The Heroine Pays Me to Fall in Love (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 3

After finishing up the dishes, A’Ning stepped back into Jiang Zhinan’s room once more.

At that moment, Jiang Zhinan was sitting at her desk reading. When she saw A’Ning, she waved her over and softly called her to her side.

“Do you recognize the words written here?” she asked, holding out the book in her hands.

A’Ning shook her head. “I don’t.”

“Not even a single one?” Jiang Zhinan pressed.

A’Ning looked slightly embarrassed. “Mm. A’Ning’s only ever read picture books before. I’ve never read ones with real words.”

“I see.” Jiang Zhinan nodded, realizing she’d have to start teaching from the very beginning.

But she didn’t mind. After all, she still had plenty of time to spend with A’Ning.

With that thought, Jiang Zhinan pointed to the chair beside her, motioning for A’Ning to sit down.

“Miss, may I?” A’Ning hesitated, her tone cautious.

“You may,” Jiang Zhinan replied simply, her eyes already back on the bookshelf as she searched for a suitable primer.

A’Ning watched her quietly, the corners of her lips curving into a faint, almost secret smile.

When Jiang Zhinan turned back, that fleeting smile was the first thing she saw—soft, bright, and utterly disarming.

“What are you smiling at?” Jiang Zhinan asked, momentarily dazed. Her heartbeat quickened without warning.

“A’Ning just feels happy,” A’Ning replied with a small, genuine smile. “I’m very lucky to have met you, Miss.”

“If someone else had bought me instead of you, I probably wouldn’t be living such a good life.” Her voice was calm, sincere. “I have my own room, good food to eat, warm clothes to wear, even books to learn from.”

Jiang Zhinan felt her cheeks grow warm under the praise.

“It’s nothing,” she said, shaking her head lightly. “Don’t feel like you owe me anything.”

But inwardly, she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of pride and joy. She even shared that happiness with her system.

The system, however, ignored her self-satisfaction and instead asked, “So, how do you see A’Ning now?”

“What do you mean?” Jiang Zhinan frowned.

“Is it just the affection between a master and a servant?” the system probed.

Jiang Zhinan thought for a moment before answering, “No, not exactly. It feels more like raising a daughter?”

Oh no.

The system chuckled softly. “Careful, that kind of relationship can be dangerous,” it warned.

“Huh?” Jiang Zhinan was puzzled. She couldn’t help thinking that her system must have gone through something strange before to make a comment like that.

A’Ning stayed in Jiang Zhinan’s room until late in the evening.

Jiang Zhinan taught her carefully, and A’Ning listened with earnest focus. The atmosphere between them was peaceful and harmonious.

To her surprise, Jiang Zhinan found that A’Ning was exceptionally bright. Despite it being her first time learning to read, she memorized everything with ease and even grasped patterns beyond what was taught.

A strong sense of pride welled up inside Jiang Zhinan. Without thinking, she reached out and gently patted A’Ning’s head.

This world, much like the ancient dynasties she remembered, had an imperial examination system. Success in the exams could earn anyone an official post.

Yet unlike the real ancient world, here even women could hold office—after all, the current prime minister was a woman.

Jiang Zhinan thought this system was quite admirable. Women weren’t dismissed as “virtuous for being uneducated”; instead, they had the same right as men to study, to achieve, and to build wealth and influence.

A’Ning was so intelligent—perhaps one day she could even take the imperial exams herself.

The idea made Jiang Zhinan’s heart stir. She asked softly, “A’Ning, have you ever thought about what you want to do in the future?”

A’Ning blinked, as though caught off guard by the question. After a long moment of thought, she said quietly, “I want to stay with Miss forever.”

The words were sweet, warming Jiang Zhinan’s heart—but they weren’t quite the answer she hoped for.

Jiang Zhinan pursed her lips, trying to guide her. “But what if one day our Jiang family falls? If I’m no longer the young lady of this house, and we can barely afford a meal—would you still follow me then?”

A’Ning nodded earnestly. “I would.”

Jiang Zhinan couldn’t help laughing, both touched and exasperated.

She sighed and gently pinched A’Ning’s cheek. “If that really happens, what’s the point of me teaching you to read?” she said softly.

“If I ever fall into hardship, you shouldn’t sink with me. You should find a way to rise above it.” Her tone grew more serious. “Only knowledge and skill can turn your fate around. Study hard, become someone powerful, earn wealth and respect—that’s what truly matters.”

A’Ning fell silent, her gaze lowered in thought.

Jiang Zhinan didn’t rush her, letting her take her time to process it. The candlelight flickered quietly between them.

After a while, A’Ning finally lifted her head, her dark eyes reflecting the dancing flame. “If I really become that capable someday, would Miss be happy for me?” she asked.

“Of course,” Jiang Zhinan said with a smile.

If her “daughter” succeeded, how could she not be proud?

“I understand,” A’Ning said, nodding firmly. “Since Miss wants me to study well and earn a title, I won’t let you down.”

