Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The road back to the capital was just like the road out had been. After several days and nights, we finally arrived.

There were no parents waiting to welcome me warmly, nor servants lined up to greet me with respect.

When I was brought before Mother, she was adorned with pearl hairpins and jade ornaments, dressed in fine brocade and silk. She looked dignified, gentle, and composed. Beside her, a pretty young woman was tugging at her sleeve, acting spoiled and coy.

“Mother, please say yes. Please, I beg you.”

Mother smiled and pinched her cheek, her expression tender and loving. “All right, all right. Since you insist, I’ll have the shopkeeper come to the manor tomorrow to take your measurements for new clothes.”

“Thank you, Mother. You’re the best.”

The two of them were affectionate as if no one else were there.

I stood to the side in silence.

I thought I would feel hurt. I thought I would be sad. But in the end, I watched them calmly, without the slightest ripple in my heart.

That made sense. I might not have my parents’ love, but I had Nanny and my elder brother.

“Mother, is she my younger sister?”

The girl in brocade came up to me and looked me over from head to toe, disdain plain in her eyes.

I was wearing a fine cotton dress. Though it was brand-new, compared with what she wore and the ornaments she had on, the difference was like heaven and earth.

Mother looked over at me as well.

With just one glance, she frowned, the disgust in her eyes far too obvious.

In a flat, indifferent tone, she said, “She is your younger sister.”

I called softly, “Mother. Elder Sister.”

“Enough. Danhua, take her to…”

She paused to think, then asked, “Is there still an empty courtyard beside Yuxin’s?”

“Replying to Madam, the courtyard beside the Eldest Miss’s is occupied by the young lady cousin.”

“…”

“There is a small courtyard still empty over by Tongyuan,” Danhua said.

“Then she will stay in Tongyuan. Danhua, take her there.”

I did not know what kind of place Tongyuan was.

Nor did I have the right to choose or complain.

Mother disliked me. My legitimate elder sister stood high above me. And Danhua, though only a maid, showed me no respect either.

Only after I arrived did I learn that the daughters living here were all Father’s concubine-born daughters.

The little courtyard assigned to me was not large, with only three rooms. The rooms smelled of mildew. Danhua ordered people to clean and tidy the place, directing them to move things inside, while I stood in the courtyard holding my bundle and waited quietly.

Someone secretly peeked at me from the side, furtive and shrinking, then quickly disappeared.

No one invited me to sit in their courtyard for a while or have a cup of tea.

“Second Miss, it has been cleaned.”

“Mm.”

I walked into the room.

To put it nicely, the room was simple and elegant. To put it bluntly, it was shabby and poor.

I did not care anymore.

Since I was here, I might as well settle in.

I was insignificant and had no say. A thin arm could not twist a thick thigh. It was better to be obedient and live quietly than to be beaten, made to stand as punishment, or forced to kneel.

Danhua soon brought over two maids and an old servant woman, saying they were here to serve me and would take my orders from now on.

I could tell that none of them wanted to serve me, but they had no choice.

I sat in the room for quite a while, yet no one came in to pour me tea or water.

“I heard the one inside is a jinx. She brings misfortune to everyone around her.”

“No. I can’t stay here. What if she jinxes me to death?”

“I don’t want to stay either.”

The two maids ran off. The old servant woman, however, slowly entered the room, bowed, and asked, “Miss, would you like some water?”

I shook my head. I had no intention of making things difficult for her. “Go help me fetch my luggage. I have a camellia in a pot. Bring that over first.”

“Yes.”

The old servant woman answered and left.

Before long, a round-faced maid came in. She seemed to know the rules well.

“This servant Siyue greets Miss.”

“No need for ceremony.”

I asked her to fetch some water. After the long, exhausting journey by boat and carriage, I had not had a proper wash.

I wanted to wash and sleep for a while.

At that moment, I was both thirsty and hungry. At Mother’s place, I had not even been given a sip of water, let alone a bite of food, before being driven in distaste to this little courtyard.

As long as I fell asleep, I would not feel hungry or thirsty.

“Yes.”

Siyue worked quickly. She brought over a pot of tea for me to drink first and moisten my throat, then went out again and returned with pastries and fruit, telling me to eat something first.

By the time the old servant woman brought people over with my camellia and luggage, the hot water was ready. After I washed, Siyue helped dry my hair.

“Miss’s hair has been cared for so well.”

Thinking of how much effort Nanny had put into caring for my black hair, using all sorts of methods and spending so much care on it, I smiled happily.

There was no welcoming banquet for my return. No one in the family came in person to see me. Mother did not send me any silver for expenses or rewards, either. My food was the same as that of the other sisters in Tongyuan, with nothing special about it.

Everyone in the manor knew that I, the legitimate Second Miss, was not loved by my parents, much less liked by my two elder brothers or my elder sister.

I had no intention of fighting for their affection, either.

When I came, my elder brother had given me twenty taels of silver, enough to last me a very long time.

All I had to do was wait quietly for my unknown fate to arrive…