“How is my cousin?” If Xiuying did not feel her maid’s reaction and heard from her new family what happened to the original owner of her body, she will assume that the person who gently asked this question is someone who truly cares for her. She can feel how Xue’s stiffness relaxes a bit as the maid breathes deeply to calm down herself before answering the visitor’s question.
“Young Miss is doing well, First Young Miss Qi Fan.” Xue upon hearing the newcomer's question stood up and bowed to the young lady who spoke, as a greeting before answering respectfully like the emotions Xiuying felt from the maid earlier were just an illusion. Xiuying felt the newcomer reach out to her and gently caress her hair as if afraid to hurt Xiuying. The smell coming from the lady makes anyone relax, however she noticed the light scent of Jasmine flowers which is one of scents that can arouse any man who is physically close to the young lady. Hearing the name her maid called the newcomer, Xiuying’s mouth might have twitched if she was awake.
‘How great of an actress this cousin of mine! This Qi Fan would definitely be awarded as best actress if she were in modern times!’
“I am glad to hear that, it has been almost a year that you are serving her. And I know you are somewhat tired doing all these, you can go ahead and rest for today. I will take care of Ying’er while you are resting.”
“This servant is not tired, first young miss. It is this servant's happiness to take care of the second young miss.”
“Such a sweet mouth you have there, my cousin is lucky to have you. Maybe once she wakes up I can request for you to serve me in my courtyard but I think Second Aunt won’t let go of such a loyal and sweet servant. ” Qi Fan’s sweet voice can tickle anyone’s heart but despite that Xiuying clearly understands what the lady who is gently stroking her hair wants to convey: ‘If ‘she’ (Xiuying) wakes up.’
Not hearing her maid’s comment to her new cousin’s remark, she didn’t know if Xue didn’t understand Qi Fan’s underlying message or just acting like she didn’t. Based on how Xue interacts with her, who is now in coma, she can bet that her maid clearly understands her cousin’s hidden mockery and decides to ignore Qi Fan. Qi Fan and her maid didn’t stay for long as after her one sided drama as if on cue, a maid from First Madam’s (Qi Fan’s mother) courtyard came to Xiuying’s courtyard as Qi Fan is needed by her mother.
After hearing her mother’s instructions from the maid, Qi Fan asked Xue to make sure that her cousin is well taken care of and to let her know the soonest there’s any progress to her (Xiuying) condition before leaving the courtyard.
Xuiying can feel Xue’s footsteps walking away then going back to her side and hearing her maid’s sigh of relief.
“Young miss you really need to wake up since the day First Young Miss recovered she keeps on visiting you every other day. This servant doesn't know why but this servant felt that since the incident First Young Miss’s true face is revealed. She keeps on visiting you but her face doesn’t even show any sadness that young miss hasn't woken up, it is as if she is gloating at young miss’ misfortune. *Sighing* Young Miss needs to wake up and recover soon.” Xue keeps on blabbering while starting to wipe Xiuying’s face not knowing that the sleeping beauty that she is taking care of, didn't hear what she said because Xiuying is thinking too deeply about her situation.
‘I have been like this for months now and still this new family didn’t lose hope but keep on treating me like I am awake although sometimes they can’t help but feel sad.
If I wake up, will the couple discover that I am not their daughter?
Will that brother who keeps bringing me food that I can’t eat despise me?
Will the original owner’s family accept me?
Should I try… maybe it is better to just be like this...But that Qi Fan… It seems the first branch aren’t good people like what my new family discusses with themselves during their visits… If I stay like this will they keep on mocking my new family for keeping me even though I can’t wake up?
Will I be in pain again in this life if I wake up but if I do not, will the first branch make a move against my family? If they do, will I lose them before seeing them?
During the past months that Xiuying stayed with her new family, feeling the warmth that she has been longing for, she wants to stay even if she can’t wake up forever. However, feeling the hidden hostility and mockery from Qi Fan and hearing what her family discusses during their stay in her courtyard, she didn’t know when she suddenly had the urge to protect these people.
Xiuying fell into deep rumination that she didn’t notice that Xue finally finished helping her on cleaning up and the maid got up from the seat beside the sleeping beauty. Xue took a deep sigh and left the room after checking a few times if everything is in order.
She did not know that her thoughts of just staying asleep and fear of facing her new identity and new life are now changing slowly but steadily penetrating to her heart and mind.
While the pair of lady and maidservant are busy with their own thoughts, the first branch’s members are in the First Madam’s courtyard. Only their trusted servants were allowed to stay with them, laughter can be heard from time to time outside. The servants can't help but smile while they work assuming that their masters’ are discussing something trivial they have encountered for the day in their thoughts their masters are still the best in Qi clan, favored by the patriarch and blessed by gods as their first young miss have escaped the catastrophe that their second young miss can’t. Contrary to the thoughts of the servants outside, the trusted servants can’t help but shudder in fear upon hearing what the first branch’s plan is.
The months pass by with her family visiting her daily and Qi Fan together with the first and third branch of the Qi clan going in and out of her courtyard every other day. Xiuying continues to try to open her eyes to at least lessen the worries of her new family. Xiuying found strength to open her eyes, seeing the familiar ceiling the fear of knowing she is back to her hell can be seen in her eyes and a chilling feeling penetrates from her skin down to her bones. She hastily tries to jump out of the bed but fails to do so as her body feels heavy like a barbell. As she tries to lift herself up she notices that she is wearing the same simple hospital gown that she hated so much. The gown doesn’t cover her gorgeous body as the fabric drapes around her body so well that it only leaves little to hide it from one’s imagination. Xiuying frantically runs to the corner of the room after trying to open all french styled windows despite knowing that it is locked, her hope lessening by seconds.
