Volume One, Chapter Five: Return to the Purple Bamboo Garden

March 21st—the third anniversary of her mother's passing. How could Lin Qingwu possibly forget such a day?

Recalling her mother’s constant, gentle reminders during those final days felt like receiving a last testament, spoken with an astonishing calmness.

After her mother’s death, Lin Qingwu often blamed herself, believing her mother’s doubts stemmed from a lack of faith in her medical skills, and so she faulted herself.

Yet now, a sudden doubt arose: was her mother actually trying to warn her of something?

And as for Lin Qingyun—her repeated schemes, so cruel and foolish—how could she bear even the slightest resemblance to her mother?

Lin Qingyun suddenly sensed Lin Qingwu’s gaze growing strange, and unease welled up within her.

“Sister, what’s wrong?” Her voice trembled with fear before she timidly darted behind Lin Qingyan like a frightened fawn. “Brother, sister’s eyes… they’re terrifying.”

Hearing this, Lin Qingyan shifted his gaze to Lin Qingwu, his heart jolting.

For a fleeting moment, he seemed to see the Lin Qingwu of three years ago—the sister he, as her brother, once feared.

But when he looked again, Lin Qingwu had returned to her usual gentle and respectful demeanor, as if the moment before had been nothing but a trick of his mind.

He shook his head softly, trying to dispel the confusion clouding his thoughts, whispering to himself, “I must have imagined it.”

Reaching out, he gently patted Lin Qingyun’s shoulder, his tone soothing, “Yun’er, don’t be afraid. You probably got startled when you fell earlier. The weather’s still chilly, and you’re not strong enough to stay outside long. Let me take you back.”

…

At Purple Bamboo Garden.

After much inner struggle and careful consideration, Lin Qingwu did not refuse Lin Qingyan’s offer but chose to move back at dusk.

Though called a move, it was merely returning alone, empty-handed, to a place she once called home.

This was the residence she lived in when she was still the legitimate daughter of the Lin family. After the arrival of the true heiress, Lin Qingyun, she had been driven out.

Now, stepping into Purple Bamboo Garden again, her eyes were immediately drawn to the withered purple bamboo scattered across the courtyard.

She still remembered that long ago, because of a single fondness, her mother spared no expense to have these purple bamboos brought in, personally planting and nurturing them alongside her.

But now her mother was gone, the purple bamboo withered, and those happy days would never return…

“Miss, you have suffered.” Just as Lin Qingwu sank into sorrowful memories, a familiar voice called from behind.

She turned in surprise to see her former personal maid. “Yun Shang, how did you…”

When Lin Qingwu was demoted to a servant, the Lin family feared those close to her might harbor resentment toward Lin Qingyun and harm their precious daughter. So, they sent all her old attendants away to the outer estate, making Yun Shang’s appearance now quite unexpected.

“The eldest young master sent me back to serve you. He said you’re injured and it’s inconvenient,” Yun Shang said, her eyes already fixed on Lin Qingwu’s arm.

Stepping forward with a pained expression, she gently cupped Lin Qingwu’s hand. “Miss, did they bully you? How could they hurt you like this?”

Watching Yun Shang’s tears fall incessantly, Lin Qingwu shook her head helplessly. “It’s just a minor wound, nothing serious.”

Compared to the scars Lin Qingwu had accumulated over the years, this injury was indeed trivial.

“How can it be nothing? What if it leaves a scar?” Yun Shang fretted, carefully helping her sit on a chair in the courtyard.

She cautiously removed a bundle from her back and took out a bottle of powder for external wounds, then began attentively applying the medicine.

“Where did this medicine come from?” Lin Qingwu immediately recognized it as the improved external wound powder once refined under her guidance by Master Li at the Imperial Medical Office. Later widely used in the army, it was hard even for the capital’s elite to obtain, let alone a humble maid.

At the mention of this, Yun Shang’s anger welled up uncontrollably. “The medicine is from the eldest young master too. I thought he was good, but I never expected him to help Lin Qingyun bully you!”

“I just don’t understand. Even if you’re not his biological sister, you grew up together, and he once cherished you like a treasure. How could he be so heartless now? And the Duke—if it weren’t for you back then…”

“Enough.” Lin Qingwu interrupted gently. “If someone with ill intent overhears this, you would be punished again.”

“I’m not afraid of punishment. I’m only angry on your behalf,” Yun Shang said, tears flowing again.

Forcing a faint smile, Lin Qingwu said, “You said it yourself—the love they showed was always for the Lin family’s legitimate daughter. It never concerned me.”

“Miss, in your current state, following you won’t lead anywhere.” Lin Qingwu softly wiped the tears from Yun Shang’s eyes. “Listen to me, find a chance soon, and get yourself a better position.”

“I won’t leave!” Yun Shang immediately knelt before her, pleading urgently. “You have suffered so much all these years, and I have always felt guilty for not being by your side to share your pain. Now that I’m back, I will never leave you again.”

“Even if it means dying, I will stay with you. If you try to send me away, I will kneel here forever—”

“Enough.” Lin Qingwu looked at the resolute maid with helpless affection. “If you want to stay, then stay.”

With that, she rose and returned directly to the main house.

Seeing this, Yun Shang wiped her tears into a smile and hurried after her to help tidy up…

That night, after finally resting from a day’s toil and having a simple dinner, the mistress and maid retired early.

Watching Yun Shang quickly fall asleep beside her, Lin Qingwu soon followed into a deep slumber.

“No!” In the middle of the night, Lin Qingwu suddenly awoke from a nightmare, wiping cold sweat from her brow as her heart pounded.

Still shaken, she sat up and looked around. Moonlight streamed through the window, casting mottled shadows on the floor. Only when she saw Yun Shang sleeping peacefully beside her did she relax.

But after that dream, sleep eluded her completely.

“Yun Shang,” she whispered softly to the sleeping girl.

Yun Shang stirred slightly but did not wake. Lin Qingwu gently pulled a blanket over her and then rose, moving to the window.

Gazing out into the night sky, her eyes deep and distant, her thoughts carried away by the dream just passed, she murmured, “Mother, are you sending me this dream? Do you want me to come see you?”

Time passed in silence. After an unknown span, Lin Qingwu seemed to have made a decision.

With firm resolve, she turned and walked toward the door, her figure soon swallowed by the night…