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Fang Jinxiu was confined in this courtyard, but it couldn't really be considered confinement.
The door to the house wasn't locked, the gate to the courtyard wasn't forbidden, but besides the assigned maidservants, no one else came, and Fang Jinxiu didn't go out.
Now she stepped out of the courtyard gate, the twilight had already deepened, and the house lights were all lit, which made the sights as bright as the stars.
Though this residence was remote, there were occasionally maidservants passing by on the road, and they were startled to see Fang Jinxiu walking towards them.
Ever since Concubine Su died in fear of punishment, there was no discussion at home about Fang Jinxiu's treatment. There was no lack in her clothing, food, or housing, but it seemed as if she was ignored, as if she didn't exist.
The maidservants stopped in their tracks, and Fang Jinxiu also noticed them. She stood still, instinctively turned to the side, and averted her gaze.
It seemed she was afraid of being seen, embarrassed by being seen.
Concubine Yuan happened to be standing on a nearby road and witnessed this scene, a sudden ache filled her eyes.
The Third Miss, Fang Jinxiu, who always considered herself a man, bold and fearless, uncaring of reputation and others' opinions, had become so dodging and fearful.
She was like a warrior whose faith had collapsed, like a young tree drained of its sap.
She took a deep breath and whispered a few words to the maidservant beside her.
The maidservant nodded and walked quickly past her onto the road.
"What are you doing?" she shouted to those maidservants.
The maidservants looked over and took a few steps back.
Fang Jinxiu was also a bit uneasy.
But the maidservant wasn't looking at her.
"Hurry up, hurry up, the young master is at Old Lady's place now, he's finished eating and talking, he's about to go back to rest. You should go to the young master's courtyard to help tidy up," she urged with a wave of her hand.
Was there any need for them to tidy up in the young master's courtyard?
Regardless of whether the young master was home or not, Old Lady Fang and Lady Fang had people tidy up three times a day.
But everyone was clever, they glanced at Fang Jinxiu standing there, understanding that this maidservant was informing Fang Jinxiu where Fang Chengyu was.
However, this was, after all, the Third Miss, the daughter of Concubine Su. Was it wise to let her know where the young master was?
The maidservants hesitated, but they knew this maidservant was from Concubine Yuan. Despite the major incident caused by Concubine Su, Old Lady and Lady continued to trust Concubine Yuan implicitly.
Since it was arranged by Concubine Yuan, they had to comply.
They agreed in haste and hurriedly followed the maidservant to Fang Chengyu's courtyard.
Concubine Yuan also turned and left along the road.
The surroundings returned to quietness, Fang Jinxiu stood in a daze for a moment, then bitterly smiled, looked straight ahead, bit her lip, and hurried away.
On the road, she encountered more maidservants, but everyone seemed to ignore her, and Fang Jinxiu arrived at the gate of Old Lady Fang's courtyard.
This place was at once familiar and unfamiliar.
She stood outside the gate dazed, when a lively commotion came from the courtyard, Old Lady Fang's door curtain was lifted by the maidservants, and as someone walked out, Fang Jinxiu instinctively hid behind a large tree.
Voices and laughter came continually, stirring up the entire night sky with excitement.
"Grandmother, don't see me off, I'll visit you again tomorrow."
"Elder sister, you should rest early, too."
The young man's voice was gentle and clear.
Chengyu!
Fang Jinxiu clutched the tree bark, peeking out.
In the glow of lanterns and interwoven shadows, the young man walked slowly, turning his head to listen to Fang Yunxiao's words, nodding with a smile.
His visage was handsome, his demeanor was radiant, not the lifeless figure he once was.
Fang Jinxiu smiled as tears welled up.
He was really healed, he really returned safely.
She couldn't help but want to step out, lifting her foot only to stop.
Why would she go out, to congratulate him on not being harmed by her birth mother? To congratulate him on finally escaping her birth mother's ten years of harm?
Fang Jinxiu clutched the tree bark tightly, watching Fang Chengyu walk towards her and then away.
"Elder sister, I bought you gifts," he said.
"You still remembered to buy us gifts?" Fang Yunxiao jokingly laughed.
"Of course, when you go out you must bring back gifts," Fang Chengyu said, a trace of smugness in his voice, "I may not have traveled much, but I still know this rule."
Fang Yunxiao and Fang Yuxiu laughed along.
Fang Jinxiu couldn't help but laugh, too.
The younger brother hadn't changed at all; he was still so understanding and humorous.
