As time slipped quietly by, a rainy day two weeks later unfolded like a somber ink painting. Fine, silvery raindrops drifted down from the leaden sky, interweaving into a hazy curtain of mist and smoke, gently enveloping the world. A damp air permeated the air, as if even the air itself had grown heavy.
In this atmosphere, Lin Wanyue appeared alone at the gate of the Prime Minister's residence. The slightly worn oil-paper umbrella she held trembled slightly in the wind and rain. Raindrops slid down the edge of the umbrella, splashing tiny drops of water and quietly soaking the small area of ground beneath her feet. Her clothes, already half soaked by the relentless rain, clung tightly to her slightly hunched frame, highlighting her frailty and loneliness. At this moment, she looked like a leaf teetering in the wind and rain, looking particularly desolate and forlorn.
At that moment, the house was a completely different scene, warm and peaceful. I was sitting at the table, carefully teaching Nian Tang how to use the abacus. Nian Tang's delicate hands deftly moved the beads on the abacus. The crisp, melodious "crackling" sound was like a unique and vibrant melody, echoing lightly throughout the room. Each bead's movement seemed to reflect her curiosity and passion for exploring the world.
Jiang Yan sat in a chair nearby, absorbed in the imperial gazette. Sometimes his brows furrowed slightly, his expression grave, as if he were worried about certain political developments; other times, he nodded gently, as if thoughtfully agreeing with some of the insights. He was immersed in his small world of imperial gazettes, as if completely isolated from the turmoil of the outside world.
Su Qingyao, as usual, was completely absorbed in researching a new rouge shade. Her desk was covered in a myriad of bottles and jars, each filled with a dazzling array of powders and liquids. She enthusiastically blended her makeup, stirring gently and scrutinizing the color. The air was filled with the delicate fragrance of powder, a unique blend of floral and spice, lending the room a charming air. A warm atmosphere permeated every corner, the rich aroma of everyday life flowing freely through the air, bringing a true sense of home's warmth and peace.
Just then, the concierge hurried into the room, his face respectful, his tone tinged with caution as he announced, "Madam, Lin Wanyue is outside requesting an audience." At the name, I paused in my instruction on Nian Tang, a mixture of emotions welling up within me. All those grudges, buried for years, suddenly flooded back like a tide. On such a rainy day, imagining her alone outside, a wave of pity welled up within me. With a deep sigh, I whispered, "Let her in."
Soon, Lin Wanyue, with slow, heavy steps, slowly entered the house. Crystal-clear water droplets still clung to her hair, like tiny pearls, slowly sliding down her face, which was stained with age, and dripping drop by drop onto her already soaked clothes, creating even deeper stains. Upon seeing me, she instinctively wanted to kneel down. I quickly reached out and gently stopped her, saying, "Sit down and talk if you have something to say." She trembled slightly, like a willow branch in the cold wind, sitting stiffly on the edge of the chair, rubbing her hands together constantly, her eyes wandering, as if she had a thousand words to say, but couldn't find the words. Silence lingered in the air for a long time before she slowly pulled an oil-paper bag from her bosom, the movement seeming to exhaust all her strength. She carefully placed it on the table, her voice trembling slightly, almost choking with sobs, and said, "Sister, this... is back to you."
I reached out and gently opened the oil-paper package, revealing a mutton-fat jade hairpin. The hairpin's texture was warm and delicate, like a clear spring. In the soft light of the room, it radiated a gentle and captivating sheen, like moonlight falling on a warm jade stone. The hairpin's head was carved with an exquisite lotus pattern, each line flowing smoothly and naturally, so lifelike that it seemed as if the lotus was about to sway gently in the breeze. The moment I saw the hairpin, my heart suddenly trembled, like a huge rock dropped into a calm lake, causing ripples to spread. That familiar appearance was like a key, instantly unlocking the door to my deepest memories of my birth mother. Those heartwarming moments of my time with her flashed through my mind like a movie, and my longing for her surged like a surging tide. I slowly raised my head, staring intently at her, and asked with a hint of eagerness and confusion in my voice, "Where did you get it?"
"I redeemed it...at the pawnshop." Lin Wanyue lowered her head, her voice as soft as a mosquito's whisper, as if afraid of being overheard, or as if she were deliberately avoiding my gaze. Her lips trembled slightly as she continued, "Back then, I was bewildered and confused. I stole Madam's jewelry and pawned it, using the money to marry my brother from my mother's family... Over the years, I've been restless day and night. Every night, those nightmares follow me like a shadow. I always dream of Madam coming to me, asking why I would do such a cruel thing..." At this point, her body trembled violently, as if those nightmares were playing out before her eyes. Fear and guilt filled her face.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yan slowly put down the newspaper in his hand. His originally calm eyes instantly turned as cold as ice, as if they could penetrate people's hearts and reach the depths of their souls. He stared at Lin Wanyue and asked coldly, "How much did you steal back then?"
Lin Wanyue was frightened by the icy gaze and trembled all over, as if hit by a heavy hammer. She stammered, "Just... just this one, and a pair of earrings..."
"What else?" I pressed on, my voice rising a few notches unconsciously. I clearly remembered that in my biological mother's dowry, there were more than a dozen exquisite jade hairpins, not to mention those dazzling, priceless pearls and gems.
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