Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Laying Careful Plans
The rumbling thunder seemed to explode beside the ears, layer upon layer of dark clouds pressed upon the rooftops of Tong Mansion, and within moments, 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, somewhat lost in thought, unwilling to disturb the scene that seemed like a painting.
The room was quiet for a moment, 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 immediately handed her the pastel peony tea bowl: "She said the patterns Miss painted sell very well, especially those few unnamed patterns were extremely popular, even the Store Manager of Jinxiu Pavilion praised them highly."
Unnamed? Naturally!
Those few patterns, were flower species only from her past life, now suddenly five years later, her memory begins to blur, even those lonely days in the hospital room watching flowers bloom and decay waiting for life to dissipate seem somewhat 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 womenfolk 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 meant 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 disappointments, besides, she wasn’t seeking noble lineage with sumptuous meals.
Suddenly, the thick crow-black curtain was lifted by someone, 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, something 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 some 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 me 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 mentioning it these days, Siliu disagreed and the two argued, somehow it was mentioned 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 judgement, soon Nanny Fang came 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 extreme.
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 methods; 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 someone from Lady’s quarters will come, 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 pomegranate 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 moment; 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 mere 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, somewhat pale complexion made the eyes appear particularly large, and the body was somewhat thin due to development, yet despite so, still radiant and graceful.