Chapter 10-1: A Variable
People in Sheng Mansion noticed a change in Miss Luo's
behavior. Previously, she would sleep till noon and then stroll the streets
with her maid Hongdou. But now, she regularly came to Funing Hall to pay her
respects to Sheng Laotaitai, both in the morning and evening, without fail.
Luo Sheng's transformation led to another change. Sheng
Laotaitai hadn't seen her grandsons during the paying respects sessions these
days. Sheng Dataitai and Ertaitai explained to Sheng Laotaitai with a dry smile
in private: "The children are busy with their studies lately..."
Sheng Laotaitai didn't believe a single word of their
explanations. They are making an excuse. Since she announced her intention to
betroth Miss Luo to one of her four grandsons, her two daughters-in-law were
frightened. Cowards!
Sheng Laotaitai disdained her daughters-in-law in her heart
and found her granddaughter, Luo Sheng, who faithfully paid her respects every
day, much more pleasing. Rather than strolling the street and snatching back a
grandson-in-law for her, it was better for Luo Sheng to come here and pay her
respects. To be happy, one should be satisfied with what they have.
The contented Sheng Laotaitai was overjoyed and ordered her
maid to fetch a pair of bracelets for Luo Sheng. Luo Sheng put the bracelet
away and saluted Sheng Laotaitai: "Thank you, waizumu, for the gift."
Sheng Laotaitai breathed a sigh of relief and was glad that
her gift was well received, as her granddaughter had grown up in luxury. Even
if her granddaughter didn't particularly like it, she didn't voice her
dissatisfaction openly. Otherwise, it would have been quite embarrassing for
this old lady.
Sheng Laotaitai's tone became softer unconsciously:
"You can go back and rest."
After that, she glanced at her other two granddaughters
casually: "You guys can leave too." There is no need to be lenient to
the ones raised at home; she can just directly beat anyone who dares to cause
trouble.
As soon as Sheng Jia Yu stepped out of Funing Hall, she
stomped angrily and expressed her frustration: "Zumu is truly biased. We
have been paying our respects for years, and she never praises us. But the
moment Luo Sheng starts behaving differently and stops idling around,
Zumu sees it as something rare."
Sheng Jia Lan gently tugged on Sheng Jia Yu's sleeve and
tried to calm her down, speaking softly, "Dajie, please don't be
angry. Zumu is happy to see that biaojie has made some improvements."
"Improvements?" Sheng Jia Yu sneered, "Ermei, have you forgotten
what we overheard at the lake that day? Luo Sheng's true nature can't change so
easily[1]. Just wait and see. Perhaps one of these days, she will make a move on
Su Er Gongzi."
Sheng Jia Lan's eyes filled with gloom, and she clenched her
hands tightly within the wide sleeves of her robe. "Dajie, let's not talk
about it again. Zumu wouldn't be pleased if she found out. Let's just go
back," she urged, her voice filled with concern. Sheng Jia Yu nodded, her
expression dark.
As the two sisters walked past the lake, their eyes subconsciously
turned toward it and caught sight of a delicate figure. Sheng Jia Yu curled her
lips in disdain and sneered, "She is really good at pretending to be
refined and poised while secretly scheming something bad."
"Dajie, let's go." Sheng Jia Lan pulled on Sheng
Jia Yu's arm, but she stole a quiet glance before leaving. The young girl sat
alone by the lake, her chin resting on her palm as she stared blankly into the
water. There was no sign of her maid, Hongdou, nearby, only two white geese
leisurely swimming.
A flicker of determination appeared in Sheng Jia Lan's eyes.
The moment she had been waiting for—the opportunity she had been
anticipating—might have finally arrived.
"What are your plans for today, Ermei?" Sheng Jia
Yu suddenly asked. Sheng Jia Lan changed her expression in a flash, smiled
softly and replied, "I caught a cold yesterday and still have a headache,
so I want to return to my room and rest."
"That's too bad. I originally wanted you to accompany
me to Yurongtang[2]."
Sheng Jia Yu was slightly disappointed but quickly smiled, "Then let's go
tomorrow when you are better." "Okay." The two sisters split way
beside a bush of azaleas and went back to their own room, respectively.
However, shortly after, Sheng Jia Lan, who had claimed she
wanted to rest, quietly descended by using another staircase[3]
and disappeared among the lush plantations in the garden, making her way back
to the lake.
[1]The idiom used here is 狗改不了吃屎 (gǒu gǎi bùliǎo chī shǐ)
lit. a dog can't stop himself from eating sh*t
[2] Should
be a rouge and gouache shop
[3] It
seems that she and Sheng Jia Yu's rooms are located in the same two-story building.
The author didn't write enough explanations.
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