Chapter 51: Silhouette

Chapter 51: A Receding Figure

Eldest Uncle Mei nodded. "After receiving your mother's letter, I made all the arrangements. No matter who comes inquiring, the only answer they will get is that my cousin from the Qiu family has come specially to accompany her maternal grandmother for the birthday celebrations."

"A while back, I also spread the word that the young lady suddenly fell gravely ill and is now recuperating at the White Cloud Temple outside the city."

Qiu Shuiyi was reassured and asked further, "Does my aunt... know about my sister's disappearance?"

Eldest Uncle Mei shook his head. "It's a serious matter. I only told them that Ying'er had encountered some trouble and that we needed to cover for her a bit. I didn't reveal anything else."

He paused, then added hesitantly, "Your grandmother knows nothing."

"Grandmother just asked about my sister earlier," Qiu Shuiyi said. "I brushed it off by saying she was ill and had stayed behind in the capital. She's getting on in years; if she learned of my sister's disappearance, imagine how worried she'd be."

"That's true," Eldest Uncle Mei agreed with a nod. "Regarding your grandmother, let's keep it from her as long as we can."

Qiu Shuiyi agreed.

"Uncle, I would like to visit the White Cloud Temple tomorrow."

Since "Qiu Lianying" was supposedly ill, it wouldn't be right for her, her own younger sister, not to pay a visit.

Eldest Uncle Mei readily agreed. "Go ahead. Have your three cousins accompany you."

Qiu Shuiyi smiled and thanked him.

Eldest Uncle Mei waved a hand dismissively. "We're family; what is there to thank? Don't worry too much about Ying'er's matter. I have already sent people to search for her. If there's no trace of her in the capital, then we'll look north or down south to Jiangnan. A living person can't just vanish without a trace; someone around her must be covering her tracks."

"For now, settle in comfortably at home. If there's anything you're not used to, just tell your aunt and let her arrange things for you."

Qiu Shuiyi's smile became more genuine. "Alright, I'll listen to you, Uncle."

Eldest Uncle Mei's expression softened. He gently patted Qiu Shuiyi's head, his voice turning gentle. "You've had a long, tiring journey. Go back and rest properly first. We can discuss anything else later."

"Alright."

...

The next day, Qiu Shuiyi woke up very early.

After having breakfast with Madam Fang, she suggested a visit to the White Cloud Temple.

"I've long heard of the fame of Hongliang's White Cloud Temple. Since I'm here, how could I not go?"

Young girls of this age all love an outing. Madam Fang, having been that age herself, understood their heavy curiosity, yet she feigned hurt. "You finally come to see your grandmother, and the very next day you want to go out and have fun, leaving this old woman all alone in the mansion."

Qiu Shuiyi found it amusing and quickly linked arms with Madam Fang. "Tomorrow, I'll stay in the mansion to keep you company, Grandmother, until you get tired of me."

"Nonsense," Madam Fang deliberately put on a stern face. "How could your grandmother ever tire of you?"

The hair at the old lady's temples was silvery white, her gaze a little clouded, yet the light within was gentle and steadfast, like a warm current flowing from the heart, bringing endless warmth.

Qiu Shuiyi said in a drawn-out voice, "Alright, Grandmother loves me the most."

Madam Fang smiled with satisfaction.

Her gaze sweeping over her three cousins, Qiu Shuiyi said, "This is Yi'er's first time in Hongliang, and I'm not familiar with many places. Grandmother, please let my three cousins come with me."

At these words, the three girls' eyes immediately lit up, even the usually dignified Mei Fangru was no exception.

Ever since the news of her upcoming birthday celebrations had been announced, the family's three girls had been taken under the wing of the eldest daughter-in-law to manage household affairs and hadn't been out for a long time. This was a good opportunity for them to go out and relax.

Madam Fang nodded. "Alright, remember to take plenty of guards."

"Thank you, Grandmother."

The girls in the hall thanked her in chorus, with Mei Fangqing's voice being the loudest among them.

In high spirits, Madam Fang waved her hand, letting them leave on their own.

The Mei sisters quickly returned to their respective courtyards to change clothes.

The courtyard Qiu Shuiyi was staying in wasn't far from theirs. Having finished getting ready and heading towards the mansion gate, she happened to run into the three radiantly beautiful girls.

"Cousin, we were just waiting for you. Let's go quickly."

