Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback

Before long, the General Mansion's Madam, Qin Shuang, arrived in a carriage, draped in a dark red cloak.

Following her, Aunt Ji Yue along with her maids and servants also arrived in a carriage at the ruined temple.

Qin Shuang, a legitimate daughter from a military family, handled matters with great magnanimity.

Ji Yue appeared more charming and delicate as a beautiful lady, gentle as a willow supported by the breeze.

Zhan Beicang was the legitimate son of the General Mansion; his principal wife Qin Shuang had four children: legitimate son Zhan Hui, legitimate daughter Zhan Xuerou, legitimate second son Zhan Heng, and legitimate second daughter Zhan Rui.

Aunt Ji Yue bore Zhan Beicang twin children, an illegitimate son Zhan Peng and an illegitimate daughter Zhan Qingqing.

Adding to these were the second branch's legitimate daughter Zhan Liluo and legitimate son Zhan Feng.

Ranking by age within the mansion, the eldest young lady was Zhan Liluo, and the second young lady was Zhan Qingqing.

Zhan Xuerou and Zhan Lan had their identities swapped on the day they were born. Even being born on the same day, based on seniority, the third young lady was Zhan Xuerou, and the fourth young lady was Zhan Lan.

The fifth young lady was Zhan Rui.

Madam and Aunt Ji Yue usually did not get along, so it was rare for them to come together for a matter.

"Rou'er, were you scared?" Madam Qin Shuang seeing that Zhan Xuerou was supported by Chunhua immediately went forward, distressed, and embraced her daughter.

"Mother, I'm scared. As soon as I came in, I saw that sister Lan was being..." Zhan Xuerou choked up, tears welling up in her eyes.

Aunt Ji Yue glanced inside the room, holding her chest in distress and said, "Ah, what kind of beast could do such cruel things to the fourth young lady!"

As she spoke, she began to wipe her tears.

Aunt Ji Yue pretended to be ignorant, but how could she not know that everything was orchestrated by her and Zhan Qingqing.

She thought to herself: She did not like Zhan Qingqing's arranged marriage with the eldest son of the Zhu Family. With such an incident occurring, surely their marriage would be called off.

However, Mr. Zhu was too harsh, such torturous methods were inhumane.

Torturing a woman like this, whoever marries him is cursed, luckily Qingqing does not have to marry him.

Originally, the Zhu Family was also of official lineage, and when Zhan Qingqing's full-month feast was held, General Zhan betrothed his illegitimate daughter to the legitimate son of the Zhu Family.

Back when the Zhu Family was flourishing, Aunt Ji Yue was quite satisfied with an illegitimate daughter marrying a legitimate son, but now that the Zhu Family's fortunes have declined, naturally, she was displeased.

Madam naturally disliked Aunt Ji Yue too; if it weren't for her husband getting drunk and having an indiscretion with Ji Yue, she would never have agreed to let this woman enter their home!

Madam Qin Shuang saw through Aunt Ji Yue's pretentious attitude and disdainfully glanced at the maids and servants brought by Ji Yue.

She sternly warned, "I'll go in and check first. This matter must not be mentioned to anyone, if anyone gossips, family discipline awaits!"

"Yes, Madam!" the maids and servants replied in unison.

"Yes, if this matter gets out, there's no need for the fourth young lady to continue living!" Aunt Ji Yue dried her tears and followed the Madam in.

After all, the prey was already caught, and she did not want to miss such an exhilarating moment.

Aunt Ji Yue thought: Once back at the mansion, it would be hard to conceal the disgrace suffered by Zhan Lan, and if everyone learns that it was with Mr. Zhu she consorted,

even if Old Mr. Zhan protects her, the lightest punishment would be expulsion from the General Mansion.

If Zhan Lan were to marry the legitimate son of the Zhu Family, that would also be a great fortune for her foster daughter!

Although Mr. Zhu is no longer in official circles, the Zhu Family is still wealthy. Aunt Ji Yue cursed in her heart: that little wench Zhan Lan is getting off cheap!

Madam Qin Shuang heavily walked into the ruined temple.

She saw the woman lying on the hay, beaten and bruised, unable to close her legs.

As she walked further inside, she reflected: Zhan Lan, such an obedient and sensible child.

Why did she have to end up in such a plight!

It's their fault for not taking good care of Zhan Lan. How heartbroken her husband would be when he comes back and learns of this!

Zhan Lan was the only orphan of Zhan Beicang's subordinate, Xue Wei.

Enduring her heartache, the Madam took off her dark red embroidered cloak and covered the body of the woman, and only after shielding her body, turned her over.

