Published at 31st of January 2019 03:59:48 AM Chapter 35

A Guideline on Improving Living Conditions (2)

Sheng Hong was talked into her assertion and began to feel sorry, so he gave a soothing glance to Wangshi . Witnessing the scene, Old Madam Sheng quirked up thecorners ofher mouth and said finally, Madam, pleased take the bother to teach Minglan how to manage house affairs and let her learn more .

Sheng Hong immediately echoed, Yes, Old Madam . She should have taught Minglan . While speaking he covertly pulled Wangshissleeve, who also chimed in in a hurry, Minglan is also my daughter . Teaching her is my duty .

Changfeng wore a face of worry, staring at Minglan imploringly . WhileMinglan forced herself not to turn to him and only stood well-mannered in front of Old Madam Sheng, listening to her reprimand . Rulan shot out challenging look to Molan who remained an indifferent face because she didnt a bit care about the fate of those servants except for feeling a little embarrassed .

Liu Kuns wifeconvened all the girl servants in the House of Clear Dusk to stand in order in the yard . Wangshiwas sitting up in the main chair and Cuiwei served with every caution her a cup of ginseng tea . Wangshitook a sip of it and screened with her eyes the girls one by one . Though they were playful, they knew their day was coming . Everyone stood obediently, shoulders locked, head bowed, and breath constrained .

I tolerated you since you are young, but I didnt expect that you should take advantage of sixth young ladys kindness to bully her! How dare you! Wangshiscolded, patting on the chair, Which one is Keer? Stand out!

Keer swayed her way forward . She was wearing a red long jacket edged with fur embroidered with silk, looking fragile,pitiful yet charming . Wangshisneered, What a sick beauty! I heard that since you came here, you fell ill time and again and never recovered . It seems this place is not suitable for you . Alright, youre degraded to third-level servant and go back to where you were!

This exactly hit the spot because Keer was willing to be degraded as long as she could return to Changfengs side . Therefore, she only slightly curtseyed Wangshiwho snickered up her sleeve and waved to let steward Mama help Keer pack her staff .

After that, Liu Kuns wife whispered to Wangshis ear, then strengthenedup and shouted, Which one is Meier? Stand out!

Meier bit her teeth and squared her shoulders, curtseying to Wangshi . The latter squinted at her and said in an icy voice, What a manner! I heard youve been putting on air, bickering with Mama, scolding sisters, even turning a cold shoulder to the young lady!

Meier tried hard to constrain herself from trembling and answered, My MadamII didnt . Its just the rules here are different from where I was, so I reasoned with them but never quarreled .

Wangshiglared at her and heavily tapped the chair arm when the Mama standing aside immediately stepped forward and slapped right in her face, fair as white jade, swelled at once . The Mama cursed, You bitch, how dare you talk back to Madam . Where did you learn your manners? Your face will be torn up on one more sentence!

Wangshisnorted and took a glance at Liu Kuns wife, who picked up the hint and announced loudly, Meier shall not receive monthly allowance for six months and be degraded to third-level servant Pull her out and give her ten planks!

Upon the words, the crying Meier was dragged out . Wangshilifted the tea cup and elegantly stirred the teleaves in slow motion . Minglan sat there without any movement while Rulan looked really enjoy the scene, pulling Minglans sleeve from time to time and saying, Learn this . Dont cry and ask mother for help in the future! Minglan squeezed a smile, her little hand clenched tight in the sleeve .

Finally, Wangshiordered others to pull Yinxing out and looked her up and down with sharp eyes . Yinxing shivered in terror, and as her knees turned powerless, she kneed down in no time . Wangshisaid calmly, You were at my place . Since you miss there so bad, youd better go back with me .

Yinxing perceived the irony and mercilessness in the words and became so scared that she kept kowtowing but didnt manage to speak a work . Smile of contempt was hanging on the face of Liu Kins wife who had Yinxing pulled out .

After clearing up these pioneers, Wangshirebuked the rest of the servants and then left with Rulan . The forced smile looked as if pinned on Minglans face . She thanked Wangshinumerous times and saw them to the door, after which the House of Clear Dusk became as silentas a graveyard . Meier was carried back in a stretcher . Minglan asked Danju to take some medicine from Fang Mamas room to apply on Meiers wound while she herself stayed alone quietly in the room, lying lowon the bed and staring vacantly on the ceiling .

