The sky was floating with fine snow, the yellow river water stretched endlessly. She floated and struggled in the water, trying to grasp something, hoping to breathe freely again, but all she got was the icy river water flowing into her lungs through her mouth and nose, like ten thousand steel needles piercing her, stabbing her alive, painful to numbness... Lin Jinerong smiled bleakly as she floated and sank.

  This was perhaps fate, but she shouldnt have died, and neither should Litchi. If it werent for those ungrateful people abandoning them, if that person hadnt left without looking back, she wouldnt have ended up like this - throwing herself into the river to avoid being insulted by bandits. She couldnt understand why, after treating them with all her heart and soul, she became the one who was abandoned in the end?

  A wave crashed over her, and everything went black. She was too lazy to even lift a finger, so be it. In a daze, she seemed to hear someone calling her name, but she was already too lazy to open her eyes. Who could it be? It was probably just an illusion, after all, he had already abandoned her, who else would care about her life or death.

  Lin Jinyong woke up from a nightmare, drenched in cold sweat. She desperately clutched the slippery silk quilt beneath her, gasping for air as if trying to make up for the breaths she had missed earlier. After more than a dozen gasps, she finally realized that she was still lying on the small carved lacquer bed in her parents home, and that it had all been just a dream - she was still alive. She relaxed her stiff hands and slumped onto the bed, counting her still-rapid heartbeat in the darkness.

  Her heartbeat never stopped, she reminded herself that she was still alive and well, heaven had pity on her, when she woke up again she returned to her childhood, everything had not happened yet, she still had a chance.

  "Has the young lady had another nightmare?" Nurse Gui carefully placed the Qingwa porcelain oil lamp in her hand on the table, hung the half-old rain-washed sky blue gauze canopy on the silver hook, and peeked inside to look at Lin Jinyong.

  In the dim light, Lin Jingrongs eyes shone brightly, and her face still had a hint of panic and confusion. The few strands of hair on her forehead were soaked with cold sweat, sticking wetly to her smooth forehead, making her originally pale goose egg face even paler.

  Although Madam Gui didnt see her response, she knew that she had indeed had a nightmare. She couldnt help but let out a soft sigh, and then reached out to touch her, going through the familiar motions of getting her a change of clothes. She also called out to the maid, Lizi, who was standing by the door: "Lizi, bring over the hot water from the stove for Miss to wash up with. Shes all sweaty."

  Yaotou lychee also undressed, brought in hot water, and quickly filled the brass basin with hot water. She then took a fragrant towel to help Gui Yatou wipe Lin Jincan clean and change his clothes.

  Lin Jin sat up obediently, silently allowing them to undress and wipe her body. The hot towel felt soothing on her skin, followed by a slight coolness that made her stop shivering, and her heartbeat slowed down.

  Gu Yans aunt was wiping the cold sweat from Lin Jingrus body while asking her with concern: "Miss, what did you dream of just now? You were so scared that its pitiful."

  Lin Jinyong pressed her pale red lips together, and after a long time, she said in a low voice: "Dont talk about dreams at night."

  Lychee and Gui exchanged a glance, both seeing helplessness in each others eyes. Lychee lowered her head to tie Lin Jingrous sash, smiling: "Miss, let Gui tell you a story."

  Its actually worrying that Lin Jinyong is afraid, having another nightmare, and wanting Gu Yehuo to accompany her to sleep. Its just that Lin Jinyong has always been good at saving face, the Lin family rules are strict, and since she was four years old, her wet nurse couldnt sleep with her anymore, so she would use such euphemistic words to say it.

  Lin Jinyong looked up at Litchi, her eyes extremely complex. Litchi was two years older than her, quiet and steady, with a pale complexion and a beautiful nose. From the time Lin Jinyong could remember, Litchi had always been by her side, as both her playmate and maid. Later, when everyone else left her, only Litchi stayed with her until death, if not for Litchi, she wouldnt even have had the chance to jump into the river to seek death.

  Lychee felt a bit embarrassed under Lin Jinyongs straightforward gaze, and smiled as she touched her cheek, waving her hand in front of Lin Jinyongs face. "Fourth Miss, what are you looking at? Havent you woken up yet, cant recognize me?" The young ladies and masters of the Lin family were ranked according to their birth order, so although Lin Jinyong was the second daughter of the third house, she had to be called Fourth Miss in sequence.

  How could she not recognize? She remembered it firmly. Lychee, I will treat you well this life, and never let you eat that bitter again. Lin Jinrong withdrew his gaze, a faint smile appeared on the edge of his lips, he silently lay down, smoothed out the scattered hair on the pillow, and said softly: "Tomorrow is Grandmas birthday, everyone has to be busy, dont be lazy, you all go to sleep, just leave me one lamp."

  Madam Gui looked at Lychee with concern again, and said softly: "Miss, you..." Since Miss had that illness half a month ago, she would always have nightmares at night, crying and screaming loudly. After lighting the lamp, she would calm down. Thinking she was getting better, they followed Third Madams advice to turn off the lamp, but unexpectedly, she started having another nightmare immediately.

