3. Amnesia
Pity me, a distinguished prospective master's student, who has now become a semi-illiterate!
Gold
But this is yours
"What are you thinking?" a voice suddenly asked from above.
The country I am currently in is called "Xin", and it is now the tenth year since the establishment of the Xin Dynasty—Year 4 of Tianfeng, at the end of the year
In a formal manner, Yan Zhi suddenly leaned down and whispered, "Miss, the eldest young master has arrived." There was an inexplicable tremor in her voice.
I can't help but roll my eyes. Why couldn't I have just come here when I was thirteen? At least I could have escaped ten years of tedious and burdensome schoolwork
The current appearance is somewhat foolish.
Yanzhi quietly combed my long hair, and as I raised my eyes, I caught a glimpse of Deng Chan adorned with a string of orchid pearl ornaments on her forehead. There was nothing particularly unusual about it, but just at that moment, a beam of sunlight slanted through the window, and amidst the dancing light spots, the body of the orchid unexpectedly shimmered with a strange, brilliant luster
Yin Lihua, the daughter of the Yin family, hails from Nanyang, Xinye, and is only thirteen years old
Here, not to mention university, even the knowledge of elementary school pinyin is likely to be of no use
Am I not speaking correctly? I am beginning to promote the new feminist thoughts and actions of the twenty-first century. If you do not express your feelings, how could he possibly know? Even if he rejects you, at least you have made an effort
Paying close attention to Deng Chan's expression, her face indeed turned red as she stammered, "You... you are talking nonsense..."
What? I did not understand her meaning for a moment, and got up from the couch
I was still struggling in pain at the table when a pair of snow-white socks suddenly appeared before my eyes. Looking up along those feet, I unexpectedly met a pair of cold black eyes.
After the rouge helped me smooth my long hair, I did not style it into a bun with a jade hairpin like Deng Chan did; instead, I simply tied my long hair into a knot at my waist with a ribbon. I looked in the mirror, and no matter how I saw it, I appeared to be just an ordinary young girl. In comparison, I still preferred my adult appearance; at least in modern times, after applying makeup, I looked much more pleasing than the face reflected in the mirror. I looked in the mirror, and no matter how I saw it, I appeared to be just an ordinary young girl. In comparison, I still preferred my adult appearance; at least in modern times, after applying makeup, I looked much more pleasing than the face reflected in the mirror.
The high-crowned long robe, with its deep blackish-purple wide sleeves and straight hem, is adorned with embroidered swirling cloud patterns at the collar, further highlighting its profound elegance, much like the person wearing it. I bared my teeth and inhaled sharply, inexplicably taken aback by the imposing aura of the stern man before me
"Deng ... ... cousin, do you like my older brother?" I decided to be straightforward.
Attach the emerald
Deng Chan suddenly realized and quickly awkwardly covered up, saying: "Ah, look at me rambling again"
After gazing at me for a moment, he slowly extended his hand: "I heard that you are recovering well; I was still skeptical, but seeing you today, it is indeed true what Chan'er said." His large hand grasped mine firmly, lifting me up effortlessly as if I were a chick. "Lihua, your complexion has improved significantly."
Sigh..." Deng Chanshang beside me sighed sadly, "You really have forgotten... forgotten so completely.
If it were still modern times, it would be nearly the end of the year, and we would soon welcome a new year... Unfortunately, I now have to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new in this wretched place
Good! Forget it!" He suddenly became inexplicably happy, "Then, let us get to know each other again. Lihua, remember, I am your elder brother—Cibo.
Ah, no... not at all," she evasively replied, her words flickering as she avoided the question. "That... I will be leaving shortly, so I won't say goodbye to my cousin. You... please remember to pass on a message for me.
"You don't remember me, do you?" The voice was low, rich, and pleasant.
The Yin family is a prominent household in Xinye, reportedly possessing seven hundred acres of fertile land, with thousands of family members, relatives, and guests in the household
In a few days, it will be the New Year's Day, and my elder brother has sent someone to take me back
Ancient people were indeed wealthy, especially those like Deng Chan, the daughters of rich families, who wore gold and silver without a second thought ...? ... Hmm, should I consider wearing some jewelry myself, just in case I might wear it again one day?
A person who can gallop freely within the Yin family's residence is unlikely to be an ordinary character
I silently returned the Huasheng in my hand to Deng Chan. She was actually not wrong; I find it impossible to forget completely!
