Chapter 3: Seeing a Ghost

In the original owner’s memories, Xiao He was the only friend the original owner had at this manor.

Xiao He helped Jun Zijin return to the small, damp room; as a gust of wind blew by, Jun Zijin couldn't help but shiver.

Xiao He hurriedly turned back to close the door, and the corners of Jun Zijin’s mouth curled slightly—she was a clever girl, indeed.

Jun Zijin strode across the room, picking and choosing, yet she couldn't find a single decent piece of clothing.

She sighed inwardly; she was, after all, the legitimate Young Lady of the Minister’s residence, yet she likely lived no better than a beggar on the street.

Jun Zijin pulled out a tattered piece of clothing at random and let Xiao He attend to her as she changed.

Six years ago, the original owner was driven out of the residence without a single maid or servant.

For these six years, this Second Young Lady Jun had lived worse than a servant, having to work all day just to have food to eat; being served like this was a first.

Once Jun Zijin had changed, she found a worn-out bronze mirror and carefully examined this face.

Large eyes, a high bridge of the nose, delicate brows; the small face was beautiful, and the features were exquisite, radiating a spiritual aura.

Sure enough, the original owner’s appearance was identical to her own, only her eyes seemed larger against this sallow, gaunt face, her lips were somewhat pale, there was a heaviness on her face that did not belong to her age, and there was a scar hidden in the hairline above her forehead.

"So young, yet having experienced all the vicissitudes of life."

"Rest assured, from now on I am you. I will live well, and I will definitely return to the Minister’s residence to take good care of Grandmother for you."

After Jun Zijin finished speaking in her heart, she felt as if a soft sigh echoed in her ears.

She felt the tightness that had been constricting her chest a moment ago suddenly lift; yes, this must have been the obsession of the original Second Young Lady Jun.

"From this day forward, a proper legitimate daughter should look like a legitimate daughter; I will never again be the mud beneath their feet," Jun Zijin said silently in her heart.

She stood up and stretched her body, discovering that this frame was far too weak; her hands were thin and pale, clearly the result of long-term malnutrition. A flash of coldness crossed Jun Zijin’s eyes.

Xiao He looked at her with some astonishment; rumor had it that the Second Young Lady Jun was a cowardly, timid waste who didn't know a handful of characters, but now it seemed that was not the case.

Jun Zijin saw it clearly: Xiao He believed the former Second Young Lady was timid, fearful, and shrinking, unlike the composed, decisive, and radiant person she was today.

Jun Zijin smiled:

"I was young before and was left here to fend for myself. Everything around me was no longer what it used to be, and I was afraid that if I wasn't careful, I wouldn't even have the days I had in front of me, so naturally, I was cautious. Now that I have nearly lost my life, what is there left that I cannot see clearly?"

Xiao He immediately patted her chest:

"Don't worry, Young Lady, I’ll be here from now on."

Just then, a "bang" sounded, and Liu Ma stood at the doorway, looking fierce and menacing.

"Yo, Second Young Lady, are you trying to slack off? You haven't finished today's work yet; do you not want to eat?"

She then put her hands on her hips and cursed at Xiao He, "You little hussy, if you don't go pick firewood, watch out or I'll break your legs!"

Liu Ma’s voice was sharp and grating.

Xiao He shrank back in fear, but immediately stepped forward again, wanting to shield Jun Zijin.

Jun Zijin took in Xiao He’s reaction, and a trace of warmth rose in her heart.

"Xiao He, no need."

Jun Zijin gently pushed Xiao He aside and said to Liu Ma in an indifferent tone:

"Liu Ma, we will go once we have tidied up."

She was not someone easily bullied. In her past life, she had mastered excellent martial arts, along with calmness and decisiveness.

But now was not the time to confront this wicked woman head-on; let her be arrogant for a few more days.

Aside from the original owner’s fragmented memories, she knew nothing else, so she would avoid conflict whenever possible.

Yet Liu Ma was relentless: "Hmph, I think you two are just slacking off!" She raised her whip, ready to strike.

Jun Zijin narrowed her eyes slightly. Damn, this old hag goes crazy the moment she appears; it seemed avoiding her was impossible. Jun Zijin said coolly:

"Liu Ma, there should be a limit to how much you bully people."

Liu Ma was stunned; she hadn't expected this usually submissive Second Young Lady Jun to dare talk back to her. She widened her eyes and pointed her whip at Jun Zijin:

"You... you dare speak to me like that!"

Jun Zijin chuckled, though the smile did not reach her eyes:

"Liu Ma, what is that supposed to mean? Just because you want to hit me, I should just stand here and let you? I am, after all, the legitimate Young Lady of the Minister’s residence. Do you want to try hitting me and see what happens?"

Liu Ma was taken aback. This lowly girl was actually using her status to suppress her today. Being a servant at heart, the ingrained fear of her superiors took over, and she stood there, stunned.

Jun Zijin gave Liu Ma a look of ambiguous meaning, and before she could react, she pulled Xiao He along and turned to walk toward the back mountain.

She would take the opportunity to gather some medicinal herbs on the mountain; this body needed to be nursed back to health.

"What the hell!" Liu Ma watched Jun Zijin’s retreating back and cursed inwardly. Was this still that cowardly, lowly girl?