Hack...hack...hack… Xiuying coughs as she opens her eyes however she can’t see anything but only feels being hugged by a pair of strong arms and hard chest hinders her eyesight. She tries to get up and remove the arms hugging her but the person wakes up due to her movements. “Ying-er? Daughter?” Qi Chen's hoarse voice reached her ears and it seems he is in pain. “Fa-father?” As her oriole like voice is heard she can feel droplets pour onto her back realizing it isn’t raining but the father she only heard during her coma who is always strong and determined is now crying silently while hugging her more tightly. “I thought we would lose you… I thought I coul
Qi Ming was waiting in the dining hall and seeing his father coming back he immediately got up from his seat before sitting again after Qi Chen went to his seat. “Is Ying-er awake, Father?” Not hearing his father talk, Qi Ming immediately asks as he is still worried about his sister. “Yes, she’ll come here with your mother.” Hearing a sigh from his father after answering he guessed that his mother will be sleeping with his sister again tonight. He subconsciously chuckles, earning a glare from Qi Chen. Qi Ming uncomfortably coughs hiding his embarrassment from being caught. “Physician Li will arrive this afternoon as we requested, Father. Are you still worried about any sequelae that my sister might suffer in the future?”
***Xiuying/ Raine's POV*** I ordered Xue to take the child to the nearest inn and help her clean up. I watch Xue'er preparing the bath with the help of one of inn's servants while the little girl blankly stares at me. I just let her be and sit on the chair near the window and look outside I can't help but recall when I hugged the child earlier after all I was once like her... Headmistress where are we going? an eight year old girl asked as their orphanage's headmistress hastily held her hand and walk through the busy street. The little girl looks back worriedly at the direction where they came from, there are times when she almost stumbles but the headmistress just held her hand and walk. She didn't hear any answer from the headmistress and only hears her choking up her sobs as they walk. When they arrived in front of a big house she stopped and look at the child's face. "Little Raine...our..our orphanage will be closed if we don't do what they want..." "Ummm
It is the day of the family's annual meeting. I have heard from mother that according to the spies planted by father in first uncle's courtyard the old patriach and first uncle plans to announce the change of Long's eldest son's fiance to my cousin Qi Fan. I really don't care about them but since the former Xiuying died because of them I'd gladly and slowly play them. I'm excited as it will be today that father plans to execute our plan to separate our family, they really don't deserve father's efforts in flourishing businesses. Xue and Hua helped me prepare and I just let them choose whatever dress and accessories to wear, it was tiring even though I only need to stand or sit as they help me. They wake me up earlier than the usual just to bath, dress and fixed my hair. I noticed that they even added more rose petals and rose essence than the usual in my bath.
As we walk towards the main hall they passed the garden Xiuying noticed something in the pavilion. She hurriedly whispered something to her father and that she won't attend the banquet, he was about to object and narrowed his eyes as if he see right through her. Xiuyung smiled at him mischievously though Qi Chen didn't know what's going on in her daughter's mind he nodded. Noticing that her daughter went to a different direction, "The banquet will start soon where is she going?" Xi Hui asks her husband. "She'll just catch up don't worry too much." Xi Hui nodded after hearing Qi Chen's reply and the couple started to walk again towards the main hall. Once Xiuying got her father's permission she urge Xue'er to go the kitchen so they could eat and afterwards take a walk in the garden while waiting for meeting to start, She simply don't want to mingle with her cousins and their families. Most of the servants are shocked to see their third young miss enter
Xiuying cries as she run and 'bumped' to few servants in the main hall's pathway. Some of the servants who are aware of the affair between the Long clan's eldest young master and their second young miss can only sigh inwardly and throw pity looks to Xiuying. All of them have the same thought as they saw the place where their third young miss came from, that is where the two couple are staying instead of attending the banquet. After few minutes they see Xue run after her young miss with worry in her eyes and thought that she is sad for Xiuying if only they knew that Xue is currently worrying how to fix her young miss' ruined dress as it was personally ordered to be made by their Third Madam, Xiuying's mother. Meanwhile in the main hall seven people are discussing the current year issues and plans of the clan while their servants are serving drinks and snacks. "Cousin I heard that your new business is doing well and since your only son is always travelling why
Noticing the glances between the patriach and her first uncle and they're about to speak to control the situation, Xiuying cries more louder which makes Fang Fei grew more annoyed as she feel the uneasiness in her heart. "Ying'er calm down you aren't a little child anymore and as a family we are here for you, am I right Uncle?" Qi Chen chided Xiuying though his voice sounded strict Xiuying can only feel warmth in her heart. "Yes as a family we are here for you." Immediately seconded by the Patriach, Qi Bao. "Chen'er why you didn't tell us that Xiuying have recovered? We could have prepared more dishes earlier in the banquet to celebrate." He voiced out his grievances though it sounded stiff due to shock of Xiuying appearance. He look at his nephew trying to see through his intention by hiding the news but he can't as Qi Chen have long mastered in concealing his thoughts. Qi Chen was about to speak but Xiuying interrupted him.