Chapter Forty-Nine: Changed

Madam Yang listened to her words, unable to describe the feeling in her heart.

For over a decade, her impression of the second girl had always been that of a timid and frail nature. She would cry when scolded, cry when beaten, and as long as she was given some food and served by a maid, it was easy to forget she even existed at all.

But ever since falling into the water, her temperament had changed dramatically.

Yet Madam Yang believed it was only because the engagement with the Zhang family had been settled, and the girl felt she now had someone to rely on, so she dared to speak more in the household, occasionally even answering back. It was nothing more than a young girl’s petty tricks; though she scolded her in her heart, she never truly considered her an opponent, still treating her as a tool to be ordered about at will.

But yesterday, when even the master of the house was at a loss, this girl unexpectedly stepped forward, said such bold words, forced into a corner, she picked up the wine jar...

Such a thing—let alone an ordinary girl—Madam Yang knew even she herself could not have done it.

Where did she find such courage?

Madam Yang barely recognized the person before her.

“You speak with such bitterness and resentment. Do you even regard your father and me? The master is the head of the family—how could a mere girl like you take on responsibility? Even if I look down on you, I am still the lady of this house; it’s not your place to meddle in affairs, acting so brash and unruly as if you have great abilities. The master is already at his wits’ end cleaning up your mess.”

She looked her over. “Only you, Second Miss, get to lie comfortably in bed to recover. Once engaged, you become precious and we all must serve you!”

“Mother, I dare not accept your words. As for being reckless, it was merely my desperation to clear my name—a lapse in judgment. Please do not blame me.”

Xu Ruo-jin’s tone softened slightly.

She cared little for Madam Yang’s opinion, for whatever she did, the woman would never show her a kind face or speak a gentle word.

What mattered to her was her father...

Had her father truly taken issue with her, Madam Yang would not have come charging in like this.

She would never back down when she needed to be strong, but she also knew when to yield.

After all, she was Xu Ruo-jin, living in this era, and had to abide by its rules.

“Enough. You just fell into the water not long ago, and now you’ve almost caused another disaster by drinking. The doctor has prescribed medicine for you; take it for a while to recover. We’ll see how you are in a few days. You must remember, you are not just yourself—you are a member of the Xu family!”

After issuing her warning, Madam Yang’s tone softened a little. “While you’re recuperating, it’s a good time for me to choose a maid to accompany you as part of your dowry. If you meet her early, you’ll become familiar. If you end up clashing with your maid after marriage, the Zhang family will laugh at us.”

“What about the matron?” Xu Ruo-jin immediately thought of He Miao.

Madam Yang frowned. “That’s not urgent. It can wait until after the New Year.”

Xu Ruo-jin wanted to mention He Miao but swallowed her words. If she brought her up now and Madam Yang had other intentions, it might bode ill for He Miao…

After a few more admonishments, Madam Yang left with Nanny Huang.

Nanny Huang had not spoken a word today. Usually sycophantic and quick to flatter, she remained silent. As soon as they stepped outside, Madam Yang asked her, “Don’t you find the second girl odd?”

“What does Madam mean?”

“Where does she get such nerve?” Madam Yang still couldn’t let it go. “You saw what happened yesterday. I still feel uneasy thinking back—the whole crowd watching, even the master couldn’t think of a solution, yet she rushed out boldly.”

“But even if Second Miss was rash, she managed to turn things around. All those gawking bystanders ended up on her side. Even the master gained a good reputation for being upright and impartial. I’ve heard people outside say the Xu family’s second daughter is clever and talented, not the sickly, frail girl rumor made her out to be.”

Nanny Huang’s words slowed Madam Yang’s steps, her frown deepening. “This girl needs to be watched. She must not be allowed to get too bold.”

“But the wedding date is set. She’ll be married off in a few months. What is there to worry about?”

Nanny Huang didn’t understand Madam Yang’s concern. The latter shook her head, “You don’t understand. I have a bad feeling… It’d be best if she spent the next few months quietly in her courtyard, then left straight for her wedding. That would be most trouble-free.”

“You mean—?” Nanny Huang dared not finish.

Madam Yang’s gaze darkened. “Find a few tough maids to keep an eye on her. She must not be allowed to stir up trouble!”

Once Madam Yang left, Chun Cao returned and went to fetch medicine for Xu Ruo-jin.

As she prepared the decoction, she couldn’t help but nag, “Second Miss, please don’t mind me saying this, but Madam was right. You really were too reckless yesterday. You nearly scared me to death. The master is an official in the county—who would dare do anything to you? Why step forward yourself?”

Xu Ruo-jin gave a bitter smile.

She could blame anyone, but she could not voice her disappointment in her father.

“I saw Zhang Zhong-heng yesterday.”

Her words made Chun Cao stare wide-eyed.

“Yes, it was him!”

Thinking of Zhang Zhong-heng’s cunning, sinister smile, Xu Ruo-jin’s voice grew cold. “I suspect he was behind all this. Even if Li Zhong-lin was drunk, the servants could have just carried him away to wait for the doctor. Why would people come at us one after another? As you said, Father is the county registrar—who would dare push the Xu family to the brink?”

“In fact, it’s not the Xu family being pressed—it’s me. If I hadn’t stood up and fought back yesterday, who knows how it would have ended.”

Chun Cao’s hands trembled at her words, nearly spilling the medicine.

“Master Zhang wouldn’t be so ruthless, would he? You’re his fiancée—why would he go so far?”

Chun Cao stammered in disbelief. Xu Ruo-jin closed her eyes, lips moving faintly, “Because he never wanted this engagement at all.”

“He already pushed you into the lake, and now this…”

Chun Cao dared not think further. If that was the case, Second Miss would have no peace after marriage.

She looked at Xu Ruo-jin with pity. “Why not tell Madam?”

“Do you think they’d believe me?”

Xu Ruo-jin didn’t expect much. “Besides, I have no proof. He only watched from the side—there’s no way to say he was behind it.”

“Then what should we do?” Chun Cao was completely at a loss, never having faced such circumstances.

Xu Ruo-jin clenched her small fists again and again. “In this life, everyone faces all kinds of hardships. Even if forced to the edge, I won’t give up. I will fight my way through bravely. No matter what lies ahead, I will live with comfort and ease. That is the true victory!”