The Rebirth of Han Yuxi

Chapter 73 : Reunion (3)

When Yuchen came over, Yuxi still had tears in her eyes. Yuchen also felt very sorry for her, “Fourth Sister, don’t cry. Father didn’t really mean that.”

Yuxi cried and said, “Third Sister, I know I was wrong just now. I shouldn’t have said that. But father drove me out of the house in front of so many people. How could I ever see anyone after that? Am I worse than a stranger in father’s heart?”

In Yuchen’s heart, she also felt very dissatisfied with this matter, but she did not show it. She only kept on appeasing Yuxi as she said, “Okay, don’t cry. We still need to attend the dinner party in the evening. You will not look good with your red and swollen eyes.“

Yuxi obediently wiped her tears and expressed her feelings, “Third Sister, I feel wronged.” She just let Yuchen imagined it herself the reason why Yuxi was feeling that way. Han Jingyan was Yuxi’s biological father. As a daughter, she must not speak ill of him. However, that didn’t mean she couldn’t do it indirectly, added up with just a bit of eye ointment in her eyes, in the face of Yuchen.

Yuchen shook her head as she reminded, “Qiu Yanfu isn’t a shallow-minded girl. You should be careful of her later on.” Qiu Yanfu could even make her father leaned towards her more than his own daughters. Because of Yuxi’s drama, many women in the residence felt resentful towards Qiu Yanfu. The outcome which Yuxi had been wishing for.

Yuxi agreed with this very much and nodded, “I don’t think that she is someone simple, either. Third Sister, Qiu Yanfu is fifteen years old this year. Shouldn’t she be at home, awaiting to be married? Why did she still come to our home? Can it be because she can’t marry in Hebei that she comes to the capital to find someone else?”

Yuchen frowned as she scolded, “How many times have I told you? Pay attention to what you say in the future. If you had listen to me, father would not have scold you this time.“ It was only the first day, and Yuxi had already been scolded by their father.

In the end, it was Yuxi who got the worst of it.

In fact, Yuxi was making such a fuss because the backyard was ran by Old Madam Han and Qiu Shi. Han Jingyan would probably loathe her again, but they would seldom met. As long as the Old Madam and her Eldest Aunt were here, she was not afraid.

Yuxi nodded and said, “I will pay attention to it later on.”

Yuchen hated iron for not becoming steel (Chinese idiom : to feel resentful towards sb for failing to meet expectations and impatient to see improvement), “Don’t just talk about it, remember it in your mind. I’ll go home first. I’ll talk to you again later in the evening.”

Zisu took warm eggs and applied them to Yuxi’s eyes. Then, she asked, “Miss, is there anything wrong with this Qiu Yanfu?” Her Miss was not the kind of person who spoke without restraint. There must be a reason for today show.

Yuxi shook her head and answered, “I just didn’t listen to Third Sister. Qiu Yanfu is not a simple person. You and others shall pay more attention to her in the future.” No one knew Qiu Yanfu better than her.

Zisu’s vigilance against Qiu Yanfu rose to the highest level in an instant, “Miss, I will keep an eye on her.”

Yuxi nodded, “Don’t make it look too deliberate.” She was the host and Qiu Yanfu was a guest. In her last life, Qiu Yanfu turned from a guest into a host (Chinese idiom : turn the tables on an early comer or established person). However, in this life, she, Han Yuxi, would make it impossible for her to do it.

After lunch, Qiu Shi went to Biteng Courtyard.

While Wu Shi was talking to Yurong and Qiu Yanfu. Knowing that Qiu Shi was coming, she hurriedly went out to meet her, “If sister-in-law has something to say, just send a maid over. Why the need to come in person?”

Qiu Shi smiled, “It’s only a few steps away. This time, I came here for Miss Qiu. I didn’t know that sister-in-law would bring another girl, so I wasn’t prepared. I’ve already asked Qing-er to tidy up the guest room.“ Qing-er was Ye Shi’s given name.

