Volume One, Chapter Three: Things Remain, People Change

Mei Yanjun lightly furrowed his brows but still scolded Mei Changgong aloud:

“What are you shouting for? Xiaoxue just came home and is feeling unwell. Just have the servants change a couple more dishes!”

This time, Mei Gongxue had learned to be cautious and only ate light dishes and rice porridge.

Mei Changgong couldn’t help but roll his eyes and muttered, “The young lady’s body is delicate, the maid’s fate—no wonder she can’t get used to good food!”

After finally finishing the meal, Mei Xianghan even volunteered to escort Mei Gongxue back to rest.

Peach Blossom Courtyard lay to the east, specially built for Mei Gongxue by the old marquis.

Every summer, the fragrance of flowers filled the air.

Especially when the wind blew, petals would whirl in the sky, draping the entire courtyard in a splendid veil.

Unfortunately, it was winter now, and the place stood bare and desolate.

“Don’t worry, sister. Nothing in your courtyard has changed; I’ve been keeping an eye on it for you!” Mei Xianghan led the way ahead.

Every blade of grass and tree was indeed just as it had been three years ago.

But as soon as the door was pushed open, a chaotic pile of assorted boxes and clutter appeared before them.

Mei Xianghan’s face flushed red as she realized, “I was so busy preparing your New Year’s Eve dinner today, I forgot to move these boxes.”

The two were twins. When their father was still alive, he had built two adjoining courtyards of identical size for them.

During the three years Mei Gongxue had been away, Mei Xianghan had naturally taken Peach Blossom Courtyard as her own storage for clothes and paintings.

Her belongings had always been more numerous because the brothers would think of her first when they got something nice.

Sometimes, when there was no room left, they’d just place things directly in Mei Gongxue’s courtyard.

Over time, the clutter only increased.

Later, annoyed by Mei Gongxue’s things getting in the way, Mei Xianghan shoved them into corners and put her own things in the more convenient spots.

Though Mei Gongxue felt displeased, she thought it unnecessary to make a fuss between sisters and endured it.

But now…

She watched closely as the servants moved every large box out, leaving nothing behind.

“Look who I’ve brought!” Mei Xianghan proudly presented a maid who approached with her.

Once Mei Gongxue recognized her, the tension on her face eased slightly.

It was her original personal maid, Hong Xiu!

“I’ve arranged for her to stay in Peach Blossom Courtyard, hoping for the day you’d return!” Mei Xianghan’s eyes sparkled like a child’s, seemingly awaiting praise for her efforts.

But Mei Gongxue only nodded without the expected emotion, feeling a touch disappointed.

Mei Gongxue surveyed the surroundings—the familiar carved bed, brocade quilts and embroidered pillows, dressing table, wardrobe…

Until her gaze settled on the phoenix-sounding zither, her heart seemed violently constricted.

Knowing that Ji Yunchu loved listening to the zither, she had painstakingly learned to play, all to win his favor.

When Ji Yunchu was upset, she would play a tune, and he would rarely smile at her.

Mei Xianghan had long coveted that zither and asked for it several times, but she never gave it up.

Their eldest brother had even reprimanded her for being selfish over it, which had made her cry, yet she still clung stubbornly.

“That zither, you can take it!” Mei Gongxue said.

The zither, the love—they were all things she no longer wanted.

“Really?” Mei Xianghan’s heart leapt, not just because she liked the zither, but also because of her sister’s changed attitude.

It seemed her sister had sensed her sincere remorse and would forgive her soon enough!

“Then you rest. I’ll go with you tomorrow morning to visit sister-in-law!”

With that, she bounced out cheerfully.

Only after she had completely disappeared did Mei Gongxue’s weariness ease a little.

“Miss, the bathwater is ready!” Hong Xiu’s voice quivered slightly.

“Thank you for your hard work!” Mei Gongxue took her hand and finally smiled.

Hong Xiu had specially prepared the most fragrant flower petals and the softest robe. Though she was mentally prepared, upon seeing Mei Gongxue’s emaciated, scarred body, she broke down in tears.

She still cried as easily as when she was a child.

But Mei Gongxue’s expression was indifferent; her tears had long dried up.

She immersed herself fully in the tub, savoring the long-lost warmth. “Cough, cough, add some more hot water, please!”

“Miss, the temperature is already very high. It might burn you!”

“Is that so?”

Then why did she still feel a faint chill seeping into her bones from every limb?

Thinking she had caught a cold, Hong Xiu brought another quilt, warm and fragrant.

Mei Gongxue lay down gently, unaware of when she had fallen asleep, only waking at dawn to find her pillow damp.

It was the first day of the Lunar New Year, and the snow had stopped.

“Miss, must you wear a scarf? This is the only one available, and it’s white!” Hong Xiu hesitated.

During the festive season, everyone wore bright, auspicious colors for good luck—who would wear white around their neck?

“It’s mine!” Mei Gongxue’s tone brooked no argument as she wrapped the white scarf tightly around her neck.

Half an hour later, she entered the dining hall.

“Xiaoxue, did you rest well last night? Come, sit down and eat dumplings!” Mei Yanjun greeted with a smile.

Mei Gongxue wore a red outfit identical to Mei Xianghan’s, but incongruously, a pristine white scarf was wrapped snugly around her neck.

Mei Yanjun frowned but said nothing.

“Sis, sit here with me!” Mei Xianghan remained eager.

Seeing Mei Gongxue hesitate, she tugged her over, but her smile froze.

“We wear similar sizes, so why is yours so loose?”

Mei Gongxue didn’t respond.

Hearing this, Mei Changgong looked up. Though her clothing was festive, she was too thin and pale, and the white scarf gave off a chilling aura.

His expression darkened immediately.

“Sis, you barely spoke to me yesterday. Today, can you at least call me your sister? Otherwise, it means you don’t forgive me!” Mei Xianghan’s eyes reddened as she clung to Mei Gongxue’s arm, swaying it affectionately.

Mei Gongxue looked at her innocent face and suddenly felt a wave of nausea.

Perhaps her disgust was too obvious, for Mei Changgong caught it and slammed the table angrily:

“Enough already! Not even a smile! Wearing a funeral white scarf during the New Year, you look like a hanged ghost. Isn’t that unlucky?”

With that, he grabbed the scarf and tore it off.

The movement was so swift that Mei Gongxue hadn’t reacted in time; she hurried to cover the marks on her neck.

In that instant, she felt as if she had been stripped bare, humiliated beyond measure.

Mei Xianghan still asked naively, “Why are there bruises all around your neck?”

Mei Gongxue bit her lip hard to keep from crying, then withdrew her hand.

“They’re from a dog collar. That eunuch Zhao Zhang is inhumane—he used this method to torture me at night!”

Everyone at the table froze in shock.

Mei Xianghan’s face flushed with both surprise and shame. “How can you say such things in front of me, an unmarried girl?”

Mei Gongxue sneered coldly, “Yes, you remain pure and untainted, while I have become broken and degraded.”