NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 1
Early spring. After a night of light rain, the grass and trees stretched out their bodies to welcome the morning sunshine, growing vigorously. Everything was so vibrant and tranquil. It made people unable to help but stop their steps to appreciate the beautiful spring scene.
This tranquility was broken by the sound of light, brisk footsteps. Li Xia lifted her skirt and walked forward in big strides. Behind her, Qiu Shui carefully walked, afraid that water from the ground would splash onto her shoes and clothes. She called out, "Miss, Miss, please walk slower!" When will her own young lady's temperament that takes wind as rain ever change?
Qiu Shui's series of shouts made Li Xia stop her steps and look back with a smile. Her long eyelashes were like two small fans, instantly fanning away the helplessness rising in Qiu Shui's heart. She quickly walked over to Li Xia's side, "My lady won't run away." Please walk slower."
"It's you who walks too slow, Qiu Shui," Li Xia's crisp voice made Qiu Shui unable to help but roll her eyes. It was obviously her who walked too fast.
"Miss, after turning the corner up ahead is Xianya Courtyard," said Qiu Shui. Her words made Li Xia withdraw her extended stride. She raised her hand to tidy her slightly messy hair, and straightened her sleeves. She slowly moved forward in small steps.
Qiu Shui also took a step back to follow behind Li Xia to Xianya Courtyard. The two matrons standing at the entrance gate saw the two people walking slowly over. One went inside to report, while the other came forward to greet them, "Second Miss."
Li Xia waved her hand to stop her. "No need for such superficial etiquette. Is elder sister home?"
"Eldest Miss is home. Please come inside, Second Miss," the matron led Li Xia inside.
Walking into the room, Li Xia saw a girl with refined features standing inside. Although still in the prime of her youth, she had an air of composure and dignity about her that made Li Xia unable to help herself from walking over to politely greet her, "Elder sister."
"Younger sister," Li Xin returned the greeting. She wondered in her heart why Li Xia had come at this time. Don't blame Li Xin for thinking this way - Li Xia had a few fixed times every day for rest, and normally she wouldn't receive any guests or go out during this time. For the person who should have been napping at this hour to come looking for her, there must certainly be something going on.
Li Xia walked over to Li Xin and pulled her hand to sit down, saying at the same time, "Elder sister, I have a request of you."
Following Li Xia's lead, Li Xin sat down. "What is it you want to ask of your sister?" She motioned with her eyes for the maidservants to leave them.
"No need for them to leave," Li Xia stopped her. What she wanted to ask was nothing that couldn't be said in front of others. Li Xia told Li Xin what she hoped to request.
Every year at the start of spring, Bailang County would hold a Spring Plowing festival. On that day the magistrate would lead the common people to the City God Temple to worship, then lead the crowds as they paraded an ox around the main street of the county town, banging gongs and drums to herald the arrival of spring and remind everyone that it was time to start the farming work for the new year. The parade was also to pray to Heaven for a smooth sailing year ahead with good weather for the crops.
Not only locals participated on this day, many merchants and travellers from other places would also come to enjoy the lively atmosphere. It could be said that Bailang County's Spring Plowing celebrations were even livelier than New Year.
In all the years since coming to Bailang County, Li Xia had never once taken part in the festivities. This year she hoped to go take a look at the Spring Plowing parade.
As a daughter of a concubine, if Li Xia were to propose this to her stepmother Lady Lu it would certainly be rejected. And so she had come to seek the help of the legitimate eldest daughter of the Li family manor, born of Lady Lu, her elder sister Li Xin, to put in a good word about this matter.
Hearing Li Xia's request, Li Xin remained silent. Looking at Li Xin's expression, Li Xia lamented to herself that she was truly Lady Lu's own daughter. At such a young age she was already so composed and steady. Li Xia brought her two hands together in a begging gesture, "Sister, I'm asking you, please?"
Seeing Li Xia plead with such intimacy, Li Xin laughed. She hadn't expected Li Xia to act coquettishly just to get to go see the Spring Plowing parade. "Alright, I'll speak to mother about this."
