Chapter 3

“How is my cousin?” If Xiuying did not feel her maid’s reaction and heard from her new family what happened to the original owner of her body, she will assume that the person who gently asked this question is someone who truly cares for her. She can feel how Xue’s stiffness relaxes a bit as the maid breathes deeply to calm down herself before answering the visitor’s question.

“Young Miss is doing well, First Young Miss Qi Fan.” Xue upon hearing the newcomer's question stood up and bowed to the young lady who spoke, as a greeting before answering respectfully like the emotions Xiuying felt from the maid earlier were just an illusion. Xiuying felt the newcomer reach out to her and gently caress her hair as if afraid to hurt Xiuying. The smell coming from the lady makes anyone relax, however she noticed the light scent of Jasmine flowers which is one of scents that can arouse any man who is physically close to the young lady. Hearing the name her maid called the newcomer, Xiuying’s mouth might have twitched if she was awake.

‘How great of an actress this cousin of mine! This Qi Fan would definitely be awarded as best actress if she were in modern times!’

“I am glad to hear that, it has been almost a year that you are serving her. And I know you are somewhat tired doing all these, you can go ahead and rest for today. I will take care of Ying’er while you are resting.”

“This servant is not tired, first young miss. It is this servant's happiness to take care of the second young miss.”

“Such a sweet mouth you have there, my cousin is lucky to have you. Maybe once she wakes up I can request for you to serve me in my courtyard but I think Second Aunt won’t let go of such a loyal and sweet servant. ” Qi Fan’s sweet voice can tickle anyone’s heart but despite that Xiuying clearly understands what the lady who is gently stroking her hair wants to convey: ‘If ‘she’ (Xiuying) wakes up.’

Not hearing her maid’s comment to her new cousin’s remark, she didn’t know if Xue didn’t understand Qi Fan’s underlying message or just acting like she didn’t. Based on how Xue interacts with her, who is now in coma, she can bet that her maid clearly understands her cousin’s hidden mockery and decides to ignore Qi Fan. Qi Fan and her maid didn’t stay for long as after her one sided drama as if on cue, a maid from First Madam’s (Qi Fan’s mother) courtyard came to Xiuying’s courtyard as Qi Fan is needed by her mother.

After hearing her mother’s instructions from the maid, Qi Fan asked Xue to make sure that her cousin is well taken care of and to let her know the soonest there’s any progress to her (Xiuying) condition before leaving the courtyard.

Xuiying can feel Xue’s footsteps walking away then going back to her side and hearing her maid’s sigh of relief. 

“Young miss you really need to wake up since the day First Young Miss recovered she keeps on visiting you every other day. This servant doesn't know why but this servant felt that since the incident First Young Miss’s true face is revealed. She keeps on visiting you but her face doesn’t even show any sadness that young miss hasn't woken up, it is as if she is gloating at young miss’ misfortune. *Sighing* Young Miss needs to wake up and recover soon.” Xue keeps on blabbering while starting to wipe Xiuying’s face not knowing that the sleeping beauty that she is taking care of, didn't hear what she said because Xiuying is thinking too deeply about her situation.

‘I have been like this for months now and still this new family didn’t lose hope but keep on treating me like I am awake although sometimes they can’t help but feel sad. 

If I wake up, will the couple discover that I am not their daughter? 

Will that brother who keeps bringing me food that I can’t eat despise me? 

Will the original owner’s family accept me?

Should I try… maybe it is better to just be like this...But that Qi Fan… It seems the first branch aren’t good people like what my new family discusses with themselves during their visits… If I stay like this will they keep on mocking my new family for keeping me even though I can’t wake up?

Will I be in pain again in this life if I wake up but if I do not, will the first branch make a move against my family? If they do, will I lose them before seeing them?

During the past months that Xiuying stayed with her new family, feeling the warmth that she has been longing for, she wants to stay even if she can’t wake up forever. However, feeling the hidden hostility and mockery from Qi Fan and hearing what her family discusses during their stay in her courtyard, she didn’t know when she suddenly had the urge to protect these people. 

Xiuying fell into deep rumination that she didn’t notice that Xue finally finished helping her on cleaning up and the maid got up from the seat beside the sleeping beauty. Xue took a deep sigh and left the room after checking a few times if everything is in order. 

She did not know that her thoughts of just staying asleep and fear of facing her new identity and new life are now changing slowly but steadily penetrating to her heart and mind.

While the pair of lady and maidservant are busy with their own thoughts, the first branch’s members are in the First Madam’s courtyard. Only their trusted servants were allowed to stay with them, laughter can be heard from time to time outside. The servants can't help but smile while they work assuming that their masters’ are discussing something trivial they have encountered for the day in their thoughts their masters are still the best in Qi clan, favored by the patriarch and blessed by gods as their first young miss have escaped the catastrophe that their second young miss can’t. Contrary to the thoughts of the servants outside, the trusted servants can’t help but shudder in fear upon hearing what the first branch’s plan is.