***Xiuying/ Raine's POV***
I ordered Xue to take the child to the nearest inn and help her clean up. I watch Xue'er preparing the bath with the help of one of inn's servants while the little girl blankly stares at me. I just let her be and sit on the chair near the window and look outside I can't help but recall when I hugged the child earlier after all I was once like her...
Headmistress where are we going? an eight year old girl asked as their orphanage's headmistress hastily held her hand and walk through the busy street. The little girl looks back worriedly at the direction where they came from, there are times when she almost stumbles but the headmistress just held her hand and walk. She didn't hear any answer from the headmistress and only hears her choking up her sobs as they walk. When they arrived in front of a big house she stopped and look at the child's face. "Little Raine...our..our orphanage will be closed if we don't do what they want..."
"Ummm...what do they want headmistress?" the girl tilt her head to the right as if pondering...
"You need to stay here for a while so that your siblings, all of us will still have our home... I'm so... so sorry... I have to do th..." The headmistress haven't finished her sentence when someone snatched the child's hand from her."Headmistress!!! Help!!!" the girl struggles and cries as the man takes her inside the mansion, leaving the headmistress sobbing outside the gate.
"I'm sorry Raine..."
"Young miss, I'm done cleaning her up."
I snapped away from my thoughts as I heard Xue, forcing a smile.
"Thank you Xue'er. Oh my... you're such a cutie!" the little girl blushed like a tomato even her ears turned pink.
"What's your name?"
"I'm Hua..." the little girl shyly answered.
"Your name fits you well, do you still have a family? I can have someone send you back to them..." she shakes her head then starts to shed tears. "Don't cry Xiao Hua, do you want to come with me?" she looks at me with disbelief and nodded quickly.
"Cool!" I exclaimed in English while standing up.
"What's cowl, young miss?" Xue'er suddenly asked. Oh shoot I need to control myself saying words that are weird to them.
"Oh I mean okay!" I smile awkwardly, "Let's go back to the manor it'll be late if we stay longer here." I quickly added as I noticed her still thinking of the word I said. She finally let go of the topic as she remembers what my mother instructed her that we need to return before the sun sets.
We were able to return to the manor on time though our feet hurts as we have to walk faster, when I arrived in my bedroom I immediately took off my outer garments and lay my tired body on my bed.
"Xue'er..." I weakly call out.
"Yes young miss?"
"Have Hua'er stay with you and train her as your helper, I will tell Mother about Hua'er tomorrow morning." I said with my eyes closed.
I'm already here and there's no way for me to go back there nor I want to go back so stop thinking about the past Raine, you are Xiuying now.
I slowly get up from the bed and go to the bathroom when I heard Xue confirmed that my bath is ready. As I lay my body on the bathtub Xue added more lavender flowers in the water with the help of Hua. As I smell the relaxing scent of flowers I closed my eyes in hopes to forget my nightmare and calm my heart.
It is the day of the family's annual meeting. I have heard from mother that according to the spies planted by father in first uncle's courtyard the old patriach and first uncle plans to announce the change of Long's eldest son's fiance to my cousin Qi Fan. I really don't care about them but since the former Xiuying died because of them I'd gladly and slowly play them. I'm excited as it will be today that father plans to execute our plan to separate our family, they really don't deserve father's efforts in flourishing businesses. Xue and Hua helped me prepare and I just let them choose whatever dress and accessories to wear, it was tiring even though I only need to stand or sit as they help me. They wake me up earlier than the usual just to bath, dress and fixed my hair. I noticed that they even added more rose petals and rose essence than the usual in my bath.
