What scheme are you trying to pull this time?

Even if the original owner lost everything else, she would never part with this cloth doll. She likely never dreamed that the doll she cherished most would be the very thing that cost her life.

The ginseng fruit clicked its tongue in dismay: "This scheme is truly insidious and unpredictable. The original owner probably never imagined that her beloved doll was one of the accomplices that led to her demise."

The sinister copper coin, which appeared malevolent to outsiders, now lay quietly in Yun Ran’s hand. Waves of chilling, dark energy seeped into her body, permeating her bones and internal organs.

Fortunately, the Yun family’s home was protected by a wealth-attracting feng shui formation, which blocked part of this evil aura’s influence on Yun Ran. Otherwise, the original owner’s life would have been even shorter.

For those without any cultivation, this dark energy would be a death warrant. But for a cultivator like Yun Ran, it was merely a minor annoyance.

Muttering incantations under her breath, Yun Ran soon forced the dark energy that had invaded her bones back out. Even the copper coin, once exuding a malevolent aura, became clean and pure in that moment.

In a remote mountain temple, an elderly Taoist master, seated in meditation, suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood and snapped his eyes open. They were fierce and wild, struggling to suppress madness. He quickly counted on his fingers, then spat blood again.

“Well done, truly well done! Someone has broken my curse and caused a backlash on me!”

He had sold many of these harmful items to amass a fortune and seize his opportunity, even arranging a scapegoat. Even if it were discovered that someone had fallen victim to such a curse, breaking it was nearly impossible, let alone having it rebound upon him.

But now, the backlash was real. This could only mean one thing: the person who dispelled the curse was more powerful than he was. The scapegoat had died but only absorbed part of the backlash.

He immediately took out his phone and made a call, ordering an investigation to find out where exactly the problem had arisen.

This was a critical moment for his secluded cultivation. He could not be disturbed. If anyone dared to ruin his plans, they would be doomed.

That night, Yun Ran slept soundly, completely unaware that by merely breaking a life-taking curse, she had stirred considerable unrest in the malevolent circle.

“Knock, knock, knock…”

A sudden knock jolted Yun Ran awake. Glancing around the room’s familiar arrangement, she remembered she was back at the Yun family home.

No more sleeping late until naturally waking—the thought made her face fall. Indeed, she wasn’t destined for a life of idleness.

Opening the door, she saw Qu Ying’s face, her dark circles visible despite thick foundation.

From the original owner’s memories, once Qu Ying began applying makeup, it meant a new round of complaints and lamentations was about to start.

Then the original owner would rush out to defend her, only for Qu Ying to immediately turn around and betray her once she gained some advantage.

This vicious cycle had lasted nearly a decade. It was unclear whether the original owner never noticed or simply refused to confront the truth.

Unfortunately, Yun Ran was not one to be overwhelmed by sympathy. Seeing Qu Ying’s state, she showed no emotion.

Yawning lazily, she said, “You’re knocking this early—what’s the matter?”

Yun Ran glanced out the window. It was barely dawn; even the roosters hadn’t started crowing yet.

Qu Ying looked at Yun Ran with a scrutinizing gaze. Since returning from the ancestral rites, she sensed something strange about Yun Ran but couldn’t pinpoint what was off.

She noticed the red peach blossom birthmark behind Yun Ran’s ear—something that couldn’t be faked.

“Ran Ran, are you still upset with Mom?”

Yun Ran blinked in confusion. Such a question so early in the morning?

“Ah? What?”

Qu Ying was momentarily stunned, preparing to step inside and start recounting her grievances as before, waiting for Yun Ran to charge to her defense.

But Yun Ran swiftly pushed her back outside, following her out and closing the door behind them.

“Mom, my room is a mess. Let’s sit in the living room. Whatever you have to say, just tell me.”

Qu Ying’s suspicion that Yun Ran had changed deepened.

Her public persona was always that of a virtuous wife and mother—uncomplaining and unassertive no matter how the Yun family treated her.

Only in Yun Ran’s small room could she vent her frustrations and grievances.

Now Yun Ran had pushed her out, leaving her no choice. The living room and other places were under surveillance; she dared not utter a single complaint.

Especially seeing Yun Ran’s expression that clearly said, “Spit it out quickly, I don’t have time for nonsense.”

Qu Ying’s face darkened further. Yun Ran hurriedly called out to a nearby servant cleaning the floor:

“Quick, call the doctor! My mother’s not feeling well!”

The servant rushed over, shocked at Qu Ying’s pale face, and immediately called the family doctor.

Seizing the opportunity, Yun Ran slipped away, running and patting her chest:

“I need to get away for a while. With that temper, even if no one provokes her, she might just anger herself into a miscarriage. I’m not taking the blame for this!”

[Without you bearing the burden ahead, I can already foresee that your mother’s days won’t be easy from now on.]

“You don’t understand. This is my way of ‘turning over a new leaf.’ Qu Ying always taught the original owner to avoid conflict and competition. Now, I’m going to carry out her philosophy to the letter!”

The ginseng fruit gave a thumbs up: “Brilliant—using magic to defeat magic!”

While everyone else ate breakfast, Yun Ran was already back, jogging.

Yun Wan was about to mock Yun Ran for being heartless—her own mother was ill, yet she vanished without a trace.

But Yun Ran spoke first: “Dad, our school has arranged a month-long study tour. I refused before because I was worried about Mom, but now I want to sign up again.”

Her words startled Yun Jingyang, who had been replying to emails and lifted his head in surprise.

The original owner had been reluctant even to go out on weekends, afraid the Yun family would take the chance to bully Qu Ying and wanting to be her protector.

Now she was willing to leave the Yun family for an entire month? Was she no longer afraid they would harm Qu Ying?

Yun Wan looked at Yun Ran with suspicion and disgust: “What scheme are you plotting now?”

Yun Wan and the second Miss Yun Qing were twins, three years older than Yun Ran and nineteen this year.

At their coming-of-age ceremony, both had received shares gifted by the family.

Then Yun Ran caused a scene. If the people of Haicheng hadn’t known her true nature, the Yun family might have become a laughingstock.

Thinking of this, Yun Wan was so furious she struggled for breath.