The next day, Gan Cai’er boarded a carriage early in the morning to return to the Gan family home.
Qingshui Town was not large, and the journey from the Lan residence to the Gan residence took less than the time it took for two incense sticks to burn.
The Gan residence occupied nearly half a street, a three-courtyard mansion. Its vermilion main gate, gray-tiled roofs, and white-walled courtyards stood in contrast to the surrounding greenery, exuding an ancient and dignified elegance that clearly bore the mark of a master designer—completely unlike the style one would expect in a remote small town. Two stone lions, fierce-eyed and imposing, flanked the entrance, further accentuating the wealth and prominence of the household.
Upon seeing Gan Cai’er return, the servants of the Gan residence hurried forward to welcome her warmly. The steward, Chen Ping, instructed a young servant to quickly notify the master and mistress in the main house.
Gan Cai’er had only just taken a seat in the main hall when she heard hurried and chaotic footsteps approaching from outside. Following the sound, she saw a group of people heading her way.
“Nannan, why have you come back today?”
A woman strode in quickly, took Gan Cai’er’s hand, and spoke with great affection.
The woman appeared to be around thirty years old, dressed in a crimson long skirt with gold-threaded borders at the collar and cuffs, embroidered with exquisite patterns. The hem of her skirt was lavishly adorned with large peony blossoms. Her dark hair was piled high, adorned with golden hairpins and pearls. Her entire appearance radiated two words: wealth!
Despite such bold and elaborate attire, it did not appear vulgar or cheap on her; instead, it exuded an air of nobility.
This woman was none other than the matriarch of the Gan family, Gan Cai’er’s stepmother: Wei Yulan.
In the time it took to utter a sentence, the others also entered the main hall. At a glance, Gan Cai’er saw her father, stepmother, elder brother, and younger brother—the entire family was gathered together.
Seeing her family alive, vibrant, and full of spirit, Gan Cai’er couldn’t help but feel her eyes well up. She had waited twelve long years for this moment! In her previous life, after entering the Weiguo Duke’s Mansion, she had never been able to see her family again, not even until her death!
“Little sister, did that Lan boy bully you? I’ll go find him!”
Seeing tears in his sister’s eyes, Gan Baoyuan’s temper flared. Without another word, he rolled up his sleeves and was about to head out to confront Lan Tingzhou.
Gan Cai’er quickly grabbed him and chided, “Who said he bullied me?”
“Look at you, your eyes are red!” Gan Baoyuan didn’t believe her.
“I’ll go too, I’ll go too!” Five-year-old Gan Baoguang waved his hands excitedly.
“What trouble are you causing now!” Gan Cai’er laughed in exasperation, ruffling Gan Baoguang’s hair vigorously.
Amidst this commotion, the sadness in Gan Cai’er’s heart dissipated. The love and playful banter of her family finally grounded her in this moment, making her truly feel that she had been reborn.
“Nannan, if anything is wrong, don’t keep it to yourself. Rest assured, your father will stand up for you in all matters!”
Gan Cai’er felt a warmth in her heart, but also a pang of guilt. Since marrying into the Lan family, she had rarely returned to the Gan residence. No wonder the entire family was staring at her now, their eyes filled with concern—were they worried she had run back to her maiden home after being wronged?
“This is my home. Can’t I come back to visit?” Gan Cai’er glared, putting on a spoiled and domineering act.
“Yes, yes, yes! Who said you can’t? You can come home every day if you want!” Gan Maoguo nodded eagerly, his face beaming with joy.
“I just missed my parents” Gan Cai’er nestled into Wei Yulan’s arms, acting coquettishly.
“Steward Chen, quickly have the kitchen buy the freshest sea bass!” Wei Yulan instructed loudly.
“Right away,” Steward Chen responded with a cheerful smile.
Steamed perch was Gan Cai’er’s favorite dish.
“You’re the one who truly cares for me, Mother. Thank you.” Gan Cai’er affectionately linked arms with Wei Yulan.
Wei Yulan beamed with delight, happily patting Gan Cai’er’s hand.
“I’ve recently acquired several pieces of fine Cloud-pattern Brocade, saved especially for you. Come, let’s go take a look.”
With that, Wei Yulan led Gan Cai’er toward the inner chamber.
Watching the mother and daughter walk away arm in arm, Gan Maoguo felt a complex mix of emotions. Had his own daughter, whom he had painstakingly raised, been so easily taken away by an outsider?
Wei Yulan was not Gan Cai’er’s biological mother; she was Gan Maoguo’s second wife. Yet, the bond between this stepmother and stepdaughter was even closer than that of a biological mother and daughter.
