Chapter 1: The Eve of the Storm
On a summer afternoon, the sun shines like molten gold, and the heat waves are like amber, gently wrapping and sealing the deep courtyard and the chirping of cicadas.
Suddenly, the leaves on the ground spun lightly, and as the corner door opened slightly, a figure in a wisteria flower skirt passed through the shadows of the flowers and leisurely entered.
In a secluded place, a maid with double buns was awakened from her light sleep and walked forward quickly.
"Miss, you are back." He took the scroll and hood from the two people and put them away.
Su Shengsheng walked to the stone table and sat down, rubbing her wrist lightly. "Did grandma send someone to ask?"
"No, it's just that I just made some ice cream, and it won't taste good if I keep it here any longer."
"Wouldn't it taste better if you leave it for a little longer?" Ning Yu, who was standing by, handed over the new lotus.
"It's a subtle difference, but the taste is completely different." Qing Ning took it with dissatisfaction and glanced at her. "I'll make lotus leaf porridge tonight, and you can try it tomorrow."
Su Shengsheng looked at the bickering sisters, shook her head and smiled faintly, "What did you do today?"
Qing Ning perked up immediately, "I'll bring it right away."
After saying that, she handed the fan on the table to Ning Yu, with a hint of provocation in her eyes, her chin slightly raised, and turned away.
Ning Yu didn't care and took the fan and gently waved it for Su Shengsheng.
Su Shengsheng quietly unfolded the scroll beside her, and immersed herself in this moment of tranquility and coolness.
Soon, Qing Ning brought a tray.
It is topped with watermelon curd, green grape curd, and a cup of refreshing sour plum drink.
Su Shengsheng picked up a piece with chopsticks, and under Qingning's expectant gaze, she fed it to Ningyu.
Qing Ning showed a hint of annoyance and stamped her toes lightly, "Good lady, I will go get some more."
Su Shengsheng smiled sweetly, exchanged a tacit look with Ning Yu, and then retracted her gaze.
She sighed softly, "With your personalities, what will happen when you two get married in the future?" There was a hint of worry in her tone.
After saying this, Qing Ning's feet paused, and then he fell to his knees.
"I don't want to get married. I just want to serve you for the rest of my life."
Ning Yu also stopped fanning herself and knelt down. "Young lady, do you dislike us? Why are you bringing this up so suddenly?"
Su Shengsheng did not expect their reaction to be so strong, and hurriedly asked them to get up, but the two of them stubbornly refused.
"My brother and I were once sold by our gambling-addicted father to pay off his debts. To avoid being separated, we endured countless beatings. If it weren't for the young lady's rescue, we would have long since... This servant only wishes to follow the young lady for the rest of her life."
As Qing Ning spoke, tears welled up in her eyes and she bit her lips tightly.
Ning Yu also said anxiously, "I have been bullied since I was young. Since I followed the young lady, I have lived a stable life and learned to read and write. In this life, I only want to serve the young lady."
Su Shengsheng sighed silently and said softly, "Forget it, if you don't want to marry, then don't marry."
She stood up to help the two of them, but Ningyu and Qingning could not hold on.
"Young lady, when you marry into the Ji family, we servants will follow you."
Su Shengsheng nodded helplessly and pretended to be serious, "If you don't get up, I'll really have to arrange your marriage."
The two of them finally burst into laughter and supported each other to stand up, but their faces still showed signs of panic.
Looking at the two people younger than herself, Su Shengsheng sighed silently.
In the blink of an eye, the month of her coming of age is approaching, and before the end of the year, she will step into the Ji family's door.
Although the Ji family passed down rituals and music, and their character and temperament were carefully considered by their grandfather, however...
She doesn't care whether her husband is mediocre or has a bright future, but there is one thing she can never accept.
Even my father, who is indifferent to worldly affairs, has concubines by his side. What's more, it is common for men here to have three or four wives.
It seems that no matter how many years she has been here, she will never be able to fully integrate.
She looked back at the painting, and saw ten miles of lotus flowers in full bloom, dark green lotus leaves spreading out, creating a blue wave that gradually dissipated the restlessness in people's hearts.