"I just knew elder sister is the best sister in the whole world, the most understanding, the one who loves me most..." Li Xia ceaselessly lavished words of praise upon Li Xin. Li Xin realized for the first time that Li Xia was actually so smooth with her words.
After sending Li Xia off, Li Xin summoned Dan Qing and Dan Mo to come attend her changing clothes.
"Is Miss really going to speak with your mother about this?" Both had some misgivings that Li Xin would get admonished by Lady Lu. They held quite some dissatisfaction toward Li Xia for urging their young miss to go watch the Spring Plowing celebrations.
"My younger sister was right about one thing she said. After so many years, what are the Spring Plowing celebrations like? I've only ever heard others describe them, never seen them myself." Li Xin softly spoke this line. Dan Qing and Dan Mo exchanged a glance but said nothing, their hands continuing to efficiently dress Li Xin.
Li Xin took out a sachet from her embroidery basket and made her way to Lady Lu's YanGui Chambers. Seeing Li Xin coming over, the servants swiftly opened the door curtain in preparation. Li Xin entered the interior room, the maidservants waiting by the doorway.
"Mother, I made a new sachet for elder brother. Please take a look and give me your critiques," Li Xin presented the sachet she had newly made to Lady Lu for inspection. Li Xin's embroidery skills had been personally tutored by Lady Lu. Taking the sachet, she examined it closely. The ink-black sachet depicted emerald-green pine and bamboo, the emerald and jet black colors contrasting with yet complementing each other, seeming all the more lush and vibrant.
"Make the color of the bamboo threads here slightly darker, to better distinguish the contrasts." Lady Lu critiqued where it was lacking after looking it over, before praising, "The needlework is delicate, showing great improvement over the last time. You applied effort."
"It's all thanks to mother's teachings." Receiving Lady Lu's compliments, Li Xin revealed a modest smile on her face, "Mother, since daughter's work is pleasing, will you permit daughter to go view the Spring Plowing celebrations?"
Lady Lu set the sachet back down to look at Li Xin. She didn't get the chance to speak before Li Xin already knew what Lady Lu was about to say. Although Li Xia was the one who opened her mouth, Li Xin also genuinely wished to see the Spring Plowing festivities herself.
"Mother, I was raised by you with painstaking care. Do you really think my younger sister could sway me so easily? Father has been in Bailang County now almost nine years. By the laws of our dynasty this year father will certainly receive either a promotion or transfer, and will no longer remain in Bailang County. Daughter has never once seen the Spring Plowing parade since coming here. If I don't go take a look this year, it's likely I'll never have a chance to see it again my whole life. Mother, I wish to see father's splendor, to see just what heights of prosperity Bailang County has flourished to under father's governance."
Li Xin's words left Lady Lu deep in thought as she looked upon Li Xin's expectant gaze. Lady Lu suddenly realized just how long it had been since she last saw such lively animation in Li Xin's expression. Ever since she was small, Lady Lu had taught Li Xin to exercise self-restraint and properly uphold etiquette befitting their family name and status. And Li Xin had always behaved herself very properly according to Lady Lu's teachings. Even when facing her birth mother Lady Lu her manner would be restrained. Yet today her vivid countenance reminded Lady Lu that perhaps she had been too strict in raising her daughter.
"You really wish to go have a look?" Lady Lu sought to confirm once more.
"Go together with me, mother," Li Xin didn't directly respond, instead inviting Lady Lu to accompany her.
"I won't be going. You children go on ahead. I'll have Hui'er go along with you to keep watch," Lady Lu certainly wouldn't allow her daughter to go unchaperoned.
"Mother, you are truly good to me," joy welled up in Li Xin's heart as she clung to Lady Lu's arm affectionately. Li Xin's intimate gesture pleased Lady Lu very much. The mother and daughter enjoyed the tender moment together.
On the other end, having gotten her wish fulfilled, Li Xia returned to Plum Blossom Chambers with light steps and happy mood. But upon entering and seeing a gorgeous beauty sitting in the hostess seat, feather duster in hand, fiercely glowering at her, she immediately backed up two steps out of the room and pleaded for mercy, "Auntie, I was wrong!"