The scorching sun hung high in the sky. Chen Miaochun hid in the shadows, clutching a fire starter in her hand, her mind filled with Chen Linchun's words.
"Ruxia is the eldest daughter of the Marquis Mansion. She has such a kind nature that it's only natural for the maids to like her. Don't be angry. You should learn from Ruxia..."
"You're just too hot - tempered. Even Qiuqiu thinks you're being unreasonable..."
"If you had grown up in the Marquis Mansion, Grandmother would surely have doted on you. You should also start thinking about your marriage. Ruxia is younger than you, but her marriage has already been arranged. It would be terrible if your actions delayed her wedding."
"Ruxia's fiancé is the youngest son of the Minister of Revenue. He has a good family background, is good - looking, and is so devoted to Ruxia that he's even willing to remain a widower for her. Such a wonderful man is rare in this world!"
"..."
It felt as if there were ten thousand ants crawling inside Chen Miaochun's heart, causing a piercing pain that made her tremble all over.
She numbly compared herself with Chen Ruxia in her mind. Chen Ruxia was beautiful, kind - hearted. The servants were close to her, her younger sister clung to her, she had a caring elder brother, and a good marriage. Her well - born fiancé was willing to remain unmarried for three years for her...
And what about herself?
Chen Miaochun bit her lips until they bled. No matter how unwilling she was, she had to admit that she was no match for Chen Ruxia.
Chen Ruxia was like a cloud in the sky, while she, the lowly girl, was like the mud on the ground.
In a daze, Chen Miaochun saw her younger self standing not far away.
Because of the lack of food, little Miaochun was very thin. She slowly walked closer, took Chen Miaochun's hand, and led her to set the straw on fire.
...
The Drunken Ballad Tower.
Having the sweet soup she had been longing for, Shen Baozhu didn't even care about her elder brother. She buried her head so low in the bowl.
The Drunken Ballad Tower was a famous and expensive restaurant in the capital. A single bowl of sweet soup would cost Su Qian a month's living expenses. If it weren't for Shen Heqing's treat, Su Qian wouldn't even glance at the Drunken Ballad Tower when walking on the street!
Seeing Shen Baozhu enjoying the soup so much, Su Qian took a skeptical sip. Then, like Shen Baozhu, he buried his head and ate heartily.
While Shen Baozhu was eating, Shen Heqing fanned her with his fan.
Su Qian envied them and said, "I wish I had an elder brother too."
Ming Shu, who was sitting beside them, laughed and said, "Our young master is only gentle with the little princess. He's not like this with others."
"Who's like that Chen Linchun? Not only is he bad at his studies, but he also runs outside all day. He didn't even know that his younger sister was seriously ill. It was our young master who helped invite the imperial physician."
Mentioning Chen Linchun, Shen Heqing twirled his fan and tapped Shen Baozhu on the head: "Do you still remember what I told you before?"
Finally finishing the sweet soup, Shen Baozhu looked up curiously: "Big brother, why don't you like Chen Linchun? You even don't let me call him elder brother."
Lin Yu, who was busy with scientific research, was familiar with this name but couldn't remember: [Who is Chen Linchun?]
[The elder brother of Chen Miaochun and Chen Ruxia? I've heard the fool mention him.] The Dragon King remembered most clearly.
Shen Heqing disliked the Yong'an Marquis Mansion because he thought Chen Linchun was a bad person. He assumed that the whole Yong'an Marquis Mansion must be the same.
Later, when Shen Baozhu became good friends with Qiuqiu, Shen Heqing only changed his opinion of Qiuqiu.
Suddenly, Su Qian spoke up, his voice excited: "Is this the so - called feud between noble families?"
Shen Heqing gave Su Qian a helpless look: "You're overthinking."
"I just simply don't like Chen Linchun. This man has a narrow mind. He's like a sinister snake."
"He was dissatisfied with me, so he instigated his younger sister to cause trouble for me. If they failed, I would get a bad reputation for bullying a little girl. If they succeeded, he could vent his anger without being punished."
