C12 The Different Bai Yun

Mujin closed the door and helped Bai Yun remove her clothes, applying herbal juice to the wounds on her wrists and ankles. She used a relatively clean cloth to bandage them. It was then Bai Yun noticed how bruised and battered this frail body was, with marks that seemed to be from branches. She couldn't fathom how much suffering the original owner had endured.

Mujin sighed softly and handed Bai Yun clean clothes to change into. "Even though you're all part of the same family, there are still differences. You're the only family your brother has, and of course, he cares about you. He just doesn't know how to show it."

Bai Yun's expression turned complex. The real Bai Yun had died when she jumped into the well, and technically, she wasn't the sister Bai Lian remembered. She smiled slightly, "The only family he has is you."

Mujin was taken aback by Bai Yun's words but then smiled gently. "I overlooked that. In a few days, you'll be marrying into the Shang family, and after that... we might not see each other again."

Perhaps it was because Mujin was the first person to show kindness to Bai Yun in this confusing time, or maybe in the original owner's memories, Mujin had always been gentle with her. Bai Yun felt a certain unexplainable closeness to Mujin. Seeing her look a bit downcast, Bai Yun felt a twinge of sympathy.

"Sister-in-law, even though I'm marrying into the Shaang family, I'm still your little sister. Xiaokan Village isn't that far from Qinshui Town. Whether I'm visiting or you're coming over, we'll have chances to see each other."

"Little sister, you must be careful not to say such things outside," Mu Jin said, a bit anxious at Bai Yun's words, quickly gesturing for her to lower her voice. "Once a woman is married, she shouldn't frequently return to her family home. Besides, the Shaang family isn't like ordinary families. The Bai family could only reach such a match because of the circumstances. Once you're married, they probably won't allow us to visit often.

"Big families have many rules and traditions. After you marry, you must be cautious, or else... if things go wrong, there might not be anyone to stand up for you. Although you're marrying as the main wife, the First Young Master Shaang's health is such that he might not be able to protect you. You'll likely face some hardships.

"But no matter how tough it gets, it's still better than staying here. So, you mustn't think of doing anything drastic, alright?"

"Don't worry, Sister-in-law, I won't," Bai Yun reassured, sensing Mu Jin's concern, and gently patted her hand. "I'll take things as they come. I can't predict the future, so I'll just have to take it one step at a time."

"Little sister, you..." Mu Jin looked at Bai Yun, who was smiling with her chin slightly raised, and suddenly felt that this sister seemed a bit different from before. "I feel like you've changed somehow."

Su Ye felt a bit awkward for a moment. Of course, it was different. Even though it was the same body, the essence was not the same, so how could the feeling be identical? The character Bai Yun had such a brief existence that even in the filler episodes, she barely got a mention. Judging by the current situation, she must have been an extremely timid person to be bullied like this.

But that was Bai Yun, not her, Su Ye. She had always been strong-willed, never wanting to lose to anyone. She had argued with her family many times over their favoritism, but at the end of the day, they were still the parents who raised her.