In the thirty-fifth year of Yongqing, early autumn.

Last night, a breeze swept away the late summer heat.

By morning, clouds hung low, gloomy, and it looked like rain was coming.

A carriage entered the capital through the south gate.

It moved unhurriedly toward the inner city.

The curtain was lifted slightly, revealing half the face of the person inside.

After quietly observing the street scenery, Lu Nian lowered her hand.

Leaning against the carriage, she spoke: “This place is still the same, yet it feels completely different from my memories.”

“No wonder, I’ve been gone for nearly twenty years.”

“Naturally, everything looks unfamiliar.”

“Where’s Awei? How long has Awei been away from the capital?”

“Does she still remember any of the sights?”

At her words, the young girl sitting across from Lu Nian looked up.

She was strikingly fair, with bright, almond-shaped eyes.

Her features were just beginning to mature, shedding their youthful softness.

She was a proper beauty in the making.

When she smiled, faint dimples appeared, adding a touch of playfulness.

“Mother,” the girl said with a light laugh, “what are you talking about?”

“I was born in Shu and raised in Shu.”

“When have I ever been to the capital?”

Lu Nian paused, then burst into giggles: “Look, Mammy Wen, there’s only the three of us in this carriage, but Awei is Awei—watertight as ever.”

Mammy Wen lowered her gaze.

Even seated, her posture was impeccably respectful: “Madam, this servant also knows nothing of the capital’s splendor.”

Lu Nian laughed even harder, clapping her hands: “Once we enter the inner city, follow the main street to Swallow Alley.”

“Turn west, and not far from there, under the tallest, grandest ginkgo tree, you’ll find our Dingxi Marquis Manor.”

At this, Lu Nian’s smile vanished instantly.

She reached out, gripping Awei’s hand tightly.

A flash of hatred crossed her eyes: “From now on, we, mother and daughter, will settle every grudge and avenge every wrong!”

Awei squeezed back, her fingertips pressing hard, her nails tinged red.

She had been to the capital before.

Or rather, she was born here.

Her true surname was Jin.

Her grandfather was a grand tutor across three reigns, once wielding immense power.

The family had many descendants, but she, the youngest granddaughter, was the most cherished.

It wasn’t unusual—most families doted on their eldest grandsons or youngest children.

As the daughter of the youngest son, with only three cousins seven or eight years older, Awei was the family’s darling from birth.

At four, her father was appointed to a post in Zhongzhou.

With her grandparents’ reluctance and concern, Awei accompanied her mother to join him.

The calamity struck when she was six.

The crown prince was implicated in a witchcraft scandal.

Her grandfather was dragged into it, and the Jin family had no means of escape.

The capital was rife with tension.

The grand tutor’s residence was surrounded.

Only her aunt, long married, managed to send a trusted mammy to slip away.

Mammy Hua traveled day and night.

She reached Zhongzhou before the authorities could arrest them, delivering the news.

Her father made many arrangements upon receiving the message.

Her mother, six months pregnant, miscarried from the shock.

In the chaos, Mammy Hua was ordered to take Awei and flee south.

They disguised themselves as grandmother and granddaughter, worked as cooks.

They dared not let anyone know the Jin family still had a little granddaughter alive.

That is, until they heard about Lu Nian.

Lu Nian was the eldest legitimate daughter of the Dingxi Marquis Manor.

She was a close friend of Awei’s mother.

Years ago, she married far away to the prominent Yu family in Shu.

Awei had met Lu Nian once as a child.

She also remembered the Yu family’s daughter, six months older, also named Awei.

The Yu family’s story spread eerily through Shu.

Over two or three years, several branches of the Yu family died off.

Some from illness, others from accidents.

Elders collapsed under the weight of bad news.

Monks were consulted, Taoists invited, but nothing worked.

Yu Ruwei had been sent to a villa to recover, but though no death was announced, her condition seemed grim.

Awei, hiding her identity, sought out Lu Nian.

