"This is it?" Although the sun has set, the room was brightened by six melon-shaped green gauze palace floor lamps.
Sitting straight at one side of the couch, Song Zaishui was in a yellow shirt embroidered with tulip patterns and a dress colored green and white. A pair of string bags, made with colored silks braided at regular intervals into elaborate clusters, looked brilliant on the light-colored dress.
Her hair was made into a "fairy knot", her hands were as white as jade, holding a round silk fan which was half covering her face, with her eyes looking at Wei Changying, who was sitting on the other side of the couch. A faint smile appeared on her face as she slowly asked, "So you secretly asked Lvfang to bring me here after sunset... Only to make string bags for you?"
Wei Changying was also in a yellow shirt, but she matched it with a water-colored fairy dress. To please Song Zaishui, she brought her a cup of tea with both hands and said, "My dear cousin, I know you love me the most...."
"It is my aunt and grandaunt who love you the most," Song Zaishui said unceremoniously. "Not me, your cousin Song! You are clear enough that I'm not your mother but your cousin. So, tell me, how did I dote on you?"
"I mean, you love me the most among all my sisters!" Wei Changying didn't even feel ashamed as she said. She continued to smile at Song Zaishui and said, "My sister, you are my real sister! I know that you are very skilled, so making three string bags must be a piece of cake for you. Would you please do me a favor this time?"
Song Zaishui put down her fan and squinted at Wei Changying. "You have your own hands," Song Zaishui said, "it's still early now, can't you do it yourself?"
"I can't!" Wei Changying said powerfully.
"How difficult can it be," Song Zaishui said contemptuously. "As long as you are not too stupid, you can master it after watching others doing it. I can teach you, but you have to make them yourself!"
Wei Changying was not stimulated by her at all. "Every field has its master," she said, "Do you think I'm the one who makes string bags all day? It's too late now, and it's too difficult for you to teach me. So why not make them for me instead?"
"So, you mean I'm here just to make string bags?" Song Zaishui said and hit Wei Changying with the round silk fan. She gnashed her teeth as she said, "You made me follow your maidservant in dark to sneak here, just for helping you to make string bags in order to cheat my aunt. What's more, I have to tolerate your complaint, saying that I'm the person who makes string bags all day?!"
Wei Changying refused to admit and said, "I was worried about you! You misunderstood me!"
"You!" Song Zaishui shouted as she pointed at Wei Changying with her fan. Facing such a lazy cousin was too harsh for anyone. Even Song Zaishui, who was acknowledged as a person of gentle, magnanimous and tolerant, she cannot tolerate her. However, Wei Changying looked innocent and adamant when she was pointed and stared by Song Zaishui.
After being in a stalemate with Wei Changying for a while, Song Zaishui put her fan down angrily and knocked hard on the couch. "Figure your way out," she said, "I'm not going to help you!"
"I have already figured out," Wei Changying replied with a sweet voice. "My way is to ask you to make three string bags for me... If I asked Granny He and Lvfang for help, my mother will recognize their work immediately. Although you have given my mother some embroideries such as purses, you have never given her string bags... Isn't it perfect?"
Song Zaishui took a deep breath and immediately ordered, "Chunjing, Xiajing, let's return to Mingse House!"
"My dear cousin," Wei Changying said as she grabbed Song Zaishui's sleeves. She presented a grieve expression and said, "Only three string bags! Only three!"
"Not even a half," Song Zaishui said with a cold humph and was ready to leave. Hearing this, Wei Changying pulled up her sleeves and grabbed Song Zaishui while ordering her maidservants. "Lvfang, Lvchi, come here," she said, "take the string bags from my cousin's waist. Now we have two, and we'll find another way to get the third one!"
Song Zaishui was shocked by her open and aboveboard shamelessness. She did not realize what Wei Changying was going to do until Lvfang and Lvchi approached her with fear. She then screamed, "How dare you!!!"
"My dear cousin, I know you love me the most," Wei Changying said seriously. "You won't be happy to see me feeling sad for Uncle Jiang's leaving, will you?"
"No, I really will," Song Zaishui protected her string bags as she gnashed her teeth and said, "if you dared to rob me, I will tell my aunt tomorrow!"
Wei Changying thought for a while. "Leave it tomorrow," She waved her hand as she said, "cousin, you have always doted on me. You are so magnanimous that you will cool down in one night... Yes, nothing will happen tomorrow!" She pushed Song Zaishui onto the couch, then clapped her hands and lightly reprimanded her maidservants with pleasure. "Why are you still standing there?" She said, "take the string bags quickly so that my cousin can cool down earlier."
