“So, these are the things your mistress sent you?”
Huang Yaning sat on a small round stool, looking at the items Jixue had delivered, and said with a smile.
“Not bad at all, they’re all good stuff. Seeing these makes me feel I’ve somewhat wronged our Qingtian.”
“Seventh Young Lady, you jest…”
Xia Zhi’s heart was uneasy, and she forced a smile.
She couldn’t figure out what the Seventh Young Lady intended—bringing her back to the Begonia Courtyard and meeting with her alone.
The Seventh Young Lady seemed to be chatting with her casually, but that made Xia Zhi even more nervous.
Even in their next lives, her relationship with the Seventh Young Lady could never be amicable enough for casual chit-chat.
“Your mistress still cares for you!
“However, why didn’t she give you these things earlier to nourish your health, instead of waiting until now—”
“Sixth Young Lady didn’t know I was injured before…”
Xia Zhi had only said these few words when she saw a look of mockery appear in the Seventh Young Lady’s clear eyes.
By now, anyone in the estate who wasn’t a fool probably understood that Sheng Mingzhu had mistreated her.
Sheng Mingzhu also felt she wasn’t worthy of using any good things, which was why she had given her silver notes to buy medicine outside.
Now, Sheng Mingzhu bringing out these good items was only out of sheer desperation.
The rest of the words in Xia Zhi’s mouth felt like they had grown barbs, impossible to utter.
“Xia Zhi, you’re a smart person!
“You should know how selfish and cold Sheng Mingzhu is. Now she’s also become wicked and insane…
“Following such a mistress, just how long can you survive safely?”
Huang Yaning said softly, her voice carrying a bewitching power that reached deep into Xia Zhi’s heart.
How could Xia Zhi not know that Sheng Mingzhu was dangerous and selfish? But she had no other, better choice.
She could only pin her hopes on the future, on Sheng Mingzhu marrying, and her going along as part of the dowry. Perhaps then she might have a chance to become a concubine…
It seemed her thoughts were seen through, as she heard the Seventh Young Lady continue.
“Even if you manage to survive safely until she marries, are you sure she would allow anyone to share her man?”
Xia Zhi shuddered.
Before, Xia Zhi had held onto some hope. Now, she felt Sheng Mingzhu might even kill any woman who coveted her man.
This realization made Xia Zhi feel a chill on her neck; the wounds on her hands also throbbed with pain.
She took a few deep breaths, as if drawing in some strength, and asked.
“What does Seventh Young Lady wish to say?”
“Wrong—” Huang Yaning shook her head, smiling.
“You’re asking the wrong question. You should ask yourself, ‘What do I want—’
“Xia Zhi, what do you want?”
Xia Zhi was stunned.
What did she want?
She wanted to be a mistress! She wanted respectability! She wanted to climb high, live a life of wealth and honor, high enough to take fierce revenge on her enemies…
“Do you know why I could return to the Sheng estate, be entered into the family register, and live the life of a precious, honored young lady?”
Huang Yaning asked.
Xia Zhi mumbled, “Because… you are a daughter of the Sheng family…”
“If it were only because of bloodline, perhaps I’d only be living in some forgotten corner now, not even able to enter the family register…”
“Then… why?”
Xia Zhi asked, though she felt she vaguely knew the answer.
“Because I absolutely refuse to be manipulated!
“I dare to think, dare to act, dare to fight!
“I never place my hopes on others! I believe my fate is in my own hands!
“What I want, I find a way to obtain, even if it means using any means necessary!”
These words were like a scorching whirlwind, sweeping away the cold and gloom in Xia Zhi’s heart, while simultaneously giving rise to a powerful force within her.
When had she started becoming afraid to actively strive for anything?
And when had she begun only daring to silently pray for Sheng Mingzhu’s favor in her heart…
Seeing the light growing brighter in Xia Zhi’s eyes, Huang Yaning knew her words had not been in vain.
Xia Zhi was essentially a cautious yet ambitious person, sometimes overthinking and wavering, so she needed a push at a critical moment.
“Has anyone ever told you that your aura is actually quite similar to Sheng Mingzhu’s?”
“Although your two younger sisters’ facial features look more like Sheng Mingzhu, your aura is closer to hers—
“If you stop wearing these bright red and purple clothes and dress more plainly, you’d probably resemble her even more—
“Opportunity always favors the prepared. You know what to do!”
Having said what she wanted, Huang Yaning left.
The candle flame flickered. Xia Zhi felt her throat tighten and her heart pound.
She wore bright red and purple clothes because the fabrics Sheng Mingzhu bestowed upon her were of these colors.
It was the same for Jixue. Sheng Mingzhu also demanded they wear heavy makeup every day, saying it made them look more spirited.
Jixue had fair skin and striking features; such attire and makeup looked good on her.
But she was different. Her skin wasn’t fair, and her features were rather plain…
If she dressed and made up like Sheng Mingzhu, and nurtured her skin tone to be the same…
Although Prince Qi, Lin Zhijing, and the three legitimate young masters of the estate were devoted to Sheng Mingzhu, perhaps on certain occasions, she might be able to rise. Wasn’t it possible?
Just like Qingxin, who had taken advantage of the eldest young master’s drunkenness to climb into his bed?
What kind of life did Qingxin have now? Servants attending to her, adorned in gold and silver, eating whatever she desired…
And what kind of life did she have?
Xia Zhi’s gaze fell on the items Sheng Mingzhu had sent. If she climbed up, would she need Sheng Mingzhu’s charity for such things? What wouldn’t she have if she wanted it?
She could no longer wait passively; she had to take the initiative!
Xia Zhi had finally made up her mind completely.
——-
The weather in the capital these past few days was unbearably hot. At night, everyone was too hot to sleep.
Some quick-witted small vendors caught the business opportunity and began selling crystal-clear, soft, tender, and fragrant chilled bean jelly on a few of the capital’s most crowded streets.
This bean jelly, served cold with a ladle of syrup poured over it, tasted absolutely divine!
And it was extremely affordable—buy three servings and get one free!
So those suffering from the heat at home, unable to sleep, got up one after another to have a bowl of the cool, sweet bean jelly.
When people gather, besides eating and drinking, they love to gossip.
Thus, the matter of the Sheng family spread today.
When the bean jelly vendor moved to another street to sell, people on the previous street were still chatting away happily.
Word spread from one person to another, from one group to the next, and in just one night, it became a heated topic.
Some said the Sheng Sixth Young Lady was wicked, mistreating her own sister.
Some said the maid admitted the injuries were self-inflicted and had nothing to do with Sheng Sixth Young Lady.
Others said Sheng Sixth Young Lady was also pitiable, having such disgraceful family members.
But more people cursed when they heard others say Sheng Sixth Young Lady was pitiable, saying if Sheng Sixth Young Lady was considered pitiable, then what about Sheng Seventh Young Lady?
Don’t forget, the one abused by the Feng family wasn’t Sheng Sixth Young Lady, but Sheng Seventh Young Lady…
Some even got into heated arguments because of differing views.
But overall, previously, when people mentioned Sheng Mingzhu because of Master Dale, they praised her highly.
Now, however, the praise was no longer unanimous.
