Chapter 46 - Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Dreamscape_l

Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Dreamscape_l

Translator: 549690339

Upon seeing her third daughter throw her dress and utter such words, the Han Family matriarch was livid.

She raised her hand to slap Chen Yingbao, but the girl deftly dodged her.

“You little bitch! Have the gall to talk to your mother like this!” The matriarch grabbed a washing stick to hit her, while cursing, “All you have to do is dance, not cater to guests. Stop acting so virtuous!”

Ignoring her, Yingbao turned and bolted.

She was not foolish enough to wait around for the matriarch to pummel her.

Running towards the courtyard entrance, she suddenly bumped into her biological father Chen Changping.

Chen Changping, dressed in a green robe, looked at her coldly.

Despite the fact that he had never hit her, Yingbao was understandably intimidated by her father who never treated her as his own.

Neither had he protested when her mother beat her or when her siblings, Chen Zhao and Chen Xu, bullied her.

His silent disregard and contempt instilled an innate fear in Yingbao.

“Chen Ying, follow me,” Chen Changping commanded sternly, gesturing to his wife to leave.

The matriarch discarded the washing stick and stormed off, fuming.

After a moment of hesitation, Yingbao complied with her biological father and followed him into his study.

Seating himself behind the desk, Chen Changping began, “Chen Ying, your mother has always been rather hot-tempered and her treatment of you has been a bit rough. Don’t hold it against her.

In disbelief, Yingbao listened as her father criticized her mother for the first time.

Chen Changping coughed then added, “Over the years, you have suffered a lot while living outside. For that, I don’t blame you for your resentment towards your mother.”

Yingbao almost laughed at this, half-listening as she prepared herself for his next words.

“Her strictness stems from her concern for you. You’ve always been a rebellious child, always crossing your mother, involved in all kinds of troubles and wrongdoings. How could you expect her not to get angry with you?

Several years ago, when we send you off, it was because you were too disobedient and rebellious. Feeling helpless, your mother made the decision.”

Cocking her head to one side, Yingbao asked, “So when she bought me back, does it mean she thought I had been taught well?”

The vein on Chen Changping’s forehead throbbed as he fought the impulse to slam the desk, slowly saying, “Chen Ying, it was my negligence that I didn’t get you back sooner. Now that you’re back, it’s time you changed your temper and get along well with your mother.”

Yingbao remained silent.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to get along with her birth mother, but her mother abhorred her and never considered her as a daughter.

Not knowing any better, she had previously thought that they disliked her because she had done something wrong.

Now, at fourteen, and after spending five years in the chaotic environment of Wuchun Yard, she had gained some understanding of the world.

For example, the way her parents treated her and her younger sister and her brother were different.

Let’s not talk about the only son Chen Xu of the family, even Chen Zhao, although a daughter, was raised by their side. With her sweet talk, cleverness, and ability to adapt, she was much favored by her father.

Although the matriarch had a preference for Chen Xu, she didn’t habitually scold or beat Chen Zhao, even when Zhao occasionally talked back.

So, Yingbao thought, it wasn’t that she was beaten for doing something wrong, whatever she did was wrong.

Given that, why should she try to curry their favor?

Seeing his daughter’s stubborn look and the fact that she remained unaffected by his words, Chen Changping was infuriated.

Suppressing his frustration, he spoke in a softer tone, “Chen Ying, you are growing up. You will have to get married someday. Your mother wants to find you a wealthy husband. That’s why she is teaching you so strictly. You don’t have to hold grudges against her.

Which parent doesn’t want their child to succeed and live a life of luxury? Alas, all parents in the world are the same, you need to understand what it means to respect elders and to be filial. Accepting things as they come is your duty as a child. ”

Yingbao fell silent.

She had never hoped for her biological parents to give her a life of luxury, nor would she endure without complaint.

But she had always harbored an aspiration.

She wanted to get a household registration pass, to escape from this family as soon as possible, and live off her own earnings in the future.

Alternatively, like her eldest sister Chen Wan, she could get married and leave the Chen household for good.

Living in poverty with a farmer is preferable to getting hit and scolded every single day.