If you had such a cousin, what would you do?
Song Zaishui was nearly desperate!
Being urged by Wei Changying, Lvfang and Lvchi had to give up hesitating and approach Song Zaishui to untie the lace of the string bags. Song Zaishui nearly fainted, she immediately gave in. "Wait," she said, "I have an idea that can help you. Not only will you be free from making string bags tonight, but also free from learning the needlework from tomorrow on!"
"My dear cousin, I knew you love me the most!" Wei Changying's eyes brightened and ordered Lvfang and Lvchi to step back. She helped Song Zaishui up and then intimately asked, "Tell me, cousin, what's your idea? I knew that you must have a good idea since you are so smart."
Song Zaishui stared at Wei Changying for a few seconds and found that there was no guilty conscience in her. She sighed with desperation and said, "Have you ever thought why Madam Su alerted you?"
"Because I wanted Shen Cangfeng to obey me," Wei Changying replied quickly.
"...Alright." Song Zaishui thought there was no use to argue with Wei Changying that the way of "letting her husband obey" was not the same as she thought. Therefore, she followed Wei Changying's words and said, "There is no evidence that you wanted to make him obedient. Those who said this was just trying to instigate Madam Su. The fact is, you have been practicing martial arts for a long time, but what's the reason? Why did you practice them so much that you abandoned the girls' things? Can't you figure out a better explanation that can make Madam Su happy?"
Wei Changying thought for a while and suddenly realized something. "Can I say that I was born heroic and unrestrained with a chivalrous spirit, and that practicing martial arts is my hobby, so there's nothing to do with Shen Cangfeng?"
"..." The atmosphere went into silence for a second, and then Song Zaishui's fan fell on the ground....
"You became my cousin in order to piss me off, right?! Right?!" Song Zaishui, a lady acknowledged for her elegance and her style of a motherly model, had lost her temper. Ignoring how shocked Mrs. He and other people were, she stood up to her feet and knocked Wei Changying down. She grabbed Wei Changying by her neck and shook as she shouted, "You! You! If you continued to talk like this, don't ever think I dare not to beat you!!!"
Mrs. He was stunned. She didn't regain consciousness until seeing Song Zaishui shaking Wei Changying for five to six times. She covered her mouth with her hand and shouted, "My goodness! Miss Wei! Miss Song! Stop it! Stop it! You are cousins. so calm down and have a talk! There's no need to fight!"
Mrs. He pulled up her sleeves and stepped forward to persuade the girls and pull them apart. It took a while before she successfully pulled Song Zaishui away. Wei Changying was already in a mess, her clothes were untidy, and her "conch-shaped knot" was loose. Thanks to Lvfang, Wei Changying's pearl hairpins didn't fall onto the carpet, or they would probably be damaged.
Although they had a fight, it was nothing to Wei Changying. She rubbed her neck and continued to ask, "What do you mean, cousin?"
But Song Zaishui almost cried. She took Mrs. He's arms and said, "Granny He, say something from your heart. How, how could I remain calm for having such a cousin?"
However, she underestimated Mrs. He's partiality on Wei Changying. Mrs. He coughed and pretended that she didn't hear Song Zaishui's words. She said, "Would you please tell Miss Wei your idea that could release her from learning those annoying things?"
Looking at the master and servant, Song Zaishui put her hand on her forehead in desperate and groaned, "You‒both of you!"
After all, Song Zaishui has been cultivated as the future Empress for years, so she would only lose grace for a short time. After knowing that Wei Changying and Mrs. He was on the same side, she wisely gave up the thought of asking Mrs. He to help her against Wei Changying. Instead, she sat up straight immediately as she tidied her clothes and picked up the round silk fan. She had turned back into the noble and elegant lady.
Having recovered from the anger, Song Zaishui fanned gracefully with a cold smile as she squinted at Wei Changying and said, "What kind of daughter-in-law would Madam Su like?"
Without hesitation, Wei Changying answered, "Dignified, virtuous, gentle and considerate, just like you."
Song Zaishui continued to sneer and said, "That's it?"
"What else?" Wei Changying tilted her head and asked seriously.
"..." Song Zaishui confessed silently, "I thought she would guess at least twice more so that I could sneer for a few more times. When did she become so considerate?"
Feeling desperate in her heart, Song Zaishui exhaustedly answered, "Madam Su is Shen Cangfeng's mother, so she dotes on him as same as my aunt dotes on you! So, tell me, what kind of daughter-in-law would Madam Su prefer? Obviously, she would prefer a girl who truly loves Shen Cangfeng, but not the one with bad intentions!"
