Chapter Sixteen: Brother and Sister (Part 2)

  Seeking PK votes, pink votes.

  "Sister, I occasionally hear the maid in my house whispering in my ear." Hong Ge paused.

  The big girl Xia Tao in the house next door came from the house of the big wife, and she was very close to Dong Rui by the side of the big wife. The two people often gathered together when they had nothing to do, talking about some whispers. He occasionally heard a few sentences because it was about the new eight sisters who entered the mansion, he was also curious, so he paid attention.

  Hong Ge thought carefully and tried his best to tell Rong Hua what he had heard.

  Dong Ruo said, "It seems that the young lady raised in the outer mansion won't be staying long. Otherwise, there wouldn't be a shortage of maids and servants, nor would there be no reward for the second-class maid. Only Chun Yao was allowed to go over and help out. Everyone in the mansion knows that the mistress can't do without Chun Yao. From this, it's clear that the mistress doesn't plan on keeping her around."

  Dong Ruo also said, "The young ladies in the mansion and those with hairpins, the madam will inevitably reward them with a second-class maid. This second-class maid will follow the young lady to her husband's house in the future. The madam did not assign a personal maid to accompany her, it was also because she couldn't bear to let her loyal attendants suffer."

  Ronghua hesitated for a moment, but she didn't need Hongge to spell it out for her. She had already figured some things out. Originally, there were several second-class maids by Madame's side: Chun, Xia, Qiu, Dong, Qi, Qiao, Xiao, Rui, and Luo. Almost all of them had been given away as gifts to the young masters and misses in the mansion. Rui'er was given to Master, Autumn Lotus was given to Eldest Miss, Summer Peach was given to Hongge, Initial Dawn was given to Second Miss, Fallen Petals followed Third Miss when she got married, Qi Qi was given to her, and Fragrant Ingenuity was given to Sixth Miss.

  Now only Spring and Winter are left, promoted to be a first-class maid, the old lady would never give a first-class maid to the newly arrived Eighth Miss. Rong Hua smiled slightly, from the moment she saw Chun Yao following her into the mansion, she already understood that the old lady didn't want to keep her in the mansion.

  She coldly watched Mrs. Tai and Yan Hua's play of intrigue, just wanting to see some clues from it.

  Before entering the mansion, she had thought that even if the first wife wanted to marry her off, it wouldn't be so soon, at least they would have to find a decent family, but unexpectedly, the Yi Cheng Hou Mansion happened to bring over a marriage proposal.

  It seems that before she could even think about her own marriage, the mistress was already going to settle hers.

  "Sister," Hong Ge tightly grasped Yong Hua's hand, "what if it really is like that, what can we do?"

  Ronghua smiled slightly, like a blooming flower, slowly and calmly unfolding, "I will find a way to make her keep me in the mansion." As long as Madame can use her, she will not easily send her away. Moreover, Madame has never been an impatient person. Her performance after entering the mansion could at least make Madame have a temporarily observational mind about her, "Strive for time, and make plans."

  As long as those pawns in the government cannot be placed in the positions that Madame wants, Madame will inevitably choose another candidate.

  And even if she were to be married off, it would still be in order of seniority.

  She just observes the changes.

  Hong Ge waved his hands anxiously and begged, "Sister, what plan have you thought of? Tell me quickly!"

  Ronghua smiled, "I was just thinking that tomorrow is your first day of school, and the teacher will definitely test your knowledge. Although Father has just left the mansion, he will eventually return, and when he does, he will surely ask about you..."

  Hong's face suddenly fell, with a sobbing tone, "Sister, you can't just watch and do nothing."

  Ronghua took out a book from the house and handed it to Hongge. Hongge looked at the blank pages, where small characters were densely written with annotations. With these annotations, the dry book suddenly became easy to understand.

  "Brother Hong looked at this book, suddenly having a feeling of being in another world, and couldn't help but reach out to touch it. Tears were about to well up in his eyes again, and he barely held them back. 'Sister, your handwriting is different from before.'"

  In the past, her father always praised her, although she was a woman, her handwriting was dignified and magnificent, with a hint of Liu Gongquan's style. Now her own handwriting has become more rounded and no longer has that sharp edge it once had.

  Ronghua smiled and reached out to tidy up Hongge's clothes, "There's just one thing, you have to take good care of this book. No matter who asks you, just say you got it from outside, don't mention that I wrote it."

  "Brother Hong nodded hastily, 'Sister, don't worry, I know this too. If someone finds out by accident, I'd rather die than say it was given by sister.'"

  The second day, Ronghua got up especially early. She had just greeted her mother-in-law and hadn't said a word when the servant outside came to report, "Madam, Eldest Uncle has arrived."

  The big wife was busy and had someone ask, "Where's Brother Hong? See if he's ready yet?"

  As soon as the words fell, Hong Ge had already walked in towards the sound, "Mother."

  Hong crossed the threshold, his embroidered robe edges rolling, looking like a young noble. He wore a dark blue fitted satin robe with white fur trim on the sleeves and a green silk sash tied around his waist that hung down to the hem of his robe. A small servant beside him held a white fox fur cloak. Old Mrs. saw him and immediately smiled, hurrying him along: "Come on, let's go, don't be late."

  Hong Ge bowed and retreated, but Mrs. Zhao came out to see them off. As they walked out of the main house, Zhao Xuan Huan had already come walking towards them.

