Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Inside the schoolroom, the hands of the Western clock had already reached the hour for class.

Eldest Sister’s seat was still empty.

A secret flicker of satisfaction passed through my heart.

The teacher came in with a stern face, swept a glance over the empty seat, and began the lesson.

Only after nearly half the class had passed did hurried, suppressed panting sound from the doorway.

Eldest Sister was leaning against the doorframe, her breath unsteady, fine beads of sweat on her temples.

She stood outside with her head lowered, her voice slightly breathless. “Teacher, this student is late.”

The teacher acted as though he had not heard and continued lecturing.

So she remained standing there stiffly until the entire lesson was over.

That small bit of pleasure in my heart was like a pebble dropped into water, spreading outward in widening ripples.

According to the rules, anyone who arrived late was to be struck with the board.

She had enjoyed her glory for so long. It was only right that she have a taste of this too.

The thought startled even me, yet I could not help looking forward to it.

At last, the teacher set down his book and lifted his eyelids slightly. “Come in.”

As if granted a great pardon, Eldest Sister stepped inside, her footsteps somewhat unsteady.

Her gaze swept over me, carrying a hint of inquiry.

I lowered my eyes to the page before me and did not move an inch.

The teacher’s gaze moved between the two of us, yet he did not mention the ruler. He only said, “Where is yesterday’s assignment?”

Eldest Sister’s work was as neat and beautiful as ever.

Whatever the teacher asked, she answered fluently and clearly.

I watched with my own eyes as the teacher’s tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed, until at last he was stroking his beard and nodding.

“Your studies have improved. Acceptable.”

The teacher’s tone softened. “Being late should ordinarily be punished. In consideration of your usual diligence, and since this is your first offense, I will excuse you today. However, a small punishment serves as a greater warning. Today’s assignment will be doubled, and there must be no mistakes.”

Eldest Sister curtsied deeply, her manner respectful. “This student will obey Teacher’s instruction.”

During the break, she came close to my side and gently tugged at my sleeve, her tone carrying a trace of grievance.

“Huihui, I waited for you under the corridor for so long this morning, but you never came. I was so anxious that I ran to your courtyard to look for you, but Nanny Li said you had already gone to the schoolroom. Were you feeling unwell?”

I pressed down the sour jealousy rising in my throat, let a gentle, apologetic smile bloom across my face, and quietly withdrew my sleeve.

“Thank you for worrying, Eldest Sister. I got up a little late this morning and was afraid I would miss the hour, so I took the garden path over. In my haste, I forgot to send someone to tell you. It was my fault.”

Eldest Sister looked at me for a long while before finally nodding, a warm, graceful smile spreading across her lips.

“It’s all right. As long as you’re fine.”

The sour jealousy in my heart was like moss silently thriving in a damp, shadowed place, growing heavier by the day.

For a period of time afterward, I deliberately distanced myself from Eldest Sister.

Whether she invited me to admire flowers, drink tea, or simply chat about family matters, I turned her away each time on the grounds that “my studies are heavy, and I dare not slack off.”

She remained as she had always been, wearing a warm smile as she reached out to stroke the top of my head.

“It is good to study hard, but you must also take care of your health. If the sky falls, your eldest sister will hold it up for you.”

As I looked up, the hand emerging from her sleeve carried that familiar warm fragrance and was about to settle softly upon me.

Yet when that warm fragrance entered my nose, it suddenly became cloying and sticky-sweet, rushing straight into my chest until my heart churned.

Without thinking, I avoided her hand, found an excuse, and hurried away.

That day, just as we left the schoolroom, Steward He was already waiting respectfully beneath the corridor.

The moment I saw Steward He, I knew Father was summoning Eldest Sister again.

A smile touched Eldest Sister’s lips, and an almost imperceptible reserve and pride flowed through the corners of her eyes and brows.

“Please report to Father that his daughter will come at once.”

She turned to look at me. Out of habit, her fair hand moved as if to stroke my head again, only to pause halfway. In the end, she merely said gently,

“I have some freshly picked balsam flower juice. When I return, shall we dye our nails together?”

I nodded obediently and watched as she followed Steward He into the distance.