CH 4.1

The location of the Ruan family’s inner house was extremely superior. It was located at the foot of Tingshan Mountain. Compared with Liu’s small three-entry courtyard, Ruan’s mansion was dozens of times more spacious. The overall decorating style was simple and elegant. Even the “Ruan” character on the lantern hanging high at the door was inscribed by a famous artist. It was quite elegant and agile when the wind blew.

In the main room of Lancui Courtyard in Ruan Mansion, a woman’s voice was heard through the window, mixed with soft sobs.

“You are about to marry into the Liu family. Why bother to offend your husband’s parents? Even if you want to collect debts, you send someone to do that. Wouldn’t it be okay for me or the elder sister, to go forward? And do you think that I can’t take care of you? You have been big-minded since you were young. Today you just went to Liu’s house without telling me. What about tomorrow? I’m afraid you will have a baby with someone else tomorrow, and I am still kept in the dark!” Ruan Longling’s second sister scolded her. Although her tone was heavy, she didn’t seem to be harsh but instead seemed to be burying her grievances. She still had tears in her eyes. Ruan Liyun felt very distressed. The third sister was a character who reported good news but not bad news. She must have suffered a lot to recover the debt, but she was so stubborn that she wouldn’t say a word of bitterness!

The Ruan family had five children: two boys and three girls. The eldest one was a boy who had died in floods; Ruan Liyun was the second child; the third one was Ruan Longling; the fourth one was Ruan Yumei; and the youngest one was a boy who was still studying.

Sitting beside Ruan Liyun was an immature but extremely pretty girl, Ruan Yumei, Ruan Longling’s third sister and the fourth child of the Ruan family. “Third sister, I was so scared when I heard that. My second sister and I will go to the Liu house if you don’t come back now,” Ruan Yumei said while wiping her tears.

Ruan Liyun, the second sister, was a kind and upright person. After getting married into the Feng family, she spent most of her time with other family members of officials.

Not to mention the fourth sister, Ruan Yumei, who was shy and sensitive by nature; she cried when it thundered and almost never spoke aloud, much less requested money.

The fifth younger brother, Ruan Chengfeng, was not afraid of things and took responsibility, but he was still young, and he was studying at Yunshan Academy a hundred miles away, so he couldn’t help to solve family affairs often.

“It’s just a trivial matter, why should you worry about it so much? Second sister and third sister, don’t worry. Mrs. Liu Sheshi doesn’t dare to offend me easily. After all, in a few days, Mr. Zhou Ge will go to Tianxialou to give lectures. She expects me to let her only son go to Tianxialou to study!” Ruan Longling softly comforted her sisters as if the ridicule and humiliation she suffered in the Liu family had never happened.

Ruan Liyun could still see the faint blackness under Ruan Longling’s eyes and also feel the exhaustion in her tone. ‘Everyone was aware of the title “Linglong Lady”. The third sister’s appearance was the most outstanding among the three sisters. At any time, she was always bright and beautiful, just like the colourful peony in the mountains, but no matter how I look at her now, I feel that this peony seemed to have just been devastated by a sudden storm.’

“Don’t worry, don’t worry, don’t worry, don’t worry, you’ve said the word “rest assured” the most these years, but how can you make me feel at ease?” Ruan Liyun pinched the handkerchief, wiped away the hot tears that welled up in her eyes, and said angrily, “If… if I had known that big brother would have an accident, I would never have married so early! Otherwise, I wouldn’t be as involuntary as I am now, unable to take care of you at such times. From the three of us, you have suffered so much over the years.”

The father left.

Mother was sick.

Brother died.

The second sister married out.

The entire Ruan family was supported by Ruan Longling, who was only twelve years old at the time. Ans five years had passed since Ruan Longling took the burden to her shoulders.

She was shrewd, capable, slick, and resolute. She was forced to carry out the heavy responsibility over the past five years. If she had made even a slight mistake and made the wrong move, the Ruan family’s wealth would have been swallowed up by others. The family situation had improved a lot, but Ruan Longling’s reputation became bad. After all, which boudoir woman would show her face outside casually and handle business? Ruan Liyun saw all these things and was anxious in her heart, so she was extra worried about Ruan Longling’s marriage. “Thanks to Chengji being by your side all these years, I can feel a little more at ease. Seeing that the wedding date is just around the corner, why do you bother to go to the Liu family to make such a fuss again? If your marriage with Chengji has twists and turns, what will happen? Okay? I’m afraid you’ll regret it when the time comes!”

Ruan Yumei, who was sitting beside her, was also worried. “Yes, what if Liu Sheshi complains to brother Chengji?”

“You’re really worrying too much. Could it be that Chengji would not marry me because of Liu Sheshi’s few words?” Ruan Longling only smiled to reassure the two sisters. Then she pulled up her sleeves,  revealing the light-green jade bracelet on her snow-white wrist. “This is the ancestral jade bracelet that Chengji personally brought to me before he went to Beijing to face the exam. He told me to wait in Yangzhou with peace of mind until he came to an official position. Then he will use eight large sedan chairs to carry me in, and be the lady of the official family.”

Seeing the rare shyness on Ruan Longling’s face when she mentioned her sweetheart, Ruan Liyun felt relief. “Okay, I’m really relieved to hear you say that. Scholars, farmers, businessmen, and merchants are not in the same social class. That’s why my father married me into the Feng family. Feng Decai is just a handyman in the government office; if Chengji becomes an official, it would be great. I have even prepared the gift money for your marriage, and now I am waiting in Feng’s residence with peace of mind, waiting for the good news of Chengji and your marriage! ”

Ruan Yumei also laughed, saying, “My sister’s wedding quilt, I also sewed it almost, and now I’m closing the stitches. I wish the third sister and brother-in-law harmony and love in advance. ”

“No matter how much you can stand alone outside, you are still a daughter’s family,” the two sisters said.