At noon, she went to the Hall of Peaceful Ages to have lunch . The grandmother and granddaughter had their lunch in silence . Seeing Minglan look fatigue and listless, Old Madam didnt say nothing and just let her be . After the lunch, Minglan had a cup of tea, still in silence, but showed no sign of returning to her own house . Staring into the void for a while, she, like a drooping-eared puppy that had lost its way and finally found the way home, groped to Old Madams bedroom, took off the shoes, and rolled into the thermos bed of Old Madam Sheng like a squirrel . Fully dressed, the little body sprawled into the quilt .

Old Madam Sheng felt amused and followed in to check Minglan who covered her head totally in the quilt and, hearing the noise, revealed a crack of the quilt to take a look . Then a small hand reached out from the quilt and slightly pulled Old Madam Shengs sleeve, a smotheredvoice followed, Grandma, take a noon nap with me .

Old Madam Sheng, who had planned to go to the Buddhist hall, sighed hearing the words, then sat on the bedside, revealed the quilt corner and dug out the little head, saying mildly, Everything is done? Minglan nodded in frustration .

Old Madam asked again, Youre scared? Minglan raised her head and shook numbly, No . I expected this would happen long ago . Whats done is done . Old Madam Sheng stroked the granddaughters hair toconsole her, But why are you being so limp?

Minglan buried her head in the grandmothers arms . As her whole head was stuffed in the clothes emanating aroma of sandalwood, which reminded her of her birth mother in previous life, she felt a twinge of melancholy and said in a low voice, Grandma, am I a bad girl? I deliberately winked at their improper behaviors . Every time Keer fell ill, I let the news pass on to third elder brother . I also let Yinxing knew the time when big brother went back from school . The first time Yinxing was scolded by Liu Mama for running out, I stood up for her to mislead her that I was on her side; this is why she dared to bother big brother time and time again! . . . Yinxing always rummaged my stuff and spied on what happened in the Hall of Peaceful Ages . I began to hate her long ago! I know the thing Madam resents most is servants seducing big brother . As long as the matter goes wild, she will sure give a tough lesson to Yinxing; I also know that Concubine Lin sent Keer to me because she didnt like the maid and when there is an opportunity, Madam will definitely send Keer back to disgust Concubine Lin Im so calculative, butI dont want to be such a person!

As she spoke, her nose went sour and tears fell off . She felt that she became increasingly alike to villains on television .

Minglan buried herself in Old Madams arm and couldnt stop crying . The tears wetted a large patch on the clothes of Old Madam who lovingly stroked her slim shoulders, held her in arms and rocked as if she was still a small baby, persuading gently, Its alright; its alright . Dont cry, my baby . No one in this world dont want to live as a frank person . Who doesnt want a peaceful life? But how many can?

Minglan perceived the helplessness and vicissitudes in Old Madams tone and felt gloomy . Since the first time the four girls created troubles, she began to contemplate as to how to clear them up . Jiuer, though liked to probe into others affairs, was a well-behaved girl, and her mother was the general manager of Sheng Mansions inner yard . Itd be better not to mess with her . Meier was ill-tempered and easy to deal with . Supposedly, she would suffer a lot . Keer could be used as a bait and asmoke bomb to drag in Wangshiwho would immediately send her away . The most troublesome was Yinxing who had been sent over by Madam . Upsetting her meant upsetting Madam, so the best solution was to let Madam tackle the problem and the pawn was Changbai

Minglan hated herself so much that when she looked up, tears crawled all over her face . She choked, Big brother is so nice to me, but I even dragged him in, II

You have no other choice! Old Madam Sheng cut in suddenly, saying in a plain tone .

Minglan was surprised, witnessing Old Madam calmly order Fang Mama fetch her a basin of water and a handkerchief . Turning around and noticing Minglans stunned face, she said as if nothing happened, IfChangbai was your biological brother, would you conceal your real self and act scrupulously?

Of course not, she would directly turn to her brother for help . Minglan immediately understood .

-- NORMAL --