Her father didn't like her.
The people in the manor treated everyone differently based on their status. When Shangguan Xi first woke up, she was wearing hemp clothes and eating cold, hard steamed buns and watery porridge, without even a maidservant by her side.
This is no young lady.
She's not even as good as a maid.
After observing for several days, Shangguan Xi quietly left the courtyard one day and walked around in front of her indifferent father.
She deliberately wore her most tattered clothes, her long hair was unkempt, and she acted erratically, yet boldly stared directly into her prime minister father's eyes.
She said nothing, but after that day, she had a maidservant who came to serve her father.
That is, the one in front of you who is kowtowing vigorously.
"Get up, this is none of your business."
Shangguan Xi tugged at her, feeling somewhat frustrated and unsure how to relieve her anger.
"Shangguan Xi!"
She blinked and smiled at Shangguan Lin, who was now completely enraged. "I'm here, Third Brother."
The voice was soft and sounded strangely sweet.
But this is on the premise that we ignore the malicious and sarcastic tone.
Ignoring everything else, Shangguan Lin's face flushed with anger, and he swung his hand to slap her.
Shangguan Xi instinctively retreated, managing to dodge Shangguan Lin, who was at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage.
Everyone present was stunned.
Their father, who had just returned home, surprised even the Prime Minister.
"Lin'er, stop."
Hearing the familiar voice, Shangguan Lin turned to look at his father and felt even more aggrieved.
"Father! Your silly daughter hit me! Look, look—"
As he spoke, he leaned forward to show his father the handprint on his face.
Shangguan Hong frowned and glanced at his daughter, then sternly reprimanded her: "How could you hit your brother! It was also my oversight that I forgot to hire a tutor to teach you manners."
"Go back to your courtyard and reflect on your mistakes for three days. Wait for your instructor to come and teach you some common sense. Once you have learned the rules, then you can go to the Lingjian Grand Selection."
Before she could speak, her unfortunate brother jumped in, "Only three days of reflection? And Father! Didn't you forbid this idiot from going out and making a fool of himself? What happened just now must have been a coincidence, look again—"
Shangguan Lin held a grudge, and as if to prove something to his father, he raised his hand again, trying to return the slap to her.
Shangguan Xi smiled and dodged again.
It was so easy that even she was surprised.
Shangguan Lin's movements seemed slow to her; she dodged even at a leisurely pace.
This was completely different from Shangguan Lin, who was once again jumping up and down in anger.
The Prime Minister's brow twitched, and he scolded, "Alright, everyone go back to your courtyards and reflect on your mistakes for seven days."
Shangguan Lin was still arguing with his father, so Shangguan Xi pulled up the kneeling maid and the two of them walked back.
The faint sounds of a father and son talking could be heard from over there.
"Father, I'm going to the cultivation world. I need to seize the time to cultivate. How can I be like that little fool and spend seven days reflecting on my mistakes?"
"Alright, alright, then go cultivate by yourself. Dad's going to attend to official business."
"Alright, son will definitely cultivate diligently and strive to enter the sect of Ancestor Yuehe Xun, bringing glory to our Prime Minister's Mansion in the Spirit Mirror Selection."
...
"Miss, aren't you angry?"
Seeing the calm expression on Shangguan Xi's face, the maid mustered up her courage and spoke.
Shangguan Xi was stunned for a moment, then laughed.
“What’s there to be angry about? Is it the difference in how my father treats me and my third brother? But I slapped him, so I didn’t lose out.”
Since they couldn't leave the manor, it was the same whether they reflected on their mistakes or stayed in their own courtyard.
“…Miss, you are quite different from the young masters and ladies in the manor.”
"What's different?" Shangguan Xi asked curiously as she turned around.
"You seem to care little about the master's attitude toward you, nor about the other masters in the mansion."
Every day was new and exciting for her after she started following the Seventh Miss.
At first, Miss Seven was completely listless and spent half of her daytime resting.
Yet, it never misses a meal, and once it's full, it can immediately close its eyes and fall asleep.
She was worried that the Seventh Miss might be ill.
Then, in the last six months, Miss Seven has started to act like a normal person. Her speech is no longer slow, and her reactions are more responsive.
Every day, besides eating and drinking, he would ask her about the situation in the manor.
After finding out the details, he rushed to the master and complained that his monthly salary had been embezzled.
Many people in the household were sold off because of her, and after the young lady received her monthly allowance, she went out every day.
After wandering around for a few days at first, I ended up sitting in restaurants and teahouses all day long.
They also have a particular fondness for people with good-looking faces, regardless of gender.
The young lady seemed to have no concept of master and servant, and she rarely let her serve her. When they were out, she often let her sit at the same table.
In short, she felt very, very good about this kind of lady.
Shangguan Xi was somewhat bewildered upon hearing this.
Shangguan Hong...?
What is it anyway?
…?
The subconscious thought in her mind horrified her.
From what she knew, her biological father was indifferent to her plight, and the lady of the house left her to fend for herself.
Her condition was very bad when she first regained consciousness.
Covered in filth and reeking of rancidity.
I was very hungry and thirsty, and my clothes were chafing painfully.
It's a miracle that they're still alive.
There are only seven children in the household.
She was the youngest daughter.
No matter how much you try to forget, you can't forget how many children you have.
No matter what excuse Shangguan Hong made, he could not hide his indifference.
Shangguan Xi should be angry and disappointed.
But what puzzled her was that there was none at all.
Father…
Father.
When you pronounce such words, it always feels like you're speaking with a coquettish and spoiled tone.
Subconsciously, I was hoping for a pampering yet helpless response.
Shangguan Xi stood there, stunned. In the past six months, she had been more and more lucid, but she always felt that something was wrong with her.
Every time I say the word "father," I always look forward to a love that is completely unconditional.
But her father clearly had this indifferent demeanor.
She also heard a lot of news when she went to teahouses and taverns.
There was a sense of familiarity, especially when they mentioned the words "Sleeping Goddess," she subconsciously uttered the name Wan'er.
Shangguan Xi felt that she must have some kind of karmic connection with the legendary Sleeping Goddess.
If given the chance, she would definitely try to meet this goddess.
The beautiful young woman gazed at the deep courtyard before her and quietly concealed her plans.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com