Memory of Love" 爱之记忆", Chapter 4

Memory of Love" 爱之记忆", Chapter 4

Moments later, the carriage stopped in front of her aunt's house. Yue Mei stepped down, leaning on the hand of her maid, Lang Jing. As the carriage moved away, Yue Mei watched it with a wide smile and said, "It's fun, isn't it, Jing Jing? Haha." She then strode quickly toward the house, calling cheerfully, "Let's go, come on!"

Yue Mei entered the house with light and lively steps, the sound of her shoes echoing softly on the quiet courtyard tiles. Her cheerful voice, like a songbird's melody, rang out, "Everyone, I'm home!" The air was filled with the fragrance of blooming flowers, and the courtyard was surrounded by green trees reflecting the sunlight filtering through their branches.

In that moment, the servants emerged from various corners, gathering around her excitedly. Their faces beamed with smiles, and their clothes were neatly arranged as they bowed respectfully. "Welcome back, my lady! We missed you! Welcome home!" Their voices overlapped, a chorus of joy and warm greetings. Yue Mei felt surrounded by love, the warmth of the home she cherished.

As the servants clustered around her, her aunt appeared from inside the house. Her steps were steady, yet filled with love. Her face glowed with genuine happiness, and when her eyes met Yue Mei's, she opened her arms as if awaiting a warm embrace. "Yue Mei, you've come!" she said, her voice overflowing with affection.

Yue Mei hurried toward her aunt, laughing brightly as she clasped her hands with love and tenderness. "Auntie, I promised I'd visit often, and here I am keeping my promise!" Her laugh was innocent, carrying the fragrance of childhood that had never left her heart. Her aunt gazed at her with happy surprise, unable to suppress a soft laugh at Yue Mei's antics. "Oh my, not even a day has passed, and here you are again!" She gently placed a hand on Yue Mei's shoulder and said warmly, "You're welcome anytime, my dear." Yue Mei laughed once more, holding her aunt's hand as she gently led her inside.

Seated next to her aunt on silk-upholstered chairs adorned with golden embroidery, Yue Mei's expression betrayed a hint of displeasure. The room was softly lit by the glow of candles, and the chirping of birds mingled with the fresh air drifting in through the open windows. Finally, Yue Mei raised her head to share her grievance with her aunt. In a soft voice tinged with a bit of a pout, she said, "Auntie, you told me Shiin Lian would play with me, but he refused."

Her aunt looked at her with a warm smile, trying to console her and lift her spirits. Her voice was filled with kindness as she explained, "Oh, I didn't know that. Don't blame him; he has a lot of responsibilities and can't always find time to play." Pausing for a moment, her tender gaze met Yue Mei's. Yue Mei sighed deeply, her face showing more frustration as she replied, waving her hands gently, "He also told me he's busy. I'll forgive him this time."

A brief silence fell between them before Yue Mei suddenly stood with childlike energy and vitality. She firmly planted her feet, looking out toward the garden. Brushing her fingers lightly over her dress, she said with excitement, "Now I want to play with the others!" Her aunt couldn't hold back her laughter, teasing her lightly, "Didn't you come here for me?" Yue Mei skillfully dodged the question with her childish charm, glancing around the room as if searching for something to avoid answering. Taking a few graceful steps backward, she turned slowly toward the door, then pivoted suddenly with the agility of a bird. "I'm going to play, Auntie!" she declared.

As she skipped outside, the sound of her laughter and light footsteps grew louder. The wind played with her long black hair, carrying the scent of blooming flowers from the garden. Yue Mei radiated energy and liveliness, moving as gracefully as a butterfly, while her aunt watched her lovingly.

Shin Lian's carriage halted at the entrance of an elegant restaurant in the heart of the capital. Golden lights shimmered across the lavish facade, while lanterns hanging above the doors added an air of sophistication and grandeur. Stepping out of the carriage with steady composure, Shin Lian maintained his usual neutral expression, though his eyes carried a flicker of nostalgia and respect for his elder brother, the Crown Prince Wang Yun Shen. This meeting was arranged after Shin Lian's two-month absence due to a mission assigned by the Emperor. Having returned to the capital after twelve long years, this was the first time Shin Lian would see his brother since his departure.

