The abilities Lin Ruoshan demonstrated were not actually that important to the royal family. After all, the palace had the best tonics and medicines in the world, as well as the best doctors. They were already used to things that could prolong life.
But such auspicious events, like a gift from heaven, represent good fortune, and no one dislikes them; losing them suddenly is very unsettling.
The rise and fall of power in the palace are all determined by the whim of the ruler. The reason that Lin Ruoshan painstakingly found just happened to hit the nail on the head of the ruler's head.
If this "divine power" is inherited by the young prince, then it means that the young prince is a blessed person favored by heaven. The Empress Dowager's gaze fell on Lin Ruoshan's lower abdomen. After pondering for a moment, she said, "I am bored at times. Consort Lin, why don't you come and keep me company?"
The Emperor nodded, and Lin Ruoshan breathed a sigh of relief, but a bitter feeling welled up inside her. This was the only reason she could think of, a reason she had to use out of desperation. Once she used this reason, she would truly have no way out. If the little prince had no "divine power" whatsoever after his birth, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor would be doubly disappointed, and then she would never be able to have a good life again.
But she was helpless at this point. At least she had the Empress Dowager's favor and could safely give birth to the little prince. Otherwise, without the spiritual spring to detoxify her, she wouldn't even know how those women poisoned her to death. She looked up at the Empress, who was smiling, but her sharp eyes startled her.
Lin Ruoshan regretted it. She had been faking her illness perfectly well, so why did she go and show off to Xu Zifan? If she hadn't gone out, none of this would have happened. She was filled with remorse and also filled with anxiety. Xu Zifan had also been reborn; would he take revenge on her?
Lin Ruoshan was taken to the Empress Dowager's palace to stay temporarily, which saved her unborn child. This time, she completely hid herself away and dared not show her face easily again, hoping that the little prince she gave birth to would have some ability to protect her favor.
Xu Zifan's words gave her nightmares. The fetus, nourished by the spiritual spring, remained stable and unaffected, causing her great suffering. But there was no solution; she could never escape this nightmare.
Xu Zifan did his job smoothly and subtly expanded his network of contacts, gradually building his own power.
News of his passing the imperial examination with top honors and becoming an official had already reached Anyang Prefecture and Linxi Village. The prefect sent someone to inform the Xu family of the good news, and Xu's mother was overjoyed to receive a month's worth of free porridge. The magistrate of Shuixi Town also informed Old Master Lin of the good news, and the whole village celebrated Xu Zifan's success with great joy, holding a three-day feast in the village to invite people from neighboring villages to eat.
Xu Zifan came from their school, which was an honor for them. Everyone was happy for him, and if they could meet him, they would definitely bring him a house full of gifts. The only ones who were not happy were Lin Fu's family.
The Lin family returned to Linxi Village penniless with Old Master Lin. Previously, they had looked down on the villagers and looked down on them, so the villagers didn't try to curry favor with them. They were very disgusted with the family, but they didn't gossip about them because of Old Master Lin.
However, this didn't stop them from clashing. Wang, with her temperament, would often quarrel with the other women when they were washing clothes or working in the fields together. Lin Yaozu, pampered in town, would get into fights with the young men every few days, then angrily go home to complain, and be forcibly sent to school by his grandfather.
Lin Fu returned to his village feeling ashamed and didn't want to see anyone. But he was still unwilling to give up and wanted to make a comeback in town, opening his old tavern. But some things can be done once, but not twice; doing business also requires the right timing, location, and people.
The Lin family's initial success was due to the substantial savings given to them by Old Master Lin, along with the help of the Xu family in town. Now, Lin Fu has squandered all his money, and Old Master Lin's money was given to Lin Ruonan as her dowry. Naturally, he can't give Lin Fu the money that Xu Zifan and Lin Ruonan later gave him as filial piety. Furthermore, Lin Fu's reputation in town is completely ruined, making it extremely difficult for him to do business. He offended the top scholar, and it's impossible for him to survive in such a small place.
Grandpa Lin bought a few acres of land and told them to stay home and farm honestly. What could they do even if they were unwilling? They had only enjoyed their glory for a few years, and now they were back to being peasants in the countryside, looked down upon by others. The three of them lived a miserable life, dreaming of their former glory.
After serving as the village head for another six months, Old Master Lin stepped down. After discussing it with Lin Ruonan, Xu Zifan sent someone to pick him up and take him to the prefectural city so that he could go to the capital with his parents.
