Time travel, quick transmigration

Xiao Huanling walked to the innermost room of Biluo Pavilion, where some potted plants and flowers were displayed at the entrance. At this time of year, the wind was cold and the weather was frigid. The plants that used to bloom beautifully were now bare branches. However, the pot of white plum blossoms that had already blossomed still looked charming in the biting cold wind. Xiao Huanling glanced at it briefly and then looked away, striding into the room in front of him.

It was cold, so the people inside left the door slightly ajar. As soon as Xiao Huanling reached out, Hui'er, who had been following behind, ran a few steps forward, opened the door, and invited Xiao Huanling inside.

Xiao Huanling frowned almost imperceptibly but said nothing and stepped inside.

The middle-aged woman sitting by the window in the inner room was originally sewing shoe uppers with her head down. When she heard the sound of the door opening, she immediately looked up and her eyes immediately welled up with tears when she saw that the person who came in was Xiao Huanling.

"Ling-ge'er, you're back."

Forget about his shoes for a moment, he hurriedly limped forward to greet the tall and handsome Xiao Huanling.

Xiao Huanling took a few steps forward, took the middle-aged woman's arm, and led her to sit down in her original seat.

"Granny, how have you been? You seem to have lost some weight since I left, but is there anything wrong with you? If you're feeling unwell, please tell Hui'er and Xiang'er, don't try to bear it alone."

"Just tell me what's wrong, and I'll go and talk to Madam myself."

Chen Hui was a resilient person. In her early years, her husband died and her only daughter died of illness. When her hometown was hit by a disaster, she wandered around with nowhere to settle down. However, she supported herself by working. Unfortunately, she was deceived by a man and signed a contract to sell herself into servitude. She was eventually sold to the Xiao family.

Having endured a life of hardship and suffering, he was chilled to the bone. His already broken leg, after being assigned to serve Xiao Huanling at Biluoxuan, was left without proper medical care day after day, and eventually became completely crippled.

Xiao Huanling always felt indebted to Chen Hui. Without Chen Hui's devoted care and unwavering support, and her motherly love and concern, he might not have been able to endure those days in Biluoxuan where there was no light at all. If he hadn't dragged Chen Hui down, she might not have had to stay in the cold and desolate Biluoxuan, and her leg wouldn't have become lame.

"Ling-ge'er, I'm fine. You just think I've lost weight because you haven't seen me for a long time."

"Look at me, I'm full of energy and in good health, I can eat and sleep well, so don't worry about me."

"Look at you, you've gotten so thin after just one trip out. I'll have to make you a nice, nourishing meal at lunchtime."

Xiao Huanling smiled and agreed, taking the bundle in her hand, opening it, and placing the two paper packages on the wooden table beside her.

"These are some ginseng, lingzhi, and other medicinal herbs that I picked in the mountains. You can decide how to use them as you see fit."

Chen Hui was deeply moved upon hearing this, and felt a heavy weight on the two packages on the table.

“I don’t need these. People like us are born with humble lives and can take root and grow anywhere. Living too meticulously will only cause problems. You can take them back for yourself or give them to your parents. They will be pleased to receive the gifts you bring.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Huanling lowered his brows and didn't even raise his eyes.

"I brought this especially for you. I didn't go to the mountains to find it myself. My master heard about how you took care of me and specifically asked me to bring it to you."

"What's this talk about being cheap or precious? It's all about how people are different."

"My father and his family are used to eating delicacies from the mountains and seas, so they don't need my little bit of wild food from the mountains."

"I'll go back inside first. You rest for a while. The light in this room is not good, and it's cold. Be careful not to hurt your eyes or catch a cold."

As he spoke, he stood up and walked out.

Standing there, Hui'er didn't react in time and followed, so she could only stare blankly as Xiao Huanling's figure disappeared through the door.

"Granny, really, the Fourth Young Master is so kind, why did you say those things? He's not happy about it."

"When has the Fourth Young Master, such an arrogant person, ever been so kind and considerate to anyone? He's been away for so long and hasn't brought back even a single thing for me and Sister Xiang'er..."

Hui'er looked at Chen Hui, who was staring blankly at the door, with a hint of envy in her voice.

