Lin Wanqing stepped out of the ancestral hall, the night breeze cool against her skin. She inhaled deeply, steadying her swirling emotions. The awakening of her heavenly eye had left her both thrilled and stunned—it was a weapon she could wield on her path to redemption. Yet she knew this wasn't the time to act rashly. She decided to lie low for now, secretly observing Lin Xue'er's every move to uncover her ties with the mysterious man in black.
Back in the humble woodshed, Lin Wanqing lit an oil lamp, its faint glow flickering across the walls. The room was cluttered with junk, the air thick with the scent of damp wood, but to her, it was the birthplace of her transformation. She retrieved a tattered medical book from a corner, its pages yellowed and worn, yet filled with ancient herbal remedies. Blending this with her modern medical knowledge from her past life, she selected herbs like Angelica dahurica, Scutellaria, and licorice—perfect for treating acne and brightening skin. Her plan was to craft a cream, the first step in her physical rebirth.
"Xiao Cui, bring me a basin of hot water and a clean porcelain bowl," she instructed calmly.
Xiao Cui hesitated, unsure why her mistress was suddenly dabbling in herbs, but seeing her serious demeanor, she scurried off to comply. Soon, she returned with the items. Lin Wanqing ground the herbs into a fine powder, mixed in a touch of honey and rice paste, and stirred it into a thick paste. She applied it to her face, letting the warm steam from the water enhance its effects. Closing her eyes, she felt her skin subtly shift, whispering to herself, "This is just the beginning. I'll take back what's mine, step by step."
Meanwhile, in her lavish boudoir, Lin Xue'er paced anxiously. Her delicate fingers clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms. She had searched the ancestral hall top to bottom, but the legendary manual was nowhere to be found—it was as if it had vanished into thin air. Grinding her teeth, she muttered, "Lin Wanqing, you wretch, I'll make you suffer one day."
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts, and a man in black slipped inside. His figure was shrouded in a wide cloak, his face masked in shadow, exuding an eerie aura.
"Miss, any progress on the manual?" His voice was low and hoarse, tinged with impatience.
Lin Xue'er shook her head, anxiety flickering in her eyes. "Not yet. I've scoured the hall and found nothing. But I suspect Lin Wanqing knows something. She's been too strange lately—she saved Grandfather and… she's gotten prettier."
The man's brows furrowed. "A fool like her, suddenly sharp? Could she have been reborn too?"
"Reborn?" Lin Xue'er's heart jolted, her face paling. "That's impossible… she's just a lowly庶女. How could she have such fortune?"
The man sneered. "The world is full of oddities. You'd best not underestimate her, Miss. Keep her under control for now—I'll dig deeper into her background."
Lin Xue'er took a deep breath and nodded, a ruthless glint in her eyes. "Fine, I'll watch her. But you need to hurry. That manual is vital to us—it can't fall into anyone else's hands."
Back in the woodshed, Lin Wanqing pressed on with her plan. The topical cream was only the start—she began internal conditioning too. She brewed tea with red dates, goji berries, and angelica, drinking it daily to regulate her qi and blood, boosting her metabolism. She also practiced acupuncture, targeting points on her waist and legs to slim down. She'd found a detailed method in the medical book and spent half an hour each day diligently applying it.
After several days, the results were striking: her acne faded, her skin grew fair and radiant, and her figure slimmed noticeably. Standing before a slightly blurred bronze mirror, she studied herself and smiled faintly, pleased with the transformation.
"Miss, you've changed so much!" Xiao Cui exclaimed, eyes wide with wonder.
Lin Wanqing nodded. "This is just the start. I have bigger plans ahead."
She resolved to debut her new self at the next family gathering, stunning everyone who'd once scorned her.
A few days later, the Lin household held a small celebration for Old Master Lin's recovery. Lin Wanqing chose a simple yet elegant robe, understated yet dignified. She glided into the hall, her steps light, her presence refined. Her skin shimmered like jade, her features delicate and appealing, her figure slender—a picture of poised confidence.
