Chapter 18: How Much Longer Can You Keep Smiling
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Sheng Yukun froze for a moment. Thinking it over carefully, he realized that neither Sheng Jintang nor Madam Bai had any fondness for Yun Qing. Even when he had brought Yun Qing a gift that day, Madam Bai had tried every possible way to stop him, and the two of them had gotten into a furious argument before he left.
Yesterday, in the rear garden, he had seen how Sheng Jintang had wept and complained to Madam Bai. It had seemed highly suspicious. Could it be that Sheng Jintang had said something to Madam Bai?
The moment he thought of how Sheng Jintang had ceased to be as humble and magnanimous as before, he gave a cold snort and said, “Whoever dares stop you from entering the marquis’s residence, I’ll break his legs for you!”
Yun Qing laughed, amused. She certainly had no intention of missing such a fine spectacle.
With a cryptic smile, she said, “I’m not a petty person. Although the eldest young lady and I have had our disagreements, I’m willing to repay resentment with kindness. Don’t let those almond cakes go to waste. I tried one, and they taste quite good. I’ll make an offering of them, then. Please take them to the eldest young lady, Marquis.”
Even Sheng Yukun, unwilling as he was to read too much into it, could guess what she meant. He nodded knowingly and left without lingering.
The carriage stopped outside the marquis’s residence. Sheng Yukun climbed down, his thoughts in turmoil. Whenever he returned from an outing in the past, Sheng Jintang would always wait for him at the entrance. Now, standing beside her, there was also a small figure.
Sheng Yi ran toward him joyfully. Smiling, Sheng Yukun picked him up and carried him inside.
With eager anticipation in his eyes, Sheng Yi asked, “Father, when you went to see Elder Sister Yun Qing, did you ask her what cats do?”
Sheng Yukun sat before the stone table and said awkwardly, “Oh dear, Father forgot. Didn’t Big Sister tell you?”
Sheng Yi shook his head dejectedly. “Big Sister doesn’t know.”
Sheng Jintang gave an embarrassed smile. “Yi’er, Big Sister will look through the books again tonight. I’m sure I’ll find the answer.”
“No need to trouble yourself.” Sheng Yukun coaxed Sheng Yi, saying, “Just now, Father told Sister Luo that our little Yi’er missed her. She said she would come to our house often from now on. Then you can ask her yourself.”
“Wonderful! Wonderful!” Sheng Yi clapped his hands delightedly.
At those words, Sheng Jintang’s smile stiffened slightly. Though she tried her utmost to conceal the anger in her heart, Sheng Yukun still saw the gloom between her brows.
Pretending not to notice, he called over a maid. She brought the pastries forward and set them before Sheng Jintang.
“Jintang, these almond cakes taste quite good. I saved some especially for you. Why don’t you try them?”
Sheng Jintang smiled gently. “Thank you for thinking of me, Uncle.”
With that, she picked up a pastry and began tasting it with elegant composure. Then she smiled at Sheng Yukun and said, “They really are delicious. In a while, I’ll share them with my younger sisters.”
A nearly imperceptible darkness flickered in Sheng Yukun’s eyes, but he continued smiling. “You’ve always been generous, Jintang, always thinking of your sisters whenever something good comes along. If you like them, eat as many as you wish. I can simply buy another portion for your sisters.”
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“Thank you, Uncle.”
The next morning, the marquis’s residence was filled with people gathered in the main hall.
After returning from the morning court, Sheng Yukun heard his trusted aide report, “My lord, I investigated the matter. The eldest young lady ate all the pastries.”
Sheng Yukun set his teacup back on the table and frowned. “She didn’t break out in a rash?”
The aide shook his head. “The eldest young lady showed no unusual symptoms.”
“Where is she now?”
“In the rear garden with Miss Zhixing.”
“Bring her here.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The Dowager Madam Sheng frowned at him. “Why are you so worked up?”
Always making such a fuss over that girl.
