Staring at the floor-length canopy embroidered with begonia flowers in an autumn fragrance hue before her, Gu Lanyin was momentarily dazed.
If she remembered correctly, this familiar fabric and pattern were from the wedding gift her maternal grandmother had specially prepared for her. Jinling cloud brocade—every inch worth its weight in gold—was something most people couldn’t afford even in a lifetime. Yet, her maternal grandmother had directly provided her with three large chests of it, filled with all kinds of exquisite patterns. However, ever since two years ago, when Xiao Ye brought Gu Qing back into the household, she had watched them as a loving couple, and her heart gradually turned cold. These luxurious and opulent colors had since been rarely used.
She fixed her gaze on the canopy above her for a long while before finally reaching out to lift a corner and look outside.
That one glance made her furrow her brows.
This was not the countryside estate where she had been temporarily staying.
This was…
The Zhilan Courtyard, where she had lived for five years.
Gu Lanyin’s willow-like brows knitted tightly. How could she be here? Back on New Year’s Eve, Xiao Ye had already driven her out of the house. Though he had indeed mentioned that day that she should return, she had firmly refused him.
Could this be Xiao Ye’s doing?
But after thinking about it, she found it unlikely. Leaving aside the fact that Xiao Ye had no such sentiment toward her, even if he did, the people around her were not dead. There was no way they would just watch her being taken away by Xiao Ye without doing anything.
Her gaze suddenly landed on the ebony square lampstand beside the bed.
Gu Lanyin’s eyes narrowed slightly, and some lost memories surged back into her mind.
Her last memory remained in a raging inferno.
She remembered that day—returning to the estate from the western part of the city, she had bathed and freshened up with Shi Yu’s assistance before going to bed alone. She wasn’t sure whether it was because of the medicine she had taken that night or because she had finally dealt with Yelu Yange, but she had slept deeply. She did wake up once in the middle of the night, though.
She had felt sorry for Shi Yu, who had been following her around tirelessly these days, and didn’t want to wake her. So, she got up by herself to pour some water. But as she had just woken up, her mind was groggy, and while walking, she accidentally bumped into the lampstand by her bed.
She hadn’t even reacted before she saw flames licking up from the sky-blue bed canopy. In an instant, fire had spread throughout the entire room. By the time Shi Yu woke up, Gu Lanyin was already trapped in the blaze. Shi Yu had cried and tried to rush in to save her, but the flames were too fierce. By the time Song Yue and the others woke up, the fire had already spread outside, engulfing the entire house.
The wails and cries from outside were deafening.
Yet, she—trapped within the fire—was the calmest one.
In fact, after the initial shock, she could have escaped while the fire was still weak.
But she had chosen to stay.
Her great vengeance had been avenged.
There was no one left in this world who was truly close to her.
Shi Yu and Song Yue’s marriage had long been arranged. Even if she were gone, that girl would not be left to suffer.
With that thought, whether she lived or died didn’t seem to matter anymore.
The only regret she had… was that she never got to personally say sorry to Lord Qi.
She had caused his reputation to be tarnished. Though she had done everything possible to make amends and even sought Grand Preceptor Qin’s help to speak on his behalf, in this world, rumors could be more destructive than blades.
Moreover, in his years working at the Court of Judicial Review, he had offended many powerful figures. There would surely be those who seized this opportunity to strike at him.
He could have had a much brighter future.
But she had dragged him down.
Gu Lanyin felt deeply guilty in her heart.
In her entire life, she had never wronged anyone.
Toward the Xiao family, toward Xiao Ye, toward Gu Qing, and even toward her own mother… she had done all she could.
The only exception was Qi Yubai.
She harbored guilt in her heart, a debt she could never repay in her lifetime.
“Eh?”
The thin, water-red silk curtain was lifted from the outside, and someone entered—it was Shi Yu. She was dressed in a brand-new light yellow spring blouse, walking in with a bright smile. “Master is awake.”
“You woke up late today. You should have called for us to serve you a quarter of an hour ago.”
As she spoke, she called out to the people outside. Soon, a group of well-trained maids entered in an orderly manner, each carrying something in their hands. Shi Yu walked to the side and brought over the clothes that had been ironed the night before.
A bright red, multicolored, long-sleeved embroidered jacket with a front closure, paired with a deep purple pleated skirt adorned with golden thread and hidden plum blossom patterns.
Looking at the young woman still reclining on the pillow, her face obscured by her lowered gaze, Shi Yu chuckled. “The stewards are waiting to report to you. If you’re still sleepy, shall I find an excuse to dismiss them?”
Having grown up with Gu Lanyin since childhood, Shi Yu naturally put her needs first.
