WBSGVS Chapter 1

Qingli snapped back to reality and saw a simple yet elegant bronze mirror in front of her. At the bottom of the mirror was a round, beautiful gemstone, clearly a sign of a wealthy family.

The mirror was polished to a high clarity. As she raised her eyes, she saw her current reflection. Her features were quite beautiful, but her face was gaunt, with a sharp chin that looked like it could cut someone. Her complexion was very pale, lacking color, giving her the appearance of a long-term sick person.

Wearing plain clothes only added to her frailty, making her look even more pitiful.

Just then, a maid dressed similarly was applying makeup to her. The pink color was applied to her lips, which added a touch of liveliness and reduced some of her weakness.

A faint sound of footsteps approached. Another maid, holding a very luxurious outfit, whispered, “Young Madam, the Madam has sent over the clothes.”

Qingli glanced at them without saying a word and slowly closed her eyes.

The maids looked at each other, puzzled. Only one more distinguished maid, daring to speak up, said, “Young Madam, the Madam is right. It’s been so long since the Master passed away; you should move on…”

Though the Young Madam was so young, she had been married for five years. She had married her childhood sweetheart, Zheng Yihan. Despite their love for years, half a year ago, Zheng Yihan went on a mission and was reported missing.

Later, fragments of Zheng Yihan’s clothes were found on a cliff, leading everyone to believe he was dead. Only the Young Madam refused to accept it. During the mourning period, she fainted several times from grief, and her health deteriorated, leaving her in a state of utter despair.

Perhaps out of sympathy, the Madam, who had always been critical of her, finally treated her kindly a few days ago. She encouraged her to dress up and go out for a walk, hoping she could feel better.

Although the mourning period had not ended, and her husband had been dead less than three years, the Madam’s kindness led the Young Madam to agree to dress up.

After the maid finished speaking, she sighed inwardly, feeling regret for the Young Madam.

But fate was cruel.

The once touchingly devoted Young Madam now only had a flicker of movement in her eyelids, a slight curl of her lips. Her expression didn’t seem like a smile but rather… sarcasm.

The maid sensed something subtle for a moment but quickly shook her head, thinking it might be a mistake.

Just then, the dressed-up woman suddenly stood up, her cold voice carrying a hint of chill, “Remove the makeup. It’s only been half a year. The eldest son’s body isn’t cold yet. I truly don’t want to dress up.”

Several maids felt a pang of sadness for the Young Madam, lamenting her young widowhood. “Young Madam…”

They had intended to persuade her further but saw the firmness in her expression and the sharpness in her eyes when she opened them again. They instinctively swallowed their words, bringing hot water to help her wash up.

In a short while, after the makeup was removed and only some skincare cream was applied, Qingli’s appearance returned to its previous frailty. Qingli’s gaze softened as she looked at her plain clothes, silently sneering.

Could a woman who used to torment her daughter-in-law so harshly have such good intentions?

It was all just a trap waiting for her!

Qingli was a fast-travel missioner chosen by the Heavenly Path, tasked with resolving grievances for those who had suffered in the vast world.

This wasn’t her first mission. After completing her previous one, she had rested for a while and was now back at work.

This time, Qingli had transmigrated into the body of Ji Qingli, the daughter of a great general of the Jiang Kingdom.

The original owner, Ji Qingli, and her husband Zheng Yihan, who went missing half a year ago, were childhood sweethearts. They had grown up together and naturally married.

However, the original owner’s father was a great general with many enemies. When she was ten years old, she was kidnapped by her father’s enemies. Although she was rescued, her health was damaged, and doctors said it would affect her ability to bear children.

When they were engaged, the original owner had told Zheng Yihan about this, explaining that the general’s son-in-law was not allowed to take concubines, so marrying her might mean having no heirs.

Yet, Zheng Yihan still married her.

He was not an only child; he had a younger brother, a younger sister, and several half-siblings. If they didn’t have their own child, they could adopt one from among them.

Because of this, the general initially disapproved of his weak literary background but eventually supported him, hoping he would treat his daughter well.

Ji Qingli and Zheng Yihan had been loving each other for five years. The only downside was the mother-in-law’s persistent desire for a son and her constant torment of Ji Qingli.

For five years, every morning, the mother-in-law demanded that Ji Qingli serve her meals. If she didn’t find a few excuses to make Ji Qingli uncomfortable each day, she would be unhappy.