Wei Changying nodded frequently and said, "I know, I..."
"Shut up!" Song Zaishui slapped the fan on the couch as she scolded.
"I..."
"You what?! No good words could ever come out from you! Listen to me," Song Zaishui said angrily. "Yes, Madam Su would like to have a gentle and virtuous daughter-in-law, but no matter how gentle and virtuous you are, she could never tolerate a person who doesn't love her son. Now, someone has exposed your plan by telling Madam Su that you have been practicing martial arts since childhood. What's worse, you are going to get married after ten months and you can hardly become a gentle and virtuous lady now!"
"I think it's better for you to continue practicing martial arts! You can ask some elders to explain to Madam Su later‒ isn't the Shen Family famous for martial arts? Isn't Shen Cangfeng highly skilled in martial arts?" Song Zaishui knocked on Wei Changying's shoulder with the fan, hoping that she could be smarter. "There is a saying goes, 'cater to other's pleasure.' In the Wei Family, everyone was cultivated as a litterateur, but Shen Cangfeng was cultivated to become a warrior! Because that the elders are worried that you and Shen Cangfeng have little in common, they asked you to stop learning the Four Arts and begin to practice martial arts... In this case, your hard work in those years becomes your sincerity towards Shen Cangfeng."
Song Zaishui humphed coldly and said, "A girl beloved by everyone is usually born in a notable family as the eldest grand-daughter of the eldest branch in the senior commander! How delicate she would be! However, such an adorable girl insisted on practicing martial arts for more than ten years, only in case to find common ground with her husband..." She sighed and said, "I'm almost moved into tears by such a story! Madam Su had nothing against you before, and if she knew that you are so sincere to Shen Cangfeng, she would forgive you. Maybe she would love you more than now!"
After hearing this, everyone admired Song Zaishui from their heart!
Especially Wei Changying, she was now totally respecting Song Zaishui. She said, "No wonder you were chosen at a young age by the incumbent Empress as the Crown Princess. It would be a waste of your thoughts and knacks if you didn't enter the imperial palace and be a motherly model of the nation!"
"You!!!" Song Zaishui thought that she was kind enough to help her cousin, but Wei Changying directly mentioned the worst thing that she never wanted to hear: her betrothal marriage. She became so angry that she hit Wei Changying with her round silk fan and said, "You heartless little thing! I'll beat you!"
The next day, Wei Changying excitedly repeated Song Zaishui's words to Madam Song.After hearing this, Madam Song immediately asked, "Who gave you this idea? "Wei Changying pretended to be angry and said, "Don't you think I can figure out such an idea?" She then smiled and said, "It's my cousin's idea.""If you had such an idea, why didn't you tell me earlier so that you can continue practicing martial arts?" Madam Song sneered as she said, "I know you the best. Do you know how many excuses you have made to practice martial arts since you were little?"Wei Changying stuck out her tongue and said, "Look what you've said. Although I'm obsessed with practicing martial arts. I'm not stupid! Do you think I'm that stupid?""You are not stupid," said Madam Song. Her eldest daughter was so stubborn, lazy and clever. She knew her position in Madam Song's heart and was proficient in taking others' kindness for granted. Facing s
Madam Song's assistance on her children had proved non-rewarding more than once or twice. And this time apparently they still hadn't proved themselves worthy— As Wei Changfeng walked in the door listlessly, he responded a few sloppy good words, almost as if waiting for his Madam Song to send someone out and hurriedly call Wei Changying up. Of course, to prove that she was still a strict, good mother, Madam Song had to make up a straight face, put up a cold voice and slap the desk, “Let that little devil go back to the Xianshuang Court to reflect on her behaviors!"As for the little devil, after returning to Xianshuang Court, whether she would be truly reflecting or just dispatching someone to get frozen cheese for her to eat, or even to learn martial art from Uncle Jiang... Well, no one would dare to tell on her to Madam Song. Therefore, Madam Song would consider her daughter as obedient, and that she actually went back to the yard to reflect on herself, feeling aggriev
When Mrs. He went up the steps, she heard the voice from the yard."... According to Uncle Jiang, since these escorts are so skillful, won't they go all the way smoothly?" This was Wei Changying's voice.It seemed that she was listening to the blamed guy Jiang Zheng's story of escorting.Mrs. He frowned, thinking, what was the status of First Miss? Listening to these reckless things of Jianghu would even poison her! This blamed Jiang Zheng deserved to die. He knew that First Miss would get married next summer but didn't know to say something useful for the occasion and talked about the stories full of fighting and killing. He must have bad intentions!She was about to push the door to stop Jiang Zheng at that time, but on second thought—it was not a good time to say that. Wei Changying would make up for this blamed guy. She just stood outside the door and listened. She decided to go in when she caught the flaw in his words so that
Jiang Zheng suddenly attacked, and the tip of the silver lance had already touched Mrs. He's throat. While Lvbin and others were too shocked to speak, he spoke unhurriedly with an awe-inspiring look, "First Miss is quick in respond, but you are still not calm enough.""Uncle Jiang, you almost scared me to death!" Over the years, Wei Changying has been practicing martial arts with Jiang Zheng. Coming from the armed-escort background, Jiang Zheng was extremely experienced in martial arts and Jianghu experience. He paid more attention to the teaching of experience in actual combats. Therefore, even at this moment, he did not forget to point out the mistakes Wei Changying made in her reactions.Yet Wei Changying got used to combating with Jiang Zheng. Thus, seeing him using the lance, she instinctively wanted to get a sword to save Mrs. He. And she did not reflect that it would be impossible for Jiang Zheng to kill Mrs. He until she ran several steps away.
