The Heroine Pays Me to Fall in Love (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 16

What was supposed to be a joyful New Year suddenly turned bittersweet because of a few words from A’ning.

Jiang Zhinan touched the earring hanging from her ear, then glanced at A’ning’s face before finally nodding to accept the gift, her heart feeling oddly heavy.

“It’s enough that Miss is willing to accept it.” A’ning smiled, seemingly unaware of her shifting emotions. Her tone was light and full of joy. “A’ning is truly happy.”

“Mm.” Jiang Zhinan blinked and after a pause said, “You should go for now. I still have a few things to take care of.”

“Yes, Miss.” A’ning nodded in response, turned, and left quickly.

Jiang Zhinan watched her retreating figure and sighed softly, her gaze lingering far too long.

Part of her wanted A’ning to earn an official position, to change her fate and live a life of comfort and prosperity. But another part of her—like a fretful mother—felt a pang of reluctance at the thought of her “child” venturing far away.

“She’s gone, but you still have me, don’t you?” the system chimed in her mind, trying to cheer her up. “You won’t be lonely with me around.”

“Two-one-four is still the best,” Jiang Zhinan said with a faint smile, feeling somewhat comforted.

The system grinned at the compliment. “You’ll make me blush, you know.”

Before Jiang Zhinan could say more, the system began to return the flattery, praising her from head to toe until even she was embarrassed.

Human and system spent a while indulging in mutual admiration before they noticed half the day had slipped by.

Someone knocked on the door outside, saying they had come on behalf of the Second Young Master and that Miss was requested to help receive some guests.

“Understood,” Jiang Zhinan replied, rising quickly and stepping out.

Snow had fallen all through the night. The ground, the branches, and the eaves were blanketed in white, and against the red couplets and lanterns, the scene took on a distinct festive charm.

Even the servants sweeping snow outside wore bright celebratory clothes. When they saw her, they smiled and greeted her, “Good day, Miss.”

“Mm,” Jiang Zhinan responded one by one. Seeing their cheerful faces, her mood lightened considerably, and for the moment she forgot all about what A’ning had said earlier.

As one of the most prominent families in the city—with the master of the house serving as a court official—the Jiang residence naturally received a flood of visitors during the New Year.

The less important guests were handled by others, but the more influential ones still had to be personally entertained by Jiang Zhinan.

It was fortunate that she was currently in control of this body. If Jiang Yu’an had still been herself, who knew what kind of trouble she might have caused.

Jiang Zhinan stayed in the main hall nearly the whole day, barely having time to eat. Her smile felt frozen in place.

A’ning, watching from the side, felt her heart ache. She quietly slipped over and tucked a piece of pastry into Jiang Zhinan’s hand so she wouldn’t faint from hunger midway through the reception.

Time flowed on, and before long, dusk began to settle.

After nearly a month away, the Governor of Jiang finally returned home. He carried several jars of wine, his expression alight with joy, and loudly announced that the family should gather for a reunion dinner.

The table was quickly set. Everyone sat around it, drinking and chatting merrily.

Because the Governor had always doted on Jiang Yu’an, he deliberately arranged for her to sit beside him.

As the wine circulated and the atmosphere grew livelier, Jiang Zhinan remembered the incident some time ago when she had angered him while saving A’ning. Thinking this might be a good opportunity to mend the rift between them, she spoke up softly.

“Father seems in very good spirits today,” she said, pouring him another cup of wine. “Has something fortunate happened?”

“But of course.” The Governor laughed heartily, his face flushed with drink. “A most important matter has finally shown signs of turning for the better.”

“What matter might that be?” Jiang Zhinan quickly followed his lead, hoping to draw him out.

“You’re a young lady,” the Governor waved her off, “no need to concern yourself with such things. Eat, eat.”

Even in his drunken state, he refused to say more—which only piqued Jiang Zhinan’s curiosity further.

Ever since Yang Zimo’s departure, she had been plagued by an uneasy feeling, as though something momentous was about to happen. Now that she finally had a chance to ask, she couldn’t let it slip away.

“Father, please tell me!” she coaxed, imitating Jiang Yu’an’s usual tone of spoiled affection. She clung to his arm and shook it gently. “I won’t tell anyone else, I promise! If you don’t tell me, I won’t let you go!”

“How can you still be so willful.” The Governor hiccupped, utterly helpless before her persistence.

“I don’t care,” Jiang Zhinan pouted. “I just want to know!”

At last, the Governor gave in completely.

He glanced around to make sure no one was paying attention, then leaned closer and whispered, “It’s about His Majesty.”

Just those few simple words made Jiang Zhinan’s breath catch.

“Lately, I don’t know what’s gotten into the Emperor,” the Governor said, his once-clouded eyes sobering slightly. “But he seems to have grown distant from our Jiang family. In both great and trivial matters, he finds ways to hinder us—it’s as if someone’s been whispering slander in his ear!”