The corner of Wu Shi’s mouth split open. What did Qiu Shi mean by tidying up the guest room? Wasn’t this the rhythm of intending to chase people out? Wu Shi forced a smile, “Fu-er is clever and sensible. I want her to stay here longer. It doesn’t matter if the courtyard isn’t ready yet. Let her live with Yurong first.”

Qiu Shi didn’t show any embarrassment on her face, as she just smiled, “I only thought that Miss Qiu had come to the capital for only two days and she was old enough to stay alone in guest room. However, sister-in-law’s arrangements is also appropriate. For cousins to live together, they will surely become much more closer.“

Wu Shi’s face was a little stiff. This meant that the other courtyard would not be cleaned up for her niece as Qiu Shi had agreed to her suggestion in letting Qiu Yanfu stayed with Yurong.

Qiu Shi seemed not to notice Wu Shi’s face as she continued saying with a smile, “If sister-in-law find there is anything lacking here, send someone to tell me. If I’m not here, you can also tell Qing-er. It will be the same as telling me.“ There were many empty courtyards in the state residence, but she was unwilling to give one, even for Wu Shi’s niece expenses. Moreover, this Qiu Yanfu was a female with different surname. Furthermore, she didn’t say anything about tidying up a courtyard for her.

Qiu Shi’s biggest shortcoming was that she did things as she pleased and did not care much about her reputation outside. This was also a headache for the Old Madam.

Qiu Yanfu anxiously said, “Aunt, I don’t think the Madam of this state residence likes me very much.” Her aunt invited her to temporarily stay in Yurong’s courtyard, so Madam of the state residence no longer mentioned about preparing another courtyard for her. This was clearly giving her a cold-shoulder.

Wu Shi comforted her by saying, “After getting along with you for a long time, they will surely like you.” She was confident with this niece of hers. Qiu Yanfu had a good look, good manners and a sweet mouth which made her very popular. The only regret was that she came from a lower birth.

Unfortunately, despite Wu Shi’s confidence on her, Qiu Yanfu herself didn’t have that much confidence. When Fourth Miss stirred up trouble for her, she could already noticed that Third Miss and Madam of the state residence giving her a cold shoulder. She felt that this Fourth Miss would be a big problem for her.

Qiu Yanfu instructed her maid, Yanbo, beside her, “You should get along well with the servants of the residence and know more about the affairs happening inside, especially when they are regarding the Fourth Miss.”

For the dinner party, Yuxi took Mama Shen, Kufu and Maidong to the main courtyard. Although they were a family, men and women ate separately as this was one of the residence big rules.

Wu Shi, Yurong and Qiu Yanfu were the last ones to arrive.

The Old Madam’s expression was not looking good. Though she knew that Wu Shi and her niece were from small household family, so, they did not know what a big household rules were.

Yuxi first courtesy to Wu Shi, then she went to apologize to Qiu Yanfu, “Sister Fu, everything that happened yesterday afternoon was my fault. Please forgive me.”

Qiu Yanfu smiled, “Fourth Cousin doesn’t need to mind it. It was just a small matter. It was also my fault. Otherwise, my fourth cousin would not have felt wronged.“

With a wide smile, Yuxi remarked, “Sister Fu understands people’s views (Chinese idiom : fair and considerate) and doesn’t look at all like a girl from a merchant family.”

The two words ‘merchant family’ managed to change Qiu Yanfu’s expression. She wasn’t lacking in terms of appearance, character and talent. The only thing she lacked was a good family background. So, even if she had her aunt as her strong backer, those who came to offer marriage were not only the sons of businessmen and the concubine-born of official families, but also illegitimate sons who had no future prospects. Qiu Yanfu was not convinced with all the candidates. This time, she came with her aunt to gain a bright future.

