The Second Miss and Third Miss no longer looked at the little girl—more precisely, they deliberately ignored her.
“If you go, you won’t be lacking in propriety, but what will mother think when she finds out?” the Second Miss said. “Mother dislikes her so much, yet you’re getting close to her. Isn’t this adding to mother’s troubles?”
Chang Chunlan sighed and sat down. The little girl behind her stood close, head lowered, silent and motionless.
“When the in-laws are displeased, even someone like me has difficult days, let alone someone like her who doesn’t even have a natal family to rely on… I didn’t think much of it before, but now I find her truly pitiful. Second sister, third sister,” she said with a sigh, “we’re all women—we should be more considerate of her.”
The Third Miss nodded with some agreement.
The Second Miss shook her head.
“Why didn’t brother-in-law come?” she changed the subject.
When this question was asked, a look of anxiety appeared on Chang Chunlan’s face.
“He… he had matters to attend to and couldn’t come,” she said, lowering her head.
The Second Miss regretted asking this question. Brother-in-law Liu Chengyang had a dull personality, which really didn’t suit Marquis Dingxi’s refined tastes, so the marquis didn’t like him. Moreover, the originally noble Liu family had fallen on hard times—the old master had offended the emperor and been stripped of his official position, which implicated his descendants’ career prospects. Liu Chengyang had simply remained a child student until now, unable to even pass the xiucai examination, making him even more reluctant to visit his father-in-law’s home.
“He must be studying hard for the examination.”
“The county examination is coming up. Second brother is so learned, he’s sure to pass this time,” Chang Chunlan said with a smile.
“Yes, his scholarship was already good to begin with, and now for the sake of the concubine, he’s really pushing himself this time,” the Third Miss said, sighing. “He’s exhausted himself to illness.”
The word “concubine” made the First Miss and Second Miss fall silent, creating a slightly awkward atmosphere.
The Third Miss realized her topic was inappropriate and gave an embarrassed smile.
“It’s all my fault. Meeting you all during the New Year, instead of being happy, I’ve made everyone sigh and lament,” the First Miss said, sighing again. “No wonder father doesn’t like me—I’m truly an unlucky person.”
The atmosphere in the room became even more stifling. From inside came the sound of Concubine Huang’s coughing. Chang Chunlan quickly got up to go in, with the little girl naturally following behind.
The Second Miss and Third Miss exchanged glances and smiled bitterly.
“Why did eldest sister bring… her along too?” the Second Miss asked in a lowered voice, pointing toward the inner room.
The Third Miss knew what she was referring to. She glanced toward the inner room, then quickly looked away as if she had seen something inauspicious, and shook her head at the Second Miss.
Compared to the gloomy atmosphere here, Qianjin Hall was filled with joy.
“Thank you, Master,” a disciple said, receiving a red packet from Qi Yue’s hands and bowing respectfully.
“Happy New Year,” Qi Yue smiled, picking up another packet to hand to someone else. “Great fortune and prosperity.”
“Thank you, Master,” that disciple said happily yet somewhat shyly, bowing in salute.
Liu Pucheng watched with a smile nearby, when he suddenly saw Qi Yue walking over with a smile.
“What? I get one too?” he laughed.
Qi Yue extended her hand toward him.
“Teacher, you’re my elder—where’s my red packet?” she smiled.
Liu Pucheng laughed heartily and indeed pulled one from his sleeve to place in Qi Yue’s hand.
“Happy New Year, great fortune and prosperity,” he said, mimicking Qi Yue’s words.
Qi Yue respectfully bowed in thanks.
“Alright, alright, the red packets have been distributed. Now let’s check homework,” Qi Yue said, clapping her hands at the chattering, laughing disciples.
The disciples immediately took out their suturing practice leather pieces.
“Oh no, I forgot to bring mine,” Que Zhi said.
“You’re always with me—I can check yours anytime,” Qi Yue laughed, taking the leather piece handed over by Hu San, who had pushed through the crowd to be first.
“Well then, I’ll do some suturing practice right here. The young madam is busy at home anyway, so I won’t trouble you further,” Que Zhi said with a smile.
Qi Yue hadn’t expected her to be so studious. She hadn’t seen her practice much, yet she dared to do suturing on the spot. With some curiosity, she smiled and nodded.
Que Zhi then looked at the other disciples.
“Which of you brothers will lend me a piece of leather and some needle and thread?” she said.
This single call of “brothers” made half the disciples go weak in the knees, scrambling frantically to get her supplies.
A’Hao pursed her lips to the side.
“She’s doing it on purpose,” she whispered to A’Ru.
A’Ru smiled knowingly.
“She just likes to show off—nothing more than that,” she whispered back.
Sure enough, Que Zhi’s on-the-spot suturing won a chorus of amazement from the other disciples. Even Qi Yue praised her with satisfaction, making Que Zhi beam with pride.
“Sister A’Ru, your suturing skills are even better, aren’t they?” Hu San said with a pout, then quickly put on a smile for A’Ru.
A’Ru gave him a look.
“Not particularly,” she answered simply.
Hu San laughed awkwardly.
“Well, A’Ru is the best at everything else anyway…” he continued.