Chapter 3: Seeing Ghosts

In the original owner's memories, Xiao He was the original owner's only friend in this manor.

Xiao He supported Jun Jun Zijin back to the small, damp room; a gust of wind blew, and Jun Jun Zijin involuntarily shivered.

Xiao He hurriedly turned to close the door; Jun Jun Zijin's lips curled slightly—indeed, a clever maid.

Jun Jun Zijin strode across the room, picking and choosing, yet could not find a single decent piece of clothing.

She sighed inwardly: after all, she was the Young Lady of the main line of the Minister Manor, yet she seemed no better off than a beggar on the street.

Jun Jun Zijin casually took out a tattered old garment and had Xiao He help her change into it.

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

For these six years, this Second Young Lady of the Jun family had lived worse than a servant; only by working all day could she earn a meal. Being waited on like this was her first time.

After changing clothes, Jun Jun Zijin found a broken bronze mirror and carefully examined the face.

Big eyes, a high nose bridge, delicate eyebrows, a pretty small face, and refined features radiating spirit.

Indeed, the original owner's face was identical to hers; only her eyes seemed larger, set off by this sallow, emaciated face. Her lips were somewhat pale, a heaviness on her face that did not belong to her age, and above her forehead, within her hair bun, lay a scar.

"At such a young age, having endured so much."

"Rest assured. From now on, I am you. I will live well. I will definitely return to the Minister Manor and take good care of Grandma for you."

After Jun Jun Zijin finished speaking in her heart, she felt as though a faint sigh echoed in her ear.

The tightness in her chest that had been there just a moment ago suddenly eased. Yes, this must be the obsession of the original owner, the Second Young Lady of the Jun family.

"From now on, a legitimate daughter of noble birth must act like a legitimate daughter of noble birth; she will never again be mud beneath their feet." Jun Jun Zijin said silently in her heart.

She stood up and stretched her body, discovering this body was far too weak. Her hands were slender and pale, clearly the result of long-term malnutrition. A flash of coldness passed through Jun Jun Zijin's eyes.

Xiao He looked at her in some astonishment. Rumor had it that the Second Young Lady of the Jun family was timid and cowardly, a useless person who could barely recognize a character as big as a soybean. Now, it seemed the rumors were not entirely accurate.

Jun Jun Zijin understood clearly: Xiao He thought the former Second Young Lady was timid and afraid of trouble, shrinking and cowering, lacking today's steadiness, decisiveness, brightness, and magnanimity.

Jun Jun Zijin smiled:

"Before, I was young and was abandoned here to live or die on my own. Everything around me was no longer as before. I was afraid that one wrong step would cost me even the days before my eyes, so naturally I was cautious and timid. Now that I have nearly lost my life, what is there left that I cannot understand?"

Xiao He immediately patted her chest:

"Young Lady, rest assured. From now on, I am here."

Just then, with a "Bang!" Liu Ma stood at the doorway, full of fury.

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

Then, hands on her hips, she scolded Xiao He: "You little rascal! If you don't go gather firewood right now, I'll break your legs!"

Liu Ma's voice was sharp and grating.

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

Jun Jun Zijin saw Xiao He's reaction, and a warmth rose in her heart.

"Xiao He, no need."

Jun Jun Zijin gently pushed Xiao He aside and said to Liu Ma in a tone neither warm nor cold:

"Liu Ma, we will finish tidying up before we go."

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

But now was not the time to confront this vicious woman directly; let her be arrogant for a few more days.

Besides the original owner's fragmented memories, she knew nothing else; if conflict could be avoided, it should be avoided.

But Liu Ma would not let it go: "Hmph! I see you are just slacking off!" She raised her whip, ready to strike down.

Jun Jun Zijin narrowed her eyes slightly. Damn it, this old hag goes mad the moment she appears. It seems there is no escaping. Jun Jun Zijin said calmly:

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

Liu Ma froze, not expecting this usually timid and submissive Second Young Lady of the Jun family to dare talk back to her. She widened her eyes and pointed the whip in her hand at Jun Jun Zijin:

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

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

"Liu Ma, what you say—does that mean if you want to hit me, I should just stand there and let you? This Young Lady is, after all, the legitimate daughter of the Jun family of the Minister Manor. Do you want to try hitting me again?"

Liu Ma froze. This wretched maid actually dared to use her status to suppress her today. She was, after all, a servant; the innate fear of a master took hold, and she stood there stunned.

Jun Jun Zijin gave Liu Ma an ambiguous look, and before she could react, she grabbed Xiao He, turned around, and walked toward the back mountain.

She would also gather some herbs on the mountain; this body needed conditioning.

"Seeing Jun Jun Zijin!" Liu Ma cursed inwardly as she watched Jun Jun Zijin's retreating figure. Is this still that timid wretched maid?