CHAPTER 2027: CHAPTER 2026: THIS ACTION FEELS SO FAMILIAR

Bai Ruozhu noticed that Lanlan was crying so sadly, not because she was whipped, nor because she was scared by today’s events, but because the gift was ruined, and her heart was hurt.

It was her first birthday gift to her mother, and she took the risk to sneak out, resulting in her mother worrying for half a day, and the gift ended up broken!

Items like jade, once broken, can’t be given as gifts, or it would be inauspicious. She endured hardship, suffered, yet achieved nothing.

"What’s so special about it? I’m scared to go out again, but if I’m not the one to buy it, then what’s the point?" Lanlan said as she started crying again.

Bai Ruozhu patted her back gently, comforting her situation. If she were her teenage self from the previous life, she would have cried over this too, so she understood Lanlan’s feelings.

"It doesn’t have to be bought. Isn’t something you make yourself more meaningful?" Bai Ruozhu said, winking at her, "I can teach you a weaving method, you can make some small items for Aunt. It’s easy to learn and you’ll surely have time."

Lanlan’s eyes lit up, "Is it hard to learn? I don’t even know how to embroider."

Bai Ruozhu laughed, "I don’t know how to embroider either!"

Her previous self could embroider, but she couldn’t. Even with those memories, embroidering was difficult for her; she was more skilled at crochet.

"Then teach me now, don’t tell my mom yet." Lanlan wiped her tears and switched to an eager expression. She was still a child after all.

Actually, not telling Jiao Ling was nearly impossible, but Bai Ruozhu could discreetly remind Jiao Ling not to ask, just wait for the surprise.

"You wait here, I’ll fetch the crochet needles and some pretty yarn." Bai Ruozhu said, and left the room.

Outside, she indeed saw Jiao Ling and Fen Jiu waiting there, Jiao Ling’s eyes still red.

Bai Ruozhu gestured for silence, pulled her into her room, and spoke quietly.

"Aunt, don’t cry anymore. I just spoke with Lanlan. She’s just sad, feeling like she worried you, and troubled everyone; also, she broke her first birthday gift for you. So if you keep crying, she’ll feel even worse."

Jiao Ling quickly wiped her eyes, "I won’t cry. I just haven’t celebrated her birthday even once and made her worry as her mother, almost causing trouble."

As she spoke, tears welled up again; Fen Jiu quickly grasped her hand and gently patted it, saying, "There are many days ahead, you can celebrate her birthday, watch her get married, don’t dwell on past issues."

Jiao Ling sniffled and nodded firmly, saying, "Yes, don’t think about past things anymore. I, as her mother, must be stronger."

"You can also give Lanlan a birthday gift. Why not prepare in these few days? I’ve promised Lanlan to accompany her in preparing a gift for you. She wants to surprise you, so don’t ask too much." Bai Ruozhu said with a smile.

"Alright, I won’t ask. Whatever you do I won’t peek, and Fen Jiu isn’t allowed to either. I’ll prepare a gift for Lanlan myself." Jiao Ling smiled as she said.

"Then you should go rest, I’ll accompany Lanlan." Bai Ruozhu hurried them away, then fetched some pretty yarn and a crochet needle from Space, along with a bag sample, and returned to Lanlan.

"Wow, is this the weaving you mentioned? It’s so pretty!" Lanlan’s sharp eyes immediately noticed and called out excitedly.

Bai Ruozhu handed the sample bag over, "This is for you to carry small silver, handkerchiefs, or other things, just wear it like this."

She demonstrated to Lanlan, but Lanlan shrunk back, saying, "Just put it in the cabinet for now, don’t let the medicine juice ruin its appearance."

"Don’t worry, take a look. If it gets dirty, I’ll make you another one." Bai Ruozhu saw she genuinely liked it, forcibly handed it over.

Girls all love these delicate things, especially bags; for women, bags are always a cure.

Lanlan turned it over, liking it more and more, wishing she could wear it immediately, but she was soaking in the medicine vat, the bag would fall into the medicine soup.

Bai Ruozhu mused over how to keep Lanlan from constantly soaking in the medicine vat; perhaps there was a solution with that Talisman.

"Sister Ruozhu, teach me quickly, I’m afraid it’ll be too late." Lanlan placed the bag beside the bed, worriedly.

Bai Ruozhu smiled as she handed her a crochet needle, then took yarn and started teaching. Lanlan followed along with the yarn, quickly learning the simple Needlework at the start.

"Our Lanlan is so smart, learned so quickly." Bai Ruozhu caressed her head in praise, Lanlan smiled and suddenly said, "This action feels familiar."

Bai Ruozhu froze, "Familiar?"

"You used to do this often with Bai Ruolan, right? This body feels familiar and warm." Lanlan tilted her head, seemingly processing something as she spoke.

Bai Ruozhu’s heart tightened, could Ruolan still have consciousness, remembering the past?

After Ruolan became befuddled, Bai Ruozhu would often talk with her, and also caressed her head, praising her as a good child.

She opened her mouth, wanting to ask Lanlan, but noticing Lanlan’s unclear expression, aware there’s still Wu Wanqing in this body, she refrained, lest Lanlan overthinks, giving Wu Wanqing a chance.

She sighed, wishing Ruolan would soon start her new life.

Later, Bai Ruozhu taught Lanlan several simple patterns; Lanlan showed good insight, learning quickly, though her hands weren’t agile yet, needing more practice.

Soon, it was dinner time, Bai Ruozhu packed up, saying, "You should eat and rest, nurse your injuries well, I’ll keep these things away to avoid Aunt seeing them. Tomorrow I’ll bring them back for practice; I think we’ll stay here another couple of days."

After such events, they couldn’t just leave, they couldn’t swallow this grievance without seeing Ma Xianling and Zheng Chunrong’s downfall.

Lanlan reluctantly agreed, knowing the need to keep it from her mother.

In the evening, Bai Ruozhu went downstairs for dinner, second brother had already returned with people, sternly saying, "I’ve arranged for Ma Quanli to be temporarily detained; Zheng Chunrong will face heavy penalties, Ma Quanli won’t escape either."

Bai Ruozhu raised her thumb, "Second brother tackles corrupt officials, rescuing dozens of lost girls."

Mention of those girls made Bai Zepei’s expression worse, he even coldly snorted in dissatisfaction. Bai Ruozhu was puzzled, wondering what happened?