When Du Yunluo opened her eyes, it was already bright outside.
In her sight was a light pink gauze canopy, embroidered with a profusion of falling flowers, just like the vibrant scene when a spring breeze sweeps through.
Du Yunluo was taken aback. How many years had it been since she used such color tones? Since her husband's death in battle, the canopy around her bed had always been an ashen gray.
Sitting up, she reached out to gently touch the canopy. The fingers on the soft gauze were fair and slender, with nails dyed a bright phoenix red.
Du Yunluo's eyes suddenly tightened as she carefully examined her own hands.
These were definitely not the hands of an elderly woman. Her hands should have been slightly yellowed and full of wrinkles. This was...
She drew a sharp breath, yanked open the canopy, and peeked out.
At the foot of the bed hung prepared clothing. In the corner stood a beautiful vase on a flower stand, and a screen embroidered with carp playing in the water blocked the way to the outer room.
This was her maiden chamber before she was married.
Du Yunluo was stunned. What was going on?
"Young Mistress, are you awake?"
Perhaps having heard noise from the inner chamber, a maid walked around the screen to the bedside, casually hooking the canopy onto the lotus hook.
Du Yunluo looked up at her, her face oval, eyebrows like willow leaves, eyes bright and seemingly able to speak, with shallow dimples when she smiled, surpassing even the beauties depicted in paintings.
"Jin Ling," Du Yunluo murmured.
"Young Mistress, it's getting late. Today you must pay respects to the Old Madam. You can't be late. Let me help you wash up first; when Jin Rui arrives, she will do your hair." As Jin Ling spoke, she helped Du Yunluo get up.
Du Yunluo's mind was blank, and she allowed herself to be guided. It wasn't until the warm cloth wiped across her cheek that she shuddered as if waking from a dream, shrinking her neck.
"Is the water too cold, Young Mistress?" Jin Ling asked keenly.
Du Yunluo shook her head, wanting to ask so many questions but not knowing how to start, she simply sat at the vanity table as Jin Ling directed.
With deft hands, Jin Ling evened her complexion. Du Yunluo gazed at her reflection, gripping her hands tightly in her lap to suppress a cry of surprise.
The reflection in the mirror showed a young maiden, her skin smooth and delicate, her lashes dense, her cherry lips rosy without need for rouge.
This was not the aged Du Yunluo; this was the her of the past.
The her before marriage.
She stared for a long time, searing the image into her mind. Though her expression remained unchanged, only Du Yunluo knew how excited she was inside, her fingers trembling uncontrollably.
Had she truly returned?
Tears fell involuntarily, dripping onto the back of her hand.
Unaware of why she suddenly cried, Jin Ling quickly brought a handkerchief, her voice urgent and concerned: "Young Mistress, what's wrong? Was it a nightmare? Oh dear, look outside, the sun is shining warmly. Go for a walk, and any bad dream will pass."
Blinking, Du Yunluo looked through the now-open window at Jin Ling's suggestion.
Spring was bright, and the low laughter of the young maids was like the song of orioles.
Taking the handkerchief to her face, Du Yunluo slowly curved her lips into a smile: "Jin Ling, you're right, it was just a nightmare. It's past, all past now, and I've awakened. From now on, everything will be clear and bright."
Jin Ling sensed something deeper in those words but didn't know how to ask, so she simply nodded: "Yes, once the dream is over, all is well again."
Du Yunluo squeezed Jin Ling's hand.
In that nightmare, she had made too many mistakes, let too many people down. Seeing Jin Ling, an overwhelming guilt pressed on her chest.
Jin Ling's beauty drew too much attention, so many in the mansion coveted her. Several times, Housekeeper Zhao's wife had pleaded with her, and she agreed, marrying Jin Ling off to Housekeeper Zhao's nephew.
Little did she know, it was pushing Jin Ling into a pit of fire, and within two years, she was gone.
