Embroidered Phoenix Chronicle

Madam Du grew increasingly angry, fuming in her room, while the maids remained silent. Hongxing'er had long served in Ruicai's room. As a child, she was thin and sallow-faced, her monthly allowance going to her mother to supplement the family income. She rarely even had a decent pair of shoes made, always wearing the clothes provided by the manor; she was utterly unremarkable. Then one day, Madam Du was astonished to find Hongxing'er had changed. She had grown taller, her figure more defined, and her once yellowish hair had turned black, styled high, making her appear even more graceful. Madam Du then relegated Hongxing to menial tasks like cleaning and washing in the backyard, refusing to let her lift a finger for chores like serving tea and water, and forbidding her from even entering the main room. Seeing that she was disliked by Madam Du, the other maids also took the opportunity to belittle her, saying she was always busy, never having a moment's rest. When did she get involved with the Second Master? The Second Master even personally appointed her to manage the study! Because of this wretched woman, the couple argued several times. She complained to her grandmother and sent him to live in the county school, only returning once every ten days. She wouldn't even let him into the study. Secretly, she was looking for a husband for the girl, hoping to keep her away from the Second Master's watchful eye. And yet, without anyone noticing, she got pregnant! Stealing her man right under her nose—it was an utter disgrace! If she gave birth to a son, wouldn't her own child have to call this wretched woman's child "brother"? Absolutely not! She had to find a way!

Hong Xing'er sat obediently in the room. Her most important thing now was to give birth safely, preferably to a son. If it was a son, she would finally have a foothold in the family. Silly woman, all she has is a good family background and a few stinking coins. She can't even keep her own man in check. What good is that? All she does is beg, be demanding, and throw tantrums. What man would like that? He might be a little darling during the honeymoon, teasing and pampering her for fun. Do you really think a man treats you like a treasure? Pshaw! Even if a man wanted to raise his wife like a daughter, he wouldn't raise someone like you, you idiot!

One day, Rui Cai saw Hong Xing'er wringing water alone. The pile of clothes to be washed was huge, and most of them clearly belonged to maids and servants. It was obvious they were bullying her. He asked her a few more questions and discovered the girl could read. He then transferred her to the study to manage its affairs. Du Shi argued fiercely about this, but Rui Cai refused to back down. Just because the girl was pretty, she was being bullied by everyone in the courtyard? It was unreasonable. Du Shi gossiped to his grandmother, who then sent him to live at the county school. Every ten days when he returned, Du Shi would keep a close eye on him. Rui Cai found it amusing. When he had the chance, he asked Hong Xing'er if she was tired. The girl shook her head with tears in her eyes, clearly still suffering. Rui Cai felt resentful. Then one day, someone came looking for him during class. When he went out, he found Hong Xing'er. She was about to cry when she saw him. He quickly pulled her to a quiet place and learned that Hong Xing'er had accidentally broken the tea set that belonged to the lady of the house as part of her dowry. She couldn't afford to pay for it and was afraid of being beaten, so she begged the Second Master…

Rui Cai was furious. Hong Xing'er was working in the study; what was she doing washing the Madam's tea set? Besides, it was just a tea set, and she expected a maid to pay for it? What kind of rule was that! No matter how he questioned her, Hong Xing'er just lowered her head and wept, refusing to say a word. Rui Cai was so angry that he said she deserved to be bullied to death and that he would go back to the manor to reason with her. Hong Xing'er panicked and knelt down, begging him to let it go. She said she would slowly save up the money for the tea set to pay back the Second Master. Rui Cai laughed angrily, "Does Master care about your little bit of money?" He knew in his heart that he couldn't protect her at home. If he stood up for her, the Madam would probably find even more fault with her, and she would suffer even more!

Having bought the tea set, Hong Xing'er accepted it with profuse thanks, bowing her head shyly as she returned, saying, "I'll save up enough money to pay you back, Second Master, as soon as possible." Rui Cai, suddenly seized by a playful impulse, teased, "It's five taels and two mace of silver, you'd better hurry!" Hong Xing'er's astonished expression made Rui Cai laugh uncontrollably. He couldn't help but reach out and gently pinch her cheek. "Silly girl, there's no reason for you to pay for it. Forget it, just say you bought it yourself when you get back, and let it go!" Hong Xing'er had already walked away, but Rui Cai still stared at that pretty figure, lost in thought. Hong Xing'er's astonished and delighted face often appeared before his eyes, making his heart pound.

Young love is passionate; how could they endure the torment of unrequited love? Du Shi wished she could chain him up, not allowing him to even glance at Hong Xing'er. Rui Cai, clever from a young age, was no match for this. He left Hong Xing'er a note, arranging a time and place to meet. Although Hong Xing'er failed to show up two out of three times, her appearance always brought some solace. The rosy-cheeked beauty before him seemed like a fairy!

Old Mrs. Liu disliked Hongxing'er—no respectable wife would condone such behavior. To unknowingly abort a child right under the nose of the principal wife—such a person would only bring unrest to the household. However, the child had to stay. She didn't believe the nonsense about keeping the child and abandoning the mother, but she was prepared to let the mother stay and cause trouble for her grandson. She couldn't let Hongxing'er harm her grandson. All three grandsons were raised by the old lady herself; this incident would make her second grandson a laughingstock among relatives and friends for years to come—it was a disgrace to the old lady!

The old lady of the Liu family sent a trusted old woman to take care of Hongxinger—a concubine without maids, but if she got along well, she would have one or two young maids by her side, ostensibly to teach her manners.

Hongxing'er was very grateful and treated the old woman with great courtesy. The old woman was even more polite, not showing the slightest bit of disdain or contempt, keeping it all deeply hidden inside.

Liu Lian felt a little uneasy. Du Shi had given her a bracelet the moment she saw her. This twisted-wire bracelet was expensive because of its craftsmanship, and not as cheap as a solid one. She was afraid of causing trouble for her elder sister—after all, she felt indebted to someone who had given her a gift. Fengxian reached out and ruffled her hair. "It's alright. She's always been carefree, and besides, I've done her a great favor. It's worth it! Wear it and have fun!"

Liu Lian couldn't help but worry about Hong Xing'er. Feng Xian said indifferently, "We gave her family seventy taels of silver in exchange for a death contract. Silly child, she thinks she's officially part of the Liu family now. Doesn't she realize that she'll have nothing to do with her family anymore? Even if something happens, there won't be anyone to stand up for her!"

"There are many things in this world that are sweet on the surface but bitter in reality. You are also someone who has no one to take care of you. The Huo family cannot protect you for life. You must be more careful in the future. It is better to suffer a loss openly than to swallow your pride and suffer in silence! If you suffer injustice openly, someone will stand up for you. If you suffer in secret, you will only become a laughing stock." From some point on, Fengxian began to pass on the experience she had gained from her painful life to Liulian, fearing that she would repeat the same mistakes. Unconsciously, she began to treat Liulian as her own sister.

As a newcomer who didn't yet understand this world and had no such experience in his previous life, he couldn't help but feel closer to her from the bottom of his heart! The two were actually the same age, so they hit it off immediately and became close friends.

The old lady of the Liu family nodded in satisfaction and began to make plans.