The Heroine Pays Me to Fall in Love (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 6

Though it was called a “duel,” in truth it was nothing short of a one-sided defeat.

A’Ning was quick-witted and learned fast, far better than most. But talent alone could not make up for years of training. Against a girl who had been practicing diligently for so long, she stood little chance. In the end, she inevitably lost.

Jiang Zhinan sat on a stone bench, eyes fixed on her. Her brows drew tightly together as her fingers tapped the stone table beside her—an expression that seemed distinctly displeased.

The people standing nearby immediately sensed the shift in her mood. None of them dared to breathe too loudly, afraid that if Miss Jiang decided to scold A’Ning later, they might somehow be caught in the crossfire. The air dropped to an icy chill.

Only the system knew that what Jiang Zhinan was thinking had nothing at all to do with what her face showed.

Jiang Zhinan: “I regret it.”

System: “Regret what?”

Jiang Zhinan: “Regret choosing that person to spar with A’Ning. She’s twice her size—her arm’s as thick as A’Ning’s thigh! Luckily A’Ning dodged quickly and didn’t get hurt. If she’d gotten so much as a scratch, I’d have felt awful.”

System: “…”

When the system stayed silent, Jiang Zhinan went on talking to herself.

“What’s that girl’s name again—the one who sparred with A’Ning?”

System: “Dong Xue.”

Jiang Zhinan: “Right. Tonight, tell the kitchen to give her one less steamed bun.”

System: “You really are something else.”

While the two chatted so cheerfully, neither of them noticed what was happening over on A’Ning’s side of the field.

That girl, Dong Xue, usually trained under Jiang Yu’an. Her swordsmanship wasn’t bad, but what she had mastered most thoroughly was Jiang Yu’an’s arrogance.

She’d long disliked A’Ning—couldn’t stand that a newly bought servant girl had somehow grown so close to Miss Jiang. But since there had been no excuse to trouble her before, she had let it pass—until today’s sparring match gave her the perfect opportunity.

“You’re really nothing special,” she sneered, stepping forward with a mocking smile, looking down at A’Ning from above. “With that pitiful skill of yours, you’ll need another lifetime to beat me.”

Her words were vicious enough to make the onlookers grimace.

But A’Ning didn’t react at all. She didn’t even look at her. She simply turned, lifted her sword, and walked straight back to Jiang Zhinan.

“Miss,” she said softly. Beads of sweat still clung to her hair, sliding down one by one to sink into the earth. “I’m sorry. I’ve disappointed you.”

“It’s all right.” Jiang Zhinan shook her head, showing no hint of blame. “Next time will be better.”

“Yes.” A’Ning answered in a low voice.

She knew those words were meant to comfort her.

But instead of easing her heart, they only drove her to push herself harder—to prove herself worthy in her mistress’s eyes.

And so, rather than fading, the shadow in A’Ning’s gaze only deepened.

For Jiang Zhinan, the whole incident was nothing more than a trivial episode, quickly forgotten.

She had no idea that for A’Ning, it had quietly planted a seed.

Aside from Jiang Yu’an, the governor had two sons—both being groomed as his successors. He took their training very seriously, instructing them personally.

In her spare time, A’Ning would often sneak out to watch them practice martial arts, memorizing their stances and movements. Later, in her own quarters, she would grab a wooden stick and imitate what she’d seen.

Time slipped by unnoticed. Before she realized it, an entire month had passed.

During that month, A’Ning made remarkable progress. Not only did she read fluently and write beautifully, she never once disappointed Jiang Zhinan.

What’s more, Jiang Zhinan noticed that A’Ning had grown taller—considerably so.

When she first bought her, the girl had only reached her chin. Now, she already came up to her nose.

It made Jiang Zhinan genuinely happy. More than once, she told the system how she hoped A’Ning would keep growing taller and stay strong and healthy.

System: “Mm. But, if that day really comes, I fear you’ll end up crying.”

Jiang Zhinan: “?”

System (gently): “Trust me. I’m not lying.”

Jiang Zhinan had no idea what was wrong with her system.

She sighed and was just about to speak again when A’Ning’s voice came from outside the door.

“Miss,” A’Ning called respectfully. Her straight-backed silhouette cast a slender shadow across the window lattice. “It’s time for your sword practice again. I’ve come to fetch you.”

“Alright.” Jiang Zhinan responded, picking up her sword and stepping out the door.

Since no one else was around, she didn’t bother with the usual pretense of temper or formality.

A’Ning followed a few steps behind her. Mistress and servant soon arrived at the training ground, each taking up a sword and standing ready.

