Chapter 8: 008 Qianhuang

 Chapter 8: 008 Qianhuang 

Chu Qianhuang was the legitimate eldest daughter of the Marquis’ family, the biological daughter of the Marquis’ wife, Shen Shi, and the full-blooded older sister of Chu Yunmu.

Although both were daughters of the Marquis’ family, born on the same day and of similar age, Chu Qianhuang, as the legitimate eldest daughter, was worlds apart from Chu Qianchen, who was a concubine-born daughter. Chu Qianhuang was like the phoenix flying in the clouds, distant and unattainable, while Chu Qianchen...

Chu Qianchen’s eyes flickered as she steadied herself, intending to ask Meier a few more questions. At that moment, a familiar figure dressed in fiery red entered her sight.

The thirteen-year-old girl was slender and graceful, wearing a fiery red robe embroidered with butterflies, paired with a light pink pleated skirt. Her black, glossy hair was styled in a crescent-shaped bun, her skin as white as snow, with delicate features. Her bright willow-leaf eyes shone with brilliance, and her whole presence was radiant yet elegant, poised yet graceful.

It was Chu Qianhuang.

At this moment, the beautiful oval face of Chu Qianhuang could not hide the anxiety, and she hurried towards them.

"Mother, how is Fourth Brother?" she asked.

Chu Qianhuang quickly approached Shen Shi and Chu Yunmu, her worried gaze fixed on her younger brother lying on the ground, her eyes darkened with concern. 

Shen Shi anxiously grasped her daughter’s hand and reassured her, "The Physician just checked on your Fourth Brother. There is no major harm." As she spoke, Shen Shi couldn’t help but mutter, "We were fortunate to have your second sister today..."

"Second sister?" Chu Qianhuang blinked in surprise, about to ask more, when the old servant who had gone to fetch the door board returned, carrying it with the help of others.

The surroundings became busy again, with two maids carefully lifting Chu Yunmu onto the board. The crowd began to move, including Shen Shi.

As Chu Qianhuang prepared to follow, Chu Qianchen stepped forward and called out to her, "Eldest sister, please wait."

Chu Qianhuang paused, still looking at Chu Yunmu with concern. She then turned to face Chu Qianchen, "Second sister."

Chu Qianchen calmly approached Chu Qianhuang and reached out to steady her right arm. "Be careful!" she said, while her left hand subtly brushed past Chu Qianhuang’s waist.

Following Chu Qianchen's gaze, Chu Qianhuang noticed a small pebble, the size of a longan, rolling from the hem of her skirt.

She quickly took a couple of steps aside.

Chu Qianchen, holding a handkerchief in her right hand, discreetly pulled out a peony-embroidered pouch from her sleeve and handed it to Chu Qianhuang. "Eldest sister, I found this pouch by the rockery earlier. Is it yours?"

It was well-known throughout the Marquis’ household that Chu Qianhuang loved peonies the most.

Chu Qianhuang’s eyes lit up when she saw the pouch. "It’s mine!" she exclaimed.

She took the pouch, furrowing her brow in confusion. "How did it end up by the rockery?"

Chu Qianchen smiled faintly, her phoenix eyes clear as spring water, reflecting Chu Qianhuang’s image.

Chu Qianchen asked, "Eldest sister, did you go to the rockery?"

"I went to pick a few winter jasmine flowers," Chu Qianhuang replied, tucking the pouch into her sleeve, her face breaking into a radiant smile. "Thank you, second sister."

With that, Chu Qianhuang turned and hurried toward Shen Shi and Chu Yunmu.

Chu Qianchen stood still, quietly watching Chu Qianhuang’s graceful figure disappearing into the distance, her eyes glimmering with a cool light, as if deep in thought.

The masters had left, and the surrounding servants gradually dispersed.

The Physician had come, and the imperial physician would arrive soon. She had already checked the pulse earlier—Fourth Brother was no longer in danger. It would be chaotic over there, so she decided not to go. She would visit Mu Ge’er later.

Chu Qianchen’s eyes sparkled as she brushed her sleeve and turned to return to her Wanyan Courtyard.

From a distance, she saw Liu Li holding a cloak and talking to a round-faced, blue-clad maid.

When Liu Li saw Chu Qianchen returning, she was momentarily stunned, then quickly approached and said, "Miss, Juan’er is here to deliver a message from Madam. She requests your presence."

Liu Li was referring to Chu Qianchen’s birth mother, Concubine Jiang.

Thinking of Concubine Jiang, the usually calm Chu Qianchen’s eyes flickered slightly, rippling with emotions that spread across her heart like a ripple. She subconsciously tightened the handkerchief in her hand.

“I’m tired today, so I won’t go,” Chu Qianchen said, lifting her foot to enter the courtyard.

Liu Li and Juan’er exchanged surprised glances. Liu Li then spoke again, "Miss, perhaps Concubine Jiang has heard about the conflict between you and the Third Miss. If you don't go, Concubine Jiang will be worried."

"Then go and inform Concubine Jiang for me," Chu Qianchen replied without turning back as she walked inside.

Liu Li’s eyes flickered briefly, her mind uneasy. She felt something was off with the Miss in recent days and thought it was better to inform Concubine Jiang.

After entering the main room, Chu Qianchen did not rest. Instead, she called for another personal maid, Hu Po. “Go fetch me some clothes. I’m leaving the residence.”

Hu Po: "…"

Although she was also a personal maid to the Miss like Liu Li, Hu Po, being assigned by the Madam, always felt a certain distance from Chu Qianchen, who treated her with more formal respect than the others.

Hu Po quickly asked, “Miss, have you informed the Madam?”

The customs of the Great Qi Dynasty were more open than in the previous one. In noble families like the Marquis’ household, it was perfectly fine for a young lady to go out, as long as the Madam gave her permission.

However, Chu Qianchen was a quiet and gentle person. She never actively sought to leave the house, preferring to stay quietly in the residence. Among the many daughters of the Marquis, she was the most obedient and least noticeable.

Chu Qianchen didn’t answer. She simply smiled lightly, and Hu Po, with a sudden sense of realization, understood that the Miss had not informed the Madam.

Hu Po hesitated for a moment, wanting to advise her, but when Chu Qianchen’s brilliant eyes met hers, all her words were swallowed.

She quickly nodded and, with efficient movements, took out an old, slightly worn green dress, helping Chu Qianchen change. Then, she went to her own room to change out of her maid uniform.

Chu Qianchen put on a green veil and, with Hu Po in tow, went to the side gate at the east corner of the Marquis’ residence.

The servant guarding the gate was a relative of Hu Po’s, and Chu Qianchen motioned for Hu Po to slip the guard a small piece of silver. The two of them easily left the Marquis’ residence.

The incident with Chu Yunmu had made Chu Qianchen suddenly realize the urgency of time.

In her previous life, at this point, she had been confined to the inner courtyard, knowing of many things but not understanding why they happened.

She couldn’t afford to wait passively…

With the house in chaos today, no one paid attention to her. So, Chu Qianchen made a quick decision and left the residence.

The capital was still as prosperous and wealthy as ever. From her past life to this life, it seemed that nothing had changed. Pedestrians came and went along the street, and shops lined both sides, creating a lively and bustling scene.

Though the weather was a bit cloudy today, there were still plenty of street vendors and peddlers calling out their wares.

Chu Qianchen had no interest in the street markets. She made her way directly to Huahong Street.

Hu Po followed closely behind her, and the two entered Ji Shitang at the end of the street.

(End of Chapter)