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THOJ Chapter 6-1

 Chapter 6: To Lower One's Guard


The orange trees in Funing Hall are bathed in the evening sun, and their green leaves are tinged with a subtle red hue. The red lanterns hanging beneath the eaves have been lit up, enveloping the excitement in the courtyard. Luo Sheng's arrival stunned the maid at the gate, who then exclaimed: "Miss Luo has arrived."

The moment she stepped into the hall, Luo Sheng immediately felt the silence that filled the room as everyone was taken aback by her unexpected arrival. The family banquet was held in the dining hall, except for four young men who had been frightened off by Luo Sheng, everyone else was already there. Amidst this awkward atmosphere, Luo Sheng saluted Sheng Laotaitai, who occupied the seat of honor: "Sheng'er[1] is late."

Sheng Laotaitai's eyes flashed with surprise, but she smiled, "Sheng'er, come sit down." Sheng Dataitai and Ertaitai looked at each other, and their hearts sank. They wondered why Miss Luo had suddenly chosen to attend the family banquet. Could it be she had developed an interest in their sons?

Quietly sweeping the empty seats, Sheng Dataitai and Ertaitai secretly rejoiced. They are relieved that their sons miraculously managed to skip the family banquet, escaping a potential misfortune. Just then, Sheng Laotaitai interrupted their thoughts, asking, "Why haven't Da Gongzi and the other three arrived yet?"

Sheng Dataitai's mouth twitched, and she feigned dissatisfaction, "Who knows where they've gone? Please don't be angry, Laotaitai. When Da Gongzi and the others return, I will scold them."

"Yes, you must be strict with them. They seem to become more disobedient." Sheng Laotaitai then began to eat, and the others soon followed. As it was a family banquet, no one paid much attention to the etiquette of eating without speaking, and the dinner atmosphere was quite lively. Given Luo Sheng's special status, Sheng Laotaitai and a few elders asked her more questions to express their concern. However, upon seeing her elegant dining manner, they somehow felt their actions were inappropriate and refrained from making further conversation.

Luo Sheng stopped eating after a few bites. She put down her chopsticks and looked at everyone with a cold expression while drinking the tea served by the maid. Despite Sheng Laotaitai's advanced age, she had a hearty appetite and is currently enjoying a piece of smoked duck breast. Sheng Dajiu is in his prime, dressed as a scribe, and drinks more wine than he ate, resulting in his flushed face.

Sitting next to Sheng Dataitai was Sheng Jia Yu, whose hostile gaze Luo Sheng sensed as soon as she entered the hall. Next to Sheng Jia Yu sat a girl with delicate eyebrows and almond-shaped eyes, Sheng Jia Lan. Luo Sheng deliberately took a second glance at Sheng Jia Lan. Sheng Jia Lan kept her gaze lowered while eating, appearing gentle and timid.

"Sheng'er, is the food not to your liking?" Luo Sheng shifted her gaze and met Sheng Dataitai's smiling face. "Just tell me what you like to eat, and I will tell the kitchen to prepare it."  

Sheng Dataitai wore a smile on her face, but beneath it, she was actually feeling annoyed. Not only was she annoyed, but she was also worried. Will this girl cause trouble again? Just as this thought crossed her mind, Luo Sheng placed her teacup on the table. The blue-white porcelain teacup made a crisp sound when it collided with the mahogany table.

Although the sound was faint, it caught everyone's attention. It was finally happening. How could Luo Sheng come just to enjoy a peaceful meal? Luo Chen furrowed his delicate eyebrows and tightly gripped his chopsticks.

In the face of everyone's gaze, Luo Sheng maintained a calm expression and spoke lightly, "There is something I wish to clarify to waizumu." "What does Sheng'er want to clarify?" Sheng Laotaitai inquired, giving her full attention. "I didn't want to hang myself."

There was a soft clatter caused by Sheng Jia Lan accidentally dropping her silver chopstick. The sound was louder than Luo Sheng's previous action, but Sheng Jia Yu's sneer quickly covered it."Hah, everyone knows that biaojie doesn't really want to hang herself,"[2] Sheng Jia Yu remarked cynically. This is the first time Sheng Jia Yu had addressed Luo Sheng as "biaojie", although her tone was sarcastic.

"Jia Yu, stop talking nonsense!" Sheng Dataitai reprimanded her daughter, though her gaze remained calm. Deep down, she wasn't angry at her daughter's harsh words, as they held some truth. Miss Luo's behavior had been unreasonable, causing turmoil within the Sheng family and leaving them restless these days.

Luo Sheng's father was someone the Sheng family couldn't afford to offend. As elders, it was difficult for them to scold her. However, a dispute among the younger generation wasn't too serious to bring trouble for the Sheng family.

If this is her daughter—Sheng Dataitai is frightened by her own thought. She couldn't possibly raise a daughter like her! Sheng Laotaitai always spoke highly of her sister-in-law (Luo Sheng's mother), praising her for being gentle and courteous. Doesn't she feel ashamed having this kind of granddaughter?

Lost in these thoughts, she glanced at Luo Sheng and was taken aback. The young girl had a straight back and a composed expression, completely different from the impression she had given before. Luo Sheng didn't even spare a glance at Sheng Jia Yu and explained earnestly, "I mean, I have never wanted to commit suicide."

[1] Luo Sheng is referring to herself. "Er" here is a form of endearment.

[2] Sheng Jia Yu means Luo Sheng pretended to hang herself so that her grandmother would grant her request to marry Su Yao.



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