The viral post had already racked up over ten thousand comments. Many netizens were debating whether she intended to wipe out both Wanda and Walmart today.
In truth, she simply didn’t have the energy. After returning from Wanda, she had collected her takeout and retreated straight to her rented apartment. She sat on the floor, staring at the countdown on the wall. At eight o’clock tomorrow morning, she would transmigrate into the book.
Nervous! She was truly, incredibly nervous, yet filled with anticipation. Having grown up without a family, she longed to experience what it felt like to be cherished by kin. She was starved for affection—not romantic love, but familial bonds.
After contemplating for a while, she tried to rest, but her eyes remained wide open. No matter how she tried, she couldn't fall asleep. She didn't know how much time had passed before her eyelids finally began to grow heavy.
When she woke again, a soft, gentle voice reached her ears: "Fifth Miss, it is time for you to rise."
Si Jiuyue shivered as she heard the voice. She raised her eyes to look around. Soft gauze curtains, delicate flowers, and warm jade—whether it was the bed draped in pink linens or the exquisite yellow pear-wood vanity carved with lotus patterns, everything signaled that this was a young lady's boudoir.
She froze. Suddenly, a jolt like an electric shock coursed through her body. Memories of the original owner’s life came crashing down upon her like a tidal wave.
She clutched her head in pain. A maidservant nearby asked anxiously, "Fifth Miss, what is the matter?" Seeing Si Jiuyue in distress, the maid quickly turned to pour a cup of tea. "Perhaps you should have a sip of tea first?"
Si Jiuyue gave a soft murmur of assent. After taking a sip, she felt much better. She glanced down and, to her relief, saw the Tianling Snow Bracelet still on her wrist.
"Cui'er, what is the date?" she asked. She let out a long breath, needing to confirm the timing. She remembered that the date of the family's ruin was the fifteenth of June.
Cui'er thought for a moment before replying, "Fifth Miss, today is the twelfth of June!"
"Very well, I understand." A flicker of worry crossed her eyes as she let Cui'er help her wash and dress.
Once she was ready, she looked out at the fresh flowers. She pulled back the pink curtain, plucked one, and said softly, "Cui'er, you may go for now. I wish to be alone for a while."
"Yes, Miss!"She sat by the window, lost in thought, trying to decide what to do.
The family estate was to be raided in just three days.
In the original story, the original owner’s little nephew and sister-in-law both died, and her father had seemingly dashed his brains out against a wall. She absolutely could not let history repeat itself. According to the book, if she went out today, she would run into that jerk Xia Yunfei.
He would harass her.
She would refuse.
And that would lead to a catastrophic disaster.
So, she decided not to step out of the house today.
She stayed in her room until noon, when nine-year-old Si Yunche came skipping into her room to call her for lunch. She looked at the adorable little boy, thinking of how he would have his neck snapped by villains in three days’ time.
Her heart ached.
The child had died protecting his aunt.
Although she had nothing to do with this family before, she was the true Si Jiuyue now that she had transmigrated here. Since they shared the same name, perhaps this was her fated past life.
Si Yunche noticed that his aunt seemed a bit dazed today. He waved a hand in front of her face, tilted his head, and smiled."Let's go, Aunt. The kitchen made your favorite beggar's chicken today. My mother specifically instructed the cook to prepare it for you."
"Oh, marvelous! Your mother is truly thoughtful."
Si Jiuyue beamed with delight.
She had been fond of beggar's chicken back in her modern life as well. She followed Si Yunche all the way to the front hall. The household did not have many servants; even though Si Boyan held the rank of Chancellor, he was incredibly incorruptible and insisted on doing whatever he could for himself.
His three wives were the same.
Many of their personal garments were stitched by the sisters-in-law, needle by needle; even the undergarments she was wearing currently had been crafted by them. They were very comfortable to wear.
As soon as she entered the floral hall, Old Madam Si smiled and beckoned her to sit by her side. "Jiuyue, come here, sit next to Grandmother. Your eldest sister-in-law ordered the beggar's chicken for you today; it’s your absolute favorite. I’ve already told everyone that no one is allowed to fight you for the drumsticks.""Not even for Che'er and Jin'er," Si Jiuyue replied, her nose stinging at the words.
