The rumbling thunder seed to explode beside the ears, layer upon layer of dark clouds pressed upon the rooftops of Tong Mansion, and within monts, a torrential downpour swept over, enveloping the Zhiqu in a curtain of rain.
"Miss, you should rest for a while, be careful with your eyes." Sixing filled the hot tea for Tong Xiqiu, looking heart-wrenchingly at her increasingly slim figure. The hibiscus-colored cotton jacket exposed a section of slender neck that made one feel pity, and a slanted peony bun was lonely with a single jade orchid hairpin inserted, eyebrows like new moons, a high nose bridge, head lowered, focused intently on the painting in front, serene and gentle.
Sixing observed, sowhat lost in thought, unwilling to disturb the scene that seed like a painting.
The room was quiet for a mont, only the sound of rustling coming from the three-foot square heated table, Xiqiu did not lift her head as she softly spoke: "Mm!"
The rain outside did not abate, it poured fiercely onto the roof and after a long while, Xiqiu massaged her sore neck, lifted her delicate face, which under the dim light scattered a lustrous white sheen, with coral red lips slightly curved: "What did Laiwang’s wife say?"
Seeing she stopped painting, Sixing imdiately handed her the pastel peony tea bowl: "She said the patterns Miss painted sell very well, especially those few unnad patterns were extrely popular, even the Store Manager of Jinxiu Pavilion praised them highly."
Unnad? Naturally!
Those few patterns, were flower species only from her past life, now suddenly five years later, her mory begins to blur, even those lonely days in the hospital room watching flowers bloom and decay waiting for life to dissipate seem sowhat unreal.
The hot tea entered her throat, seemingly loosening the knot in her heart; Xiqiu sighed, turned and continued painting: "Then paint a few more, in a few days Fourth Sister will have her birthday, we will need money."
Sixing’s expression darkened, cautiously grinding ink, and said: "Yesterday, I heard concubine say the concubine might visit today, and that cousin..." The cousin was known to be modest and gentle like a nobleman, the wonfolk of Tong Mansion all had a good impression of him.
Xiqiu’s eyes narrowed slightly, frowned at Sixing, showing a rare sternness: "Do not speak of this again."
"This slave understands!" Sixing hurriedly bowed and nodded.
Xiqiu also felt she was being overly cautious, but in such a family, despite five years of trying to adapt, constantly being wary, it wasn’t up to her to decide; being a concubine’s daughter ant her marriage was not under her control, if Lady were pleased she might arrange a good match for her, as for cousin Xu Tianqing...
Without expectations, there would be no disappointnts, besides, she wasn’t seeking noble lineage with sumptuous als.
Suddenly, the thick crow-black curtain was lifted by soone, a gust of cold wind blew in, Chunyan stumbled in, dripping water all over the dark red floor, in a disheveled state.
"What happened?" Xiqiu frowned, Chunyan usually was calm and not talkative, sothing must have happened to disturb her so.
With a bang, Chunyan knelt down: "Miss, please save Siliu!"
Xiqiu put down the brush, she had been cautiously avoiding things for five years, yet so matters were inevitable.
Sixing’s face turned white, she couldn’t care about much, hurriedly pushed Chunyan aside and whispered urgently: "What exactly happened?" Her heart was pounding: "Don’t you know the situation Miss faces in the mansion? The master hasn’t entered concubine’s room for six years, even Miss and Little Master are unseen, during those years even the servants dared to treat us poorly and give us an attitude; if not for Miss being cautious in front of Lady the past two years, not just you and but even this Zhiqu Courtyard might not be safe, you are not always cautious, yet have stirred up trouble."
Chunyan’s face turned white, she understood too, but...
Xiqiu smiled watching them, yet her voice carried a trace of sternness: "Sixing!"
Sixing’s face turned white, instantly sobered: "This slave overstepped." Kneeling beside Chunyan.
Decisions shouldn’t be made by her, Sixing dared not speak further.
Xiqiu smiled looking at Chunyan.
Chunyan lowered her head, speaking rapidly: "Siliu went to the kitchen for lunch, Shuixiang noticed we had an extra dish of Lady’s gifted crystal pork, said since Miss is always amicable why not give it to Third Miss, Third Miss has been ntioning it these days, Siliu disagreed and the two argued, sohow it was ntioned the embroidery goods Laiwang’s family brought us to sell, Shuixiang even smashed a sweet white porcelain plate, kitchen’s Nanny Liu instead of stopping it added fuel, seeking Lady’s judgent, soon Nanny Fang ca in with a stern face and took the two away, this slave knew it was wrong, hurriedly took a shortcut back."
Third Miss Tong Xiyang’s concubine was currently favored, serving alongside the master in Yongzhou, Third Miss’s arrogance grew, but if she just wanted crystal pork, Xiqiu believed she wouldn’t be so extre.
What does Third Miss want?
Such a minor thing, normally Nanny Fang could say a few words and settle it, at most each would receive a few lashes.
Why does Lady uncharacteristically personally attend to this matter?
Chunyan saw her silent, growing more anxious internally, Lady was a smiling Buddha, appearing amiable yet most overbearing in her thods; if she truly wished to punish, it’s likely Siliu won’t escape serious harm.
They know Sixth Miss’s situation is difficult, but if not seeking her help, then whom else could they ask?
"Miss." Sixing bit her lip, face pale, they grew up together in the mansion, their bond deep, thinking of all possibilities, her voice choked: "Miss, it’s true Siliu was at fault arguing, Lady punishing is rightful."
Xiqiu pressed her lips and shook her head, if she couldn’t even protect her maids, how could she earn their loyalty and have Lady regard her highly?
But before understanding Lady’s intentions, rushing would be improper: "First change into dry clothes, have a hot tea to warm up, it’s likely soon soone from Lady’s quarters will co, seeing you like this will only stir gossip."
Chunyan froze, she had not expected the Miss, always self-preserving for stability, would agree to save Siliu.
Sixing supported Chunyan into the Warm Pavilion, Xiqiu stood and walked to the mirror to adjust her makeup, removing the slightly old jacket, changed into the pogranate red hundred butterflies floral silk narrow short jacket Lady gifted last year, gazing at herself in the mirror, she was in a daze for a mont; five years ago she held a master’s degree in advanced nursing, fantasizing about various lives she wanted to experience, life had its tricks, who could have guessed she’d be living humbly in this ancient mansion like a bottom of a well.
When your life, even your existence, is held in others’ hands, all you can do is a re struggle for survival!
Xiqiu wrinkled her brows at the person in the mirror, the person also furrowed brows at her, a palm-sized face with delicate brow furrowed together, sowhat pale complexion made the eyes appear particularly large, and the body was sowhat thin due to developnt, yet despite so, still radiant and graceful.
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