Chapter 2: Jade Stream and Vermilion Glow

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The Jingzhe wine had cooled, and the sound of the zither was no longer heard.

The lively gathering at the Liushui Residence gradually dispersed. After seeing off the last of her female friends, Yuliuzhu’s elegant smile slowly faded, revealing a faint, almost imperceptible gloom.

She stood by the water’s edge, the cold wind lifting her flowing garments, making her seem as ethereal as the breeze itself.

“Tang’er!” A gentle voice tinged with anxious concern called out. “The chill of early spring is still strong. You’ve always been delicate; how can you stand here exposed to the wind? What if you catch a cold?”

The woman approaching looked to be about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, but was actually nearing forty. She wore embroidered silk with minimal makeup, her beauty not striking but her spirit commanding. This was Lady Yu, Yuliuzhu’s mother, Shen Linlang.

Born into a general’s household and trained in martial arts, Shen Linlang moved with a dignified grace that carried a hint of vigor. It wasn’t long before she reached her daughter’s side.

Her personal maid, Magpie, had brought a red cloak trimmed with white fox fur, intending to drape it over Yuliuzhu’s shoulders. But Shen Linlang took it herself, carefully helping her daughter into it and tying the jade-beaded cords into a decorative knot.

“You’re just asking for chills, child. You mustn’t do this again,” she chided gently.

Though her words were reproachful, her tone was full of indulgence, and her gaze was tender.

Yuliuzhu’s expression shifted subtly. “I won’t do it again next time.”

“Oh, you,” Shen Linlang teased, tapping her daughter’s nose with growing affection. “How many times must I tell you before you change? You need me to watch over you every day.”

“I can’t do without you, Mother.” Yuliuzhu’s look softened as she leaned in. “You love me the most. No matter what, you’ll never abandon me, right?”

After giving birth to two sons, Shen Linlang had long wished for a daughter. Though her body was weakened by childbirth, making further pregnancies impossible, she harbored no regrets. Her sons were promising, and her daughter was sensible and affectionate.

Compared to many, her children were all healthy; she considered it a blessing from heaven. Thinking of the child her little sister-in-law had borne, Shen Linlang felt she should be content and not greedy.

“You silly child, what nonsense are you talking about? Of course, I would never neglect you. I just worry you might find me bothersome.” She smiled, but the warmth quickly faded. “Your cousin Ali fell into the water today.”

“How could that happen?” Yuliuzhu was shocked. “Aunt has guarded her like a precious jewel all these years. If something happens to her, what will Aunt do?”

Shen Linlang stroked her daughter's hair lovingly. “Don’t worry. I just received word that she has awakened.”

“Awakened?” Yuliuzhu’s surprise deepened, but relief soon softened her expression. “That’s good.”

A chill breeze swept past, causing her to shiver slightly. Seeing this, Shen Linlang urged her to go indoors.

“Mother, with Ali having such an accident, we should go see her.”

Usually, Shen Linlang avoided letting her daughter interact much with her little sister-in-law’s child, partly because the child was unusual and partly because of the Su family.

The entire Su clan had been exiled. Unless there was a general pardon, none were likely to escape punishment. Though the child was pitiable, she bore the blood of the Su family. Shen Linlang could tolerate her living in the household but never wished her own daughter to get close, to avoid future troubles.

“Your aunt is fond of quiet and never wants to be disturbed. I will have some tonic sent over.”

Speaking of her little sister-in-law, Shen Linlang was filled with sadness.

In the past, her little sister-in-law had been proud and somewhat haughty about her looks, often quarrelsome and difficult, especially regarding marriage matters. None expected her fate to come to such an end—now she lived a life of daily meditation and solitude.

Fortunately, she was sensible and discreet, living quietly with her daughter, avoiding the world, and had made it clear she wished no visitors to avoid embarrassment.

“Though I haven’t met Aunt often, I know she loves me deeply,” Yuliuzhu said seriously, a trace of compassion in her eyes. “Ali and I were born on the same day. With such a serious incident, how could I not go to see her? Wouldn’t that break Aunt’s heart?”

“You’re just too kind-hearted,” Shen Linlang said fondly.

Unable to resist her daughter’s earnestness, she finally nodded in agreement.

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As mother and daughter arrived at Jingxin Courtyard, two maids outside immediately bowed in greeting. The elder one carried herself with composed respect, while the younger was not just deferential but openly ingratiating.

From their behavior, it was easy to tell that the elder was a trusted servant of the Xie family, surnamed Li, and the younger belonged to Yu Qingxue, surnamed Qin.

Madam Qin hurried forward, loudly announcing, “Madam and eldest Miss have arrived!”

“Lower your voice! Don’t startle Miss Ali,” Yuliu Su frowned, the begonia flower mark between her brows fluttering slightly.

“I deserve punishment,” Qin slapped herself across the face.

Shen Linlang’s expression darkened as she sternly rebuked, “What are you doing? Do you want my daughter to be known for mistreating her servants?”

Qin quickly denied and fell to her knees with a thud.

Yu Qingxue emerged from the room, shooting a sharp glare at Qin before turning to Shen Linlang and Yuliuzhu. “Sister-in-law, Tang’er, you shouldn’t have come.”

“Ali has been through so much; we ought to come see her,” Shen Linlang replied.

As the two women spoke, Madam Xie’s voice came from inside. “Since you’re here, come in.”

The room was filled with the mingled scents of sandalwood and medicinal herbs. An incense burner shaped like the six-legged beast of flame, intricately carved with mysterious patterns, was the most exquisite item in the room.

Upon entering, Yuliuzhu’s eyes instinctively sought the figure on the bed, and surprise flashed across her face.

In truth, the cousins had only met once in childhood and never since. She had never known that this cousin possessed such striking features.

