Aunt Lan guessed Shi Niang's displeasure. She only regretted that she hadn't given Shi Niang a beautiful face, so that Shi Niang's clever and insightful nature would suffer in secret.
"Don't take it to heart, young lady—" Aunt Lan was always guilty in front of her precocious daughter. She said hesitantly, "I just overheard something from Madam and wanted to remind you, young lady."
Shi Niang raised an eyebrow and looked at her.
"Ninth Sister's birth mother never entered the manor and didn't even have a proper title," Aunt Lan said softly. "Zhang Mama has been serving the Madam since I entered the manor, and she had never heard of a Ninth Sister before—"
Shi Niang was stunned.
There had been a concubine's daughter who died young in the Marquis's mansion, so the Grand Madam only casually mentioned that "Ninth Sister is no longer here," and everyone assumed that Ninth Sister had probably died young.
But just three months ago, someone suddenly came to report that Ninth Sister had been found. The Grand Madam immediately sent someone to pick her up, without having the slightest doubt about Ninth Sister's identity.
Later, they only explained that Jiu Niang was separated from her infancy, but fortunately she was protected by a loyal servant. Because she was weak and could not withstand the hardship, she could not return to the capital and had to be brought back after she grew up.
This explanation simply doesn't stand up to scrutiny; upon closer examination, it's riddled with flaws.
“The Dowager Madam is no simpleton!” Although Aunt Lan wasn’t particularly shrewd, she wasn’t stupid either. “I heard that the person who has been serving the Sixth Miss all along is also an old servant of the Dowager Madam.”
"The lady is not the same person she was a decade or so ago... How formidable she was back then! Looking at it now, it seems the Grand Madam was still a step ahead." Aunt Lan seemed lost in memories, her handkerchief clenched tightly, a hint of uncertainty in her voice. "I don't know if all of this has come to this for the best or for the worst..."
"If such a good marriage is true—" Aunt Lan's expression was somewhat excited: "After all, you and Seventh Sister have always been pampered in the mansion. When it comes to gentleness, consideration, and understanding, Seventh Sister is never as good as you—"
Shi Niang walked over and took Aunt Lan's hand.
"Don't worry, Aunt, I know what I'm doing." Shi Niang smiled gently. "Since Sixth Sister came back, I've noticed some clues. Now, after hearing what you've said, Aunt, I understand even better."
Looking at her clever and bright daughter, Aunt Lan couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.
Sixth Sister and Ninth Sister have both grown up to be exceptionally beautiful, as dazzling as pearls in the morning dew. What about my own daughter? Can she still earn a place in the world?
“Even though Sixth Sister and Ninth Sister have extraordinary abilities, I am not entirely unprepared.” Tenth Sister remained calm and reassured Aunt Lan, “Aunt, you must not lose your composure.”
"Madam, everything here is as usual. I have my own arrangements."
Aunt Lan nodded.
At this moment, Shi Niang was also filled with a thousand thoughts. She stared blankly at the lilac tree outside the window, lost in thought.
My grandmother, whom I always remembered as kind and peaceful, what kind of scheme was she orchestrating? Was I, like my other sisters, merely a pawn in her game? What were the real reasons that my sixth and ninth sisters left in the first place?
Shi Niang closed her eyes and let out a long sigh.
She couldn't act rashly; she had to wait. A small act of impatience could ruin a great plan.
Besides... even if she can resist her curiosity, there will always be people who are curious, and she only needs to give them a few hints.
Shi Niang smiled slightly, a hint of confident planning in her eyes.
******
Huifang Garden.
As soon as she stepped across the threshold of the courtyard, Seventh Sister suddenly quickened her pace, overtaking Sixth Sister. She swung her arm violently, almost causing Sixth Sister to stumble.
Normally, she would apologize to Sixth Sister in front of outsiders, but when she got to her own courtyard, Seventh Sister just snorted and strode into her room, her imposing manner almost making the thin brocade curtain rattle loudly.
Bitao and Bizhi quickly helped Liu Niang up.
Sixth Sister showed no anger whatsoever. She smiled gently at the two of them, and when she looked up at Seventh Sister's room, she also revealed a hint of patience and tolerance.
It was as if they were looking at a child who didn't know any better.
"Young lady is back!" As soon as Sixth Sister entered, Liu Mama went to greet her. "I've made a soup with donkey-hide gelatin, red dates, and black-boned chicken. It's incredibly nourishing. Please have a taste, young lady."
Sixth Sister smiled and nodded. "It's best to let the little maid do this."
Upon hearing this, Liu's mother's smile deepened.
After Liu Niang changed into some casual clothes, Liu Mama stopped Bi Tao and the others from serving her and personally removed Liu Niang's hairpins and ornaments. Knowing that the mistress and servant had something to say, Bi Tao and the others tactfully withdrew.
"What's going on today?" Liu Mama said softly as she carefully took out the hairpin and put it away. "Seventh Miss still has such a temper."
Sixth Sister smiled slightly, and a face as beautiful as a spring flower appeared in the bronze mirror. "It's all because of Master He today. He praised Tenth Sister's poem as better than hers, and he also said that my calligraphy has improved more and more, but he didn't praise her at all. With Seventh Sister's temperament, she's bound to get angry."
Madam Liu also laughed and said, "Seventh Miss is too spoiled. Although she is born out of wedlock, she acts like a legitimate daughter. Now that all the legitimate daughters have married, Madam can tolerate her."
"Although she and Shi Niang both grew up in the manor, their personalities are worlds apart. Who in this manor doesn't praise Shi Niang for being well-behaved and sensible?"
"Tenth Sister is indeed a rare talent." The smile on Sixth Sister's face slowly faded, and she sighed, "She is so well-versed in literature at such a young age. In the six months since I returned, both my master and father have praised her many times..."
Seeing Liu Niang's disappointment, Liu Mama quickly comforted her, "Don't be discouraged, Miss. You've read so many books, but you're not going to become an old scholar! A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent. In terms of virtue, speech, appearance, and work, Tenth Miss is far inferior to you."
"I'm not just saying this to flatter you, but with your stunning beauty, even the Tenth Sister has to admit defeat."
Sixth Sister shook her head with a wry smile.
"Has Mother seen Ninth Sister?" Sixth Sister whispered, "Ninth Sister is only thirteen years old this year, yet she has already grown into such a beautiful and charming young lady. What will she be like when she grows up?"
Ever since meeting Jiu Niang, a thorn has been planted in Liu Niang's heart.
Both she and Jiu Niang had returned from outside. From a young age, she knew that her status was different from that of the neighborhood children, so she worked hard and became proficient in all kinds of arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and needlework.
When she was finally brought back to the Marquis's mansion and witnessed its splendor, she vowed to fight for a place of her own.
At that time, there were two concubine daughters in the family: Seventh Sister and Tenth Sister. The Grand Madam treated them all equally and kindly, but the legal wife, Madam Zhao, clearly favored Seventh Sister and Tenth Sister.
Sixth Sister wasn't worried; she had an advantage that the two of them couldn't match: she had a beautiful face.