[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world":3,"chapter-the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-3":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Phoenix Returns to Rule the World",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2353127,4602,"Chapter 3: Seeing a Ghost","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-3",3,"\u003Cp>In the original owner’s memories, Xiao He was the only friend the original owner had at this manor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin strode across the room, picking and choosing, yet she couldn't find a single decent piece of clothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin pulled out a tattered piece of clothing at random and let Xiao He attend to her as she changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Six years ago, the original owner was driven out of the residence without a single maid or servant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Jun Zijin had changed, she found a worn-out bronze mirror and carefully examined this face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Large eyes, a high bridge of the nose, delicate brows; the small face was beautiful, and the features were exquisite, radiating a spiritual aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So young, yet having experienced all the vicissitudes of life.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"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.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Jun Zijin finished speaking in her heart, she felt as if a soft sigh echoed in her ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin smiled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"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?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao He immediately patted her chest:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry, Young Lady, I’ll be here from now on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, a \"bang\" sounded, and Liu Ma stood at the doorway, looking fierce and menacing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yo, Second Young Lady, are you trying to slack off? You haven't finished today's work yet; do you not want to eat?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Ma’s voice was sharp and grating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao He shrank back in fear, but immediately stepped forward again, wanting to shield Jun Zijin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin took in Xiao He’s reaction, and a trace of warmth rose in her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xiao He, no need.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin gently pushed Xiao He aside and said to Liu Ma in an indifferent tone:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Liu Ma, we will go once we have tidied up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was not someone easily bullied. In her past life, she had mastered excellent martial arts, along with calmness and decisiveness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now was not the time to confront this wicked woman head-on; let her be arrogant for a few more days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from the original owner’s fragmented memories, she knew nothing else, so she would avoid conflict whenever possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Liu Ma was relentless: \"Hmph, I think you two are just slacking off!\" She raised her whip, ready to strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Liu Ma, there should be a limit to how much you bully people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You... you dare speak to me like that!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin chuckled, though the smile did not reach her eyes:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"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?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would take the opportunity to gather some medicinal herbs on the mountain; this body needed to be nursed back to health.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell!\" Liu Ma watched Jun Zijin’s retreating back and cursed inwardly. Was this still that cowardly, lowly girl?\u003C\u002Fp>",1036,"2026-06-21T03:35:39.629Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","2d7e2a0ca3ed9e4b2cc78ea95036a33cc9cbde731f3f761f39bad97e6187d21a","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-4","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-2",224,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-cover.jpg"]