“Ali,” she whispered.

Shen Qinglu stared back with hollow eyes that seemed unchanged, but inside she was terrified.

Her grandmother was not her grandmother, her aunt not her aunt, her mother not her mother. And yet here was someone who resembled her, and not just one person. Compared to Yu Qingxue, this eldest Miss Yu looked more like her—perhaps not a six- or seven-tenths resemblance, but four or five-tenths at least.

Looking at everything before her, she felt it was absurd, like a tangled and elusive dream from another life, leaving one unsure of reality or illusion.

“Your Ali doesn’t recognize anyone. Calling her is useless,” Shen Linlang reminded her daughter, her eyes full of regret.

This child’s looks were exceptional; if she were well, perhaps she might have had a chance to change her fate.

Such a pity.

“Ali seems better,” Madam Xie observed, watching Shen Qinglu. “She recognized someone earlier and even called me grandmother.”

“Really?” Shen Linlang was skeptical, scrutinizing those still-black, empty eyes. “Ali, do you recognize me?”

Shen Qinglu looked at her, a faint glimmer in her eyes but no words.

“Sister-in-law, don’t ask. She doesn’t even recognize me,” Yu Qingxue stepped forward, embracing her. “Ali, are you truly better? Look carefully, I am your mother.”

Shen Qinglu seemed frightened, her eyelashes trembling. She didn’t respond, instead staring blankly with black, lifeless eyes.

“Ali?” Madam Xie’s hope was dashed, and she looked disappointed.

Then, as they looked again, a light returned to Shen Qinglu’s eyes as she whispered, “Grandmother.”

Everyone was astonished. Asked about others, she was unaware of them all except Madam Xie.

Yu Qingxue released her, her gaze sad and heavy with loss. “Ali, you really don’t remember me? Or your mother?”

She sat up, body initially curled, then timidly moved toward Madam Xie, shaking her head slightly.

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Madam Xie held her close, saying to Yu Qingxue, “Ali just woke up and doesn’t understand much. The fact she can recognize people means she’s improving. We’ll teach her slowly.”

Tears welled in Yu Qingxue’s eyes, though whether from sorrow or relief, it was unclear.

Yuliuzhu gazed at the figure held by Madam Xie—the half-covered forehead, the heavy aura of death, yet an alluring beauty that grew more unsettling the longer one stared.

“Ali, don’t you recognize me either?”

The moment her words fell, the black, empty eyes turned toward her, sending a chill through her heart.

She recalled their meeting years ago—at night, that gaze had frightened her so much she thought she had seen a ghost and had nightmares afterward.

Yu Qingxue wiped her tears, urging her, “Tang’er, don’t ask anymore. Right now, except for her mother, she probably recognizes no one else. Thankfully, she can recognize people. I will teach her gradually.”

Having seen all there was to see with no serious issues, Shen Linlang and Yuliuzhu, after Yu Qingxue’s tactful reminders, took their leave.

Not long after they left, Yu Qingxue comforted Madam Xie. “Mother, I’m sorry to trouble you. You should rest; I’ll stay here.”

Madam Xie replied, “Those who serve Ali must be stricter. Her temperament is unusual, but that’s no excuse for negligence.”

“I will take care of it.”

As Madam Xie rose, Shen Qinglu clung to her arm pitifully, “Grandmother, don’t leave.”

Madam Xie’s heart throbbed with pity. “Be good, Ali. Listen to your mother and rest. I will visit again tomorrow.”

“Grandmother, will you abandon me?” Shen Qinglu’s eyes dimmed, tears streaming down the dark pupils in heavy torrents.

“Ali, child, you’re so unthinking since waking. Your grandmother has watched over you for hours and needs rest.” Yu Qingxue pried her off Madam Xie’s hand and hugged her. “Be good. Listen to me.”

Turning to Madam Xie, she said, “Mother, you should rest. I’m here now. I will talk to her more, spend more time alone with her. Maybe she will remember me.”

Though reluctant to leave, Madam Xie agreed, seeing that the mother and daughter truly needed more time together. She said firmly to Shen Qinglu, “Ali, talk to your mother well. I will come again tomorrow.”

After all, blood ties run deep. Their hearts were connected as one. What was she, an outsider, to interfere?

A chill rippled through Shen Qinglu’s heart, but her eyes pleaded with Madam Xie, full of hope through tear-filled darkness. “Grandmother, you must come tomorrow.”

After promising, Madam Xie could no longer bear to look at her and turned away.

Once Madam Xie left, only Shen Qinglu and Yu Qingxue remained.

Though tears still clung to her cheeks, Shen Qinglu resumed her vacant, stunned expression. No matter how many times Yu Qingxue asked, she showed no recognition.

After a long while, Yu Qingxue, seemingly resigned, said, “You can recognize people now. There are things your mother must tell you. Your father suffered a tragedy, and the whole family was punished. I am from the Yu family, so they accepted me. You are an outsider and descended from a disgraced family. Were it not for the fact you and your cousin Tang’er were born on the same day, sharing her favor, you might have been sent to suffer where your father was.”

The sandalwood smoke curled upward as Yu Qingxue spoke as if to empty air.

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand now. Just remember, you remain part of the Yu family and bear their name all because of your cousin Tang’er’s grace. Your life belongs to her. From now on, put her first in everything, even if it means risking your own life. Never cause her trouble.”

The figure on the bed remained hollow and soulless, as if she were air and others were air—unresponsive to Yu Qingxue’s words, staring blankly with those black, empty eyes.

Whether from guilt or fear, Yu Qingxue dared not meet her gaze for a moment. Turning away, she failed to notice the flicker of coldness that passed through Shen Qinglu’s eyes.