A dream…
Streams of laughter, then tears flowing… then laughter again.
A young lady stood at the edge of a vast mansion, the doors behind her creaking open as if urging her to leave. The wind stirred her long sleeves, carrying with it a faint, sorrowful chill.
She stepped forward without looking back.
A faint smirk curved her lips not entirely cold, not entirely warm just… knowing.
A surge of emotions flickered across her expression,grief, relief, defiance before the moment seemed to fracture itself.
The scene twisted.
The figure suddenly disappeared.
Then blood.
It spread across the ground in an endless, unnatural surge, staining everything it touched. The silence that followed was suffocating, heavy, as though the world itself had stopped breathing.
"Miss… Miss"
Qiao Ran's voice broke through the darkness.
She rushed forward, her expression filled with worry as she noticed her master tossing restlessly in her sleep, beads of sweat forming along her forehead.
"Miss, wake up,please wake up!"
She reached out quickly, pulling her gently from the bed, her movements careful yet urgent, as though afraid of causing harm.
"Wake up, Miss. Before Second Aunt comes and causes trouble for you getting up late."
"Like I care."
The young lady's eyes snapped open.
She sat up abruptly, her breathing slightly uneven, as though she had just escaped something unseen.
"You scared me," Qiao Ran exclaimed, instinctively leaning back in surprise.
Xu Jilan did not respond immediately.
Instead, she sat still for a moment, her gaze unfocused, as though her mind was still caught between reality and the fading remnants of the dream.
Her breathing gradually steadied.
Then she stood.
Dark circles faintly shadowed the area beneath her eyes.
She raised her hand, gently massaging the skin under her eyes, as if trying to ease away the lingering heaviness.
Without speaking further, she walked toward the dressing screen.
That dream again.
She had dreamed of it many times.
Whenever she was tired… whenever her mind grew unsettled… it returned.
Not once. Not twice.
Over and over.
It was not terrifying enough to be called a nightmare.
But it lingered.
Unanswered.
Unresolved.
Unwanted.
And that was what irritated her most.
After getting dressed, Xu Jilan stepped forward with quiet composure.
Her maid, Qiao Ran, moved beside her, carefully adjusting the folds of her hanfu, ensuring that every layer fell perfectly into place.
Together, they left the chamber.
The corridors of the Xu residence were already awake.
Lanterns hung at intervals, their soft golden light casting a warm glow against the carved wooden walls. The air carried a faint scent of incense, mingling with the cool morning atmosphere.
Servants lowered their heads as she passed.
They soon reached the main pavilion.
Inside, everything was arranged with strict elegance.
Carved chairs. Polished floors. The subtle scent of aged wood and fine tea lingering in the air.
Xu Jilan stepped forward, her posture straight, her expression composed.
Her maid followed quietly behind her.
Her grandmother sat at the center, dignified and calm, her presence commanding respect without effort.
Beside her sat the Second Aunt.
Her posture was upright, her expression tight, her gaze sharp and evaluating.
Xu Jilan stopped.
She inclined her head slightly.
"Greetings, Grandmother. Second Aunt."
She bowed respectfully.
Her grandmother's expression softened immediately.
A warm, gentle smile appeared on her face, her eyes carrying quiet approval.
But the Second Aunt…
her expression did not change.
Instead, her eyes flickered with displeasure.
She tapped her foot against the polished floor, the sound sharp and deliberate,each tap echoing faint irritation.
"You're late," she said, her tone laced with quiet impatience.
Not loud.
But sharp enough to carry weight.
Her gaze lingered on Xu Jilan.
Not merely irritated,but observant.
Measuring.
Judging.
As though every delay was a mark against her standing.