Chapter 51: The Blue Bird’s Unresolved Affection (2)

Chapter 51: The Bluebird's Unspoken Message (2)

Lan Yunzhen snapped her head up to look at Mrs. Lan. Before she could utter a word, the older woman shook her head, as if anticipating her refusal. "If you won’t accept it, then don’t come to keep me company anymore."

Mrs. Lan’s expression was gentle, a faint smile lingering on her lips—clearly a playful feint of annoyance.

As Lan Yunzhen pondered, Gao Zhan spoke up beside her. "Don’t hesitate. Accept Mother’s gift. I also have something for you."

Lan Yunzhen turned her head to look at him. His expression was utterly composed, yet her heart lurched unexpectedly, without warning.

Mrs. Lan, however, seemed equal parts surprised and amused. "Since when have you become so thoughtful? Did some girl outside teach you this?"

Gao Zhan smiled helplessly at his mother. "Birthday gifts are only natural, aren’t they? Since when does that require teaching?"

"Then tell me, what gift have you prepared?" Mrs. Lan teased.

"For now, it’s a secret." Gao Zhan chuckled mysteriously, picking up his chopsticks again to take a bite of fish.

Mrs. Lan glanced between him and Lan Yunzhen, sensing they had something to discuss, and tactfully withdrew her curiosity.

"I’m rather tired after dinner. I’ll go upstairs to rest for a while. You two take your time." Mrs. Lan massaged her temples, adjusted the embroidered cloud-shawl on her shoulders, and ascended to her chambers.

Lan Yunzhen listened quietly as the door to the master bedroom on the second floor closed. Remembering Gao Zhan’s earlier words, she involuntarily clenched the check in her hand.

She turned to Gao Zhan and asked directly, "What is this ‘gift’ you mentioned?"

At her question, Gao Zhan smiled. He wiped his lips with a napkin, then produced a small box from the inner pocket of his jacket—just as she had handed him a black gift box two months prior.

"I wouldn’t call myself the gift-giver. At most, I’m just the ‘bluebird messenger.’" Gao Zhan reached across the table and handed the box to her.

She stared at him wordlessly for a moment, noticing the smile on his lips.

By using the term "bluebird," he must have known—the bluebird was a bearer of love letters and tender words...

Lan Yunzhen’s heart quivered imperceptibly as her gaze shifted from his face to the box.

The box was still palm-sized, but this time, it wasn’t a subdued, inconspicuous dark. Instead, it was an ornate brocade box adorned with intricate golden embroidery.

Collecting herself, she reached out and took it. The warmth of the box seemed to spread through her palm, and her fingers hovered over the lid for a long while—yet she couldn’t bring herself to open it.

"...I’ve received it. Thank you." She met Gao Zhan’s eyes and returned his smile.

It was absurd, really—she, who was usually so composed, now hesitated to open the box in front of others.

Truthfully, she was simply afraid. Afraid that alongside the gift, the box might carry unwelcome news.

Lan Yunzhen cradled both the box and the check in her hand, her eyes downcast in quiet contemplation for a long time.

He Yuqin had once promised her that by September, on her birthday, he would present her gift to her himself. Yet now, it had arrived in such a way...

The lying scoundrel...

Lan Yunzhen suddenly looked up. "Did that other box reach him safely?"

"Not without some trouble, but he has it now." Gao Zhan knew what she wanted to hear, so he added, "Among Old General He’s former subordinates, there are those with ulterior motives, but also those who remain unshakably loyal. The tide still favors us—evil will never triumph over righteousness."

He picked up his fork and knife, cutting himself another slice of cream cake, his smiling eyes fixed on Lan Yunzhen’s rapt attention. "Yuqin also asked me to bring you a message."

The faint crease between Lan Yunzhen’s brows eased slightly.

"Happy birthday, and may your days be long and joyful." Gao Zhan, though but a messenger, smiled with genuine happiness. "With these words today, shouldn’t Adoptive Miss finally smile?"

......

In the bedroom.

Lan Yunzhen sat by the huali wood chess table, her head lowered as she studied a game laid out before her.

No one sat across from her—this was a match she had played against the old master in the Nie family’s study days ago. Back then, she had lost. Now, she was replaying the game, searching for a new path to victory.

Outside, the night wind suddenly howled, rustling the damask curtains and sending the fringe edging knocking lightly against the wall, creating a soft, intermittent tapping.

Mi Yue, knowing she disliked noise while playing chess, tiptoed forward and quietly closed the open window.

A final gust of night breeze slipped into the room, hiding in the narrow gap between the curtains and the wall before playfully lifting the drapes high into the air.

The lilac-hued silk floated gracefully for a moment before finally settling back, silently brushing against the gold-filigreed brocade box resting beside the chess table.

As the thin gauze passed, the light from the ceiling’s crystal lamp spilled back onto the box, making the golden threads catch the light.

Compelled by curiosity, she opened the box. Inside lay a pair of pearl earrings, resting peacefully against deep red velvet.

The pearls were round and luminous, bathed in the soft glow of the lamp, glowing with inner luminescence.

"These earrings are so beautiful!" Mi Yue leaned in, breathless with admiration. "I’ve never seen you wear them before. Are they from today’s birthday gifts?"

