To Live is to Seek What One Desires
"My name is Zhang Wanqing!" She didn't remember the full name of her original body, only that her family called her "Wanwan" in the dream, which sounded the same as her own name. So, she used her real name.
"Lady Wanqing, do you have family? Why have you ended up here?"
Zhang Wanqing briefly explained the background of the original body. Madam Zhang sighed deeply, her eyes filled with sympathy.
At that moment, there was a subtle movement outside the door. Both of them looked toward it simultaneously. A flowing hemline created a green arc against the gray doorframe.
Madam Zhang smiled and called kindly, "Sanlang, come in."
Zhang Wanqing thought of the handsome and refined man she had seen earlier.
The man peeked his head in cautiously, quickly glanced at the bed, then immediately lowered his gaze to the hand fidgeting with the doorframe, not daring to come in.
Madam Zhang's smile deepened. She cheerfully invited him in, and he slowly stepped forward.
Stopping about three feet away, he stared at Zhang Wanqing with a pair of clear, innocent eyes. But when he realized she was looking back at him, he shyly dropped his gaze, a faint blush creeping up his ears.
Madam Zhang chuckled, "Lady Wanqing, don't be offended. This is Sanlang's first time meeting you, and he's a bit shy around strangers."
Saying this, she brought over a round stool and motioned for him to sit. He sat gracefully, carefully smoothing the front of his robe before straightening his back and resting his hands naturally on his knees.
Zhang Wanqing silently marveled, Indeed, a nobleman from ancient times. Such impeccable posture and grace must have come from strict upbringing.
Once he was seated, Madam Zhang introduced him, "Sanlang is the third young master of the Su family. He is the eldest son of the master and lady of the house. His name is Su Hanshan, and he's nineteen this year. Two years ago, he accidentally fell into the water and lost some of his memory."
So that's what happened. No wonder his gaze and mannerisms carried an innocence that didn't match his age. Madam Zhang was subtly telling her that he had lost his memory.
Zhang Wanqing thought he might have lost more than just his memory—perhaps his wits too.
Yet, despite this, his demeanor was elegant and dignified, unaffected by his condition.
Zhang Wanqing nodded politely to Su Hanshan.
He returned the nod but quickly averted his eyes, the blush spreading to his neck.
"How old are you, Lady Wanqing?"
"Seventeen," Zhang Wanqing replied, remembering that the original body was seventeen, though she herself was actually twenty-five.
"Two years younger than our Sanlang."
"Madam Zhang, Madam Li said lunch is ready, and we can start preparing!" A young maid ran in with hurried steps.
"Such haste! Mind your manners!" Although Madam Zhang scolded her, there was no harshness in her tone. The little maid stuck out her tongue playfully, glancing at Zhang Wanqing with sparkling eyes. "Big sister, you're finally awake!"
Zhang Wanqing responded with a gentle smile, guessing from her attire that she was likely a low-ranking servant.
"Lady Wanqing, I'll go prepare lunch. You and Sanlang can head to the dining hall shortly," Madam Zhang instructed before leaving the room.
As Zhang Wanqing stood up, she suddenly felt dizzy. Just as she was about to fall, a fair hand supported her elbow.
A refreshing scent wafted into her nose—it smelled quite nice.
The bowl of porridge she had earlier wasn't enough to replenish her energy. As she steadied herself against the wall and was about to thank him, the hand quickly withdrew. The man had already taken two steps back, nervously glancing at her.
Zhang Wanqing softly expressed her gratitude, "Thank you."
Su Hanshan didn't leave.
"Do you have something to say to me?"
Su Hanshan nodded earnestly. "Yes!"
"Go ahead," she said, amused by how this tall, graceful young man behaved so much like an obedient child.
He asked seriously, "Sister, are you really from a dream?"
Zhang Wanqing nearly choked on her own saliva. It seemed Su Hanshan was fixated on confirming whether she was the person from his dream.
"And why would you say that? Oh, I mean, what makes you think so, Su Langjun?" Zhang Wanqing mimicked the ancient way of speaking.