"So will you come back after the New Year?" Deng Chan can be considered the first friend I made after arriving here. Although we are not very close, at least she can keep me company and talk with me
A sudden chill swept over my forehead, and I snapped back to reality, only to see Deng Chan smiling as she placed the Huasheng on my forehead: "You have a bump on your head, so use this to cover it up."
In front of the mirror, she tidies her makeup, and a youthful face is reflected in the bronze mirror. With an oval face, slightly thick eyebrows, double eyelids, and a high nose bridge, if one were to examine her features individually, it is her mouth that stands out the most, with full lips and distinct contours
I chuckled twice: "Uh... this seems a bit familiar..."
My eyes rolled around, and Deng Chan... ? ... actually secretly likes my nominal older brother, right? ? From what I've observed these past few days, wherever he appears, her eyes will unconsciously glance in that direction.
Not necessarily. Perhaps ... ... " She closed her eyes in sorrow, her face marked by profound pain, " perhaps ... ... "
At the moment the door was opened, my lower body, which was stiff and numb, fell sideways onto the mat.
Gazing up at the slowly moving wisps of clouds in the azure sky, I self-deprecatingly ponder, what era in Chinese history does this time belong to? Perhaps none at all? ... A new nation ... . ... I fear it is merely an illusory alternate space.
After taking in these bits and pieces, absorbing and digesting them, and committing them to memory, I can only self-comfort with immense emotion, at least I can consider myself a lady of fortune, not having been born into a poor family. Otherwise, given the backward living conditions here compared to modern times, I wouldn't know how to cry myself to death.
Liu Xiu? I became curious about this unfamiliar name, "Who is he? Are you saying that I... like him?"
Suddenly awakening, I looked up to see Deng Chan standing beside me, having arrived at some unknown time. She was wearing a deep green garment, and her dark hair was gently lifted by the wind, exuding an indescribable charm. She lowered her head, and a layer of dimness and loss enveloped her gaze: "What do you want to go home for? I, on the other hand, am about to return home."
The young man was taken aback for a moment, but soon regained his composure and asked with a smile, "Chan'er said you have become muddled due to illness and no longer remember the past. Is that true?"
Who is he? ... The eldest son ...? ... How should I address him?
Perhaps ... ... it is possible
I let out a heavy sigh; the person in the bronze mirror clearly bore my own features and countenance, yet for some reason, it has now become a severely diminished version of itself
"This is Huasheng." She deftly removed the ornament from her forehead and gently placed it in my hand
There is no paper here; all written records are inscribed on bamboo slips, and the script used is a seal script that I can barely decipher through a combination of guesswork and intuition
I hurriedly lowered my head, feigning a shy demeanor, but my heart was alarmed.
The entire Yin family residence resembles a small palace.
"Home?" The other party was confused
Cousin! Deng Chan's voice was timid and hesitant, seemingly carrying an unspoken desire to please.
"Miss Biao." Yan Zhi whispered a reminder
At the age of thirteen, counting everything, the virtual age is merely fourteen. If placed in modern times, one would still be in the first year of junior high school.
I glanced down at the bamboo slip in my hand, and the corners of my mouth twitched, leaving me once again in a state of helpless amusement
My mother often says, "A big mouth can eat from all directions!" When I was young, I often praised this mouth, which I inherited from her, for being both beautiful and practical
I can't help but casually respond: "I miss home."
I always feel that certain events must have occurred in the past with Yin Lihua, such that after I replaced her, everyone not only did not find it objectionable, but surprisingly appeared to be pleased by it.
The external things are still beyond my sight and touch, but when it comes to the ancestral tomb, it is indeed exceedingly vast.
The young man's jaw was suddenly gripped and forcefully lifted, causing the corners of his eyes to slant upward, which gave his sharp gaze a hint of allure. It is rare for a man to possess a pair of peach blossom eyes while still exuding an air of authority. When I passively met his gaze, I was momentarily taken aback.
This is not where I belong, I miss home, I miss my parents, I miss my friends, I miss... the results of the graduate entrance examination that will be announced next month
His hand was unusually hot, so hot that it made my palms sweat profusely
She blushed and smiled, her expression revealing embarrassment: "Lihua, you forgot, you already have an elder sister-in-law."
