Chapter 25: Once again, she thought of Yuan Hui

If he was being completely honest with himself, even as Old Madame Zhen’s son, Father Zhen was not entirely convinced of his mother’s ability to raise a child, especially considering her favoritism towards males. He did not believe that his mother could bring up his younger daughter well. And as Pei-Shi previously said, Zhen Ting Yun was already thirteen years old. In a couple more years she would reach a marriageable age, so even if they were to start teaching her properly now, he feared that it might be too late.

With a daughter of such caliber, if they were to find a match with someone of their social status or higher it might not be too appropriate. Yet, if they were to find someone from a lower social class, issues might arise. 

This discussion had made Father Zhen, who was usually board-minded, struggle to find sleep as well.

The couple fell silent for a moment, unsure of how else to continue this conversation.

The night was late and the room was quiet, filled with only the sound of the crackling of the candle wick as it burned. The blaring crackle of the flames made the air in the room feel stifling and dry. 

After a while, Father Zhen, who was resting on the bed, finally spoke up, “Everyone has their own predestined path. Yi Yun has always been bright since she was young, having the privilege to study under Tutor He at an early age, she’s also currently studying at Yuhua Women’s Academy. With her talent and beauty, she’s bound to marry well. As for Ting Yun, she has indeed suffered through the years. But when this matter is spoken amongst outsiders, the situation would be that Ting Yun was fulfilling filial piety duties to Mother on our behalf. Her reputation would be one of virtue. She probably won’t pass the entrance examinations for the women’s academies, but if you guide her well, we can still find a family that values a girl’s virtue and marry her off with a good dowry. Although her match may not be comparable to Yi Yun’s, at least, we’ve still done our best as parents.”

Hearing these words from Father Zhen, Pei-Shi fell into silent contemplation as well. 

Suddenly, she reached for a green jade hairpin and twirled her hair into a loose updo before she got up to leave. She offhandedly told Father Zhen, “You should rest first. I’m still worried about our daughter, so I’m heading over to check on her.”

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The touch of red and a hint of fragrance made the person on the daybed look even more stunning, she looked almost captivating.

Observing her, Pei-Shi was very satisfied. 

This was the daughter whom she raised with her own hands, intelligent and beautiful like a lustrous pearl!

When she saw her mother approaching, Zhen Yi Yun got up from the couch and went over to support her in. The two sat down on the daybed together and called for hot tea to be served simultaneously. Zhen Yi Yun then enquired, “Why has Mother come over to my room? It’s so chilly tonight, in addition, Mother has already been bustling about the whole day. If you’ve something to tell me, you should’ve instructed a maidservant to call for me. Don’t tire yourself like this.”

Because they were mother and daughter, they were very close, and naturally, their tone was more candid when talking to each other. Zhen Yi Yun softly reproached Pei-Shi, “You don’t seem to take good care of yourself, you’re making me worry more for you!” 

Having such a good daughter, and hearing such tender loving words, how could Pei-Shi not love her? She smiled at her daughter and said in a gentle voice, “Your grandmother and younger sister have finally arrived. I feel that I need to talk to you about certain things and it’s better to say them sooner rather than later, so I decided that there is no time like the present.”

As she spoke, a trace of discomfort flashed in Zhen Yi Yun’s eyes. Yet, she maintained an earnest attitude and said, “Mother, if you have something to say, please speak frankly, Daughter is listening.”

Pei-Shi did not speak immediately. She waited until everyone around them exited the room before taking Zhen Yi Yun’s hands in hers and asking seriously, “Yi Yun, do you dislike your younger sister?”

Zhen Yi Yun’s expression changed slightly and she lowered her eyes. She asked in a low voice, “Why is Mother asking this?”

Pei-Shi gently kneaded her palm and said, “Sigh, you… I’m the one who raised you and I’ve never seen you behave so improperly as you did today. How could I not tell what’s going on in your head?”

Zhen Yi Yun’s countenance switched between red and white. She bit her lips and it took her a long time before she replied in a voice that was as soft as a mosquito, “I, I’m just not used to it …” 

Pei-Shi watched on patiently and waited for her to finish.

Zhen Yi Yun’s eyes turned red and tears rolled down her cheeks. “I’ve always been the only daughter in the family. Now that Second Sister is here and she had previously suffered so much, I’m afraid that Mother and Father will love her more, and no longer love me…”

Seeing her daughter sobbing like this, Pei-Shi felt very distressed, but she steeled her heart and decided to give her daughter a dose of tough love, “Over the years, your younger sister has been fulfilling filial piety duties to your grandmother on behalf of your father and me, and she has suffered a lot. It’s only natural for us to shower more love on her. As an elder sister, you should also show more care and consideration towards your younger sister. So, how can you turn and bear grudges against her instead?”

Zhen Yi Yun softly sniffed with red-rimmed eyes as she choked on her words, “Daughter, Daughter knows her wrongs…”

In the end, Pei-Shi could not bear to maintain such a strict front, especially after seeing Zhen Yi Yun admit to her mistakes. Pei-Shi then started to comfort her eldest daughter, “Moreover, your younger sister’s situation have already hindered her path. No matter how much your father and I dote on her, she will never be able to surpass you. Yi Yun, with your talent and beauty, you may even be able to marry into an aristocratic household in the future… As for your younger sister, no matter what she does, she will not be able to compare to you. So, why must you pit yourself against her?”

Zhen Yi Yun lowered her head and wiped away her tears. Hidden from sight, a strange glint momentarily flashed through her eyes. She had originally been apprehensive that Pei-Shi would be blinded by Zhen Ting Yun’s main lead halo. But now hearing Pei-Shi‘s words, she was finally relieved.

