Xu Youqing was secretly delighted. The opportunity had come. She quickly put on a loving look. "Is it that Nanny Zhang is too strict? If Ning'an doesn't like her, I'll assign a suitable nanny for you later. But when it comes to learning and cultivation, one mustn't be afraid of hardship. No matter which nanny is sent, you have to study diligently."
Shi Ning'an frowned. "I understand this. All along, I've been obedient and learned the rules of the capital. But Nanny Zhang emphasizes rules, yet only enforces them on me while being rather lax with herself. When I just asked her to comb my hair, she gave me a sour look and pulled my hair. On the way, she dared to gossip about Great - Aunt. When I just said I'd punish her, she kept saying that she was the madam's nanny and I had no right to punish her. Father, Madam, I really can't have such a nanny."
Xu Youqing was stunned for a long time before she found her voice. "Nanny Zhang has always been loyal. Maybe Ning'an has misunderstood her."
Shi Ning'an looked up. "Misunderstood her? But when the bandits were approaching, even the guards in the mansion knew to fight to protect the master, yet she was so cowardly and wanted to abandon me. You can ask any guard or cook about this. Surely it's not a misunderstanding on my part?"
Hearing this, Shi Yongtang was extremely angry. "A coward who doesn't protect the master. How can such a person still stay in the Shi family? You'll deal with this tomorrow and choose a suitable cultivation nanny for Ning'an again."
Xu Youqing was so choked that she could neither exhale nor swallow. She could only reply in a low voice.
Shi Ning'an quickly said, "Madam, when you choose a cultivation nanny for me, don't pick one who is too close to Cousin. Cousin is the number - one talented lady in the capital. I can't compare with her, but I also don't want to hear the nanny saying every day how I'm inferior to Cousin."
Shi Qingmei was a bit stunned and forced a smile. "It's actually my fault. I..."
Shi Ning'an looked at her in surprise. "What does it have to do with you? It's just that the servants are ignorant. You're so elegant and generous, and your talent and literary grace were taught by Father himself. Naturally, you're outstanding and amazing. I can't compare. Great - Aunt told me that the most important thing for a person is self - awareness. I'm very self - aware. I'm not smart and don't have much ability. All I rely on is Father."
Shi Yongtang couldn't help but flick Shi Ning'an's forehead. "I don't think you're useless at all. For every word your sister says, you have ten ready."
Shi Ning'an pouted and covered her forehead. "Father, you hurt me. Humph, I'm going to be angry."
Shi Yongtang laughed heartily and stroked Shi Ning'an's forehead. "Okay, okay, okay. Ning'an is a good girl. Don't be angry with Father. Father just got a new inkstone. I'll give it to you later."
Shi Ning'an pursed her lips and smiled. It was once again a scene of a kind - father and a filial - daughter.
When Shi Ning'an got up to leave, she walked to the door, then turned back and leaned on the door. Looking at Shi Yongtang eagerly, she asked, "Father, can I really go to the outer study to see you tomorrow?"
Shi Yongtang nodded with a smile. "Of course."
Shi Ning'an was overjoyed. She quickly covered her mouth and giggled, just like a little cat that had got a treat. "Father, I can make soup. I'll make pigeon soup for you tomorrow."
She bounced out of the main courtyard with Lu'er and then stopped to resume her elegant appearance.
Lu'er heaved a big sigh of relief. Pulling her young lady, she muttered, "I was so worried before, afraid that the master would be fierce and dislike you, Miss. I didn't expect the master to dote on you so much."
Shi Ning'an was expressionless. Dote? Maybe a little. She had lived one more life, eleven more years. Of course, she knew what kind of children her father, Shi Yongtang, really liked. Don't look at the younger generation in the mansion. They all looked proper, and Shi Yongtang was very satisfied with them. But in a few years in her previous life, when the daughter of Shi Yongtang's mistress returned to the mansion, they would know that what Shi Yongtang liked most were those high - spirited and quirky children.
Naivety and simplicity were Shi Ning'an's true nature in the Zeng family. Being outspoken was just an impression she deliberately left in front of Shi Yongtang. Compared with Shi Qingmei's elegant and gentle style, being outspoken not only suited Shi Yongtang's taste but was also easier to pretend.
The Shi family was thrifty, and the street lamps at night were not very bright. Fortunately, Jingbo Garden was very close to the main courtyard, so they could still see the way. In her previous life, for so many days and nights, whether it was a deep - snow day or a thunder - and - lightning night, Shi Ning'an had walked unsteadily like this, from the southernmost small courtyard to the main courtyard, to the grandmother's courtyard to pay respects, and then back.
Now everything was better.
Shi Ning'an looked up at the sky. The stars were twinkling. It would probably be a sunny day tomorrow.
Lu'er was still asking, "Miss, why didn't you tell the master just now that the madam hasn't sent you daily necessities for so many years?"
Shi Ning'an sneered. "Do you think this was just the madam's doing and has nothing to do with Shi Yongtang?"
Lu'er fell silent. What did the young lady mean? How could the master not care about the young lady?
Shi Ning'an instructed Lu'er. "Lu'er, remember to observe and listen more and talk less in the Shi family from now on. Do you understand?"
Lu'er replied in a daze. She still didn't quite understand.
