reconcile
A few days later, at dawn, a thin layer of mist enveloped the lotus pond. Jiang Yanli, carrying a small bamboo basket, found Xie Linyang, who was sitting quietly by the waterside pavilion, meditating.
“Lin Yang,” Jiang Yanli said with a gentle smile, “the lotus pods in the lotus pond are very tender today. I was thinking of picking some to make lotus seed soup for A-Cheng and A-Xian at noon. Would you like to come along? You can also take a look at the scenery of my Lotus Pier.”
Xie Linyang readily agreed. The two boarded a small boat and slowly glided into the lotus leaves that stretched to the sky. The boat creaked as it glided into the depths of the lotus pond. The lotus leaves crowded together on the water's surface, their emerald green canopies blocking out most of the sunlight. Occasionally, a pinkish-white lotus flower would peek out from between the leaves, its petals still glistening with morning dew. A gust of wind would cause it to flutter down, splashing onto Xie Linyang's sleeves, feeling cool and refreshing.
“Look at this,” Jiang Yanli said, using a lotus hook to lift a lotus seedpod. The green lotus seeds were plump and looked like a string of full jade beads. “You have to choose the ones with dark green stems and shiny, plump seeds. They’ll be sweet when you peel them. If the stems are yellow, the seeds are old and bitter.”
Xie Linyang imitated her, reaching for a lotus seedpod beside him. Just as his fingertips touched the lotus seeds, he was pricked by the fine thorns on the edge of the lotus leaf and withdrew his hand in pain.
"Be careful." Jiang Yanli quickly put down the lotus hook, took out a handkerchief from her sleeve, and gently pressed it on her fingertips. "The thorns of lotus leaves look soft, but they are actually sharp. When Acheng was little, he hurt his hand while playing and came back to me crying. I was the one who healed it with lotus root juice."
"Ah Cheng... seems to be in better health these past few days." Jiang Yanli said softly as she picked some fruit, her tone filled with obvious relief. "It's all thanks to your careful treatment."
“It was his own strong will and cooperation with the treatment that made him stand out,” Xie Linyang replied gently, plucking a lotus seedpod with his fingertips. “He endured the pain of being treated in the cold pool.”
"Speaking of which, Ah Cheng has been stubborn since he was little. Even though he's terrified, he insists on pretending nothing's wrong. He won't cry even if he falls down, he'll just stare at you with wide eyes until your heart softens and you end up having to coax him instead."
Xie Linyang looked at her and said softly, "He just... doesn't know how to show weakness."
Jiang Yanli paused, then gave a wry smile, handing the peeled lotus seeds to her palm: "Yes, I don't know how to show weakness. Father always says he's too impatient, like Mother; Mother, on the other hand, thinks he's not ruthless enough, not like a sect leader. Caught in the middle, I'm torn." She lowered her head, peeling the lotus seeds, her voice as soft as dew on a lotus leaf, "Actually, I know he just wants to do well too much. He wants Father to praise him 'well done,' he wants Mother to frown less... but the more he rushes, the more mistakes he makes."
Her voice was soft, yet it revealed the deep helplessness and worry she felt as the eldest daughter in a family where her parents were at odds and her brothers had a complicated relationship.
Xie Linyang listened quietly, sensing the weight beneath Jiang Yanli's gentleness. She placed the lotus pods she had picked into her basket and said softly, "Ali, you have done very well. The care and warmth you have given them are the most indispensable glue in this family. Some things cannot be forced, especially the knots between close relatives, which require time and opportunity."
Jiang Yanli looked at the person in front of her and suddenly said, "Lin Yang, I've noticed that A-Cheng seems to treat you... a little differently." Her tone was gentle, with a hint of probing and hope. "He's never been very close to outsiders, especially girls, since he was little. But with you, although he doesn't say it, I can tell that he's willing to listen to you and can take your advice to heart."
Xie Linyang was slightly taken aback. "I'm an outsider, so what I say might actually make him less resistant."
Jiang Yanli shook her head, her gaze earnest. "Lin Yang, I... I have a request. If possible, I truly hope you can stay in Lotus Pier for a long time. With you here, A-Cheng might be more cheerful, and Wei Ying might have someone he can talk to... This family, perhaps..." She didn't finish her sentence, but her longing for family harmony was clearly conveyed.
Xie Linyang was silent for a moment, then raised his head, his eyes clear and sincere: "Yanli, thank you for your trust. I came down the mountain for two reasons: first, to carry out my master's orders and enter the world to cultivate; and second, to temper my Dao heart and improve my cultivation. Originally, being a guest elder in Yunmeng was just a temporary identity for me, a place for cultivation."
