Chapter 6 - Sister, Long Time No See

Chapter 6 Sister, Long Time No See

Along the way, Nurse Zhou was still regretful that she had failed to humiliate Shen Ninghua upon her arrival. Instead, what had happened just provided an excellent chance for Shen Ninghua to help her to prevail. After this event, no one in the mansion would dare to look down on her. The madam would be very unhappy if she knew what had happened.

Shen Ninghua, however, looked around with ease and the smile lingered on her lips. She hadn’t seen the scenery for more than ten years. Now she felt that the beautiful courtyard looked really different. Especially when thinking that nothing had happened at this time, she couldn’t help but feel delighted because this meant she had a lot of time to trample the enemies of her previous life one by one into hell.

Shen Dong was the Prime Minister of the country, and he had always been favored by the emperor. This mansion was also conferred by the emperor and everywhere of the mansion was delicate.

“Miss, the madam has told me that you must have been tired after the long trip and you can go directly to your room to get dressed first.”

“Mother is very considerate, but I haven’t seen my grandmother for a long time, and I miss her very much. In any case, I should go to see her first.” Shen Ninghua looked back. “Qing Que, follow Nurse Zhou and let her lead you to put our luggage down.”

Nurse Zhou’s heart shivered: “Miss, you have been away from home for a long time and you must be unfamiliar with the road. Let me lead the way for you.” If she didn’t follow her, what if something happened and the madam blamed her?

Shen Ninghua looked at Nurse Zhou half smiling. “No, how is it possible that I am unfamiliar with my own home?”

Her eyes were dark and unfathomable, clear with light ripples, as if they could directly see through the bottom of people’s hearts. Nurse Zhou was so shocked that she almost stepped back. Why did this Shen Ninghua give her a feeling of evilness?

“Miss, the madam and the second miss should be with the Old Lady now. It’s just the right time for you to visit the Old Lady.” When Nurse Zhou and Qing Que were far away, Bai Ruo said. Bai Ruo was the oldest and the most calm and considerate among the four of the maids. She was the first to serve Shen Ninghua. The other three respected her very much.

“Leading the way is nonsense. That nurse definitely wanted to send a message to her master ahead of you, but you are clever to send her away.” Hong Ling also came forward and said with a smile.

Shen Ninghua looked at her and smiled, “Hong Ling is also becoming smart.”

“Miss! I’ve been serving you all the time. How could it be possible that I made no progress at all.” Hong Ling stamped her feet.

“Well, don’t let Miss lose face.” Bai Ruo scolded Hong Ling. Hong Ling quickly lowered her head and stood straight. Bi Zhu sniggered and Hong Ling glared at her.

Shen Ninghua ignored them and went straight to the Songtao Courtyard where her grandmother lived. Today Shen Dong took a day off. Shen Linghan would definitely try to show her kindness and filial piety to her father. How could it be possible that she was holding a party as the guard said?

On the way to the Old Lady’s courtyard, Shen Ninghua’s eyes swept over the maids who saluted her. She was smiling, but her heart was cold as ice.

When she came out of the valley in her previous life, her foot injury was quite serious. Zhao Yunxiang, her stepmother, sent her to another villa for recuperation, where she stayed for two and a half years. When she was allowed to return to the Shen Mansion, she was already 15 years old. At that time, she did not fit in with the family at all. Later, she worked hard to master the etiquette so as to avoid being despised. However, her reputation as an uneducated woman lacking civility continued to haunt her for a long time. When she became the empress, there were still opponents who cited this against her.

Now she figured out that if it were not for the purpose of making use of her by marrying her to Baili Jinze, the Shen family wouldn’t take her back as long as she was alive.

At the gate of Songtao Courtyard, a maid in light pink dress saw Shen Ninghua and hurriedly went out to welcome her: “My name is Xue Zhu. I’m here to pay respect to miss. The Old Lady is waiting for you.”

“I’m so grateful to grandma. I haven’t been in home for a long time. Thank you for taking care of grandma.” Shen Ninghua nodded slightly. Her face radiated with nobility and coolness, and her movements were natural and smooth. Xue Zhu was her grandmother’s ablest maid.

Xue Zhu was in a daze and became more respectful towards Shen Ninghua: “This is my duty.” This Shen Ninghua, the first daughter of the Shen family, did not look to be uneducated at all. Instead, she was much more dignified than Miss Linghan, and her appearance was just amazing.

Shen Ninghua smiled and nodded.

Her expression seemed to have magic power on Xue Zhu, who unknowingly added: “The first lady and second miss are also here.”

Bai Ruo held Xue Zhu’s hand and imperceptibly put a crystal clear jade bracelet on her wrist: “Thank you very much, sister Xue Zhu.”

Xue Zhu paused. This bracelet was of premium quality. It had nice color and smooth texture. She wanted to return the bracelet, but found that Bai Ruo had backed off and stood respectfully behind Shen Ninghua. So she had no choice but to lift the curtain and said: “Miss, this way please.”

“Your Old Lady, miss had come.”

Shen Ninghua stepped into the main hall. The cool air, mingled with the cold fragrance, made her feel refreshed. She looked around, courtesied and said:

“Greetings, grandmother. Greetings, mother.”

Old Lady Xiao turned around and saw Shen Ninghua.

Shen Ninghua was bowing and curtsying to pay her respect. She was slim and slender. Her pale blue dress made her look a little bit thin. She had a bright and plump forehead, a straight nose and cherry lips and gleaming teeth. Her fair face was as beautiful as that of Shen Linghan.

“No ceremony. I’ve just heard from your mother about your coming back. Fortunately, after such a long recuperation, you have not only recovered, but also become beautiful. It must be our ancestor’s blessing. It’s good to have you back.”

“I’m sorry to make grandma worry about me. It must be because of grandmother’s care for me that heaven gave me the chance to recover.” When Shen Ninghua raised her head, her eyes were slightly red with tears.

Old Lady Xiao was satisfied. She used to worry that the granddaughter was uneducated. Now her worry proved to be groundless. The girl seemed to be of some use in her eyes.

Lady Zhao’s eyes looked fierce. She slightly shook the teacup in her hand and fine ripples appeared in the water. The message she had received only said that Shen Ninghua’s appearance had changed a lot, but she didn’t know that she had become so beautiful. A girl with such outstanding appearance could pose a threat to Linghan.

Old Lady Xiao smiled amiably. When Shen Ninghua got up, she hurriedly said: “Take a seat and let Grandma have a look at you.”

Shen Ninghua obediently stood by Old Lady Xiao, with some timidity and expectation in her eyes.

Old Lady Xiao was satisfied. She held Shen Ninghua’s hand and said, “She really is exceptionally beautiful. Linghan, come to greet your elder sister.”

Shen Ninghua had already noticed Shen Linghan, the “good younger sister” standing beside Old Lady Xiao. Now when she looked up and examined her carefully, her heart couldn’t help but writhe with hatred. The pain of loosing her husband, the pain of having her bones smashed, and the pain of being torn apart… All had been because of this person in front of her, who had cast her into hell alive. Not even death could make her forget the deep hatred!

With hatred resounding in her heart, her tone was especially gentle: “Sister, long time no see.”