Chapter 3: Su Manjing's Visit

After taking a hot bath, having something to eat, and drinking a cup of lotus leaf tea, Su Ge felt like she had come back to life.

Sitting in front of the mirror, she carefully recalled her current situation. She had accepted the fact that she had been reborn.

She went back to when she was thirteen. That year, she had not been forced into the brothel, and the prince's birthday banquet had not yet begun. No, to be precise, none of the tragedies had started.

Looking at the person in the mirror, she slowly raised the corners of her mouth, revealing a set of pearly white teeth, and softly said, "It's all in the past. You were too stubborn and made foolish decisions, which led to such an outcome. Now that the heavens have given you a second chance at life, it's up to you to take control. In other words, the past tragedies will not happen again in the future, right?"

The person in the mirror responded with a radiant smile, as if affirming her words.

So, there were many things she needed to do now, many things.

Soon, her thoughts were interrupted by footsteps outside the door. Su Manjing entered her room without any announcement.

Her confident demeanor made it seem as if she were the owner of the courtyard, and Su Ge, on the other hand, was just a guest staying here.

Faced with Su Manjing's lack of respect for hierarchy, Su Ge frowned slightly. This half-sister of hers, she really didn't show any restraint!

Following behind Su Manjing was Qiuhe, who seemed to be tailing Su Manjing. Seeing this scene, Su Ge's gaze darkened.

In her previous life, she had indeed been blinded by ignorance and had failed to see the inappropriate relationship between Su Manjing and Qiuhe. She had allowed them to do as they pleased in front of her, and she deserved the outcome she had suffered.

Su Manjing sat down next to Su Ge without hesitation and spoke in a gentle tone, "Sister, are you feeling better?" At this moment, Su Manjing's face bore a faint smile, as gentle as a spring breeze, as delicate as peach blossoms in February, warming the heart.

If she hadn't been reborn, she would have been deceived by this false facade and followed the same path as in her previous life.

Su Ge reached out her hand, rejecting Su Manjing's next words and actions, and instead turned to Qiuhe behind Su Manjing. "Why haven't you knelt down yet?"

"Miss," Qiuhe looked at Su Ge discontentedly. When had she ever been punished like this, especially since she had entered the room with the second miss.

Su Ge remained silent, only narrowing her eyes slightly. A cold light shot towards Qiuhe, causing her to freeze, her heart pounding, and her legs involuntarily giving way as she knelt on the ground.

"Second sister came to see me, and you're just standing here being lazy, not even thinking to make a cup of tea to entertain her."

Su Ge looked back at Su Manjing, expressionless, with a hint of distance in her eyes. It was clear to anyone that Su Ge was not pleased with Su Manjing's sudden visit.

Su Manjing chose to ignore Su Ge's unwelcoming expression, pretending not to have seen it. She still wore her trademark smile and said lightly, "My dear sister, the way you speak, it's as if I came to see my sister just to ask for a cup of tea." Su Manjing frowned slightly, as if genuinely hurt by Su Ge's words.

"The bond between us, why do you suddenly feel so distant? Besides, she didn't mean it. Considering her first offense, you should forgive her!"

After hearing Su Manjing's words, Su Ge lowered her eyes slightly. "Second sister, you're wrong. You don't know that some people, if they aren't given a taste of bitterness, will never learn their lesson and forget the most basic principles of respect and hierarchy."

Since she was pleading for Qiuhe, she didn't mind embarrassing her.

What did she mean? Was she saying that she didn't respect hierarchy and didn't recognize the difference between legitimate and illegitimate? How could Su Ge, who was usually so different, be acting like this today? Could it be that she knew about the affairs in Tingyu Pavilion? It couldn't be possible. She had been so discreet. How could she have found out?

Su Manjing was so angry that she almost choked on her own saliva. How had she not noticed that Su Ge was so articulate and sharp-tongued? She left no room for anyone else.

Every word Su Ge spoke made Su Manjing feel more embarrassed.

"Sister, I deserve your reprimand. I was foolish," Su Manjing almost couldn't help but retort to Su Ge.

"Miss, Second Miss, it's all Qiuhe's fault. Qiuhe is willing to accept punishment. You are all sisters. How can you let the bond between you be damaged because of Qiuhe's mistake?"

With the opportunity to speak, Qiuhe quickly interjected. As long as she could please Mrs. Min and the Second Miss now, enduring punishment and hardship was nothing.

Moreover, the young miss was just a figurehead. What could she do? At most, scold her and fine her a few coins. It wouldn't cause any substantial harm to her.

With Qiuhe's words, Su Manjing visibly breathed a sigh of relief. She had come to see Su Ge today to show sisterly affection. If she and Su Ge fell out because of a moment of anger, she would be the one to suffer in the end.

Mugu watched the scene in front of her without any change in expression. She blamed herself and resented herself. How could she have been so blind before? It wasn't until her death that she realized Qiuhe had long betrayed her. What kind of creature was she?

Even though she had known this would be the outcome, her heart still couldn't help but ache slightly.

"Da Niu, come and serve tea for Miss Er," Mugu's eyes glanced at a figure passing by the doorway and spoke.

Upon hearing Mugu's voice, Da Niu visibly paused, clearly not expecting her young mistress to remember the name of a mere servant girl.

Fortunately, she was usually clever and steady. After understanding Mugu's words and seeing her eyes, she went to fulfill the order.

As she went, she pondered, and suddenly her eyes lit up. Then she eagerly went to brew tea for their young mistress.

Seeing Su Manjing about to drink the tea brewed by Da Niu, Qiuhe's heart tightened. She was about to remind Su Manjing, but before she could speak, she felt a chill down her spine.

Turning her head, she found her mistress staring at her with a dark expression. Qiuhe swallowed her words, not daring to say more, afraid of offending this changed mistress.

Su Manjing was completely unaware of all this, drinking the tea brewed by Da Niu, a deep jealousy flashing in her eyes. This was the finest Emei bamboo snow sprout tea.

It had a flat and slender shape, pointed at both ends like bamboo leaves. It had a high and fresh aroma, a clear and bright soup, and a rich and mellow taste. The leaves were tender and uniform, picked at the peak of freshness.