C1 If You Want to Save Face You Have to Die!

March 8, Imperial Capital.

The gates of the Li Duke Mansion were tightly shut. Yet, outside, a procession had gathered, each horse adorned with bright red silk flowers, and in the middle stood a red sedan chair.

They had been waiting since early morning, and it wasn't until noon that the intricately carved mahogany doors, depicting a giant serpent, slowly opened.

Hua Gongfeng, seated on horseback, wiped the sweat from his brow, quickly dismounted, and hurried forward.

"I am Hua Gongfeng, here by the Empress Dowager's decree to escort my daughter—"

A man in a black robe stepped out swiftly, clasping his hands in greeting. "Lord Hua, our Duke has said he is not receiving guests today. Please take Miss Hua back. The Duke is unwell and cannot entertain female company today."

Without waiting for Hua Gongfeng to respond, the man turned back into the mansion, and the doors closed once more.

Onlookers whispered and pointed, while Hua Gongfeng's face flushed with a mix of emotions.

To stay or to leave, to save face or to save oneself—that was the question.

In the next moment, a petite figure burst from the sedan chair, rushing headlong into a stone lion statue nearby.

Blood splattered, drawing gasps from the crowd.

The Empress Dowager, upon hearing of the incident, sent an abundance of health supplements to Hua Xiangxue. The entire Hua family showered her with care and attention, doing everything they could to support her.

Finally, Hua Xiangxue was saved, but her personality changed drastically.

Five days later, it happened to be the beginning of spring. Hua Xiangxue could finally walk again. With Qingliu's support, she strolled through the Hua family's garden.

Gazing at the vibrant spring scenery, Hua Xiangxue felt a mix of emotions. She had awoken to find herself in a different world, in the year 659. The good news was she had been reborn into a well-connected family; her father held a significant position, and she was the eldest daughter of the Hua Mansion.

However, despite her status, her birth mother had passed away early, and her father only favored his concubine, Lau Yuemei, and her daughter, Hua Yunjin, treating Hua Xiangxue as if she were invisible. As the eldest daughter, she had no power or wealth and lived in poverty.

To make matters worse, Hua Yunjin had somehow angered the Empress Dowager, who then demanded the Hua family offer a daughter to the Duke. Hua Yunjin, proud and ambitious, refused to be sent to the Duke's mansion. Rumors said the Duke was frail and eccentric, unlikely to live past twenty-two.

Unwilling to go herself, Hua Xiangxue's father callously sent her instead. After being rejected by the Duke, Hua Xiangxue, humiliated and unable to face anyone, attempted to take her own life.

Hua Xiangxue stroked her chin, murmuring softly, "Five days ago, on March 8th, the moon was in a bad phase, and nothing was supposed to go right that day—something was bound to happen."

It seems they didn't pick the right day for sending the girl off.

In this country, not many people know much about mysticism, but thankfully, most still hold a certain respect and belief in it.

Hua Xiangxue chuckled, sitting to the side while nibbling on a 'fruit salad' fed to her by Qingliu. She raised an eyebrow and muttered to herself, "I'm going to make a name for myself in this country. Someday, I'll have fame and fortune!"

"And then, I won't just be Hua Xiangxue anymore—I'll be Hua Xiangxian!"

In the distance, a young girl approached, holding a round fan.

Qingliu glanced over and immediately tensed up, stammering, "Miss, the second young lady is coming."

Hua Xiangxue felt a bit frustrated with Qingliu's nervousness. After all, the girl approaching was just thirteen or fourteen—what was there to be afraid of? In terms of status, Hua Xiangxue was the eldest daughter, while the other was just a daughter of a concubine.

It seemed she needed to establish her position as the eldest daughter in front of her maid.

"Girl, what are you afraid of? From today on, you don't need to fear that little girl anymore."

Even so, Qingliu still nervously swallowed.

Hua Yunjin had hair like a waterfall, a lovely oval face, eyebrows like light smoke, and smiling eyes. Her small, cherry-red lips curved into a pure, charming smile.

She might not be a breathtaking beauty or one-of-a-kind, but she was certainly charming enough to evoke a protective instinct in others.

However—

Hua Xiangxue smacked her lips and muttered to herself, “Those peach blossom eyes, always smiling, with a gaze that’s as alluring as water. Tsk, tsk, tsk, she’s quite the flirtatious girl!”

Qingliu didn’t quite understand, but over there, Hua Yunjin had already spotted Hua Xiangxue and was striding over with an air of confidence.