The long train ride had finally come to an end. After a full day of rocking carriages and passing landscapes, the whistle screeched sharply, and the train eased into the grand capital station.
The moment Jia Lan stepped onto the platform, a wave of noise engulfed her, almost overwhelming after the quiet countryside. Vendors lined the edges, their voices rising in practiced chants as they called out the names of hot buns, candied hawthorns, roasted chestnuts, and steaming tea. The sharp cries of "Fresh roasted! Still warm!" mingled with the clatter of coins exchanging hands. Porters in thick cotton jackets rushed past with luggage piled precariously high, balancing bundles with practiced ease while shouting for people to clear the way.
Children squealed in delight, their mittened hands tugging at parents as they pointed at colorful paper kites sold by a passing hawker. Their laughter mixed with the impatient grumbles of travelers wrapped in heavy winter coats, scarves pulled high over their noses, as they shuffled forward in a constant tide. A whiff of coal smoke drifted down from the engines, mixing with the nutty sweetness of chestnuts roasting in iron drums. The air was damp with winter's chill, so that every breath escaped in white clouds, curling into the bustling haze under the iron roof.
Above them, the vast station canopy arched like a cathedral of steel, each rib of iron echoing the sound of footsteps and the rhythmic rolling of cart wheels. The shrill whistle of another departing train cut through the air, sending a tremor of urgency through the crowd. Even the pigeons that perched on the rafters flapped upward in alarm before resettling in a flurry of gray feathers.
To Jia Lan, the scene was chaotic yet faintly intoxicating. The capital station was nothing like the small-town stops she had passed earlier—this was alive, noisy, saturated with wealth and movement. With her pale hand tucked securely inside her eldest brother's arm, she didn't have to worry about being jostled by the tide of strangers. Instead, she could watch, her dark eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and curiosity.
Amidst the crowd, a familiar, cheerful voice rose above the noise.
"Miss Jia! Over here!"
Jia Lan turned and saw Aunt Li, the loyal housekeeper, waving energetically with one hand while balancing a basket with the other.
"Aunt Li!" Jia Lan's lips curved into a smile as she threaded her way through the crowd.
The older woman bustled forward, her eyes shining with relief. "Ah, my good girl, you've finally come back. I was so worried you'd be cold on the train. Did you sleep at all? Look at you, your face is thinner already! City air will fatten you back up."
Jia Lan laughed lightly, her heart warming at the fussing. "I slept well enough, don't worry. You're exaggerating as always."
"Exaggerating? Tch!" Aunt Li clicked her tongue, but her smile betrayed her fondness. "Come, come, let's get you home. Everything's ready."
By the time they arrived at the courtyard residence, the house seemed to welcome her back with open arms. The snow outside only made the neatness within more striking the stone paths had been swept clear, the windows polished, and faint whiffs of sandalwood incense lingered in the air. Aunt Li had clearly worked hard to make it spotless.
"Miss, your room is ready. Go freshen up, I'll put breakfast on the table. You must be starving after that long ride," Aunt Li said, ushering her toward the master bedroom.
The room greeted Jia Lan with warmth. The bed had been made with fresh sheets, crisp and faintly scented with sun-dried cotton. Her wardrobe was tidy, curtains drawn back to let the pale winter sunlight in. She allowed herself a small sigh of comfort before heading into the bathroom.
The shower's warmth enveloped her like a cocoon, washing away the fatigue of the journey. She scrubbed carefully, even taking the time to wash her hair, letting the steam cloud the mirrors. By the time she stepped out, wrapped in soft towels, her body felt light and renewed. She slipped into clean, warm clothes, blow-dried her hair until it was smooth and glossy, and carefully applied her skincare. When she caught her reflection, her cheeks were glowing again.
At the dining table, a spread awaited her steamed buns, fried dough sticks, bowls of fragrant congee, pickled vegetables, and even freshly brewed soy milk. Aunt Li, ever attentive, placed chopsticks in her hand the moment she sat.
"Eat, eat! You've traveled for a whole day. No girl can keep her beauty if she doesn't eat properly."
Jia Lan chuckled and bit into a fluffy bun. "You've prepared so much… it's as if you're feeding a whole family."
"That's what you deserve. And besides ..." Aunt Li leaned in conspiratorially, lowering her voice. "You've missed plenty while you were away. Old Madam Chen had her daughter married last month, with such a noisy procession it blocked the street for half the morning. Then, oh, the Liu family's son finally passed his exams, they say the father has been bragging about it to anyone who'll listen. And just yesterday, the Wu family quarreled again...their voices could be heard halfway down the lane!"
Jia Lan listened with amusement as she ate, the familiar neighborhood gossip grounding her in the rhythms of city life.
After breakfast, she retired to the sitting room and picked up the phone. The line crackled for a moment before connecting.
"Hello?" It was her mother's voice.
