Blooming Dreams

Chapter 6: A New Day

That night, Lu Mingyu slept deeply and soundly. Though she had died once, she now had her parents back. What could possibly be more blissful?

After days of resting in bed, her body felt recharged. Early in the morning, even the soft stirrings of her maid awakening nearby were enough to rouse her. Though the sky was still dim, a faint pre-dawn glow illuminated the room. Lying on her back, Lu Mingyu stretched out her arms and studied her small, plump hands, with tiny dimples at the knuckles.

How fascinating!

Throwing off the covers, she quickly wrapped herself in a crimson cloak and walked to the standing mirror. This mirror, an imported treasure from the Western regions, reflected everything with crystal clarity. In its polished surface, she saw a little girl wrapped in a bright cloak, her black hair disheveled, framing a round face and peach blossom eyes. She looked at once like herself and yet impossibly youthful, like a budding flower in the early morning dew.

Lu Mingyu traced her tiny face with her fingers, marveling. So this was me at seven years old? I don’t even remember anymore.

Am I truly starting over at seven?

The past few days had been a blur of revelations and adjustments. Now that she had unburdened herself to her parents, a sense of relief washed over her, allowing her to finally turn her thoughts inward. She vowed to heal her father’s blindness and prevent her mother’s untimely death, but what about herself?

Her little brows furrowed.

Lu Mingyu loved having her parents alive, but she didn’t want to be a child again. She longed to reclaim her identity as the future Lady of the Chu family, as Chu Sui’s devoted wife...

“I wish I could take you to Shanxi with me…”

She vividly recalled her husband’s tender whispers the night before his departure for official duties. They had been inseparable, lost in each other’s embrace.

The memory made her heart ache for him. Yet here she was, only seven years old.

With rebirth came gains and losses. Shoulders drooping, she shuffled back to bed, feeling a wave of helplessness about the days ahead. Lost in thought, she didn’t notice the room gradually filling with morning light until the sound of the door opening startled her. Instinctively, she closed her eyes, feigning sleep.

“Miss, time to get up,” her maid Ganlu called softly, pulling back the gauzy bed curtains.

Lu Mingyu scrunched up her face, pretending to resist. Her mother’s advice echoed in her mind: she must never let anyone know she had lived another life.

Ganlu was used to such antics. Smiling, she tucked the curtains back, leaned in, and gave her mistress a gentle shake. “Miss, wake up. I’ve got good news for you.”

Hearing the words “good news,” Lu Mingyu’s curiosity got the better of her. She peeked out, her large, watery eyes full of innocence and wonder.

Ganlu’s grin widened at the sight of her adorable young mistress. Glancing toward the doorway, she leaned down and whispered, “Last night, the Third Master stayed in the rear courtyard with Madam. He’s still there now.”

Lu Mingyu’s eyes widened with joy. Did this mean her parents had reconciled?

She jumped out of bed, eager to dress and see them.

In the rear courtyard, Madam Xiao was seated before a mirror, combing her hair, while Lu Rong, clad in a fresh green robe, sat calmly on the bed. Though his expression was stoic, his handsome features exuded a gentle warmth that was more inviting than a smile.

Catching a glimpse of the bed behind him, Madam Xiao’s cheeks reddened faintly. They had been married for eight years. During their early days, Lu Rong had been reserved, showing his affection in subtle, restrained ways. But last night had been different—he had been uncharacteristically passionate, even... calling for water three times.

It had been a long drought, she thought, not without satisfaction.

“I still have some things to finish here. Why don’t you return to the front courtyard for now?” she said softly, unsure how to engage in small talk after their intimacy the previous night. Lu Rong was a quiet man without an official post or worldly affairs to share, and she herself was hesitant to grow too warm toward him until she was sure of Mo Zhu’s departure.

Lu Rong hesitated briefly before nodding. He reached for his cane, carefully feeling his way to the familiar spot where it rested. “Alright,” he replied.

Though he was reluctant to leave, lingering felt inappropriate after the night they had shared.

After he left, one of Madam Xiao’s maids, Qiuyue, couldn’t resist whispering, “Madam, the Third Master would happily stay here all day if you let him. Why not walk out with him together? It’d certainly put Mo Zhu in her place.”

Madam Xiao chuckled lightly but didn’t explain.

Back in the front courtyard, Mo Zhu noticed immediately that Lu Rong had changed into a fresh set of clothes. She quietly served him tea, refraining from asking too many questions. Her demeanor was impeccable—diligent and deferential. Lu Rong appreciated her as a loyal servant of many years but never confided in her about his inner thoughts. To him, Mo Zhu was simply a servant, nothing more.

As she stood silently by, her gaze occasionally flitted to her master. She had served him since he was an eleven-year-old prodigy who had tragically lost his sight. Over the years, she had watched him grow from an angry, embittered boy into a refined and graceful man. Despite his blindness, he was hailed as the most handsome gentleman in the capital, a title that even royalty and nobility could not surpass.

For Mo Zhu, Lu Rong was not just her master; he was her entire world. She envied Madam Xiao’s position but knew her own place. All she could do was cling to her role as the indispensable maid of the front courtyard.

Her musings were interrupted when Lu Rong smiled—a faint, radiant smile like the sun breaking through a winter’s morning.

She didn’t understand why he smiled until she heard the soft, melodic voice of Madam Xiao outside.

“Ah-Nuan, are you still dizzy today?”

Lu Rong had heard his wife and daughter approaching before anyone else. His smile deepened.

Outside, Madam Xiao stood under the eaves, watching her daughter rush toward her. Dressed in a peach-pink robe adorned with jade accessories, the little girl radiated energy and joy.

“Slow down! Be careful not to trip!” Madam Xiao called, laughing at her daughter’s exuberance.

“Mother, I dreamed about you last night!” Lu Mingyu exclaimed, throwing herself into her mother’s arms.

Madam Xiao held her close, chuckling. “And what was I doing in your dream?”

Before Lu Mingyu could answer, Lu Rong emerged from the house, his cane tapping softly on the ground.

“Father,” Lu Mingyu greeted politely. She glanced between her parents, noting their refreshed and content appearances. As someone who had experienced marriage herself, she quickly deduced what had transpired the night before. Embarrassed, she lowered her head—only to spot Mo Zhu trailing behind her father.

Her smile faded. Why is she still here?