As Shin Lian stepped inside the restaurant, a distinguished staff member in a blue uniform embroidered with silver threads led him to a private suite. The floor was adorned with plush red carpets, and the air was filled with the delicate scent of jasmine mixed with the subtle aroma of incense. The staff member gently opened the door, revealing an exclusive hall with dim lighting and a serene ambiance. At the center stood a round table laden with an array of exquisite dishes. Wang Yun Shen sat there, patiently waiting, a calm smile on his face as he observed his long-absent younger brother.

As Shin Lian approached, he greeted respectfully, "It's good to see you, Crown Prince." Shin Lian then noticed another figure sitting beside Wang Yun Shen – their fourth brother, Wang Qi Ming. A faint smile crossed Shin Lian's face as he moved quickly to embrace him warmly. "You're here, Qi Ming. It's been so long since I last saw you," he said. Qi Ming returned the embrace with heartfelt enthusiasm, replying with a wide smile, "I missed you, brother." Yun Shen looked at them with pride and said, "How have you been, Shin Lian? You look quite different from the last time we met."

Yun Shen gestured toward the seat beside him, inviting everyone to sit. The table was filled with a wide variety of dishes, from roasted meats to signature royal delicacies. Shin Lian sat quietly, then turned to Yun Shen with a sincere tone, "I'm doing well, elder brother. Though it's overdue, allow me to congratulate you on receiving the title of Crown Prince. You truly deserve it." Yun Shen responded with a humble smile, nodding modestly. "It's alright. Bearing this title is a great responsibility." He sighed lightly before continuing, "And I, too, didn't get a chance to congratulate you on your marriage. Congratulations, brother. I was on a long mission and wasn't here when you returned to the capital." Shin Lian offered a calm smile, replying humbly, "Thank you, elder brother."

At that moment, Qi Ming interjected with a playful grin, "It seems you two are even on congratulatory remarks, haha." Laughter filled the room, creating a light-hearted atmosphere until an unexpected figure entered. A young man in his twenties, dressed in extravagant attire adorned with ornate embellishments, walked in with a visible air of arrogance. His expressions were smug, and his demeanor was laced with indifference. It was Wang Hai Long, the Second Prince.

Without extending any greetings, Hai Long seated himself and remarked provocatively, "It seems everyone is already gathered." The room fell silent for a moment as Shin Lian's steady gaze met Hai Long's challenging one. Hai Long smirked maliciously and said mockingly, "Oh, so Shin Lian is here as well. Haha." Then, with a tone dripping in arrogance, he asked, "Brother, when do you plan to return to your station?" His words carried a tone of challenge, and his hands rested casually under his chin as he stared at Shin Lian defiantly.

Shin Lian replied with a calm voice and an unwavering expression, "It seems my brother does not wish for me to remain in the capital." The tension in the room thickened as Hai Long retorted provocatively, "You know there's no place for you here. You've always known that." But Shin Lian remained unfazed, laughing lightly as he replied nonchalantly, "Don't worry about me, brother. I'll find my place here."

Hai Long, attempting to push further, sneered, "Oh? And how do you plan to do that? You were raised in ruins, and you'll return to ruins." His taunting words were met with Shin Lian's cold and steady gaze as he replied with a sharp edge, "Then perhaps we'll return to ruins together. What do you think?"

Hai Long, visibly agitated, raised his voice, "You..." Before the argument could escalate further, Yun Shen raised his hand, his voice calm but firm, "This is our first gathering in a long time. Enough quarreling." Qi Ming attempted to ease the tension with a friendly smile, saying, "Brother Shin Lian, even though you were far from us, you always sent me letters. I truly appreciated that." Shin Lian smiled warmly, responding, "How could I cut ties with my younger brother?"

Lifting his wine cup, Yun Shen smiled and said, "Come, let us toast to our reunion and to Shin Lian's return." Everyone raised their cups respectfully, except Hai Long, who drank his wine without acknowledging the moment. Moments of silence followed before the conversations resumed, though the undercurrent of tension between Shin Lian and Hai Long lingered, hinting that this encounter was far from their last.

The room was dimly lit, with the faint glow of fire flickering in the oil lamps hung along the walls, creating a calm and warm atmosphere. Yue Mei sat on a plush cushion covered in soft fabric, leaning against a small table at the center of the room. She yawned repeatedly, trying to fight off her sleepiness. She glanced toward the door, which had remained closed for a long time, and said in a complaining tone, "The nuts are finished, and Xin Lian is late... Ugh, I'm so sleepy. When will he come back?"

