Chapter 1
Chapter 1
If you asked me who I hated most now, it would absolutely be Lin Jiaoyue!
She was the True Heiress who had stolen everything from me!
I shot a glare at that stinking man drenched in sweat, then got so angry that I fell right off the ladder.
I must have twisted my ankle, because for a moment, I couldn’t get back up.
Sobbing, I pounded the ground.
As a result, my hands got covered in dirt, and no matter how I wiped them, I couldn’t get them clean.
I had once been the Number One Beauty famed throughout Capital City. How had I fallen to this state?
And as if that weren’t enough, the chickens and ducks at home came over to mock me.
They surrounded me, clucking and quacking nonstop!
And while they were at it, they kept pooping!
Furious, I picked up little pebbles and threw them.
They flew up and pecked at me, sending chicken feathers and duck down swirling everywhere!
A crowd of little children gathered at the doorway to watch the fun.
They burst into laughter.
“The Fairy Maiden turned into Chicken-Feather Girl!”
“Hahaha, there’s duck poop on her sleeve!”
“Wow, she’s so pretty when she cries.”
My little sister, who had been busy in the kitchen, rushed out, grabbed the broom beside her, and chased away the chickens and ducks.
She looked at me with her big, dark, shining eyes and said kindly, “Big Sister, before Father and Mother went to the fields, they told me to steam some eggs for you. They’re ready now. Go eat.”
I refused to eat any stinking eggs!
I was crying so hard I could barely breathe, and I felt like my whole body reeked.
Just then, my little brother returned from gathering firewood.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead, ran over, and said softly, “Big Sister, Father and Mother said you like being clean. I’ll heat some water so you can wash up.”
My little sister added, “Brother Tingyun’s family has a big wooden tub. I’ll beg him to let Big Sister use it!”
I would never use something Lin Jiaoyue’s fiancé had used!
Pressing my lips together, I said stubbornly, “Xiaohua, you are not allowed to go!”
My little brother had carried firewood all the way back, and the pole had left red marks pressed into his shoulders.
I had only bathed yesterday.
If I bathed again today, who knew how much more firewood I would make him chop?
I wiped my tears and thought to myself that I was truly living a miserable life now.
I even had to save every bit of firewood!
Lin Jiaoyue had made it big, yet she hadn’t even sent a letter to ask after her younger siblings. Instead, I was the one worrying over them for her!
I washed up briefly.
When it came time to choose my clothes, I hesitated.
When I was sent to the countryside, Mother hadn’t withheld my belongings.
She had let me bring plenty of clothes and jewelry.
But those elaborate, gorgeous dresses were completely impractical here.
I chose a simple outfit to change into and hiked the hem of my skirt up a little.
When I stepped out, my little brother and sister both froze.
Feeling awkward, I asked, “What? Does it not look good?”
My little sister hurried to coax me. “It looks good! Big Sister is as beautiful as a heavenly immortal.”
My little brother praised me too. “Big Sister looks good in anything!”
I patted their little heads and said proudly, “You two aren’t bad-looking either. You are my real younger brother and sister, after all! From now on, the three of us will be the most dazzling sight in Qingshan Village!”
The moment the words left my mouth, I froze.
My little sister and brother froze too.
Their eyes reddened.
The three of us pretended nothing had happened and each went back to our own tasks.
My little sister called out first, “It’s time to bring lunch to Father and Mother in the fields!”
My little brother ran off to fetch something. “I’ll get the straw hats!”
I looked up at the sun overhead and picked up an umbrella.