Gan Baoguang was Wei Yulan’s own son, but in her eyes, he received far less affection than Gan Cai’er. The reason was simple: Wei Yulan adored having a daughter.
When Wei Yulan married Gan Maoguo, Gan Cai’er was just five years old—a tender, adorable age, as pure and lovely as snow. Wei Yulan fell for her at first sight and had treasured her like a precious gem ever since, doting on her even more lavishly than Gan Maoguo.
Wei Yulan’s greatest joy was dressing Gan Cai’er up. It was largely thanks to Wei Yulan that Gan Cai’er became renowned in Qingshui Town as its number one beauty.
Faced with a pile of dazzling, brilliantly colored Cloud-pattern Brocade, Gan Cai’er couldn’t help but sigh and rub her temples. The shimmering gold threads were nearly blinding. Wei Yulan particularly loved dressing her in opulent, festive, vibrant, and overwhelmingly rich styles.
In her previous life, Gan Cai’er had endured no shortage of ridicule from noblewomen in Jingdu for this. They mocked her for being unable to leave the house without wearing at least three catties of gold and silver, sneering at her as uncultured and exuding the air of a vulgar upstart.
Having broadened her horizons in her past life, Gan Cai’er now found the garish display painful to look at. But since all of it had been carefully selected and saved for her by Wei Yulan, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse such kindness and had to accept it.
“Alright, out with it. What’s the real reason you’ve come back this time?” Wei Yulan asked, tidying the brocade while watching Gan Cai’er.
No one knew a daughter better than her mother. Raised by Wei Yulan herself, Gan Cai’er’s thoughts might escape others, but they never fooled Wei Yulan.
“Heh, heh, you always see right through me, Mother.” Gan Cai’er leaned against Wei Yulan with a playful grin.
“Hmph, with your little schemes. Spit it out.”
“My husband is due to take the imperial examination next February. I’ve been thinking of sending him to a good Academy, preferably one in the prefectural capital.”
“Weren’t you just crying not long ago, saying you didn’t want him to leave town? What changed your mind so suddenly?” Wei Yulan eyed her suspiciously.
“I’ve had a change of heart. What if he passes with flying colors? Then I could become an official’s wife!” Gan Cai’er replied with an awkward laugh.
“Oh, Nannan, being an official’s wife isn’t as easy as you think,” Wei Yulan sighed deeply.
“Once a man achieves success, all he thinks about is fame, fortune, and beautiful companions. Abandoning his humble wife is all too common.”
“As the saying goes, ‘Loyalty often lies with butchers and dog-handlers; betrayal often comes from scholars.’ I’ve seen far too many heartless, fickle talents.” Wei Yulan patted Gan Cai’er’s hand, speaking with grave concern.
Wei Yulan’s words were not empty talk. She truly knew many scholars and literati. In fact, Gan Cai’er had returned home this time precisely to seek her help.
Before marrying Gan Maoguo, Wei Yulan had been the madam of the Red Sleeve Pavilion in Dànzhōu Fǔ. Although the Red Sleeve Pavilion was only a second-tier brothel in the prefectural capital, it boasted two top courtesans and attracted quite a few scholars and literati.
Wei Yulan had spent over twenty years in the pleasure quarters, witnessing countless infatuated women and faithless men. In her eyes, it was better to firmly tie a man to one’s side than to let him spread his wings and soar, settling instead for a down-to-earth, ordinary married life.
In her previous life, Gan Cai’er had thought the same way. But in this second chance, she decided to let go of her selfish desires for Lan Tingzhou, seeking only to repay the kindness he had shown her in her past life.
With a different state of mind, her choices naturally differed.
“No, Mother” Gan Cai’er persisted, beginning to act coquettishly. “I just want to be an official’s wife!”
“And when my husband becomes an official, he can also look after Father’s business. Then, won’t Mother have more money to buy jewelry? Not only could you be the wealthiest lady in Qingshui Town, but you could also become the wealthiest lady in Zhushan County!”
When Gan Cai’er tried to coax someone, her voice was sweet and soft, as if her lips were coated in honey.
“I really don’t know what you see in him!” Wei Yulan’s heart softened, and she poked Gan Cai’er’s head in frustration, her face filled with disappointment. “That Lan boy is nothing but a block of ice—cold, hard, and utterly clueless—aside from his good looks. And yet, he’s managed to bewitch you so completely!”
“Fine, a married daughter is like spilled water. Tomorrow, I’ll write to my sisters in Danzhou to ask about the current situation of the prefectural Academies.”
In the end, Wei Yulan couldn’t win against Gan Cai’er and granted her wish.
Gan Cai’er returned to the Lan Residence in high spirits.
In this second life, everything had begun on a better note.