The soft white glow of the pearls reflected in Lan Yunzhen’s eyes. She murmured assent. "Put them in the jewelry box." She closed the lid and handed the box to Mi Yue.

Mi Yue examined the case for a moment before looking up expectantly. "Won’t you try them on first, Miss?"

"No. Just put them away." Lan Yunzhen shook her head.

Right now, the one who had given her the pearl earrings wasn’t here. Even if she wore them, he wouldn’t see.

Mi Yue, sensing her disinclination, could only comply, carefully storing the gold-filigreed box in the jewelry case.

"Mi Yue." Lan Yunzhen suddenly called.

Mi Yue quickly turned back. "Yes, Miss? What is it?"

Lan Yunzhen motioned her closer.

Mi Yue smiled and took small steps to her side, lowering her voice. "Do you need something, Miss?"

"Go and inquire about northbound ship tickets for the coming days."

Mi Yue was puzzled. "Ship tickets are scarce as hen's teeth these days. Wouldn’t it be faster to ask Xu Second Young Master for help?"

"This matter shouldn’t involve him." Lan Yunzhen paused before adding.

Not to mention that Xu Kuilin was now married—she ought to maintain a discreet distance. More importantly, this trip north was to see He Yuqin, making it even more inappropriate to seek Xu Kuilin’s help with the tickets.

"Miss, you’re not planning to see that Junior General He, are you? Is that why you don’t want to ask Xu Second Young Master for help?" Mi Yue studied her expression, then suddenly grinned. "Were those pearl earrings from the Junior General too?"

Flustered by Mi Yue’s guess, Lan Yunzhen smiled faintly and bopped her playfully on the forehead. "Don’t ask too much. Just go and handle it—and don’t let anyone in the house notice."

Mi Yue beamed and bowed her acquiescence.

Who would have thought? That Junior General, young though he was, knew Miss's preferences so well.

"One more thing." Lan Yunzhen's fingers inadvertently brushed against the cool ceramic go stone container, suddenly recalling another matter. "Take this money to buy monthly tonics for Foster Mother."

She pulled out the long-forgotten check from beneath the container.

Mi Yue took it, lowering and raising her head hesitantly. "But this money was Foster Mother's birthday gift to you. If you don’t spend it, won’t she be displeased?"

"With more than enough clothes and food, what need do I have for such a large sum?" Lan Yunzhen reassured her.

"In past years, I couldn’t stay by her side to care for her properly. Now that I’ve returned, I’m still busy at the hospital all day. Having you do this is merely a way to repay her kindness—I only wish for her to recuperate well."

"Mi Yue understands."

-

By early October, as soon as the National Assembly concluded, the former president had barely settled into office before the new president ascended to power in a flurry of activity.

When the news reached her, Lan Yunzhen was in the study steeping tea for Old Master Nie.

At that moment, Nie Hong had just rushed home from the trading firm and headed straight to the study to inform the old master of the news.

In the room, wisps of steam curled from the spout of the hammered-iron teapot. Just as Lan Yunzhen finished pouring the second cup, Nie Hong reached out and took it.

"Like ginger and cinnamon, sharper with age." Nie Hong wore an urgent expression, but Old Master Nie merely glanced up calmly, already discerning the outcome. "The old marshal remains as sharp as ever."

Nie Hong, having hurried back, was thirsty. He hastily took a sip of the scalding tea, only to wince as the heat scalded his tongue numb.

He quickly set the purple clay teacup back on the table, still covering his mouth as he added, "...A single vote already costs this much..."

Nie Hong shielded the lower half of his face, his left eyebrow arching high as he held up five fingers toward Old Master Nie.

The old master glanced at it and scoffed lightly. "If it can be bought with money without bloodshed, that’s already fortunate."

"In that case, should the Nie family express our goodwill?" Nie Hong ventured.

"Why rush?" Old Master Nie shook his head slowly, blowing away the fragile tea foam on the surface. "Let the regional warlords scramble to prove their loyalty first, dipping into their own funds. Leave the spotlight to them."

"Father is right." Nie Hong reached for the teacup again but frowned at the rising steam and withdrew his hand. "There’s one more matter I must ask your advice on—"

"With the election results announced, uproar has erupted from all sides. Telegrams protesting the new president’s victory are pouring in. I’ve heard that the second son of the He family has also publicly disputed the results... After all, he bears the He name. This puts the Nie family in a tricky spot regarding our dealings with the main branch of the He family."

Lan Yunzhen’s hand paused slightly as she poured tea. Her eyes lowered imperceptibly to the light-brown surface, her heart sinking a little.

He Yuqin’s public denouncement of the election results meant he refused to acknowledge the new president.

Regardless of General He’s current imprisonment and constraints, the fact that he had to negotiate with his father’s former subordinates while openly opposing the regime—even if no one stabbed him in the back—would inevitably invite reprisals.

"The He descendants have long been divided—the main branch engages in commerce, the second branch pursues military careers. The lines are drawn. The Nie family has never meddled in politics or warfare. For now, we need only maintain business relations with the main branch of the He family," Old Master Nie said matter-of-factly.

The tea on the table had cooled slightly. Nie Hong nodded and took another sip.

Lan Yunzhen set the kettle gently on the tea table and addressed the old master. "Granddaughter must go up north next week to perform a surgery. For your regular check-up, I will arrange for a doctor I trust from the hospital to visit the residence."