Hehua happily went to fetch the brown sugar, careful not to take too much. She broke off a few pieces the size of a fingernail, added one to each teacup, and brewed two cups of rose tea with hot water.
The roses had bloomed in the courtyard during summer. During their free time, they had picked and dried them to make tea. Even without sugar, the floral brew was far better than the coarse tea leaves they were usually given.
After a few sips of the sweetened tea, their complexions improved slightly. Unable to hold back, Hehua spoke up.
“Cousin, do you think Madam will give Li’er a gift?”
Aunt Shui shook her head without elaborating.
“Madam is so wealthy and loves putting on a show of generosity. I think she’ll definitely send something…” Hehua prattled on, oblivious to the slight frown forming on Aunt Shui’s delicate brows.
“Li’s education is a major occasion—of course Madam will send gifts! Though, in my opinion, instead of presents, it’d be better if she just gave money…”
“Enough!”
Before Hehua could continue, her cousin’s sharp reprimand cut her off.
Aunt Shui set down her teacup, her expression stern.
“Madam allowing Li’er to begin his studies and eventually sending him to school is already an immense kindness. We should be grateful! How could you even think of demanding gifts from her? Such thoughts are improper, and now you’re even picking and choosing what she should give? Hehua, one must not be so greedy…”
This was the first time Aunt Shui had ever scolded Hehua so harshly. Seeing her cousin freeze in shock before her eyes reddened, Aunt Shui’s heart ached.
Life in Puti Courtyard was simple and austere. Pitying Hehua for the abuse she had suffered at the hands of her former husband, Aunt Shui had never enforced the usual master-servant formalities behind closed doors, allowing them to address each other as cousins.
Hehua, fearful of gossip about her near-“rental” in the past, rarely left the courtyard, and Aunt Shui never forced her. She had only wanted her cousin, who had endured so much hardship in her early years, to live more comfortably in the latter half of her life.
But today’s conversation shocked Aunt Shui. She suddenly realized that Hehua, naive as a lamb, was utterly unprepared for the ruthless machinations of a wealthy household.
Such ignorance wouldn’t just harm Hehua—it could also implicate Li’er.
Seeing the mix of hurt, resentment, and defiance on Hehua’s face, Aunt Shui felt a throbbing headache and couldn’t help but ask,
“Do you think that because Li’er is a young master of the Sheng family, he deserves a life of luxury?
“Or perhaps you believe I shouldn’t be like this—that I should compete for the master’s favor, to secure advantages for myself and Li’er?”
Hehua bit her lip before finally speaking as if steeling herself.
“Cousin, back in the countryside, I saw many landlords. If a landlord favored his concubine, her son could even surpass the legitimate heir—
“Master dotes so much on Aunt Hong and Aunt Bai. Doesn’t that mean he doesn’t care about Madam’s dignity at all…”
“So, you think I should vie for his favor?”
Aunt Shui’s voice was calm, but her heart trembled.
“Cousin, you’re beautiful. If you dressed up, you could surely catch Master’s eye. With just a little of his affection, Li’er’s life would be so much easier—”
Aunt Shui gripped the armrest of her chair tightly. Life in Puti Courtyard had been too peaceful—so peaceful that she’d never realized just how naive and misguided Hehua was!
Did Hehua think competing for favor was so simple?
Did she have the wealth to support the master like Madam? The gentle tenderness of Aunt Ruan? Or the youth, beauty, and talent of Aunt Hong and Aunt Bai?
She had no advantages. The only reason she had survived this long and borne a son was precisely because she had been obedient, unassuming, and knew her place.
If she actually tried to compete, she’d likely lose her life…
Aunt Shui’s heart churned, but then she reminded herself that Hehua had grown up in the countryside, accustomed to a rough and straightforward life.
She had only entered the household three years ago and rarely left this secluded courtyard. She probably hadn’t even seen the faces of Aunt Hong and Aunt Bai. It wasn’t entirely her fault for thinking this way.
