His Transmigrated Cannon Fodder Fiance - Chapter 8 - Sisters (2)
Chapter 8 – Sisters (2)
Although the old madam Shen did not love Shen Ziqiao, Shen Xiao was very fond of her, which made her situation in Shen household still bearable. She had a yard to herself, but because she was unruly and harsh to the servants, the people in the family didn’t like her one bit.
Strategically located north, where it would face the south, her courtyard was actually located in a good position; Since it would be sunny in the winter and not hot in the summer. Moreover, there are three main rooms with rooms on the east and west wings. Shen Ziqiao went inside the inner chamber, which was separated by partitions.
Below the big tea table near the window was a large, scarlet woven rug. It didn’t stop there, however, as towards the west side were four more chairs set up. And on either side of the chairs were small tables with teacups and flower vases placed on top of it. As seen on the left side of each of the tea tables were Ru kiln beauty vases** filled with fresh flowers.
**Ru kiln beauty vases
Her living environment is quite good.
“Third miss, the eldest young miss is outside.” Shen Ziqiao sat down on the biggest tea table as a servant girl came from the outside.
“Oh, let her in.” Shen Ziqiao hastily sat up straight and said.
After a while, Shen Ziwen came in, pulling the curtains up in her entry. Her pretty face full of smiles and her voice bright, she said, “Third younger sister, I just cooked Snow Fungus and Pear Sweet Soup by myself. I know that you like to drink it cold, so I had people ice it with well water and specially brought it to you.”
“Weren’t you with grandmother?” Shen Ziqiao looked at the painted tray in her hand. She couldn’t fathom why Shen Ziwen is still so attentive to her.
Shen Ziwen went over the vacant side of the table, but she didn’t dare to sit down. Instead, she placed the tray on the table, and with worry in her eyes, she asked, “Why did you let some of Grandma’s maids go? If it weren’t for them, grandmother wouldn’t have known you have gone to the Thousand Buddha Temple.”
“En…” Shen Ziqiao answered faintly, looking wilted, without a trace of spirit.
Remembering that Shen Ziqiao was punished by the old lady to copy ten times, Shen Ziwen smiled and comforted her, “It’s just ten times, let your elder sister write it for you. Since father isn’t here, you mustn’t contradict grandmother, else, no one can protect you.”
“Whether my father is here or not, the household’s decision still belongs to grandmother.” The current Shen Ziqiao isn’t fond of sweet food. Therefore, she didn’t bother to touch Shen Ziwen’s Snow Fungus and Pear Sweet Soup**.
**Snow Fungus and Pear Sweet Soup
“You’re very obedient today. Aren’t you afraid of Grandma?” Shen Ziwen was wondering in her heart. In the past, if she had said even this much, Ziqiao would already exclaim angrily and declare that she wasn’t afraid of the old witch. Today, she did not react at all.
She finally sat down near the table and said with a gentle voice. “Don’t blame grandma for her partiality. You have to bear with it a little longer. When father and eldest brother come back, it will be all right.”
Shen Ziqiao felt irritated, listening to her artificial sweet voice. She waved her little hand and said coldly, “I’m tired. If there’s nothing else, sister can depart first.”
The more she listened, the more it became apparent to Shen Ziqiao that Shen Ziwen’s visit is far from persuading her to obey, but to add fuel and make her loathe the old lady.
For a split second, Shen Ziwen’s gentle smile slightly froze, “Then I will leave first.”
After leaving Shen Ziqiao’s Qiao Xin** courtyard, Shen Zifen, who was waiting outside, greeted the exiting Shen Ziwen. “Elder sister, how did it go? Is that fool going off about the old madam inside?”
**Qiao Xin – Literal ‘Tall Heart.’
“Her temperament today is quite unusual, even more so with what happened in the Thousand Buddha Temple–let a maid inquire more thoroughly about it.” Today, Shen Ziwen felt that Shen Ziqiao is simply a different person.
“According to the Old Madam, father and eldest brother will be back soon,” Shen Zifen lightly said.
“Before they come back…” Shen Ziwen’s words trailed mid-sentence.
Downfall must come for Shen Ziqiao, lest she, as a concubine-born daughter, won’t be able to secure a proper marriage. Even if she was already 16 years old this year and has reached the age of discussing marriage, their father still only plans for Shen Ziqiao.
He did not think about her matters at all.