Chapter Six: A Feast Without Good Fortune

  I rushed back to the mansion with lotus root, sneaking in through the back door before Father returned. Luckily, I made it back to the Snowflake Pavilion unnoticed, where Zi Juan was anxiously waiting for me in the courtyard, pacing back and forth. When she saw me dressed as a man, her face instantly turned black.

  "Miss, why don't you bring more people when going out? What if something happens, how can I explain to the mistress? The mistress has sent someone over several times already. Young lady, in the future, please inform me when going out, so that I can worry less."

  Looking at her helpless and concerned expression, I felt a warmth in my heart. I took her hand and coquettishly said, "See, your young master has changed, Purple Cui sister must keep it a secret for me, don't let mother know." Seeing me acting cute and silly, Purple Cui couldn't help but be charmed.

  "The lady is already waiting for you in the front hall, miss. You'd better hurry up and get dressed, or you'll be late."

  Helpless, I followed Ziyun into the house to change into women's clothes, let down my hair, and re-braid it into two small buns at the back of my head, with the remaining hair neatly scattered behind me. The long hair that reached my waist made me look even more slender. After changing into embroidered skirt, putting on earrings, I stood up to let Ziyun and the maid tidy everything up. Taking advantage of Ziyun's brief absence, I gave Lianye a wink, and she understood and left quietly.

  I followed Zijuan to the Listening Tide Garden with three little maids, and my mother was already waiting there. She waved at me as I approached, and the aunts all smiled and greeted me politely, not daring to show any dissatisfaction. I also bowed and took my seat beside my mother. Wang's wife wore gold and silver, but her attire was somewhat tacky. Third Aunt, who came from a humble background, looked elegant in her green lotus-patterned dress, exuding an otherworldly air. Yang Yuhua was indeed fresh and pure like a lotus flower, but her heart was another matter altogether. Fourth Aunt wore a light peach-red dress that set off her snowy complexion, and as a former courtesan, she still had an alluring aura about her. Second and Third Aunts both had daughters already, while Fourth Aunt had been married for three years without any sign of pregnancy - it was hard to say whether this was fate or intentional. I couldn't help but smile wryly at the thought.

  Mother looked puzzled "Xue Er, what's so funny? Today you only care about your own thoughts and don't even spare a thought for your mother." She scolded.

  I looked up at my mother and smiled, "Xue Er was just thinking that Father has been away on business for over half a month, missing Father, could it be that Mother is jealous?"

  Yang just wanted to retort, but heard the sound of her father's hearty laughter outside the door "But my second daughter, I thought of you. I could hear it from afar, haha, it was worth spoiling you."

  My father has been doting on me since I was a child, although he has many wives and concubines. Both my second and third stepmothers were chosen by my grandmother, and my parents can be considered childhood sweethearts. My mother doesn't say anything, but she's probably not happy about it either.

  "Daughter greets Father"

  "I pay my respects to the master"

  "Xue Er, come to Daddy quickly. It's been over half a month since we left the capital. Have you been listening to Mommy's words? Daddy has brought many gifts for you."

  Looking at Father's doting face, I couldn't help but roll my eyes and mutter to myself that he was clearly very well-behaved, so why did he always think I was getting into trouble every day. Probably seeing the resentment in my expression, Father affectionately rubbed my head.

  "You've all worked hard, and so has your wife. How's her health?"

  "Thank you for your concern, sir. I feel much better now, just a bit weak in the body. After resting for two days, I'll be fine."

  "You're also doing well at home, I brought some local specialties for you this time when I returned to Beijing, and I'll have the housekeeper send them to your courtyard in a while. Why didn't I see Luoxue and Luobing? Did something happen?"

  Dad, you're great in every way except that you're too soft-hearted. Those two daughters of yours are really frugal, sigh... thinking about it, I'm even more extravagant now. Pang Liangying is only one year younger than me, but her thoughts are much deeper than mine were at that time. Thinking back, she must have been very cunning to climb to that position in her past life.

