A New Beginning, A Familiar Face

When Bai Yuan opened her eyes once more, the sky was already bright.

She stared at the unfamiliar carved bed frame for a moment. Then, Bai Yuan raised a hand, rubbing the lingering sleep from her eyes, and prepared to sit up.

The pink bed curtains were drawn back, and a crisp voice sounded nearby.

“Does Madam Yuan wish to rise?”

Bai Yuan turned her head, seeing an unfamiliar maid whom she had never encountered before.

“You…”

Bai Yuan paused, momentarily stunned.

“This servant is called Biyan. I have always attended to Madam. Yesterday, Madam instructed that I am to serve Madam Yuan from now on.”

Biyan smiled, speaking as she leaned forward, ready to help Bai Yuan lift the covers. “This servant will assist Madam Yuan in rising.”

“Ah… I don’t need…”

Having not been served in such a manner for a long time, Bai Yuan felt unaccustomed to such closeness. Moreover, she had been overly unrestrained the previous night, utterly exhausted and having fallen asleep without even her clothes. Beneath the covers, she was completely bare, a disheveled sight. Biyan’s gesture startled her, causing her to instinctively reach out, attempting to prop herself up.

However, the effort only left her body soft and numb. Her arms gave way, swaying precariously, and she nearly toppled back down.

“Allow this servant to help.”

Biyan pursed her lips in a soft chuckle, extending a hand to offer support, allowing Bai Yuan to lean back and sit up with perfect ease. Her movements were remarkably practiced.

‘Tsk… It seems that Yang Xuan fellow truly is a vigorous beast.’

Bai Yuan noticed the detail, momentarily surprised, then understood. She mocked the situation in her mind, dispelling her own embarrassment, while simultaneously circulating her true qi to alleviate the lingering fatigue throughout her body.

Then, a younger maid appeared, carrying clothes on a gold-rimmed lacquer tray. These were not her old garments; judging by the fabric, they were entirely new.

“Madam said that Madam Yuan’s old clothes have been worn for too long, and it would be better to change into new ones.”

Biyan took a moon-white undergarment and helped Bai Yuan put it on. The fit in every aspect was simply perfect.

‘How… thoughtful.’

Feeling the soft silk against her skin, Bai Yuan sighed inwardly, yet offered no resistance.

Washing, breakfast…

Biyan was exceedingly sharp and had prepared everything with meticulous care. In a daze, Bai Yuan felt as though she had returned to her days in the Bai family.

It wasn’t until after breakfast that Bai Yuan finally snapped back to reality.

Under normal circumstances, she would have nothing to do by this time. No one would visit, and the maids and old women rarely engaged her in idle chatter.

The courtyard was usually desolate, with only the chirping of insects and birds breaking the silence. For others, this might evoke feelings of boredom, frustration, and melancholy. Yet, she had long grown accustomed to it; it was simply a way to pass the time.

She would bask in the sun, daydream, practice crafts, or do embroidery. When the mood struck, she would cultivate, or ponder the structural modifications of the Grand Abyss Demon-Slaying Cannon. Each activity was excellent for whiling away the hours.

As a homebody, she had always been resourceful in entertaining herself.

Today, however, was different. The courtyard buzzed with activity.

The Golden Bamboo Courtyard, having only been cleaned yesterday, was inevitably not entirely perfect. Under Biyan’s direction, it was being thoroughly re-organized, every hidden corner checked.

The bustling activity, though busy, added a vibrancy that was absent from its former cold stillness.

Bai Yuan observed this, her heart stirred. Remembering Yang Xuan’s reminder from last night, and the attitude of the First Madam towards her from yesterday to today, she felt that perhaps it was time for some changes.

Yet, for a moment, she was unsure how to begin.

As she pondered, Biyan approached, asking if there was anything else from her previous courtyard that needed to be brought over.

“There’s a rattan chair in that courtyard, and two rattan chests in the inner room. One contains some embroidery and small trinkets, and the other holds Master’s books. Just bring those over. There’s nothing else.”

Bai Yuan had arrived at the Yang Manor with nothing, so naturally, she had little to be concerned about now.

“Yes.”

Biyan bowed, preparing to assign tasks, when a thought suddenly struck Bai Yuan.

“Oh, right, when is a good time to visit Sister Qin usually?”

The improvement in living conditions, from her old courtyard to the Golden Bamboo Courtyard, was substantial. She intended to inquire about the best time to pay Qin Wanzhao a visit and express her gratitude.

“Madam, you ask…”

Biyan frowned in thought. “Madam usually rises at the fourth watch, cultivating, dining, and then attending to affairs within Tianhe Gate. She doesn’t return until evening, where she plays and talks with Young Master before resting. She’s rarely seen at home during the day. However, if it’s Madam Yuan…”

Here, she cautiously glanced at Bai Yuan. “You should only need to send someone to announce your visit.”

‘Tsk… truly the demeanor of a powerful woman.’

Bai Yuan mused silently, then nodded, dismissing Biyan. She began to consider what gifts she should bring for her visit. Unexpectedly, after less than half an hour, Biyan suddenly returned, stating that the Second Madam had sent word: she would be coming to visit shortly.

Qian Ying? What would she be coming for?

Despite her confusion, Bai Yuan immediately tidied herself and went out to greet her.

From a distance, she saw Qian Ying, dressed in fiery red, approaching with a gift box.

“Yesterday afternoon, I was too impulsive. I acted rashly without understanding the full situation. If not for my husband’s intervention, I fear I would have made a grave mistake. I’ve come today to apologize to Sister Yuan, and I hope you can be magnanimous.”

Qian Ying was a straightforward person. Knowing she had made a mistake, and having been sternly lectured by her sisters yesterday, she came directly to apologize with gifts today. She showed none of the usual girlish coyness, nor did she care for saving face.

This frankness, in turn, made Bai Yuan feel a little embarrassed.

“Sister Ying, what are you saying? I was also at fault yesterday. Thinking back, my temper was poor, and my actions were reckless, overstepping my bounds. I should be the one apologizing.”

“How was that overstepping your bounds?”

Qian Ying thrust the gift into Biyan’s hands, then looked at Bai Yuan, her attitude exceptionally sincere. “In yesterday’s situation, if not for your clever intervention, Tong’er would have suffered much more. She might even have fallen into the trap of villains, sparking a conflict between my husband and the Drunken Daoist. If that had happened, Tong’er and I would have been guilty of an immense sin.”

“There was such a possibility?”

Bai Yuan was stunned. She had indeed sensed the presence of the Drunken Daoist yesterday, but she had never imagined that there were others secretly stirring up trouble behind the scenes.

“Sister Yuan, you didn’t know?”

Qian Ying was astonished.

“Know what? Uh… at the time, I only sensed that there seemed to be a master observing from nearby… so, to be cautious, I acted a little more slowly. I never expected there were other reasons.”

Bai Yuan looked at Qian Ying, initially puzzled. However, she quickly understood.

‘It seems that Qian Tong’s experience in her previous life was precisely this incident, and I just happened to stumble upon it.’