After a heart-to-heart talk, the awkward unfamiliarity between the two vanished completely.
With so much weighing on her mind, Xing Beiluo naturally couldn't sleep. Shengyun stayed up with her, flipping through ancient books in hopes of finding a solution sooner.
"I found the cause!" Little Azure Dragon's excited voice rang out after who knows how long. "The spiritual energy in this world is as natural as breathing air for the people who belong here, but for outsiders, it's like a person from Earth trying to live in the deep sea. You have to adapt first, and the crucial thing is, not everyone can adapt."
"Then how do I adapt?"
"First, get some an herb called Heart-Clearing Herb—the older, the better. I'll whip up a simple batch of Marrow Cleansing Liquid for you to soak in, which will open up your meridians. Then you need to sit in lotus and meditate until you can sense the spiritual energy in the air before you can start absorbing it."
Xing Beiluo asked, puzzled, "Marrow Cleansing Liquid? Didn't I already soak in that before?"
Shengyun explained, "That high-grade Marrow Cleansing Liquid was for reshaping your bones and tendons, whereas this low-grade version is meant to help you acclimate to this world's spiritual energy."
"Oh, all right. I'll go check outside."
When Xing Beiluo left the Space, she realized she had spent an entire day inside, and it was now midday. She decided to ask Youbai to help her get some Heart-Clearing Herb. She needed to hurry up and cultivate; whatever she used from the General's Estate, she would definitely repay tenfold in the future.
Before long, Youbai brought over a pile of herbs. Xing Beiluo looked at them and shook her head. "These are all under fifty years old. The age is too low."
Someone like Xing Beiluo always wanted the best, so she asked Youbai, "Does our General's Estate have any Heart-Clearing Herbs that are two hundred years old?"
"Well... we do, except... that two-hundred-year-old one is in First Madam's room."
"Oh, no problem. Does First Madam have any hobbies?"
"Huh? First Madam practices Buddhism."
"Then what is her Heart-Clearing Herb used for?"
"Just... placed there for decoration."
How could her young miss jump from one topic to completely unrelated ones? Learning that First Madam had a two-hundred-year-old herb that was kept purely for ornamental purposes, Xing Beiluo began to ponder what she could use for an exchange. But after turning it over and over in her mind, she found herself in a bit of a fix. Mainly because she was currently penniless and had nothing of value to trade. As for what was in her head... What could she possibly offer regarding Buddhism? Chant the Great Compassion Mantra for her?
Before she could even take action, however, a servant walked over holding several stalks of herbs. "Miss, Old Madam heard that you wanted high-age Heart-Clearing Herbs and specifically had these brought over from the estate's treasury. The lowest of these are two hundred years old, and there's even one that's five hundred years old."
This... So this is what it feels like to be doted on... It feels amazing! Even though she was wearing someone else's identity.
Still, her cultivation was a matter of urgency. I'm sorry, I'm going to use these first, but I will definitely repay you tenfold in the future! Xing Beiluo immediately took them to Shengyun to prepare, then cleared a small patch of land beside the thatched cottage to plant the remaining lower-aged herbs.
...
After giving it some thought, Xing Beiluo still went to see Old Madam under the pretext of expressing her gratitude.
Upon seeing her, Old Madam was overjoyed. "Aluo, come right here to Grandma."
Xing Beiluo stood her ground in the center of the main hall and executed a standard, flawless bow. "Thanks to Old Madam's immense favor, Beiluo feels unworthy of such kindness. I've come today to explain..."
"I know," Old Madam interrupted with a smile. "If you still aren't used to things, we'll take it step by step. But remember this: you are Xing Beiluo, the Second Miss of the General's Estate. The Second Miss of our General's Estate, and the only one."
Xing Beiluo said, "... But I'm not her."
"You are! She only ever existed for your sake, so you needn't worry." Old Madam looked at Xing Beiluo with loving eyes. The day had finally come. The entire General's Estate had always existed solely for her.
Xing Beiluo: "!!!"
Old Madam sighed. "How could I not tell that you're different? You were actually the child our General's Estate lost when she was very young. To avoid leaking any news, we deliberately found a substitute. Now that the true mistress has returned, the substitute naturally ought to vanish completely."
Xing Beiluo never imagined the truth would turn out like this. No wonder she could never track down her parents' identities back on Earth. Was she actually a native of this world all along?
Yet, she still harbored doubts. "It is Beiluo's honor to know you. But, Old Madam, could you possibly... have made a mistake?"
Even Xing Beiluo herself didn't notice the tremble in her voice.
Old Madam smiled and stroked her head. "There's no mistake! If you really don't believe it, Grandma will take you to get a blood test another day... Child, come here, let Grandma give you a hug."
Combining this with her own past, Xing Beiluo guessed there was a high probability she really was the Second Miss of the Xing family. But until it was verified, she didn't want both sides to get their hopes up for nothing.
Therefore, she took a step back and said, "Old Madam, let's wait until after the test is done. Regardless of whether I am or not, Beiluo is deeply grateful for Old Madam taking me in, and I will certainly repay this kindness in the future."
How could Old Madam not see through her hesitation? Her heart ached fiercely. "Good child, you've suffered all these years..."
Xing Beiluo didn't know how she made it back to the North Courtyard. Nor did she know that after she left, another identical "Xing Beiluo" had appeared in Old Madam's Wutong Courtyard.
Old Madam looked coldly at her. "You should have heard what I just said, right?"
"Xing Beiluo's" face turned as white as a sheet.
"Old Madam..."
Facing this substitute, Old Madam showed not a shred of affection. "You were originally a blade of wild grass that nobody wanted, yet you vainly enjoyed twelve years of wealth and glory. But remember the reason you were able to enter and exist in the General's Estate in the first place. The General's Estate has raised you for a time; the money in this bundle is enough to keep you well-fed and provided for the rest of your life. You may leave."
A flash of resentment crossed "Xing Beiluo's" eyes, but in the end, she picked up her bundle and left. Before stepping out of the General's Estate, she stared lingeringly in the direction of the North Courtyard for a long time.