  "Father, you're back. I made some tonic soup for mother and was afraid that the servants wouldn't be able to watch the fire, so I came late. Please don't blame me." Pang Luoyu's brow furrowed, her eyes welling up with tears in a way that tugged at one's heartstrings. Since she was making medicine, why did she have to dress up like a flower? Was it to move the Kitchen God or something? Unfortunately, apart from Father being completely clueless, everyone else had an "I know what you're up to" look on their faces. I realized that my past life was really too simple-minded, and it seems that this simplicity has been inherited from my old man.

  "It's hard for you to have such a filial heart, hurry up and take a seat." Mother was pleased and nodded in approval, Father also smiled and nodded in agreement with Pang Luoyu.

  "Fallen ice, what's going on?" Father looked puzzled.

  "Bing'er said she had learned a new tune and wanted to play it for Master, but she refused to come out of the house. I tried to persuade her, but it was no use, so I let her eat in the house instead. Master can go listen later."

  As soon as Third Aunt spoke, even Mother's face changed. Normally, when Father returns, he would go to the Jinxiu Pavilion to accompany Mother. It seems that Third Aunt is indeed skilled in her ways. In her past life, she was foolish, but this life, she must protect Mother completely. Second Aunt smiled strangely and said, "Third Sister, have you forgotten? Today, when Father returns to the manor, he should be accompanying his wife. After all, we are a humble family and don't even understand half of the rules."

  Third Aunt looked up at her mother and smiled lightly, "It's my sister who is too concerned about Bing Er that child. You also know that the child has a stubborn temper and won't give up until she gets what she wants today. Madam must be magnanimous and can't be bothered with children's nonsense."

  This remark indeed has a hidden meaning, it says that the second aunt is making a big deal out of nothing and doesn't understand etiquette, but the lady didn't say anything wrong, yet she herself rushed to go first. It also says that if mother doesn't agree, isn't it like treating children as equals and not understanding etiquette? Each one is truly a good move, could it be that they all think I've lived in vain, eating vegetarian food for nothing?

  My father also looked at my mother with a difficult expression, and just as my mother was about to agree, I gently pulled her sleeve and said, "Father has had a long and tiring journey, how can we children not show some consideration? Even if it's to listen to the guqin, we should wait until Father has finished dinner before going. I'm sure Ice won't be in a hurry, right, Third Aunt?"

  "The second young lady is right, it's just that I haven't thought it through carefully."

  "My second daughter is still a headache for me, let's eat first and talk later."

  I raised my head and gave Third Aunt a cold glance, she was truly an idiot, not knowing the difference between superior and inferior, now her intestines were all green with regret.

  Third Aunt's forehead was sweating, and at this moment she indeed regretted it. She wanted to keep Old Master by her side, but instead she had carelessly promised him to her daughter, ending up with someone who didn't understand things. When did Second Miss become so clever? Thinking of the way she looked at Third Aunt made Third Aunt's heart feel a chill, but upon closer inspection, there was actually nothing. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, after all, she's just a child, Third Aunt comforted herself.

  "Ugh......" Fourth Aunt's stomach was churning. She couldn't stop dry heaving, and it seemed like a scene from her past life was about to replay in this one. I curled up the corner of my mouth, watching as everyone at the table had different expressions, making for a truly exciting meal.

  "If you're not feeling well, have you seen a doctor? Your complexion looks terrible?"

  "Don't worry, old master. If Spring is just pregnant, she's just a bit uncomfortable." After finishing, her face turned bright red.

  "This is good news, you be careful, go back and rest first, I'll come over later to see you."

  "Yes, I understand."

  Looking at Father's delighted face, Second Aunt and Third Aunt are furious but pretending to smile, it's laughable that the two have been openly quarreling and secretly competing, only to be used by others. Unfortunately, this child is doomed to not be saved, hehe, I wonder who among you will make the first move, I'm really looking forward to it......