In this case, we can only plan more for them and strive for more stability and freedom.
In the silence, a burst of hurried footsteps suddenly broke in.
The old man of the Su family once taught two emperors, and his family is well-known for its strict rules.
Su Shengsheng frowned slightly and looked up.
I saw Aunt Xuwan beside my grandmother, looking hurried and with sweat on her forehead.
Ningyu and Qingning immediately stopped talking and retreated behind Su Shengsheng politely.
In order to make it convenient to go out, Su Shengsheng chose this remote corner to live in. Aunt Xuwan walked quickly towards her, her breathing disordered.
Su Shengsheng handed over the sour plum drink and said slowly, "Aunt, is there something urgent? Why don't you calm down first?"
Aunt Xu Wan took a breath for a moment, her eyes were extremely complicated, and finally she took out something from her sleeve - it was actually a bottle of Crane's Beak Red.
The air froze instantly, and Qing Ning exclaimed in surprise: "What does this mean?"
The courtyard suddenly became noisy, and Su Shengsheng's expression suddenly froze: "Where is Tingwan now?"
Aunt Xu Wan's face turned pale, and she replied in a trembling voice, "Sixth Miss, I heard that Wan... went to the Third Madam's place."
Among the four branches of the Su family, the third wife of the third branch is Su Shengsheng's biological mother.
Before Xu Wan could finish speaking, Su Shengsheng suddenly stood up.
At this moment, a burst of anxious calls came from far away, "Sheng'er, Sheng'er!"
The third lady and a group of people hurried over, looking anxious.
Su Shengsheng's expression of shock subsided a little, and she quickly stepped forward and called out, "Mom."
The Third Madam snatched the red wine from Xu Wan's hand, then held Su Shengsheng's hand before saying, "Let's go to the front yard with mother."
Seeing Tingwan holding the Crane's Beak Red and panicking, Su Shengsheng's heart sank.
This day finally came...
Mother's hand was cold and wet, and her body was still shaking, but she forced herself to remain calm, "Don't be afraid, Sheng'er."
She held her mother's hand back and started to follow, "Don't be afraid, Sheng'er. Mother, don't worry."
Li's eyes trembled, but there was sadness in them.
Su Shengsheng took a deep breath, turned back while walking, and gave instructions to the two maids whose expressions changed drastically.
"Qing Ning, go to Brother Heng quickly. Ning Yu, bring Miss Seven to Brother Heng."
At this moment, her mother was in a state of panic and was anxious to stop her, but she also had to take care of her younger brothers and sisters.
Brother Heng is the younger brother, and Miss Seven is born to a concubine.
The red-crowned crane seems to be prepared specifically for female relatives, but Brother Heng is young, so he also needs to be careful.
Qing Ning wanted to ask more, but Ning Yu pulled her back and said, "I'll go right away."
Su Shengsheng nodded and looked at her mother who was trying to calm her breathing. "Mom, is there something wrong with grandpa?"
Ting Wan stopped them on their way and said, "The old lady has ordered that all ladies and girls stay in their rooms and are not allowed to leave without permission."
One sentence silenced the chaotic crowd.
Su Shengsheng took a deep breath. Her mother's frail body had already resolutely stood in front of her. She said to the two of them, "Get out of the way."
His tone was resolute, a change from his usual indifferent attitude.
Xu Wanting heard the two of them kneel down and said, "Please, Madam, don't embarrass this servant."
Su Shengsheng sighed and turned to Ningyu Qingning who had stopped.
"There are three locked boxes next to my makeup box. You two take them along with the scroll and quickly go to the eastern suburbs to look for someone. Call Zaiqing as well."
Su Shengsheng had never been so serious before, and Ning Yu immediately understood, "I wonder who the young lady wants me to find?"
"The letter is in the box. Open it when you get to the ground."
The atmosphere was not right, Qing Ning suppressed her doubts and didn't dare to make things worse.
Ningyu agreed, asked no more questions, and took Qingning away.
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