Volume 2, Step by Step to Victory, Chapter 28: A Decisive Struggle
Under the blazing sun, Xiushui walked out covered in sweat and returned to the east wing of Liaoyuan. She went straight to the inner room, but Hanxing grabbed her arm and said, "Don't go in, the second and fourth young ladies are inside."
Xiushui asked in a low voice, "What are you doing?"
Hanxing shook her head and said, "I don't know."
Xiushui pricked up her ears but heard nothing. She whispered to Hanxing, "I'll go over and listen. Don't shout."
Hanxing shook her head repeatedly, but Xiushui ignored her and tiptoed to the door curtain.
The fourth sister said anxiously, "Second sister, don't do this..."
Before she could finish speaking, the second young lady interrupted her: "Alright, enough of this pretense of being virtuous and gentle."
"It's alright, Fourth Sister, let Second Sister speak." Ruan Bi's voice rang out unhurriedly, clear and cool like drops of cold spring water gently tapping on a stone. Xiu Shui, who had been feeling restless and hot from walking, suddenly felt all her heat dissipate upon hearing Ruan Bi's voice. She couldn't help but be surprised; she had never really thought Fifth Sister's voice was pleasant, but compared to the other two girls, her voice was so refreshing and had a certain magic that made people unconsciously want to concentrate and listen.
Through the gap in the curtain, one could see the three young ladies standing. The second young lady was facing the doorway, a thin layer of anger on her face. She said, "You're not here today, but you've really made us proud. Our Ruan family has also made us proud. Consort Xie asked about you personally. She said she heard that your fifth young lady stood in the snow for a whole afternoon for my Mingyue. I've always wanted to see her. Why didn't you come today?"
There was a moment of silence in the room, then Ruan Bi chuckled softly and said, "So, Second Sister rushed back to tell me about this? How thoughtful of you." She paused, then her voice turned sharp, "But Second Sister, you're so silly..."
The second girl stammered, "You...what did you say?"
"I said you're stupid, really stupid. This was your chance to make something of yourself, and you missed it. If I were you, I would step forward and say, 'Your Highness, this is a misconception. The plum grove at the Marquis of Yanping's residence is too big, and my fifth sister was visiting for the first time. She got lost and happened to meet Young Master Xie. I didn't expect the story to get out and become like this...'"
The second girl opened her eyes wide.
"...With just that one sentence, Second Sister's reputation will spread throughout the prestigious families of the capital. Everyone will say that the Second Miss Ruan is a kind and clever girl who loves her sisters. But what have you gained now? My reputation is ruined, but has yours improved? Don't forget, my surname is Ruan, just like yours. The Ruan family of Jingxi has lost face because of me, and instead of trying to salvage it, you're just angry and gloating... I ask you, what is there to gloat about?"
The second daughter was completely stunned and couldn't say a word.
The fourth sister was also shocked, staring intently at Ruan Bi.
After a while, the second girl came to her senses, her face flushed, and without saying a word, she rushed out of the inner room.
Xiushui didn't have time to dodge and came face to face with her. The second young lady glared at her fiercely and cursed, "You're asking for it." Then she rushed out of the east wing.
Xiushui glanced at her back, her heart pounding. She turned her head and saw Ruan Bi standing at the door of the inner room, lifting the curtain with a cold look in her eyes. She suddenly felt her mouth go dry and said, "Miss... I just got back..." She pointed to the door, "The old lady is back."
Originally, Ruan Bi planned to make an appearance as soon as the old lady returned, trying to ingratiate herself with gentle words. However, after hearing the second young lady mention Consort Xie's words, she figured going would only make her more disliked, so she had to give up the idea. Seeing Xiushui standing there uncomfortably, her eyes flickered, and she had another idea. "I know you're tired. Go downstairs and cool off for a bit."
Xiushui nodded hastily.
Ruan Bisong opened the bamboo curtain and turned around.
The fourth sister stood there, still looking shocked, staring intently at her.
"What's wrong, Fourth Sister? Is there something on my face?"
The fourth sister slowly shook her head and said, "Fifth sister is so intelligent. I'm ashamed to say that I'm also a fool..."
"Fourth sister, don't say that. That wasn't a place where you could just say whatever you wanted," Ruan Bi comforted her.
She and the second young lady were just two sheltered young ladies who rarely left their homes. They were only fourteen years old when they entered the palace. They were trembling with fear, only concerned with not making any mistakes. How could they dare to contradict Consort Xie, who held the power of life and death?
"No, my sister is right." The fourth young lady felt deeply guilty for missing such a good opportunity to stand out from the crowd; otherwise, her name would be the talk of the town in the capital tomorrow.
Ruan Bi changed the subject: "Fourth sister, let's not talk about that. What fun and interesting things will you see in the palace today?"
The fourth sister shook her head and said, "Even if I take one more step, I'm afraid of making a mistake. I'm kneeling and bowing all the time. How can I care about seeing anything fun or interesting?"
Ruan Bi could hear the deep disappointment in her voice and said, "It's okay, we can watch it next time."
The fourth young lady said sadly, "I'm afraid there won't be a next time. The Empress talked to Shen Hua for a long time, and Consort Xie talked to Du Menghua for a long time."
"Aren't you related to Empress Zhao's family?"
"With all these twists and turns, how could they possibly remember such insignificant relatives as us?" Fourth Sister said vaguely.
It seems this kinship is only a forced connection. Ruan Bi thought for a moment and asked, "You mean Consort Xie was talking to Du Qiuhua?" Last time at the Marquis of Yanping's residence, there was a girl who played cards with Ruan Bi. Although she lost badly, she remained calm and composed. Ruan Bi had considered getting to know her. Everyone seemed to call her "Miss Du".
