He remarried after his mother's death, seized power over the world, and slept on the emperor�

The lewd laughter of the Northern Barbarian captain terrified Jiang Yuerong, making her feel as if she had fallen into an ice cave.

Share a room with him?

It would be better to just let her die!

The hibiscus-colored gown with intertwined floral patterns she's wearing today is her best garment, kept at the bottom of her trunk.

She changed into it specifically because she was counting down the days; she should arrive in the capital in the next couple of days.

According to her memories from her previous life, Jiang Bingning must be suffering in the cold Spring Courtyard right now, and might even be disliked by the Prince of Xin.

When she arrives in the capital, she will definitely go and visit her dear sister.

She wanted to stand before the distraught Jiang Bingning, dressed in her most glamorous and respectable clothes.

She wanted to show her clearly who the ultimate winner was!

But now...

All my fantasies were shattered by a single sentence from the Northern Barbarian captain before me.

She instinctively turned her pleading gaze to her two older brothers.

"Big brother... second brother..."

However, Jiang Siyuan and Jiang Luwei had long lost the arrogance they had when they first left the pass.

They were like two quails with their necks choked, their eyes fixed on the dust at their feet.

It was as if, as long as he didn't look up, this humiliating scene would never have happened.

Jiang Yuerong's heart sank little by little.

It was Jiang Chengxuan again, his face ashen, who forced himself to shout.

"Rong'er, come back!"

He wanted to pull his daughter behind him.

But as soon as he finished speaking, the Northern Barbarian captain grinned and blocked his way.

"Wait!"

The captain's eyes swept over Jiang Yuerong's exquisite dress with disdain, as if he were appraising a piece of merchandise.

"Does a mere pig from the Zhou Kingdom deserve to wear such fine fabric?"

He beckoned to a maid who was sweeping horse manure in the corner of the courtyard.

The maid was dark-skinned and strong, with a large and burly build, and her linen clothes were covered in stains.

"come over!"

Upon hearing this, the maid immediately dropped the broom and ran over.

The captain gestured with his chin toward Jiang Yuerong, his tone full of condescension.

"Go, skin her alive, and I'll give you the reward!"

"Thank you for the reward, Captain!"

The maid's eyes gleamed with greed as she rubbed her rough hands together and quickly approached Jiang Yuerong.

"You...you stay away!"

Jiang Yuerong was so frightened that she backed away repeatedly, her voice trembling uncontrollably.

In a flash, the maid grabbed her wrist tightly, like an eagle snatching a chick.

"Let me go! Get away!"

Jiang Yuerong screamed and struggled, but the maid's hand was like an iron clamp, not moving an inch.

She was grabbed by the collar and roughly dragged toward the foul-smelling thatched hut.

"Father! Save me! Eldest brother! Second brother!"

Her heart-wrenching cries echoed throughout the entire post station.

Jiang Chengxuan's eyes were bloodshot, and his fists were clenched tightly.

But he dared not move.

In front of him, several of the guards beside the Northern Barbarian captain had already placed their hands on the hilts of their swords.

If he dares to make a single move, the entire delegation will likely be splattered with blood on the spot.

He could only watch helplessly as his daughter was dragged into the dark thatched hut.

Soon, the sound of tearing fabric came from inside the room, along with Jiang Yuerong's even more miserable and desperate cries.

In no time.

The door to the thatched hut was pushed open.

The burly maidservant stepped out, wearing the same hibiscus-colored gown that Jiang Yuerong had worn.

Although the clothes looked out of place on her, she beamed with joy and showed them off to the Northern Di captain.

"Hahaha!"

The captain laughed heartily with satisfaction and led his men away.

Only after their figures completely disappeared did Jiang Chengxuan feel as if all his strength had been drained away, and he staggered into the thatched hut.

Inside, the room was dimly lit and reeked of a foul odor.

Jiang Yuerong huddled in the innermost corner, trembling like a leaf in the wind.

Her magnificent outer robe had been stripped off completely, leaving her only in a thin fur coat tightly wrapped around her body.

Even her shoes and socks were taken away, leaving her delicate feet treading on the cold, damp, rotten grass, covered in filth.

That maid didn't even keep the tattered hemp clothes she was wearing!

"Rong'er..."

Jiang Chengxuan's voice was hoarse and dry.

Hearing her father's voice, Jiang Yuerong seemed to snap out of her daze.

"Wow!"

She could no longer hold back and threw herself into Jiang Chengxuan's arms, bursting into tears.

Through her teary eyes, a thought suddenly popped into her mind.

last life...

In her previous life, did Jiang Bingning also experience such humiliation?

Even... a hundred times more terrifying torture?

……

The day after Ji Chengyun left.

The steward named Changfu then came to Jinse Courtyard.

He is a quiet person, but he is extremely efficient in his work.

After he arrived, life at Jinse Courtyard immediately improved.

The charcoal delivered every day was finally no longer damp.

Although it still produces thick smoke when lit, making people cough, at least the room is warm.

The delivered food was also warm.

With the silver notes given to her by Jiang Bingning, Chun Tao was able to occasionally buy some pastries and candied fruits from outside.

Jiang Bingning's life finally started to become a little more comfortable.

But Chang Fu almost never spoke to her.

When they meet, they at most bow and rarely even raise their heads.

Jiang Bingning was happy to have some peace and quiet and didn't care.

That afternoon, as she was flipping through the Book of Songs by the window, Chang Fu walked in for the first time.

"Miss Jiang."

His voice remained as calm as ever.

"We have distinguished guests arriving in the front yard. Please come over."

Jiang Bingning's heart stirred slightly, and she put down the book in her hand.

Distinguished guest?

She tidied herself up briefly, changed into a clean and simple outfit, and followed Changfu to the main hall.

As soon as she stepped inside, she saw a familiar figure.

The man was dressed in a black royal robe, with an upright posture and an innate air of nobility and aloofness between his brows and eyes.

It was none other than King Yue, Ji Ling.

Jiang Bingning paused, and gave a slight curtsy from afar.

"This humble woman greets Your Highness, the King of Yue."

Ji Ling turned around, his gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny.

"No need for such formalities."

He spoke calmly, "I just happened to be passing by the Prince Xin's residence today, so I thought I'd take a look."

He looked around at the furnishings in the courtyard.

"This is my aunt's former residence. Miss Jiang, are you settling in well?"

These words sound like concern, but they are actually a reminder.

Jiang Bingning lowered her eyes, her voice calm and even.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. The Empress Dowager is kind and compassionate. I am well."

She paused, then looked up at Ji Ling.

"I wonder if Your Highness has seen Prince Xin during your visit today?"

She has been brought to Prince Xin's residence for six or seven days.

Her mother was very worried.

In the past few days, the Dowager Consort has been busy visiting her old friends and relatives since returning to her residence. She has not been able to find an opportunity to ask to see her mother.

Having finally met Ji Ling today, she couldn't help but ask him a question.

However, Ji Ling did not answer her question.

After a moment, a slight smile appeared on his lips, but it carried a hint of wariness.

He spoke slowly.

"Miss Jiang, you seem quite familiar with battlefield medical techniques. Have you ever specifically studied them?"