The next day, Madam Qin took Ming Lan and followed Princess Pingning’s Emerald Canopy Pearl-Tasseled Eight-Treasure Carriage to the Yu residence to offer their apologies.
In the Yu family’s Flower Hall, the rosewood furniture inlaid with mother-of-pearl exuded a somber and solemn atmosphere, with the faint scent of medicine and sandalwood lingering in the air.
Old Madam Yu’s face was as dark as water as she held a Ru Kiln teacup without taking a sip.
Eldest Madam Yu’s eyes were reddened, and she kept dabbing the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, clearly distressed over her son’s injuries.
Madam Qin set aside her pride and spoke earnestly on behalf of her son, adopting an extremely humble posture. When presenting the heavy gift list, her tone was filled with helplessness and remorse.
Under Princess Pingning’s tactful mediation and Madam Qin’s sincere and humble attitude, Old Madam Yu’s tense expression finally softened slightly.
Although Eldest Madam Yu still found it difficult to swallow her anger, the generous gifts and the princess’s face compelled her to reluctantly accept the apology.
The adults continued exchanging pleasantries in the main hall, the atmosphere still delicate…
Ming Lan sat quietly to the side, feeling somewhat bored as she listened. Thinking of whether she could find Sister Yanran, she gently tugged on Madam Qin’s sleeve and whispered, “Mother, it’s stifling here. Can Yi'er go to the corridor for some fresh air? Just for a little while.”
Madam Qin was fully focused on dealing with the Yu family and had no time to spare, so she nodded and quietly instructed Mama Xiang to follow.
Ming Lan led Mama Xiang out of the Flower Hall, pretending to admire the chrysanthemums in the corridor while secretly scanning for a familiar figure with the corner of her eye… She noticed faint sobbing and a haughty scolding coming from the Moon Gate at the side.
“…Stop crying! All you know is how to act pitiful! How dare your shabby embroidery compare to mine?” A girl dressed in a bright pomegranate-red silk skirt was pointing and scolding another girl in plain clothes, her demeanor arrogant.
The girl in plain clothes hung her head, her shoulders trembling slightly as she tightly clutched a torn embroidered handkerchief. It was Yu Yanran.
The girl in red, Ming Lan recognized, was the Yu family’s third young lady, Yu Yanhong, who was famously competitive and domineering in her previous life.
“But… that was meant for Grandmother’s birthday…” Yanran’s voice was as faint as a mosquito’s hum, tinged with tears.
“For Grandmother’s birthday? How are you worthy? Still coveting the silk thread Mother gave me?” Yu Yanhong pressed on relentlessly, even reaching out to push her.
Almost instinctively, Ming Lan immediately stepped forward, her voice clear and appropriately innocent: “Oh! What a beautiful butterfly! Where did it fly?”
She pretended to chase a nonexistent butterfly, accidentally separating the two and positioning herself between them.
Ming Lan sighed inwardly—last time, she discovered Mama Xiang’s collusion with the Bai family by chasing a butterfly, and now she was helping Yanran out of trouble with a butterfly again…
Interrupted, Yu Yanhong was displeased: “Who are you? Why are you running around in my house?”
Mama Xiang hurriedly stepped forward: “Greetings, Miss Yanhong. This is Sister Yi from the Ningyuan Marquis Estate.”
Upon hearing she was a marquis estate’s young lady, Yu Yanhong’s arrogance diminished slightly, though she still pouted.
Ming Lan, however, acted as if she were unaware of the conflict. Turning to the red-eyed Yu Yanran, she flashed a sweet smile, took her cold hand, and said softly:
"This sister, your hands are so skillful! The little flowers embroidered on this handkerchief are truly beautiful, no less than those I've seen in the palace! Though it's torn a bit, Yi'er thinks that if you quietly mend it with a smaller flower in the same-colored silk thread next to it, it might look even prettier! Like… the little flower has a younger sister!"
She blinked her big eyes, speaking with utmost sincerity.
These words not only praised Yanran's embroidery skills but also offered a solution, all while sounding delightfully childlike.
Yu Yanran stared blankly at this little girl before her—younger than herself yet with such a warm smile—as if a ray of light had pierced through her grievances, making her forget her tears.
Yu Yanhong, left ignored on the side, wanted to lash out but found no opening—the young lady from the Marquis's household hadn't accused her; instead, she was praising Yanran and offering advice. If she continued to make a fuss, she would only appear unreasonable… Stomping her foot in frustration, she snorted, "What's so great about that!" and turned to leave in a huff.
Seeing her gone, Ming Lan released Yanran's hand, smiling sweetly and whispering, "Sister, don't be afraid. The bad thing has flown away!"
Yu Yanran looked at this little sister who had appeared out of nowhere to rescue her, feeling a surge of warmth in her heart. She nodded vigorously, her tears turning to a smile. "Thank you… My name is Yanran."
"My name is Yi'er!" Ming Lan replied, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled.
A dear friend from her past life, reunited in such circumstances in this life. Being able to protect this kindness once again filled Ming Lan with immense satisfaction.
Just then, a call came from inside the hall. Ming Lan waved to Yanran and followed Mama Xiang back.
Before leaving, she glanced back and saw Yanran still standing there, clutching the embroidered handkerchief tightly in her hand, her eyes filled with bright gratitude as she watched her.
Back in the carriage, Madam Qin leaned wearily against the soft pillow, finally able to relax. Ming Lan asked softly, "Mother, is everything settled?"
"For now… it's over, I suppose."
Madam Qin stroked her daughter's hair, suddenly remembering something. "Earlier, outside… you didn't cause any trouble, did you?"
"Not at all! Yi'er was very well-behaved, and I even made a new sister! The flowers she embroiders are so pretty!"
Madam Qin dismissed it as childish chatter and didn't press further, merely smiling tiredly…
But Ming Lan's thoughts were stirring. Her mother's worries, her brother's absurdities, the undercurrents in the Marquis's household, and reuniting with an old friend today… It seemed her path in this reborn life was destined to be entirely different from the last.
Yet, being able to protect those she wished to protect—this feeling was truly wonderful…