Chapter 2·Rebirth

Bai Rongxuan's last memory is Wu's mother's hysterical cry.

After that, she fell helplessly into darkness.

Is this what death feels like? It doesn't seem to be as painful as she imagined. She just feels like she is trapped in a ball of soft cotton, and her body is floating upward uncontrollably. This life is over.

Ah? All love and hate, all love and hatred, all pain, are ended forever at this moment.

The beautiful Hangzhou, the lively and prosperous Shanghai, the rainy Tianjin, the falling leaves and snow in Peiping... In this life, she has been ups and downs, like a rootless catkin and duckweed. Driven by fate, she has been to so many places involuntarily.

.

Her mother and brother have left before her, and Wu Ma will be properly resettled by Meng Fansheng. No matter how loveless the world is, she can finally sleep peacefully, right? Nothing will make her life more ups and downs.

.

That’s it…

Even though I am so unwilling, so angry, so regretful, even though I am still so young, there are still so many things I want to do but have not done...

So be it.

Without the restraints, her body was as light as a feather. Bai Rongxuan gradually relaxed, enjoying the eerie silence around her. Her limbs seemed to have never been so light.

Suddenly, someone suddenly grabbed her hand. Bai Rongxuan was startled and hurriedly opened her eyes. The dazzling bright light made her very uncomfortable, and she covered her eyes with her hands almost as soon as she opened them.

"Oh, are you going or not?" A pretty and melodious girl's voice echoed in my ear, "You have slept all afternoon and you are still confused? If you don't go, I will go alone."

Why does this voice sound so familiar? It sounds like the voice of Tang Xueru, the youngest but most restless daughter of my uncle's family who loves to make trouble the most.

"I'm telling you, I took a peek. Not only were there fireworks, but there were also firecrackers. My brother hid them like treasures in the small room behind the kitchen. I've already stepped on them. Do you want to follow me?

"The girl talked for a long time. Seeing that Bai Rongxuan still didn't respond, she pushed her hand away angrily, "Hey! What's going on with you today? Did you listen to me?"

A small pink face suddenly appeared in front of Bai Rongxuan's eyes. Tang Xueru was only twelve or thirteen years old at this time. She had bright eyes and white teeth, carved from pink and jade, and a pair of big, dark and bright eyes, like two carefully carved gems. She

Wearing a cheerful coat and skirt, a string of bright pearl necklaces hung around her neck.

Tang Xueru was a little surprised when she saw Bai Rongxuan's stunned look. She stretched out her hand and waved it in front of her eyes, "Sister, are you okay?"

Bai Rongxuan was a little dazed. What was going on? Is it a dream? Was she dreaming about her past?

If it is a dream, why is everything in front of me so real?

This is her uncle's house in Hangzhou, where she has lived since she was a child.

The room was cleaned cleanly. There were light blue kiln vases with painted hibiscus flowers on the table. The flowers she had raised were neatly arranged in front of the window. The familiar sweet fragrance was in the air. Bai Rongxuan was completely confused about the situation.

, she even stiffened her body, not daring to move, lest a small movement would turn the familiar scene in front of her into a mirror again.

Even in her dream, she had not dreamed of such a scene for a long time.

Tang Xueru looked at her weird appearance and felt something was wrong, "You...just wait, I'll call someone." She ran out of the door in panic.

Bai Rongxuan felt her head was a little dizzy, and everything in front of her eyes was hazy and unreal.

After a while, Tang Xueru ran back with a large group of people. As soon as the first person appeared at the door, Bai Rongxuan shed tears uncontrollably.

The person in front of her still looked as good as in her memory, so young and light. She rushed to the bed anxiously, carefully looked at Bai Rongxuan's expression, and asked in a gentle voice, "Rongxuan, what's wrong with you? Is it right?"

Aren’t you feeling unwell?”

Bai Rongxuan just cried dully.

It's her, her mother! Her face is so clear, her voice is so familiar, and her breath is so fascinating. Bai Rongxuan still clearly remembers the last time she saw her mother, when she was seriously ill.

He fell there weakly, his withered body was lifeless, and his whole person exuded despair and unwillingness.

