“Mm, our Le’er is growing ever more well-behaved!”
Seeing Sui Changle acting as before, Sui Jingxing dismissed the doubts in his mind.
He shook his long sleeves and leisurely settled into the seat of honor.
A maid, Xiangyun, brought him a cup of hot tea. He gently blew away the froth, sipped slowly, and looked at Changle with a smile:
“Le’er, recently I’ve been busy with official matters and haven’t had time to accompany you and your mother. I feel truly guilty. Once things settle, I’ll make time to take you both out for a stroll.”
Sui Changle sat upright, her fingernails pressing into her palms, the sharp pain helping her gradually calm down.
She lowered her gaze to hide the hatred in her eyes. When she looked up again, her expression was innocent and joyful:
“Really? Thank you, Father!”
Truly her “good father”—daily visiting the concubine’s residence, yet at home claiming business kept him busy.
Watching the gentle, cultured smile on Sui Jingxing’s face, Changle felt her hatred surge.
He was flawlessly deceptive; in her previous life, she had been completely misled, believing he was the best father in the world.
Wen Shiyi observed Sui Jingxing without moving a muscle. She noticed the concern in his gaze toward her and Changle, yet could detect nothing suspicious.
“Master, having Le’er accompany me daily, I never feel bored. You are busy with affairs—please take care of your health first.”
No sooner had she spoken than Liuying, waiting outside, slipped past the screen and entered, bowing respectfully:
“Master, Madam! Outside, Wu De requests an audience. He says there is an urgent matter requiring your attention.”
Sui Jingxing set down his tea and rose slowly, smiling apologetically:
“Madam, I had hoped to dine with you as well.”
Wen Shiyi smiled gracefully, rising with poise and bowing slightly:
“Master, your duties are important; you must not delay. Le’er and I will dine well on our own—please rest assured.”
Sui Jingxing nodded, patting Changle’s head:
“Le’er, be good. Once Father finishes this busy period, I will take you and Mother out.”
Changle obediently responded, but a faint, almost imperceptible smirk flickered in her eyes.
Sui Jingxing hurried off with Wu De. As soon as they were gone, the smile vanished from Changle’s face. She snorted coldly:
“Mother, Wu De is Father’s trusted aide. If he comes at this moment, it must mean the concubine has stirred up trouble again.”
Wen Shiyi sighed, drawing Changle down beside her:
“Le’er, do not act rashly. Your rebirth is a matter still to be considered carefully. Do not let a vague dream cloud your judgment or damage the bond between you and your father.”
Changle clenched her fists, eyes full of sorrow and urgency:
“Mother… you still do not believe me?”
Her heart felt as if it were burning. She had not expected her mother’s affection for her father to run so deep—even her own words as his daughter fell on deaf ears.
Tears slipped down her cheeks, wetting her clothes.
Seeing this, Wen Shiyi embraced her tightly, soothing her:
“Le’er, do not be sad. Mother does not disbelieve you.”
“But in all you do, you must not act hastily. Whenever trouble arises, steady yourself. Do not let others see you shaken.”
“Think carefully before acting. Let your emotions remain calm and invisible. Only then can you hold your ground in this chaotic world. Understand?”
Wen Shiyi gently stroked Changle’s hair:
“Mother knows your heart is uneasy. This rebirth is so extraordinary, we must act with caution. If your father truly has a concubine, no matter how deeply hidden, he will slip. We cannot act recklessly; we must gather evidence carefully.”
Changle looked up, tearful, choking on her words:
“Mother, in my last life I watched you driven to desperation by Father and that concubine, dying in grief. I will not let history repeat itself.”
Wen Shiyi’s heart shook. She held Changle closer:
“Le’er, if what you say is true, Mother will not sit idly by. We will wait, gather proof in secret, and when the time comes, they will pay. They are not toying with us.”
Changle nodded, taking a deep breath to steady herself:
“Mother, I will follow your advice. It was my impatience before. From now on, I will act cautiously and plan carefully.”
Wen Shiyi smiled with relief:
“My Le’er has grown! You’ve had a long day—rest now. Tomorrow, Mother will take you to the southern part of the city.”
Changle finally felt a measure of peace. With her mother alert and watchful, they would not be easily schemed against.
Having just returned to life and experienced both joy and sorrow, her expression carried a trace of fatigue.
Hearing her mother’s words, she nodded obediently, rising slowly.
Wen Shiyi called out to the outer room:
“Everyone!”
The maids outside quickly entered. Wen Shiyi held Changle’s hand, lightly patting it, and instructed:
“Take the young lady back to rest, and attend to her well.”
“Yes, Madam!”
The three maids bowed and helped Changle slowly exit the courtyard.
Back in the Ningxiang Pavilion, Changle reclined on the beauty couch by the window, staring absentmindedly outside.
Meiyin entered from the courtyard. Zhumo quietly approached, lowering her voice:
“Meiyin Jie, today the young lady seems… off.”
Meiyin slowed her steps, touching Changle’s forehead lightly, chiding gently:
“How is she off? Surely it is because your service was not careful, and the young lady feels aggrieved.”
Of the four maids, Meiyin cared for Changle the most, treating her like the apple of her eye.
Zhumo pressed her forehead, pouting in grievance:
“Meiyin Jie, you’re wrongly accusing me! Ask Lan Jian if you don’t believe me—I was guarding the door while the young lady slept and didn’t move a muscle.”
Meiyin rolled her eyes:
“Stop making excuses! If the young lady is unhappy, it’s because our service was inadequate. Instead of reflecting on your own errors, you try to shirk responsibility. You must be itching to cause trouble.”
Zhumo shrank back, saying no more.
Juyan came out from inside, seeing Zhumo sulking, and smiled:
“Serves you right! Who told you to argue with Meiyin Jie?”
Just then, Lan Jian’s soft voice scolded lightly:
“Quiet, all of you! Don’t disturb the young lady.”
Hearing the maids’ bickering, Changle looked out at the vibrant flowers outside and finally exhaled a long, deep breath.
She, Sui Changle, had truly returned!
From this day on, grievances would be avenged, and enemies punished.
Meiyin entered the room, examining Changle’s expression closely. Seeing nothing amiss, her heart finally settled.
She smiled and approached Changle gently:
“Young lady, would you like some snacks?”
Changle returned to herself, warmed by Meiyin’s concern:
“Yes, bring some rose cakes.” She smiled faintly.
Soon, Meiyin returned with the snacks.
Changle bit into a piece of rose cake, the familiar sweetness spreading in her mouth, while her thoughts became even clearer.