“Fortunately, your father is still respected in court and has many friends. I’ve been doing my utmost to serve faithfully and prove my loyalty. Thanks to that, I’ve managed to weather this storm—for now.”

“I see.” Jiang Zhinan murmured, a cold sweat breaking out across her back.

If things were truly as he described, then the matter with Yang Zimo suddenly made sense.

The Jiang and Yang families had long maintained close ties. The Jiangs held considerable power, their service to the court spanning generations. For the Emperor, striking directly at them would be difficult—so it would make far more sense to start with those around them, dismantling their influence piece by piece.

The more Jiang Zhinan thought about it, the colder she felt, unease creeping up her spine.

“Father,” she began, hesitating. After a long pause, she tugged at the corner of his robe, meaning to caution him to be careful but before she could finish, someone suddenly intervened.

The newcomer was none other than Jiang Chengxuan. No one knew when he had appeared behind her, but judging from his slightly unsteady gait and the faint flush on his cheeks, he seemed more than a little drunk.

“Yu’an.” He lifted the wine cup in his hand, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Come, let’s have a drink together.”

“I’ll pass.” Jiang Zhinan shook her head, trying to decline. She had always been a lightweight—if she got drunk, who knew what kind of embarrassing scene might follow? “I’ll toast Second Brother with water instead.”

“Eh? How could that do?” Jiang Chengxuan frowned in mock displeasure, his tone half coaxing, half insistent. “Give your Second Brother some face—it’s New Year’s Eve, after all. We should be happy.”

“Well, all right then.” Since he’d said so, Jiang Zhinan couldn’t very well refuse. She picked up the cup beside her and drank with him.

“Good! That’s the spirit.” Seeing her drain the cup, Jiang Chengxuan laughed heartily, clearly in high spirits.

“Mm.” Jiang Zhinan forced a polite smile as she watched him leave, but her face was already burning.

So spicy! So strong! How can wine be this fierce? She cried inwardly, nearly in tears as she complained to the system.

“Quick, eat something,” the system advised. “And don’t drink any more. Once I’m gone, no one will be here to watch over you.”

“Okay.” Jiang Zhinan answered pitifully.

But before the burn in her throat even faded, her eldest brother Jiang Yujin appeared, also carrying a cup of wine.

Helpless, she had no choice but to drink again.

One round led to another, and before long, she was every bit as drunk as the rest of them.

The banquet continued deep into the night. The governor, Lord Jiang, was in exceptionally good spirits, drinking merrily for what felt like an hour straight.

Since he hadn’t announced that the guests could leave, Jiang Zhinan could only remain at the table, dizzy and dazed, enduring until finally—finally—he retired for the night.

As the maids hurried forward to clear the table, Jiang Zhinan sat watching them for a moment. Still feeling light-headed, she decided to take a walk to the pavilion for some fresh air and to sober up.

Stumbling slightly, she made her way there—and to her surprise, found A’ning already standing inside. Her posture was straight and graceful, her gaze fixed on the distant scenery, as though lost in thought.

“A’ning.” Jiang Zhinan called softly. “What are you doing?”

“Just admiring the view.” Hearing her mistress’s voice, A’ning turned quickly, hurrying forward to steady her. “Miss, have you been drinking?”

“No.” Jiang Zhinan shook her head, standing beside her in the pavilion.

But the truth was, she was terribly drunk—her thoughts drifting and untethered, saying whatever came to mind.

“The view, isn’t all that nice,” she murmured after a moment. Bored with the scenery, her gaze shifted to A’ning’s face, where it lingered silently.

Noticing her stare, A’ning smiled softly. “What is Miss looking at?”

“You,” Jiang Zhinan blinked.

“Oh? And what do you see?” A’ning played along gently, finding her mistress’s drunken honesty impossibly endearing.

“I see,” Jiang Zhinan nodded solemnly, her voice soft and faint. “I see myself—in your eyes.”

Her words were barely louder than a whisper, nearly scattered by the passing breeze yet A’ning heard every syllable.

“Not only in my eyes,” A’ning said after a pause, a subtle tremor flickering in her gaze. “My heart, too—it’s full of you. Would Miss like to feel it for herself?”

At any other time, such words would have been unthinkable—disrespectful, even. Jiang Zhinan would have surely been angry.

But now, dazed and hazy with wine, she’d forgotten all the usual decorum. Instead, she found A’ning’s words oddly intriguing.

So, when A’ning invited her, she obediently stretched out her hand, leaning in closer.

From somewhere nearby came the soft chorus of insects. The night breeze rippled across the lake, scattering light like shattered glass upon its surface—shimmering, dazzling, just like A’ning’s eyes in that moment.

“Miss,” A’ning whispered, suddenly catching Jiang Zhinan’s hand and holding it tightly.

Then she leaned forward, pressing her soft lips gently against Jiang Zhinan’s—a kiss filled with devotion and longing.

“A’ning likes you very much, Miss,” she murmured tenderly. “Can you feel it?”