Chapter Thirteen: Survival Amidst Peril

Peach Blossom was Ling Heng’s personal maid, as well as a concubine maid.

The Marquis Wuwei’s residence was filled with beauties, and among them, Peach Blossom was only average in appearance. However, having accompanied Ling Heng since childhood and assisted him in handling numerous affairs, she was considered a prominent maid in the household.

But as Peach Blossom grew older, Ling Heng’s favor toward her waned.

One day, Jiang Zhuo unexpectedly discovered that Peach Blossom was secretly involved with Zhang Meng, a guard in the residence.

Previously, Jiang Zhuo and Lin Rou’er had been at odds repeatedly, both discontent with Peach Blossom’s management of the household’s resource distribution. This time, Peach Blossom unwittingly handed them a weapon, and Jiang Zhuo promptly reported the matter to Ling Heng.

Upon learning the truth, Ling Heng flew into a rage, mercilessly beating Peach Blossom and Zhang Meng—the reckless lovers—before selling Peach Blossom to a servant trader and expelling the badly beaten Zhang Meng from the Marquis’s residence.

No one expected that the gravely wounded Zhang Meng would spend his entire fortune to buy Peach Blossom back, nor did anyone foresee that after Zhang Meng’s death, a vengeful and despondent Peach Blossom would hold a grudge against the informant, Jiang Zhuo.

Jiang Zhuo had always loved gold and silver jewelry. Relying on Ling Heng’s favor, she would personally leave the residence on the fifteenth of every month to select the latest fashionable ornaments at the Treasure Pavilion. Knowing Jiang Zhuo’s routine well, Peach Blossom concealed a dagger in her sleeve, squeezed through the crowd alone, and attempted to stab Jiang Zhuo.

Startled and panicked, Jiang Zhuo narrowly escaped with her life but was left with a deep scar across her face, forever disfiguring her appearance.

Such a minor matter as a lost entertainer—why would it be handled by Peach Blossom, a maid so close to the Marquis?

Recalling Lin Rou’er’s parting warning, Jiang Zhuo suddenly realized it might have been a subtle reminder.

Growing cautious, Jiang Zhuo quietly removed the hairpin from her bun, clenched it tightly, surveyed her surroundings, and began strategizing an escape.

“Lady Sile, we’ve arrived. Li, the flute player, was frightened and is waiting for you inside,” Peach Blossom called out just as Jiang Zhuo was about to flee. “Where are you going, Lady Sile?”

Seeing Jiang Zhuo’s attempt to escape, Peach Blossom’s face remained smiling sweetly, but beneath the cold moonlight, she resembled a cruel ghost with a false smile, sending chills down Jiang Zhuo’s spine.

“The banquet is pressing; I won’t go in. Peach Blossom, please do me the favor of bringing Li out. That would be faster—”

Peach Blossom ignored Jiang Zhuo’s plea. Instead, a pair of large hands suddenly appeared, pushing Jiang Zhuo forcefully from behind.

Caught off guard, Jiang Zhuo stumbled through the slightly ajar door and fell into a pitch-black room.

Immediately, a strange, cloying fragrance enveloped her.

Clutching her mouth and nose, Jiang Zhuo turned to push the door open, but it was swiftly locked, immovable despite her efforts.

Damn it!

The room was utterly dark, devoid of any sign of life, let alone Li.

Calm down! Must stay calm!

Forcing herself to steady her trembling body, Jiang Zhuo closed her eyes. After letting them adjust to the darkness, she opened them again and could barely make out her surroundings.

She saw that the room was sparsely furnished—only a bed, a couch, a table, and two stools. The window at the back was nailed shut with wooden slats, clearly a secret chamber.

Feeling the drug’s effects set in, Jiang Zhuo’s body grew increasingly feverish.

She tried to break the window but her legs weakened, nearly causing her to collapse.

“Is it done?” a shadowy voice asked.

“The person is inside. Please wait a moment, Marquis. Once the drug takes full effect, it won’t harm you,” another voice replied.

Outside, two voices spoke faintly.

It was Ling Heng and Peach Blossom.

Their familiar tones stirred a deep fear in Jiang Zhuo’s heart.

She must not end up with the same fate as in her past life!

Gritting her teeth, Jiang Zhuo pricked her palm with the hairpin. The searing pain and flowing blood rekindled her willpower. Summoning her strength, she lifted a wooden stool and smashed it against the window.

Wood splinters flew as the cool night breeze and moonlight streamed inside, slightly dispersing the sweet, narcotic scent.

Jiang Zhuo was grateful that Ling Heng had always favored luxury; the furniture in the Marquis’s residence was made of rosewood, much sturdier than ordinary wood.

Though still burning within, Jiang Zhuo felt her mind clearing. Using both hands and feet, she climbed to the window only to find a pond outside.

The bright moonlight reflected on the rippling water’s surface.

At that moment, Jiang Zhuo realized she could not swim.

“What’s all this commotion?” a voice asked.

“Jiang Sile is still a virgin after all. It’s natural for her to be upset in such a situation,” another replied.

“Be cautious. Don’t let anything go wrong.”

“...Yes, mistress. I’ll check right away.”

The figures outside approached, and Ling Heng and Peach Blossom were about to open the door.

Jiang Zhuo clenched her jaw, blinked, and jumped.

Though it was late spring to early summer, the pond water was still icy cold at night.

The burning sensation from the drug quickly faded, replaced by a weightless feeling.

Her elaborate Sile uniform soaked through, growing heavy like shackles.

The water reached Jiang Zhuo’s neck, filling her ears and nostrils.

Suddenly, all around was silent.

No quarrels, no schemes, no mockery.

How wonderful.

Jiang Zhuo felt utterly exhausted and longed to quietly fall asleep.

In a daze, she thought she heard someone calling her name.

No, no!

This life must not end so abruptly!

“Help—mmph! Somebody—”

Just as she tried to shout for help, panic caused her to inhale pond water, nearly choking her.

No! After coming so far, after forging a different path from her previous life, she could not die like this!

She hadn’t avenged those who hurt her, hadn’t reunited with her father, hadn’t found the general who once helped her in the snow...

So unwilling, truly unwilling!

In despair, Jiang Zhuo summoned her last ounce of courage, stretched her legs, and—stood up from the water.

Jiang Zhuo: “...”

Looking down, she realized the pond water only reached her chest.

Of course—this was an artificial garden pond; it couldn’t be very deep.

Wiping the water from her face with some exasperation, she turned to see Lin Rou’er and her companions standing silently by the shore.

Lin Rou’er: “...”

Jiang Zhuo: “...”

Just moments ago, Jiang Zhuo had not wanted to die. Now, she felt a bit like it.

Why did fate force her to make such a fool of herself in front of her old enemies?

She truly wished she could find a hole to crawl into. Tears brimmed as she looked up at the bright moon, feeling as if she could gouge out an entire Forbidden City with her toes.