Mei Fangqing, without any formality, linked arms with Qiu Shuiyi.

Mei Fangru and Mei Fangzhu also came up.

Eldest Uncle Mei had instructed Aunt Qiu before leaving this morning, so the carriage had long been prepared.

Once aboard the carriage, Mei Fangqing stretched out her legs and sat in a very casual manner. "Finally, we can get out. These past days have truly been stifling."

Mei Fangru shot her a warning glance.

"Second Sister, why are you glaring at me?" Mei Fangqing remained completely unfazed. "Eldest Aunt isn't here, and there are no outsiders. Why bother putting on that proper young lady act? Isn't it tiring?"

Mei Fangru was exasperated. "Look at your sloppy appearance. How is that like a young lady? Even Third Sister's manners are better than yours."

Mei Fangzhu was sitting properly and primly. Hearing this, she smiled.

"I *am* a young lady. What's this about being like one or not?"

Mei Fangqing paid no heed to her words. She pulled Qiu Shuiyi to sit beside her and asked curiously, "Cousin, what happened to Cousin Ying'er? Wasn't she in the capital? Why all this secrecy?"

Mentioning this, Mei Fangru and Mei Fangzhu also couldn't hide their curiosity.

After their father/eldest uncle's message came down, the sisters had discussed it privately, but the conclusions they reached were increasingly far-fetched.

Qiu Shuiyi gave an ambiguous answer. "My sister encountered some arrogant and unruly scoundrels who came to our residence every day looking for her. My parents had no choice but to ask Eldest Uncle to help cover up, so those ruffians would stop coming around."

Mei Fangru's face showed disgust. "Shameless."

Mei Fangzhu frowned slightly to herself.

Mei Fangqing cursed loudly, "If you ask me, such libertines deserve a beating and to be driven out of the capital."

"It's not that easy," Qiu Shuiyi said helplessly. "Those people's families are either wealthy or noble. If they were seriously injured, my parents would have even more headaches."

"Then set a trap in secret," Mei Fangqing said, her eyes darting around cautiously, lowering her voice. "Cover their heads with black cloth, beat them, and they won't know who did it. Or drug them, strip them naked, and throw them in front of a brothel. That would surely make them famous throughout the capital."

Mei Fangzhu was dumbfounded.

Mei Fangru was furious. She shot to her feet, ignoring that the carriage was moving, grabbed Mei Fangqing's ear, and demanded harshly, "Have you been secretly reading those trashy storybooks again?"

"Hand them over as soon as we get back. If you dare hide them privately again, just see how I deal with you!"

"Ow ow ow, it hurts! Sister, my dearest Second Sister, I won't read them, I'll never read them again. Please spare me this once..."

Mei Fangqing made a comical grimace, begging for mercy repeatedly.

Qiu Shuiyi had initially thought it was a clever idea—she’d even wished Mei Fangru had used the same trick on Zhou Qian and his companions. But hearing Mei Fangqing’s pained yelps made her own ears ache just from listening.

She rubbed her ears and let the notion drop.

Yet, watching the Mei sisters interact, a quiet, unbidden regret seeped through the cracks.

If she had grown up in the Marquis of Yun’an’s household in this life, would she and Qiu Lianying have shared such closeness too?

Then she thought of her grandfather—and Qiu Shuiyi shook her head, brushing aside the inexplicable thought.

The past was irretrievable; cherishing the present was the only right path.

After a flurry of apologies and pleas, Mei Fangqing finally calmed Mei Fangru’s anger. The sisters reconciled, sitting close together and chatting warmly with Qiu Shuiyi.

The atmosphere inside the carriage was light and harmonious. When Qiu Shuiyi lifted the curtain, she saw a shimmering, rippling lake.

Hongliang abounded with lakes, stretching as far as the eye could see.

The breeze, like a mischievous dragonfly, skimmed lightly across the lake’s surface, instantly stirring emerald waves that glittered with golden light.

Lotuses grew thickly across the water—their lush green leaves swaying gently in the warm spring breeze. At a glance, they resembled countless umbrellas unfurled across the lake.

In the distance, the lake gleamed like a mirror, reflecting the graceful silhouettes of distant mountains—a perfect harmony of lakes and hills.

Mei Fangru noticed where Qiu Shuiyi’s gaze lingered. “Do you like lotuses, cousin?”

Qiu Shuiyi smiled. “It’s only natural to like beautiful things.”