Her eyes turned slightly red. No one had ever cherished her like this before.
She rubbed her nose, walked over, and sat down beside Old Madam Si, feeling a bit reserved. "This isn't right. I'm an adult now; you should give it to Che'er and Jin'er instead."
Madam Fang, her eldest sister-in-law, shook her head with a smile. "You silly girl, why worry about those two little monkeys? Just eat your fill. They have their own favorite treats."
With that, Madam Fang tore off a chicken leg and placed it in front of her. "I made this Beggar's Chicken especially for you today. Have a taste and see if you like it. If you don't, I'll have the cook make it better next time."
"Thank you, Sister-in-law!" Si Jiuyue said sweetly.
Her eldest brother had died in battle, and Madam Fang had been a widow for three years. It hadn't been easy for her. Madam Fang nodded with a smile; as long as the girl was happy, that was all that mattered. Jiuyue was the sister her husband had loved most, and she resembled her eldest brother the most, too. Seeing the mischievous look in Jiuyue’s smile felt like seeing her husband again.
Si Jiuyue picked up the chicken leg and took a bite. The sweet aroma of the meat, mingled with the fresh scent of lotus leaves, tasted far better than any Beggar's Chicken she had bought by the roadside in her previous life.
"Jiuyue, the weather is nice today. Would you like to go out for a walk?" Madam Qiao, her second sister-in-law, suggested, fearing she might be bored at home.
At these words, Si Jiuyue shook her head like a rattle. She knew that if she went out, she would surely run into that villain. She was wondering if avoiding him might help the Si family escape their fated ruin and confiscation.
But then she reconsidered. Because her fourth brother, Si Beiwang, had defeated the Xiongnu on the frontier and, with his previous victories, enjoyed high popularity among the people, the Emperor already feared him. With the military power in his hands, how could the Emperor possibly spare the Si family?
"Where is Father? Why don't I see him?" She thought it best to drop a few hints to Old Father Si in advance.
Madam Lin, her third sister-in-law, laughed as she sat beside her. "You silly girl, Father is at court today. It’s still early; he won't be back for a while."
Si Jiuyue gave a disappointed "oh" and went back to nibbling on her chicken leg.
Her two nephews finished a few bites of food and started clamoring to go out and play. Old Madam Si didn't object, telling them with a loving gaze to go ahead but to play carefully and avoid falling.
After lunch, Si Jiuyue chatted with her three sisters-in-law for a while. She told them that she had met a Taoist priest some time ago who had given her many miraculous medicines and taught her how to perform acupuncture. It was strange, but it was as if the priest were an immortal; whatever he taught her, she learned instantly.
Her second sister-in-law asked in surprise, "Jiuyue, you had such an amazing encounter? When your brother returns from court today, you really could try it on him. Perhaps it could heal him."
"Of course, no problem. I'll try it on Second Brother when he gets back tonight."
"Don't forget your third brother, Jiuyue. He also has an old injury on his leg," Madam Lin added quickly. Her husband had wounded his leg in years of constant warfare; he walked with a limp, and it pained him whenever it was damp or rainy.
"Don't worry, Third Sister-in-law. Second Brother and Third Brother are both my brothers. Jiuyue wouldn't favor one over the other. After all, both my brothers and sisters-in-law dote on me, don't they?"
Madam Lin’s furrowed brows smoothed out instantly, and she smiled gently. "Third Sister-in-law knows that we haven't spoiled you in vain."
As she spoke, she recalled memories of her four brothers taking her up the mountains and down to the rivers when she was little, always saving the best food for her. In the Si family, she, Si Jiuyue, was the most cherished of all.
After the meal, she joined her three sisters-in-law for needlework until dinner arrived. Her two brothers and Old Father Si finally returned.
Suddenly, she remembered a looming disaster: the original owner of her body had already offended Xia Yunfei.