“Besides, you’ve already reached a marriageable age and many families have come to ask for your hand in marriage. I always brush them off saying that we’re waiting for you to finish your education first before we discuss marriage.” Speaking up to this point, Pei-Shi chuckled knowingly, “‘A family with a daughter, will have a hundred families seeking her hand’, isn’t this saying the exact reflection of my daughter’s case?”

Zhen Yi Yun blushed and dared not look at Pei-Shi.

Pei-Shi continued, “You currently have both intellect and beauty, resulting in your current good reputation. Now with a younger sister by your side, if words get out that you treat your siblings well, it will spread that you are virtuous as well. Yi Yun, you should know that most noble families value a young lady’s character as much as her talent and appearance.”

Zhen Yi Yun seemed lost in thought. Her finger clenched ever so slightly, sinking her nails deep into the soft fabric of the cushion.

After a while, she raised her head. Zhen Yi Yun had a pair of beautiful eyes with long lashes and black pupils. Her appearance was like that of a lotus, beautiful and moving. She spoke softly, “I understand what Mother is trying to tell me. In the future, I’ll treat younger sister better.”

“It’s good that you understand,” Pei-Shi beamed as her daughter seemed to understand her intentions. “In a few days, it’ll be your third cousin’s¹Maternal, younger, female cousin. In English, there’s not much distinction between which parental side, seniority, and gender of the relative; in this case, the cousin, and everyone is just ‘cousin’. I decided to add this to the footnote here to make it more straightforward for readers that want to know. Adding it into the conversation would have been a mouthful, and unrealistic as no one talks like that. birthday. You should take Ting Yun with you to introduce them to each other.”

Zhen Yi Yun nodded and smiled, “Second Sister just arrived, and I’m afraid she doesn’t have formal clothes to wear out. Mother, tomorrow you should have someone buy her more clothes and accessories.”

“Only my child knows how to be so thoughtful.” Although Pei-Shi would have made these preparations regardless of Zhen Yi Yun’s words, she was just elated that Zhen Yi Yun took the initiative to care for her younger sister. Pei-Shi felt that her daughter was a quick learner as she grasped what was taught immediately.

Pei-Shi felt heartened by her daughter’s understanding and inevitably continued to chit-chat more with Zhen Yi Yun. She had originally planned to go to the other room and say a few words to her younger daughter after leaving Zhen Yi Yun’s room, but by the time she came out, the lights in the opposite room were already put out.

Pei-Shi frowned and felt a strange feeling welling up in her heart. She stood at the entrance for a moment before saying, “Forget it, let’s go back.” 

She did not expect Zhen Ting Yun to be so at ease that she could fall asleep so quickly on her first night at a new place. But whatever Pei-Shi wanted to say to her was not urgent anyway. Since Zhen Ting Yun had just arrived, it was only natural to have someone buy her necessities. At the same time, she could also prepare their first meeting gifts and have them sent over together. Then, she could tell Zhen Ting Yun whatever she needed to say and maybe have a conversation with this daughter of hers. 

Thinking up to this point, Pei-Shi did not linger around any longer and left.

In fact, it was not that Zhen Ting Yun was at ease. It was just that when Pei-Shi arrived, she was accompanied by nannies and maidservants, and the commotion of her arrival was noticed by Zhen Ting Yun. On top of that, she shared the same courtyard with Zhen Yi Yun, so it was hard for her not to notice. 

Although Zhen Ting Yun repeatedly told herself not to expect anything from Pei-Shi, her young heart was still filled with anticipation upon hearing Pei-Shi’s arrival. She had thought to herself, ‘Maybe Mother knew that I would be nervous being in a new environment hence she dropped by tonight to check up on me…’

But in the end, Pei-Shi went straight to Zhen Yi Yun’s room.

Zhen Ting Yun was embarrassed by her own overly active imagination. ‘Already said not to have too many expectations, but look at what I’m doing now…’ 

Slightly angry with herself, she immediately called for Liu Shun and the others to prepare for bed early. After washing up with some warm water, she turned in for the night.

However, even though the candles were extinguished, Zhen Ting Yun still felt uncomfortable lying in this soft but foreign bed. She hugged the blanket, faintly catching the scent of incense that perfumed the quilt. She gently ran her fingers over the smooth and delicate fabric, tracing the intricate patterns embroidered on it.

Zhen Ting Yun held the blanket and bit her lips as she mocked herself. ‘No wonder people say that a wealthy young lady is raised in a pile of silk and satin. What a true saying…’

For some reason, she thought of Yuan Hui once again. Yuan Hui was such a particular and demanding person. Who knows? Maybe before his family fell due to hard times, his family background was perhaps even more prominent compared to the Zhen and Pei families.

The more she thought about this, Zhen Ting Yun inevitably started worrying about Yuan Hui. 

Who knows where he is at the moment? Is he still in that secluded and desolate Xi Shan Manor that was no different from a haunted courtyard?

At this very moment, Fu Zhang Xi was indeed in Xi Shan Manor.

Fu Zhang Xi had changed out of the old clothes that Zhen Ting Yun previously prepared for him and was now wearing a relatively low-key dark purple robe. The edges of the collar and cuffs were trimmed with black fabric and lotus patterns could be seen to be delicately hand sewn by skilled embroiderers using silver threads. Around his waist was a black belt with a black jade pendant hanging from it. Similar to the one he had given Zhen Ting Yun, only this piece lacked the character ‘Xi’ on it.

He gestured to the two people in front of him, “Sit.”