Chapter 411

An ancient saying goes, what you see at three determines who you become at seven.

If you look closely, you can see that experiences in childhood influence choices and habits for a lifetime.

Jiang Sheng was unfortunate that during the years she should have grown confident, she competed with dogs for food. But she was also fortunate to meet her brother before her personality was set, finding her closest kin.

When she realized begging compromised her dignity, she learned to be self-reliant.

When she discovered earning money could help more people, she was willing to cast off laziness.

When her brother needed help, she bravely learned unfamiliar things.

A noble house, etiquette, grace, tranquility.

Even when facing the formerly arrogant legitimate daughter of a noble house, she dared to step forward and protect her stunned cousin.

Even if her heart shook a little, even if her palms sweated a bit.

Lady Tan's lingering advice echoed again, "Girl remember, apart from the imperial family, the Jiang family isn't afraid of any noble house in Fengjing, be they the Three Dukes, Three Solitaries, or Six Ministries. As long as you're reasonable, there's nothing to fear. The General is your backbone."

That's right, she had someone to rely on now.

Jiang Sheng steadied her emotions again, glaring over like her strict grandmother, "Hurry up and go, or do you want me to call over the ladies to judge you, or tell the people of Fengjing what you did!"

Zhu Wanwan was frightened, unsure who this person was, but afraid to make a scene.

Bickering between young ladies was one thing, but forcing someone to their death was another.

She didn't dare linger, hurriedly pulling her companion away.

The willow tree was quiet again.

Jiang Sheng turned around, gazing steadily at the still stunned Jiang Chengyu, asking softly, "Who was the Zhu family girl talking about?" Yao Siqing wanted to stop her, but seeing the girl's determination, slowly lowered her hand.

Some things, you'd find out eventually.

Jiang Chengyu lowered her head, stammering, "It was Jiang Chenghua."

That fake heiress, whose formerly proud manner was still vivid, as startled as a deer, always with unease in her eyes.

Her life had plummeted, fallen from a pampered daughter of heaven to vilified by all, losing what she had, her losses never to return.

If she was a pure victim, perhaps she could have survived on past affections, living in the Jiang household as an invisible third young miss.

But that wasn't the case.

Her mother's schemes let her enjoy riches and nobility, but also made her fall into hell. While unaware, her fate had already been decided.

"It was the day Grandmother found out the truth, she jumped from the Cloud Tower. It was because my words were too harsh, provoking her. I was the last straw that broke her. I really know I was wrong, I shouldn't have said those things." Tears swirled in Jiang Chengyu's eyes. "If...if I could have counseled her, comforted her, maybe she wouldn't have died."

No one wanted to harm a life, but an unintended loss had still been caused.

Jiang Sheng didn't stop Jiang Chengyu's guilt.

She just gazed into the distance, thinking of the two babies swapped twelve years ago. If they knew their fates twelve years later, would they still have agreed to the swap? Would they still have agreed to walk the predetermined paths?

No one knew Jiang Chenghua's answer, but Jiang Sheng was willing.

Those seven years of wandering and begging were truly bitter, but she also gained a freedom noble ladies never experienced, and met her brothers, her life gradually becoming colorful, transforming from simple freedom to striving prosperity, from desolate loneliness to joyous celebration.

Different paths led to different lives, different births destined different futures, but no matter the path, as long as your heart was happy, the world shone bright.

People must broaden their roads as they walk, turn the ordinary into beauty, make their days blossom.

Jiang Sheng turned around, wiping the tears from Jiang Chengyu's cheeks, "Hurtful words were your mistake, but her choice wasn't yours to decide. I also didn't expect she would take that path, and that I wouldn't learn of this regret for so long."

The lies the brothers collaborated on were well-intended at their core. But she had grown up now. Some things had to be faced, had to be experienced.

"Sister, don't you hate her?" Jiang Chengyu asked in surprise, stopping her tears.

Even Yao Siqing was somewhat surprised.

The two girls in the true and false heiresses scam were in opposing positions in status and interests, innate adversaries, inherently incompatible.

Not to mention, everything Jiang Chenghua gained was due to her mother's elaborate scheming and seizing it from Jiang Sheng. Not only had this caused Jiang Sheng to wander destitute, but now Mrs. Liao was neither ghost nor human, the mother and daughter never to have a loving family.

Yet clearly, they should have loved each other deeply.

While Mrs. Liao may not have been an ideal general's wife, she was certainly a good mother.

She just failed to love her own child at the right time, loving and hating the wrong people.

Mistaken to an absurd degree, without even a chance to repent.

"I don't hate her." Jiang Sheng shook her head, enunciating each word. "Jiang Chenghua's death wasn't for you to decide, nor was us two being swapped for her to decide. The missed fine clothes and jade food were certainly a pity, but hating her is useless."

No one dictated the true and false heiresses must oppose and scheme against each other without principle.

She now realized the more pampered a flower grew, the weaker it was against storms, while adversity brought resilience.

"Hate would only immerse me in anger and blame, torment me with resentment." Jiang Sheng's bright eyes were pure and penetrating. "Life has already come to this point. Living well is most important."

It was for her.

It was for Jiang Chengyu.

It should have been for Jiang Chenghua too.

The bitterness eaten, falls stumbled through, should all transform into nimbleness for the road ahead.

Use accumulated experience to avoid future risks.

Wasn't that life?

Jiang Chengyu watched blankly, suddenly realizing she was far less enlightened than her cousin, formerly careless with hurtful words, now mired in guilt and bullied by others.

Both extremes were unsuitable.

She should watch her mouth, bravely counter when oppressed by enemies, yet stay kind in peace.

From somewhere drifted melodious bells, calling the gathered wives and daughters to return to Baohe Hall.

"The banquet is starting." Yao Siqing reminded Jiang Sheng. "Should we go back now?"

Oh no, too focused on being a sister, her responsibilities weren't fulfilled yet.

Jiang Sheng stuck out her tongue, remembering this was the imperial palace and quickly pulled it back in.

"Little Yu," she said solemnly, "I need to quickly take care of some business. Tell Second Aunt first so she doesn't worry for us, okay?"