Chapter 9: Who Is Courting Death?
828 Words
"Fifth Sister, don't talk nonsense!" Bai Jinghong frowned slightly, her face filled with sorrow. "His Highness the Tenth Prince is an imperial prince. How can one casually make remarks about him? Don't say such things again in the future."
The one called Fifth Sister was Bai Huayan, the fifth young lady of the Wen Guo Gong Mansion. She was a concubine's daughter, born to Concubine Xiao Ye Shi. This Concubine Xiao Ye Shi was the younger half-sister of the mistress, Mrs. Ye. She had accompanied Mrs. Ye as a dowry and was later taken as a concubine by Bai Xingyan at the behest of her elder sister. She gave birth to Bai Huayan, the fifth daughter of the Bai Family, and Bai Huayan was raised under the name of Mrs. Da Ye Shi.
The Bai Family had good genes, with Bai Xingyan's foundation. The children all had good looks. Bai Huayan was also a beauty in the making, with a round face and small dimples, looking charming and cute. However, this charm was just an appearance. Taking advantage of growing up by the mistress's side and having a family connection, she was very close to Bai Jinghong.
So, instead of learning the good things, she developed an arrogant manner at a young age. At only ten years old, she was already good at flattering and bullying others by relying on others' power. She was also skilled at sowing discord. At this moment, being reprimanded by Bai Jinghong, even though she was unwilling in her heart, she still looked obedient on the surface. She only held Bai Jinghong's arm and said ingratiatingly, "Thank you, Elder Sister, for your teachings. Huayan will remember them and won't dare to talk nonsense about the imperial prince again."
Bai Jinghong nodded, her face looking even more sorrowful. "Second Sister was pitiful. To suffer such a great calamity at such a young age. Just thinking about it makes one's heart ache. She had always been in poor health when she was alive. Now that she's gone, it's only right to add more blessings for her."
Bai Huayan quickly flattered, "Elder Sister has a heart like a Bodhisattva. No wonder everyone says that the eldest young lady of our Wen Guo Gong Mansion is not only the most beautiful woman in Dongqin but also the kindest person!"
Suddenly, there came a loud wailing, and at the same time, a handful of paper money was thrown into the air, landing on Bai Huayan's face.
"Who is it? Are you looking for trouble?" Bai Huayan screamed. "What are you crying for? Are you mourning?"
The servants who were throwing the paper money trembled and quickly shut their mouths, but they couldn't help but retort, "Isn't our mansion holding a funeral? We servants are crying according to the rules. It's a big taboo not to cry when someone dies. It will affect the luck of the living. We are the miscellaneous servants in the mansion, and crying is our task today."
But Bai Huayan snorted with disdain, "It was originally a funeral, but now it has become a happy occasion. With the imperial edict of the posthumous marriage, the funeral has turned into a wedding."
"Insolent brat! How can a posthumous marriage be considered a happy occasion?" Suddenly, there was an angry shout. Old Mrs. Zhou of the Bai Family came out, supported by a group of servants. Old Mrs. Zhou was almost sixty years old. Usually, she took good care of herself and her legs and feet were still relatively nimble. But this time, perhaps the incident of Bai Heran had hit her too hard, and she looked much older, and her walking was not very smooth.
She pointed at Bai Huayan and shouted loudly, "You were asked to study with Jinghong. Where did all your learning go?"
Seeing that the old lady was angry, the mistress Mrs. Ye quickly took over the words, "Huayan, your grandmother is right. Although this is a posthumous marriage, it must not be treated as a happy occasion. Although you are a concubine's daughter, since you are raised by me, you can't lose my face and break the rules, making others laugh at us for no reason."
She glanced at the old lady and then asked Bai Huayan, "Did you hear clearly?"
Bai Huayan immediately curtsied and said, "Your daughter will remember mother's teachings."
Mrs. Ye nodded, "Just remember it."
Then she turned to those miscellaneous servants and her face became stern. "Although the posthumous marriage can't be regarded as a happy occasion, you mustn't cry either. Crying is disrespectful to the imperial family, and our Wen Guo Gong Mansion can't bear this crime."
At this time, someone stared at the new batch of paper figurines being carried in at the door and said, "Are these paper figurines made according to the appearance of the dead now? Look quickly. Isn't the one being carried in now a bit like Second Miss?"
- Writer