"Mother, it's me. I've reached the capital safely."
"Oh, thank heavens." Relief poured through Mother Jia's tone. "I was waiting for your call. Did the journey tire you out? Is everything in order at home?"
"Yes, Aunt Li has taken good care of everything. The house is spotless, and she fed me like I hadn't eaten in days," Jia Lan replied softly, smiling.
"That's good… very good. Just remember, child, take care of yourself. Don't let yourself fall sick, and call us when you have time. Your grandmother has already asked three times whether you arrived safely."
"I will, Mother. Tell everyone not to worry."
"Mm. Then go rest, my dear. We'll speak again soon."
As the line went quiet, Jia Lan set the receiver down, her heart full. Though the capital was bustling and different from home, the voices of her family still reached her across the distance, wrapping her in warmth.
After finishing her call, Jia Lan lingered in the living room for a while, looking around at the familiar furniture. Everything had been dusted and polished until it gleamed. Aunt Li clearly hadn't just cleaned but poured her heart into making the courtyard feel alive again. A small brazier glowed faintly in the corner, giving the space a gentle warmth against the capital's winter chill.
"Miss, why don't you rest for a while? You must be tired from the journey," Aunt Li suggested, placing a teacup in front of her.
"I'm fine," Jia Lan said lightly, sipping the hot tea that spread warmth through her body. "I missed the courtyard too much to waste the day in bed. Has anyone dropped by recently?"
Aunt Li lowered her voice, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Plenty. Ever since word spread that you were coming back, the neighbors have been busy gossiping. Madam Chen next door said she'd peek over the wall tomorrow to see if you've grown taller or thinner. Hmph, as if she hasn't anything better to do."
Jia Lan laughed, the sound crisp in the quiet courtyard. "Let her peek. I'll sit in the sun tomorrow just for her benefit."
By noon, Aunt Li had laid out another spread: fragrant rice, braised pork belly with chestnuts, stir-fried greens glistening with sesame oil, and a clay pot of soup that simmered until the broth turned rich and milky. Jia Lan ate slowly, savoring each bite. She hadn't realized how much she missed Aunt Li's cooking until now.
After the meal, she changed into a comfortable padded jacket and wandered through the rooms, reacquainting herself with the house. Every corner felt both familiar and newly cherished. Sunlight streamed in through the windows, scattering golden warmth on the polished floors.
By late afternoon, Jia Lan carried her books and writing tools into her study. She sat by the window, brushing out her neat calligraphy strokes while the faint sound of street vendors drifted in from beyond the courtyard walls—hawkers selling candied hawthorns, roasted chestnuts, and steaming buns. The city buzzed, but within her courtyard, there was only peace.
Aunt Li would occasionally peek into the room.
"Miss, you've brought so many things again. Did Madam Jia stuff them into your suitcase before you left?" she teased, her eyes kind.
Jia Lan only chuckled. "Grandmother wouldn't let me go with empty hands."
As dusk approached, Aunt Li lit the lanterns one by one, their warm glow chasing away the shadows. The courtyard turned soft and cozy under the lamplight, while the faint scent of incense drifted through the halls.
"Miss, dinner is ready," Aunt Li called gently.
This time, the meal was lighter: delicate dumplings, a plate of sautéed cabbage with garlic, and a pot of congee. The two ate together, chatting about trivial things, and Aunt Li made sure Jia Lan's bowl was always full.
Afterward, Jia Lan returned to her room. She lit a small lamp and brushed out her long hair, the strands smooth and shiny after the care she had given them earlier. The quiet of the capital night surrounded her, broken only by the occasional distant sound of a carriage wheel or a barking dog.
She slipped beneath her freshly laid quilt, its cotton warmth wrapping around her like an embrace. For the first time in days, her body sank into the familiar softness of her own bed.
Ding!Ding! System Check-in
Reward:
500 yuan
Luxury Ancient Tea Mix Recipes – preserved formulas once used by nobles and scholars.
Jia Lan's eyes lit up as the words shimmered before her. Money was always welcome, but it was the second reward that truly stirred her.
"Luxury ancient tea recipes?" she murmured to herself, a smile curving her lips. "How refined. Seems like the heavens really want me to live as a proper lady."
She carefully noted the recipes in her system space, the elegant names and rare pairings already sparking ideas in her mind. A venture, perhaps. A business. But for now, she only tucked the thought away like a hidden card up her sleeve.
After a long day of settling back into her capital home, Jia Lan leaned against her clean sheets, hair smooth, skin glowing from her evening skincare. The faint fragrance of tea seemed to drift through her imagination as her eyes grew heavy.
Tomorrow would be another day.
With the faint glow of the lamp still flickering, Jia Lan closed her eyes. The train ride, the bustle of the station, the laughter with Aunt Li, the call home all of it settled into her heart. The capital was alive again, and so was she.
Sleep took her gently, carrying her into the night.