  Having seen the family gift, Zhao Xuan's mouth corner hung a shallow smile. "Don't worry, mother-in-law, I'll take care of Hong Ge, I'll arrange everything properly."

  The big wife smiled and nodded, "If there's anything wrong with Brother Hong, you can say it yourself."

  Zhao Xuanhuan just smiled, and when he looked at Hong Ge, his pitch-black eyes were filled with warmth.

  Rong Hua was also looking at Hong Ge, Hong Ge's eyes flashed and he slightly raised his eyebrows towards Rong Hua.

  Rong Hua thought that everyone's attention was focused on Zhao Xuanhuan and Hong Ge, so no one would notice her, so she slightly curved the corners of her mouth at Hong Ge.

  Someone shouted, "Sixth Miss."

  Ronghua knew it was Yanhua who had arrived, and she retreated a step behind the madam without revealing any expression, finding a position where she wouldn't be noticed. When she lifted her head again, her eyes lightly met Zhao Xuan's gaze unexpectedly.

  His eyes had a hint of inquiry, like a breeze blowing over the lake, rippling with wrinkles.

  Fortunately, Yanhua walked over and shouted, "Brother-in-law."

  Zhao Xuanhuan finally shifted his gaze away.

  Yan Hua's attire, although not as exquisite as yesterday's, was still meticulously arranged. Her movements, including a gentle bow and a subtle sway of her waist, were perfectly executed, revealing a hint of coquettishness.

  Zhao Xuanhuan's expression remained as indifferent as ever, and he simply nodded slightly at Hua, which was equivalent to acknowledging his presence.

  Yan Hua's face couldn't help but look a bit unsightly.

  "Alright, alright, let's get down to business."

  Zhao Xuanhuan took Hong Ge away, and Hong Ge's book boy and servant hastily followed.

  The people in the yard waited until Zhao Xuanhuan and Hong Ge walked out of the gate before dispersing.

  Ronghua wanted to invite Yanhua into the house to discuss patterns, but Yanhua looked impatient and only said: "I still have some things to do, another day!" and took Xiangqiao away hastily.

  Ronghua looked at Chunyao beside her, who was at a loss for what to do. Chunyao said, "Let's not bother Miss Eighth for now, let's finish it first and then show it to Miss Sixth."

  Rong Hua nodded, "It can't be helped."

  Ronghua returned to the house and continued to draw flower patterns with Chunyao.

  Chun Yao Na took the good flower pattern in her hand and looked at it again and again, "It's really beautiful, I've never seen this kind of flower pattern before."

  Rong Hua smiled slightly, she also wanted to thank the eighth lady for having such a pair of skilled hands, otherwise, no matter how hard she tried for three years, she wouldn't have learned such good craftsmanship.

  Although Seventh Aunt wasn't from a renowned family, since her household was one that valued learning and culture, she knew that all large families emphasized marrying wisely, so secretly, she began to make plans for Eighth Miss.

  The young lady from a humble background has little refinement and skills, making it even harder to find a good marriage in the future. Seventh Auntie found several embroidery teachers to instruct Eighth Miss on feminine needlework, and Eighth Miss was also clever with her hands, after just a few years of practice she already had the skills of several embroidery teachers.

  Later, Eighth Miss fell ill and after waking up, her body remained unchanged, but what was inside had already changed to Rong Hua.

  It's as if fate was compensating Ronghua, for she had also inherited the skill of embroidery from Eighth Miss. When Ronghua picked up her needle and thread, with a little thought, she could naturally embroider it out.

  Rong Hua withdrew her thoughts and smiled at Chun Yao: "Take a look, which ones are better, we'll take them to mother and see if she likes them."

  Chun Yao looked at these patterns again and said, "In my opinion, the young lady's drawings are all good. Otherwise, I'll take these to Madame and let her choose some."

  Ronghua smiled and said, "Alright." Then she left with Muyi and Chunyao to go to the old lady's room.

  Ronghua lived in the west wing of the Liuying courtyard, and to get to Madame's house, she had to pass by Sixth Miss's Weihong Pavilion. As soon as the two people walked past the bamboo path in front of Sixth Miss's door, Ronghua glanced sideways and saw Xiangqiao looking around nervously in the courtyard, with several third-class maids standing beside her.

  Xiang Qiao had a maid beside her, who was actually Zhi Hua's mother's fourth sister. Xiang Qiao and Zhi Hua were like this, it seemed that something had happened in the sixth miss's room.

  Rong Hua stopped in her tracks, as if suddenly remembering something. "Should we show these to Sixth Sister? Mother entrusted this matter to us sisters, but bypassing Sixth Sister might not be a good idea."

  Chun Yao agreed with Eighth Miss, "Indeed, Eighth Miss thought of it more thoroughly, I had actually forgotten."

  As soon as the two people entered Sixth Miss's courtyard, Xiang Qiao hastily came out to greet them. She curtsied to Rong Hua and said, "Eighth Miss is well," then bowed to Chun Yao and said, "Miss Chun Yao is well."

  Chun Yao said: "Is your family's young lady at home? Eighth Miss has something to say."

  Xiang Qiao didn't dare raise his head, and only muttered quickly: "My young lady is feeling unwell and is lying down inside."

  Who knows when the words just reached here, there was a sudden crisp sound in the house, as if something had fallen to the ground.

  Xiang Qiao's face changed immediately, as if she couldn't wait to cover Chun Yao and Rong Hua's ears.

  Haha