Chapter 2: Is it for personal or ulterior motives

Nian Suxin used to think that when a person died, everything would come to an end. However, she never expected that when she opened her eyes, she would be greeted by a beautiful scene covered in silver. The snowflakes were falling gracefully, as if they were trying to cover up all the filth in the world. Looking into the distance, everything seemed unreal in its beauty, but the cold wind blowing in from the car window made everything feel so real. The cold wind made the curtains flutter, and the dancing snowflakes found their way through the cracks, landing on her face, causing her to shiver involuntarily.

"Miss, are you feeling any better? Why are you still so hot? What should we do?" Qiu Yan's crisp voice and his slightly cool hand on her forehead abruptly brought Nian Suxin back to reality, which was wavering between confusion and truth.

"Where are we?" Nian Suxin asked uncertainly, looking at the younger Qiu Yan and the unfamiliar scenery outside the window.

"We are still on our way back." Qiu Yan rubbed his hands and leaned out to look outside, complaining, "We thought the weather was good today, perfect for offering incense, but halfway through, it started snowing and the carriage got stuck in a ditch. It's been a long time, and we haven't seen a soul. Miss, you're feeling cold and running a fever. If this continues, something bad might happen!"

Offering incense, halfway, the carriage wheels stuck in a ditch? These pieces of information suddenly brought back vivid images in Nian Suxin's mind, which had almost been forgotten. Her extraordinary memory told her that this was the official road from Xiu Yun Temple to return to the capital, and she had come back, back to the winter of the forty-eighth year of Kangxi, before her misfortune began.

"Miss, a carriage is coming." Qiu Yan exclaimed with joy and then jumped off the carriage to chase after it.

As Nian Suxin looked up, she saw a carriage slowly approaching through the gap in the curtain. Her heart was in turmoil. The more she tried to stay calm, the more her hand, hidden under her sleeve, trembled. Before she could react, Qiu Yan, who was shivering from the cold, ran back, "Miss, the lady over there has offered to help and invites you to warm up in the carriage."

Nian Suxin pressed her aching forehead and, before getting on the carriage, she thought she was mentally prepared. However, when she saw the face she had dreamt of tearing apart, she realized that she could barely suppress the surging anger within her, restraining the impulse to rush forward and strangle the other person. If it weren't for her, she wouldn't have lost her child, ruined her body, or even lost her life and let Fuhui take the blame for matricide.

"Since you're not feeling well, please sit down first, Miss!" Ula Nara, seeing Nian Suxin staring at her, couldn't help but speak.

Nian Suxin came to her senses and, seeing Ula Nara looking at her, her lips moved slightly, softening her stiff expression, "Thank you, Madam, for your help."

"Where did you get that idea? It's fate that we met today. Only after seeing you did I realize that there are still such beautiful women in this world." Ula Nara smiled warmly and gracefully, showing her generosity.

Nian Suxin understood in her heart that this Four Concubine was still so adept at winning people over. With just a glance and a few words, she instantly bridged the gap between them. If Nian Suxin hadn't seen through Ula Nara's cunning and vicious nature long ago, she might have regarded her as a confidante, just like she did in her previous life.

Ula Nara didn't mind Nian Suxin's silence and tried to comfort her with a smile, "I always say that such a beautiful person should bring joy to others. If my family had a suitable son, I might have thought of seeking a marriage alliance in the palace for you."

At that moment, Nian Suxin was stunned. Just as Dujuan understood Ula Nara, she also knew her. In her previous life, Ula Nara had no good intentions. In this life, she couldn't suddenly become a so-called good person. For her own benefit, she could disregard human life. Yet, at this moment, she was praising herself and even implying that she should be a wife, not a concubine.

What was this!

Planning a chance encounter, speaking sweetly to gain trust, was it all just to do a good deed?

"Why?" Nian Suxin's sudden question drew the attention of everyone in the carriage.

The closest Dujuan was taken aback, thinking that Nian Suxin was asking her. She couldn't help but push the teacup forward, "May I ask, Miss, what do you mean by 'why'?"

Nian Suxin ignored her. Unlike her silence before getting on the carriage, she looked directly at Ula Nara and asked again, "Why?"

Why didn't she give her a chance in her previous life, treating her as an enemy, deceiving and eliminating her like a fool? Why, in this life, did she plan to confront her, yet she was trying to be a good person? Was this her new scheme?

Nian Suxin's voice was unclear, but Ulanara seemed to understand the meaning behind her words. She met Nian Suxin's clear eyes, as if she could see through her heart, causing Nian Suxin to instinctively look away. When she came to her senses, she was surprised to find herself being forced back by the young girl.

Ulanara squinted her eyes and unconsciously tightened her grip on the teacup. Her tone was no longer as calm as before as she casually said, "Just a matter of personal preference."

Just a matter of personal preference—such simple words, spoken as casually as commenting on the weather. It was no wonder she was the noble consort of the Yong Prince, accustomed to being high and mighty. As long as she wished, she could casually decide the fate of others; as long as she wished, she could sacrifice her children, health, and future.

Thinking of this, Nian Suxin was filled with anger and laughter, the resentment she had barely restrained now overwhelming her.

"Why are you angry, miss? Is it because of shallow conversation, or because I unintentionally hit upon your hidden thoughts?" Ulanara calmly spoke, her demeanor composed and elegant, but her clenched fists revealed that her inner turmoil was not as calm as it seemed on the surface.

"Rather than shallow conversation, I am more curious about how the lady recognized me as a potential candidate for the selection of the concubines, and how she determined that I am not fit to be in charge?" Nian Suxin's words were like thunder, causing Ulanara to suddenly raise her head. "The triennial selection is based on the Emperor's decision and the intentions of the consorts. Is the lady's actions driven by personal motives, or is there another agenda?"