With a long sigh, Aunt Shui softened her tone and patiently explained,
“Hehua, in the grand manors of the capital, countless concubines and illegitimate children have died at the hands of the main wife. When such things spread, no one blames the wife—they only say the concubine and her child were unlucky…
“The dark dealings in wealthy families are far more sinister and terrifying than anything you’ve seen in the countryside.
“The fact that Li’er and I are still alive—and that you were saved—is all thanks to Madam’s mercy.
“I feel nothing but gratitude and respect for her. You should too. Never entertain thoughts of surpassing her… I’ll teach you more about these things in time.
“Also, Li’er addresses me as ‘Aunt.’ From now on, you should call me ‘Aunt’ as well, and refer to Li’er as ‘Second Young Master.’
“This way, you won’t slip up in front of others and violate the household’s rules.”
Hehua’s chest felt stifled, as if stuffed with cotton. She was still somewhat indignant, but then an image flashed through her mind—Madam spending money to bring her into the household three years ago. Without Madam’s intervention, her cousin alone couldn’t have saved her.
Swallowing her protests, Hehua finally nodded in agreement.
Aunt Shui smiled warmly and gently wiped Hehua’s tears with a handkerchief.
Just then, Sheng Mingli arrived with his servant Fengshou.
Both bowed in greeting. Sheng Mingli was delicate and slight, while Fengshou, though the same age, stood a head taller, robust and sturdy.
Seeing her son’s flushed cheeks and barely concealed excitement, Aunt Shui knew his visit to Madam had gone well. She couldn’t help but smile.
Noticing the faint traces of melting snow on his clothes, she glanced outside—flurries had begun to fall.
She hurried over to brush off the nearly melted snowflakes, chiding gently,
“You must be freezing! Why didn’t you use an umbrella? Wet clothes from melted snow are no joke. Here, drink some hot tea to warm up…”
“Aunt, it only started snowing when we were nearly back. It’s fine…”
“Second Young Master, please have some tea.”
Hehua had already prepared another cup of sweetened tea and handed it over with a smile.
Sheng Mingli was startled to hear Hehua address him so formally for the first time.
Aunt Shui quickly interjected, “Now that you’re studying, we’ll likely leave the courtyard more often. We should observe proper etiquette to avoid giving anyone a reason to criticize us.
“From now on, you’ll call her… Aunt Hehua.”
Sheng Mingli, ever obedient, nodded earnestly and met Hehua’s gaze with clear eyes.
“Thank you, Aunt Hehua. No matter how we address each other, you’ll always be family to me.”
“Second Young Master, this servant understands.”
Hehua grinned, this time more brightly and sincerely.
She turned to pour another cup of sweetened tea for Fengshou.
The quiet servant set down the tray he was carrying, accepted the cup with both hands, and murmured, “Thank you, Aunt Hehua.”
Only then did Aunt Shui notice the items on the tray. What she saw shocked her more than pleased her—they were far too extravagant.
Given Madam’s usual habits, even if she sent gifts, they wouldn’t be such luxurious stationery or jade pendants. A flicker of unease stirred in Aunt Shui’s heart.
Truthfully, she had found Madam’s recent behavior increasingly strange. Madam had always doted on her children, yet not long ago, she had made her three legitimate sons kneel in the ancestral hall overnight without food or water.
She had punished Sixth Young Miss’s wet nurse, publicly reprimanded the girl, and reduced her allowances…
Most unbelievable of all, Madam had revoked the master’s privilege to withdraw silver from the family shops…
And now, she was promoting Cousin, Li’er, and Shu’er.
Each incident had an explanation, yet Aunt Shui couldn’t shake the feeling that something was… off.
Perhaps it was time to interact more with the rest of the household…
Little did she know, the current Madam was not the same as before.
The others, oblivious to Aunt Shui’s worries, happily examined the gifts as the snow fell heavier outside…
