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Chapter 1 The Return Journey
In the warm spring of March, willows sprout new buds, peaches and plums bloom, and the outskirts of Beijing are a scene of bright sunshine and prosperity. Three black-lacquered flat-headed carriages travel briskly along the wide official road.
An Ran, along with An Mu and An tide, sat in the second carriage.
"Big sister, are we almost there?" A chubby little boy, fidgeting restlessly, blinked his big, clear eyes at An Ran.
An Ran smiled and patted his head, asking, "Is Xiao Mu tired?"
An Mu nodded vigorously, pouting, "We took a boat and a car, but we can't go out to play!"
The waterway was the most convenient route from Yangzhou to the capital. An Mu was initially excited when he boarded the boat, but being young, he naturally couldn't sit still for long. After finally reaching the shore and having spent two days by carriage, An Mu was already counting down the days until their arrival.
Actually, Anran hoped the road ahead would be longer, so she wouldn't have to face reality so soon!
"Mu-ge'er, why are you always thinking about playing!" another girl, around ten years old, scolded softly. "We're almost at the Marquis's residence; we should be careful in everything we do and not cause trouble for our eldest sister!"
An Mu lowered her head dejectedly and remained silent.
“Xiao tide, there’s no need to restrain him like this.” An Ran felt a warmth in her heart and smiled as she comforted the two of them, “When we get to the Marquis’s residence, someone will naturally teach us how to behave. Just remember, we must be open and generous, so that no one will look down on us.”
An tide and An Mu nodded in unison. Although An Xi appeared mature beyond her years in front of An Mu, she was still only around ten years old, and faced with an entirely unknown future, she was still afraid. An Xi clutched An Ran's sleeve, her almond-shaped eyes flickering with unease. "Sister, I'm a little scared!"
An Ran smiled slightly, her expression calm and composed. She spoke softly as if chatting casually, "They're the ones who want to take me back. Do you think they'll mistreat us?"
Her composure at least infected An tide and An Mu, easing their anxiety somewhat.
Anxi and Anmu secretly lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, curiously peering at the scenery outside. The peach and apricot blossoms along the roadside were already in bloom, their tender pink and pinkish-white petals delicate and vibrant. A slightly cool spring breeze swept by, causing the petals to fall, and a faint fragrance filled the air.
This idyllic spring scenery held no appeal for An Ran; her gaze was fixed on her two children, An Xi and An Mu. Captivated by the view, An tide and An Mu's cheeks were rosy and their expressions joyful—this was how children should be!
An Ran was momentarily dazed and lost in thought.
It seems like only yesterday that her two children were crying every day because of her. An Ran was already terminally ill, and fifteen-year-old An tide and twelve-year-old An Mu were crying their hearts out by her bedside. She wanted to pick up a handkerchief to wipe their tears, but she didn't even have the strength to lift her hand.
A hoarse, desperate cry; swollen, red eyes...
She closed her eyes, but the images still wouldn't leave her.
It was the third year since she married Chen Qian. Their marriage was initially met with skepticism; she was from a poor family, while Chen Qian was the only son of a wealthy merchant. Chen Qian was handsome and showered her with sweet words, and fifteen-year-old An Ran fell head over heels for him. Looking back now, she realized Chen Qian was only after her beauty, and it was all just a passing fancy.
The good days didn't last long.
Originally, Chen Qian's mother, Madam Ding, disliked An Ran, but she couldn't go against her doting son and reluctantly agreed to let An Ran into the family. Within two days of the wedding, An Ran was made to follow the rules by her side every day, and she was given many tasks. Every now and then, she would have a governess from the palace scold An Ran, treating her extremely harshly.
Anran lost two children because of this.
That wasn't enough; Madam Ding kept stuffing beautiful maids into her son's room, and even promoted concubines and maids.
Gradually, Chen Qian's feelings for An Ran faded.
When love is strong, everything is sweet; when love is weak, everything is cold.
Chen Qian allowed his mother-in-law to torment her and his concubi
……