At 5:45 a.m., the morning mist had yet to disperse from Lanzhi Courtyard. Jiang Wan sat before the window, unrolling a yellowed ledger. The scent of ink mingled with the sweet fragrance of gardenias outside, weaving a fine, dense web in the morning light.
"Miss, you're up early again," Lü'e said, entering with warm water. Seeing Jiang Wan’s fingers tracing the figures in the ledger, she couldn't help but advise, "You were up half the night looking at these; be careful not to strain your eyes."
Jiang Wan did not even look up, her finger resting on the page labeled "West City Farmstead." "It’s fine."
She had been reborn for half a month now. She was no longer the fool who knew nothing but a pathetic obsession with the Crown Prince. Every day, she rose before dawn to pore over the Marquis's Mansion’s accounts from the last three years, not even sparing the petty cash records from the kitchen. In her past life, she had scoffed at such things, but now she realized just how deep the waters of the Marquis's Mansion really were.
"Lü'e," Jiang Wan suddenly closed the ledger, "tell me, why would the tenants of the West City Farmstead dare to default on their rent?"
Lü'e hesitated. "Isn't it because a thug named Wang Tiger is causing trouble?"
"Wang Tiger is merely the blade," Jiang Wan said, tapping the ledger. "But who holds the hilt?"
Lü'e’s face turned pale; she instinctively glanced toward the door. Who in the Marquis's Mansion didn’t know that the Second Mistress, Madame Li, was adept at keeping men on the side? It was said that the thug Wang Tiger from the West City Farmstead always used the side gate when entering the mansion, his pockets often bulging with silver gifted by the Second Mistress.
"Miss, this matter..."
"I know," Jiang Wan said, rising and walking to the vanity. "That is precisely why I must investigate. Since Father thinks I am ignorant, I will show him that his legitimate daughter is not some piece of trash who knows only how to hide in her chambers and embroider."
No sooner had she finished speaking than a coquettish laugh came from outside the door. "Who is my sister talking about? Don't tell me you are plotting against me again?"
Jiang Rou, dressed in a water-green ru skirt, swayed into the room with Xiaotao fawning behind her. She glanced at the ledger on the table and covered her mouth, giggling. "My, my, has my sister had a change of heart? You couldn't even calculate the cost of rouge and powder before, but now you’re looking at ledgers? Are you trying to curry favor with Father?"
Jiang Wan picked up a white jade hairpin and slowly inserted it into her hair, her tone indifferent. "You’re joking, sister. I am just bored, so I am reviewing the household’s income and expenses. I wouldn't want to be laughed at by my future husband’s family for being unable to manage a household once I am married."
The words were needles hidden in silk, implying that as a concubine’s daughter, Jiang Rou would never enjoy the status of a legitimate daughter like her. Jiang Rou’s expression stiffened, but she immediately laughed again. "Sister, you jest. Everyone knows you are destined for the Eastern Palace; why would you ever need to handle such mundane matters? Unlike me, I will likely have to marry into an ordinary family, so I naturally need to learn more."
The Crown Prince again. Jiang Wan’s grip on the comb tightened before she let go. She turned to Jiang Rou with a smile. "You remind me, sister. But I wonder, which young master do you mean when you speak of an 'ordinary family'? A few days ago, I seem to recall seeing you in the garden, chatting quite intimately with the cousin from the West Side Courtyard."
The cousin from the West Side Courtyard was a notorious rake. This was the one thing Jiang Rou feared being mentioned the most. Her face flushed a deep red as she shrieked, "Jiang Wan! What nonsense are you spewing?"
"Nonsense?" Jiang Wan raised an eyebrow. "I passed by the garden that day and saw it quite clearly. If you didn't do it, why are you so agitated?"
Jiang Rou trembled with rage, pointing at Jiang Wan, unable to speak. Xiaotao hurriedly stepped forward to smooth things over. "Eldest Miss, Second Miss was merely discussing academics with the cousin; please don't misunderstand."
"Discussing academics?" Jiang Wan chuckled. "Behind the rockery? Your sister’s academic pursuits are certainly... unique."
Jiang Rou could no longer restrain herself. She lunged forward, trying to scratch Jiang Wan’s face. "You bitch, Jiang Wan! I'll tear your mouth apart!"
Jiang Wan had been prepared. She sidestepped, and Jiang Rou lunged into thin air, nearly colliding with the vanity. Lü'e rushed forward to help her, only to be shoved away. "Get lost!"
