After bidding farewell to Uncle Fang and Auntie Chu, Bairan and Baian left the inn together.
Bairan stepped into the carriage with Ruoyu, while Hanyue and Zhouyan mounted their horses. Behind them, Dongpo and Dongyan—dressed as servants—walked alongside the maids and Baian. Among them, only Dongpo and Baian seemed truly cheerful. Dongpo was always in high spirits whenever they went on a "secret mission," imagining himself as the story's main character, while Baian's joy came simply from being at his Bairan-jie's side. Dongyan was expressionless, without any difference from before.
Bao'er, trailing behind muttered bitterly under her breath. Her eyes lingered on Baian with barely concealed annoyance. Why does Miss allow that lowly servant to call her 'elder sister'? Who does he think he is?
Qing'er, however, her face was unreadable, stealing glances now and then at the figures riding ahead. Hanyue carried his usual warm smile, gentle enough to set people at ease.
Zhouyan remained cold and steady, his icy demeanor making others not dare look at him twice.
Inside the carriage, Ruoyu continued introducing the members of the Lin household one by one and answered each of Bairan's questions gently.
Bairan listened carefully, memorizing every word, piece by piece, and she gathered the scattered fragments of Ruolan's past.
By the time the carriage got closer to the Lin's family's courtyard, she no longer felt like someone walking blindly into the unknown.
Bairan still holding Ruoyu's hand, smiled at her warmly, her eyes glowing with quiet determination. Now… it is time to face the Lin family.
At the gate, the coachman stopped the carriage. When Ruoyu was about to step down she gently guided her hand toward Bairan so they could descend together. Their two soft, fair hands brushed lightly, and the sight made Dongpo's eyes widen in awe—as if he were gazing upon a painted scene come to life.
Bao'er went forward and knocked. A servant opened the gate, yawning lazily. "Bao'er, it's you." His gaze swept carelessly, failing to notice the others outside. With a rude chuckle he added, "What's a maid without her miss doing outside?"
Bao'er's face turned dark. She snapped furiously, "Who said I have no Miss? Open your ugly eyes and look clearly!" She thrust out her hand, pointing straight at Bairan. "My Miss has returned!"
The servant froze, his eyes bulging, his mouth falling open. "M-Miss… Miss Ruolan… you came back…"
Bairan looked directly at him in silence her expression was calm and a little cold.
The servant's body stilled as if struck by lightning. He fell to his knees and stammered, "Miss! This servant was blind and rude—please forgive me. Welcome back!"
Without waiting for her response, he scrambled back up and blurted, "I must inform Master at once!" Then he turned and ran into the manor in a panic.
Bao'er stamped her foot in anger. "You—! Who gave you permission to stand before Miss?""I excused you—!" She wanted to scold him even more when a soft and gentle voice came from beside her.
"Bao'er, it's all right. I wish to see my father as soon as possible."
Bao'er froze. Her eyes reddened at once. After an entire month, her Miss had finally spoken to her again. Her vision blurred by tears; she bowed her head.
"Yes, Miss."
They all made their way toward the main courtyard. Before they could arrive, hurried footsteps echoed from within and grew louder until several figures appeared.
Bairan lifted her gaze first.
At the front was Master Lin, Lin Bowen. He looked to be in his early fifties, his bearing refined, his fine hanfu arranged with dignity. His expression was stern at first, his brows drawn tightly when his eyes fell upon Bairan, and a mixed emotion flickered across his face. The next moment, his gaze shifted and caught sight of Hanyue and Zhouyan standing there; his frown faltered and changed to startled surprise. He wondered who this young man was.
Beside him stood a woman in a two-piece silk hanfu, her figure graceful, her appearance still well maintained despite her years. She looked to be in her early thirties, her eyes sharp as they swept quickly across each person, only staying briefly on Qing'er. This was Madam Luo, Yiniang.
On her right was a young woman who was said to be the second beauty of the town Lin Ruomei.
She wore a light purple dress which suited her fair skin and almond-shaped eyes. But though her face was delicate, the rumors had been mistaken; there was no gentleness in her bearing. Arrogance lingered at the corners of her mouth, and there was uncancelled disdain in her eyes when she looked at Bairan.
To Madam Luo's left stood a chubby little boy, his gaze fixed curiously upon them. Though still young, his position was already well known—Lin Junhao, on whom Madam Luo had placed all her hopes on, the pillar of her standing within the Lin household.
Madam Luo was the first one who reacted. Her voice quivered, laced with urgency.
"Roulan… is that you?"
She took quick steps forward, arms half-raised as though to embrace Bairan. But before she could draw near to Bairan,
Bairan stepped back, her eyes darting toward Ruoyu in alarm.
Madam Luo froze, her hands suspended in the air.
The moment was shattered into silence; every gaze turned toward Bairan, and they were shocked by her action.
Ruoyu hurried forward to break the stillness. She bowed timidly and spoke in a soft yet steady voice.
"Father, Roulan-jie suffered an accident. She… she no longer remembers anything."
Then, she carefully clasped Bairan's trembling hand and gave it a light squeeze.
"Roulan-jie, come. Greet Father."
Bairan lifted her gaze timidly. For an instant, her eyes flitted over Master Lin's figure before lowering again. Step by step, she moved forward and bowed low.
"Father… Father, this daughter greets you."
Master Lin was caught unprepared.
In the past month, he had imagined countless ways of dragging back this wayward daughter who had so brazenly tarnished his reputation. Yet the girl before him bore none of that defiance. Her voice was choked with unease, her posture timid, as if facing a stranger.
His lips parted at last, his voice heavy.
"…What happened to you?"
Bairan fell to her knees, her body trembling. Her words broke as she forced them out.
"This daughter… this daughter does not know what happened. Father… I… I was found by these gentlemen… if it weren't for them, I couldn't survive."
Her gaze shifted toward Hanyue.
Hanyue immediately understood. He stepped forward and clasped his hands respectfully.
"Master Lin. Three days past, while we were on a certain mission, we came across your esteemed daughter. At that time, she had lost all memory of her family. By fortune, we later encountered this young miss," he glanced at Rouyu, "who was able to recognize her."