The Wang family was originally an ordinary agricultural and scholarly family, who would have thought that fifteen years ago, an uncle from the Wang family, who had repeatedly failed the imperial examinations, suddenly achieved second-class Advanced Scholar status. This completely transford their social standing, and consequently, the related Ye Family’s fortunes soared as well.
Subsequently, the uncle’s position in the governnt grew larger and larger, and now he is the Third-rank Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, which is precisely the reason why the Ye Family beca Imperial rchants. Today is the seventieth birthday of Ye Qiu’s maternal grandmother, so they are putting on an exceptionally grand celebration.
Several masters from the Ye Family took three carriages, but behind them, two additional carriages carried birthday gifts for the old Marquis. Although the Ye Family was not of official status, the richness of their gifts was truly unmatched.
Over the years, the two families had grown close, so as soon as the Ye Family mbers arrived at the doorway, they were welcod in by the butler and nannies.
"Oh, our niece and son-in-law are back! Co in quickly and have a seat, the Old Lady has been talking about you for a long ti." Just as they reached the entrance of the courtyard, Aunt Chen from the Wang family ca to greet them. In principle, as the wife of a third-rank official, she did not need to be so courteous to an Imperial rchant, but who could bla her, when her husband’s rise had been with the financial support of the Ye Family? Moreover, it was her husband’s sister and brother-in-law visiting – being extra hospitable wouldn’t stir up any gossip.
"Elder sister-in-law," Wang Wan held Aunt Chen’s hand, appearing to be very close with her sister-in-law, but what the actual situation was, only the two of them knew. Ye Qiu didn’t know any different, but she had heard that her mother initially looked down upon this aunt by marriage and that they had almost co to blows. Later, as their statuses improved and they beca entangled in mutual interests, they started to act more affectionately towards each other.
"Xiaxia and Qiuqiu have grown so much, I can barely recognize you after a few months," said Aunt Chen kindly as she looked at Ye Qiu, then she slipped off a bracelet and handed it to them, "It’s a little sothing from your aunt, don’t refuse it."
Ye Qiu and Ye Xia offered thanks for the blessings, the two of them were very similar in appearance, with one being more radiant and the other more frail. But both were considered beautiful won, so even though Ms. Chen had so grievances with Ye Wangshi, she found it very pleasing to look at them.
Despite the goodwill from Aunt Chen, Ye Wangshi looked disdainful, already an official’s wife and yet so stingy, with such quality, she would only bestow it upon her maids, never would she have brought it out in public.
Therefore, not only did she not express gratitude, she even rolled her eyes, which happened to be caught by Aunt Chen, causing resentnt to stir within her.
This little niece-in-law, ever since she married into the Wang family, never showed her any respect. If it weren’t for her husband’s insistence on promoting her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, she would have taught her a lesson long ago; just wait and see, once the Old Lady passes away, she’ll have so pillow talk and see who will protect her then!
The sisters-in-law had different thoughts internally, but they both put on a friendly face as they entered the inner room. Although the Old Lady was now seventy years old, due to being accustod to work in her younger years, she remained very spirited. However, like most older won of her ti, she also favored males over females, preferring lively and active children.
Thus, Ye Qiu, being female and frail, was usually the one ignored at the Old Lady’s place, but this was fine with her as it saved her from having to ingratiate herself with a smiling face.
"Zhixing, co over here to your grandmother, oh my, you’ve grown so much. Have you been attentive in class recently? Listen to your grandmother, do well in your studies so that in the future you can beco a great official like your uncle," cooed the Old Lady as she hugged Ye Zhixing in her arms.
That’s when Ye Xia felt displeased and said in a coquettish voice, "Grandmother, you only care about my little brother, your granddaughter is right here, I’m getting jealous."
Hearing her say that, the ladies in the room all chuckled lightly, and the Old Lady also let go of Ye Zhixing to beckon to her, "How could Grandmother not love our Xiaxia? Co here and let Grandmother love you."
Ye Xia ran over lightly, and after so affectionate interaction with her grandmother, it was as if she truly was the Wang family’s granddaughter. Ye Qiu shifted her gaze away only to see their cousin, Wang Yanran, rolling her eyes disdainfully, a sneer playing on her lips.
Then, the sisters exchanged glances and shared a friendly smile with each other.
"Is that Qiuqiu? Why don’t you co forward?" Old Lady held Ye Xia affectionately for quite a while before finally rembering Ye Qiu, her tone no longer as intimate as it had been with Ye Xia.
But Ye Qiu didn’t mind; she wasn’t as coquettish as Ye Xia, and being treated differently was just the way things were.
However, Old Lady’s gaze seed sowhat displeased, looking at Ye Qiu’s attire, she praised, "This treasure-blue dress suits you well, making you look healthier, but you should learn more from your sister—wearing more red would better suit young ladies like you."
Ye Qiu stood up to perform a curtsey: "Ye Qiu thanks great-grandmother for the complint. It was all Mother’s choice; as long as you like it, that’s good."
Old Lady’s enthusiasm seed sowhat lacking, no longer with her previous smile: "Your health is weak; no need for excessive thanks. It’s good for a young lady to know the rules, but don’t be too dull—learn more from your sister."
"Yes, what great-grandmother said is right, Ye Qiu will keep it in mind." As she spoke, she retreated to the side, a trace of paleness on her face, making Old Lady even more impatient.
"Yanran, take your second cousin to your courtyard to rest a bit. Xiaxia, stay and keep this old woman company."
As Ye Qiu left the inner room, she could still hear Ye Xia saying: "Great-grandmother and parents only know how to dote on my younger sister, you should also dote on ."
Then her dear mother took up the refrain: "Isn’t it because your sister is unwell? You being the older sister, should be more accommodating."
Ye Xia dissatisfied: "Why should I always give in? Just because I am the older sister, does that an I’m supposed to indulge her?"
"Xiaxia, be obedient."
"Great-grandmother, listen to this, Mother is so biased; what kind of life am I living at ho!"
Listening to mother and daughter in their duet, Aunt Chen couldn’t help but roll her eyes again; her eyesight wasn’t gone—couldn’t she see who was truly favored? Today’s attire of Ye Qiu must have surely been chosen based on Ye Xia’s preferences; did they think they could treat her as a fool?
Nevertheless, it was after all a matter of her brother’s family; she didn’t want to overstep and end up thanklessly drained—it was just that her niece, Ye Qiu, was the one who suffered.
Perhaps it was a mother-daughter connection, for even at this mont Wang Yanran felt indignant on Ye Qiu’s behalf, looking at Ye Qiu with exasperation: "Have you been bullied by your sister again? Look at what you’re wearing today? Not only the style but even the size must be according to Ye Xia’s, right? You! You really don’t stand up for yourself."
Ye Qiu looked towards her with a chuckle, her face devoid of desire: "Cousin, you know, my sister is eloquent, and I’m unwell; the doctor has told not to overexert my mind. It’s just a couple pieces of clothing and so jewelry, nothing worth fussing over."
"Is it really just about a couple of pieces of clothing? When have you ever gotten sothing you truly liked? Even that aside, others still say how fortunate the second daughter destined to die young is, to be born into a family like this and live for so long, all the while thinking you’re the darling at ho! Isn’t this misleading?" Wang Yanran was still not appeased, feeling that the eldest cousin Ye Xia was too scheming—no wonder she had disliked her since childhood.
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