"She is the daughter of Du Chun, the Minister of Revenue." The fourth young lady's tone revealed undisguised envy.
Ruan Bi thought for a moment, then asked, "What kind of person is Consort Xie?"
A glint of admiration flashed in the fourth young lady's eyes, a mixture of envy and wistfulness. "I only glanced at her, but Consort Xie was both beautiful and noble, with a kind smile and a very gentle demeanor..."
Friendly? Kind? Ruan Bi scoffed inwardly, "No one would believe that."
The original owner had stood in the snow for a whole afternoon, mesmerized by Xie Mingyue, and the matter had faded away with time. However, she brought it up again, and given her current noble status, her every word and action was under intense scrutiny. Whether praised or criticized, it would be widely publicized by the ladies of high society. Ruan Bi's name would likely become a laughingstock among the noblewomen of prominent families for a long time. Then, when the news spread to the common people, everyone would laugh at the fifth young lady of the Ruan family in the capital as a fool.
She was a complete stranger to her, with no grudge against her, yet the woman wanted to trample her into the mud. In her mind, she was probably like an ant, someone to be trampled on at will. At this moment, Ruan Bizhen had the urge to go to the palace and fight her.
The fourth sister lamented missing a chance to rise above others, while Ruan Bi pondered what to do next. For a moment, the two remained silent. Outside the window, the sunlight was dazzling, and cicadas chirped incessantly.
"Miss," the tea girl called softly from outside, "the food is getting cold."
The fourth sister woke up with a start and said apologetically, "I was a little carried away and disturbed my fifth sister's meal. I'm so sorry. Speaking of which, I'm hungry too. I should go back to my room to eat."
Ruan Bi saw her to the door and watched her walk listlessly toward the main room.
After dinner, Xiuzhi still hadn't returned, so Ruanbi asked Chamei to stay by her bedside: "I'm going to sleep for a while. Wake me up at 1:45 PM."
Tea Girl nodded, staring intently at the water clock, and woke Ruan Bi right on time.
Ruan Bi tidied her hair in front of the mirror, then told Cha Mei to leave and Xiu Shui to come in.
Xiushui was still uneasy because of the eavesdropping at noon, and looked at her nervously.
"Were you eavesdropping on my conversation with the Second Miss at noon today?"
Xiushui said in a panic, "Girl, I didn't mean to."
Ruan Bi glanced at her in the mirror and said, "Alright, everything's fine inside. Go check on Manyun."
Xiushui's face turned pale with anxiety. "Why are you asking me to go find my cousin again, young lady?"
Ruan Bi said coolly, "If you don't want to go, then go find Granny He and get a beating."
Xiushui was completely confused by her, and seeing that she really intended to punish her, she was frightened and quickly withdrew. She left the east wing of Liaoyuan and hurried to the old lady's courtyard.
When Manyun saw her, she frowned and said in a low voice, "Why are you here again?"
Xiushui said sadly, "Cousin, Fifth Sister wants to punish me."
Man Yun was startled and asked, "What is it?"
Xiushui then recounted what she had overheard. Manyun poked her forehead with a finger and said angrily, "You're really foolish. You dare to listen to anything."
"I'm just curious. I won't dare to do it later, so what should I do now?"
"Let me think about it." Manyun had already guessed what Ruan Bi meant, and hesitated, wondering whether to help her or not.
At this moment, a maid came out from the inner room and said, "Sister Manyun, the old lady has woken up and wants you to come in."
Manyun winked at Xiushui, signaling her to leave quickly, then lifted the curtain and went into the inner room. The old lady was sitting on the edge of the bed, smoothing the wrinkles in her clothes with her hand.
"Let me do it." Manyun stepped forward and gently tugged at her clothes.
The old lady, still half asleep, asked, "Who were you talking to outside?"
Manyun paused, then said, "It's Xiushui."
When I returned at noon, Xiushui was there too, and now she's here again. The old lady found it strange and said sternly, "Why isn't she serving Fifth Miss in her room? What is she doing running around here all day?"
Whether Xiushui came earlier or later, the old lady wouldn't have noticed. But she came just when the old lady was about to wake up... Manyun thought, "Oh well, not only did Fifth Miss find out the time of the old lady's afternoon nap, but she also knows exactly when she will come to see me after waking up. It's better not to offend such a meticulous person." "It's Fifth Miss who wants to punish her. She's scared and came to me for advice."
"Why did you punish Fifth Sister?" the old lady asked curiously, taking the mouthwash tea handed to her by the maid.
"She went back from here at noon, and in a daze, she rushed into the inner room without noticing that the second, fourth, and fifth young ladies were arguing..."
What are they arguing about now?
Manyun then repeated what Ruan Bi had said about the second young lady.
The old lady held a mouthful of tea, lost in thought for a long while, before spitting it out. She sighed and said, "Such quick wit, what a pity. If she had been this clever before, she would have achieved so much more. Go, call Fifth Sister over..." Manyun responded and was about to go out to call her when she heard her say, "Never mind, don't call her. It's truly too late now."
There was a hint of helplessness in her voice. Manyun felt a pang of sadness, thinking that such a clever fifth daughter would end up with a cripple, and couldn't help but sigh at the cruel twist of fate.
Just as the old lady was helped to lie down on the couch in the side hall, a maid rushed in and said, "Old Madam, Master Ziying has arrived. He is currently in the First Madam's courtyard and said he would come to pay his respects to you later."
The old lady sat up straight and said in surprise, "Why...why is she here?"
Many prominent families in the capital wanted to invite her as a guest of honor, but to no avail; yet she came to their door without being invited.
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