Staring at the noticeably younger Shi Yu before her, Gu Lanyin remained silent for a long time before finally speaking. “Where is Ting Yun?”
“She’s in the kitchen. Last night, you said you wanted to eat rose and lotus seed paste cakes. She was worried the kitchen maids wouldn’t make them to your liking, so she went herself. She should be back soon.”
Just as Shi Yu finished speaking, a lowered voice sounded from outside. Moments later, a woman in a green blouse lifted the curtain and entered.
“Master is awake.”
Ting Yun, whom she hadn’t seen in nearly two years, now stood before her.
Gu Lanyin suddenly found the scene before her incomprehensible.
When she was a young girl, she had read many strange tales of the supernatural, but she had always dismissed them with a laugh, never believing in such things.
Yet everything before her was so real.
Beneath the covers, she pinched her arm hard.
It hurt.
She frowned.
“What’s wrong?”
Ting Yun was always attentive. Seeing her frown, she immediately stepped forward.
Shi Yu also looked over with concern.
Gu Lanyin shook her head. Taking a deep breath and exhaling all the murky air from her lungs, she finally spoke. “It’s nothing. Help me up.”
The familiar bright red color—she had not worn it in a long time.
Looking at the mirror, at the woman who appeared even more radiant because of the red clothing, Gu Lanyin still felt somewhat unaccustomed.
She did not continue to stare at her reflection but instead carefully considered her current situation.
Ting Yun had married in the eleventh year of Jingde. Since she was still here, that meant the current time must be two years prior.
The Gu Lanyin of that time was not yet twenty. She still had hopeful expectations for her husband and her future life. Even though she had experienced cold treatment and arguments, at this moment, she still had feelings for Xiao Ye. Because of this, her brows and eyes did not yet carry the weight of deep sorrow.
But the Gu Lanyin who loved Xiao Ye was the one from her past life, when she was twenty.
Not her.
Looking at the still-vibrant young woman in the bronze mirror, Gu Lanyin could only think of what lay ahead for her.
She remembered the arguments with Xiao Ye, the long, lonely nights, and… those increasingly distant and indifferent eyes, and the heart that would never, no matter what, be warmed.
After breakfast, seated behind a gauze screen, Gu Lanyin listened to the stewards’ reports while sitting in a carved rosewood chair. Looking at the dates in the account books, she finally confirmed the time she had returned to.
The eleventh year of Jingde. April.
The third year of her marriage to Xiao Ye.
And also… the first year Gu Qing entered the household.
After finishing their reports, the stewards hesitated upon hearing no response from Gu Lanyin.
They dared not underestimate the young madam inside.
Back when she had first married in, they had thought they could take advantage of her youth and inexperience, pulling their little tricks behind her back.
But before they could even celebrate, she had already pointed out every deliberate mistake and omission in their records.
She ruled with both grace and authority, using both hard and soft approaches. She neither looked down on others because they were young nor indulged and tolerated them simply because they were old and had served in the Earl Manor for a long time.
Over the years, even the Marquis Madam had gone from initial hostility to trusting her and relinquishing power. Now, with the Madam and Marquis Lord residing at the countryside estate for rest and recuperation, the entire Earl Manor was under the sole authority of the Heir’s Wife. How could these people dare to engage in any more deceitful schemes?
“No issues.”
“You have all done well.”
Gu Lanyin regained her focus and handed the account books in her hands to Ting Yun.
Ting Yun walked around the screen and distributed the books accordingly.
Seeing that she had no other instructions, the stewards were just about to rise and leave when a young maid suddenly ran in, beaming with excitement.
“Heir’s Wife, the Heir has returned!”
In an instant, the entire room was filled with an air of jubilation. Even Ting Yun, who was usually calm and composed, couldn’t help but smile.
“Master!”
She turned past the screen, looking at Gu Lanyin with excitement. “The Heir has returned!”
Gu Lanyin looked at the unrestrained joy on her face and thought for a moment.
If she were still twenty years old, hearing the news of Xiao Ye’s return would have made her very happy. She would have asked Ting Yun how her attire looked, and she would have hurried out to meet him without hesitation.
But the Gu Lanyin of twenty-two, after all that had happened, no longer felt anything for Xiao Ye.
The past was over.
It had all been a grand illusion.
She no longer hated him, let alone loved him.
Now that fate had granted her this rare chance to relive her life, though she regretted not returning to the time before she married him, at the very least, she could now make an early decision—not to waste her youth on an unfair love.
This time, she only wanted to stay far away from him.
As far as possible.
No more Gu Qing, no more Yelu Yange.
She wanted nothing to do with any of them.
All she wanted was to live her own life.
“Master?”
Hearing no response for a long time, Ting Yun was surprised.
