Chapter 4: Big Sister (Part 1)

  The lady sat in the chair, looking at her eldest daughter. Since marrying into the Hou family, good things had been happening one after another. First, their relatives were being increasingly favored, and now even the uncle had entered the Ministry of War. The more she thought about it, the happier she became. Taking advantage of the fact that the family banquet had not yet started, she pulled her daughter over to talk to her.

  Just as she sat down, Shu Hua suddenly remembered something and hastily asked her mother, "I heard you brought Father's daughter with his concubine into the mansion?"

  The madam nodded, "It's your eighth sister, she just entered the mansion today."

  Shu Hua raised an eyebrow, she had never had a good impression of those concubines, let alone one from outside the family. "What's the point of bringing her in? It would be better to just find someone for her to marry."

  The old lady pretended to be serious, but with a hint of a smile in the corner of her eyes, "Being your father's flesh and blood, how can you casually find a husband?"

  Shu Hua looked down on her, "After all, she's just a concubine-born child, not even raised in the mansion. Wherever she's sent, it's all the same. If she wants to marry well, then she can't avoid becoming a concubine."

  The lady sipped her tea and said disapprovingly, "As a young mistress from the mansion, you should still marry into a middle-class family as the first wife."

  Shu Hua seemed to have thought of something, smiled and said, "That's not necessarily the case," she whispered in her mother's ear, "Isn't Father always trying to get along with the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel? It just so happens that she is also a person who was born and raised outside the mansion..."

  She had long heard that the Minister of the Board of War was quite a ladies' man, with eight or nine concubines in addition to his legitimate wife. Someone had previously suggested that she send one of her maidservants over, but after searching high and low, only Autumn Lotus from her own quarters and Spring Swallow from Madame's quarters were suitable, and both of them were indispensable, so she couldn't bear to part with them. Now, a concubine from outside the household had appeared, who was suitable in terms of both appearance and age...

  Shu Hua paused and continued: "Father has been to the Shangshu Mansion several times, but was rejected every time... rather than being repeatedly frustrated, it's better... to marry that unknown and unscrupulous young lady from outside the mansion."

  Although Shu Hua didn't finish speaking, Mrs. Dai already understood her meaning, "I can't be in charge of this matter, besides... that child I've seen is quite well-behaved, there hasn't been such an example before."

  "Seeing this is Father's critical moment, you can't bear to leave his side."

  The lady thought of Chun Yao and couldn't help but frown, "How could I bear to waste such a good maid? To put it nicely, she's just a concubine, but in reality, she's just going in there to be a plaything."

  Shu Hua looked at her mother's expression and knew that the matter had already been settled, "There is no better candidate than Eighth Sister, besides, being a concubine of the Minister is not a bad deal for her."

  Although that's what she said, Madame carefully took a sip of tea. She could see that the old master had taken a liking to this concubine. The concubine had just passed away, and now she wanted to marry off her daughter as a concubine. The old master might think she was jealous of the concubine. This matter could be done, but "it can't be rushed."

  Shu Hua wanted to say something, but the old lady gave her a signal, "It's you yourself, you've been married for three years and still no news. What's important is to give birth to a boy or girl as soon as possible. Your husband's family is a good one, but since there's no news from you, it can't be helped that they'll have to marry another daughter-in-law."

  Shu Hua's raised eyebrows suddenly fell, and it was strange to say that three years had passed, but her body hadn't shown any signs of movement. She had taken a lot of tonics, but they didn't seem to be effective. Recently, she had asked another doctor, who had prescribed some medicine, saying that there would be good news in a year or so. If this time doesn't work...

  Shu Hua was just thinking about it when Chun Yao walked into the house with a plate in her hands.

  Just as Chunyao had brought the pastries to the table, the mistress was already smiling and saying: "You see, I said this girl is clever. These pastries are made so exquisitely, I've never seen anything like it before."

  The lady picked one up and said, "What's so special about this?"

  Chun Yao saw Master Zai's excitement and couldn't help but feel happy too, "These are ten peony flowers, the name is also good, called Ten Complete and Perfect."

  The lady smiled, "With a name like that, I'd better take one. Bring the rest to the table and let's see if the young master likes it later."

  Chun Yao brought up the dim sum, and everyone was waiting for Master and Young Master to start the banquet.

  From a distance, they heard the old master speaking, another person's voice was warm and calm, whether it was the young lady or the maid, they couldn't help but sneak a peek forward, their eyes also revealing a gaze of admiration and envy.

  The best fate is to climb the dragon and attach the phoenix. The eldest sister was originally just married to a declining noble family, who would have thought that the new emperor's ascension would bring about great joy, Zhao Xin inherited the title of Yicheng Hou, and his uncle Zhao Xuan Huan is the eldest son, the heir to the title.

