Chapter 3 Borrowing Dowry

In the courtyard, beneath the heavy green stone slabs, a seed struggled to stretch out its arms and push through fragile sprouts.

Lian Pozi brought a stool and sat by the moon gate, leisurely cracking melon seeds, keeping an eye on the two sisters.

Qingju, the young maid, brought a bowl of leftover hot rice from the kitchen, its clear surface reflecting the red, swollen eyes of Xia Anran, who was silently shedding tears.

Xia Ansheng pretended as if nothing was wrong, "It smells so good. It's as sweet as honey even if we're hungry and eating bran."

Xia Anran sobbed softly, full of self-blame, "It's my fault for being useless and causing you to suffer. If mother were still here..."

The courtyard echoed with the sound of scattered and chaotic footsteps.

"Lian, I heard that the second miss has woken up?"

It was Xue Shi's high-pitched and sharp voice.

Anran, who was in a daze, quickly put down the bowl in her hand and stood up.

Lian Pozi nodded and hurriedly went to open the bamboo curtain. Xue Shi lowered her head and stepped into the room, wearing a brand-new sapphire blue silk jacket, her hair slicked back.

Anran obediently bowed and called out, "Mother."

Ansheng also immediately followed suit and called out, "Mother."

Although her voice was weak, it made Xue Shi stiffen for a moment and look at her strangely, "Awake? Feeling better?"

Ansheng lowered her eyes, looking particularly gentle, "It's okay, just feel as weak as cotton."

Xue Shi walked over and sat down by the bed, reaching out to touch Ansheng's forehead to make sure she didn't have a high fever, "Silly child, not eating for many days, how can you have the strength?"

Turning her head, she saw the rice porridge that Anran had left on the table and became furious, "These servants are becoming more and more careless. The second miss has just woken up, and she's eating plain porridge? Lian, go to the kitchen and tell them to make a hot porridge with chicken and ginseng for the second miss to nourish her body."

Lian Pozi was somewhat puzzled, looking at Xue Shi and then at Ansheng, feeling that both of them were unusually filial today, not knowing what was going on.

Ansheng forced a smile, "No need to bother, the ginseng was specially left by father for mother."

Xue Shi lovingly patted Ansheng's hand, "This child, after falling, has become so considerate and thoughtful, making mother feel more distressed."

Falling? Xue Shi, with her sweet face, really knew how to distort the truth and cover up the truth. Ansheng snorted coldly in her heart, but smiled gently.

"In the past, it was indeed the child's fault, causing mother to worry."

Anran, who was standing by, looked at her sister with some concern. Ansheng's sudden deference and warmth towards Xue Shi made her feel uneasy.

Lian Pozi then inexplicably turned and left the courtyard.

Xue Shi's eyes flickered, and a fleeting enigmatic smile appeared at the corner of her lips.

"Good child, we are a family, there should be no secrets between us. Since I am your mother, it is only right for me to worry about you. Take good care of yourself and don't rush to get up."

She gave Anran a meaningful look and then stood up, "Anran, accompany mother out."

Ansheng grabbed her sleeve and blinked, "Mother, are you favoring sister for something? You deliberately kept it from your daughter."

Anran still lowered her eyes obediently, "Mother, please tell me if you have anything to say."

Xue Shi quietly pushed away Ansheng's hand, turned to face Anran, cleared her throat, and smiled, "It's not a big deal. Mrs. Meng from the Meng family came to our house a few days ago and immediately took a liking to your younger sister, Ziyu. Today, she hurriedly sent a tea gift, which was quite generous. Mother was a bit unprepared, and the dowry prepared for Ziyu seemed a bit shabby and not presentable."

Anran's face suddenly turned pale, and she had a bad premonition. She looked at Ansheng with unease and said, "So what?"

"So, mother thought that since you have the dowry prepared by your mother, you could lend it to Ziyu for now. After this marriage is settled, mother will definitely prepare a new set for you, even better than before!"

Anran bit her lip tightly, almost drawing blood.

She didn't have the courage to refuse. Even though Xue Shi was like a vampire, repeatedly taking away what originally belonged to her, she didn't dare to firmly say "no."

Ansheng suddenly laughed, her eyes sparkling like bright stars, breaking the silver light.

She casually and generously said, "It's not a big deal. Mother will definitely prepare the best for you when the time comes, and sister has gained an advantage for nothing."

Xue Shi nodded repeatedly, a smile blooming on her face, "Of course, mother will never treat you unfairly. The dowry is also a symbol of our family's dignity."

Anran hesitated, unable to muster the courage to refuse, swallowing her words and pride.

Mrs. Xue slapped her thigh and stood up decisively, saying, "I knew you were all sensible and righteous children. So, let's settle this matter like this. I'll thank you two sisters on behalf of Ziyu."

Anran's face turned pale, and she murmured softly, "No need to be polite."

Mrs. Xue was somewhat surprised by the smooth turn of events. She had been expecting to avoid the prickly Anran.

As she was about to leave, Anran struggled to stand up and said, "Mother!"

"What else do you need?" Mrs. Xue turned around with a gentle smile.

"It's nothing important. It's just that earlier, Sister said that Grandma heard about my illness from somewhere and asked people in the mansion about it. Anran is afraid that Grandma is worried. Can you have someone tell her that I am safe and sound?"

In recent years, Anran's maternal family, the Qian family, had been in charge, and they were not particularly close to the Xia family. They only exchanged greetings during the holidays and inquired about Anran and Anran's well-being. Since the news had reached their ears, it was appropriate to send someone to inform them as a matter of courtesy.

Mrs. Xue wondered who had been spreading rumors in the mansion. She silently criticized them and then looked at Anran with caution. After a moment of hesitation, she realized that something was off about the girl today.

Anran hesitantly continued, "It's also to prevent Uncle from worrying and coming over. You know how strict my aunt is... The messenger should be reminded to be discreet."

Anran's voice was barely audible, and she seemed ashamed.

Mrs. Xue immediately understood Anran's concerns. She was afraid that the Qian family would cause trouble because of Ziyu's dowry. Mrs. Xue put aside her doubts and smiled, "This time, we won't trouble your grandmother and aunt with Ziyu's marriage. I'll have the coachman, Lao Wang, go to the cloth shop and deliver the message. You just focus on taking care of yourself and stop worrying."

Anran remained silent with her head bowed. Mrs. Xue gave some gentle advice to Anran and then got up and left.

After seeing Mrs. Xue off, Anran slowly raised her head, her delicate eyebrows furrowed, and tears welling up in her eyes. "The dowry is the only hope our mother left for us. It feels like a piece of our heart has been torn out."

Looking at her sister with pity, Anran was reminded of their mother's inexplicable and tragic death. She gritted her teeth and said, "We have always been accommodating and submissive, allowing them to take advantage of us. But they just keep pushing us further. Do they want to push us to a dead end?"

Xia Anran looked at her sister with hope, wishing that she could be inspired and filled with determination like herself.

After a long silence, Anran slumped on the embroidered stool, covering her face and crying, "It's all destined. What can we do?"

Suddenly, Anran sat up in anger, glaring at Anran with determination in her eyes. "Even if it's destined, so what? It's just a life. What is there to be afraid of? Accepting fate is just a way to survive a few more years. We must fight back, not only to reclaim your dowry but also to regain your rightful engagement! Your happiness! Sister, we must take control of our destiny! We must confront the ruthless mother and daughter, Mrs. Xue!"