Yuxi seemed not to see Qiu Yanfu’s ugly face and went on to say, “I’m a little puzzled, Sister Fu, how could you be willing to part with your parents when you came all the way to the capital? When my father was still in Hebei, my Third Sister and I thought about my father all the time.“ Qiu Yanfu was not an orphan. Her parents were both still alive, and she had a few younger brothers and sisters.

The smile on Qiu Yanfu’s face could no longer be maintained.

Yuxi looked at Qiu Yanfu’s face, then turned to look at Yuchen’s not good looking face, as she asked innocently, “Third Sister, did I say something wrong again?”

Yuchen’s expression indicated that she was powerless to say anything.

Qiu Shi smiled and said to Wu Shi “Yuxi is a straightforward child. She doesn’t think through when she talks. She always says what she wants. Please don’t worry about this Third Sister-in-law and Miss Fu.” Her words clearly stated that Yuxi was under her protection.

When Wu Shi heard those words, the pit of her stomach nearly bled. The damned girl trampled her niece in the mud and Qiu Shi to go as far to ask her not to take offence. But in front of the Old Madam, she didn’t dare to say anything. Regarding this mother-in-law, Wu Shi still has some scruples in her heart. At this moment, she could only force a laugh, “How? This child, Fu-er, is clever and sensible. At that time, I was also loathe to part with her, so I brought her along to the capital.” Indirectly giving justification to Qiu Yanfu’s presence in the residence.

In fact, Old Madam Han already knew that Qiu Yanfu would be following Wu Shi to the capital, and she could guess that Qiu Yanfu wanted to climb high branches through connection with the state residence. However, since this matter had been allowed by her son, she would certainly not going to loose his face. “All right, sit down!”

During meals, Wu Shi and Qiu Yanfu looked at other people on the table. Their elegant movements made both of them felt like they were country bumpkin.

It happened that at this time, Yuxi deliberately took one look at Qiu Yanfu, revealing a faint smile. This smile in Qiu Yanfu’s eyes seemed like an undisguised mockery.

Originally, Qiu Yanfu thought that Yuxi was going to say something sarcastic to her, but she saw that Yuxi naturally turned around and continued eating, without paying more attention to her. This feeling of being ignored made Qiu Yanfu felt more uncomfortable.

At the end of the meal, they cleaned their hands, rinsed their mouth, then maids surging in with cups of new tea.

Yuxi looked at the surprise and joy in Qiu Yanfu’s eyes, with her eyes full of mockery. Although the state residence had no power currently, it was still a top-ranking family, and never lacking in terms ostentation and extravagance. In Qiu Yanfu’s eyes, those were naturally the best.

After sitting down, the Old Madam asked Wu Shi, “Has everyone properly settled in?”

Wu Shi smiled and said, “Everyone has been properly settled in and all of Yurong’s things have been moved to Shuixiang Courtyard.” As for Shuixiang Courtyard, she was quite satisfied with everything except its name.

Old Madam Han nodded her head and asked Wu Shi about daily trivial affairs. When she saw that there was no problem, she waved her hand, telling Wu Shi to step down.

When Yuxi returned to Rose Courtyard, she immediately asked Mama Shen, “Do you see anything wrong with her?” This time, she took Mama Shen to show her Wu Shi’s appearance. She wanted to know why the Old Madam was very surprised when she first saw Wu Shi.

Mama Shen replied, “Miss, I heard from Mama Ya that Wu Shi’s appearance looks similar to Jiang Shi, the first Third Madam by 50 to 60%.” She herself, had never actually met Jiang Shi, but this did not prevent her from learning the news from other servants in the residence.

Yuxi thought of the Old Madam’s strange behaviour at that time. She feared that those who had met Jiang Shi probably knew about it too. “Now that I know this thing, don’t tell anyone else.”

After Mama Shen went out, the corner of Yuxi’s mouth showed a bit of disdain. Han Jingyan married a person who looked similar to Jiang Shi to show that he still had deep affection for her? That must be a really big joke.