The two-day journey passed in the blink of an eye. The green silk carriage arrived before the vermilion tiger gate of the Duke of Yongning’s mansion, where Xiao Jueyan was the first to rein in his horse and stop.
Several people were already standing in front of the mansion gate. The Duke, Xiao Zhenyuan, stood in the center, with Lady Liu supported by a maid on one side. Beside them stood their legitimate daughter, Xiao Wanning, dressed in a pink silk skirt, her eyes and brows delicate and charming. All three had come out personally to welcome Xiao Jueyan upon hearing of the bandit unrest in Sanchuan, worried for his safety.
“Jueyan!” Seeing him safe and sound, Lady Liu’s anxious heart finally settled. She hurried forward a few steps.
Xiao Jueyan dismounted and clasped his hands in salute. “Father, Mother, I’ve made you worry.”
Xiao Zhenyuan gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping over the only ones behind him—Chen Jing, Liu Zhou, and a single carriage—before frowning slightly. “Where are the rest of your entourage?”
“We encountered bandits along the way. All were lost, but I managed to bring Second Sister back.” Xiao Jueyan turned sideways, signaling Chen Jing to lift the carriage curtain.
The curtain was gently lifted. Dongling stepped out first, then turned to help Lin Chunian alight slowly. Dressed in a plain-colored skirt with only a simple silver hairpin in her hair, her beauty was extraordinary and her figure graceful. Standing before the imposing duke’s mansion, she showed not the slightest hint of unease.
For a moment, silence fell before the mansion gate. The entire courtyard of servants and masters alike stared in astonishment.
Lady Liu was the first to regain her composure, her surprise impossible to conceal. She instinctively said, “This… is this Wanyan?”
Xiao Zhenyuan’s eyes flickered sharply, his hand stroking his beard pausing mid-motion. He thought to himself with inner shock: Ten years without seeing her, that plain-looking little girl from the past has grown into such a stunning beauty. Truly unrecognizable.
The servants in the mansion couldn’t help but whisper among themselves, each wearing expressions of amazement as they secretly observed this returning Second Miss. They all thought to themselves: Who would have thought the Second Miss would grow up to be so beautiful?
Lin Chunian lowered her gaze, imitating the manner of a noble young lady as she stepped forward slowly, curtsied, and spoke in a gentle voice, “Your daughter, Xiao Wanyan, greets Father, greets Mother, greets Eldest Sister. It has been ten years since we last met. I have made Father and Mother worry.”
Lady Liu looked at her, a flash of resentment quickly passing through her eyes. She gritted her teeth inwardly, cursing: This wench-born girl has grown into such a fox-like appearance! If not for the fact that the Dongling by her side still looked like her childhood self, I would truly suspect she had been replaced. On the surface, however, she maintained the dignified air of the mistress, giving a faint nod. “It’s good that you’re back. You must have had a tiring journey. Rise.”
Beside her, Xiao Wanning looked at Lin Chunian’s appearance, jealousy churning in her eyes. Proud of being a noble lady of the capital, she considered her own looks quite outstanding, yet before Lin Chunian’s pure and striking beauty, she seemed overshadowed. But as she turned her gaze to Xiao Jueyan, she immediately put on a charming expression, walking over to tug at his sleeve, her voice soft and sweet. “Brother, you’ve finally returned. The journey must have been exhausting. I specifically asked the kitchen to prepare your favorite pre-rain Longjing tea.”
Her manner, ostensibly showing concern for her elder brother, was actually meant for Lin Chunian to see: Though you are the returning Second Miss, I have Father and Mother’s affection and Brother’s doting. You are merely an outsider who hasn’t returned for ten years.
Lin Chunian saw it clearly but felt not the slightest ripple in her heart: She was an impostor to begin with, so why should she care about such petty schemes?
Xiao Jueyan gently patted Xiao Wanning’s hand and said calmly, “It’s nothing.” Turning to Xiao Zhenyuan, he added, “Father, after the tiring journey, let Second Sister settle in first.”
Lady Liu immediately chimed in, her tone seemingly gentle but actually premeditated: “The idle courtyard in the estate is quiet. Let Wanyan stay there; it will be convenient for her to recuperate in peace.” That idle courtyard was remote and desolate, originally meant for accommodating distant relatives. By deliberately arranging it this way, she intended to humiliate this illegitimate daughter.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Jueyan spoke up: “No need. The west side courtyard is adjacent to my own, quiet and convenient. Let Second Sister stay there.”
Lady Liu was taken aback and hurriedly tried to object, but Xiao Zhenyuan, standing nearby, said in a deep voice: “Do as Jueyan says. Clean up the west side courtyard and have Second Young Lady move in.” Not daring to defy her husband, Lady Liu suppressed her unwillingness and replied: “Very well, then let it be arranged this way.”
Lin Chunian understood Xiao Jueyan’s intention—the west side courtyard being next to his own was simply to keep a close watch on her, fearing that this impostor might slip up and cause trouble. She raised her eyes to look at Xiao Jueyan and gave a slight nod: “Thank you, Elder Brother.”
Xiao Jueyan did not look at her, only instructing Chen Jing: “Take Second Young Lady and Dongling to the west side courtyard to settle in. Then assign two reliable maidservants to attend to them. Do not make any mistakes.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
Dongling supported Lin Chunian’s hand as they followed Chen Jing into the estate. Passing by Xiao Wanning, Lin Chunian faintly overheard her muttering to Lady Liu: “Mother, how could she have grown to look like this…”
Lin Chunian did not pause her steps, her gaze continuously surveying the renowned Yongning Jun Gong Mansion in Bianjing. The vermilion-red corridor pillars and the exquisitely carved beams and painted walls exuded the grandeur and opulence of a noble household, clearly indicating that no small amount of silver had been spent. She secretly calculated in her heart: if she could receive some rewards from Xiao Wanyan’s parents in the future, it would be enough to live a stable life for the rest of her days.
However… their sudden decision to bring back this illegitimate daughter they hadn’t seen in ten years was truly puzzling.
Well, since she was already here, she would face whatever came her way. First, she would focus on staying alive, then slowly plan her way forward.