In the past six months, Xu Zifan made two very useful suggestions to the emperor and was promoted to the fifth-rank Hanlin Academician. He often entered the palace to classify memorials and draft imperial edicts for the emperor. He became a favorite of the emperor, and everyone who saw him gave him face.
Lin Ruonan adapted to the life of an official's wife as quickly as possible, befriended the other wives, became Xu Zifan's virtuous wife, and even cultivated a capable head manager to help her manage the cloth shop she opened in the capital.
With the year-end approaching and everything in the capital finally settling down, Xu's parents handed over the cloth shop in the prefectural city to Liu Hong and Xia Lian's family to manage. Only then did the Xu family move again to the capital.
Another reason they rushed over was that Lin Ruonan was four months pregnant, and the three elders were anxious to go to Beijing to take care of her!
The cloth shop in the prefectural city was originally slated for closure, as it also housed a dyeing workshop, which was a great pity. However, since Xia Lian's family moved to the prefectural city, they were able to take over the cloth shop and turn it into a branch of the cloth shop in the capital.
Their family is kind-hearted and upright. Xia Lian has spent many years in the palace, where she has learned a great deal and has a broad perspective. She is also the most knowledgeable about the most beautiful clothes and fabrics in the world. You can rest assured that they manage the fabric workshop with complete peace of mind.
So Xu's father, Xu's mother, and Old Master Lin were then surrounded by a group of people.
The guards escorted them into the capital. Lin Fu watched with envy but was powerless to do anything about it. He was just a second uncle and could no longer get close to him.
During the Lunar New Year, the emperor stopped writing and gave all his officials a holiday. Xu Zifan then took his wife and three elders to enjoy the scenery of the capital, and then went to a hot spring resort in the suburbs to soak in the hot springs and eat wild game.
This estate was a gift from the emperor to him. In the past six months, he has acquired many good things, and ensuring his family's wealth and prosperity is not a problem.
Looking at the neat and clean vegetable garden in the village, Grandpa Lin sighed, "The capital is so much better. Even farming is different from back home."
Xu Zifan laughed and said, "This is grown on our own farm for our own consumption. The people down there have to put in some effort to satisfy us. The villagers who really make a living by farming are all pretty much the same as those back home."
Grandpa Lin nodded. "That's wonderful. I never thought I would enjoy such treatment in my lifetime." He looked at Xu Zifan with deep emotion. "When our two families became acquainted, I wanted to repay you and help you out. I never expected that I would be the one benefiting from your kindness. All these years, you have been the one taking care of me. I am so lucky."
"Grandpa, you can't say that. Wealth and poverty are all about sincerity. Your sincerity towards us and your kindness in thinking of us are the most precious things, and no amount of wealth can buy them. Now you can rest assured and enjoy your life in the capital, and let Ruonan and I take care of you. When our child is born, you and my parents can enjoy the company of your grandchildren. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
Old Master Lin stroked his beard and laughed, "You always speak so pleasingly, kid. I don't know much about officialdom, but there will definitely be no trouble at home. We'll all support you. Do whatever you want. I can see you have great ambitions. Don't worry, your parents and I will take care of each other and Ruonan too."
Xu Zifan smiled and helped him walk back, saying, "With you all at home, I don't have to worry."
A New Year's Eve banquet was held in the palace, and Xu Zifan attended with Lin Ruonan. Men and women sat separately, and Lin Ruonan chatted happily with the ladies around her. Although she came from humble beginnings, she was never self-conscious, nor did she pretend to be knowledgeable when she didn't. This poised and polite demeanor won her the favor of the other ladies, and coupled with Xu Zifan's rapid rise in rank, everyone was eager to befriend her. Knowing she was pregnant, they were also willing to offer her some assistance during the banquet.
Lin Ruoshan also attended. Normally, someone of low rank wouldn't have the opportunity to attend, but because she was by the Empress Dowager's side, she received this honor. The Empress Dowager was a Buddhist and hoped that Lin Ruoshan could share in the New Year's joy. Her child was due soon, and the Empress Dowager had high hopes for this grandson she had been protecting.
Then Lin Ruoshan saw Xu Zifan and Lin Ruonan. Xu Zifan was still handsome and dashing, but now possessed an added air of official authority. Seeing Xu Zifan reminded her of the Xu Zifan from her previous life who had been lying in a hospital bed, driven to despair by her anger. They seemed like two different people, yet also like one. She couldn't believe it; both had been reborn, yet Xu Zifan was living such a good life, while she seemed to be getting closer to falling into the mire every day.