This continued for five years. Ji Qingli endured it for her lover, reporting only good news and not expressing her difficulties to her family, refusing to allow her husband to take a concubine.

Half a year ago, Zheng Yihan was promoted and began working for the emperor, secretly gathering evidence of local officials’ corruption. However, due to a fatal betrayal from his enemies, he fell off a cliff, and no matter how many people were sent to search, they couldn’t find him. The discovery of fragments of his clothes led everyone to believe he was dead.

The original owner was devastated by the loss of her husband, living in constant anguish, wishing to follow him. But given her parents’ expectations, she couldn’t commit suicide and chose to neglect her health. Her condition worsened, and the mother-in-law who had always disapproved of her suddenly called her over.

The mother-in-law said, “You’re a good child. I’ve wronged you in the past, but I don’t want you to waste the rest of your life like this…”

The original owner immediately sensed that the mother-in-law wanted her to remarry. Though she was touched, she was unwilling and refused.

After several attempts at persuasion, she still did not agree until the mother-in-law changed her approach, expressing a desire to see her in the radiant state she was in before marriage. The mother-in-law even specially made clothes for her and suggested she go out for a religious visit to lighten her mood.

When the elders persuaded her to this extent, the original owner, who had always respected her mother-in-law, reluctantly agreed.

But she never expected that when she dressed up and went out, she would encounter her missing husband!

Yes, Zheng Yihan was not dead!

He had fallen off a cliff but was saved by a woman. After losing his memory for several months, he recovered it a month ago and sent a message back. He had been rushing home ever since and now appeared at the doorstep.

The mother-in-law greeted him joyfully, while the original owner was stunned for a long time.

Facing her husband’s surprised gaze, she looked down at her fine attire, which, though not dazzling, was not suitable for a widow still in mourning. She felt extremely embarrassed.

This reunion was a surprise and shock for the original owner but a long-awaited disappointment for Zheng Yihan.

Meanwhile, the original owner’s appearance was discussed among onlookers, with everyone commenting that she couldn’t endure the loneliness and was planning to remarry after just half a year, which tarnished her reputation.

Under such circumstances, the original owner met her husband’s savior, Su Tingxue.

The original owner sincerely thanked her, grateful for saving her husband. However, just as she straightened up, her husband announced he would marry Su Tingxue, hoping his wife would understand since he had tarnished Su Tingxue’s reputation.

The mother-in-law was overjoyed, even sternly accusing the original owner of wanting to remarry and being childless, questioning why she shouldn’t allow her son to take a concubine.

With the general still fighting at the border, the original owner was powerless in the capital. Su Tingxue had saved her husband and had a damaged reputation, making it seem natural for her to agree.

But the original owner, being the general’s daughter, was determined and refused to give in. She quarreled with her husband, mother-in-law, and Su Tingxue, hoping to resolve the situation. In the end, her actions only pushed her husband further away.

Just as the original owner began to lose hope, she saw her husband and Su Tingxue embracing.

Hatred surged within her. While Su Tingxue was out offering prayers at a temple, she planned a bandit attack to abduct Su Tingxue and send her to the border for her father to find a new family for her.

Unfortunately, it failed, and instead, it led to Su Tingxue meeting the Crown Prince of Yu. She was brought back to the capital, and at that time, the Crown Prince recognized Su Tingxue as his long-lost daughter!

With the recognition, Su Tingxue instantly became the daughter of the Prince, no longer someone the original protagonist could easily mistreat. At the same time, the Prince informed the Emperor about the situation, and the original protagonist was labeled as the cruel first wife who had been involved in a plot to eliminate witnesses.

The husband, deeply disappointed, issued a letter of divorce and sent it to a nunnery, leaving her to spend the rest of her days there.

The original protagonist completely broke down. On the night Su Tingxue married her husband, assassins came to the nunnery, and she remained unmoved, letting them attack her.

After her death, the original protagonist’s bitterness and hatred were profound.

She hated her mother-in-law for deliberately encouraging her to remarry, despite knowing her husband was returning, and for insisting she dress up; she hated her husband for breaking the promises made during their engagement and insisting on taking a concubine; she hated Su Tingxue for choosing to marry her husband, thus ruining her family despite being given a better option; and she hated the Prince for forcing criminals to change their testimonies, making her out to be a murderer.