Just as she was about to ask, she saw Gu Lanyin stand up.
“Let’s go.”
Amid the respectful bows of the servants and stewards, Gu Lanyin walked out.
The sky in April was vast and brilliantly blue, with fluffy white clouds drifting overhead. Carefree swallows perched on tree branches, chirping tirelessly…
Listening to their joyful calls, Gu Lanyin felt as if she had been infected by their happiness.
Her brows arched slightly, and the corners of her lips curled into a smile.
“Master looks very happy,” Ting Yun said from beside her.
Gu Lanyin smiled. “Yes, very happy.”
“Is it because the Heir has returned?”
That was the only reason Ting Yun could think of.
This time, Gu Lanyin did not answer.
At this moment, neither Ting Yun nor Shi Yu harbored any resentment toward Xiao Ye.
They still hoped she and Xiao Ye could have a good life together.
Unfortunately—
They were destined to be disappointed.
She walked neither too fast nor too slow—nothing like how she used to when going to see Xiao Ye.
She passed through the winding corridor, walked past the hanging flower gate, and finally arrived at the flower hall in the inner courtyard. The servants at the entrance saw her approaching and hurriedly bowed in greeting, yet their faces still bore traces of panic and unease that they had yet to conceal.
Ting Yun did not understand why, but Gu Lanyin knew perfectly well.
She nodded in response to their greetings, then, with steady steps, prepared to enter.
A maid who was familiar with her hesitated, looking at her with a hint of pity, as if wanting to warn her. But before she could say anything, a familiar female voice rang out from inside.
“Ah Ye, maybe I should just go back.”
“This is, after all, your and sister’s home. It’s not proper for me to stay here like this.”
Ting Yun’s face went pale.
She suddenly understood why the maids had looked like that.
Her eyes turned anxiously toward her mistress, only to see a figure—though slender, standing perfectly upright.
“Master…” she called softly, her voice tinged with worry. But before she could say more, the woman had already stepped over the threshold.
“It’s fine. You don’t need to worry,” Gu Lanyin said.
“I will make things clear with her. Just stay here peacefully, for as long as you like.”
The moment she entered, she heard Xiao Ye saying the same words he had spoken in her memories.
She remembered that time—when she had overheard their conversation, panic had flooded her heart, and she had even felt the urge to turn and flee in embarrassment.
But this time—
Looking at the man and woman seated not far away, her expression remained composed. Amused, she asked, “Make things clear about what?”
The man in dark robes turned at the sound of her voice.
It was a face as sharp as if carved by blade and chisel—thick brows, a straight nose—every feature exuding the nobility and strength of a man born into power.
No wonder Gu Qing had fallen deeply for him, unable to forget him even after marriage. Even that Liao princess, who had seen countless beauties, had secretly admired him the moment she laid eyes on him.
While she was looking at Xiao Ye, Xiao Ye was also looking at her.
Something about Gu Lanyin today felt different from before.
Her attire was the same, yet the woman who had always been poised and elegant now carried a calmness he had never seen in her before.
No.
It wasn’t that he had never seen it.
When facing servants or outsiders, Gu Lanyin had always been this composed.
It was only whenever she saw him that her composure would be replaced by restraint.
He had expected her to be silent, to be upset.
He had not expected to be met with such a bright, smiling face.
For a brief moment, he felt relieved.
Yet at the same time, there was an inexplicable emptiness in his heart.
Before he could dwell on it, a timid voice beside him softly called, “Sister.”
Xiao Ye snapped out of his thoughts. Dismissing his strange emotions, he looked at Gu Lanyin and instructed, “You came at the right time. From today onward, Qing’er will be living here. Give the order for the servants to take good care of her.”
“Heir!”
Ting Yun furrowed her brows.
What married woman would allow her widowed sister-in-law to live in her husband’s house?
Unless…
She looked at the woman in white standing timidly beside the Heir.
The woman’s small face was taut with apprehension, her head bowed so low that she dared not lift it. Her fingertips curled slightly inward, reaching subtly in the Heir’s direction.
Seeing this, Ting Yun couldn’t help but suspect—if she were to speak even a little more forcefully, this hand would surely clutch tightly onto the Heir’s sleeve.
It wasn’t as if she hadn’t seen such a scene before.
Ting Yun’s delicate face turned as cold as frost and snow.
She had always been gentle by nature. Compared to Shi Yu, who was straightforward and outspoken, she was careful and rarely lost her temper.
But now, as she took in this sight—watching that man and woman standing together, making her mistress seem like an outsider instead—anger welled up in her heart.
Just as she was about to speak, she heard the young woman in front of her ask with an amused tone,
“Oh? I was unaware—under what title exactly is Qing’er staying here?”