After a brief tour, Aunt Chang led the young lady upstairs, speaking softly: "Knowing we would be staying in the capital for a long time this time, when packing, I asked Zhao Tang to bring all the things you usually use. The unimportant items I sorted out for you, but the two marked trunks haven't been touched."
Lan Jin examined the room, which was clearly decorated with great care, and looked at Aunt Chang, wanting to say a few heartfelt words—words she truly wished to express from the depths of her heart—but even when they reached her lips, she couldn't utter them.
"My lady's eyes speak volumes; I see thousands of words in them."
Aunt Chang's smile never faded as she wiped away the dust that had somehow settled on the young lady's face with a handkerchief, saying cheerfully: "My lady always forgets how much help you've given others. My life belongs to you; doing these little things for you is nothing."
"You've repaid me enough already."
"That's not how it should be counted." Aunt Chang helped the young lady sit down, checked the temperature of the teapot, poured a cup of water, and pushed it toward her: "My lady not only saved my life but also gave me the ability to stand firm in this world. That makes me even more grateful than saving my life. You showed me that women aren't just meant to serve husbands and raise children; they can also help the world alongside men. I often feel that only in these years following you have I truly lived like a person. If we really calculate carefully, I'm the one who gained."
Lan Jin accepted Aunt Chang's comforting words—as long as she was happy, it was fine.
But she knew very well what kind of person she was. Those around her were either people who had received great favors from her or those she had meticulously selected to stay by her side. She was never a naive good person who saved others without expecting anything in return.
Just like Yu Zhi Yue's request: even though her uncle was currently busy working behind the scenes for her, if she were entrusted to manage the manor estates and shops within Madam Qi's bridal dowry, she would still take her share.
Unseen emotions can deceive, but money in hand never lies.
"Send someone to relay a message: I won't meet anyone today. Have them come tomorrow morning."
Aunt Chang agreed: "My lady has been traveling hard these days and should indeed rest properly. But you shouldn't rest right now. I've already stewed soup and kept it warm on the stove. With just one stir-fried dish, we can eat. Please sit and wait a moment; rest after eating. Sleeping with an empty stomach isn't good."
"I'll listen to Auntie."
"Alright, I'll go now."
Watching Aunt Chang leave happily, Lan Jin rested her chin on her hand and smiled. A woman who had endured immense suffering and lost her family had ultimately cultivated such contentment and joy, living each day in the present. Her resilience surpassed that of most people in the world.
Looking at the untouched two trunks, Lan Jin didn't move them for now.
Returning to this capital city that she both hated and longed for, her heart drifted and swayed, unsettled and unable to calm down.
Nine years had passed; would anyone recognize her face?
She rose and walked to the dressing table, sitting down and gazing at the woman in the mirror.
She was very thin, but still had the same round face and almond-shaped eyes as when she was young. With such facial features, it was a face that could easily convey joy or displeasure, naturally charming and lovely without effort.
Yet the person in the mirror had serene brows and eyes, with a gaze as deep as an abyss. Even with a round face and almond eyes, there was no sense of charm at all; instead, she resembled a woman who had read many books.
She had indeed read many books and learned many things, but unfortunately, none were related to the books women typically loved to read.
Lan Jin smiled at her reflection in the mirror. If anyone could recognize her, she would grant them a favor.
With this thought, a flicker of anticipation stirred within her.
Her features resembled her father’s. Those families who had once been closely connected to the Du family had better not disappoint her!
After the meal, Lan Jin lay down to rest.
Perhaps it was because she had arrived in the capital, but her sleep was deeply unsettled. Even people and events she hadn’t dreamed of in a long time resurfaced.
That year, the Mid-Autumn Festival weather was fine. She had complained that the moonlight was too bright, making her beautiful lanterns scattered across the courtyard appear less luminous.
Her eldest sister-in-law suggested sewing several bolts of stone-green cloth together into a large sheet to cover her courtyard and block the moonlight, so the pretty lanterns would shine beautifully.
Her second sister-in-law said she had plenty of ultramarine cloth, which would block the light even better.
Her third sister-in-law, however, felt that deep purple would not only be effective but also look more elegant.
And so, the whole family began debating which color to use. The three sisters-in-law even had servants bring out the fabrics from the storeroom.
Her grandfather supported deep purple, while her father thought both stone-green and ultramarine were fine. Her brothers argued in favor of their own wives. As for her, she swayed back and forth—when coaxed by the eldest sister-in-law, she thought stone-green was best; when persuaded by the second, she felt ultramarine was also good; and when the third sister-in-law sweet-talked her, she immediately leaned toward deep purple. In the end, her mother put a stop to it, and none of the colored fabrics were ever used.
A tear slid from the corner of her eye. Lan Jin opened her eyes and stared at the canopy above. Now, she could no longer remember which color she had truly wanted back then. Yet, years later, even in her dreams, her heart was filled with nothing but joy. It showed that, at the time, she hadn’t cared at all about which color of cloth was used, because her family’s love for her had been more than enough.
Later, her grandfather, her father, and her brothers were all gone. Her second sister-in-law, who had protected her, was gone too!
Her home was gone!
Zhen Xianfei!
Meng Yan!
I will make you pay with your lives!
Lan Jin curled up, clutching her head, trying to withstand the waves of intense, searing pain.
Those around her knew she suffered from headaches, but aside from Doctor Zhu Ziqing, who cared for her health, no one knew just how severe they were. She had never revealed a word about it and forbade Zhu Ziqing from speaking of it to others. Even the medicine he prescribed, she only took when the pain became truly unbearable.
She needed this pain to remind herself—she had a blood debt to repay.
Early the next morning, Aunt Chang was startled when she saw the young lady, who hadn’t left her room since closing the door to rest the previous afternoon. “Why do you look so pale? Is it the change of climate?”
The change of climate? That was a good excuse.
Lan Jin nodded. “It’s been many years since I returned. This place feels no different from a strange land.”
“Doctor Zhu wrote earlier saying he had many things to bring and would be delayed a few more days. Let me first summon a physician to examine you.”
“No need. I’ll be fine in a few days.” Lan Jin didn’t wish to discuss it further. “Have they all arrived?”
“Yes.” Speaking of this, Aunt Chang smiled. “When they learned you would be staying in the capital long-term, they were overjoyed. If not for fear of disturbing your rest, they probably would have come knocking before dawn.”
Lan Jin gave a slight nod. “It’s been a while since I last saw them. Have them come in.”
“No hurry. Have something to eat first.”
Aunt Chang was remarkably patient, making sure the young lady ate a little before allowing anyone to enter.
Four women came in, two of them walking at the front with lovely complexions: “Wanyin and Biyue pay our respects to the young lady.”
Next was a youth of ordinary stature and ordinary appearance, who would be forgotten after just a few glances among a crowd of people: "Wen Xi has seen the lady."
Finally entering was a girl veiled with a face covering. She removed it and bowed: "Wen Qing, has seen the lady."
Her voice was crisp and melodious, like the song of an oriole, and her appearance was breathtakingly beautiful, with the grace of a celestial being.
Lan Jin nodded, indicating for them to sit.