  Zhao Xuan Huan has been in a very good position in the court for three years, just like the bright moon in the lake water, standing out clearly. The number of aristocratic young men following him is increasing, and his mansion is even more crowded with people coming and going, whether it's their future or reputation, others can't keep up.

  It's good enough for me to marry a man like him... even if I become a concubine.

  The old master and the madam really have a good eye for things, they actually chose such a great marriage.

  The only pity is that the eldest sister has been married for three years, but her belly has not moved. This flaw can only give others a glimmer of hope. The sixth lady raised her head and stared at Zhao Xuanhuan with a faint smile, as if she had been pierced by a needle, causing her entire heart to collapse. She hastily lowered her head, her face flushing red.

  Apart from the two legitimate young ladies, the mistress had always been quite good to her. If the elder and younger misses never received any marriage proposals, it was possible that the mistress would choose another daughter-in-law from among their relatives. In that case, she should make an extra effort to seize this opportunity. The sixth miss unknowingly clenched her handkerchief tightly.

  Everyone sat down according to the rules, and the waiters began to bustle about. Dish after dish was brought up, and Shu Hua carefully served her husband, while Zhao Xuanhuan smiled faintly without showing any particular liking.

  Shu Hua couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, her husband was not picky at all, it's just that he treated her with too much respect, making it impossible for her to grasp his emotions.

  Suddenly thought of Chunyao's pastries, Shuhua handed over a piece, "Try this. The name is extremely good, it's called Perfect Ten."

  They say there are two kinds of love: one that gets into your bones, and one that makes you wish you were dead. Something you thought was safely stored away can suddenly appear right before your eyes.

  Zhao Xuan Huan was slightly stunned, his fingers clenched, and it took him half a day to ask, "You say, is this what they call perfect?"

  "Ten peony flowers, from budding to blooming, ten different postures."

  Something that was originally impossible to see forever appeared right in front of him. He couldn't help but pick one up and eat it, even the taste was the same.

  "I told you before, Chun Yao that girl did it. If you like her, I'll get her for you."

  Zhao Xuan Huan didn't say anything.

  Shu Hua couldn't help but laugh and called Chun Yao over, "It's just that I don't know if Mother is willing to part with it."

  Zhao Xuan Huan raised his head and glanced at Chun Yao.

  Chun Yao only felt that the gaze was shining like morning light, it was the most dazzling she had ever seen. At this moment, it was surging and fluttering, bright and resplendent like a startled swan.

  Chun Yao was startled for a moment, her heart racing wildly. When she looked again, the gaze had vanished and returned to that faint smile.

  Zhao Xuan said, "No need for that."

  The lady finally smiled, turned around and pulled Chunyao's hand, "Don't listen to this girl, I know what she's thinking in her heart. She's been eyeing my man for a long time, today it's just an excuse with this plate of pastries. One plate of pastries almost got me into trouble. Luckily, the young master is reasonable, otherwise I would have lost big."

  Everyone burst out laughing, and the family banquet was filled with joy and harmony.

  Chun Yao raised his head again and secretly glanced at Zhao Xuan Huan, but Zhao Xuan Huan's gaze was already elsewhere. Chun Yao suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of loss in his heart.

  Ronghua hid behind the door, listening to the movements outside. It was Jinxiu, that girl. Jinxiu had calculated the time it would take for her to fetch the cloak and come back, so by rights she should have come out of the house before Jinxiu returned.

  Everything will have unexpected events.

  "Miss Ba, don't scare me, I forgot to tell you that the mistress is not allowed in here."

  "Miss Ba..." Jinxiu's voice trembled.

  Jinxiu's footsteps stopped outside the door, and Ronghua let out a gentle sigh. Since the madam didn't allow it, Jinxiu shouldn't dare to enter casually.

  As soon as Jinxiu leaves the yard, she can immediately come out of the house. Even if Jinxiu finds someone to look for her, she has time to hide what's in her hand and make up a lie to get away with it.

  Jinxiu seemed to hesitate for a moment in front of the door, then left.

  Waiting for Jinxiu's footsteps to fade away, Ronghua restored everything in the house to its original state, exited the inner room, and just as she reached the door, a sudden flurry of footsteps came from outside, and the door was pushed open. Ronghua didn't have time to dodge, and it seemed like she was about to collide with the person head-on. A gust of wind blew in, blowing the blue silk curtains by the window, which floated onto Ronghua's body, covering her completely.

  Rong Hua hadn't even moved when a heart-piercing scream rang out beside his ear.

  Everyone save it ah ah ah ~~

  The teacher is so pitiful...