"What are you doing, sister?" Jiang Wan frowned, her tone laced with displeasure. "I only said a few words, and you want to use violence? If this got out, people would think I, your older sister, have been bullying you terribly."
Jiang Rou looked at the surrounding servants, whose eyes were filled with muffled laughter, and was overcome with shame and fury. Every time she tried to find trouble with Jiang Wan, she was the one who ended up losing, and Jiang Wan’s words were always so airtight that she had nowhere to vent her anger.
"Jiang Wan, you just wait!" Jiang Rou spat out a threat and left in a huff with Xiaotao in tow.
Lü'e watched them go and couldn't help but stick out her tongue. "Miss, you are truly amazing. Every time, you make the Second Miss so angry she jumps."
Jiang Wan did not smile. She walked to the window and watched the direction in which Jiang Rou had disappeared, her eyes cold. "This is only the beginning."
She knew Jiang Rou would not let it go, and Madame Li certainly wouldn't either. Jiang Rou’s earlier words, though mocking, were an attempt to probe her attitude toward the Crown Prince. In her past life, it was her obsession with him that had given Madame Li the leverage to frame her. In this life, she had to completely sever her ties with the Crown Prince.
"Lü'e," Jiang Wan turned around, "go call Liu Fu. I want to ask him more about the West City Farmstead."
"Yes."
Liu Fu arrived quickly. Seeing that Jiang Wan was asking about the farmstead again, a look of distress appeared on his face. "Eldest Miss, that Wang Tiger is truly difficult to deal with. This old servant..."
"I don't want to hear that he's difficult," Jiang Wan interrupted. "I want to know how exactly he is harassing the tenants. Is there anyone who dares to come forward and testify?"
Liu Fu was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Jiang Wan to ask for such specifics. "Well... Wang Tiger leads a group of thugs who go to the tenants' homes to smash, grab, and burn every day. The tenants are angry but dare not speak. One man named Wang Laoshi tried to sneak in to pay his rent and had his leg broken by Wang Tiger. He is still lying in bed now."
"Wang Laoshi?" Jiang Wan noted the name. "Where does he live?"
"At the far west end of the farmstead, in a broken thatched hut."
"Fine, I understand," Jiang Wan nodded. "Liu Fu, you may go. Remember, do not tell anyone about this, including Father and the Second Mistress."
Though puzzled, Liu Fu acknowledged the order and retreated.
Lü'e looked at Jiang Wan, worried. "Miss, why are you asking for such detail? That Wang Tiger doesn't even show respect to the Marquis; you must not go and provoke him!"
"I am not going to provoke him," Jiang Wan said, walking to the desk and picking up a brush. "But the rent he owes the Marquis's Mansion and the justice he owes the tenants—I must retrieve both."
She paused and added, "Lü'e, go and prepare a set of coarse clothes for me, and bring some silver."
"Miss, what are you going to do?"
"Go visit someone," Jiang Wan’s eyes flashed with determination. "Someone who can help us solve the problem of the farmstead."
Though anxious, Lü'e followed her instructions.
Half an hour later, Jiang Wan changed into the coarse clothes, rubbed some coal ash on her face, and transformed into an ordinary farm girl. She took Lü'e, avoided the main gate, and left the Marquis's Mansion through the side gate.
The West City Farmstead was not far from the mansion; they arrived after a half-hour walk. The scene here was a stark contrast to the opulence of the Marquis's Mansion. Low, dilapidated thatched huts were scattered about, and the passersby were sallow and thin, casting wary glances at them.
Wang Laoshi’s home was at the far west end of the farmstead—a crumbling thatched hut where even the door was held together by nailed planks. Jiang Wan knocked on the door, and a weak voice came from inside: "Who is it?"
"Excuse me, is this Uncle Wang Laoshi?" Jiang Wan deliberately softened her voice.
The door opened a crack, revealing a face full of wrinkles. Upon seeing Jiang Wan and Lü'e, a flash of surprise appeared in Wang Laoshi’s eyes. "You are..."
"We are from the city. We heard you were in trouble and wanted to come see you," Jiang Wan said, signaling Lü'e to pass over the silver. "Please, take this silver to treat your injury."
Wang Laoshi looked at the gleaming silver and then at Jiang Wan’s sincere expression; his eyes turned red instantly. "Miss, who are you..."
"Who we are is not important," Jiang Wan said softly. "What matters is that we want to help you and all the tenants who are being bullied by Wang Tiger."
