Chapter Sixty-Three: Deep-seated Hatred
"Fifth girl, you haven't been willing to sit in my room much lately. I know you're angry, blaming me for letting Second girl take credit for Fourth girl's achievements. But Fifth girl, you're so smart, how can you not understand my good intentions? Our Ruan family doesn't belong to just one person, it belongs to everyone. We share the same fate, we share the same fate." The old lady looked out the window, her gaze falling on a maple tree in the courtyard with leaves that were half yellow and half green. "Ever since your great-grandfather followed Emperor Taizong to pacify the country and moved to the capital, the name of the Ruan family in western Beijing has been established. Through wind and rain for over a hundred years, it has stood firm. Your great-great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather both served as first-rank officials, ranking among the Three Dukes, and were highly respected by the world. Although your grandfather was also one of the Six Ministers, holding the highest position, he ultimately suffered a loss, like the moon after the fifteenth..." At this point, she sighed deeply, her face becoming somber, and the wrinkles that were usually not noticeable now piled up in layers on her face.
Ruan Bi lowered her eyes and remained silent. The moon wanes after it is full, and water overflows when it is full; this is the natural order.
"Fifth Girl, do you understand what I'm saying?"
Ruan Bi hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Understanding was one thing, but accepting it was another. She absolutely could not condone disregarding family ties for the sake of family interests, or using her daughters as tools for the sake of family glory. Moreover, she believed that once a family acts solely based on self-interest, its decline is not far off.
When the old lady saw her nod, she took it as her approval and said with satisfaction, "You really are a smart child. I haven't spoiled you for nothing."
Ruan Bi knew she had misunderstood, but she didn't explain. A while ago, due to anger and dislike, she had a falling out with the old lady, and neither of them was happy. Since the old lady had taken the initiative to humble herself and mend things, there was no need for her to hold a grudge anymore. After all, she was still the de facto head of the Ruan family; having her protected was entirely beneficial.
The old lady sighed, gently patted her hand, and said, "Fifth girl, if anything happens in the future, just say it. You're not allowed to hold a grudge alone anymore."
The first sentence expressed remorse, while the second easily shifted most of the blame to Ruan Bi's tantrums. Ruan Bi chuckled inwardly, but knowing it would be difficult to change her, she held back. Besides, she already knew the apology wasn't genuine; it was just a way of appeasing her after discovering her competence, hoping to continue working for her. "Grandmother, don't worry, from now on I'll speak my mind."
The old lady nodded happily and said, "Good, good, we are grandmother and grandson, connected by blood, and should be of one mind."
No sooner had she finished speaking than a maidservant announced from outside the door, "Madam, the second young lady has arrived."
As soon as the old lady finished saying "Let her in," the second young lady lifted the curtain of the side hall and came in. Seeing Ruan Bi sitting next to the old lady, she glared at her hatefully before walking over to greet the old lady.
"Second Sister, Fifth Sister has already told me about what happened today..."
The second daughter quickly looked up and interrupted her: "Grandmother, what did she say to you?"
The old lady was displeased at being interrupted, but seeing the woman staring at Ruan Bi with an unfriendly expression, she was surprised and wondered if there was something else going on. "After telling you about Xie Mingzhu and Han Lu's questioning of you, is there anything else?"
"There is one more thing." The second young lady stared straight at Ruan Bi. "Fifth sister, shall you tell me, or shall I?"
The old lady looked at Ruan Bi, then at the second young lady, her brows furrowed.
Ruan Bi said calmly, "I don't know if there's anything else I need to report to Grandmother. Second Sister, you can tell me."
The second sister smiled dismissively and said, "Fifth sister is feeling guilty, isn't she?"
Ruan Bi was speechless at her unreasonable behavior. "What do I have to be ashamed of? Second sister, please speak frankly and let Grandmother decide."
"Second girl, what is it? Just tell me."
"Grandmother, Fifth Sister and Young Master Gu were flirting in the back garden in front of everyone..." After a pause, the Second Sister gritted her teeth and spat out four words, "exchanging glances."
These four words startled the old lady, who was at a loss for words and just stared at Ruan Bi in astonishment.
Ruan Bi chuckled and said, "Second Sister's ability to talk nonsense is truly first-rate." She turned to look at the old lady and said, "Grandmother, the flower hairpin I was wearing fell to the ground, and Young Master Gu helped me pick it up, but I didn't expect Second Sister to see it as flirting."
"Then why were you smiling at him?"
"It's polite to smile and thank someone when they help me pick up my things."
The old lady finally understood and thought to herself, could it be that this young master Gu also has his eye on the fifth girl, which is why Princess Huiwen sent someone to propose marriage? She thought even more highly of Ruan Bi and scolded the second girl in a low voice: "How can you be such a good sister? The fifth girl has always helped you, and you are criticizing her instead. It is only natural to say thank you and smile when someone helps you pick up something. Although there is a difference between men and women, one cannot disregard human feelings and etiquette."
The second young lady was filled with resentment. She had thought the old lady would help her, but instead, she was met with a barrage of scolding, leaving her stunned. Resentment, anger, and bitterness surged up, clogging her senses; her nose was stuffy, her eyes reddened, and she could no longer hear. All day long, Xie Mingzhu and Han Lu's betrayal, Ruan Bi and Gu Xiaobai's "humiliation," the old lady's reprimands… she was just a proud fourteen-year-old girl; how could she bear it all? Instead of reflecting on her own actions and looking for the problem within herself, she resented everyone, believing they had all conspired against her, and that Ruan Bi was the culprit.
Ruan Bi was secretly alarmed when she saw the fierce look suddenly flash in the woman's eyes.
The old lady also saw the fierce look in the second young lady's eyes, frowned and waved her hand, saying, "Fifth girl, you go back first, I want to keep the second girl to talk to for a few minutes."
Ruan Bi left the old lady's courtyard and went out the side gate. Xiu Zhi said with disgust, "Second Miss is so unreasonable. You helped her today, but she keeps getting angry at you."
Ruan Bi remained silent. The second young lady clearly hated her now, something she hadn't anticipated. Before, the second young lady's actions against her were merely out of dislike, causing occasional disruptions—not particularly damaging. But just now, the hatred in her eyes was genuine. From now on, it seemed the second young lady was going to be her complete adversary.
Just as they were about to reach Liaoyuan Garden, the Second Miss shouted angrily from behind, "Stop!"
Ruan Bi turned around and saw her approaching menacingly, her eyes bloodshot and unusually bright, burning with scorching hatred. When she was about ten feet away, she took off the embroidered purse hanging from her waist, pulled out a gold ingot, and threw it at Ruan Bi's feet, swearing, "Ruan Bi, you wait! I won't let you trample on me forever. One day, one day, I'll make you taste my power!" With that, she turned and left.
Xiuzhi was speechless for a long time before finally saying, "Miss, the second young lady has gone mad."
Ruan Bi shook her head and said, "Let's go, Xiuzhi, let's go back."
Xiuzhi looked at the gold ingots on the ground and asked, "Miss, where is all this gold?"
"Never mind it, it was never mine to begin with."
"But what if something goes wrong?"
"It's her problem too."
Xiuzhi thought it made sense, so she let it go.
Ruan Bi returned to the east wing of Liaoyuan Garden. Entering the inner room, she was first greeted by a delicate, refreshing fragrance. Then she saw the "Spring Water Green Waves" flower on the table; only two of the nine blossoms were in full bloom, their lush green color resembling spring water, as if carved from jade. She sat down at the table, gazing at it for a long time, then spread out paper, ground ink, and began to write: The flowers are in bloom, so beautiful…
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