Reflecting on the past in her old age, she often thought if Jin Ling had stayed, she would have been there to keep her in check, preventing her from acting on her whims, preventing Mu Lianxiao from leaving burdened with guilt and worry, preventing her from walking a lonely life.
Jin Ling was truly the only one who cared for her.
"Jin Ling'er, no need to call Jin Rui. You do my hair," Du Yunluo said softly.
Jin Ling was startled; the young mistress only called her that playfully before. Usually, it was Jin Rui'er, Jin Rui'er for fun and closeness, often teasing them when the matrons overheard.
If the young mistress had the heart to joke, she must be fine.
Yet, the young mistress's hair was always done by Jin Rui, favorite for her skill, so Jin Ling did not compete, leaving it to Jin Rui.
She took on the task today, not knowing what Jin Rui would think.
However, the young mistress had ordered, and there was no declining.
No matter her thoughts, Jin Ling responded and carefully styled Du Yunluo's hair, selecting a few flower hairpins from the jewelry box to adorn it.
"Young Mistress, please take a look."
Jin Ling held up the copper mirror, showing all sides. The young mistress was always picky, and hairstyling was something she struggled to please her with. Only when Du Yunluo nodded without hesitation did Jin Ling relax.
She quietly examined Du Yunluo's brows and expression. Though familiar, the young mistress somehow seemed different today.
No longer so demanding, less petulant, appearing calmer...
When Jin Rui entered from outside and saw Du Yunluo already dressed and ready, she was a little stunned, glancing at Jin Ling before smiling: "Young Mistress, I'm late."
Du Yunluo glanced at Jin Rui, saying, "Since you're late, go take two pots of peonies from the garden."
Jin Rui chuckled: "Young Mistress, those are Big Sister's prized blooms, just opened yesterday. If I move them today, Big Sister will definitely be upset with you."
At these words, Du Yunluo was moved.
Jin Rui called her older sister "Big Sister." So, her elder sister hadn't married yet?
Du Yunluo remembered clearly that her elder sister, Du Yunru, was married in the eighth month of the 18th year of Yong'an. Now that the peonies just bloomed, it must be the end of March or early April.
This year, is it the 18th year, the 17th year, or...
After a brief thought, Du Yunluo said, "What belongs to Big Sister is mine. If she doesn't give it to me now, will she take it to her husband's house?"
"Oh, young mistress! It's not proper to speak of the husband's and mother's home so lightly. You're not afraid, but Big Sister is shy. Even though Big Sister will marry in half a year, don't tease her." Jin Rui urged.
Jin Ling quickly raised her head, her gaze sweeping over Du Yunluo before she lowered her eyes again.
Yes, this was her mistress's temperament, taking what she wanted as hers.
Du Yunluo's attention wasn't on Jin Ling; she only heard her anxious heartbeat.
Now she knew, it was the spring of the 18th year of Yong'an.
It was precisely at this time that the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion had, for the first time, sent someone to voice their interest in the Du Family.
Such matters among elders should not have reached Du Yunluo, but somehow they did. Hearing chatter from her sisters, she disliked the heroic, battle-scarred image of the Dingyuan Marquis and stormed into Lianfu Garden, causing a scene.
Although the marriage eventually went ahead, the Old Madam of the Marquis Mansion and Mu Lianxiao's mother Mrs. Zhou were extremely displeased with her. After all, to the Marquis Mansion, they were already lowering themselves to marry, only to be looked down upon, which was a great loss of face.
This time, she would not be swayed by such gossip.
Her heart already belonged to Mu Lianxiao, whether five years, fifty years, a lifetime, or two lifetimes, if she could see him again, why do anything to get in her own way?
Looking at the person in the mirror, Du Yunluo slowly revealed a smile.
Young Master, I have sworn before the archway, before the symbol that shackled my life.
If I could return to the past, I would never let you die in vain, never let them meet a good end!
Now, I have returned.