  Lin Jinyong closed his eyes tiredly: "Im not young anymore, I have a number."

  Although she was only twelve years old, she was indeed no longer a little girl. Gu Yiniang had no choice but to leave the lamp for her and lower the curtains, then quietly retreat with Li Zhi. After closing the door, Gu Yiniang whispered: "This cant go on like this, look at Misss dark circles under her eyes getting heavier and heavier, she has no energy either. In my opinion, Im afraid that day was too frightening for her, we need to tell Third Madame and think of a more effective solution." She muttered a few more curses under her breath: "Second Madame is really something, doing such an immoral thing in broad daylight, without even trying to cover it up, scaring our Fourth Miss half to death."

  Lin Jinyongs eyelids moved slightly.

  Old Lady Gu said that it was the Fourth Young Master of the Second House who had not yet married - her fourth cousin had gotten the maid by Madame Ers side pregnant, and Madame Er had taken a bowl of medicine to abort the fetus, but she hadnt cleaned up properly. Lin Jingrong happened to stumble upon it, which scared her half to death. In her previous life, she had been dazed for almost a month, and her family had invited doctors and gods to help her recover. But this time, she wasnt afraid of that matter. Compared to the things she encountered later, such matters were nothing! Only those who have witnessed chaos firsthand know what it means to be as fragile as a blade of grass!

  Lychee sighed and said, "Its hard for the mistress too, but Third Master doesnt care about anything."

  Lin Jinyongs father, Lin San Ye, is a careless and idle person. When the fourth daughter was frightened into such a state, he only came to see her twice as a formality. The third wife, Tao Shi, has a strong personality and cannot tolerate any nonsense. She doesnt know how to be gentle or humble, and she and her husband have always been at odds with each other. They rarely speak more than ten words when theyre together, and because of this matter, the two of them had a huge argument and havent spoken for half a month.

  Madam Gui let out a heavy sigh, remained silent for a moment, then excitedly told Lychee: "Did you hear? Madame is also coming back tomorrow." She had a hint of schadenfreude in her tone. "Its been so many years since all that happened, I wonder if she knows whether that young master who was adopted into the family has grown up yet. That child was already quite old when he was adopted."

  "After all, hes just a child, and its been six or seven years since then. As long as the mistress treats him well, peoples hearts are made of flesh, so Im afraid thats about it." Litchi replied in a low voice.

  Lin Jinyong said in a nearly numb and voiceless tone, "No, Lu Xiang will never be satisfied. In his heart, there are only himself and his biological parents, no one else."

  As soon as she thought of Lu Jian, Lin Jinrongs heart felt uncomfortable. She tried her best to think of other things and didnt want to think about this name and everything related to it. Through the half-old gauze curtain, she looked at the Qing porcelain oil-saving lamp on the table, thinking hard that when she was younger, her family used copper lamps or candles. Later, her grandfather retired, and her fathers generation did not have any outstanding achievements, although they had a good reputation, they never served as officials, nor did they know how to manage the household. They were all just idle people who only knew how to eat, drink, play, and indulge in romantic fantasies. The family only had expenses but no income. Her siblings were numerous, and marriage was based on wealth. After several weddings, except for the rooms of the old master and mistress, the whole house could only use these Qing porcelain oil-saving lamps that saved half the oil compared to copper lamps.

  She let out a soft sigh, and indeed, one generation is not as good as the next. So at that time, when she got married, her sisters at home were still envious with shining eyes, and she also thought it was a good marriage... Beautiful fate, humph... How did she think of this again? She snorted in laughter, unconsciously shaking her head. If she wasnt mistaken, Lu Xuan was also coming tomorrow, which would be the first time they met after growing up. Tomorrow, Lin Jingrongs heart suddenly had a few points of resentment, and her teeth bit her lip until it hurt.

  Although her mind was preoccupied with many things, she was still young after all, and soon felt the lamp becoming increasingly dim and distant. Gradually, she fell asleep. This time, she slept more soundly than ever before.

  The sun had just revealed half of its face, a slender figure carrying a pot quietly pushed open the carved door, filled the copper basin by the window with hot water, and then walked to the bedside, lifted the curtains, and stretched her slightly cool hands into the lotus-colored silk quilt to wake Lin Jianrong who was still sleeping.

  Lin Jinyong suddenly woke up with a start, narrowing his eyes to look at the face in front of him, which was both pleased and displeased, with a hint of mischief, and a flash of impatience and mockery in his eyes. His lips curled up into a good-looking arc: "Guiyuan."

  Guī Yuán is the biological daughter of Guī Niáng, and she grew up with Lín Jǐn Róng, who was also raised by Guī Niáng. They have a very close relationship, even closer than that of ordinary master and servant. As a result, Guī Yuáns attitude towards Lín Jǐn Róng is extremely intimate, and Lín Jǐn Róng treats her with the same level of affection, always thinking of ways to help her secure a good future. However, in the end, Guī Yuán turns out to be ungrateful and greedy, betraying her masters trust.

  ——*——*——*——

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