In the distance, the sound of chaotic hoofbeats echoed, as Deng Chan held my hand, and we both turned to glance sideways. The main gate was wide open, and two white steeds galloped from afar, competing with each other. Each steed carried a young man in splendid attire, followed closely by numerous attendants, who dared not show the slightest negligence. The group turned left after passing through the main gate and quickly vanished from sight
A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes: "Lihua, you..."
The thread used for the beading is made of three strands of silk. Although the Huasheng appears to be precious, it is surprisingly light upon handling. A closer inspection reveals that the orchid ornament is not made of real gold, but rather of iron. From a modern perspective, the craftsmanship is not particularly exquisite; it merely features a layer of luminous gilded leaf applied to the petals of the orchid, while the surface of the leaves that support the petals is adorned with a layer of emerald feathers, enhancing its bright and dazzling luster
A soft chuckle escaped from the rouge-laden lips behind her, but under Deng Chan's sharp glare, she awkwardly lowered her head
Handsome men and beautiful women, they seem to be a perfect match
If you like him, then just like him! So what? I laughed and nudged her with my elbow, saying, "If you like him, go confess your feelings! What’s the point of secretly having a crush?"
Then, this must be something very valuable
Deng Chan smiled, the desolation in her eyes deepening: "I want to return to my own home! I can't possibly rely on the Yin family for a lifetime..."
Years of practicing Taekwondo have instilled in me the intuition that this young man, seemingly in his early twenties, is certainly not an ordinary individual
However... that is impossible. She blushed to the roots of her ears and sighed softly, "Just like your fondness for Liu Xiu, there will be no outcome between me and your elder brother either"
Oh. After being stunned for a while, I finally understood that what she referred to as "Yuan Ri" should mean the Spring Festival
I am not clear about the architectural style of the Xin Dynasty's residences, but the Yin family occupies a vast area, resembling a small castle—centered around the main residence, surrounded by high walls, with two-story corner towers built at each of the four corners. The layout of the residence is divided into two parts: the west side serves as the living quarters, consisting of the main gate, middle gate, and hall, aligned on a north-south axis; the east side is further divided into front and back courtyards, with a well dug in the front courtyard and a five-story lookout tower constructed in the back courtyard. The layout of the residence is divided into two parts: the west side serves as the living quarters, consisting of the main gate, middle gate, and hall, aligned on a north-south axis; the east side is further divided into front and back courtyards, with a well dug in the front courtyard and a five-story lookout tower constructed in the back courtyard
Are you going home? I finally understood, grabbed her hand tightly, and exclaimed, "Where is your home?"
Deng Chan's expression changed abruptly, and she quickly moved towards the door with Yan Zhi. I intended to follow them, but to my surprise, I had knelt for too long, and my legs had gone numb.
"That is your younger brother, Xing'er and Jiu'er." Deng Chan withdrew her gaze and looked at me with concern, "Lihua, I truly cannot rest easy about your illness..."
"Then marry my elder brother, become my sister-in-law, and take care of me for a lifetime. Wouldn't that be a win-win situation?" I joked with her, smiling broadly.
Unexpectedly, this term suddenly emerged in my mind. It seems I have heard Ye Zhiqiu mention it before, stating that this ancient technique of inlaying with jadeite is comparable to modern jade jewelry craftsmanship, equally remarkable.
I squinted for a moment and curiously asked, "Who are they?"
It is truly lamentable, having struggled for over a decade in modern times. Although one cannot claim to be exceptionally learned, at least one has managed to graduate from university. Yet, one has unfortunately fallen to this state.
At least falling into the Yin family, one need not worry about food and clothing, nor be concerned about basic sustenance.
Gazing at the somewhat unclear face reflected in the bronze mirror, a trace of melancholy quietly crept into my heart
The cold wind swept up the remnants of snow that had not yet been cleared from the ground, bringing with it a bone-chilling coldness. Gazing at the beautiful young girl before me, whose face revealed sorrow and loss, I could not understand why my heart was inexplicably tightened.
Beyond the central hall lies the rear hall, where the kitchen, storeroom, stable, and quarters for servants are located. Most remarkably, there is even a ridge-roofed armory there, ... within which countless weapons are displayed on racks, including swords, bows, crossbows, double halberds, and tridents ... .
"What is there to differentiate between sisters?"