2 Past Shadows

Although the dowry had been clearly divided, finalizing the paperwork still took nearly an hour. During this time, Concubine Su caused all sorts of trouble, demanding to verify whether Lady Meng’s jade jewelry set belonged to the family estate or her private collection, then insisting that every single trunk and chest be opened and inspected. It was a relentless ordeal, and it was only when even the Matriarch of the Meng family grew impatient that the handover was finally completed.

Ye Qinglan instructed her maid, Chunming, to put the documents away and took her personal attendant, Old Woman Wei, into the side hall to meet Atuo, Lingbo, and Yanyan, who were waiting there. No sooner had they entered than Lady Lin pulled Atuo over and knelt before her.

"Thank you, Young Lady," Lady Lin wept as she bowed. "Many thanks to you, Cousin, for saving our young lady’s life. If the mistress has a spirit in heaven, she will surely bless you with great fortune and longevity."

"Please, get up quickly." Ye Qinglan hurried to help them rise. Seeing that Atuo’s eyes were also red, she smiled, gently stroked her cheek, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Were you frightened? It’s all right now; everything is settled. Stop crying."

Lady Lin continued to sob. "When the mistress was passing, this was her greatest worry. She held my hand and said that if even half could be saved, it would be a blessing from the heavens. I never imagined that you, Cousin, would be able to secure seventy percent. It is no wonder that when the mistress was alive, she often said that among all the young ladies of the capital's noble families, none compared to you—in looks, talent, character, or etiquette, you were the champion of the Flower Festival. If fate hadn't been so cruel, how could things have been delayed until now..."

She held Ye Qinglan’s hand and wept, losing her composure. Lingbo, quick to react, stepped forward to pull her away, sneering, "And the Meng family calls themselves a respectable house? To raise a concubine like that—she’s more wretched than a street-side hooligan."

"She has the Matriarch above her and a cold-hearted Master Meng. She must think of her own children. In such a deep and vast manor, with no one to lean on, it is inevitable that she would appear blinded by greed. She is just a concubine struggling to survive; a pitiful person, really," Ye Qinglan said calmly.

Her character was steady and possessed the grace of a true lady, which is why she was always understanding and forgiving. Ye Lingbo, however, was different; she had a sharp tongue. She didn't believe it for a moment, simply saying with disdain, "I don't care about her reasons; her face was ugly regardless. Enough, let’s go. Is everything packed? Let’s not stay in this place any longer. A 'scholar’s household,' they say? Fighting like crazed chickens over a bit of dowry—it's truly bad luck."

Yanyan, who had been dozing off, woke up with sleepy eyes at this and asked, "Are we leaving? Are we not eating? I’ve been waiting until I'm hungry."

Ye Lingbo immediately poked her forehead in annoyance. "In your dreams. The Mengs are so stingy, they wouldn't dream of hosting us for a meal; it would be a wonder if they didn't ask us to pay for our stay. Come on, let’s go. Atuo, you aren't actually reluctant to leave this place, are you? If you’re so attached, I might as well leave you behind."

"Lingbo," Ye Qinglan warned with disapproval, "Atuo is timid; don't keep scaring her."

Though her eyes were still red, Atuo was very firm. "I’m not afraid. I want to go with Sister Qinglan."

Lingbo laughed immediately. "At least you know what’s good for you. Fine, wipe that teary look off your face, pack up, and let’s go. We can still make it back in time for lunch."

She was a woman of action, immediately directing the maids and matrons to load the luggage. The Meng family had actually packed most of it already—fearing that Lady Lin might secretly slip extra items to Atuo. There wasn't much, just enough to fill two carts, which, combined with the Ye family’s own carriage, was more than enough.

As they were finally boarding, the Matriarch of the Meng family regained some of her noble airs and sent an old nanny to keep them. "The Old Ancestor says she has already ordered the kitchen to prepare a banquet. Please, young ladies, stay for lunch."

It was a hollow formality, and Ye Qinglan replied with equal courtesy: "The Matriarch is most kind, and I would not normally decline, but there are matters at home requiring attention, so we must not impose. I shall send Atuo another day to pay her respects and bid the Matriarch farewell."

Since she would pay her respects "another day," she certainly wasn't going to kneel today. As a true noblewoman, her etiquette was flawless and left no room for criticism.

While Ye Qinglan was still politely making excuses, Ye Lingbo had already ushered Atuo into the carriage and urged, "Sister, let's go. We can discuss social calls another day; getting home for lunch is the priority."