She watched them, laughing through tears, getting further away amidst the maidservants' escort. In front of Old Lady Fang's gate, it became quiet again, the maidservants started dispersing, those on night duty were busy with chores, and it seemed everyone both saw and did not see Fang Jinxiu.
Fang Jinxiu stood dazed for a moment, then turned and walked back slowly.
Maidservants in the courtyard had returned at some point, neither panicked by Fang Jinxiu's absence nor surprised by her return.
"The water is ready, and the meal is set," they said as simply as ever.
Fang Jinxiu, as ever, ignored them and entered the house.
Lights were lit inside, the furnishings were luxurious, and even ice basins were placed to dispel the summer heat.
Fang Jinxiu looked at the house, this place both familiar and strange; familiar because it had been her home for fourteen years, strange because it was no longer her home.
Her gaze paused and fell on the reclining couch by the window she usually sat by, where there was now a small bundle.
This wasn't something original to the place, it must be newly delivered.
Fang Jinxiu slowly walked over, seemingly hesitant to believe her thoughts. Pondering for quite a while, she finally reached out and opened the bundle.
Inside was a heap of small items, palm-sized fragrance sachets, clay pinch dogs and cats, bells, haphazardly it seemed, purchased along the way.
Fang Jinxiu's tears gushed anew.
"Elder sister, I bought you gifts."
It turned out those words included her, too.
Night gradually turned calm, someone jubilant couldn't fall asleep, while another, saddened, drifted into slumber. When dawn broke, canopy vendors on the street extinguished their fires, and morning tea stalls kindled theirs.
Old Man Niu had been selling tea at this alley entrance for nearly twenty years. His movements had slowed considerably from his youth but had gained more skill. Although slow, a pot of fragrant hawthorn tea in the morning air was enticing.
While he was busy, someone walked up to the stall.
"Boss, I'd like a bowl of tea."
It was a young man's voice, Old Man Niu lifted his head and saw the young man's features.
The young man was handsome and well-dressed, clearly wealthy, yet in this street familiar to everyone, Old Man Niu didn't recognize him.
Whether someone was known or not mattered little in business.
"You're up early, young man," Old Man Niu said, while deftly ladling a bowl of tea.
The young man sat down on a small stool nearby, sipping the tea from the bowl, his eyes showing satisfaction and happiness amidst the steamy curls.
Brewing tea for so many years had one purpose to support a family and another to see pleasure in those who drank it. This moment made Old Man Niu very happy.
"Old gentleman, I remember there used to be someone selling sugar figures nearby?" the young man inquired.
Old Man Niu gave an "oh" and thought for a moment before recalling.
"Oh, about six or seven years ago he stopped," he replied, studying the young man again, he looked no older than fourteen or fifteen, could it be he had it when he was little?
"Yes, I had it once as a child," the young man said, blushing with a touch of nostalgia, "For so many years I haven't been out, I didn't know he'd stopped."
What did he mean by 'haven't been out'?
Old Man Niu was somewhat puzzled, but the young man said no more, having finished the tea, he stood up.
"I'd like another to go," he said, handing over the money.
Old Man Niu deftly filled a bowl.
"Return the bowl after you've drunk it," he said.
The young man nodded cheerfully, holding the covered bowl and walked away. Old Man Niu watched him head towards the city gate. So early, weren't the city gates not yet open?
With a crisp snap, Lei Zhonglian flicked a whip with his left hand. Though his right hand was heavily bandaged and suspended in front of him, he exuded no defeat, only vigor.
"Young Lady, we've arrived," he said excitedly, pointing ahead before exclaiming, "So early, the city gate's actually open."
It wasn't only open; there stood someone in front.
"Gongzhu," he exclaimed, seeing the carriage, delighted.
Miss Jun lifted the carriage curtain, watching Fang Chengyu approach quickly.
"Hungry?" Fang Chengyu stood in front of the carriage, first handing over the bowl of tea, "I tried it just now, it's delicious."
Miss Jun smiled slightly, taking it.
"It's still hot," she said, pressing her fingers to her ear, "We traveled through the night, I'm indeed hungry now."
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[Recommended] Wan'er WR's "Eldest Daughter"
What the Xie Family schemed for was Fu Family's century-long fortune.
What Marquis Fu aimed for was power and future prospects.
In the dream, she was the abandoned pawn lost in the game. Her mother threw her life away in desperation. She was hastily married off to the renowned impoverished talent of the Lu Family, only to die young at the height of her youth.
When she opened her eyes again, she sneered coldly, all of you should properly repent!
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