Gu Ying died in the winter of the twenty-eighth year of Tianqi.

That year, during the twelfth lunar month, the weather in Bianjing was extremely cold.

Outside the crumbling temple windows, heavy snow fell in sheets onto the slate steps. A fierce wind whipped through the cracks, cutting at people's faces like knives.

Several dirty and smelly men came over to defile as usual.

They were eager, jumping on the still warm body a few times. Seeing that there was no breath left, they let out a sharp cry and scurried away in fright.

Gu Ying's hands and feet were shackled with heavy iron chains made of dark iron. Her emaciated body was almost completely devoid of strength, and she could only lie limply on the cold ground, at the mercy of her captors.

The ceiling was a dark, stacked heap of tiles.

A ray of light streamed down from the roof.

The chill radiating from him made me shiver.

Oh, it shouldn't be like this!

Her father was a high-ranking and influential General of Cavalry who had made great contributions to the nation. He was the most esteemed legitimate son of the Dongping Marquis's family, and he was betrothed to the young master of the Yong'an Marquis's family!

May you enjoy great honor and a brilliant future!

But due to an accident of falling into the water, she was forced to marry a man she didn't love!

<< Over the past two years, Jiang has taken in dozens of concubines and mistresses. Because he is so powerful, everyone walks all over him! >>

In the inner courtyard, women fought for favor and to be chosen by a man who wasn't their own. For him, one woman lost all her dignity and standing as the legitimate heir.

Later, for two years there was no offspring. She was harassed by her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law at the Jiang family home.

The elder sister who married in place of Yong'an Hou followed Yong'an Hou all the way to prosperity, not to mention that she was treated cruelly in every way.

He couldn't compare to his older sister in terms of resources, intelligence, or cunning. Within a year, Jiang had him crippled and abandoned at a dilapidated temple on the outskirts of Bianjing, where he became prey for various men.

Ten years...

Over the past decade, Jiang has refused to die, and even in Yong'an Houfu, there are people who refuse to die.

They were imprisoned, confined, and subjected to humiliation and torture by those filthy, foul men.

Life is worse than death, but it cannot be undone.

Today is different.

In that one breath, I saw my father who died on the battlefield, I saw my younger brother who died young, and I saw my maid who was murdered.

They were all waving at us, they came to pick us up.

Gu Ying smiled, using her last bit of strength to bite off her tongue. She raised her thin and bony hand, grabbed a stone and swallowed it whole.

Then, he never went back to the desolation and coldness of this dilapidated temple. He slowly closed his eyes.

……

"My goodness, in such a remote place, how did the second young lady of Dongping Marquis's mansion end up in the same pond as Young Master Jiang!"

"Oh, this lonely man living alone must certainly have something to hide!"

“I never expected that Miss Gu, who usually seemed so gentle and unassuming, would do something like this! Young Master Jiang, though from a humble background, is a courteous and accomplished young man with a bright future. He is the third-ranked scholar chosen by the Emperor! Just a few days ago, I heard that Miss Gu intended to break off her engagement with Yong'an Hou and marry Young Master Jiang!”

"You're lying! My young lady wouldn't do such a thing! Miss, miss, wake up!"

A cacophony of noise reached my ears.

Gu Ying's headache split, she didn't expect to be able to open her eyes again.

Subconsciously, a chill filled me, and I shivered uncontrollably.

Surrounded by so many noble ladies, she was dumbfounded, staring at the living doll before her eyes. She didn't even notice that her blouse had slipped off one shoulder, revealing a large patch of white skin.

"Such a cold day, isn't she deliberately dressed like this to tempt Young Master Jiang?"

Then, someone stood up, their voice laced with concern.

"Second younger sister, even though you have feelings for Master Jiang, how could you behave so inappropriately at Consort Wan's snow viewing banquet... You usually don't listen to your father and mother, and it's fine that you are willful, but if Young Master of Yong'an Houfu found out about this, then our Gu family's reputation... What will be the name of our other sisters in the Gu family? How can we talk about marriage in the future..."

I can't bear it any longer, my eyes are red and swollen, biting my lip, tears streaming down my face, pitiful and heartbreaking.

All looked upon him with the same eyes.

Because of this foolish and ignorant little sister, what reputation does the Dongping Duke's Mansion still have in Bianjing?

I'm afraid even the great marriage prospects with Yong'an Hou's mansion might be lost!

Gu Ying stood there for a moment, her mind still wandering. She finally lifted her head stiffly to look at the weeping person, her gaze still hazy and distant.

I clearly remember this person, this face. It's the eldest sister who damned me to hell for a lifetime, Gu Jia!

Twelve years ago, I orchestrated this tragic spectacle that has humiliated the Dongping Marquis's household, ruined the engagement with the Yong'an Marquis's family, and caused the devoted to relentlessly pursue the unworthy Jiang!

Suddenly regaining his senses, his black and white eyes instantly sharpened.

"Rouge?!"

Rouge is still alive!

Still alive!

He's still alive!

"Miss! You're awake at last! Your servant was almost worried to death!"

Gu Yirong, with a worried frown between her brows, trembled as she clutched the rouge in her hand.

In eyes as clear and bright as rouge, she saw her own youthful face, radiating the splendor and vibrancy of a sixteen-year-old.

Yes, the face, still young. It has not been marred by evil men, untouched by the heavy, stagnant air of death.

After staring for a while, she stood up with the help of rouge.

After a long silence, he slowly smiled amidst the whispers of the crowd.

Her smile was breathtakingly beautiful, melting away the coldness like ice and snow. It was as if a sharp blade had suddenly bloomed with enchanting and brilliant flowers, alluring yet deadly.

Reincarnated, this life, I will never walk the same path as my past life!

"I wonder who told the elder sister that I have a fondness for Master Jiang?"

"Sister, what's wrong? You weren't saying yesterday that you could see young Master Jiang at the banquet today and—"

"Elder sister, please be careful with your words! This matter concerns the honor and reputation of all the sons of Duke Dongping!"

Gu Ying reprimanded loudly, not even glancing at Gu Jia's pale face. She calmly smoothed her own clothes, then performed a respectful bow before the hostess of the banquet, Empress Fei, her eyes red with tears.

"Your Majesty, Gu Ying has never said anything about having feelings for Young Master Jiang. The misfortune today is solely due to my lack of understanding of the palace's ways, accidentally falling into the water. Young Master Jiang, with his kind heart, happened to pass by the flower pond and saved my life out of great compassion!"

Fortunately, it's winter now. The clothes got wet but didn't completely reveal what was underneath. If not, even jumping into the Yellow River wouldn't wash away the stain.

In my past life, I was foolish and listened to my elder sister's slander. I thought Young Master Yong'an Hou was a frivolous playboy who wasn't worth entrusting my future to. Instead, I set my sights on Jiang, the talented but impoverished scholar who came in last place on the imperial examinations, as described by my elder sister.

The next decade.

I clearly remember how foolish I looked after falling into the water that year. Not only did I hold onto the river, but in front of Wanfei, I even declared my love for the river and said I would not marry anyone else, that I would break off the engagement with Yong'an Houfu.

That night, he was beaten with boards and forced to kneel in the ancestral hall upon returning home.

But in order to save face, her family still arranged for her to marry into the Jiang family.

After, the eldest daughter of the main family, Gu Jia, completed her marriage with Yong'an Houfu.

Since then, the paths of Gu Jia and he diverged into two extremes, one heavenly, the other hellish.

May Heaven be merciful and give me another chance. This time, I regret it. I'll never make the same mistake again!