Embroidered Phoenix Chronicle

Xiu Luan is back.

This is her home, so it's perfectly normal for her to come back. However, both Madam Du and Fengxian showed expressions of helplessness and disgust. Madam Du gestured for the wet nurse to take Fu Hui away, and seeing Fengxian only looking down at her work, she finally couldn't help but give her a light kick. "Sister-in-law, that young lady is back..." Fengxian smiled faintly, "This is her home, shouldn't she come back?"

Du was speechless. "I'm really impressed! Should we send our sister back first?"

“She’s stayed for so many days, and she left as soon as Xiu Luan came back. What kind of behavior is that? She should have stayed for at least two more days.”

Madam Du turned to Liu Ye'er, "Sister, our sister-in-law is very wicked, sharp-tongued, and always trying to outdo us. As her sisters-in-law, we have to be tolerant of her. You should avoid her a bit, so your elder sister won't be caught in the middle. Just don't argue with her, and give her some leeway in conversation. She's only happy when she's in the lead!"

"Everyone said you were clueless, but it turns out you're like a mute eating dumplings—you know exactly what you're doing!"

"Sister-in-law, forget it, I can't be bothered with you. Little sister, the old lady might ask her to bring something over later, you must compliment her on her clothes, she loves hearing that!"

"Thank you, Sister Du. I've met her once, and there were no problems."

"Come on, why would she be staying at Grandma's house if there's nothing wrong with her? You probably don't even know what you did to offend her. She might have learned some skills while staying at Grandma's!"

Liu Lian found it amusing, but dared not show it on her face. She simply nodded in agreement. She was just a spoiled child, and she was too lazy to have anything to do with her. She would just say a few nice words to get rid of her. Did she think she couldn't handle a primary school student?

Xiu Luan, graceful and elegant, approached, followed by an old woman carrying a large flower basket. Liu Lian rose to greet her, and Xiu Luan returned the greeting. She personally took the willow basket and placed it on the stone table, smiling gently, "A few wild fruits, freshly picked. Please, sisters-in-law, have a taste." Feng Xian and Du Shi glanced at the mulberries in the basket, then exchanged a knowing look, both inwardly sneering: the Xu family didn't own a mulberry orchard, while the Liu family's fortune was built on sericulture, with hundreds of acres of mulberry trees. These were clearly their own produce, yet she was treating them as gifts from the Xu family! Neither dared to point it out. Feng Xian politely declined, while Du Shi praised the basket—the Xu family was in the willow weaving business—making Xiu Luan grit her teeth in frustration. She hated it most when people brought up her maternal grandmother's family!

Liu Lian smiled and asked, "Sister Xiuluan, is this a new style of dress? I've never seen this color before!"

"This fabric was just brought back by my father. It's called Haitianxia Sha, and it's not on the market yet!"

As she spoke, Xiu Luan sat down next to Liu Ye'er, placing one of her slender little feet beside Liu Ye'er's feet, and affectionately hugging Liu Ye'er's arm. "Sister, you're so tall, this color will definitely look good on you. When my father comes back, I'll ask him for a piece of fabric in this color and make a jacket for you too, okay?"

“Sister Xiu Luan, you are fair-skinned and this color looks good on you. I am dark-skinned and wearing this would be a waste.”

"My sister is trying to comfort me. You're not dark at all. You're even fairer than me. You must just think the color is ugly..."

"Xiu Luan, Xiao Qi is wearing mourning clothes, she can't wear such bright clothes!"

"Ah? Sister, I didn't know! Please don't be angry with me!" Xiu Luan's big eyes were filled with tears, her pitiful little face tilted up, her hand waving Liu Ye'er's arm. Liu Lian sighed inwardly, "A natural-born actress!"

Xiu Luan had no intention of giving the fabric away. She was just there to show off and annoy people. The fabric her father brought back was kept by her mother; she didn't share it with the family, only making her a dress. She'd really made a name for herself at her maternal grandmother's house this time, and her cousins' wicked advice had boosted her confidence; she wasn't afraid of being unable to handle a country bumpkin. She was terrified that Liu Ye'er would leave, and she wouldn't be able to use her newly learned skills.

Xiu Luan was actually a child with low self-esteem: her grandmother looked down on her mother and, by extension, disliked her; her sister-in-law was virtuous and reserved, and looked down on merchants; the servants often gossiped and sneered behind her back; those richer than her looked down on her mother and, consequently, on her; those less wealthy than her went even further in their criticism of her mother. Only her maternal grandmother's sisters were kind to her, but they couldn't stand seeing her with anything good, and if it fell into their eyes, they would find a way to take it away. Xiu Luan didn't know what she had done wrong to be so disliked. She tried hard to fight back, but had no way to do so. She was even afraid to go out, yet she stubbornly insisted on showing off. The more she showed off, the louder the gossip grew, and the poor child became more and more conflicted, because no one told her that those gossips were largely out of jealousy!

Liu Lian saw through her little thoughts at a glance: Liu Lian was an orphan, and had had enough of the world's pity, curiosity, and scrutiny. She even felt a little sorry for this little girl. If she were a likable child, Liu Lian would definitely have comforted her. But she wasn't. Silly child, your temperament is destined to suffer more beatings from society! Liu Lian shook her head and sighed for her.

After a few days, Liu Lian managed to get along peacefully with Xi Luan, much to the delight of the old lady of the Liu family. The old lady disliked Xi Luan, finding her too petty and timid, good for nothing but picking fights and getting angry. She was a coward outside, and when she was upset outside, she would come home and bully her sister-in-law, a typical bully at home. It would be quite an achievement if she could actually bully her sister-in-law, but when her two sisters-in-law treated her like a fool, she was smug, feeling she had benefited. However, she was, after all, the old lady's own granddaughter, and the old lady would never be happy to see others bully her. The old lady disliked the girls of the Xu family the most; they were all sweet talk, not for anything else, but only to get things from her aunt. She didn't expect Liu Ye'er to be her confidante; it would be good enough if they could get along peacefully.

It was quite unexpected that Liu Ye'er had become so close to Madam Du. Watching coldly, she realized she had only received a tiny mercury mirror from Madam Du—exquisitely crafted, but not a valuable item. Madam Du knew her too well; if you flattered her, she'd give you her heart. Yet this girl didn't seem to care about her possessions. Although Madam Du and Madam Huo had been close before, there was always a simmering tension. Now, they seemed to have a sisterly bond. Harmony in the family brings prosperity; this girl was truly a lucky charm!

The two sisters-in-law, Huo and the old lady, had both guessed what the old lady was thinking. Fengxian didn't object: Liu Ye'er was honest and kind, and it was much better to have someone whose background was unknown as a sister-in-law. Besides, the third son was raised by the old lady and had a very good temperament. Behind the scenes, Fengxian intensified her teaching of Liu Ye'er in all aspects, but in public, she just pretended to be ignorant!