002. Sleeping Inside

Judging by the sky, it should be the hour of Xu, which nowadays corresponds to around seven in the evening.

Wen Shiyang tilted her head to look at the sky. Dark clouds were scattered across it, yet the stars still twinkled here and there.

Times may change endlessly, but the mountains, rivers, and the brilliance of the night sky remain constant.

To be honest, Wen Shiyang didn’t like this place.

It didn’t compare to the life of luxury and fine living she had once enjoyed, nor to the bustling, prosperous Chang’an City, where no one would have praised her as the “Top Courtesan” or cheered for her so enthusiastically.

Yet the tranquility here gave her an inexplicable sense of peace.

She couldn’t tell if it was the familiar feeling carried from the original owner’s memories or her own genuine current emotions.

She couldn’t distinguish between the two.

After wandering around the courtyard for a while, Wen Shiyang returned indoors when the time seemed right.

The peach crisps had already been devoured completely, leaving not even crumbs behind; even the kraft paper bore the traces of licking.

Wen Shiyang felt both relieved and heartbroken. She, too, had been deprived of food and gone hungry for three days and nights, so she knew all too well the feeling of an empty stomach.

Seeing her return, the two children immediately straightened up, cautiously watching her expression.

But after staring silently for a long while, there seemed to be no sign of anger at all.

Wen Shiyang carefully made the bed, then looked at the two children, dirt-covered all over, like little mud dolls.

She got up and fetched a basin of cold water, blending it with some hot water from the thermos.

“Xiaobao, come over first. Time for a bath.”

Wen Shiyang beckoned gently, her voice warm and soft.

At her words, the two children immediately grew wary. Xiaobao clutched his older brother’s clothes, shrinking behind him.

The older brother extended his arms protectively, eyes alert.

He feared Wen Shiyang might sell his sister.

They had never bathed before, and now, making them bathe could only mean cleaning them to sell them at a better price.

Wen Shiyang knew they wouldn’t trust her so soon.

After all, the original owner had treated them excessively harshly.

Even if she were in their place, she wouldn’t have accepted someone so quickly.

Seeing the two children clinging to each other, Wen Shiyang sighed, then decided to compromise. “Alright, let’s each give a little. If you don’t want to bathe, then at least wash your face and feet, okay?”

She added lightly, “If you still refuse, you won’t be allowed to sleep in bed tonight.”

Her tone carried a hint of threat.

Although the children were adorable and well-behaved, cleanliness was non-negotiable!

“Sleep in bed?” the eldest asked, utterly surprised.

When had they ever slept in a bed? Every night, they had huddled in the wood storage room.

Since she arrived, they were no longer allowed in the bed, only the wood storage room, and certainly never allowed in her room — let alone enjoy peach crisps. That was impossible!

Yet today, all of it had happened.

Wen Shiyang nodded, smiling wryly. “What? You don’t want to sleep in bed and still prefer the wood room?”

Earlier, she had checked the wood room. With all the clutter, there was barely room to sit, let alone lie down.

It was summer now, so at least they wouldn’t catch a cold, but she couldn’t imagine how they had survived winters in that room — there wasn’t even a spot for a charcoal stove.

It made her heart ache.

The eldest shook his head decisively: “No, we don’t.”

He didn’t mind staying in the wood room himself, but he didn’t want his sister living there anymore. She had always been weak, and in the past two winters, she almost didn’t survive. Fate was on her side, and she had made it through.

The eldest didn’t know Wen Shiyang’s true intentions, but if it meant escaping the wood room, he was naturally overjoyed.

“Xiaobao, come on. Wash your face and feet.” He held out his little sister’s hand.

Xiaobao nodded obediently and followed her brother.

Wen Shiyang watched the two little figures with some relief. She also felt a bit tired, stretched, fetched a basin of water, and washed her own face and feet.

The original owner, although mean, had always been good to herself, bathing daily and dressing nicely, with new clothes every month. Her wardrobe was full of fresh outfits, and there was a good amount of makeup.

Looking in the mirror, Wen Shiyang saw the familiar face — still her own delicate features.

Not as fair as before, but the features were refined, not sharp and harsh. Wen Shiyang felt satisfied, thanking her luck.

Had her face been harsh and scornful, she would have died of despair!

She rubbed her face; the skin was still tender.

Once she finished, the children were done too, already having poured out the water.

The two stood barefoot on the floor, cautiously watching her.

Wen Shiyang couldn’t bear their timid posture. Waving her hand generously, she said, “What are you standing there for? Get in bed!”

At her words, as if granted permission, the children hurriedly clambered onto the bed.

They were barely six years old. At this age, the eldest could still sleep with her; soon, he would no longer be allowed.

Wen Shiyang blew out the candle and climbed into bed, Xiaobao squeezed in the middle.

After washing her face, she applied some snow balm, giving off a pleasant fragrance.

Xiaobao couldn’t resist sniffing a few times — the smell of a mother!

Noticing her actions, Wen Shiyang turned slightly, resting a hand on her, patting gently to lull her to sleep.

The eldest watched, heart tight, turning away with reddened eyes, stubbornly refusing to let tears fall.

Wen Shiyang recalled her own childhood in the Moon Pavilion, where her elder sister had soothed her to sleep in exactly the same way, humming a tune — very effective.

——

At dawn, someone knocked on the door.

“Bang bang,” the sound was loud.

Wen Shiyang wrapped herself in clothing, glanced at the still-sleeping children, then put on shoes to open the door.

A gust of cool wind hit her, making her shiver.

She looked up, and before her stood a tall, well-built man in green military uniform, jaw sharp and posture straight, exuding vigor.

Wen Shiyang recalled from her memory: this was Lu Qingyan — the father of the children and the nominal husband of the original owner.

The man’s eyes flickered with surprise when he saw her but quickly calmed.

“Where are the children?” he asked.

Wen Shiyang stepped aside to let him in, locking the door behind him. “Sleeping inside,” she replied, keeping her tone calm.

He merely nodded, saying no more.

The man’s visits over the year were rare, and they had little common language.

Moreover, she was someone he had rescued from another province.

Although nominally married, he always remembered the nine-year age gap between them.