Seeing Bai Rongxuan's appearance, Mrs. Tang panicked a little and hurriedly held her in her arms, "Rongxuan, don't be afraid. Mom is here. If you don't feel well, please tell me!" After saying this, his tone was also serious.

Somewhat anxious.

The mother still has body temperature, and she is still so warm. Bai Rongxuan leaned on Tang's chest, feeling the warmth that belonged to her mother in a daze. Tang Xueru on the side interjected, "When I came to see my sister just now, she was like this.

Could it be that he is possessed by evil spirits?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?" A rather stern voice reprimanded her, "You can't say such things when you are celebrating the New Year. If you continue to talk nonsense, go back to the room and won't let anyone let you out. The New Year's Eve dinner will also be held.

You are not allowed to eat."

Bai Rongxuan was stunned and couldn't help peeking out from her mother's arms to take a look, and found that the person speaking was her aunt Huang.

Aunt Huang is from Yichang, Hubei. Her family has been in business for generations and had business dealings with the Tang family in the past. It was precisely because of this relationship that Huang's grandfather made a marriage arrangement with the Tang family very early. Later, Huang's

Her mother died of illness, and her father was busy with the shop and had no time to take care of the house. As the eldest daughter, Huang was responsible for the housework. She was not only responsible for the daily affairs of the Huang family, but also supervised her younger siblings. She was quite famous when she was young.

After Huang married into the Tang family, she gave birth to three children for her uncle Tang Songzhou. The eldest daughter Tang Xueping later married into the Zhang family in Hangzhou. Bai Rongxuan remembered that this brother-in-law was very capable. He took care of the family when he was young and his business was very prosperous.

The eldest son, Tang Xuexuan, had long since abandoned literature and gone into business with his uncle. Although he was young, he had a unique vision and was willing to endure hard work. He often made his uncle lament that if this son had been born a few years earlier, he might have really been able to do something great.

The young girl Tang Xueru was a restless person who got into trouble all day long. The last time Bai Rongxuan heard about her was that she sneaked away to study at a girls' school in Guangzhou with a few friends. After that, there was no news at all.

At this moment, Tang Xueru was criticized by her mother. She pouted in dissatisfaction and came to the bed to stare at Bai Rongxuan without saying anything.

Mrs. Huang looked at Bai Rongxuan's expression distressedly, "Why does her face look so ugly? Hurry up and arrange for a doctor to come and take a look."

Mother Cui, who followed Mrs. Huang in, said, "Madam, where can I ask the doctor for this Chinese New Year? They are all busy celebrating the festival." Mother Cui was Mr. Huang's former maid, and later she was married to Mrs. Tang's shop owner at the discretion of Mrs. Tang.

The second shopkeeper was the most loyal to Mr. Huang. She eagerly moved forward and gave Mr. Huang some advice, "There is still one dose of the fright medicine Miss Ru took years ago, why don't I boil it and give it to Miss Xuan first?"

Already?"

When Bai Rongxuan heard what she said, she suddenly remembered that one autumn, Tang Xueru climbed up a walnut tree in the backyard of Tang's house to learn how to crack walnuts. As a result, she failed to pick a few walnuts, but she fell down from the tree. She was frightened and asked for help.

Doctor, I took four or five doses of decoction before I felt better.

After hearing this, Mrs. Huang quickly agreed, "Hurry! Go and cook it up quickly and bring it over."

Cui's mother rushed out of the door quickly.

Tang was still uneasy, looking down at Bai Rongxuan's pitiful kitten-like appearance, "What's going on? Aren't you feeling well this afternoon?" She then asked Huang, "Is the decoction suitable for the disease? Don't let Rongxuan eat it badly."

Already."

"No." Mrs. Huang comforted her, "That medicine was taken by Xueru. It is very effective. You don't have to worry. I saw that her appearance was very similar to that of Xueru at that time. She seemed to be frightened as well.

, were you frightened by someone’s firecrackers in your sleep?”

Tang suddenly realized, "Rongxuan, don't be afraid, mom is here."

The situation in front of her made Bai Rongxuan more and more confused. If this was a dream, why could the dream be so real? If everything was an illusion, why could she smell the fragrance of flowers, hear the noisy sounds outside, and feel her mother's love?

warmth?