She then looked at Lin Ruonan. Lin Ruonan was exquisitely dressed and possessed a superior temperament, holding her own among the other ladies. Although Lin Ruonan's appearance wasn't conventionally beautiful, she was very pleasing to the eye, and the happy smile on her face made one envious. She'd heard that Xu Zifan was the only official who hadn't taken a concubine. Why was Xu Zifan so good to Lin Ruonan? They hadn't crossed paths at all in their past lives.
Lin Ruoshan's heart ached at the thought. That day, Xu Zifan thanked her, but he was thanking her for insisting on a marriage swap, exchanging Lin Ruonan for him.
What merits does Lin Ruonan possess? Why does she deserve such favor from Xu Zifan? Xu Zifan is already a fifth-rank official, a favorite of the emperor, and destined for high power. Why then does he still favor Lin Ruonan? Why?
Lin Ruoshan couldn't help but be jealous. She hadn't gotten everything she wanted, while Lin Ruonan had gotten it all so easily. How could she not be jealous?
Lin Ruonan felt uncomfortable, as if someone was watching her. She picked up a handkerchief to wipe her mouth and looked up, only to meet Lin Ruoshan's gaze.
She was slightly taken aback, not expecting to see Lin Ruoshan here. Judging from her appearance, Lin Ruoshan seemed to be a concubine about to give birth. Although she didn't know what had happened, Lin Ruoshan's situation was none of her concern. She turned her gaze away nonchalantly and began chatting and laughing with the lady beside her.
When Lin Ruonan looked over, Lin Ruoshan subconsciously straightened her back, but Lin Ruonan didn't react at all, as if she didn't recognize her. Suddenly, she felt as if a mountain was pressing on her chest, making it hard to breathe.
She once thought that when they met again, she would be high above them, looking down on them and making them grovel. But now, as the emperor's woman, pregnant with the dragon's child, she still cannot trample them underfoot, and even has to watch them live better than her. Why is that?
Lin Ruoshan's emotions fluctuated so much that she suddenly went into labor prematurely. The Empress Dowager frowned slightly, but still personally accompanied her back to give birth.
After the New Year's Eve banquet ended, Lin Ruonan whispered to Xu Zifan in the carriage, "Brother Zifan, I saw Lin Ruoshan at the banquet just now. Could she be using her power to harm us?"
Xu Zifan held her hand reassuringly, "No, she won't have that chance anymore."
Lin Ruonan looked at him upon hearing this, understood what was going on, and smiled, saying, "Well, then I'm not worried anymore. What happens to her in the future is none of our business."
Lin Ruoshan was in excruciating pain, and finally gave birth three hours later. Her first question was, "Is it a little prince?"
The midwife, with a calm expression, said, "Your Highness, it is a princess."
A wave of immense disappointment washed over Lin Ruoshan, and words of disgust escaped her lips: "How could it be a princess? How could it possibly be a princess? I'm carrying a prince, it can't be a princess..."
The midwife glanced at her and wiped the baby.
She washed the baby clean, placed her in swaddling clothes, and took her out. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor were quite disappointed upon hearing it was a princess, but not to the point of disgust. When the child was presented to them, the Empress Dowager took one look and immediately took a liking to her.
"This child was born fair-skinned and clean, and even opened his eyes. Your Majesty, look how handsome he is!"
The emperor smiled and nodded, "Indeed, Yu Xue is lovely."
The Empress Dowager said regretfully, "It's a pity that I'm too old and don't have the energy anymore, otherwise I really would like to raise this child myself."
At this moment, a palace maid came out to report that the Emperor and Empress Dowager knew about Lin Ruoshan's attitude towards the child and were quite displeased. Whether the child possessed "divine power" was not something that could be determined in a short time. Because Lin Ruoshan disliked the princess, the Emperor directly ordered that the little princess be sent to the Imperial Concubine's palace.
After three years of childlessness, the Imperial Concubine was overjoyed to learn that she could raise this adorable little princess. She held the princess tightly in her arms, personally selected a wet nurse, and supervised the palace servants to tidy up the side hall, taking excellent care of the little princess.
Lin Ruoshan was sent back to her original palace by the Empress Dowager to recuperate. Giving birth to such a lovable princess should have been her perfect opportunity to turn her fortunes around, but unfortunately, she missed it. Raised by Lady Wang, she was inherently patriarchal and had longed for a prince for so long, regarding her son as her only savior. In a moment of lapse in judgment, she lost her chance to use the princess to regain favor and completely fell out of favor.