She changed the subject slightly, her tone softening: "But after spending these days together, whether it's Brother Wanyin's perseverance, Young Master Wei's... childlike heart, or A-Li's gentleness and kindness, I feel that it is a rare fate to get to know you all. Although my abilities are limited, since I am here, I will do my best to help Brother Wanyin dispel resentment and solidify his foundation."
She paused, then continued, "As for the relationship between Sect Leader Jiang and Madam Yu... I am but a nobody and should not interfere. But if there is an opportunity to do my part to ease tensions, I am willing to try. However, the knot in their hearts is deep and cannot be untied in a day; it requires a gradual approach."
She did not directly promise to "stay long," as her future decision would determine her path in life and was not easily made. However, she sincerely expressed that she considered Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian as friends, would do her best to help them, and was willing to bring about positive changes to the family within her capabilities.
Jiang Yanli understood her unspoken meaning. Although she felt a little disappointed, she was mostly moved. She held Xie Linyang's hand and said softly, "That's enough, Linyang. I'm very grateful for your words. In any case, Lotus Pier will always welcome you."
The small boat passed through a dense patch of lotus leaves, and suddenly the space opened up ahead. Bamboo houses were faintly visible in the distance. Jiang Fengmian stood by the dock, speaking to several young men, his posture upright, yet exuding an inescapable sense of loneliness. Not far behind him, Yu Ziyuan's figure flashed by, her purple robes as dark as ink, even her back view carrying a chilling aura.
Jiang Yanli's gaze darkened. She put a peeled lotus seed into her mouth, chewed it slowly, and swallowed it along with the bitter lotus core: "Tell me, if two people are unwilling from the beginning and force themselves to be together, are they destined to torment each other?"
Xie Linyan didn't answer. She knew Jiang Yanli was referring to Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan. That marriage, which began as an arranged marriage between families, was like the lotus roots in this pond—looking pure white, but with countless clumps of mud beneath. She simply peeled the lotus seeds quietly, placing the peeled flesh into the bamboo basket, her movements as gentle as if she were comforting something.
After speaking with Jiang Yanli, Xie Linyang gained a deeper understanding of the tense relationship between the couple in Lotus Pier. She knew that Yu Ziyuan's inner turmoil stemmed from the insecurity of not receiving equal reciprocation for her deep love, as well as her deep-seated jealousy of her "old friend," while Jiang Fengmian was constrained by family responsibilities and his inarticulate nature, causing misunderstandings and estrangement to deepen. Direct advice would only add fuel to the fire; she needed a more indirect and skillful approach.
The opportunity soon arrived. That day, after Xie Linyang finished acupuncture for Jiang Cheng, he did not leave immediately. Instead, he casually mentioned, "Sect Leader Jiang, I recently perused an ancient book and found some recipes for spices that nourish the meridians and calm the mind. These are quite effective in suppressing restlessness. Although Brother Wanyin's resentment has been suppressed, its residual effects remain, easily causing him to become uneasy. If we can supplement it with external aids, it may be twice as effective."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Fengmian showed genuine concern: "Oh? What is the prescription? If you need any medicinal herbs, please feel free to ask, Miss Xie. Although the Lotus Pier's storehouse is not as extensive as that of some great alchemists, it still has a full range of common items."
Xie Linyang smiled slightly, took out a silk scroll she had prepared beforehand, on which was written a calming and soothing incense recipe in delicate handwriting: "The medicinal materials are not rare, but the processing and blending techniques require exceptional precision, especially in terms of controlling the heat and maintaining a peaceful state of mind. I only have a superficial understanding of incense, and I have heard..." She paused slightly, looking at Jiang Fengmian with just the right amount of respect, "I have heard that Madam Yu comes from the Yu family of Meishan, and is particularly skilled in crafting artifacts and various fine arts. She must also have unique insights into the art of incense. I wonder if I could ask Madam Yu to take a look, or... perhaps I could trouble her to process it herself? With Madam Yu's help, the effect will surely be extraordinary."
Her words not only pointed out that the item would benefit Jiang Cheng, but also elevated Yu Ziyuan to an unparalleled level, and made her "request" stance very convincing.
Jiang Fengmian paused slightly, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes as he looked at Xie Linyang. He was incredibly clever and immediately understood Xie Linyang's intention. He remained silent for a moment, then took the incense recipe, gently stroking the silk with his fingertips before finally nodding: "...Thank you for your trouble, Miss Xie. Ziyuan...she is indeed skilled in this. I will discuss it with her."
