Chapter 4: Unexpectedly Reborn

"Brother, we have lived under the same roof for years; would you rather believe an outsider than me?"

"Just because I am enamored with you, do I deserve to die? Must I be sent to the mountains to be bullied and insulted at will?"

"This Jingxin Nunnery is no place of worship—it is a devil’s den that devours people whole! Do you know they consort with men every night? Do you know they beat and berate me? Do you know that for these past three years, I have written countless letters soaked in my own blood, only for them to vanish into the void?"

Shen Xianyue stumbled, her tears turning into streaks of blood.

"You didn't know, just as you didn't know that everything behind this was orchestrated by that very person you call gentle and kind."

"I was wrong. I was so terribly wrong. I was blind; I should never have befriended that ungrateful wretch."

With those words, she suddenly threw her head back and laughed—a sound filled with agony and despair that cut to the bone, each note dripping with blood, every syllable tearing at her heart.

"Father, Mother, your daughter regrets everything!"

Before the two of them could react, Shen Xianyue plunged her hairpin into her own neck without hesitation. Blood sprayed instantly, and she collapsed softly to the ground.

Her fingers were still tracing the magnolia flower at the end of the hairpin.

In her delirium, she saw that gentle woman placing the white jade hairpin in her hair, smiling radiantly as she said, "Your father carved this himself. It looks so beautiful on our Yueyue."

"Father is amazing! This magnolia looks so real."

The man, who had been practicing with his sword, walked over, his hearty laughter carrying far, and placed his rough, calloused hands gently upon her head. "As long as you like it, Yueyue. When you marry one day, I will prepare a complete set of white jade jewelry for you. No matter how powerful your husband's family is, they will never dare to slight you!"

"She is still just a child; why say such things?"

"What of it? Our Yueyue is destined to be cherished. She will be her father’s precious treasure all her life."

Shen Xianyue’s consciousness began to fade. She seemed to hear someone calling her name in the distance.

But it no longer mattered. A smile touched the corners of her lips; she was about to see her father and mother again.

...

"Father! Mother!"

Shen Xianyue bolted upright, her brow beaded with sweat, her face deathly pale, still trembling from the shock.

"What is it? A nightmare again?"

She turned her head, only to find Xiao Liyang sitting by the bed. How could this be?

Could it be that she hadn't died? Had she been saved?

"Do you miss them again? After the palace banquet tomorrow, I will take you to pay your respects to your aunt and uncle, shall I?"

As he reached out with a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her brow, Shen Xianyue pulled back, causing his hand to freeze in mid-air.

A palace banquet? Wasn't that three years ago?

A terrifying realization dawned on her.

She... she seemed to have returned to three years ago!

It was this very day she had heard rumors that the Emperor intended to grant her a marriage. She had panicked and rushed over to ask what was happening, but she had slipped on the path, fallen, and lost consciousness.

When she woke, she had poured out her heart to Xiao Liyang, only for him to accuse her of being shameless and violating moral codes.

That very night, the Emperor granted the marriage, and Xiao Liyang refused on the grounds that she needed to pray for her parents. The Emperor, remembering General Shen’s sacrifice for the nation, dropped the matter.

The next day, she was sent to Jingxin Nunnery.

Thinking of those three years of torture, she shuddered involuntarily. Since heaven had granted her a second chance, she would absolutely, under no circumstances, repeat the same mistakes.

But now, she was still just a naive young lady who didn't know the ways of the world. Even knowing who her future murderer was, she couldn't seek revenge yet. She had to stay composed and wait for an opportunity.

Shen Xianyue forced a smile. "It's nothing. I just heard that the mountain in the south is being cleared, and I was worried about my parents' graves. I wanted to ask Brother to take me to see them."

She didn't know if it was her imagination, but Xiao Liyang seemed to freeze for a moment after she spoke.

He quickly recovered.

He reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and said dotingly, "Don't worry. Only a small piece of land in the South Mountain is being cleared for a stable. The graves are on the other side. Besides, your parents were heroes who died for the country; no one would ever disturb them."

Yet in her past life, he had called them heroes while driving her to her death.

Shen Xianyue lowered her head, hiding the resentment in her eyes, and murmured, "But I miss them."

Xiao Liyang sighed softly. "The day after tomorrow, I will take you to see them."

Shen Xianyue nodded to indicate she wanted to rest. After Xiao Liyang instructed the maid to take good care of her, he stood up and left.

Once Xiao Liyang was gone, Yingxia stepped forward to tuck the blankets around Shen Xianyue. "Miss, you frightened me to death today! But the young master is truly good to you—he ran all the way here the moment he heard you were hurt!"

"Enough. I don't want to hear it. You may leave; I want to sleep."

Yingxia had served her since childhood and naturally obeyed. She closed the door and went outside.

To her surprise, she turned to find Xiao Liyang still standing outside the room. Startled, she hurried to curtsy.

Xiao Liyang’s eyes were dark. He stared at the room for a long time before slowly asking, "Who did the young lady see today?"

Yingxia stole a cautious glance at him and replied respectfully, "Today in the back garden, she met the Fifth Miss. The Fifth Miss asked me to step away, saying she had something to discuss. Then, the young lady suddenly ran back in a panic, and without paying attention, she slipped and fell."

Xiao Liyang remained silent for a long time, lost in thought.

Only after a long while did his voice emerge: "From now on, stay by your mistress's side at all times. Do not listen to anyone other than her."

"If this happens again, you will be punished."

Yingxia nodded hurriedly.

The evening palace banquet was grand and bustling. The Emperor hosted officials of the fifth rank and above, along with their families, to welcome General Xiao home after his great victory.

Shen Xianyue remained lost in the sorrow of her past life, the surrounding revelry only making her feel more isolated.

"Yueyue, are you aware that the Fifth Miss was confined to her quarters today?"

Lady Xiao’s voice cut through the air, and Shen Xianyue pulled herself together.

"In reply to Mother, I am not."

Lady Xiao’s expression remained unchanged as she glanced at her sideways. "Whether you truly know or not is irrelevant. The Marquis's estate rises and falls together. Even though she is the daughter of the second branch, she is still a Xiao. Do not let private family matters make us a laughingstock for others."

Before Shen Xianyue could respond, Lady Xiao lifted her wine cup to exchange pleasantries with someone who had come to toast her.

Shen Xianyue leaned back and whispered, "What happened to the Fifth Miss?"