Frankly, she preferred her days at Wuchun Yard. Over there, she at least had Sister Wen as a companion. If they weren’t dancing, they might occasionally go out to the market to buy snacks and scripts to read.

“Chen Ying, we will be welcoming a distinguished guest in our home this afternoon.’

Chen Changping, believing that he had adequately set the stage, voiced his thoughts, “The prosperity and status of this family, whether you and your second sister can find good families to marry into, all these depend on this person.”

“As such, your duty is to treat the guest well, please do not embarrass me.”

After a short pause, Chen Changping added: “As long as you behave and stop being obstinate this time, whatever you ask for in the future, I will grant it.”

Yingbao’s features subtly altered as she asked, “What if I want fifty taels of silver and a household registration to move away.”

She yearned to find Sister Wen.

Because Sister Wen had promised her that she would form an opera troupe in the future, and let her be the lead.

Chen Changping lowered his eyes, “Agreed.”

“Really?” Yingbao was a little excited, “Then you must swear you’ll give me the fifty taels of silver and the document allowing me to leave.”

Chen Changping massaged his temples and said, “I swear.”

“Great,” Yingbao started to feel joyous, “But I can only dance the Hu Xuan

Dance, I know nothing else.”

She was best at the Hu Xuan Dance, and considering her petite, exquisite figure, when she moved in sync with the drum beats, she danced as if she embodied a nimble, flying bird.

“Then you will dance the Hu Xuan Dance,” sighed Chen Changping in relief.

His brother-in-law, Chen Guanglu, had informed him that the distinguished guest was particularly fond of the Hu Xuan Dance, especially when performed by a cunning little woman. If this guest took a liking to her, the official position of county chief might just be within reach.

Previously, Chen Changping had considered purchasing a practicing courtesan who was capable of performing the Hu Xuan Dance, but his brother-in-law had mentioned that due to his high status, a purchased courtesan, after all, was merely a lowly servant, and would not catch his eye.

Chen Ying, on the other hand, was his own daughter, moreover a scholar’s daughter. Even though she had spent several years in Wuchun Yard, she was still technically a virgin, probably wouldn’t offend the aristocrat.

By dusk, several well-dressed guests indeed arrived at their home.

The man walking in the middle was a middle-aged scholar wearing a Daoist

Robe.

Chen Changping led this man to the main seat, then ordered the cook to bring out the wine and dishes.

After three rounds of drinks, Yingbao was pushed into the main hall by Mrs.

Han.

She dressed in a red dance skirt and attached anklets to her bare feet, dancing the Hu Xuan Dance on the round stage.

Her dance was graceful, and her pace was quick in tune with the drumbeats, capturing everyone’s undivided attention.

The middle-aged scholar was evidently pleased. He promptly rewarded her with a jade wall and asked her if she was willing to accompany him to

Prefecture City.

Yingbao decidedly declined.

The scholar laughed heartily, showing no signs of anger.

Chen Changping, on the other hand, didn’t mask his displeasure, continuously glaring at her as if he was going to devour her.

Ignoring the glances, Yingbao cheerfully returned to her own room, holding the jade wall, after changing from her dance dress into her cotton clothes.

At that moment, her second sister, Chen Zhao, and her younger brother, Chen Xu, who was almost nine, came in.

Upon seeing Yingbao’s jade wall, Chen Xu immediately grabbed it.

“Give it back! ” Yingbao was not accustomed to tolerating him and immediately tried to snatch it back.

Chen Zhao purposely blocked Yingbao, allowing Chen Xu to run out of the door.

“Scoundrel!”

Enraged, Yingbao forcefully pushed Chen Zhao to the floor. As a mixture of old resentments and new grievances rushed into her mind, she mounted her sister and started hitting her relentlessly…

“Baobao, Baobao, wake up…”

Yingbao was jolted awake, looking around in confusion as she opened her eyes. Chunnan held her little girl and soothed her, “Did Baobao have a nightmare?”

Just a moment ago, the little girl had been cursing and flailing about in her sleep. It had scared her to death..