The young girl stood up and scolded, "How dare you! This is my home; you have no right to look at it so boldly."

"Haha, what is your name?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"Because one day, not just this mansion, but you as well, will belong to me."

"Such arrogance! What's your name?"

The middle-aged man leaned in, his piercing gaze sharp as a sword, stabbing into the young girl's heart. "Shàngguān Rú! Are you willing to be with me?" 

The girl's face flushed, and from behind came the nursemaid's call, "Miss Míngzhū, the master is calling you."

"Míngzhū, you truly are the brightest pearl in this courtyard."

It was the first time Míngzhū had heard a man call her by name, and her heart surged with excitement. Unable to stay any longer, she turned and ran. Her moon-white qipao gently wrapped around her youthful figure, like a white magnolia waiting to bloom, hanging on the highest branch of this secluded courtyard, basking in the admiring gazes of the world.

That year, a new wealthy figure emerged in the city, known as Shàngguān Ru. His financial power was immense, and his business acumen and strategies made the seasoned merchants feel ashamed of themselves.

Many people flocked to work under Shàngguān Ru, unwilling to risk losing everything, and were forced to submit to him. In the entire city, only the Li family dared to challenge him. But even the Li family knew that it wouldn't be long before they faced a devastating defeat in this struggle.

Master Li sat with Shàngguān Ru in Cuizhang Residence, sipping tea and discussing how to end this bitter conflict. Shàngguān Ru raised two fingers—he had only two demands: the Li family estate and Lǐ Míngzhū.

Master Li swept his sleeves and left in a fury. The estate could be rebuilt, but Míngzhū—his only daughter, born late in his life—could never be given to this sworn enemy. 

Business was like a battlefield, and once defeated, the collapse was swift and overwhelming. One night, Master Li cried out, "Shàngguān Ru, I will repay this hatred in the next life!"

Spitting blood, Master Li died. Upon his death, the estate was swiftly acquired by Shàngguān Ru. 

Walking to the bridge, one could still see that Míngzhū—a young girl sitting gracefully on the swing. Although her family's fortune had crumbled, her radiance remained undiminished. The pure white mourning clothes, along with the white flowers in her hair, were so dignified that it took one's breath away.

Míngzhū slowly walked up to Shàngguān Ru, bowed, and said, "Leave the estate to me; give my family a place to stay."

Shàngguān Ru gazed at her flawless yet sorrowful face, and with a wave of his hand, the servants withdrew from the estate.

"The ancients said a smile is worth a thousand gold coins. I dare not ask for your smile, but your words are worth just as much.” 

Míngzhū slowly bowed, but suddenly a flash of white light shot out from her sleeve, aimed straight at Shangguan Ru's chest, targeting his heart. The dagger halted in mid-air, unable to advance. Shangguan Ru gripped the dagger's edge with his bare hand, blood trickling from his fingers and dripping onto the stone slabs of the small bridge.

"Do you think I would bow to you and ask for a refuge? The Li family is not so lowly."

Míngzhū, seeing that her assassination attempt had failed, turned the dagger and drove it into her own chest. As she slowly fell, she whispered, "If I can't avenge my father's death in this life, I will in the next."

The woman slowly fell backward beneath the fluttering blossoms of the begonia flowers.

"Save her, at any cost!" Shangguan Ru's hoarse voice echoed through the courtyard.

Though Míngzhū was alive, she kept her eyes closed and refused to eat. Shàngguān Ru brought porridge to her bedside but did not look at her. He only said, "Whether there is a next life, no one knows. But what I do know is that if I have a grudge for my father's death in this life, I will avenge it. I have done so. Back then, my father was merely a manager at the Li family. Your family made my father the scapegoat for your losses when he was just a manager at the Li family. He was driven to his death by anger. That debt has been paid. I have avenged him."

The little bowl of millet porridge, rich and golden, was placed on the tray. 

"If you truly have the spirit, you should live to seek revenge, rather than following the foolish path of seeking death."

At those words, Míngzhū opened her eyes, gazing with hatred at the man sitting by the window, playing the flute. Outside, the day was adorned with the cheerful chatter of swallows and the vibrant colors of blooming flowers.

Míngzhū did not leave the estate. She became Shàngguān Ru's mistress and remained in the secluded courtyard. The outside world's turmoil and changes had no impact on her; they were irrelevant to her. Her sole purpose in life was to find the perfect opportunity to kill Shàngguān Ru.

With the birth of Xiǎomù, she had everything. She protected her youthful beauty intact but could not possess the man she longed for. Every corner of her heart had been deeply touched—his smile, his warmth, and his lips—all had been etched into her very soul.

Unable to harbor more hatred, unable to love, unable to avenge, and unable to continue past favors—she filled the bathtub with water, sat at the vanity, let down her hair, and took a few sips of red wine. Listening to that familiar piece of music, she glanced at her son, who was already asleep, and gave him a tender kiss.

Suddenly, she stepped into the bathtub.

Xiǎomù panicked and kept trying to stop his mother from entering the bathtub, but again and again, his fingers penetrated his mother's body, and his mother could not hear his screams. They were all just illusions, not real.

He could only watch helplessly as his mother slid into the water, struggling and pleading for help that he could no longer provide. The course of history was irrevocable.

Míngzhū's beautiful body sank into the water. She tilted her head back, eyes closed, listening to the music and reflecting on the scenes of her life. A glistening tear traced down her face as she submerged herself. Suddenly, her hands and legs began to flail, and her body slipped downward, as if unable to support itself.