Chen Hui withdrew her gaze and took a deep look at Hui'er, who was pouting and heartbroken.

"What kind of person is the Fourth Young Master, and what kind of person are we? Don't forget that he is the master and you are the servants. Don't be fooled by the fact that the Fourth Young Master is unconventional and has never been harsh with you. You all have ambitions bigger than the sky. Put away your petty thoughts. The Fourth Young Master is a man who does great things. His vision is not limited to this inner quarters."

"How dare you, a mere servant, complain that your master didn't bring you anything? How dare you say such a thing?"

"As a servant, you should abide by your duty. Whatever you do for your master is your duty. Your master is kind to you, but that is not an excuse for you to be ignorant of your place."

"Stay away from Fourth Young Master."

"This is the difference between you and Xiang'er. Xiang'er knows her place and even if she has unrealistic ambitions, she knows to keep to her duty. When the Fourth Young Master gets married and finds someone he likes, he may establish his own residence. Someone like you will definitely be kicked out of the mansion. Don't blame me for not reminding you. Take care of yourself."

Hui'er was both ashamed and angry after being reprimanded, but she didn't dare to talk back. After all, apart from Xiao Huanling, the only person in Biluo Pavilion who carried real weight was the middle-aged woman who was treated with respect by Xiao Huanling.

"I don't understand what the old woman is saying, I...I'm going out."

……

Biluo Pavilion is divided into a front courtyard and a back courtyard. Xiao Huanling lives in Qingxuan Hall in the front courtyard, while Chen Hui and her two maids live in the back courtyard. Xiao Huanling had just returned to her room, finished unpacking her luggage, and hung up her sword when a woman's voice sounded outside the door.

Xiao Huanling went to the outer room and saw that it was the maid Xiang'er, so he walked to a large chair and sat down.

"Come in, is there something you need?"

Upon hearing this, Xiang'er raised her head. Her pretty face and large almond-shaped eyes met Xiao Huanling's gaze and then quickly looked away. She gracefully walked into the room carrying a tray in both hands, placed a bowl of snow lotus soup on the tray next to Xiao Huanling, and then stood not far from Xiao Huanling.

"Fourth Young Master, Granny Chen asked me to bring you this bowl of freshly stewed snow lotus soup."

Xiao Huanling glanced at the snow lotus soup in the small white bowl with orange glaze, but did not expose Xiang'er's lie. He simply said in a calm voice.

"I don't like sweets, so take it away and eat it yourself."

He had only left Granny Chen's residence and returned to Qingxuan Hall less than a quarter of an hour ago. How could Granny Chen have known in advance to have Xiang'er stew snow lotus soup for him? Although he didn't know why Xiang'er was using Granny Chen's name to deliver the snow lotus soup to him, he believed that Xiang'er had no intention of harming him.

Xiang'er's eyes dimmed, and she immediately explained.

"This was stewed by me personally, without any maltose or honey added. Fourth Young Master, you can try it."

Xiao Huanling suddenly felt impatient.

"No need, you can take it away."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the voice of the steward, Xiao Shan, came from outside the door.

"Fourth Young Master, Master has sent me to invite you to the Fushou Hall at the front to speak with him."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Huanling's bright eyes, which had been sparkling with light, suddenly darkened. He did not respond and remained seated without moving.

On the contrary, Xiang'er, who had been rejected by Xiao Huanling's kind offer, heard the steward say that the master had invited Xiao Huanling to the front, but Xiao Huanling seemed to ignore her. Fearing that Xiao Huanling would be punished if he was late, she no longer cared about being sad and only looked at Xiao Huanling with great concern.

Xiao Huanling, however, seemed completely oblivious to the worry in Xiang'er's eyes, remaining silent and unmoved.

Xiao Shan received no response for a long time, so he mustered up his courage and continued.

"Fourth Young Master, Master is already waiting. It would be inappropriate for you to arrive late."

Everyone in the Xiao family knew that Xiao Huanling was the one who loved to go against Xiao Song the most, and every time the father and son clashed, it would usually end with Xiao Song getting angry and resorting to family discipline.