Countless concubines in the palace have fallen out of favor, especially those of lower rank such as Noble Ladies and Consorts. Once they lose favor, their lives are worse than those of the head maids who served the favored concubines. Lin Ruoshan had offended many people when she was in her prime, and now these people were seeking revenge. Although she lived in the most luxurious palace in the world, she was miserable.
In three years, she heard that Xu Zifan had been promoted to the rank of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, a third-rank official, and that both Xu's mother and Lin Ruonan had been granted the title of Lady of the Imperial Decree. Xu Zifan had a son and a daughter, and in the past three years he had never taken a concubine, showing great importance to his family.
Three years was enough time to confirm that the little princess she gave birth to did not have "divine power," but the little princess was sweet and lovely, and was very much loved by the imperial concubine. She had already been recorded in the imperial register and had become the imperial concubine's own daughter.
In the empty, deserted palace, Lin Ruoshan stared blankly at her no-longer-beautiful face in the mirror, her mind reeling. She realized that even without the magic spring water, the little princess could still be loved; that Lin Ruonan, by taking a different path, could still live a better life than her. They were all better than her; her current situation was entirely her own fault.
Lin Ruoshan is ill, but she can't get a royal physician, so she has to bear it all alone, and now she can't bear it any longer.
On her deathbed, she finally admitted her mistakes and reflected on her second life.
She possessed a magical spring, such a miraculous spring. In fact, she could have used the spring to heal Xu Zifan at the beginning of her rebirth. If she had done so, she would be the one who is now favored and a noblewoman.
Even if she didn't want to marry him or treat Xu Zifan, she could simply break off the engagement and the two families could stop having contact. That way, Xu Zifan wouldn't hold a grudge against her or do anything to her. She could then cultivate her good reputation and live a good life, while Lin Ruonan would have no chance to marry Xu Zifan, let alone have a good life.
Lin Ruoshan thought and thought, then smiled weakly. Those good days were no longer hers. She relied on the spiritual spring; without it, she was nothing. She should be like Lin Ruonan, able to live well in any situation. Lin Ruonan didn't enjoy wealth and luxury without doing anything; she did many things, but Lin Ruonan hadn't thought they were right before.
She couldn't compare to Lin Ruonan, nor could she compete with Xu Zifan. She should rely on herself, but that was too difficult. She couldn't do it. Does that mean that even if she could be reborn, she would still end up like this?
Lin Ruoshan left this world with endless regret and pain, and Xu Zifan's mission was successfully completed. The original owner wanted Lin Ruoshan to suffer a fate worse than death. Such a mission is actually very difficult. Some people may not feel a fate worse than death even in despair. For someone with Lin Ruoshan's personality, only by letting her see hope again and again and fall into despair again and again can she experience the feeling of unbearable pain.
The most regrettable thing is to make all the choices yourself, only to find that every step you take was wrong. That kind of pain goes deep into your bones, and you can't blame anyone, so you have no way to vent it.
Xu Zifan avoided directly confronting Lin Ruoshan, intending to let her develop independently and find no one to resent. Although it took longer, he completed the task perfectly.
He excelled in his official career, rising to the rank of First-Rank Chancellor and serving three emperors. Those who had once helped him were now being helped by him in return. He also built a school and repaired roads in Linxi Village, for which the villagers were extremely grateful. Meanwhile, the Lin family's situation deteriorated further.
After retiring from his official post, Xu Zifan settled down with his family in the water towns of Jiangnan, enjoying a leisurely and happy old age. The family was harmonious and happy, which was the envy of many. Xu Zifan and Lin Ruonan were also known as a perfect couple, and some people even wrote their story into a storybook and told it to people in teahouses.
Sisters exchanging marriages, women from rural towns supporting their families, men taking the imperial examinations to become officials... their stories are more exciting than many others, and they are admired by many. In their hometown, their stories have become a legend.
As Lin Ruonan lay dying, she held Xu Zifan's hand and smiled gently, "That fortune teller who matched our birth dates, you bribed him, didn't you? I... I'm not a lucky star, you are. Marrying you was the luckiest thing that ever happened to me. It changed my whole life. I'm so content. Zifan... it's so good to have met you. The best decision I ever made... was... asking Grandpa for a marriage arrangement..."
Xu Zifan watched as Lin Ruonan closed her eyes, smoothed her hair, and whispered, "Even without me, you can live a good life. You will live a good life in your next life too... Goodbye, Ruonan..."