The sisters played the roles of the "good cop" and "bad cop," bringing the affair with the Meng family to a complete close. As the carriage passed through the triple gates, it was the first time Atuo had left the Meng estate since arriving in the capital, and she could not help but feel anxious, her hands gripping her handkerchief tightly. Lingbo found this amusing and signaled for Qinglan to look. Qinglan gave her a reproachful glance, then reached out to take Atuo’s hand, offering a comforting smile.

"Don't worry," Lingbo said, finally comforting Atuo. "You’ve just escaped a fire pit and entered a warm home. With my sister here, you don't need to worry about anything; just focus on participating in this year’s Flower Festival. Since our aunt entrusted you to us on her deathbed, we will surely treat you like our own sister. From now on, you and Yanyan are the same. But I must say this plainly: we sisters share our hearts. The Ye family isn't exactly a paradise, either. Our mother is gone, and our stepmother manages the household. We three sisters have always formed our own small unit, looking after one another and trusting each other with our lives. If you are to join us, you must be sincere. Don't go learning the bad habits of those girls who vie for attention and tear each other apart at the Flower Festival, only to turn your back on us later. If you do, I won't forgive you."

"Lingbo," Ye Qinglan said, warning her as her words grew harsher, "Atuo has only just arrived today; don't frighten her with such talk."

But Ye Lingbo was used to being unrestrained, and since Qinglan always pampered her younger sisters and had such a good temperament, she wasn't afraid. She continued, "I’m setting the rules first, then we can talk about feelings. It saves us from trouble and hurt later. Atuo is a smart person; she’ll understand."

Atuo was indeed smart. Though she appeared delicate, she said in a low voice, "I understand. Sister Lingbo is only saying these things because she treats me as one of her own."

Lingbo laughed then, reaching out to stroke her hair. "That’s a good girl. I knew you were smart the moment I saw you. I was just afraid you’d be too guarded and wouldn't speak your mind. I’ve told you where I stand so you can understand. Enough, I won't scare you anymore today. Here, meet my maids. This is Xiaoliu, and this is Yanghua. Xiaoliu is my personal maid, and Yanghua manages the household. Her mother is our family’s housekeeper, Mother Yang. If you need anything, just ask her."

Atuo was clever and had a pleasant temperament. She immediately said, "Sister Liu, Sister Yang."

She had met Qinglan’s maid, Chunming, but she was not in the carriage. Only the two maids, Yang and Liu, were present, which showed their importance. People always said Qinglan was gentle and Lingbo was formidable; it was no wonder their maids were also capable.

True enough, both maids were sharp. Yanghua was quiet and simply replied, "You are too polite, Miss." Xiaoliu, as quick-witted as Lingbo, smiled and said, "I wouldn't dare. Cousin, you can just call me Xiaoliu, the same as our young lady does."

After responding to Atuo, Xiaoliu commented on the Meng family: "Eldest Miss, the Meng family was surprisingly easy to talk to today. Our young lady even said that if they insisted on seizing the aunt’s dowry, we would have to use 'extraordinary measures'! It’s a good thing it didn't come to that; they knew better."

Qinglan laughed. "What 'extraordinary measures'?"

Lingbo didn't let Xiaoliu elaborate, changing the subject. "They were easy to talk to, of course; they didn't dare block our way. They were afraid of ruining Meng Yuncui’s chance at this year’s Flower Festival. You wouldn't know, but this year, a group of 'distinguished guests' is coming."

Though her words were veiled, she spoke with such vivid detail that she always seemed to be hiding a layer of meaning. Atuo keenly sensed that when Lingbo mentioned the "distinguished guests," she seemed to be observing Qinglan’s expression, though it might have been her own imagination.

Xiaoliu, missing this nuance, immediately chimed in, "The young lady must mean the return of the Northern Pacification Army to the capital for their rewards. I heard that a group of young generals who distinguished themselves in battle have returned, and some are even set to be ennobled. This year's Flower Festival will be full of talent, a rare event once in a decade, which is why the Meng family was so afraid of missing out..."

Before she could finish, Ye Lingbo pinched her, causing her to stop abruptly and close her mouth, though her eyes involuntarily darted toward Ye Qinglan.

Atuo did not understand the full story, but seeing how nervous Xiaoliu was, she knew there had to be a hidden secret, and she also began to watch Ye Qinglan quietly.

Ye Qinglan, however, appeared as if nothing were the matter, gazing calmly out the mica window of the carriage. The sunlight fell gently upon her face—a complexion as smooth as jade. Although she was at the "advanced age" of twenty-three, rare for an unmarried lady in the capital, there was not a trace of agitation in her expression. Instead, there was a Buddha-like serenity, as if she had seen through everything.

