Chapter 55: Is the Young Lady Missing Her Family?

“Mid-Autumn Festival, a day for family reunions?” Xiao Lian didn’t know what kind of festival this was, but after tilting her head to think, she asked with genuine concern, “Miss, are you missing your family?”

Xiao Lian suddenly felt a pang of empathy herself; she only saw her own family a few times each year. But at this moment, Zhang Xiaolan had no family left. Xiao Lian had heard Zhang Xiaolan say that she could never return to her hometown—though she didn’t know the reason, perhaps there was no home or family left for her there.

“How could I not miss them? Family, teachers, friends—I miss them all, but we can never meet again.” Zhang Xiaolan sighed once more, her eyes misting over. She didn’t know how she had come to this era, fifteen hundred years in the past. Now, wishing to return home was nothing more than a fantasy.

She wished desperately that this was only a dream, and that when she awoke, she would once again be that happy, carefree Zhang Xiaolan, surrounded by family, doing the work she loved.

“Miss, please don’t be sad. If you don’t mind my humble origins, would you accept me as your family and friend?” Xiao Lian felt the sorrow in Zhang Xiaolan’s heart; she had grown deeply fond of her after spending these days together.

“You are already my confidante—my closest friend,” Zhang Xiaolan replied, delighted by Xiao Lian’s words. She had long treated Xiao Lian as a dear companion, and now she grasped Xiao Lian’s hand and smiled.

“Yes! Confidante!” Xiao Lian could hardly contain her joy at being considered a true friend. In the prince’s residence, everyone was busy with their own affairs; where was there room for so many close friendships?

“Let’s send some fruit to your master,” Zhang Xiaolan suddenly remembered Li Rui. Tonight, he, too, was alone, enjoying the evening here. She couldn’t forget the kindness of her benefactor.

Frankly speaking, Li Rui had shown remarkable generosity to a complete stranger. He was a good man, even though their first encounter had been marred by a misunderstanding. Without that episode, she would have been left utterly lost and alone in this ancient world.

Moreover, she felt that Li Rui was someone she could rely on, someone who made her feel safe like family. Perhaps it was because he was the first person she met when she arrived here.

“Master, Miss said she wanted to send you some fruit,” Xiao Lian announced, carrying a plate of fruit into the room. She saw Li Rui, still austere and composed, reading a book by lamplight, and shook her head in silent exasperation. This master was so reserved—he never seized the moment.

“Leave it here,” Li Rui instructed, glancing at Xiao Lian. He remained seated in his chamber, reading under the lamp, though his mind was clearly elsewhere.

“Master, Miss is missing her family and feeling homesick. Aren’t you going to take this chance to show her some care? Miss is an excellent person. If you have feelings for her, why not seize the opportunity and win her over?” Xiao Lian had long discerned her master’s intentions. Li Rui was indecisive in matters of the heart; it wasn’t that no one had ever tried to forge ties with the prince’s residence, but Li Rui always refused without explanation.

Xiao Lian also knew that when she first arrived, a great upheaval had taken place in the prince’s residence—she’d learned about it from the other servants’ whispers.

Ever since she was assigned to serve Li Rui, she’d sensed his heart was burdened. She believed he still mourned the departed princess. Now, with Zhang Xiaolan’s arrival, the ripples in Li Rui’s heart had been stirred, and even Xiao Lian could sense it. How could she not be anxious for her master?

“You clever little thing. I still don’t know what Xiaolan truly thinks,” Li Rui said, making no effort to hide the stirrings of his heart. Now, with Xiao Lian’s encouragement, his feelings surged anew.