Outside, Zhan Xuerou held her breath, this lowly foster daughter was finally leaving the Zhan Family!

She no longer had to attend the Book Forest Conference with such a despicable woman!

But Madam, upon clearly seeing the face of the girl, became panicked, rose to her feet, and exclaimed, "How could it be..."

Aunt Ji Yue and Zhan Xuerou immediately entered.

"Poor Miss Lan..." Aunt Ji Yue's feigned tears had not yet appeared when she glimpsed the girl's face, screamed terribly, and lunged towards her.

"Qingqing, my child, no! How could it be Qingqing!" She clung to the battered Zhan Qingqing as if struck by lightning, desperately pinching her philtrum.

Aunt Ji Yue felt numbness all over her body, dizzy and bewildered, how could it be her daughter!

She had heard from the servants this morning that Zhan Qingqing had left home early to head to the Book Forest Conference!

"It must be a conspiracy!" She felt as though a huge rock was pressing on her chest, looking at Madam and Zhan Xuerou with suspicion filled with hatred.

Her daughter Zhan Qingqing, her daughter of fifteen years, had lost her innocence, injured all over, lying unconscious in the ruined temple.

It had to be Madam's doing!

For many years, they had been at odds, surely Qin Shuang was jealous of her, that's why she did this!

That damned Qinglian girl must have been bribed by Qin Shuang!

Qin Shuang angrily said, "Ji Yue, this incident involves your own daughter, why are you looking so accusingly at me and Xuerou? We'll discuss Zhan Qingqing's matter back at the mansion!"

Madam, pulling Zhan Xuerou along, walked out, followed by the gut-wrenching cries of Aunt Ji Yue.

The servant girls and old maids who came to see the drama were terrified. Peering through the broken window, they saw Zhan Qingqing defiled beyond recognition.

They all stood a bit further away; aware of Aunt Ji Yue's fiery temper, they knew that after witnessing such a scandal involving Miss Zhan Qingqing, they would be scorned by Aunt Ji Yue.

They wished they hadn't come to gather around this commotion!

Getting into the carriage, Zhan Xuerou lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, looking in the direction of the temple, she said, "Mother, sister Qingqing is so pitiable!"

"Pitiable, Rou'er, you are too naive! Haven't you seen that this was originally targeted at Lan?" Madam said. "In the future, you must stay away from Ji Yue and her daughter, understand?"

Zhan Xuerou obediently nodded.

"As for Zhan Qingqing's matter, don't worry, mother will seek justice for Lan. Now off you go to the Book Forest Conference. Rou'er, you excel in poetry and prose, you must showcase your talents well today!" Qin Shuang affectionately patted Zhan Xuerou's hand.

"Yes, Mother," Zhan Xuerou cooed, cuddling in Qin Shuang's arms.

The name Zhan Xuerou didn't seem like a daughter of a military family, because Zhan Beicang didn't want his daughter to live a life of the blade and blood; moreover, it was too hard for a girl to wield weapons and guns.

Thus, he gave Zhan Xuerou a name gentle as water, hoping she would lead a gentle, carefree life.

Also, since Zhan Xuerou was physically weak since she was young, he had hired a teacher to teach her poetry and prose at home.

Her face determined to succeed, today was the day for her to stand out among noble ladies and royal nobility.

She had been preparing for this day for many years.

It was said that today, Young Master Si, the one that the noble ladies of Ding'an City admired, would also be present.

She was confident that she would definitely catch Si Jun's attention!

...

In Nanjin, the customs were open; both men and women could attend schools and martial arts academies.

It was a spring day, in the western suburbs of Ding'an City, Yunyin Academy was adorned with blossoms.

Occasionally butterflies passed by, with floral fragrances lingering in Guangwen Hall; by noon, already a hundred noble ladies and heirs from distinguished families had arrived.

Zhan Lan walked into Guangwen Hall, attracting everyone's attention.

"Who is that lady? She looks so unfamiliar!" Cui Ying, the Vice Minister of Ministry of Justice's daughter, eyes sparkled.

In the circle of Ding'an City's noble ladies, she had never seen a woman of such exceptional demeanor and superior beauty before.

Daughters in Ding'an City generally had a soft and beautiful appearance, embodying the elegance of Jiangnan beauties.

But this lady looked different, like a red peony among orchids, easily noticeable while other flowers paled in comparison.

Zhan Liluo, the legitimate daughter of the second branch of Zhan Family, dressed in a green silk skirt, sat at a teak table and sipped her tea. She was just about to dab the corner of her lips with her handkerchief.

Upon seeing the newcomer, her embroidery handkerchief dropped to the ground.