Volume One, Chapter One: The Elder Sister's Tragic Death, the Younger Sister's Return

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At dusk, on the desolate burial grounds outside the capital.

Crows cawed atop the twisted branches. Amidst the overgrown mounds, the body of a young woman lay, her tattered clothing barely covering her. Though a faint breath lingered in her chest, it was clear her life was slipping away.

Beside her, an elderly woman with hair as white as snow trembled as she struggled to arrange the girl's clothing, shielding her fragile body. Blood and streaks of desperate tears marred the old woman's wrinkled face.

“My lady, it’s all my fault. This useless old servant failed you, failed the madam’s dying wishes! Oh, heavens, is there anyone who can save my mistress? I’d gladly give my life, repay such kindness with all my soul—” As she spoke, the old woman clung to the young lady, her wailing so grief-stricken it shamed even the cries of vengeful spirits. Her despair was chilling, her sorrow haunting.

Perhaps the heavens themselves pitied them. Suddenly, wind and rain lashed down in a furious tempest.

The sharp clatter of hooves split the storm, sending water and mud flying. Through the deluge, a dark horse burst onto the scene, shattering the helpless silence.

With a pull on the reins, the horse halted, nostrils flaring.

“I’m sorry I’m late, Sister!” Mu Wanwan swung off her horse, stumbling forward. Her face was streaked with water—whether tears or rain, it was impossible to tell—and she shook with a rage born of grief. She wore a narrow-sleeved, pitch-black robe, her hair bound simply with a wooden pin, both hair and hem thick with mud. Her brows held an air of courage, but anger burned beneath.

Who? Who could be so cruel as to destroy her sister, barely seventeen, with such vicious means?

Hatred surged within her, turning her gaze blood-red like a demon thirsting for vengeance.

When Mu Wanwan learned of her sister’s plight, she dared not pause for a moment, racing day and night to return to the capital—four horses dying beneath her from exhaustion. Yet, still, she was too late.

“Who… are you? Young master?” The old woman, startled by the commotion, looked up uncertainly at the stranger before her.

When Mu Wanwan nodded, the old woman burst into fresh tears. “Young master, the eldest miss has suffered terribly in the Marquis’s household all these years. They dared abuse her so—such people deserve to die!”

Eighteen years ago, the Marchioness of Wu’an was pregnant with twins. Fearing the ill omen of twins, the truth was concealed—even the Marquis never knew. On the day of birth, under the pretense of burning incense at Qingyun Temple, the elder sister, Xiao Qingqing, was brought home, while the younger, Mu Wanwan, was raised in the temple, only allowed to see her mother and sister once a year during the ancestral rites.

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When she was ten, her maternal grandfather, the Grand General, was falsely accused of treason. The entire Mu family was executed. Stricken with grief, her mother soon fell ill and passed away, leaving behind ten-year-old twin daughters and an infant son, Xiao Rongli.

Afterward, Mu Wanwan was found by the commander of her grandfather’s secret guard, who taught her the art of killing—urging her to one day restore the Mu family’s honor.

Seven years have passed. Disguised as a man, Mu Wanwan has become the young general who strikes fear into the hearts of enemies throughout the Wei Kingdom.

She had returned this time after carefully planning with her sister, Xiao Qingqing, to jointly investigate their grandfather’s case, to clear the Mu family’s name, and restore the honor of the Mu army.

But on the way, she learned that her sister had been abducted, missing for over seven days.

In her desperation, she rode ahead. Now, seeing her sister’s frail, unclothed form, she immediately took off her cloak to cover her, then gently lifted her thin, weak body, her heart aching as she carried her away.

“Sister, hold on. Wanwan will save you. Don’t worry, I will make sure every single one who hurt you pays.”

Marquis Wu’an’s household, you will all answer to me.

“Nanny Rong, you must come as well. We cannot linger here—my sister needs treatment!” Though hope was slim, Mu Wanwan refused to give up.

She could not bear to lose any more family.

Since her maternal kin were wiped out and her mother passed, only her elder sister and infant brother remained in this world. The Marquis—who allowed his concubines to torment her sister and brother—wasn’t worth acknowledging.

*

“Young master, my condolences.” Nanny Rong choked, seeing Mu Wanwan shrouded in grief. “The eldest miss… she passed away peacefully.”

Mu Wanwan stood motionless, gazing blankly at her sister’s calm face, her mind echoing with her sister’s last words.

“Wanwan, I’m sorry. I broke my promise; I couldn’t clear our grandfather’s name with you, nor bring peace to Mother’s spirit… The road ahead is hard. I can no longer walk it with you.”

“Don’t cry, Wanwan. Seeing you once more before I go is enough. Don’t think of revenge for me—my death matters little. Just protect Rongli, take him away from the Marquis’s house, and keep him safe as he grows.”

“If one day our grandfather’s name is cleared, seek an imperial decree so Rongli can bear the Mu surname. The Marquis’s house has many heirs; they don’t need him. Better he carry on our family’s line—the way Mother wished.”

“Wanwan, I loved your smile. It was like the spring breeze in February, the warm sun in March, melting all the ice. To have a sister like you in this life—how lucky I was.”

“Wanwan, I’m sorry. I can’t hold on any longer…”

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Sister!

Mu Wanwan called out silently in her heart.

Though her eyes brimmed with tears, she stubbornly refused to let them fall. Her sister wanted to see her smile—she would not let her down.

But the pain was unbearable.

From childhood, every time they met, her sister had been nothing but gentle.

“Wanwan, I’m sorry. If not for me, you could have grown up with Father and Mother.”

Whenever she said this, her sister’s eyes filled with guilt. She bore burdens far too heavy for her young age.

How could such a gentle soul be tormented to death? How could Mu Wanwan not seek vengeance?

No, she must!

Her master had always taught her: “There’s no need to swallow grievances in this life. All that talk about suffering bringing blessings is nonsense. We all live but once—why should we live in misery? Remember this, Wanwan: if anyone dares wrong you, hit back—hit them so hard they cry for their ancestors. Otherwise, don’t call yourself my disciple. I couldn’t bear the shame!”

Yes, injustice must be redressed!

Debts must be reclaimed!

And vengeance must be taken!

Otherwise, she could not face her master.

“Nanny Rong, my sister cannot die in vain. This vengeance must be exacted!” Mu Wanwan declared, and the suffocating pain in her heart lightened somewhat.

“I am willing to risk everything for this,” Nanny Rong declared, kneeling with her forehead pressed to the earth, her body trembling. “Command me, young master! I will do all in my power to see justice for the eldest miss. Even if it costs this old life, I do not regret it!”

Mu Wanwan helped her up, her eyes burning with fierce determination. “Then let my sister return to the Marquis’s house. Her vengeance will be hers to claim.”