Chapter 010 Xiao Qi

They were not close sisters. In the distant memory, Second Sister Qī Yīng had never been fond of herself, usually not even bothering to look at her.

But Qī Yīng treated others the same way, so it didn't seem like she treated Tài Wēi any differently.

Tài Wēi pondered, avoiding eye contact and not looking at her again.

At this moment, footsteps were heard outside, some light and some heavy, more than one person. Tài Wēi didn't look up, just listened intently. She heard the maidservant announce that Third Miss, Fourth Miss, and Sixth Miss had arrived. A mocking smile appeared on her lips, still not lifting her eyes.

Fourth Miss and Sixth Miss were both born to Aunt Cuī, full sisters, as close as can be. But Third Miss was born to Aunt Zhào.

Among the aunts in the family, Aunt Cuī detested Aunt Zhào the most.

They both came from a servant background, one serving by the old lady's side, the other serving Lord Jìngníng since childhood. When it came to their relationships, there was a world of difference.

Even Tài Wēi knew that Aunt Zhào was different.

Not to mention how much their father favored her, just looking at her, she was different from the rest of the women in the house.

Aunt Cuī was fond of beauty, competing for favor and power... all ambitious pursuits. But Aunt Zhào, she spoke softly, walked gracefully, and everything she did was gentle and unhurried, never competing, never grabbing. She seemed like a person who was above worldly desires.

But it was this kind of person who became the subject of envy for Third Sister.

Indeed, the Jìngníng Marquis's household was far from ordinary, and the daughters of the Jìngníng Marquis were more noble than the legitimate daughters of a minor official's family. But the man Third Sister was about to marry was the heir of the Yǒngdìng Marquis's household, Chén Jìngtíng.

In the future, she would be the Marquis's wife.

The Yǒngdìng Marquis was a rising star, following Emperor Jiànyáng from Xiàguó, with great military achievements and high favor. His son, even if he was a natural fool, wouldn't have to worry about food and clothing, or be troubled by officialdom.

Not to mention that he was rumored to be handsome, talented, and a rare young talent.

With such a prestigious family background and talent, who wouldn't be pleased?

At least Aunt Zhào was very fond of it, and Aunt Cuī was also very satisfied.

It's just that Third Miss was older than Fourth Miss, and there was a proper order of seniority, so it wasn't Fourth Miss's turn. But in terms of birth, appearance, and age, Third Miss still had an elder legitimate sister ahead of her, so it shouldn't have been Third Miss's turn.

After the marriage was settled, everyone couldn't help but whisper that Third Miss had stolen Second Miss's marriage.

Tài Wēi had also believed it for a while, but now she found it ridiculous. What kind of person was their grandmother? She kept Second Sister for a reason.

Second Sister was already in her late twenties, married early, and had children at this age, but their grandmother kept her and didn't even mention marriage, for what?

To send her into the palace!

Emperor Jiànyáng loved beautiful women, those charming and graceful, sweet-voiced and tender... he liked them all. But there were not many of these beauties, and he could always find a bunch, nothing special about it.

What was truly rare was a woman like Qī Yīng, a cold beauty.

Born with a noble and refined temperament, just standing there, she was like a celestial being.

Her every movement and gesture exuded grace.

Grandmother had a plan, waiting for the next year's selection.

The mocking smile on Tài Wēi's lips disappeared in an instant, and she thought expressionlessly, what did a granddaughter mean in her grandmother's heart, just a commodity to be bought and sold.

And a commodity that had to be graded, someone like her was just a defective product.

Someone like Fourth Sister Qī Mò was much more valuable.

The room was filled with continuous greetings.

Tài Wēi finally looked around. Since last night, she had felt like she was in a dream, and everything she saw, the people and things, didn't seem real. But at this moment, as she looked at everyone and heard their greetings, it suddenly felt real.

Her inner turmoil grew, and she anxiously focused her gaze in the direction of the entrance.

The pearl curtain hung quietly, swaying slightly only when the wind blew.

Tài Wēi felt restless, her hand hidden in her sleeve holding a copper coin, fidgeting with it repeatedly, unable to stop for a moment.

It had been many years since she felt this agitated.

Suddenly, the edge of the pearl curtain shook violently, the flat line trembling into silver-white waves, and she widened her eyes—

A chubby little girl walked in from behind.

She looked about seven or eight years old, with a round face, rosy lips, and a very likable appearance.

Tài Wēi stared at her intently, her eyes almost reddening in an instant.

She didn't dare to blink, afraid that in the time it took to close and open her eyes, the living little girl in front of her would disappear. If this was a dream, she hoped she would never wake up.

After Little Seven's death, she had seen this child countless times in her dreams.

Always at the age they were when they parted.

Always healthy and safe.

When she smiled, her dimples deepened, and her clear black and white eyes formed crescents, a very beautiful sight.

But she always knew that this kind of Little Seven was fake.

Little Seven had died long ago.

Not even thirteen years old, and she was gone.

But at this moment, the person in front of her was clearly alive.

Tài Wēi restrained herself, wanting to go forward to touch her face, to hug her, to confirm that she was indeed real, but she couldn't move. She had to endure, pretend as if nothing was wrong, and stay put.

Once she made a move, all her previous efforts to act obedient and well-behaved would be in vain.

Tai Wei took a deep breath, lowered her eyes, and concealed the moisture in her eyes.

There's a long way to go, and this time she will never leave Xiao Qi again.

Xiao Qi will never die young again.

She has changed, and the world should change along with her.

Tai Wei listened carefully to Xiao Qi's voice as she greeted Madam Qi, it sounded light and a bit flustered, with a hint of belated guilt, lacking confidence, and appearing timid, showing a bit of a small-mindedness and not at all generous.

Tai Wei sighed silently.

In this respect, Xiao Qi really resembled her birth mother, Aunt Bai.

Aunt Bai dared not speak much in front of Madam Shen, let alone in front of Madam Qi.

Because Tai Wei's mother couldn't manage things, although the several young ladies in the mansion each had their own courtyard, their upbringing usually followed that of their birth mother.

Following Aunt Bai, Xiao Qi could only learn to be like this.

Tai Wei glanced at Madam Qi at the head of the table, thinking that she probably wouldn't get angry. Among the granddaughters, Xiao Qi was the youngest and the most inconspicuous. Although she didn't please Madam Qi on ordinary days, she had never been severely reprimanded, and today would probably be no exception.

Sure enough, Madam Qi didn't even look at her granddaughter who was paying respects below, and just said "get up" indifferently, then waved her hand to have the meal served.