She let out an irritated snort. “What is it now? Who has bullied your precious niece this time?”
Seeing that something was wrong with Sheng Yukun’s expression, Madam Bai’s heart tightened. She asked cautiously, “What happened, Marquis? Why have you summoned Jintang?”
Just then, Sheng Jintang and Zhixing entered the main hall and courteously saluted everyone.
“Greetings, Grandmother, Uncle, Aunt.”
Sheng Yukun’s expression was frighteningly dark. Sheng Jintang swallowed nervously, doing her best to appear calm.
A moment later, a maid brought over a bowl of clear water and several silver needles and placed them on the table. Sheng Jintang was so frightened that her legs nearly gave way beneath her.
“Don’t worry,” Zhixing whispered beside her, secretly pointing toward the surface of the water.
Madam Bai noticed Zhixing’s subtle gesture and finally relaxed, raising a hand to soothe her chest.
“What does Uncle mean by this?” Sheng Jintang asked, her face full of innocence.
Sheng Yukun rose, seized her hand roughly, and dragged her to the bowl. He picked up a silver needle and pricked her finger. A bead of blood rolled into the water.
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He released her hand, then pierced his own finger as well.
It was rare to witness the ritual of testing kinship by blood, and everyone crowded around. The two drops of blood merged together. Some people were relieved, while others were disappointed.
Sheng Jintang secretly exhaled, then lowered her head and sobbed. “Uncle, do you no longer wish to acknowledge Jintang? Did I do something to anger you?”
Sheng Yukun was rendered speechless. For a moment, he did not know what to do. A wave of guilt rose in his heart.
“It was merely your uncle’s suspicion.”
The Dowager Madam Sheng sighed. “You made such a commotion for nothing and stirred up trouble again.”
Madam Bai frowned at Sheng Yukun. “My lord, why put yourself through this? Was it Yun Qing who provoked you? That girl is always stirring up trouble. First she tricked money out of our household, and now she wants you to cast your own niece out as well?”
Tears streamed down Sheng Jintang’s face, making her look pitifully beautiful. “If Uncle is dissatisfied with anything about me, I’ll change it. If you think I’ve treated Miss Yun Qing poorly, I’ll go to her door at once and apologize. I’ll kneel before her and beg her forgiveness…”
The more she spoke, the more deeply moved she became by her own performance. But before she could finish, someone yanked her forcefully.
A sharp, resounding slap rang through the hall.
Sheng Jintang felt a fierce, burning pain spread across her cheek. She raised her dazed eyes and saw Yun Qing standing before her. Her face instantly turned deathly pale.
Forcing herself to remain composed, she covered her cheek and gritted her teeth. “Miss Yun Qing, what are you doing?”
Yun Qing gave a cold snort. “You shameless schemer, and you still have the nerve to put on this false act here? How long do you think you can keep smiling?”
“Where did this girl come from? How dare she barge into our marquis’s residence, assault a member of the Sheng family, and spout such nonsense?” the Dowager Madam Sheng demanded angrily, glaring at the uninvited guest.
Yun Qing let out a cold laugh. At the same time, an invisible talisman slipped onto Zhixing’s body. She walked up to the Dowager Madam Sheng and respectfully bowed.
“Dowager Madam Sheng, I am Yun Qing, a physician at the Three Lives Hall. I treated the young master’s illness a few days ago. Do you still remember me?”
Sheng Jintang turned her eyes in confusion. Why had Yun Qing not revealed her true identity?
Upon hearing this, the Dowager Madam Sheng nodded. “Oh… I do have some recollection.”
Yun Qing curved her lips into a smile. “I became acquainted with the Marquis, and he told me that if I ever wished to visit, I was welcome to come by at any time.”
Sheng Jintang clenched her fists tightly. Knowing that Yun Qing would be coming to the marquis’s residence today, she had sent people to guard the entrance early that morning and keep her out. Yet Yun Qing had still forced her way inside—and had chosen this crucial moment to ruin everything!
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