Chapter 12: Making Up One's Mind

Lin Jinyan calmed her mind and reflected: if she truly had returned to life through reincarnation, her family would have no knowledge of future events. The concept of returning from the dead was too fantastical; they might not necessarily believe her.

The venomous snake, Zhou Yuexue, was still in the manor, yet no one had ever been on guard against her. Her grandmother, in particular, held great affection for her grandniece, Zhou Yuexue. If she were to speak out rashly, they would certainly not believe her—moreover, Zhou Yuexue had not yet begun her schemes, so there was not a shred of evidence.

Zhou Yuexue was a person of sinister thoughts and deep calculation, always knowing how to present herself as weak and sensible.

In her past life, Lin Jinyan had been deceived by the kindness and fragility Zhou Yuexue projected, and had been swindled by that pair of scoundrels, Zhou Yuexue and Chu Chengyao, until her family was destroyed!

At this thought, Lin Jinyan felt a surge of blood and rage in her chest, and she clenched her fists, striking the quilt fiercely.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, the composed Lin Jinyan continued to deliberate

Before her death in her previous life, Zhou Yuexue had called her noble and naive.

Indeed, protected by her family status, she had grown up loved since childhood, never having faced hardship or suffering. She was skilled in the arts—zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting—and had once even taken pride in her reputation as the "Talented Lady of Tai'an."

She had considered herself a daughter of the noble Lin family, possessing intelligence but disdaining schemes and calculations, let alone making concessions to survive. In the end, she had caused her family to meet such a tragic end...

Lin Jinyan closed her eyes and let out a slow sigh. When she opened them again, her eyes were filled with unwavering determination

There was no use in dwelling on past grievances and hardships. Since she had been given a second chance at life, she would undoubtedly protect the Lin and Gu families! She would grind those villains to dust!!

She had to discard useless things like nobility and pride as soon as possible. To have a chance at winning, she had to be even more strategic, more calculating, and more resourceful than Zhou Yuexue and Chu Chengyao.

What she needed to do now was to pretend she knew nothing, find ways to make her family loathe Zhou Yuexue, prevent Chu Chengyao from ascending to the throne, and prepare contingency plans for the Lin and Gu families to protect themselves...

With a plan in mind, her panic subsided slightly, and Lin Jinyan forced herself to sleep.

When she woke up, her spirits were much improved. Just as she turned to sit up, she heard a gentle female voice

"Are you awake? Does anything else hurt?"

Lin Jinyan looked at Bai Yiran, who had faint dark circles under her eyes but wore a warm, radiant smile. Lin Jinyan felt a sudden ache in her nose

"Aunt..."

Bai Yiran sat by the bedside

"Oh dear, you've only just recovered; you mustn't cry again. What kind of dream were you having? You cried with such grievance the other day that you frightened us all to death."

Lin Jinyan sniffled to suppress her tears and smiled

"I had a terrifying dream. I dreamed that Aunt forced me to drink very bitter medicinal soup."

Bai Yiran lightly poked the tip of Lin Jinyan's nose

"You little ungrateful thing. We were so worried about you, and yet you complain that my medicine is bitter."

Lin Jinyan took Bai Yiran's arm

"I don't complain. Thank you, Aunt, for watching over me all these days. Even if you made me drink bitter medicine for the rest of my life, I would be willing."

"Bah, bah, bah! What nonsense are you talking? You can't drink medicine forever. You must stay healthy for a lifetime so you don't have to drink any."

"Yes, yes, we will all be healthy and safe for a lifetime, free from disaster and hardship."

"That's more like it."

"Aunt, I'm hungry..."

"You haven't eaten for days; it's no wonder you're hungry. There is porridge warming on the stove; I'll have them bring it to you."

Only after the warm, fragrant porridge went down did Lin Jinyan feel as though she had truly come back to life.

After finishing her meal and seeing off Bai Yiran, who had repeatedly checked to ensure Lin Jinyan was doing well, Lin Jinyan instructed the servants to fetch hot water for a bath.

After dismissing the servants, she soaked in the tub. The steam made Lin Jinyan's youthful face appear blurred as she said in a chilling tone

"We are to meet again, Zhou Yuexue!"

(End of Chapter)