While she continued her quiet grumbling, the door creaked open slowly, and Xin Lian entered with steady steps. Yue Mei quickly rose from her place, a broad smile lighting up her face as though all her fatigue had vanished upon seeing him. "You're finally back!" she exclaimed eagerly. "Five and a half incense sticks have burned out by now! You're so late!" She waved her hands as she spoke rapidly, but he cut her off abruptly in a calm yet firm tone, "Stop."

Yue Mei fell silent for a moment, staring at him as if weighing his words before replying in a calmer voice, "Fine. Since you're here now, let's just sleep."

Xin Lian gave her a long look, as though a thought was brewing in his mind, before he asked spontaneously, "Was all this waiting just for sleep?" Yue Mei answered with a childlike smile, "Yes, I even ate 200 nuts just to pass the time while waiting for you."

Xin Lian was at a loss for how to respond to her simplicity and spontaneity, but his tone soon grew more serious and firm as he said, "From now on, when I'm late, don't wait for me."

Without hesitation, Yue Mei replied, as if she already knew he was right, "Okay, I'll do as you say. But come on now… I'm so sleepy."

Xin Lian sighed lightly, finally yielding to her wish. "Alright, let me change my clothes first."

As Xin Lian changed into lighter sleeping attire, removing his gloves as well, Yue Mei moved to the bed and lay down. The bedding was soft and comfortable, and as soon as her head touched the pillow, she drifted off to sleep.

When Xin Lian returned after changing, he stood for a moment, watching her. Her features were peaceful and serene, as though she had completely forgotten her earlier complaints. He sat on the edge of the bed and slowly lay on his back, placing one hand under his neck as he stared at the ceiling, lost in his thoughts.

Meanwhile, Yue Mei shifted in her sleep, her hand slowly moving until it rested around his neck, while the other brushed against his fingertips. That unexpected touch startled him, freezing him in place for a moment as he tried to process what had just happened.

When he carefully attempted to move her hand away and adjust his position, their hands intertwined in an unexpected moment.

In that instant, Xin Lian's eyes widened as a sudden wave of mixed emotions surged through him—feelings he hadn't anticipated from such a simple touch. He remained still for a while, silently pondering the strange moment that broke their quietness as the room was enveloped in the calm of the night and the sound of their soft breaths.

---

The next morning, Xin Lian was already awake and seated in his quiet study. Pale sunlight filtered through the windows, casting shadows across the table cluttered with books and scattered documents. He sat there, his face contemplative, his eyes on the books yet not truly seeing them, lost in the tangled web of thoughts as he tried to make sense of what had happened the previous night.

While he was deep in thought, his assistant, Cheng Xiao, entered quickly, stopping at the entrance and calling, "Sir..." But Xin Lian didn't respond, as though the voice hadn't reached his mind, which was preoccupied with thinking.

Cheng Xiao raised his voice slightly to catch his attention, "Sir!"

Finally snapping out of his reverie, Xin Lian turned slowly toward him and replied in a low voice, "You're here..."

Cheng Xiao approached him with measured steps, noting the disarray around him. Concern laced his voice as he asked softly, "What's troubling you, sir? Why do you seem so preoccupied?" He glanced at the scattered books and documents around him, his worry deepening. "Did something happen? The place looks messy."

As Cheng Xiao began gathering the fallen books and returning them to their usual places, Xin Lian spoke hesitantly, as though trying to explain something he himself didn't fully understand, "I saw nothing..."

Cheng Xiao stopped arranging the books and looked at his master with surprise in his eyes. "What do you mean, sir? What didn't you see?"

Xin Lian continued, as if the words weighed heavily on him, "When I touched her... I saw nothing. Only darkness... pitch black, no memories, no sounds."

Cheng Xiao was stunned by his master's words, unaccustomed to hearing such a thing from the usually confident Xin Lian. Hesitantly, he said, "That's strange. You don't usually take off your gloves like that. But… how could you see nothing?"

Xin Lian, his expression tense, elaborated, "Since I was young, every person I touched… I could see their past, everything they did. But with her… she showed me nothing. Why? How?"

Cheng Xiao tried to connect the dots and asked gently, "Do you mean... your wife, sir?"

To be followed in the next chapter ........