But what she hated most was herself. Despite being the daughter of a general, she had made such foolish decisions, disgracing her parents!

The room was filled with a heavy silence.

Noticing their mistress’s poor mood, the maidservants dared not speak, and the silence was so deep that even the sound of breathing could be heard.

Ji Qingli’s chief maid, Wan Yue, carefully tidied the last strand of hair when hurried footsteps approached, breaking the silence. As the messenger maid entered, she shouted, “Madam! Wonderful news!”

“The eldest son is back!”

The eldest son is back?!

In those few words, the maidservants in the room, who had been like wooden statues, trembled with excitement. They forgot the rules and instinctively asked, “What? The eldest son is back?”

“How is that possible!”

“……”

It was as if a drop of water had fallen into a hot pan, sizzling and splattering. After the initial shock, everyone quickly looked towards Qingli.

Qingli’s eyes reddened at just the right moment. Shocked and disbelieving, she looked at the messenger maid and said in a hoarse voice, “Is what you said true?”

The maid nodded vigorously, “Yes, Madam, the eldest son is not dead. He is at the gate. The madam has already gone over there. I will take you there immediately. The eldest son will be very happy to see you!”

Qingli immediately stood up, lifting her skirt to run, but her frail body made her stagger after just a couple of steps. Wan Yue quickly reached out to support her, reassuring her, “Madam, slow down. The eldest son will wait for you.”

“No, I need to hurry.” Qingli forced a smile, her eyes red, looking as though she was crying tears of joy. She shook her head firmly, not stopping, her steps quick and unsteady as she moved towards the door.

She needed to get there before they entered the residence.

The original protagonist, being caught in the situation and blinded by love, made incorrect choices. But Qingli would not.

The actions of Mother-in-law Zhang were very clear.

She would certainly delay things slightly to allow Ji Qingli to reach the gate, so everyone could see her in her fine clothes.

Qingli would naturally fulfill her wish, but the way the drama played out was not something she could dictate!

Wan Yue and the other maidservants were moved to tears by her determination. At least the eldest son was alive, and the madam would no longer have to suffer so much.

At the Zheng residence:

The Zheng family had been quiet since the death of the eldest son six months ago.

But now, the Zheng family’s main gate was crowded with people, with onlookers craning their necks, eager to catch a glimpse and discuss the miraculous return of the eldest son, Zheng Yihan.

Mother Zhang, having released her son, looked tearfully at his emaciated face, feeling both heartache and relief as her gaze occasionally strayed to the gate.

Good, so many people.

Ji Qingli, the jealous woman, would suffer a blow to her reputation. It should be expected for her son to take a concubine now. After all, the wife had been seeking to remarry only half a year after her husband’s death. Even if she didn’t succeed, the mere act was a major affront!

Zheng Yihan, unaware of his mother’s thoughts, regained his composure after the excitement of their reunion. He greeted his younger brother and sister-in-law, then said, “Mother, let’s go in first.”

Mother Zhang’s eyes flickered. Pretending to be sad, she clung to her son and said, “Wait, wait, let me look at you a bit more. Since learning about your misfortune, I haven’t been able to eat or sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I see you dying tragically. Now that you’ve returned safely, it’s truly a blessing from Heaven!!”

“Mother…” Zheng Yihan was moved, and he threw himself into Zhang’s embrace, crying.

Halfway through his tears, a timid yet expectant female voice called out, “Husband?”

Both of them froze and turned their heads.

Mother Zhang, who had never shown such anticipation for her eldest daughter-in-law, almost revealed a smile at the corner of her mouth. But when she looked, she was stunned.

The newcomer was frail and thin, supported by maidservants, like a delicate flower. Her mourning clothes made her look extremely pale, but her eyes were astonishingly bright, and filled with tears. She gazed at them eagerly, her face gradually showing surprise and the tears that had just begun to fall, evoking deep sympathy.

This!

This this!!

What’s going on!!!

Wasn’t the new outfit ready? Wasn’t it agreed that she would dress up nicely today?

What is this appearance of a lovesick woman in mourning attire supposed to mean?

Mother Zhang felt as though she had been struck in the chest, biting her teeth in frustration but unable to express her grievances. She quickly looked at her son, who indeed looked moved and regretful.

If only… they had gone in earlier!