"I see. His methods are really terrifying. So, did you let him succeed, Brother Heqing?" Su Qian asked curiously.
Shen Heqing satisfied Su Qian's curiosity and told the whole story.
Chen Linchun's plan was very successful. When Shen Heqing was feeling proud, he spoke without restraint and made Chen Ruxia cry. Rumors spread in the capital that his character was questionable.
Just then, the waiter served the dishes. Shen Heqing picked up a few pieces of green vegetables for Shen Baozhu and then continued, "He thought I would be angry because of the rumors, but actually, I didn't even know about it."
"At that time, my third brother, Haiyan, was insisting on changing his surname and was causing chaos at home all day. I was busy dealing with my younger brother those days. By the time I heard about the rumor, hardly anyone in the capital believed it anymore."
Taking advantage of her elder brother's inattention, Shen Baozhu quietly moved her body, trying to give the green vegetables in her bowl to Su Qian. Just when she was about to succeed, Shen Heqing reached out and pulled her back to her original position.
Shen Baozhu had no choice but to eat the green vegetables in her bowl like a martyr: "Is that the only reason?"
"No. Chen Ruxia is in poor health. I went to the Marquis Mansion with my mother to visit her a few times. I found that Chen Linchun likes to stir up trouble and even wronged the servants. I think his character is not good." Shen Heqing asked Su Qian to sit beside him, completely dashing Shen Baozhu's hope.
Su Qian happily changed his position with the bowl in his hand. He comforted Shen Baozhu: "Green vegetables are delicious too. Baozhu, take a few more bites, and you'll know I'm lying to you."
[Hahaha, the cry - baby is really fun.]
Shen Baozhu glared at Su Qian angrily.
Then, the whole plate of green vegetables ended up in Su Qian's bowl. He looked up in horror and met Shen Heqing's eyes.
Shen Heqing smiled gently: "Finish them all, and I'll lend you the ancient book you've wanted for a long time."
For the sake of the ancient book, Su Qian buried his head and started eating the green vegetables.
This method of punishing one to warn others worked well. Shen Baozhu obediently finished the green vegetables in her bowl.
Shen Heqing used clean bowls and chopsticks to share some dishes with Ming Shu. Shen Baozhu summoned up her courage and asked, "Why isn't there any green vegetables in the bowl? Big brother can't be partial to Ming Shu."
"All the green vegetables on the table are in your and Su Qian's bowls. There aren't any left for Ming Shu. If you're really not satisfied, I'll order another plate of green vegetables for the three of you to share?" Shen Heqing found it funny.
Shen Baozhu immediately shook her head: "No no no no. I'm very satisfied."
The meal ended quickly. Shen Heqing took Su Qian back to the Princess Mansion to get the ancient book. As soon as the carriage stopped at the door, they saw a servant from the Yong'an Marquis Mansion rushing out anxiously.
Shen Heqing called the servant over and asked, "What's going on?"
The servant panicked and said, "Young Master Shen, there was a fire in the Second Miss's courtyard. Coincidentally, the Fourth Miss was taking a nap in the Second Miss's room. Now the Fourth Miss is in a coma. Madam sent me to invite the princess to go there."
Since Chen Miaochun came back, Chen Ruxia had become the Second Miss, and the Fourth Miss was Qiuqiu.
Shen Heqing frowned tightly, secretly thinking that something bad had happened. Chen Ruxia was in trouble!
Without saying much, Shen Heqing asked Su Qian to sit in the mansion for a while. Then he carried Shen Baozhu back into the carriage and rushed to the Yong'an Marquis Mansion.
On the way, Shen Heqing asked the servant again. From his words, he knew that his guess was right. Chen Ruxia was in trouble.
Half of her face was burned, and she was disfigured!
...
At this time, Chen Linchun was furious in his room: "Chen Miaochun actually tried to commit suicide. She's crazy!"
"Fortunately, I arranged someone to watch her and set the fire in time. Otherwise, the plan would have failed."