“What’s so beautiful about these flowers?” Mei Fangqing retorted. “What matters is taste. If you stay until summer, cousin, I’ll take you lotus-root digging and fish-catching—it’s delicious *and* fun.”

Mei Fangzhu nodded eagerly, her voice soft and delicate, almost musical.

“Hongliang’s lotus roots are famed far and wide. Cousin, you simply must try them.”

“All right.”

Qiu Shuiyi replied cheerfully.

“All you ever think about is food!”

Mei Fangru tapped her two younger sisters’ foreheads with her finger.

“I think about you too, Second Sister!”

Mei Fangqing flung her arms around Mei Fangru, who pushed her away with feigned disgust.

Amidst laughter and banter, they soon arrived at White Cloud Temple.

Qiu Shuiyi was the first to step out of the carriage.

In this era, most people practiced Buddhism—but in Hongliang, incense offerings at White Cloud Temple surpassed those at ordinary Buddhist temples.

This was not only because White Cloud Temple boasted a century-old legacy, having long secured a cherished place in the hearts of Hongliang’s people, but also because of its abbot, Master Yuyang.

Skilled in Daoist arts and equally proficient in medicine, he regularly offered free consultations to locals around Hongliang, earning an outstanding reputation.

In the original story, when Zhou Yundun was poisoned, it was Qiu Lianying who invited Master Yuyang to treat him.

It was during this very incident that Qiu Lianying, moved by Zhou Yundun’s unwavering devotion, agreed to marry him.

After announcing the Mei family’s name, a young Daoist acolyte led Qiu Shuiyi inside.

“I’ll be back shortly. Cousins, feel free to explore while you wait.”

Mei Fangqing waved her off. “Go ahead!”

Then, tugging her two sisters along, she hurried away—her cheerful figure moving even faster than Qiu Shuiyi’s.

Qiu Shuiyi smiled helplessly and followed the young acolyte to a door.

“The person is inside.”

Qiu Shuiyi thanked him.

She knocked gently—and a voice as clear as spring water striking stone came from within.

“Who is it?”

Qiu Shuiyi replied softly, “Sister, it’s Yi’er.”

“Is that you, little sister? Come in quickly.”

Pushing the door open, she saw a faint, indistinct figure seated behind a gauzy curtain. From behind, the silhouette bore a striking resemblance to Qiu Shuiyi.

After closing the door, the figure emerged from behind the curtain.

Lifting her head gracefully, she revealed features uncannily similar to Qiu Shuiyi’s—startling her.

“This humble servant, Su Niang, greets the young mistress.”

Qiu Shuiyi raised her eyebrows in astonishment. “Your voice…”

It was utterly different from before.

Su Niang’s eyes curved into a gentle smile. “Su Niang hails from the entertainment quarters. Though I possess little else, I’ve mastered several specialized skills.”

With a graceful lift of her hand, she removed her veil.

Beneath it lay an exceptionally beautiful face.

Her features, taken together, exuded intense allure—bearing no resemblance to Qiu Lianying.

Yet, when the lower half of her face was veiled, she radiated elegance and purity.

The person her eldest uncle had found was truly extraordinary.

After a moment of admiration, Qiu Shuiyi said sincerely, “To have perfected such a skill—you certainly possess remarkable talents.”

Though she had never met Qiu Lianying and knew nothing of her voice, the fact that her eldest uncle had selected Su Niang meant the resemblance must be extraordinarily close.

Su Niang offered a genuine smile and slid a plate of pastries across the table toward her.

“Young mistress, please sit awhile and enjoy some pastries.”

“All right.” Qiu Shuiyi took a seat.

After chatting with Su Niang for a while—and realizing it was nearly time—Qiu Shuiyi stood to take her leave.

When she came out, her maternal cousin from the Mei family was nowhere to be seen, so she simply waited by the carriage.

She hadn’t brought Xin Liu or Xin Tao with her today, and both the coachman and the guards were from the Mei family.

With no one to talk to, Qiu Shuiyi let her gaze wander.

Beside the Taoist temple grew an apricot blossom tree, its branches adorned with clusters of delicate, charming blossoms.

Just as Qiu Shuiyi was about to step closer, a familiar figure suddenly caught the corner of her eye. She turned her head sharply.

In front of the temple, a few people strolled leisurely in small groups, looking perfectly at ease.

But that familiar silhouette was not there.