Yueyao had taken Brother Zheng to the Upper Chamber once and had not taken him again since, because the Old Madam had decreed that Brother Zheng should concentrate on his studies and only visit on the first and fifteenth of each month. Initially, the Old Madam had also told Yueyao not to go, but Yueyao braved the storm daily and made the trip back and forth. This greatly pleased the Old Madam, and the people below stopped their gossip.
That day, Yueyao went to the Upper Chamber and then turned to visit the Hibiscus Courtyard, to see Yuehuan, who was said to have stabilized. It was odd, they said she was awake but that Fourth Miss was reluctant to see people.
Yueyao walked into Yuehuan's room and saw near the entrance by the window a kang bed with a black-lacquered wooden kang table and azurite brocade cushions on it, and the same-colored carpet on the floor. On the windowsill were two pots of chrysanthemums, and against the wall stood a large wardrobe, next to which was a dressing table laden with various kinds of jewelry.
Moving further inside, there was a large carved ornamental cloth bed hung with satin curtains showered with 'Apricot Blossom Spring Rain', covered in floral embroidery, with silver curtain hooks on either side shaped like begonia flowers. The bedspread was of plain 'Pear Blossom Silver Shadow' satin and topped with a water-red silk quilt. Opposite the bed were two imperial chairs, and beside them was a screen depicting a noble lady's excursion, behind which lay the clean room.
Yueyao chuckled to herself; her sister's boudoir truly was lavish! Compared to hers, it was not just a notch higher. A daughter born of a concubine's chamber was decorated this richly, indicating how well the Eldest Aunt managed her surface appearances.
Yueyao entered the room.
Yuehuan (now renamed from Zhou Qing), hearing from her Maid Hong Mei that the Third Young Lady, essentially a replica of Younger Sister Lin, was there to see her, couldn't help but widen her eyes as Yueyao walked in. Watching Yueyao, there was no need for her to hide the surprise in her eyes.
That day, Yueyao was dressed in a cyan-patterned narrow Shen shirt paired with a blue half-arm and tied a cyan Luo skirt. Her petite oval face, fair skin, thin red lips, and inky painted eyes with a moisture-laden gaze; at first glance, she bore the soft charm specific to the Jiangnan women, almost like a newly bloomed white magnolia.
Yuehuan thought to herself, is this the Younger Sister Lin type? Maybe Maternal Auntie got the wrong person. This girl lacked the fragile constitution of Younger Sister Lin that would fall over at the smallest gust of wind, nor did she possess a self-pitying demeanor. On the contrary, the determination in her furrowed brows revealed a resilient character; she was definitely not of a gentle nature, nor an easy person to deceive. She was nothing like Younger Sister Lin from Dream of the Red Chamber. She was truly misled by her maternal aunt.
Meanwhile, Yueyao was also extremely shocked, her fists clenched tightly. She knew what it looked like to lose memory, for she had lost hers as well. Although losing memory didn't turn one into a naive child, her eyes ought to have been clear as water. However, the way Fourth Miss appraised her, pondering and occasionally shooting glances that sparkled with fire, made her tremble with fear.
Yueyao could be certain something was amiss. This was definitely not the behavior of someone who had lost their memory, and she did not recall this moment in her memories either. Perhaps it was her rebirth that had altered events, causing a deviation in fate.
Yueyao had many knots in her heart but decided that the best method was to remain unchanged against all shifts. Even if something was wrong, she needed to continue on. Pretending as if she didn't know Yuehuan was observing her closely, Yueyao approached and gently asked, "Fourth Sister, are you well? The Eldest Aunt said you needed to rest and I shouldn't disturb you, so it was inappropriate for me to come. Please don't blame your sister for not visiting you sooner."
Yuehuan was speechless. You already mentioned that the Eldest Madam asked you not to disturb me, yet you expect me to blame you? Yuehuan had previously worked in an office, and though she wasn't expert at observing others, she had some skills. She could clearly see that although Yueyao spoke apologetically, her eyes held no sign of guilt.
Yuehuan didn't know whether it was her own misperception, but she felt a distinct aloofness from her sister, as if she really disliked her. A woman's sixth sense is generally quite accurate. Yuehuan felt her sister was somewhat strange.
Cautiously, Yuehuan said, "I'm sorry. I... I've forgotten everything from the past. I don't remember anything at all."
Yueyao smiled and said, "Whether you remember or not doesn't matter. As long as you're alright, it's fine. Anything you don't know, let Hong Mei and Hong Yi fill you in." The two personal maids had been killed, Red Mei was previously a second-class maid of Lady family, and Red Yi was a third-class maid of Lady family. Now both had been assigned to Yuehuan, clearly indicating this trouble was caused by Yuebing. Lady family's methods were still commendable, not a whisper of idle gossip had leaked out. Any word that did spread claimed that the Fourth Miss had simply knocked her head herself.