Volume One, Chapter Five: Return to Xuan Medicine Valley

It was the first day of the month, and as customary, Lin Chuyao was to pay her respects to her grandmother.

In the early morning, the sky was gray and overcast, with fine rain drizzling down, the chill seeping to the bone.

Lin Chuyao sat before the bronze mirror, carefully applying foundation to conceal the uneven scars on her cheeks.

Her hand paused over the rouge as the cold, mocking voice of Lin Yize echoed in her ears, along with her grandmother’s disdainful gaze—scars were merely wounds, yet if revealed before them, she would become a stain on the Lin family.

“Better to cover them, at least to avoid unnecessary trouble,” she murmured to herself with a hint of self-mockery, lightly sweeping rouge over her pale complexion to add a touch of color.

Yet she knew no matter how much she concealed, she could never erase the humiliation and coldness etched deeply into her life.

Half an hour later, Lin Chuyao donned a veil and stepped out of the courtyard. The light rain tapped softly against her umbrella, carrying a biting chill. She glanced down at the fading makeup and whispered calmly, “What difference does it make, to cover or not to cover?”

“Miss, shall we touch up your makeup? The old madam looks displeased; it’s best to avoid…” Qing Xing spoke softly.

Lin Chuyao’s steps did not falter. Her tone was even but laced with a subtle coldness: “No need. Her displeasure has never been about my appearance.”

She lifted the veil to hide her scarred face and walked steadily toward the old madam’s residence.

Qing Xing sighed quietly, muttering, “We’re all family, so why must it be like this…”

Inside the main hall of the old madam’s residence, laughter filled the air.

The old madam sat at the head of the table, flanked by Liu Xishuang and Lin Yanluo, who were accompanying her for tea. The table was laden with an array of exquisite pastries, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

That joviality ceased abruptly as Lin Chuyao entered the hall.

“Grandmother, mother, I have come to pay my respects,” she said with a slight bow, voice gentle and respectful.

The old madam looked up at her and her gaze swept over the veil covering Lin Chuyao’s face, instantly turning cold.

“Chuyao, why must you hide your face in your own home? The Lin family has raised you all these years, yet you treat yourself like an outsider?”

Lin Chuyao lowered her eyes calmly. “Grandmother, the morning rain has ruined my makeup. I feared it might startle you.”

The old madam sneered with unhidden disdain. “Makeup ruined? The Lin family isn’t afraid of a scarred face. Remove it!”

Silence fell over the room.

Slowly, Lin Chuyao lifted her veil, revealing a face marked by rain-streaked makeup and crisscrossed scars, like a canvas carved by a blade—harsh and desolate.

The old madam’s gaze faltered, then her face turned pale with fury. “Bastard! How can someone with a face like that bear the Lin name? Are you deliberately disgracing the family? If I see this again, no matter if you return to the Mystic Herb Valley, get out! Leave at once!”

Lin Chuyao lowered her lashes, a faint curve touching her lips. Her tone was gentle but carried an almost imperceptible sarcasm. “Grandmother, since I am a daughter of the Lin family, it makes no sense for me not to pay respects. But if I am an eyesore to you, I shall learn my limits to avoid causing you trouble.”

The old madam slammed the table in anger. “Stubborn! After all these years in the Mystic Herb Valley and you still don’t know the rules? Shameless, and you dare talk back!”

Lin Yanluo covered her mouth, laughing lightly. “Grandmother’s words are right. With a face like that, even a veil can’t hide it. It’d be better if she never came out at all.”

“I heard yesterday she even frightened Brother Yize, causing his old illness to flare up again. I wonder if it’s intentional! Does she think the entire Lin estate owes her?”

Lin Chuyao turned to her with a chilly gaze and a faint smile. “Sister speaks well. With my appearance, I naturally shouldn’t tarnish your sight.”

“But don’t forget, if not for me bearing the burdens you refused all these years, you wouldn’t be enjoying this good life today.”

Lin Yanluo’s expression stiffened, ready to retort, but was cut off by the old madam.

“That’s enough!” the old madam thundered. “Since you don’t understand discipline, go kneel in the ancestral hall as punishment! When you learn your manners, then come out!”

Lin Chuyao paused slightly, bowed her head in obeisance. “Yes, Grandmother.” As she turned to leave, a flicker of coldness flashed in her eyes.

After Lin Chuyao left, the old madam’s face turned a sickly shade of blue with rage. “Xishuang, what are you and Chang’an thinking? Bringing her back only to anger me? With that appearance, she’s nothing but a shame to the Lin family!”

Liu Xishuang lowered her eyes, speaking softly. “Mother, Chuyao is after all Chang’an’s daughter. Bringing her back is fulfilling a filial duty. Besides, the master said that if Chuyao returns home, Yize’s illness might improve.”

“And she is still unmarried. If she can bring a good match to the Lin family, that would be a boon to the Marquis’s household.”

The old madam snorted coldly. “With that appearance, what good match could she possibly bring? Spare me the trouble of her coming to pay respects—better if she doesn’t show up at all!”

Liu Xishuang quickly agreed, “Mother, rest assured, I will guide her well so she won’t trouble you anymore.”

The rain gradually ceased. Lin Chuyao knelt in the ancestral hall, the cold tiles seeping through her thin clothes to her bones.

Qing Xing and Xiao Tan were by her side. Xiao Tan murmured softly, “The old madam is far too cruel. Miss hasn’t done anything, yet must endure this…”

Qing Xing hushed her gently, “Don’t speak nonsense. If anyone hears, they’ll think Miss is disrespectful to the old madam!”

Lin Chuyao smiled faintly, already expecting this outcome. She chided herself inwardly, “Lin Chuyao, what are you still hoping for?”

After kneeling for nearly half a day, her knees ached faintly.

Finally, Liu Xishuang arrived and helped Lin Chuyao up, taking her hand as she spoke, “Chuyao, grandmother told me to tell you not to come to pay respects anymore, to avoid the back-and-forth trouble. Though her words are harsh, she cares for you in her heart.”

A faint smile touched Lin Chuyao’s lips, though her tone revealed no emotion. “If grandmother feels better not seeing me, then I am naturally relieved.”

Liu Xishuang studied Lin Chuyao’s face carefully, her gaze lingering over the scars and the makeup blurred by the rain.

She sighed softly, wiping away the remnants of makeup with a handkerchief. “Chuyao, the more you try to cover, the more unnatural it looks. I’ll buy you the finest rouge and powder.”

“But remember, Yize is your elder brother. He’s quick-tempered, so you must learn to soothe him. When he loses his temper, endure it—never talk back.”

Lin Chuyao recalled Lin Yize’s sharp, bitter words from before and felt a pang. Tentatively, she asked, “Last time I went to see brother, he seemed unwilling to have me visit…”

Liu Xishuang’s expression darkened. “How could that be? You must be obedient. If he wants you to visit more, then go more!” Her tone brooked no refusal.

Lin Chuyao nodded and left with her maid.

Watching her retreating figure, Liu Xishuang murmured, “If you can’t even do this, don’t blame the Lin family for not accepting you…”