As we walk towards the main hall they passed the garden Xiuying noticed something in the pavilion. She hurriedly whispered something to her father and that she won't attend the banquet, he was about to object and narrowed his eyes as if he see right through her. Xiuyung smiled at him mischievously though Qi Chen didn't know what's going on in her daughter's mind he nodded. Noticing that her daughter went to a different direction, "The banquet will start soon where is she going?" Xi Hui asks her husband. "She'll just catch up don't worry too much." Xi Hui nodded after hearing Qi Chen's reply and the couple started to walk again towards the main hall. Once Xiuying got her father's permission she urge Xue'er to go the kitchen so they could eat and afterwards take a walk in the garden while waiting for meeting to start, She simply don't want to mingle with her cousins and their families. Most of the servants are shocked to see their third young miss enter
Xiuying cries as she run and 'bumped' to few servants in the main hall's pathway. Some of the servants who are aware of the affair between the Long clan's eldest young master and their second young miss can only sigh inwardly and throw pity looks to Xiuying. All of them have the same thought as they saw the place where their third young miss came from, that is where the two couple are staying instead of attending the banquet. After few minutes they see Xue run after her young miss with worry in her eyes and thought that she is sad for Xiuying if only they knew that Xue is currently worrying how to fix her young miss' ruined dress as it was personally ordered to be made by their Third Madam, Xiuying's mother. Meanwhile in the main hall seven people are discussing the current year issues and plans of the clan while their servants are serving drinks and snacks. "Cousin I heard that your new business is doing well and since your only son is always travelling why
Noticing the glances between the patriach and her first uncle and they're about to speak to control the situation, Xiuying cries more louder which makes Fang Fei grew more annoyed as she feel the uneasiness in her heart. "Ying'er calm down you aren't a little child anymore and as a family we are here for you, am I right Uncle?" Qi Chen chided Xiuying though his voice sounded strict Xiuying can only feel warmth in her heart. "Yes as a family we are here for you." Immediately seconded by the Patriach, Qi Bao. "Chen'er why you didn't tell us that Xiuying have recovered? We could have prepared more dishes earlier in the banquet to celebrate." He voiced out his grievances though it sounded stiff due to shock of Xiuying appearance. He look at his nephew trying to see through his intention by hiding the news but he can't as Qi Chen have long mastered in concealing his thoughts. Qi Chen was about to speak but Xiuying interrupted him.
Your sleepy shameless adorable author: Thank you for supporting me and Xiuying! Here's my first 1000+ words chapter, enjoy reading! 🥰😍💋 Now I can go dreamland with Ying'er! 😴 In another place.... ML: 👿 . . . . After making sure that Xiuying, Xue and Xi Hui went to the side hall, Qi Chen finally look at his uncle. The Patriach was about to speak but Qi Chen beat him to it. "Uncle I know that you favor first cousin's daughter the most and I fully understand that however if such favor would result to this I need you to turn them to the authorities for them to be punished. If you just want to replace my Ying'er with Qi Fan you could have told us and we would gave way but instead you let Young Master Long and Fan'er to have an affair and hurt my daughter!" "Chen'er I know you are angry however you didn't inform me that Ying'er have recovered I could h
That bitch recovered! No! This can't be happening! Qi Fan's mind is in turmoil. Both their families agreed to have her wedding set on eight day of following month and now her cousin, who is the original fiance, recovered. All her thoughts aren't shown on her face as Guanting, her second uncle and aunt are present. "Really grandfather! Oh I'm so happy, thankfully Buddha have answered our prayers!" Fan exclaimed with a happy expression but turned worried as if she remembered something and look at Guanting. "Don't worry everything is already set. The one I love is you and soon you are to be my wife, Fan'er." Guanting immediately answered as he saw the worried eyes of his beloved. "I am glad that you didn't change your mind Young Master Long. My daughter is really lucky to have you." Fang Fei proudly commented while smirking at her second branch couple. "No, I am the lucky one here as Fan'er ha
Qi Chen was about to speak again but stopped when a jade like hand gently pats his left shoulder. He immediately control his anger knowing that it is his wife Xi Hui. "I see, you indeed have involvement to my daughter's mishap last year." Xi Hui smiles but everyone who knows her would definitely have goosebumps and feel more fear. Who doesn't know favorite granddaughter of Old General Xi? The Xi family although now not participating in politics nor war people still has to give them face as the Old General has been His Majesty's close friend and have saved the ruler's life few times. Xi Hui during her teens have been trained by the general despite being a female. "Hui'er how is our daughter?" "She's fine but still broken hearted she even said that if her cousin have just told her about Young Master Long's affection towards Fan'er then she would give way. I already explained everything to her and she's very disappointed to the actions made by her now ex-fiance
Outside the side courtyard of the main hall the servants can see two ladies walking away, the girl behind is wearing a first rank servant's attire. Her face shows how upset she is as she tries to convince the other to let her hold the umbrella as it is her duty but the other one just shakes her head and firmly hold the simple bamboo umbrella to fight the scorching heat of sun. The young miss that the servant is following is no other than Xiuying who is now wearing a new light blue hanfu, Xue helped her clean up and changed earlier. Although her eyes is still red from crying, the pinkish blush on her cheeks further enhance her already enchanting appearance. All male servants even the female ones eyes follow her every movement as it is so graceful and elegant like they are seeing a fairy. They all feel that the deities are showering the third young miss with blessings through the falling cherry blossoms petals. Ah young miss if everyone is like this we can even rob peo