Yuan Chun felt a warmth in her heart and was about to reply when she suddenly heard Daiyu ask, "By the way, how has Brother Baoyu been lately?"
When Baoyu was mentioned, Yuanchun's expression stiffened.
When she left the mansion, Baoyu was still young. Although she had received occasional letters from home over the years, her impression of her younger brother had become somewhat vague.
She carefully chose her words: "His last letter home said he was alright, but..."
"But what?" Daiyu pressed.
Yuan Chun sighed: "I heard that ever since you entered the palace, he has been depressed all day long. A few days ago, he even made a fuss about wanting to go to the palace to see you, but he was severely scolded by the master."
Upon hearing this, Daiyu's fingers unconsciously touched the coral bracelet on her wrist, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.
Yuan Chun, observing this, tentatively asked, "Sister and Bao Yu...?"
"It's just the affection between cousins." Daiyu quickly composed herself and said softly, "Please tell him that I'm doing well in the palace and that he doesn't need to worry about me."
Yuan Chun nodded, but she had already made up her mind.
She had long known from letters home that the affection between Baoyu and Daiyu was extraordinary, and now it seemed that this affection was probably even deeper.
If Daiyu could say a few good words for the Jia family before the Emperor…
"It's getting late, I should go back." Yuan Chun stood up to take her leave. "Take care, sister. I'll come to see you again when I have time."
Daiyu escorted her to the palace gate, then suddenly took out an exquisite sachet from her sleeve: "I made this myself. It contains some calming herbs. Please take it and use it, sister."
Yuan Chun took the sachet and saw that it was embroidered with twin lotus flowers, the stitches were fine and dense, and it was clear that she had put a lot of thought into it.
A pang of sadness welled up in her heart, and she almost burst into tears: "Thank you, sister."
---
Back at her lodgings, Yuan Chun placed the sachet beside her pillow and couldn't fall asleep for a long time.
Upon seeing her today, Daiyu is no longer the sentimental orphan her mother described, but a county princess who has won the emperor's favor.
She should have been happy for her family, but her heart felt as heavy as if a stone were pressing down on it.
"If only I had won even a fraction of the Emperor's favor back then..." The thought flashed through her mind, and Yuan Chun immediately pinched herself hard.
Having spent many years in the palace, she had long since learned to bury her resentment deep in her heart.
The following morning, Yuan-chun wrote a letter home, detailing Dai-yu's situation in the palace. She concluded by writing, "My sister Dai-yu is deeply favored by the Imperial Concubine and has also been granted the title of County Princess by the Emperor; this is truly a blessing for the Jia family. Bao-yu is still young; I hope Father will strictly discipline him and not let personal feelings ruin his future..."
As she wrote this, her pen paused, and the image of Daiyu stroking the coral bracelet appeared before her eyes.
In the end, she crossed out the last sentence and rewrote it: "It is only natural for Baoyu to miss his sister. I hope Father will understand."
Yuan Chun put down her pen and let out a long sigh. She looked out the window, where the direction of Yanxi Palace was faintly visible.
Within the depths of the palace, Daiyu became her only family and the last hope of the Jia family.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