The room fell silent as eyes turned to her, followed by gasps of disbelief.
"Is that… Wanqing?" a clansman rubbed his eyes, incredulous.
"When did she become so pretty?" an aunt murmured, envy lacing her tone.
Lin Xue'er stood among the crowd, her eyes widening as jealousy blazed within her. She bit her lip hard enough to draw blood. "You… how did you change so much?"
Lin Wanqing turned to her with a gentle smile, her voice soft but edged with provocation. "Xue'er, it's been a while. How have you been?"
"Don't get cocky!" Lin Xue'er snapped, barely containing her fury. "It's just petty tricks."
Old Master Lin hobbled forward on his cane, inspecting Lin Wanqing closely. A pleased smile spread across his face. "Wanqing, you've transformed remarkably. I'm proud of you."
Warmth filled Lin Wanqing's heart. She bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Grandfather. I only wish to improve myself and honor the family."
After the gathering, Lin Wanqing wandered into the garden alone. The night deepened, moonlight bathing the flowers in a tranquil glow. She strolled, savoring the memory of the crowd's stunned looks, a quiet pride swelling within her. Suddenly, an odd sensation prickled her senses. Using her heavenly eye, she scanned her surroundings and spotted a man in black creeping toward the ancestral hall.
Her instincts flared, and she crouched low, silently trailing him. Through her heavenly eye, she saw a thick black mist swirling above his head—a clear sign of malice.
The man slipped into the hall and began rummaging, his movements cautious yet hurried. Lin Wanqing hid in the shadows, holding her breath, watching intently.
"Where's that blasted manual?" he muttered, frustration evident.
"A manual?" Lin Wanqing's mind raced. She vaguely recalled tales of a lost martial arts manual from the Lin family's ancestors, said to be incredibly powerful. Could this be what Lin Xue'er and the man were after?
She stayed still, opting to gather more clues before acting.
The next day, Lin Wanqing launched a discreet investigation. Using her heavenly eye, she examined the auras of everyone in the household. She noticed that not only the man in black bore a dark mist—her stepmother's head was shrouded in a faint haze too. This confirmed her stepmother's involvement in the scheme.
She decided to probe her stepmother for answers.
That afternoon, as her stepmother sipped tea in the garden pavilion, Lin Wanqing approached with a plate of homemade pastries. She offered a harmless smile. "Mother, I made these for you. Please try them."
The stepmother glanced at her, a flicker of disdain in her eyes, but accepted the plate. "How thoughtful."
Lin Wanqing sat down, chatting casually. She subtly brought up the ancestral hall. "I passed by the hall yesterday—it felt unusual. Could there really be something hidden there?"
Her stepmother's expression tightened, her tone sharpening. "The hall is sacred. A庶女 like you should steer clear to avoid trouble."
Lin Wanqing's pulse quickened. She pressed further. "I heard there's a family manual stashed there. Is that true?"
The stepmother slammed her teacup down, her voice icy. "Utter nonsense! The manual's long lost. Stop listening to idle gossip."
Lin Wanqing lowered her head with a faint smile. "Forgive me, Mother. I spoke out of turn."
Outwardly calm, her mind buzzed with certainty: the manual existed, and her stepmother knew more than she let on.
Late that night, under a dark, windy sky, Lin Wanqing slipped into the ancestral hall. She dodged the patrolling servants and began her search. Guided by her heavenly eye, she noticed a faint glow from a corner of the wall. Approaching, she found a hidden compartment. Holding her breath, she pressed it, and with a soft click, the wall flipped open, revealing an ancient book.
She lifted it, reading the title by moonlight: The Lin Family's Heart Method.
"So this is the manual," she thought, excitement surging, though tempered by caution. She skimmed its pages, discovering it was an internal cultivation technique that could strengthen the body, extend life, and perhaps unlock hidden potential.
She grasped its immense value—and why Lin Xue'er and the man in black were desperate for it. She resolved to hide it for now, waiting to unravel their plot before deciding her next move.
(End of Chapter)