Shi Ning'an pursed her lips. "This place is a den of tigers and dragons. What you see may not be the truth. If I had complained today that the madam didn't send things to the Zeng family for me, at most, Xu Youqing would have been scolded, but it wouldn't have hurt her at all. Instead, because Xu Youqing took the blame for Shi Yongtang, Shi Yongtang might feel more pity for her."
She turned to look at Lu'er. "You're still young and don't know the treachery of the world. I don't do it, but it doesn't mean I forget. When I can't strike a fatal blow, doing too much will only alert the enemy."
Lu'er was shocked. She was less than a year younger than the young lady. Even the old lady of the Zeng family had said that her personality was as naive and simple as the young lady's. But in just half a month since leaving the Zeng family, the young lady had become so clear - minded. In contrast, she was still so muddle - headed. This wouldn't do. Now the young lady only had her by her side.
At this moment, Shi Qingmei was still in a daze. Clearly, her father had just said that Shi Ning'an didn't deserve Jingbo Garden. How come in such a short time, Jingbo Garden had been completely given to Shi Ning'an? Why!
However, before she could argue, Xu Youqing had already knelt down weakly, with tears streaming down her face and choking. "Master, I know that my family background, appearance, and personality are far inferior to yours. I'm a woman who has been married twice and I'm bringing Qingmei with me. How can I deserve the position of the great madam of the Shi mansion..."
Shi Yongtang frowned. "Why are you saying these things out of the blue?"
Xu Youqing shook her head. "No, Master. Taking this opportunity today, I'll just say it all. Over the years, I've been walking on eggshells and being extremely cautious. Fortunately, you and the old master and madam dote on me, and Qingmei is ambitious and makes progress. I've finally managed to have a place in the Shi family. But I've always been uneasy in my heart. I'm always afraid... afraid that one day, all this will disappear. I don't care about anything else. The only thing I care about is your favor, Master."
Maybe because Shi Qingmei was there, Shi Yongtang was not used to hearing such sweet words from her. After being a bit embarrassed for a while, he said, "I didn't mean anything else. Ning'an is still young after all, and she just came back. Even if she has made mistakes, just let her correct them slowly. Why make such a big fuss?"
Shi Qingmei couldn't bear it and quickly explained. "No, Father. Today she..."
Xu Youqing crawled two steps on her knees in front of her and grabbed Shi Yongtang's robe. Wiping her tears, she showed a sad smile. "Master, it's all my fault. You've doted on Qingmei for so many years and treated her like your own daughter. I was wrong. I was just afraid that you would stop doting on Qingmei after Ning'an came back, so I arranged such a far - away courtyard for Ning'an. I've also done my best. That courtyard is no worse than Jingbo Garden, it's just a bit farther away..."
Shi Qingmei was completely confused. Clearly, Shi Ning'an had made such bold remarks today. Why didn't her mother complain to her father? Why did she have to compromise like this?
Shi Yongtang patted his wife's hand. "Qingmei is a good girl. I've said that if the Peng family hadn't refused, she would be a proper daughter of the Shi family. In my heart, she's no different from Ning'an. From now on, don't make wild guesses, okay?"
Only then did Xu Youqing stop crying and smile. "Thank you, Master. Qingmei, hurry up and thank your father."
Although Shi Qingmei was confused, she knew that her mother wouldn't harm her. So she also put on an appearance of compromise. "Thank you, Father. In the future, Qingmei will surely give in to her younger sister."
Shi Yongtang then stroked her head. "You're the elder sister and you've grown up in the capital. Your younger sister hasn't learned the rules and is a bit naive. As the elder sister, you should be a bit more tolerant. The southern courtyard is too remote. Don't live so far away. Let your mother arrange a better courtyard for you. In the future, you can decorate it as you like."
Shi Qingmei suppressed her unhappiness and gently called out, "Thank you, Father. Daughter understands."
She was suppressing her anger. Since childhood, she had been a daughter of the Shi family, high - and - mighty both inside and outside the mansion. She had never thought that she had to compete for favor to get something. But at the same time, she also understood that she wasn't Shi Yongtang's biological daughter. Shi Yongtang doted on her because she was young and because she happened to be the object for Shi Yongtang to miss his own daughter.
So as she grew older, she worked hard. She was determined to be a celestial beauty and a useful person so that she could get eternal favor.
But unexpectedly, as soon as Shi Ning'an came, she had snatched away all of Shi Yongtang's little bit of fatherly love.
Shi Qingmei clenched her fists. It didn't matter. It was just a small thing. It was okay. She would surely make her father understand that she was the most suitable eldest daughter of the Shi family.
Seeing that Shi Yongtang's expression had softened, Xu Youqing heaved a sigh of relief. She wiped her red eyes and whispered, "Master has misunderstood me. Although I was worried, I was also more afraid. After all, when that child was one year old, a master predicted her fortune and said that her fate was too strong and that she would overcome her father and mother. I originally thought that it would be better to put her far away in the southern courtyard and not let her meet you often."
Shi Yongtang's eyebrows relaxed a bit. "Didn't the fortune - teller say at that time that she would be fine after she came of age? Moreover, she'll get married soon. How could it be that important? You don't need to take this little thing to heart."
Xu Youqing got up and leaned against Shi Yongtang. "That's true, but you're the head of the family and the sky in my heart. I dare not neglect anything related to you at all. As long as it's your matter, it's not a small thing."
The two were in a tender mood. Shi Qingmei understood the implication and immediately excused herself and left.