At this moment, Wu Ma ran in from outside and said, "Madam, the old lady is here."

When Bai Rongxuan heard her voice, she couldn't help but glance over. The Wu Ma in front of her was still very young, wearing a gray coat, and her face was very anxious. She was her mother's dowry maid, and she had always been loyal to her mother.

When she was kicked out by the Bai family, she followed her out resolutely. Years later, she followed Bai Rongxuan around the country and took care of her tirelessly, all for the sake of her mother's sake.

Thinking of those lonely and helpless years in Peking, Bai Rongxuan cried against her mother's soft chest.

"Good boy, don't cry, your grandmother is here to see you." Tang comforted her in a low voice.

"What's wrong with Rongxuan? Come and see!" An old woman walked in anxiously, supported by a girl of seventeen or eighteen years old. She rushed to the bed in three steps and looked at Bai Rongxuan.

, eyes full of worry, "Rongxuan, what's wrong with you?"

As soon as Bai Rongxuan raised her head, she saw her grandmother. Her grandmother still looked the same as she remembered. Her hair was half white, but it was neatly combed and not messy. A pair of particularly strong eyes were full of worry and anxiety at the moment, and her body couldn't help but move.

Trembling, she held Bai Rongxuan's hand and looked at her expression carefully.

Bai Rongxuan couldn't help but call her grandma.

"Fortunately, I can still call someone." Huang said with a sigh of relief.

The girl who helped Mrs. Tang enter was her uncle's eldest daughter Tang Xueping. She was much older than Bai Rongxuan and Tang Xueru. She was also the eldest daughter in the family. She had strict requirements on herself. In addition to helping Huang's housekeeper, she had no free time.

She also needs to make some clothes, shoes and socks to honor her elders, and doesn’t have much contact with Bai Rongxuan and Tang Xueru. She will get married and leave the court this year. After last autumn, she started busy preparing for the dowry, and she didn’t go out much. Because it was the Chinese New Year, she rarely went out.

Wearing a crimson top and a light yellow skirt, she looked radiant. She looked aside for a long time and asked in a low voice, "Xueru, Rongxuan, what's going on?"

After she asked, everyone focused their attention on Tang Xueru.

Tang Xueru took a step back nervously, "It's none of my business. Don't accuse me casually. I came to play with her. She acted like this as soon as she woke up. It has nothing to do with me." As if she was afraid that others wouldn't believe it, she kept saying,

Wave your hands to prove your innocence.

Huang glared at her speechlessly, "No one blames you, what are you afraid of?"

"I... I don't have too many criminal records. Am I afraid that you might misunderstand me?" Tang Xueru muttered.

Everyone couldn't help but laugh when they heard what she said. Mrs. Tang said, "You, the devil incarnate in this world, also know that you are too naughty. Tomorrow you will be one year older. Let's see if you still dare to mess around?"

Just then Cui's mother came in with the prepared medicine, "Madam, the medicine is ready."

Mrs. Tang took a curious look, "What kind of medicine is this? Why do doctors still go out for consultation during the Spring Festival?"

"No way." Huang sighed, "This is the medicine that Xueru has taken before. It is specially used to treat frightened people. I saw that Rongxuan looked like she was frightened, so I took the initiative and took the medicine."

Mrs. Tang nodded, "Take this medicine first, wait until tomorrow, the first day of the Lunar New Year, and then ask a good doctor to come and take a closer look."

Huang and Tang both agreed.

Bai Rongxuan stared blankly at everything in front of her. She still didn't dare to move until Mrs. Tang personally handed the spoon filled with soup to her mouth.

What should we do if all our dreams come to nothing with this move?

When Mrs. Tang saw her daughter sitting there numbly, she thought she was worried about the bitterness of the medicine. "Rongxuan, be good, drink the medicine first. Mom will have someone peel a pear for you to eat."

After hearing this, Wu Ma went to peel the pears herself without asking for instructions.

Mrs. Tang moved the spoon forward again, and Bai Rongxuan obediently opened her mouth and took the medicine in her mouth.

The intense bitter taste made Bai Rongxuan wake up instantly. At this moment, she finally realized that she was not dreaming at all, and everything in front of her was real.
Chapter completed!