Exhausted and dazed, Lu Nian recognized Awei in a flash of clarity.

They wept together, sharing their years of hardship.

Only then did Awei learn the Yu family’s deaths weren’t some curse.

It was Lu Nian’s revenge.

The Yu family’s internal strife led to Lu Nian being poisoned during pregnancy.

As a result, Yu Ruwei was born frail.

Lu Nian took her revenge but couldn’t save her weakening daughter.

The day after Awei arrived, Yu Ruwei passed away.

That extinguished Lu Nian’s will to live.

It was Awei who reignited her spirit, pulling her from despair and near madness.

“Ruwei’s revenge is done, but what about yours?”

“Who schemed ruthlessly, causing you to lose your mother?”

“Who usurped your place, driving a wedge between you and your father and brother?”

“Who ruined your reputation in the capital, forcing you to marry far away to Shu?”

“Are you content to let her lord it over the capital?”

How could Lu Nian be content?

She was already a bloodstained avenger.

How could she let her enemies roam free?

They stayed at the villa for nearly two more years.

Lu Nian healed and regained her strength.

Awei became Yu Ruwei.

Mammy Hua became Mammy Wen.

Once prepared, the three set out for the capital.

Anticipating a grueling journey, they left ample time.

They deliberately chose today to enter the city.

This day marked the thirtieth anniversary of the death of the original marchioness, Lu Nian’s mother.

The carriage stopped outside the marquis manor.

Awei stepped down, glancing at the stone lions outside.

She turned her head eastward.

That was the direction of the grand tutor’s residence—her true home.

Her grandfather would never have been involved in witchcraft.

The entire Jin family was innocent.

Awei clenched her hand, hidden in her sleeve, once more.

Lu Nian gave her a legitimate identity.

She would help Lu Nian deal with her stepmother.

Then, she had her own vengeance.

To clear her grandfather’s name and restore the Jin family’s honor!

The Dingxi Marquis Manor was holding a memorial ceremony.

Many familiar families came to offer incense and gifts.

The manor’s gates were wide open.

Several stewards and gatekeepers greeted guests respectfully.

The new carriage bore no markings of status.

The three people—master and servants—walked straight in without presenting a calling card or gift list.

A steward stepped forward to block their path.

“May I ask which noble household’s guests are visiting…”

Before he could finish, Lu Nian shot him a sharp glance: “Guests? I’m a guest now?”

“Hah! I suppose so.”

“A married daughter is like spilled water.”

“Even returning to offer incense requires a calling card now!”

Her words turned the steward’s face pale.

He looked closely at the woman’s features.

His face shifted from pale to ashen.

Those familiar features, that biting tone—who else could it be but the eldest miss, married off years ago?

“Quick, quick…” the steward, face grim, urged his subordinates.

“Go inside and report!”

“Eldest Miss—no, Aunt…”

It had been so long since the manor had such a figure.

In his panic, the steward fumbled the title, finally settling on “Lady Aunt.”

The servant boy didn’t dare linger.

He sprinted off, bursting into the courtyard where the memorial hall was set up.

The place was crowded.

Monks chanted sutras, striking wooden fish.

The Marquis of Dingxi sat to one side, watching his descendants offer incense.

Everything proceeded smoothly.

Suddenly, the breathless servant boy rushed in.

His arrival disrupted the solemn atmosphere.

Nearly everyone turned to look.

“What’s the matter?” the heir’s wife asked, frowning.

“Lady Aunt has returned.”

“Who?”

Not just the heir’s wife—everyone present exchanged confused glances.

What Lady Aunt did this family have?

The Marquis of Dingxi was the first to react: “Is it A-Nian who’s back?”

The name “A-Nian” instantly brought the long-married woman’s face and voice to mind.

Expressions varied among the crowd.

Lu Nian had returned from Shu without a word?

Chapter 1: 1. Mother and Daughter, Settle Grudges and Avenge Wrongs!

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