Chapter 1: The Name Jiang Nian Does Not Exist in the Book!

The spring sunlight was just right, and at the flower-viewing banquet of the Marquis of Yongning’s residence, the blossoms were in full bloom.

The noble ladies, who usually vied for attention with their beauty, were today gathered outside the pavilion, watching the commotion with interest.

Inside the pavilion, two women faced off like needles against wheat awns, their dispute unresolved. Both then simultaneously turned to look at a delicate, fair-faced young woman with an oval face and refined features.

“You’re also here in the pavilion enjoying the flowers. Did you see that it was Meng Yingying who provoked me first?”

“Miss, don’t be afraid of Xiao Ru’s threats. Please tell us the truth!”

Suddenly drawn into the turmoil, Jiang Nian felt as if struck by lightning.

She had always believed she was a transmigrator from the womb; only now, upon hearing the names “Meng Yingying” and “Xiao Ru,” did she realize she had actually entered a novel!

The good news: The novel *The Proud Daughter of a General’s Family Goes Mad* unfolds over three million words, chronicling a wildly dramatic love quadrangle among four eccentric men and women. She knew the general trajectory and could thus avoid danger.

The bad news: Meng Yingying was the female lead, Xiao Ru the second female lead. But—and this was critical—the name Jiang Nian didn’t even appear in the book! There was only an unfortunate background character who had suffered misfortune through eight generations!

At the moment, the story was about to reach its first minor climax. Before the storm arrived, there was a small episode.

Meng Yingying and Xiao Ru were quarreling inside the pavilion when a passing young woman from a humble family claimed she hadn’t seen anything. In a fit of rage, Xiao Ru had her maid slap this girl ten times.

Jiang Nian wished she could ascend to heaven on the spot!

This ill-fated background character—barely mentioned, unnamed, with a crooked mouth from the slaps—was in fact herself!

“I…” Jiang Nian truly hadn’t seen anything.

Xiao Ru glared, pressing harder: “If you dare protect her, I’ll have someone tear your mouth apart!”

“Miss, please don’t be afraid. Just tell the truth.” Meng Yingying continued to soothe Jiang Nian gently.

Lowering her gaze, Jiang Nian knew her modest family could never stand against the shining aura of the female lead, Meng Yingying, or the influential Xiao Ru. She dared not cause a scene nor endure more slaps.

No matter what she said, it wouldn’t satisfy the two women before her.

But there was one person who could make them forget this minor squabble.

“I didn’t see anything.”

Before Xiao Ru could erupt, Jiang Nian quickly seized the floor again, “But just now, I saw Young Master Bo Yijin and a woman go behind the rockery…”

As expected, when she dropped the male lead’s name, Meng Yingying and Xiao Ru’s faces changed dramatically. The two hurried toward the rockery, followed closely by the other noble ladies eager for gossip.

Jiang Nian nervously touched her face, still reeling, when someone grabbed her arm:

“Please come with me, Miss. Miss Xiao wishes to ask you a few questions shortly.”

“Alright.”

Though her expression remained calm, Jiang Nian had already cursed Xiao Ru a hundred times in her heart. Just as she was about to clash with Meng Yingying, Xiao Ru was still concerned about her!

The crowd surged toward the rockery; every noble lady held their breath, careful not to disturb the intermittent cries coming from behind the rocks.

“Young Master Bo, I didn’t mean it… but now my reputation is ruined…”

Jiang Nian paused—this voice… She had only tried to clear herself earlier, but the woman causing this uproar in the story was actually her maternal cousin, Tang Qingwan.

Compared to the furious Xiao Ru, Meng Yingying was much calmer. She cleared her throat, and the crying behind the rockery ceased immediately.

“Jin, is that you?” Meng Yingying asked.

After a few moments of silence, Bo Yijin stepped out from behind the rockery, followed by a woman whose tears streaked her face.

“Yingying, believe me, I did nothing. She accidentally got wet and I happened upon her… For her reputation, I brought her here to hide. Her maid has gone to fetch clean clothes.”

The noble ladies exchanged knowing glances at the woman’s revealing attire.

Xiao Ru’s face flushed with rage. “Filthy and shameless! Dare scheme against people in my Marquis’s residence? I think you don’t want to live anymore!”

Tang Qingwan hid behind Bo Yijin. “Miss Xiao, I was also caught by the maid. Someone wants to harm me…”

Meng Yingying pulled Tang Qingwan from behind Bo Yijin and draped her own cloak over her.

Xiao Ru suddenly realized and nearly poked Jiang Nian’s face with her finger. “It’s you! If not for your scheming, how would you have seen them go behind the rockery?”

Now not only the noble ladies but even Meng Yingying and Bo Yijin looked displeased with Jiang Nian.

Jiang Nian felt like crying but had no tears to shed, catching the daggers in Xiao Ru’s eyes. Thank you, Xiao Ru!

The background character had a role now—but she would have preferred none!

Crossing the main cast was no way to have a good life!

Xiao Ru harshly questioned Jiang Nian, “Who are you? Why have I never seen you before? Someone from a humble household unfit for the upper crust—how did you come to the Marquis’s residence?”

In moments, Jiang Nian regained her composure and replied calmly:

“I originally had no chance to attend the Marquis’s banquet. My cousin from my uncle’s family insisted on bringing me to see the world. She said there were orchids I liked in the pavilion, so I went there.”

Tang Qingwan, face streaked with tears, snapped angrily, “Jiang Nian, don’t lie! I brought you here for your own good. Why are you biting me back?”

Hearing this, everyone understood immediately.

The woman trying to cling to Young Master Bo was Jiang Nian’s cousin… She intended for Jiang Nian to distract Xiao Ru so she could be with Bo Yijin herself!

Jiang Nian mercilessly rebuked, “If my cousin uses me as a pawn, should I cover for her? After today’s incident, has she considered my uncle’s reputation or the future of our maternal family’s sisters?”

“Don’t speak nonsense! I—I just happened to meet Young Master Bo!”

“Then find the maid who bumped into my cousin and ask if anyone paid her. That will clear my cousin’s name.”

Smack!

Without hesitation, Xiao Ru personally slapped the tearful Tang Qingwan. “Dare seduce Brother Jin! Just wait and see!”

“You are too much!” Tang Qingwan wrapped herself in the cloak and fled in panic.

Xiao Ru then said, “Everyone disperse! Go enjoy the flowers on your own!”

Jiang Nian was baffled; it was already over? In the original story, this was the first minor climax. Bo Yijin was forced to take the woman as a concubine, Meng Yingying and Xiao Ru quarreled fiercely for an hour, and the crowd left in anger after heated words.

And now?

She had only exposed her cousin’s intentions plainly, yet it changed the plot?

The noble ladies dared not contradict Xiao Ru, and each dispersed quietly.

Jiang Nian cast aside the chaotic thoughts swirling in her mind and followed the flow of people away from behind the rockery. She stepped toward the mansion’s exit.

“Miss Jiang, please wait! My lady requests your presence.”

Jiang Nian turned to see a maid dressed in the Marquis of Yongning’s household attire. She was stunned—is her role not yet over?

Xiao Ru, you truly are something else!