Chapter 7

When we left Tangshan Hall, Nanny Ruan leaned close to my ear. “Are we leaving it at that?”

I looked toward the distant rockeries and pavilions and gently shook my head.

“This ends only when one side is dead. How could I let it go so easily?

“But I intend to live openly and honorably from now on. They must make the first move.

“Don’t worry, Nanny. They won’t be able to hold back much longer.”

Nanny Ruan stroked my hair tenderly.

“Why must my poor young lady suffer so much?”

Yes, I had suffered. But I was fortunate too.

Heaven had given me another life, and the chance to turn defeat into victory!

From the moment I awoke and saw Jiang Shuang, I had been planning all this.

So I had sent word early on, asking Grandfather to send several of his ship’s guards to the capital.

They had fought pirates. The guards in the capital, who had never seen bloodshed, could not compare with them.

When Father arranged for men to set fire to Minglang Court, they discovered it at once.

“What shall we do now, my lady?”

My gaze darkened. “Where is Jiang Shuang?”

“With the Marquis of Cheng’en. He’s made her wear a veil. He said her eyes look most like yours, so with her face covered, no one will suspect you’re two different people. They’ll claim her face was burned and scarred.”

So that was how they had fooled everyone in my previous life.

“Come. I’ll go and see with you.”

When the guard brought me near Father and Jiang Shuang, they were waiting grimly for news.

“Once the fire grows, I’ll send you over there. Pretend to run out of the building. You needn’t speak—your throat will have been hurt by the smoke.”

Jiang Shuang gave a careful little assent.

Father looked at her fondly. “You’ve suffered this time. Who would have thought that little bastard would suddenly turn into a different person?

“Once you have her dowry, sell two of the shops first. Give it a little time, and the family will recover.”

He looked at the distant glow of the growing fire and sighed. “The Duke of Yan’s heir is certainly reliable. He got it done so quickly.”

The Duke of Yan’s heir? Pei Yu?

That was unexpected. Had Pei Yu actually come himself?

I had been wondering how to avenge his share in my death, and now he had delivered himself to my door. Heaven was helping me after all!

I laughed coldly and looked again at Father and Jiang Shuang, their delight plain on their faces.

So they had been conspiring together all along. Pei Yu wasn’t truly in love with Jiang Shuang either. Money had drawn them all together.

The Duke of Yan’s family had produced Consort Pei, the Third Prince’s mother.

Contending for the throne required vast sums of silver.

That was why they had set their sights on the wealthy Cheng’en household.

In my previous life, the dowry Jiang Shuang took into the Duke of Yan’s house must have been Father’s indirect contribution to the Third Prince.

“Come. We’re going back!”

I looked at the guard. “Pei Yu has served in the army too. Are you confident you can evade him?”

“Rest assured, my lady. Concealing our movements is what we do best!”

I smiled. Of course. How else could they trade through waters controlled by pirates, if they couldn’t hide?

“Then let’s show them what we can do!”