Chapter 294: Chu Jiu Niang

Chapter 294

In his previous life, he had swept away all obstacles and reached the highest positions of power with authority reaching to the heavens, yet he was always alone.

Later, someone asked if he still remembered his wife who had passed away.

He was stunned for a long time, before giving a self-deprecating laugh.

How could he not remember?

It was only when he was old and on his deathbed that he finally realized... it was he who had first developed feelings for her at the British diplomatic reception in spring.

Recalling this, Jiang Yin raised his head with slightly reddened eyes that were turning moist.

He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again, and said to the woman still kneeling below, "Raise your head."

The woman obediently raised her head, revealing a face identical to Gu Ying's.

Jiang Yin looked at her with complex emotions.

In his previous life, he had by chance met a girl named Chu Jiuniang who resembled her.

Chu Jiuniang was from Haizhou. She came from a poor farming family, with generations of farmers. Later her father married a wandering madwoman who gave birth to a bunch of children before her. Originally there were eight older brothers before her, but because the family was too poor to raise them all, five of them died prematurely, leaving only three brothers. She was the only daughter born as the ninth child, which was how she got her name. Her eldest brother was conscripted into the army. Her second brother was sentenced to prison for murder. Only she and her third brother were left in the family.

Despite her humble origins, she possessed a face that was eighty percent similar to Gu Ying's. Because her looks attracted too much unwanted attention, she was kept hidden at home and carefully raised by her father and brothers, nurtured into tender flesh and delicate skin as white as a painting.

Later, after her brothers successively died prematurely and her parents became ill and passed away, her only remaining third brother became addicted to gambling and debauchery. Left without a choice, she had to show her face outside to find a living. This was how, when she was nearly sold to a brothel, she met him when he happened to be visiting Haizhou.

When he first saw her, he was extremely shocked. He immediately had his people buy her and bring her back to his residence.

At the time, Gu Ying had complications after a miscarriage and her health had been declining. She had been relying on medication to recuperate.

He secretly brought Chu Jiuniang back to a separate courtyard residence in Bianjing and gave her covert training until her comportment and manners became almost indistinguishable from Gu Ying’s.

Later, this woman did help him a lot. Using her beauty and bedroom skills, she assisted his swift rise through the ranks at court.

He didn’t expect that after his rebirth, when he sent people in advance to bring her back, she was actually willing to travel thousands of miles from Haizhou to Yueyang to come to him.

Chu Jiuniang didn't know what she had done to displease him. Flustered, she blinked nervously a few times before kneeling back down in anxious apprehension.

She came from an extremely poor family. The men in her village lusted after her beauty and none harbored good intentions whenever they loitered outside her door. She was terrified and had run away under the cover of night to the city of Haizhou to find a living. She didn't expect a man would buy her there.

She had abandoned her gambling addict brother to travel a thousand miles from Haizhou over here because she thought she might be sold to some wealthy but lecherous old man. But unexpectedly, the one she ended up meeting was this handsome, refined and cultured young master.

Not only did he dress her in beautiful clothes and give her money, but he also specially arranged for people to teach her poetry, etiquette and decorum.

What delighted her even more was that he was very fond of her, taking her virginity on the very first night. He treated her with exceptional gentleness and affection. The sensations that night were especially wonderful. She was immersed in rapture for most of the night. When she woke up ensconced blissfully in his embrace the next morning, body limp and sore all over, she knew he was the one for her this lifetime.

Only this graceful young man before her had given her a chance to live. She would follow him for the rest of her life, listening to him, bearing his children, and accompanying him until their hair turned white.

"Young master, what wrong has this servant done?"

Jiang Yin's face darkened in irritation. "Stay here obediently and wait for my arrangements. Don't come out casually."

Chu Jiuniang bit her lip. She felt somewhat aggrieved being cooped up here for so long without the young master touching her again, yet she didn't overstep her bounds too much and obediently responded, "Yes..."

Jiang Yin's heart was filled with turmoil and anger as he got up and strode out of the secret chamber, hating how he couldn't control his feelings towards Gu Ying which kept disturbing his state of mind.

That woman had betrayed him in both lifetimes and became Zhao Changdu's woman. Why should he care so much about her? He must kill her to eliminate this influence over him!

Yet as soon as he thought this, a twinge of pain spread through his heart.

Oh well, he might as well keep her. He didn't mind her past. Once he had dealt with Zhao Changdu and the Li royal family, he would take her back by his side. By then, he would love and pamper her wholeheartedly, and make her understand that he was the person in this world who loved her the most.

Jiang Yin had just exited the secret chamber when he saw Han Lin rushing over anxiously to meet him.

"Master, bad news!"

Jiang Yin's brow furrowed. "What's happened?"

Han Lin said, "Second Young Lady Gu came over to the residence just now and abducted His Highness Prince Shu away."

Jiang Yin's expression drastically changed. "What?!"