Reborn and returned, sisters swapped

Gu Jinyan leaned quietly against the window, toying with a delicate gilded fan in his hand.

Her gaze fell on an apricot tree in the courtyard. A spring breeze blew, the branches trembled slightly, and a few petals drifted down and landed on her robe.

Although she was in the cozy boudoir, there was an undeniable weariness in her eyes.

Today she invited Gu Lanci, Li Qing, and Zhang Wan'er to a small gathering.

The capital city is bustling and has a pleasant climate; it should be a time for relaxation.

However, for the past few days, Jin Yan has been feeling uneasy, for reasons she can't quite explain.

She felt as if tiny sparks were flickering between her, Lan Ci, Li Qing, and Zhang Wan'er, like a taut string that might snap at any moment.

Before long, Qu Lanci, Li Qing, and Zhang Wan'er arrived one after another.

After the group sat down, Gu Jinyan personally poured them tea, and the warm aroma of tea filled the room.

Sitting next to Jin Yan, Zhang Wan'er noticed her pale complexion and asked with concern, "Jin Yan, you don't look well these days. Are you tired from the busy affairs in the capital?"

Jin Yan smiled slightly: "Maybe so, but seeing you all makes me feel much more energetic."

Before he finished speaking, Li Qing unconsciously glanced at the Quran.

Quran noticed this gaze and a hint of displeasure appeared on his face.

She subtly adjusted her sleeve and said calmly, "I wonder if Sister Jinyan has heard that recently many young ladies from prominent families in the capital have taken to studying needlework and playing the zither."

Some even said that women should also be given schools and opportunities to enter officialdom, which is somewhat similar to the family traditions of the two of you.

Although she spoke in a flat tone, there was a hint of mockery in her words.

Upon hearing this, Li Qing's expression changed slightly, and a hint of coldness appeared in his originally gentle eyes: "The world is going to the dogs. Women's learning is far more than just playing the zither, chess, calligraphy and painting."

Anyone with knowledge, regardless of gender, can contribute to their family and country.

Her voice was calm, but her tone conveyed an undeniable firmness.

Seeing the atmosphere become awkward, Zhang Wan'er quickly tried to smooth things over: "Things are different now than before. If a woman can broaden her horizons, it's fine."

As she spoke, she gently tugged at Gu Jinyan's sleeve, as if signaling her to say a few words of comfort.

Gu Jinyan nodded slightly, about to speak, when Hongyin suddenly walked in carrying an exquisite peach blossom cake and said in a low voice, "Miss, this is a freshly made pastry, please try it."

Gu Jinyan nodded slightly, raised his hand to take a piece, but unexpectedly, with a slightly larger movement, a corner of a letter from his sleeve was revealed.

She was startled and quickly straightened her sleeves.

Qulan noticed this subtle gesture, smiled calmly, and said softly, "Sister Jinyan, what letter is hidden in your sleeve?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Jinyan's expression stiffened slightly, and a sense of unease rose in his heart: "It's just a letter, nothing special."

Li Qing couldn't help but chime in, "Since it's a letter, why hide it? Is there something you're ashamed to reveal?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Lanci and Zhang Wan'er smiled slightly. Their expressions were calm, but the atmosphere was inexplicably tense.

At this moment, Qulan suddenly stood up, walked to Jin Yan with a light smile, and said softly, "Jin Yan, why don't you take it out and take a look? If it's just an ordinary letter, we'll be at ease."

Although the Quran was spoken in a joking tone, the look in his eyes carried a deeper meaning.

Jin Yan felt somewhat displeased, but she also knew that refusing would only make her seem guilty.

She slowly took out a letter from her sleeve, placed it on the table, and sighed, unable to hide her sigh: "In that case, please take a look."

Quran first picked up the letter and opened it.

As her gaze swept over the contents of the letter, her expression shifted from relaxed to surprised, and finally her gaze turned cold.

She slowly put the letter down and looked coldly at Jin Yan: "So that's how it is, Sister Jin Yan. So you had been in contact with Lord Wang all along without telling us."

Jin Yan was startled by her cold tone: "Lan Ci, this is just an ordinary letter, why is it like this?"

Qulan sneered, his gaze sharp: "An ordinary letter? Rumor has it that you are the most skilled strategist in Lord Wang's household. Is that just a rumor?"

Gu Jinyan frowned, about to retort, when Li Qing suddenly interrupted, "Jinyan, if this is true, how did you hide it from us?"

I thought we were the closest of friends, but I never imagined you had such deep thoughts.

Having said all that, Zhang Wan'er couldn't help but look troubled. If she tried to persuade him further now, it would only cause a misunderstanding. She could only look at Jin Yan helplessly.

Jin Yan finally couldn't help but stand up, his voice low but firm: "How do you want me to explain this?"

This letter was merely a communication with Lord Wang regarding matters in the capital; how could it be considered a cover-up?

We have always trusted each other; if we were to become suspicious over a single letter, wouldn't that break my heart?

The Quran sneered, "Trust? I would have considered it a sincere friendship."

If you have always been hiding things from me, how can I trust you?

Gu Jinyan was speechless for a moment, feeling that this originally peaceful spring afternoon had been ignited by a letter, and that their past friendship had been pushed into a storm.

Li Qing sighed softly and turned to Zhang Wan'er, saying, "Wan'er, it seems we have indeed misunderstood Jin Yan."

If she weren't upright, how could she have earned Lord Wang's trust? Perhaps we're overthinking it.

Seeing that Li Qing's tone had softened, Zhang Wan'er quickly added, "Yes, yes, we misunderstood."

Jin Yan, what we said today was inappropriate; please don't take it to heart.

Qulan frowned slightly as he watched the others try to persuade him, but finally nodded slowly and said, "Since that's the case, let's leave it at that."

The women regained their composure, but the letter had planted a seed in their hearts. Although no one mentioned it again, they could no longer regard each other as they used to be.

Springtime in the capital remained unchanged, but the feelings of the people involved were subtly and imperceptibly shifting.

From then on, although Qu Lanci, Li Qing, and Zhang Wan'er still frequently interacted with Jin Yan, their words lacked the sincerity and frankness of the past.

Jin Yan tried several times to ease the tension between the group, but found that the natural friendship they once shared was gradually replaced by suspicion and resentment.

The apricot blossoms in the courtyard bloomed again, and Jin Yan stood alone by the window, his gaze calm and serene.

She slowly closed the window, a faint bittersweet feeling rising in her heart.

The flowers of spring are beautiful, but also fragile.