Chapter 226 The Past

Wan Yue opened the door to Tingyu Courtyard, a place where her daughter and her family of three once lived.

He said softly, "Since your parents passed away, all the servants in this house have been dismissed, and now I am the only one left here. It's all for that little bit of remembrance."

Although the courtyard has been vacant for more than ten years, everything seems unchanged, almost exactly as it was back then. The traces of time seem to have left no mark on this place; every corner retains memories of the past.

This is all because he cleans it regularly.

Li Xi followed Wan Yue into the courtyard, while Feng Monian hesitated for a moment before deciding not to follow.

"Xiaoxi, what exactly is your relationship with him?" Wan Yue couldn't help but ask her.

"We're sworn brothers. Grandfather, Brother Feng is a good man, don't worry."

Li Xi opened the door to her parents' room.

The place hadn't been lived in for a long time, so there was only a slight smell of dust. It was clear that my maternal grandfather had put a lot of effort into maintaining it.

"Then why does he wear a mask and not take it off when he eats?" Wan Yue said dismissively.

If they are sworn brothers, why do they need to wear masks?

"Yes, Brother Feng said that his face was burned before and he dares not show his true face to others. He has indeed treated me very well, Grandfather, you can rest assured."

As she spoke, her gaze wandered around the room.

The furnishings here are simple yet exquisite, and every detail reveals the elegant taste of the room's owner.

This must have been arranged by her mother herself.

Wan Yue dared not linger here, lest the scenery trigger his emotions.

Therefore, he would leave immediately after he finished cleaning.

It was as if this would convince him that his daughter was still living there.

"Now that you've said that, your grandfather can rest assured. Just relax here and rest; this is your home too."

Wan Yue said softly that although they did not stay there permanently, he was already content.

His son-in-law bought the estate so that he could have a place to enjoy his old age.

However, when he saw the teacup that his daughter had once loved most, he could no longer suppress his grief and hurriedly left the room.

"Xiaoxi, your maternal grandfather has gone to prepare lunch for you."

He tries to mask his grief with busyness, and may spend his whole life trying to overcome the pain of losing his daughter.

Li Xi carefully stroked the glass teacup on the table.

The teacup was smooth as jade and transparent as crystal, emitting a faint glow.

Such glass teacups are common in later generations, but in this era they were considered valuable collectibles.

The embroidery on the screen is exquisite.

It is embroidered with a landscape painting.

The surrounding green hills and clear waters are shrouded in mist, making one feel as if they are in a mysterious and peaceful world.

The mountains rise and fall, layer upon layer, some peaks are sharp and steep, while others are gentle and continuous.

In the mountains, a clear stream meanders through, its waters gurgling as if telling ancient stories.

In the foreground of the picture is a lush bamboo forest. The bamboo leaves are vibrant green, swaying gently in the breeze.

In her previous life, she studied fashion design, so she also had some knowledge in this area.

It is lamentable that the skills passed down to later generations are less than half of what they are today.

She walked behind the screen and discovered that it was double-sided embroidery.

This embroidered image depicts a phoenix soaring high, its feathers vibrant and colorful, as if it were about to fly out of the painting.

The phoenix held its head high, its gaze sharp and resolute.

It seems to be showing the world its regal demeanor.

Every feather is embroidered with exquisite detail, so lifelike that it is truly astonishing.

She gently stroked the phoenix's feathers, feeling their delicate texture and rich layers.

There were several hairpins and hairpin flowers in the jewelry box on the dressing table.

In addition, there was a bronze mirror lying there quietly, reflecting the light and tranquility of the room.

There was a simple desk in the corner, with an oil lamp on it.

Scattered nearby were several read books and an unfinished poem.

The poem is full of longing for the future.

The wooden bed by the window was covered with soft bedding, and a landscape painting hung on the wall above the bed.

The landscape in the painting complements each other, creating a profound artistic conception.

On the wooden shelf depicting the painting, rows of neat small porcelain vases were arranged, each containing a few dried flowers that emitted a faint fragrance.

Although the dormitory room has few pieces of furniture, every corner is filled with the atmosphere of life and the owner's unique taste.

Sunlight streamed through the window, adding warmth and tranquility to the small space.

The original owner's parents were also people who loved life.

If this hadn't happened, they would be a happy couple today.

Feeling somewhat tired, Li Xi leaned against the bed to rest.

Sleepiness washed over her like a tide, her eyelids gradually grew heavy, and a soft snore could be heard in the blink of an eye.

She stepped into that familiar dream once again.

This time, however, her parents' faces became even more vivid.

Wan Jin watched the grandfather and grandson laughing and chatting in the courtyard.

A warm feeling welled up in her heart. "Xiao Xi, remember to take good care of your grandfather in the future. He loves you the most."

"Yes, Mother," the little girl replied crisply.

"You silly child, why are you saying these things to Xiaoxi? Your father is still in good health." Wan Yue glared at Wan Jin, but his face was filled with a happy smile.

After the little girl ran off to walk the cats and play with the dogs, Wan Jin asked worriedly, "Dad, what will happen if Xiao Xi's power goes out of control?!"

Wan Yue took a deep breath, his brows furrowed: "This is also what I'm worried about. That power is too strong; even your mother couldn't fully control it. If Xiao Xi can't learn how to wield it, the consequences will be unimaginable."

The two looked at each other in silence, their hearts filled with worry.

They knew that the power within Xiaoxi was both a talent and a curse.

It could grant her extraordinary abilities, but it could also plunge her into inescapable danger.

Just then, the little girl ran back happily.

Her smile was as bright as a flower, radiating endless childlike innocence and joy.

"Mother, Grandfather, come and see!" Little Li Xi cautiously spread out her hands.

A brightly colored butterfly fluttered in her palm, its wings gently flapping as if dancing for this beautiful moment.

Li Xi lay down on the bed at some point, murmuring: Mother, Mother.

A few knocks on the door startled Li Xi awake. "Xiao Xi, come and try your maternal grandfather's cooking," Wan Yue's voice rang out from outside the door.

Li Xi rubbed her eyes and sat up. "Okay, Grandfather."

She sat in front of her mother's dressing table.

The girl in the bronze mirror had a face like a peach blossom and eyes like autumn water.

Her long hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall, shimmering with a moon-like luster.

Li Xi picked up a wooden comb and gently combed her beautiful hair.

She simply styled her hair into a girlish bun and inserted a white jade hairpin.

She looked elegant and refined in the mirror.