Chapter 18: Identity Revealed

“Of course, Bin’er and I personally threw it away,” Yang Xiuhua told the maid outside the door. “Go and bring my brother here.”

Hearing that his sister had returned, Yang Wenbin hurried over. “Sister, when did you come back?” Then he scolded Sun, “Mother, sister’s back, why didn’t you tell me?”

Yang Wenbin had already made all his calculations. He would need money to travel to the capital for the imperial exams. Relying solely on their father, who worked as a laborer, there was never enough money. Only his wealthy brother-in-law could provide financial support. Thus, Yang Wenbin was very affectionate toward his sister.

Unaware of her brother’s true intentions, Yang Xiuhua felt somewhat comforted by his enthusiasm.

“Bin’er, I called you here because I have something to ask.”

“What is it? Ask away, sister.”

Yang Xiuhua recounted to Yang Wenbin what she had just told Sun.

“Bin’er, are you sure Jiang Lihua is dead?”

Hearing this, Yang Wenbin was shocked. He recalled what Huang Yingrong had said about Ni Wenyu and his cousin Lizi sneaking around outside his house, and the hand that had grabbed his foot on the night the body was thrown out.

All these events combined led him to an answer he dared not believe.

Noticing Yang Wenbin’s sudden pale face, Yang Xiuhua asked, “Bin’er, did you just remember something?”

“Sis, Jiang Lihua might not be dead.”

Sun trembled all over. “Bin’er, what are you saying? We threw that girl out ourselves!”

Yang Wenbin explained his reasoning to them one by one.

“So, that suddenly appearing Lizi could very well be Jiang Lihua?” Yang Xiuhua said.

“Exactly,” Yang Wenbin replied confidently.

Sun shook with anger. “I’ll go get her back right now! That damn girl dares to fake her death and scare us!”

Yang Xiuhua stopped her. “Mother, calm down. Jiang Lihua isn’t someone we can act against lightly now. We need to come up with a foolproof plan.”

“How can I not act? I still have her indenture contract. Alive, she belongs to our family; dead, she’s still our ghost!”

“What? Mother, you actually have that girl’s indenture contract?” Yang Xiuhua was surprised.

“Yes. When we bought her, I was afraid her family would cause trouble, so I had the village’s old scholar write the contract and had them seal it with their fingerprints.”

Yang Xiuhua nodded. “If that’s the case, then it’s easy to handle.”

Yang Wenbin’s face was full of excitement. It was like finding light at the end of a dark tunnel. He had worried that the girl might have powerful backing, but now with the indenture contract, she couldn’t escape his control. All the money Jiang Lihua earned would be his.

“Mother, don’t cause a scene. Since she’s so capable now, we should bring her back properly.”

Yang Xiuhua agreed, “Bin’er is right; we must not worsen the relationship.”

Sun retorted, “What if that bitch doesn’t know her place?”

Yang Wenbin said darkly, “Hmph, if gentle methods don’t work, don’t blame us for being harsh.”

After the matter was discussed, Sun began shooing people away. “Xiuhua, you should go back first. We’ll tell you once everything’s settled.”

“Mother, I came back once in a while, and you won’t even let me stay for dinner or a night?”

“You eat in town, you’re not used to home cooking. It’s for your own good.”

“All right, I’m leaving.” Yang Xiuhua turned without a trace of reluctance.

“Bin’er, what’s your plan now?”

“Mother, don’t reveal anything yet. I’ll first test the waters.”

“Fine, I’ll listen to you.”

—

In Ni Wenyu’s courtyard, he was teaching Jiang Limu how to write.

Jiang Lihua called them to eat. “Cousin, Limu, come eat.”

Jiang Lihua disregarded the usual rules about servants eating separately. Everyone sat together, enjoying a lively meal.

Jiang Limu always ate just a little before stopping.

“Limu, you should eat more or you won’t grow up and won’t even win a fight.”

Jiang Limu glanced at her coldly, then began eating heartily.

Jiang Lihua had already realized Limu was not Uncle Jiang’s child because Uncle Jiang treated Limu like his master.

Jiang Lihua guessed it might be like in the dramas—Limu was the orphaned child of a prince or a noble family, and Uncle Jiang was their servant who fled with him.

But she never asked. Everyone had their secrets, and since they didn’t share, so be it. Besides, Lihua Village was remote, a perfect place to hide.

After the meal, everyone busied themselves with their tasks. Jiang Lihua sat in the courtyard reading.

“Lizi, are you there?”

She heard Yang Wenbin’s voice. What was he doing here?

She put down her book and went out. Yang Wenbin stood outside the courtyard holding a box.

“It’s Yang Xiucai. What brings you here?”

“Lizi, I specially brought you some snacks.”

Yang Wenbin handed the box to Jiang Lihua.

“Thanks, Yang Xiucai, but I don’t like sweets. You should take them back.”

She felt Yang Wenbin was strange as he kept staring at her.

“Lizi, are you mad at me? I was in a bad mood last time, so…”

“No, Yang Xiucai, please leave.”

“Lizi…”

Yang Wenbin tried to pull Jiang Lihua.

“What are you doing!” Jiang Lihua’s voice rose, her gaze wary.

Aunt Zhang came over and stood behind her protectively.

“Lizi, I mean no harm. I just came to apologize and bring you some snacks.”

“I understand. Please leave.”

Seeing the old maid blocking the way, Yang Wenbin gave up and left, but not before glancing at Jiang Lihua’s workshop, leaving with a smile.

Jiang Lihua didn’t know what Yang Wenbin was up to, but peaceful coexistence was impossible.

In the afternoon, Jiang Lihua received a message from Gu Qingran. The letter said the beggar who harmed her was sent by Huang Yingrong and Yang Wenbin.

She knew Yang Wenbin but hadn’t expected Huang Yingrong to be so vicious, even trying to destroy her.

Unfamiliar with local laws, Jiang Lihua decided to ask Uncle Jiang.

After explaining everything to him, she asked, “Uncle Jiang, what do you think we should do?”

“Miss, I think it’s better not to report to the authorities. It won’t do your reputation any good.”

“Let me handle them. Since those two scoundrels like this sort of thing, I’ll feed them some ‘spring medicine’ to ruin their names and lives.”

Uncle Jiang always called himself a servant and refused to change it, no matter how many times Jiang Lihua asked. She had given up on correcting him.

After some thought, Jiang Lihua nodded in agreement.

“Good, no rush. Arrange everything carefully and act naturally, so no one suspects Ni Duan.”

“Don’t worry, Miss.”

Uncle Jiang spoke confidently.

For some reason, Jiang Lihua noticed Uncle Jiang’s steps were lighter, unlike the heaviness before.

Regarding this matter, Jiang Lihua felt no guilt at all. To be merciful to enemies is cruelty to oneself.

If Gu Qingran hadn’t arrived just in time last time, she would have fallen victim to that filthy beggar.