Jiang Zhinan nearly laughed again. That’s not quite what I meant, she thought. But close enough.

At least A’Ning was willing to study—that was already a good start. There would be plenty of time to correct her thinking later.

With that, Jiang Zhinan gathered the books from the table herself.

“It’s getting late,” she said gently. “You should head back. Come again tomorrow.”

“Yes, Miss.” A’Ning stood, ready to leave.

But just before she reached the door, Jiang Zhinan suddenly called out, “Wait.”

When A’Ning turned back, Jiang Zhinan said, “You don’t have to bring me breakfast tomorrow. I—I don’t eat in the mornings.”

A’Ning immediately frowned. “How could that be?” she protested.

“I said I’m not eating, and that’s final!” Jiang Zhinan snapped, her tone sharp. “Just remember that. Now go back.”

“Alright then,” A’Ning murmured softly. Seeing that her mistress was firm, she had no choice but to obey.

Jiang Zhinan watched her leave, sighing inwardly. She really had gone to too much trouble lately.

Another night passed.

That morning, Jiang Zhinan woke later than usual. She yawned, stretching lazily, and was just about to get out of bed to wash up when a maid knocked on the door.

“Miss, Young Master Yang has arrived.”

Yang Zimo—that was his full name. Despite the refined sound of it, he was in truth a notorious playboy, famous for chasing after beautiful women wherever he went.

He even made passes at those around Jiang Yu’an; whenever he spotted a new, pretty maid by her side, he couldn’t help but try his luck.

Still, he had never dared to lay a hand on Jiang Yu’an herself. Her father was the current Governor—powerful, influential, and absolutely not someone he could afford to offend.

That said, the Yang family wasn’t exactly of low standing either. Yang Zimo’s father had done business with Governor Jiang in the past, and their families maintained decent relations. So, while he and Jiang Yu’an were “friends,” they were merely the shallow kind—companions of wine and vanity.

Jiang Zhinan already knew from the system what kind of man he was, and her impression of him couldn’t be worse.

But no matter how much she disliked him, she still had to keep up appearances. After all, she was inhabiting Jiang Yu’an’s body—she couldn’t risk arousing suspicion.

“Tell him to wait for me in the main hall,” Jiang Zhinan said at last. “I’ll be there shortly.”

“Yes, Miss.” The maid curtsied and hurried away.

Jiang Zhinan shook her head, quickly washed up, and applied a bit of makeup before leaving her room.

A’Ning was nowhere to be seen this time.

Not seeing her waiting outside, Jiang Zhinan actually felt relieved—at least this way, she thought, A’Ning wouldn’t be subjected to Yang Zimo’s flirtatious nonsense.

But just as she stepped into the main hall, A’Ning appeared out of nowhere again, following right behind her as if she was her shadow.

Wonderful. Yang Zimo’s eyes immediately lit up.

“Yu’an,” he greeted with a grin, gaze fixed on A’Ning. “Now who’s this lovely young lady? I don’t believe I’ve met her before.”

Jiang Zhinan thought wryly, There are plenty of people you haven’t met.

But she couldn’t say that aloud. Instead, she replied calmly, “She’s a new maid I bought from the marketplace a few days ago. Of course you haven’t seen her.”

Before Yang Zimo could continue, Jiang Zhinan deftly shifted the subject.

“So, what brings you here today?” she asked, walking to the other side of the sandalwood table and taking a seat.

“Oh, there’s a new jewelry shop that just opened on East Street,” Yang Zimo said eagerly. “I thought I’d invite you to have a look. If you see something you like, I’ll buy it for you.”

Jiang Zhinan’s lips curved into a faint, ironic smile. “Somehow I doubt you’re doing this out of generosity. Tell me, which girl have you taken a fancy to this time?”

Yang Zimo didn’t even bother denying it; his expression practically said, You know me too well.

Jiang Zhinan hadn’t intended to go with him, but after much pleading and pestering on his part, she finally relented.

“A’Ning, stay home and study,” she instructed before leaving, not intending to bring her along.

“Yes, Miss,” A’Ning replied, her tone even and unreadable.

Yang Zimo, however, couldn’t keep his eyes off her. After a while, he chuckled and said, “Such a pretty girl. Here—your brother has a jade pendant that would suit you perfectly. Take it.”

A’Ning didn’t move to accept it. Instead, she looked toward Jiang Zhinan for guidance.

“Take it,” Jiang Zhinan said curtly.

Only then did A’Ning reach out and accept the pendant.

Yang Zimo went on chattering about something or other, until Jiang Zhinan’s patience finally wore thin. She frowned and ordered him to hurry up and leave.

Seeing she was truly annoyed, Yang Zimo dared not linger any longer and followed her out.

Soon, the two of them disappeared from A’Ning’s sight.

But A’Ning didn’t look away. Her gaze lingered on their retreating figures for a long while. Then, slowly, she turned around and tossed the jade pendant into the well.

A shadow crossed her eyes, dark and cold.