"In that case, thank you very much, Sect Leader Jiang, and thank you for your trouble, Madam Yu." Xie Linyang curtsied and took her leave with composure. She knew that the seed had been planted; the rest depended on how Jiang Fengmian acted and whether Yu Ziyuan would accept the challenge.
In the following days, Xie Linyan kept a close eye on things. She discovered that Jiang Fengmian had indeed gone to Yu Ziyuan's courtyard. Although she didn't know how their conversation had gone, at least he had taken the initiative. As for Yu Ziyuan, she initially didn't react, but during a chance encounter, Xie Linyan keenly noticed that Madam Yu seemed to be carrying a very faint, different, and refreshing fragrance—the scent of one of the main ingredients in her perfume recipe.
It seemed that although Madam Yu remained outwardly calm, she might have already begun to try things out in private. Xie Linyang felt somewhat relieved.
Two days later, Jiang Fengmian sent someone to deliver a small brocade box to Xie Linyang. Inside were incense sticks carefully prepared according to the recipe, with a mellow and calming aroma and of excellent quality. The disciple who delivered the gift added in a low voice, "The sect leader said, thank you for your trouble, young lady. This incense was indeed made by the lady herself."
Xie Linyang accepted the brocade box, understanding immediately. She found an opportunity, during Jiang Cheng's break from cultivation, to light the incense in his room. The elegant fragrance wafted through the air, indeed having a calming effect. Jiang Cheng didn't say anything, but his tightly furrowed brows seemed to relax slightly.
That evening, Xie Linyang deliberately "coincidentally" met Yu Ziyuan, who was preparing to return to her room, in the corridor after dinner.
"Madam Yu." Xie Linyang stopped and bowed respectfully.
Yu Ziyuan paused slightly, her cold gaze sweeping over.
Xie Linyang raised his eyes, his gaze sincere, his tone carrying just the right amount of gratitude and admiration: "Today, I used the calming incense that Madam personally prepared, and the effect was excellent. Brother Wanyin's mind is much more at peace. Madam's skills are superb, and her control of the heat is exquisite. I am truly impressed. Although the Baoshan lineage also has some knowledge of pharmacology, we are far less proficient in the art of incense than Madam."
She didn't mention Jiang Fengmian at all, attributing all the credit and praise to Yu Ziyuan's own abilities.
Yu Ziyuan's expression remained aloof, but her eyes flickered slightly. She was used to the fearful or fawning gazes of others, and she was also used to Jiang Fengmian's silence, but she rarely heard such a pure, unadulterated, direct affirmation of her personal abilities, especially from this "old friend and junior sister" whom she harbored resentment towards.
She snorted coldly, but her tone seemed less sharp than usual: "It's nothing but petty tricks, not worth mentioning." With that, she turned and left without lingering.
But as Xie Linyang watched her departing figure, a slight smile curved her lips. She noticed that Madam Yu's tense shoulders seemed to relax imperceptibly by a slight movement.
A few days later, on a drizzly afternoon, Xie Linyang was watching the rain by the waterside pavilion when he saw Jiang Fengmian holding an umbrella and walking alone towards the storeroom. A moment later, he came out carrying a long, rectangular brocade box, seemingly heading towards... Yu Ziyuan's courtyard.
Xie Linyan's heart stirred slightly. She later learned from Jiang Yanli that the incense recipe that Jiang Fengmian sent to Yu Ziyuan for incense making that day also included a piece of extremely rare refining material called "Lingxi Wood," which Yu Ziyuan had been searching for for a long time. He had obtained it by chance many years ago and kept it in the storeroom until today when he finally found a suitable opportunity to send it out.
It turned out that he wasn't ignorant; he was just not good with words and preferred to express himself through actions. Xie Linyang provided an opportunity for him to naturally express his care.
That evening, the atmosphere in the dining hall seemed subtly different. Yu Ziyuan remained silent, but the sharpness in her eyes seemed to have softened somewhat. Jiang Fengmian was still not talkative, but when Yu Ziyuan occasionally mentioned family matters, he would listen attentively and respond briefly.
Wei Wuxian secretly winked at Xie Linyang. Although Jiang Cheng continued to eat with his head down, his tense lips seemed to relax a little. Jiang Yanli looked at the almost imperceptible signs of easing between her parents, and her eyes welled up with gentle and gratified tears.
Xie Linyang ate her meal quietly, understanding that this was merely a tiny crack in a long, frozen slump. To truly resolve years of accumulated resentment would require much more effort and a catalyst. But at least, this was a beginning. She had given it a gentle push, in her own way, without crossing any boundaries. Ultimately, the road ahead was theirs to walk.
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