"Older sister, why are you standing there? Aren’t you cold?"

  Bai Yaoyao held Bai Qingqing's hand and walked inside. Every scene along the way made Bai Qingqing's heart stir, as if it were melting like spring water. This was her home, the place where she could freely be herself, without needing to tread carefully, worried that every small action might displease someone.

  In her past life, what kind of spell had she fallen under? Why had she distanced herself from her closest family for the sake of a cold-hearted and distant person?

  Bai Qingqing’s steps quickened, and she began to lead Bai Yaoyao inside, straight to her mother’s courtyard. She entered the room and immediately threw herself into Madam Qiao's arms.

  "What's wrong?"

  Madam Qiao was startled, stroking Bai Qingqing’s head as she looked at Bai Yaoyao. "Did something happen outside?"

  Bai Yaoyao shook her head. "She probably just woke up confused. Older sister went to the Ping Prince's residence and felt a little tired. She took a nap in the warm room and woke up feeling strange."

  Bai Qingqing inhaled the familiar fragrance of her mother, and her eyes immediately filled with tears. All the grievances in her heart rushed out, and she felt as though she could cry her heart out.

  Madam Qiao gently stroked her head. "Qingqing, what’s wrong? Tell mother, I will stand up for you."

  Bai Qingqing couldn’t hold back anymore. Tears fell like pearls from a broken string, and Madam Qiao was alarmed. She quickly took a handkerchief and wiped her tears. "Don’t just cry, were you bullied? Who dares to make my daughter suffer? I’ll take you to find your father right now."

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  Bai Qingqing shook her head while crying. The spoiled girl who had been suppressed for years at the Ping Prince’s residence slowly began to recover, and she sobbed in Madam Qiao’s arms. "I suddenly realized how foolish I was."

  Madam Qiao: "…Who said that? No one outside says anything but praise for the eldest daughter of the British Duke’s family. They all speak highly of your intelligence and quick wit."

  That’s all false. Only Bai Qingqing knew how foolish she had been. But it didn’t matter, someone who had died once should have learned to be smarter.

  She allowed her mother to wipe away her tears, clean her face with a warm towel, and then apply some fragrant ointment.

  "Did the flower-viewing banquet today interest you?"

  Bai Qingqing shook her head, but Bai Yaoyao couldn’t stop talking. "Older sister only took a nap, so how could she tell whether it was interesting? Mother, today the Ping Prince's residence was very lively. The princess invited almost all the young ladies from Xuancheng, and even invited the most famous theater troupe from Xuancheng to perform at Chunlin Garden. If older sister hadn’t slept, you would have surely seen it. You wouldn’t think it was boring then."

  Bai Qingqing suddenly looked up at her. "Everyone was at Chuntin Garden? Not in the Mei Garden?"

  "The Mei Garden is large and empty. Although the plum blossoms are beautiful, the weather is still a bit chilly. Perhaps the princess was worried about the ladies catching a cold, so she set up the banquet in Chuntin Garden. Older sister, you must have been mistaken. I wondered why you went to Mei Garden."

  Bai Qingqing’s fingers slightly trembled. Had she made a mistake?

  But she distinctly remembered the little maid who guided her telling her they were going to Mei Garden. After she got married in her past life, she would often mention their first meeting to Fu Yi, talking about the flower-viewing banquet at Mei Garden. Could it be that he remembered it wrong as well?

  What was going on?

  At the Ping Prince’s residence, Fu Yi stood with his head lowered in front of the princess, as obedient and proper as usual, the kind of son that the princess was proud of.

  The princess sat in a chair and waved for him to come closer, her smile affectionate. "Alright, I know you’re reluctant. But the British Duke’s family is the best choice for you now. I am your mother, and I would never harm you. With their support, the position of the heir will be within your grasp. Or do you want to let a half-brother press you down?"