Chapter 105 – An Imposing Presence

Chapter 105 - An Imposing Presence

After breakfast the next day, Tang Shuyi told Xiao Yuzhu that Tang Anle would come to visit her, so she should come back immediately after school. The day before, the second madam of the Tang family had sent over an invitation.

Upon hearing that Tang Anle was coming, Xiao Yuzhu was delighted. Despite their age difference, Tang Anle was lively and humorous, and they got along splendidly.

At the family school, she took out the assignments left by the teacher the day before and whispered to Yang Qingjia, who was sitting beside her. Yang Qingjia, a niece from her second mother’s family, had been sent to study in the Yongning Marquis household’s school since the Yang family had no school for girls. Xiao Yuzhu had a good relationship with her.

While they were talking, Xiao Qingyu approached with a look of grievance. Seeing her like this, Xiao Yuzhu knew she was up to no good again and wanted to roll her eyes, but she restrained herself. Her mother had told her that, especially in front of an enemy, one must not let emotions show on their face.

"Sister Yuzhu," Xiao Qingyu called softly, then said, "I was wrong that day, to speak of our petty squabble in front of father. He... he acted out of love for me when he confronted you, I hope you can understand."

By the end, tears were brimming in her eyes.

Xiao Qingyu had been on an emotional rollercoaster these past few days. Xiao Yuzhu had changed a lot in the past two months. In the past, Xiao Qingyu could easily provoke Xiao Yuzhu into making mistakes that would lead to a reprimand from the teacher.

But in the last two months, Xiao Yuzhu had suddenly become wise to her tricks, not only seeing through them but also countering them effectively, leaving Xiao Qingyu frustrated and powerless.

A few days ago, Xiao Jing went to her aunt's room, and she took the opportunity to weep before Xiao Jing, with her aunt crying about their grievances. Xiao Jing, a man of soft temperament who considered Xiao Yuzhu a mere child, went to reprimand her in a mild manner, thinking it would be harmless.

Of course, he did not dare to be too harsh.

However, Xiao Qingyu felt protected by her father and was quite smug about it. Every time she saw Xiao Yuzhu, her eyes were challenging. But this smugness lasted only two days. Yesterday, the second madam of the household called her aunt and scolded her severely, even making her kneel in the courtyard for an afternoon. The reason was that they had instigated Xiao Jing to confront Xiao Yuzhu.

Xiao Qingyu still remembered the disdainful look her stepmother gave her and her harsh words, "Do you think you belong to the Marquis household just because your surname is Xiao? Don't think too highly of yourself. You were born lowly and dare to compare yourself with the legitimate daughter of the Marquis. Who gave you such audacity?"

At that moment, she and her aunt knelt together, those words stabbing her heart like knives. Until then, because her aunt was favored and the second household had no legitimate daughter, she always had the best of everything among the girls there and slowly felt she was no different from Xiao Yuzhu.

Even more, since Xiao Yuzhu was always outwitted by her, she felt she was far superior.

Now, she finally realized the most important point: her status. She was a concubine-born daughter from a branch of the Yongning Marquis household, while Xiao Yuzhu was the legitimate daughter, the only legitimate daughter of the Marquis household, and the only girl.

She could never compare, no matter how hard she tried, but her heart was still unwilling to accept it.

Her stepmother had said that today she must apologize to Xiao Yuzhu. If Xiao Yuzhu forgave her, all would be well. But if not, she and her mother would be confined forever, forbidden to step outside their courtyard.

Confinement wasn’t a big deal for her aunt, who rarely went out anyway. But if she couldn’t leave the house or attend banquets, how could she find a good match? So today, she had to appease Xiao Yuzhu.

After hearing her apology, Xiao Yuzhu glanced at her indifferently and said, "You are indeed at fault, but the ultimate responsibility lies with the parent for not teaching the child, so it is my uncle's mistake. My elder brother will discuss the matter with my uncle. As for our personal grievances, I hope you will take this as a lesson."

Xiao Qingyu was stunned; she hadn’t expected Xiao Yuzhu to involve Xiao Jing. If Xiao Jing became disillusioned with them because of this, she would be doomed.

Looking around, she saw that most of the girls had arrived, and the teacher would soon follow. She lifted her skirt, preparing to kneel. If she knelt, and Xiao Yuzhu remained unforgiving, others would certainly criticize Xiao Yuzhu for being unreasonably harsh. If the teacher spoke up for her, Xiao Yuzhu would have no choice but to forgive her.

But before she could kneel, Xiao Yuzhu said, "Grandfather always said that the sturdiest part of a Xiao family member is their knees, always kneeling at the drop of a hat, unworthy of being a Xiao descendant."

These words, 'always kneeling at the drop of a hat, unworthy of being a Xiao descendant,' put Xiao Qingyu in a bind, unable to kneel or remain standing, she stood there, dazed and at a loss.

Xiao Yuzhu did not spare her another glance, continuing to whisper with Yang Qingjia. Xiao Qingyu stood there for a while before she could only grit her teeth and return to her seat.

After she left, Yang Qingjia leaned close to Xiao Yuzhu and whispered, "You were particularly imposing just now, just like how my mother scolds the maids at home."

Xiao Yuzhu chuckled, then said, "I learned it from my mother. That’s how she treats people she dislikes."

As she spoke, she straightened her back, lifted her chin slightly, and looked outward with a demeanor that held everything in contempt.

Yang Qingjia, seeing this, covered her mouth with a handkerchief to suppress her laughter. Xiao Yuzhu held Tang Shuyi's posture for a while, then joined in the laughter. Not far away, Xiao Qingyu, upon seeing this, clenched her handkerchief so tightly it almost tore.

The family school didn't have many lessons, and classes ended around the third quarter of the hour of si (around 10 a.m.). Thinking that Tang Anle would come today, Xiao Yuzhu packed up her schoolwork and headed for Shi'an Garden. Just as she reached the entrance, she heard Tang Shuyi's hearty laughter and Tang Anle's chirpy voice.

She hurriedly lifted the curtain and entered, only to see Tang Anle holding some pastries, animatedly saying, "…My mother’s eyes lit up when she saw the hairpin, but she hummed and ignored my father. My father somehow found a pair of jade earrings, so green and lovely. My mother couldn’t hold back her smile anymore, and my father quickly said, 'I knew my cousin would like it, I drew it myself,' and then they made up."

She imitated Tang Shu Jie so vividly that Tang Shuyi couldn’t help but laugh again.

Upon seeing Xiao Yuzhu, Tang Anle's eyes brightened, and she stood up, pulled her hand, and said, "If aunt hadn’t stopped me, I would’ve gone to the family school to find you. But, I wasn’t idle either, look, I peeled all these for you."

Xiao Yuzhu followed her pointing finger and saw a pile of walnut kernels on the couch. Astonishingly, each kernel was intact.

"How did you manage this?" Xiao Yuzhu picked up a walnut kernel and asked in amazement.

Tang Anle beamed with pride, "This is my special skill, but I can teach you."

Saying this, she picked up a walnut and a small hammer, "First, tap lightly here, then..."

Xiao Yuzhu leaned in close, listening intently...

Tang Shuyi watched the two girls, heads together, whispering, and couldn’t help but smile sitting aside. Yuzhu had few playmates, so after the mourning period, she planned to take her out more to parties to meet some friends.

Girls also need their own circles, their own networks.