To be so indifferent at such a flower-like age felt ominous. Atuo had witnessed the final days of her own foster mother and knew well that such detachment was not a good sign.

The carriage fell silent. Atuo dared not break the quiet. As Lingbo had said, she was a person who took things to heart; she saw both Qinglan’s detachment and Lingbo’s hidden worry.

But she had forgotten that there was still another sister in the carriage.

"The Northern Pacification Army is back, so does that mean Brother Cui Jingyu is coming back too!" Yanyan suddenly realized, her face lighting up. "Then what about him and Sister Qinglan..."

Before she could finish, Lingbo pinched her hard. It was clear how well the two older sisters protected her, keeping her entirely innocent. After being pinched, she didn't even realize why, complaining, "Why did you pinch me? I was telling the truth! Why won't you let me speak?"

Ye Lingbo was so furious she could have smoked, so she pinched her a few more times. Yanyan, in pain, scrambled toward Ye Qinglan, crying, "Sister, look at her, she’s hitting me again..."

"I should just beat you to death; you're as dense as a pig," Lingbo said, trying to reach around Qinglan to swat her.

"Enough." Qinglan gave a faint smile and stopped Lingbo. "Even if you hit her, she won't understand. Let it be."

Her single sentence stopped Lingbo, who sat back, deflated. "You’re going to be the death of me with your stupidity."

Qinglan comfortingly stroked Yanyan, who showed her the red mark where she had been pinched. Qinglan blew on it gently. Seeing Atuo quietly observing her, she smiled.

"It’s all right. Those two are always bickering. Although Lingbo has a quick temper, she doesn't actually hit people easily." She smiled and explained, as if afraid Atuo might misunderstand.

"She hit me today, though," Yanyan immediately accused. "I don't know what got into her; she was so heavy-handed."

Ye Lingbo looked like she was about to explode again, and Yanyan shrank back in fear.

"She hit you for a reason," Ye Qinglan said. She glanced at Atuo and smiled calmly. "Does Atuo want to know?"

Atuo shook her head immediately.

She knew it could not be a light matter, or Ye Qinglan would not have shown an expression she hadn't even displayed back at the Meng estate.

"Look at her, then look at you. Truly hopeless," Lingbo scolded Yanyan.

"What is so hopeless about me?" Yanyan muttered indignantly. "Isn't it just Brother Jingyu..."

"You're still talking!" Lingbo arched her brows.

Ye Qinglan smiled.

"Enough," she said softly. "Since we’ve reached this point, why bother with the pretense? Atuo is not an outsider, and although Aunt didn't tell her, it was only to spare me the embarrassment."

Ye Lingbo’s eyes widened in surprise, and just as she was about to stop her, Ye Qinglan had already spoken calmly.

"Among the generals of the Northern Pacification Army returning to the capital, there is one to whom I was once betrothed. However, I later broke off the engagement, and the two families have had no contact for four years. This time, he is returning..."

"He is to be ennobled," Lingbo added.

Ye Qinglan wouldn't say it, and she wouldn't let anyone else say it, but now that Qinglan herself had spoken, Lingbo, though her eyes were icy, did not forget to add the key detail.

Ye Qinglan’s expression shifted slightly.

"Is that so?" Her voice was very light, like an old dream. "That is truly good news."

Ye Lingbo pressed her lips together, as if she were swallowing something sharp, or perhaps trying to spit it out.

"Of the three new marquises to be named from the Northern Pacification Army, he is the only one who is unmarried. Meng Yuncui, Lu Wanyang, Chen Mengliu, and several noble ladies from the imperial clan—this year’s Flower Festival is entirely for him," she said with a flat tone. "Cui Jingyu is set to be the prize of this year’s Flower Festival."

Ye Qinglan looked as if she might smile, but in the end, she did not.

"Since that is the case..." She fell silent for a long time after saying this, then suddenly remarked, "Let’s have the Eight-Treasure Banquet."

"What?" Lingbo was puzzled, and even Atuo could not help but ask.

Ye Qinglan smiled, as if the previous conversation had never happened.

"I said, we happen to have excellent winter bamboo shoots and mushrooms at home these past few days. Bamboo shoots have a light flavor that doesn't pair well with fish, so let’s make the Eight-Treasure Banquet. The name is auspicious, and it pairs perfectly with the bamboo shoots and mushrooms. We can all have a lively meal together—it will be a perfect way to welcome Atuo. Wouldn't that be nice?"

Lingbo looked as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she said nothing. She simply reached out and took Ye Qinglan’s hand.

"That sounds good," she said.