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墨書 Inktalez
After the morning rituals, Su Yuntang emerged from Madam Tai's Cian Hall, accompanied by Lu Ao and Liu Mama, making her way along the corridor back to her courtyard.
The afternoon sun was just right, filtering through the intricately carved window frames and casting dappled patterns on the bluestone floor, resembling scattered gold.
As she turned the corner of the covered walkway, she spotted a familiar figure leaning against a pillar—it was Eldest Young Master Long Xiao.
"Second Sister-in-law, what a coincidence! Have you just returned from Grandmother's?"
Long Xiao was dressed in a lake-blue brocade robe, fanning himself with a white jade fan. He appeared quite dashing, though his eyes had a tendency to linger on others in a way that made one feel uneasy.
Su Yuntang slightly bowed her head. "Eldest Brother."
"No need for such formalities, Second Sister-in-law." Long Xiao stepped closer, folding his fan. "I was just hoping to have a word with you."
Su Yuntang felt a surge of caution within her but maintained her composure. "What would Eldest Brother like to discuss?"
"Discuss? I wouldn't dare to call it that." Long Xiao stood beside her, his gaze roaming over her face. "I simply think you bear a striking resemblance to someone."
"Oh?" Su Yuntang feigned ignorance.
"My late wife looked very much like you," Long Xiao's voice dropped to a near whisper. "Especially those eyes—they're almost identical. It's quite strange; she loved to plant hawthorn flowers and would often rest beneath them in spring when they bloomed. Do you also enjoy hawthorn?"
Su Yuntang momentarily lost her focus, recalling that the character “Tang” in her name referred to hawthorn flowers, which she and her sister had cherished since childhood. Her sister often embroidered hawthorn patterns on her handkerchiefs and clothes.
Sister...
"Second Sister-in-law? What are you thinking about?"
Su Yuntang snapped back to reality. "Hawthorn flowers are beautiful, but I'm afraid I don't know much about plants."
"Is that so?" Long Xiao's smile was enigmatic. "My wife had an odd habit of hiding little things beneath the bed boards—something she picked up in childhood."
Su Yuntang felt a jolt of alarm—could Long Xiao have discovered her true identity? But then she sensed something amiss.
As he spoke these words, there was a hint of probing in his eyes, but more so an expression of sentimental reminiscence.
She suddenly understood—he hadn’t uncovered her identity; rather, he was trying to craft an image of a devoted husband before her, hoping to evoke some fondness in her heart.
"Eldest Brother is joking; I am not so childish."
"Ah, I spoke too freely," Long Xiao replied with a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes. "My wife was truly a rare gem; sometimes when I see you, it reminds me of her. Yet, isn't it curious how fate weaves connections between people? What do you think, Second Sister-in-law?"
Before she could respond, he had already turned and walked away.
Su Yuntang stood rooted in place, her heart awash with mixed emotions.
Long Xiao's demeanor was far from that of a deeply affectionate man. If he truly cared, why would he act so ambiguously in front of her, his sister-in-law? What kind of happiness had her sister truly experienced during her lifetime? What had she endured in the Long Family?
However, as Su Yuntang pondered this, she realized that since Long Xiao wanted to get closer to her, why not use this to her advantage? Perhaps through his attentiveness, she could uncover more information about her sister, especially the truth behind her "sudden illness and death."
Lost in thought, Hong Xiu hurried over. "Madam, why are you standing here? The Second Young Master just sent someone to say that you should come by after returning home."
"I understand." Su Yuntang collected herself and quickened her pace toward her courtyard.
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