I spent the whole night speculating why Zhou Yan suddenly invited Luan Zhong over, what exactly she was up to.

After falling asleep, I had a dream.

I dreamt of Zhou Yan entering middle age.

After her father passed away, she completely lost her support. Her mother-in-law treated her harshly, her husband favored concubines over her, though there was no physical abuse, he ignored her, allowing concubines to humiliate her.

Later, Zhou Yan's son passed away due to illness, her married-off daughter was abandoned, she lived in sorrow all day, and eventually chose to end her life by hanging.

After death, Zhou Yan was indignant and refused to go to the underworld for judgment. She escaped when the guards weren't paying attention, accidentally entering the Hall of Regret. Surprisingly, she was reborn back to seventeen.

I was startled awake, heart pounding, covered in cold sweat.

Just as I wondered if Zhou Yan had truly been reborn, a letter from the Zhou residence arrived at Peach Blossom Pavilion.

Zhou Yan clearly stated in the letter that she would visit me at noon.

I shuddered; in my past life, the culprit behind the cruelty inflicted upon me by the Cui family was Zhou Yan.

Why did she want to see me? What was her purpose!

Instead of fear, I decided to face her directly.

I instructed someone to reply to Zhou Yan, informing her that I would have tea ready at noon for her visit.

I had imagined that when I saw Zhou Yan, I would be filled with resentment and anger.

I wanted to exact revenge.

However, when I saw her, I was surprisingly calm.

I met her in the main hall of Peach Blossom Pavilion.

After the snow, Zhou Yan walked gracefully towards me, dressed in a jade-colored cloak. I had to admit, she was quite attractive, exuding an elegant scholarly aura, appearing youthful and refined, but her almond-shaped eyes held a deep and cunning look, not typical of a seventeen-year-old.

Zhou Yan looked me up and down, sneering, "Miss Ji, long time no see."

I kept my distance from this wicked woman, smiling, "Yes, it's been many years."

We both knew that each other had been reborn, so there was no need for fake pleasantries.

Zhou Yan picked up three joss sticks, lit them on the eternal lamp, and respectfully bowed to the Primordial Heavenly Lord, "Do you know, I lived under your shadow for twenty years! Cui Anren hated me for harming you, so he had the maids in the backyard insult and degrade me every day, driving me to my death. I regret it, how could I have been so blind to fall for such a beast!"

I also lit an incense stick, "But wasn't it your own choice? Can't blame others."

Zhou Yan turned to look at Luan Zhong standing in the courtyard, saying, "Ji Wanwan, I underestimated you. After being reborn, you didn't cling to Cui Anren but quickly spent all your family wealth, cut ties with the Cui family, and then got involved with Luan Zhong. You knew he would rise to success in the future, that's why you approached him, right?"

I sneered, "And what about you? Just a few days ago, you were secretly colluding with Cui Anren, now that you've been reborn, you immediately sent an invitation to Luan Zhong to your house for a feast. What are your intentions?"

Zhou Yan adjusted her hairpin, "Cui Anren is yours, Luan Zhong is mine."

With that said, Zhou Yan turned and walked away. Pausing at the door, she touched her face, softly laughing, "You experienced my methods in your past life, you know what consequences await if you anger me. Before tonight, release yourself from the contract with Luan Zhong, return to the Cui residence, or else don't blame me for being ruthless."