Chapter 2: Rebirth and Return

Shen Qingyun once thought she had died, only to find herself transformed into a wandering soul. She drifted through the mortal world, witnessing the myriad facets of human existence, yet her regret, her anger, and her resentment had nowhere to return.

“Karma is just, life and death follow one another, death brings life, and life brings death, the cycle never ceases.”

As if these words had been echoing in her ears, with a flash of golden light in her mind, she felt her consciousness return—and to her astonishment, she was reborn on the very day she returned to the Duke of Shen’s manor at the age of fourteen!

Heaven truly has eyes.

This life, she would reclaim all that was rightfully hers!

...

As the swaying carriage came to a stop, the group arrived at the Duke of Shen’s residence.

Seeing Shen Qingyun standing in a daze, Nanny Jiang assumed she was nervous and whispered, “Miss, we’re here. Do you remember what this old servant told you?”

Nanny Jiang and Hongyu had been sent to fetch her, and along the way, Nanny Jiang had explained the basic traditions of the household and some essential etiquette.

Hongyu, standing beside them, rolled her eyes inwardly, thinking that this country girl would soon be frightened out of her wits and embarrass herself.

In her previous life, Shen Qingyun had indeed been overwhelmed by the grandeur of the household and made a fool of herself. But now, she simply nodded calmly and stepped out of the carriage.

As soon as she alighted, she saw the entrance crowded with people. A lady, adorned with pearls and jewels and dressed in splendid garments, was already gazing at her with eager anticipation. Though her complexion was sallow and haggard, the similarity in their features was unmistakable.

“My daughter! It’s truly my daughter! Heaven be praised!”

Before Shen Qingyun could speak or bow, the lady swept her into her arms. That embrace was warm and soft, filled with a long-lost familiar scent that wrapped around her completely. Shen Qingyun’s eyes reddened involuntarily.

This was her mother—the mother who loved her most selflessly, whom she owed the greatest debt: Madam Han, the Lady of the Duke of Shen.

Han began to weep softly, her hands trembling as she lifted Shen Qingyun’s to study her daughter’s face, only to feel the rough calluses on her palms. Her heart ached, and tears welled up to blur her vision. “My daughter… you’re finally home… how much have you suffered out there!”

With these words, grief nearly overcame her.

“Mother! Mother!” Shen Qingyun called out tearfully.

Han, both sorrowful and joyful at hearing her daughter’s voice, nodded repeatedly and quickly introduced the man beside her—Shen Zhifeng, the Duke of Shen and Shen Qingyun’s father.

Shen Qingyun felt little affection for him, but still observed all proprieties on the surface.

Nanny Jiang noticed that, despite her obvious excitement, Shen Qingyun’s every gesture was composed and unflustered. She couldn’t help but admire her inwardly—truly the Duke’s own blood. With just a few instructions, she was already so different from the timid girl they had met at first.

Little did she know that Shen Qingyun was now a soul reborn.

Just then, a gentle, suppressed sobbing could be heard nearby, delicate and barely audible, soon drawing attention.

At the sound, Shen Qingyun immediately knew who it was. She looked up and saw, sure enough, a young girl standing beside Shen Zhifeng. Dressed in pale yellow brocade, her hair adorned with golden ornaments and turquoise pins, she looked both charming and refined—a world apart from Shen Qingyun’s own plainness.

This was Shen Sisi. She had just opened her mouth to speak when Shen Qingyun, feigning innocence, spoke first: “This must be the sister who has been living in my place at the Duke’s residence. Sister, I so envy you—your dress is beautiful...”

With those words, she cast a shy and admiring glance at Shen Sisi, awkwardly tugging at her own coarse linen skirt.

If she herself felt no embarrassment, let’s see who would.

In her previous life, Shen Sisi had also dressed herself in lavish finery, exuding elegance and causing Shen Qingyun to feel inferior, while bystanders would look down on the timid, rustic girl by comparison.

But now, hearing Shen Qingyun’s words, the crowd glanced from the richly attired Shen Sisi to the plainly dressed Shen Qingyun and began to murmur among themselves.

The false heiress enjoyed a life of luxury in the manor, while the true daughter endured hardship in the countryside. Yet, blood will out—Shen Sisi, for all her careful grooming, was merely a pretty girl, while Shen Qingyun, even in rough garb, bore the traces of her mother’s stunning features.

Shen Sisi’s face was pale as snow, and her tearful, mute appearance made Shen Zhifeng’s heart ache.

His face stiffened, and he cast a disapproving glance at Shen Qingyun, then harshly ordered the servants, “Today’s events are not to be spoken of. Sisi remains the eldest daughter of the Duke’s residence!”

Shen Qingyun laughed coldly to herself. In her past life, her father’s favoritism toward Shen Sisi had been absolute. She had once blamed it on the bond of upbringing and her own lack of merit, but after discovering Shen Sisi’s true identity, she finally understood the truth.

Yet for now, she could not expose it; she had to bide her time.

Seeing Shen Qingyun at a loss, Madam Han’s usually gentle face darkened. She ignored both Shen Zhifeng and Shen Sisi, took Shen Qingyun by the hand, and led her inside, saying with tender concern, “Qingyun, I’ve had many dresses prepared for you in your room. Don’t worry—everything you missed these years, I will make up for, double.”

Perhaps it was the bond of blood, but Han had never been close to Shen Sisi. Shen Sisi had been raised by the Old Madam from childhood, and after learning of the switch, Han liked her even less.

But never before had she been so thoroughly ignored.

Shen Sisi twisted her handkerchief nearly to shreds, inwardly burning with hatred for Shen Qingyun. She bowed her head in tears, her eyes full of venom—never had Madam Han looked at her with such affection.

Why did she have to come back? Why didn’t she just die in the countryside!

Why? She was the one raised as the Duke’s daughter for over a decade!

Shen Qingyun, however, cared nothing for what Shen Sisi felt. From the moment of her return, she and Shen Sisi were destined to be rivals.

Madam Han was now busy selecting clothes and jewelry for Shen Qingyun; dissatisfied—change! Still dissatisfied—change again! The most precious dresses from Linglong Pavilion in the capital, which some noble ladies would hesitate to buy even one of, filled Shen Qingyun’s wardrobe in every color and style.

“Miss looks like a fairy, just like Madam did in her youth,” Nanny Jiang praised with a smile.

“Yes indeed, Madam, Miss is the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen...” the other maids echoed.

Shen Qingyun was speechless inwardly. She had just been brought up from the countryside, her skin sallow and rough—she knew all too well what she looked like. These people truly spoke flattery with open eyes.

But Madam Han was thoroughly pleased. At last, she settled on an outfit, ordered a maid to apply light makeup and arrange Shen Qingyun’s hair.

When Shen Qingyun emerged gracefully from the inner chamber, everyone present was struck by her beauty.

Madam Han’s eyes reddened with emotion. She took Shen Qingyun’s arm fondly, declaring, “This is perfect—just as my daughter should look. Come, let us go pay respects to your grandmother.”

Shen Qingyun nodded obediently. Old Madam, we shall meet again.