Wei Changying hadn't seen her grandfather for a few days. She had planned to sweeten up with her grandfather and take the opportunity to ask what had happened with suppressing bandits at Fengqi Mountain. However it was unexpected something was up in Liao City, after a long tiring talk with Wei Huan and Song Han, it was enough for him to ask about the work of his grandsons, but he had no energy left for evading her granddaughter. She was a bit unhappy when she left the house, and while wondering about whether to ask the servants who followed Wei Huan to Fengqi Mountain, she heard someone call her from behind, "Third sister please stay!""Fourth sister, fifth sister, do you have something up?" Wei Changying heard that the simultaneous calling came from Wei Gaochan and Wei Changyan, and paused her steps together with Song Zaishui and asked.Wei Gaochan and Wei Changyan sisters hurriedly followed up. Although they were half-sisters, they looked quite alike. Bot
Wei Gaochan and Wei Changyan looked at each other and said anxiously, "I'm afraid that if we don't go this time, we can't always take the excuse of serving the elders when the second sister sends invitations later.""Why not?" Song Zaishui calmly said, "Sisters, let me say an unkind word. Although the second Miss is your cousin, she is the child of the other branch. If you make mistakes, your family elders will discipline you. When should other branches turn to dictate? Moreover, I want to ask you a question. Do you give your grandaunt a much better birthday present than the one you give the second Miss?"Wei Changyan said, "How... How is that possible? That's all we can bring out now.""Has grandaunt been picky about your gifts?" Song Zaishui sneered and said, "I don't think she did so. Grandaunt is your lineal grandmother. She loves you so much, and why should the second Miss go beyond grandaunt? Grandaunt will be sad that you take the initia
Chapter 16 The DinnerWei Huan was very tired. He had been away from home for nearly a month and finally came back. He didn't call for a reunion dinner, just had a regular meal with Old Madam Song in a hurry and told everyone not to disturb.On the side of the eldest branch, Wei Zhenghong was weak and lived in his yard for recuperation. He met his wife and children almost once a month. Usually, Madam Song took care of the meals of the eldest daughter and the second son. Although Song Zaishui was living with the eldest branch now, Song Zaishui grew up in the capital and Jiangnan, so her taste was different from that of the Wei Family. When Song Zaishui went back from Jiangnan to the capital, Old Madam of the Song Family loved her so much that she sent her cook here. There was a small kitchen right behind Mingse House. So, after living for a long time, she came here occasionally to have a meal together.Today, for example, Song Zaishui didn't com
The next morning, Song Zaishui came to ask how the things about her going back to the capital were going. Wei Changying was woken up by her forceful shaking, so the whole person was speechless for a long time, then she finally came back to earth. She said angrily, "Last night, grandpa said not to disturb him. I didn't go to my grandparents directly. What can I say to my grandmother?"Seeing that Song Zaishui was disappointed, Wei Changying yawned lazily and said, "But I mentioned it to my mother at dinner. My mother said that she would write to discuss with my uncle to cancel the marriage."Hearing "cancel the marriage", Song Zaishui suddenly brightened her eyes, jumped up to hug her with cheers, and said, "My best Changying! You are the savior of my life!"Seeing her like this, Wei Changying was scared to wake up and said, "But my mother didn't say that she would make it. I dare not give you this guarantee.""What? So, she intende