Wang Laoshi lifted his head abruptly, a flicker of hope in his eyes before it faded again. "Miss, thank you for your kindness, but that Wang Tiger... we cannot afford to provoke him."
"What if I told you there is a way to ensure Wang Tiger can never bully you again?" Jiang Wan looked at him, her gaze firm.
Wang Laoshi was stunned, looking at Jiang Wan as if he were staring at a savior.
Just then, a commotion arose outside, followed by coarse shouting: "Wang Laoshi! You old bastard, still not dead yet? Hurry up and hand over the rent!"
Wang Laoshi’s face changed drastically, and he scrambled to close the door. "Miss, you must leave! It’s Wang Tiger!"
Jiang Wan held the door firm and gave Lü'e a wink. Lü'e nodded and quietly slipped behind the hut.
The door was kicked open with a bang. A burly man with a ferocious face, followed by several thugs, stormed in—it was Wang Tiger. Seeing Jiang Wan, he froze for a moment before a malicious grin spread across his face. "Yo, where did this little beauty come from? How did you end up in this godforsaken place?"
Jiang Wan stood up, blocking Wang Laoshi, her voice calm. "We came to deliver medicine to Uncle Wang."
"Deliver medicine?" Wang Tiger sneered. "I think you’ve delivered yourself to me."
He reached out to grab Jiang Wan. She was prepared, sidestepping him while shouting at the top of her lungs, "Lü'e!"
No sooner had she spoken than Lü'e rushed from behind the hut, wielding a wooden club, and struck a thug behind Wang Tiger on the head. The man let out a cry and collapsed.
Wang Tiger, not expecting a mere maid to fight back, flew into a rage. "You dare! Grab them!"
The other thugs swarmed in. Jiang Wan pulled Wang Laoshi aside. Although Lü'e knew some basic self-defense, she was outnumbered and soon captured by the thugs.
"Let her go!" Jiang Wan shouted.
Wang Tiger walked up to Jiang Wan, leering at her. "Little beauty, if you follow me, I’ll let her go."
Jiang Wan sneered inwardly but feigned terror. "You... you promise?"
"Of course I promise!" Wang Tiger laughed triumphantly.
The moment he let his guard down, Jiang Wan raised her foot and stomped hard on his instep. Wang Tiger screamed, and Jiang Wan seized the chance to pull Lü'e away and dash out of the hut.
"Catch them! Don't let them get away!" Wang Tiger clutched his foot, yelling in a frenzy.
Jiang Wan ran for her life, pulling Lü'e along, with the thugs in hot pursuit. Just then, a patrol of soldiers passed by. Seeing a group chasing two women, they immediately stepped in to intercept. "Stop! Who goes there?"
Upon seeing the soldiers, Wang Tiger’s eyes flickered, but he quickly assumed a fawning smile. "Officer, these two little sluts stole my property, and I’m just trying to catch them."
"Stole your property?" The lead soldier looked at Jiang Wan and Lü'e. "They are two weak women; what could they possibly steal from you?"
Jiang Wan immediately spoke up, "Officer, we did not steal anything! We came to visit Uncle Wang Laoshi; he was beaten by this man, who is also extorting rent from the tenants!"
Wang Tiger’s expression shifted. "You're lying!"
"Am I?" Jiang Wan looked at the soldiers. "Officer, Uncle Wang Laoshi is right inside, and his leg was broken by this man! Furthermore, he is embezzling the rent belonging to the Marquis's Mansion. If you don't believe me, go ask Steward Liu of the mansion!"
The soldiers exchanged glances; the embezzlement of the Marquis's Mansion’s rent was no small matter. The lead officer looked at Wang Tiger, his gaze sharpening. "Come with us!"
Seeing this, Wang Tiger tried to flee, but he was captured on the spot by the soldiers. The thugs, seeing the situation take a turn for the worse, scattered in all directions.
Jiang Wan watched as Wang Tiger was hauled away by the soldiers and finally let out a sigh of relief. Lü'e wiped the sweat from her brow and smiled. "Miss, you are truly brilliant!"
Jiang Wan smiled, looking toward Wang Laoshi’s house, her gaze unwavering.
With Wang Tiger gone, the rent issue at the West City Farmstead was half solved. What she had to do next was let her father see her capability, to let him know that his legitimate daughter was not as useless as he had imagined.
The daily life of the Marquis's Mansion seemed calm, but undercurrents surged beneath the surface. Yet Jiang Wan knew that as long as she was strong enough, one day, she would make everyone who looked down on her view her with newfound respect.
And that day would not be far off.