"Because in my dreams, there was often a lady who would play and travel with me. She looked exactly like you," he said, visibly excited. His eyes sparkled like obsidian, filled with anticipation for her answer.
Looking at his sincere and adorable expression, she couldn't bear to shatter his dream.
She smiled gently and replied, "Yes, I came from your dream. I thought you were kind-hearted and decided to visit you."
Su Hanshan froze for a moment, then broke into a radiant smile. He clapped his hands and ran around the room in delight before darting outside like a happy bird.
"I'll help Lady Wanqing to the dining hall!" he declared.
Madam Zhang, who was on her way back, chuckled. "It's been a long time since I've seen Sanlang this happy."
As Zhang Wanqing entered the dining hall, everyone's eyes turned to her.
She greeted them one by one, and Madam Li invited her to sit. "Today, Lady Wanqing, you'll eat with Sanlang!"
Yang Shun chimed in, "We cooked together today to make sure the lady could eat as soon as possible!" He seemed eager for praise.
"Thank you!"
The dishes on the table were vibrant and aromatic, complemented by a bowl of pearly white rice. The sight and smell made her ravenous stomach rumble loudly, drawing soft chuckles from the group.
Embarrassed, Zhang Wanqing rubbed her belly. She glanced at Su Hanshan, who was staring at her in astonishment.
Her cheeks flushed.
Madam Zhang, ever considerate, handed her chopsticks. "Lady Wanqing, don't stand on ceremony. Eat quickly before the food gets cold!"
No matter. Food first.
Zhang Wanqing eagerly began eating.
Fifteen minutes later, her starved stomach was finally content, though now she felt a bit too full.
She let out a small burp and set down her chopsticks.
Meanwhile, Su Hanshan had just started his meal, gracefully picking at his food with the same impeccable manners as before.
In comparison, her eating had been rather unrefined.
Noticing Madam Zhang standing quietly by the side without eating, she asked, "Why aren't you eating?"
"Lady Wanqing, I am a servant and cannot eat at the same table as the master," Madam Zhang explained gently, moving dishes closer to Su Hanshan. "Sanlang has kindly urged me to join, but I must follow the rules and not betray the trust of the lady of the house."
"Then why can I eat here?" Zhang Wanqing pointed to herself.
Madam Zhang explained, "You are a guest and are naturally allowed to eat with the master. It's Sanlang's wish."
He regarded her as a guest! Despite her being a refugee and a stranger to him, he had graciously hosted her just because she claimed to be the lady from his dreams.
Zhang Wanqing was undeniably touched, but her emotions were complicated. Turning to Su Hanshan, she thought, Such a kind and beautiful person, yet fate has been cruel, leaving him with memory loss and diminished intellect.
"Thank you," she said to Su Hanshan. He blushed, smiling shyly as he set down his chopsticks.
After lunch, Zhang Wanqing bid farewell to Madam Zhang and Su Hanshan.
"Goodbye, Madam Zhang!" Then to Su Hanshan, she said, "Farewell, Su Langjun. Until we meet again."
But as she turned to leave, Madam Zhang grabbed her hand and asked about her plans.
Zhang Wanqing hesitated.
Continuing to wander aimlessly was not an option; she needed to find shelter for the night.
"I'll take it one step at a time," she thought.
She realized she had no magical abilities, wealth, or advanced tools—just an ordinary identity. But she was confident she could survive through hard work and determination, just as the original body had.
Walking out of the courtyard, Zhang Wanqing noticed the entire village was surrounded by peach blossoms, stretching as far as the eye could see.
She learned that the place was called "Peach Blossom Village," divided into Upper and Lower settlements.
The Upper Village housed over a hundred native families who relied on farming and peach cultivation, while the Lower Village, home to fifty families, mostly consisted of refugees who worked outside or wealthy families who owned vacation homes.
Zhang Wanqing guessed Su Hanshan's family was one of the latter.
After walking for about fifteen minutes, the skies opened, and it began to rain heavily.