The Heroine Pays Me to Fall in Love (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 7

A’Ning stood up again.

This time, Dong Xue was much quieter. Ever since A’Ning had said those words, she had stood frozen in place, stunned into silence for a long while.

A’Ning didn’t bother wasting time with her. She raised an eyebrow slightly, walked straight over to Jiang Zhinan, and crouched down in front of her like a child expecting candy—eyes bright, a smile tugging at her lips.

“Miss, I won.”

The words were spoken lightly, almost casually, yet no one could have guessed how much pain and struggle lay hidden beneath them.

Jiang Zhinan reached out and gently patted A’Ning on the head.

“Good job,” she said softly.

This child must have practiced a great deal in private. Though she never mentioned it, Jiang Zhinan could tell from the duel with Dong Xue.

It wasn’t just the basic forms she’d been training—she must’ve secretly studied quite a few advanced techniques as well. Judging from those moves, they looked very much like her two brothers’ styles.

Jiang Zhinan was about to ask the system about it when she suddenly heard the sound of applause behind her.

Turning around, she saw a man with a graceful bearing and an elegant face, bright-eyed and gentle as moonlight.

“Second Brother,” Jiang Zhinan greeted, recognizing him instantly.

“Mm.” The man she called “Second Brother” nodded lightly, a faint smile curving his lips.

This was Jiang Chengxuan, the second son of Governor Jiang.

Before coming to this world, Jiang Zhinan had briefly studied the personalities of her two elder brothers and discovered that they couldn’t be more different.

The eldest, Jiang Yujin, was ambitious and demanding, the type to pursue perfection in everything and notoriously difficult to get along with.

The second, however, was mild as spring water, indifferent to fame and fortune, pure of heart, and content to live at peace with the world.

Knowing he posed no threat to her or A’Ning, Jiang Zhinan relaxed and smiled warmly. “Second Brother, what brings you here?”

Perhaps because she had slipped too easily into character, there was a faint note of coquettishness in her tone.

She didn’t notice it—but A’Ning certainly did.

Her expression darkened immediately.

“I came to see Yu’an,” Jiang Chengxuan said, unaware of A’Ning’s reaction. “As an elder brother, I should check in on my sister from time to time.”

Then his gaze shifted toward A’Ning. “Though I must say, I don’t recall you having such a young lady at your side before.”

“She’s someone I happened to buy from the marketplace a while ago,” Jiang Zhinan replied.

Even though she knew Jiang Chengxuan wouldn’t harm A’Ning, she didn’t want to reveal too much about her, so she tried to move the conversation along.

But Jiang Chengxuan was quicker. “Bought her for what purpose?” he asked mildly.

Jiang Zhinan: “…” What was she supposed to say to that?

She hesitated for a moment, unsure how to respond. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to expect a real answer. Seeing her reluctance, he let the question drop.

Jiang Zhinan had barely exhaled a sigh of relief before he bypassed her completely and walked straight toward A’Ning.

“…” Jiang Zhinan was speechless.

“I saw your match with Dong Xue just now,” Jiang Chengxuan said, stopping before A’Ning. “Have you practiced swordsmanship before?”

“Never,” A’Ning replied curtly, each word crisp and clipped. “Just started.”

“I see.” Jiang Chengxuan nodded without offense. “For a beginner to handle a sword so skillfully, and to be so familiar with so many forms—quite remarkable.”

Then his tone turned teasing. “Could it be that you borrowed what you learned?”

There was a faint glimmer of amusement in his eyes.

A’Ning said nothing, her expression suddenly guarded.

“No need to be so tense,” Jiang Chengxuan said with a light laugh, having seen through her thoughts. “I’m not going to eat you.”

“She’s Yu’an’s person—naturally, I wouldn’t lay a hand on her. But if you wish to learn, why bother sneaking around to do it?”

A’Ning blinked, not quite understanding what he meant.

Jiang Chengxuan only smiled, turned to leave, and said over his shoulder, “If you want to learn, come find me. I’d be glad to teach you. After all, the techniques you’ve been practicing are mine, aren’t they?”

Jiang Chengxuan soon disappeared from sight.

As soon as he left, Jiang Zhinan hurried forward and lowered her voice. “What were you two talking about just now?”

“Nothing,” A’Ning replied quickly, not telling her the truth.

Jiang Zhinan was taken aback by her secrecy. “My daughter already has her own little secrets now.”

System: “It’s fine. It just means A’Ning is growing up. You should be happy about that.”

Jiang Zhinan: “QAQ I’m not happy at all.”

Since A’Ning clearly didn’t want to say more, Jiang Zhinan didn’t press her. She only reminded her gently, “Go rest early.”

“Got it.” A’Ning nodded, taking the jade hairpin from Jiang Zhinan’s hand and tucking it back into her hair. Then she turned and walked with her toward home.

Dong Xue was still there. She had already gotten back on her feet, but her eyes burned with venomous resentment.

A’Ning pretended not to see her—she didn’t consider her worth the attention.

“Ugh!” Dong Xue spat once they’d gone.

The girls around her snickered quietly, mocking her for losing to a mere beginner.

Dong Xue, who was used to nothing but praise, couldn’t stand such humiliation. Fury burned in her chest, hotter by the second.

Her brows knit tightly as she glared after A’Ning’s retreating figure, eyes full of hatred.

Now that A’Ning’s skill had surpassed her own, beating her through swordplay was nearly impossible.

But she wasn’t about to swallow this insult.

If she couldn’t win fairly, she’d simply find another way.

And then, she suddenly remembered that jade hairpin in A’Ning’s hair.

She treated it like a treasure—always taking it off carefully before their duels, as if afraid it might break.

If she destroyed it,

Dong Xue’s lips curled into a wicked smile.

In her mind, she could already see A’Ning’s face crumpling in despair.