And there, among the group, A’Ning immediately caught sight of Dong Xue.

After that match, the girl had been absent for an entire month. No one knew why. But there were plenty of others to accompany Jiang Zhinan in practice, so her absence had made little difference at all.

A’Ning had waited nearly a month for her—at long last, she finally came.

But before A’Ning could even go looking for her, Dong Xue had already come striding over on her own.

“Let’s have another match later,” Dong Xue said with a cold snort. “You’ve been practicing for over a month. Let me see how much you’ve improved.” She swaggered forward, just as arrogant as before, stopping in front of A’Ning with a look full of provocation.

“Thank you for your concern,” A’Ning replied calmly. Her tone remained as gentle as ever, her expression utterly serene.

That infuriating composure nearly made Dong Xue explode.

“Keep pretending while you still can!” she hissed under her breath, grinding her teeth as she spat out a few harsh words before storming back to her place.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Zhinan turned to glance at A’Ning, not understanding what had just happened between the two.

“Nothing,” A’Ning said, shaking her head with a soft smile.

That faint smile, paired with her white attire today, gave her an otherworldly grace—like a fairy descended from the heavens.

For reasons she couldn’t explain, Jiang Zhinan felt her cheeks grow hot.

The day’s routine was the same as usual: an hour or so of instruction from the teacher, followed by free sparring practice.

After more than a month, Jiang Zhinan still hadn’t improved much. Her body was too frail; she tired easily and went to rest early on the sidelines.

But she wasn’t bored—after all, she had A’Ning to watch.

In the span of a month, A’Ning’s progress was remarkable. Her movements had become far more refined—the way she held her sword, her stance, her strikes—every motion carried precision and grace. Even the teacher couldn’t help but praise her aloud.

Still, no matter how elegant her form was, true skill was proven only in combat.

“Come on,” Dong Xue said the moment class ended. She had been watching A’Ning the whole time, itching for another fight—this time determined to humiliate her properly.

“Alright.” A’Ning nodded, neither refusing nor hesitating. As before, she removed the hairpin from her head and gently placed it in Jiang Zhinan’s hand.

“There’s no need for that,” Jiang Zhinan said. “If it breaks, I’ll just buy you a new one.”

“No.” A’Ning shook her head lightly. “Everything Miss gives me is the finest in the world. A’Ning must treasure it properly.”

Her sweet words were like honey on the tongue.

Jiang Zhinan’s face flushed again; she hurriedly waved her hand, urging A’Ning to go.

“Alright.” A’Ning smiled, took up her sword, and stepped back into the training ground.

“This time, let’s have a real match,” Dong Xue sneered, pointing her blade straight at A’Ning, her expression hard and fierce.

“Be careful,” one of the other girls whispered to A’Ning. “Dong Xue looks like she’s out for you today. Don’t let her hurt you.”

“I understand.” A’Ning gave her a polite nod of thanks, her lips curving faintly.

But when she turned back, that trace of a smile had already vanished without a sound.

The two said nothing more. In the next instant, their swords clashed.

Dong Xue relied on her size and strength to overpower A’Ning, just as she had done before.

But what she didn’t know was that A’Ning had been secretly observing and practicing all this time. Day after day, night after night, she had trained relentlessly. The girl before her now was no longer the same as the one she had once defeated.

Skill could overcome brute strength.

You may strike with power like a storm—but I can counter you with precision, turning your force against you.

A’Ning’s countless hours of study and practice had honed her instincts to perfection. Though she lacked real battle experience, against someone like Dong Xue, it was more than enough.

And this time, A’Ning won—beautifully.

The final scene that met everyone’s eyes was of Dong Xue kneeling on the ground, spent and humiliated, while A’Ning stood tall and composed, her long hair fluttering lightly in the wind.

A’Ning stepped forward and crouched down in front of her.

“Are you alright?” she asked softly, her tone laced with genuine concern. “Did you get hurt?”

“I’m fine!” Dong Xue growled, lifting her head with defiance. “Save your fake concern.”

But her words trailed off.

Because in A’Ning’s eyes, she saw something cold—mocking, even contemptuous.

That look made Dong Xue’s blood run cold. For a moment, it felt as if she was nothing more than a pile of worthless dirt beneath A’Ning’s feet.

“Do you remember what you told me before?” A’Ning smiled faintly, her expression as unreadable as her bright, calm eyes. “You said that with my meager skills, I’d have to wait until my next life to defeat you.”

“Well then,” she said softly, “I’m simply returning your words to you—exactly as they were.”