be hard for him to get a wife from a prestigious family in the future, having Xian Yi by his side made him feel more at ease. This was also the result of his thoughts over the past few days, which led him to force Jiang Tai Tai to agree to this seemingly strange request. The outcome, however, clearly satisfied him.

  Looking at his wife's increasingly elegant demeanor, Jin Fenghua put down the brush in his hand and smiled as he waited. At this time, Xian Yi would always bring over a bowl of sweets, sometimes pastries, sometimes sugar water, all of which were things Jin Fenghua loved to eat. Jin Fenghua held onto that soft and delicate hand, looking at the red bean cake in the bowl, thinking about his past life where if anyone had known his habits, he would have been silenced, and couldn't help but feel a little dazed.

  "What's wrong? Doesn't it taste good?" Xian Yi noticed that Jin Fenghua had a sweet tooth, and although she thought it was amusing that a mysterious and powerful demon lord liked sweets, every time she saw Jin Fenghua eating sweets, she felt like it was the best flavor in the world. This was also why she kept searching for sweet treats, even if they were healthy ones.

  Jin Fenghua didn't move the spoon this time, but instead held Xianyi in her arms. Xianyi had already changed from being stiff and uncomfortable to now being thick-skinned and careless. Moreover, putting aside Jin Fenghua's nature, a handsome young man like him was still within reach, and he even forced her to eat, so what was she supposed to be shy about? Women also have the right to die under the peony flower!

  "It's really delicious." Jin Fenghua said in a low voice, he had always thought that the immortal clothes were like sweet honey food, and the sweetness was already pleasant just by being placed beside him, let alone now that it was eaten into his belly, and he felt even more irresistible.

  Xian Yi didn't understand, she just felt that Jin Fenghua was perfunctory to her, so she pulled Jin Fenghua's hand and said: "This red bean is marinated with honey water, the cake has removed the smell of mutton, the taste is sweet but not greasy, you try it, I guarantee you'll like it."

  Jin Fenghua hugged it for a while, then went to try his second favorite food, and indeed it melted in his mouth, which he liked.

  "I heard Guan Qi say that Tai Yiniang came a few days ago?"

  Xian Yi poured him a cup of longan tea and said, "How about it? And then there's your second aunt. She's been looking around, I don't know what she's thinking."

  "It's nothing but they've set their sights on my house." As for what these people have in mind, Jin Fenghua has been through a lot and seen all sorts of dark psychology, so even if someone is genuinely kind to him, he can still think of three parts malice, let alone when there are real intentions.

  Xian Yi's heart was also stuffy, but after all, they were not her family members, so she could only advise: "Didn't you all separate households? They can't possibly be eyeing their nephew's property."

  "It's all for the sake of that precious Jin Zhibao." Thinking about Jin Zhibao, who was both proud and wanted to test his relationship with Jiang Furen in the academy, Jin Fenghua said indifferently: "Tell them we often stay here. However, if they still come to bother us, there's nowhere on Mount Linqing that can't be used as a burial ground."

  Xian Yi suddenly felt that she might have just touched the edge of the house fight, but was violently intercepted by Jin Fenghua. What women's calculations, what elders' pressure, were so fragile in the face of such a ruthless and highly skilled man.

  When they learned that Jin Fenghua was going to live here permanently and had entered the study, He Shi and Tai Yiniang stopped making moves. Although they still occasionally came over to eat and take things, they were afraid of affecting Jin Zhibao's relationship with Jin Fenghua and Jiang Fuzi. Fortunately, they did so; otherwise, they might not have been able to get their hands on the house in the end, and would not even have left a complete corpse behind.

  The days passed in the continuous learning of the couple, and Xian Yi, no matter how good her aptitude was, could not truly become a daughter raised from a young age in a worldly family. However, with her identity and Jin Fenghua's current status, Mrs. Jiang felt that Xian Yi had learned quite well. Adding to this, some things still required time to settle, so Mrs. Jiang did not restrict Xian Yi to studying dry movements every day. Instead, she took her to attend gatherings of scholars' wives and officials in Linqing County, allowing her to experience the art of interacting with people and handling matters through eating, drinking, and playing. These experiences may not be apparent now but will be essential for Xian Yi's future as Jin Fenghua's ambitions will inevitably lead her to face women of increasingly higher social status, possibly even royalty one day. If she does not practice well now, when that day comes, Xian Yi might become a burden to Jin Fenghua.

  Although Mrs. Jiang was forced to teach Xian Yi, she also developed some feelings for her as they spent more time together. She didn't know if one day Xian Yi would block Jin Fenghua's path and whether Jin Fenghua would ruthlessly abandon her. So now, Mrs. Jiang had to constantly increase Xian Yi's value, making herself useful so that in the future she could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Jin Fenghua. Apparently, Xian Yi also deeply understood this point.

  "Jin Niangzi, I heard you used to be a slave in the Jin Manor?"

  "I've also heard that in the capital city, the servants are required to be especially strict, and if they make a mistake, will they be dragged out and beaten with a board?"

  Xian Yi sat in the chair, her expression unchanged, with a slight smile. Since Mrs. Jiang didn't come today, she knew there would be a tough battle, but she didn't expect there to be several foolish ones.

  "The capital's Jin family is naturally strict, after all, it's the Ministry of Justice Langzhongfu, but the rules are even stricter in the Ministry of Official Affairs Shangshu fu, where marquises' wives often come and go."

  The hall suddenly fell silent, and Xian Yi couldn't help but feel a chill in her heart. However, it was just a few rural ladies who dared to mock her. Although they had left the Jin family and didn't plan on returning, that didn't mean she couldn't take advantage of the situation. After all, she was also one of the three young masters of the Jin family's legitimate wife.

  "It's nothing, just a bastard child." A small voice came from the corner after a moment of silence.

  Xian Yi pretended not to hear, but Liang Shi, the wife of a fellow student who got along with her, pulled on her sleeve and whispered: "Last month my aunt returned from the capital, I heard that your family's young master's fiancée fell ill recently, even the wedding was postponed."