Chapter 13: Here Comes the Freeloader

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Reluctantly, Qiao Er stepped forward, clasped his hands together, and respectfully bowed to Chi Guiwan. Though his expression was solemn, his tone was not forced.

“Miss Chi, I am deeply grateful for your kindness toward my grandmother. My previous act of breaking off the engagement was indeed my folly. I hope you will not hold it in your heart. The marriage between our families has long been decided and cannot be changed. Please rest assured.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Hai Yu also stepped forward.

Since she had ruined her elder brother’s prospects three years ago, Hai Yu had not seen this cousin. Now, she appeared to have lost her former pride and had become much more subdued. A sigh escaped her heart.

Indeed, only through loss can one truly understand how precious something is.

“My father asked me to tell you, cousin, that no matter what, we are family. Once you recover, please visit the Marquis’ residence. Mother has prepared some things to add to your dowry.”

Uncle and aunt...

At this moment, Chi Guiwan felt deeply ashamed. Her mother had passed away early, so her uncle and aunt often worried about her, frequently inviting her to stay at the Marquis’ residence for a while, fearing she would be mistreated at home without a mother.

But what had she done to repay the kindness of those who truly cared for her?

Not only did she refuse to listen to advice, but she also continually caused trouble, even ruining her elder cousin’s reputation and future over a few instigating words from others. She truly was despicable!

Her tears flowed sincerely, and for a moment she did not know how to speak.

Madam Guo watched coldly. This move had truly gone astray. Not only had it failed to cancel the engagement, but it had also reestablished the connection between the eldest sister and the Marquis’ household.

Years of effort were lost in an instant. How could she not be furious?

Yet, looking around the room and at these people, everything was as before. So she concluded that perhaps this matter was just a stroke of blind luck. Otherwise, if this eldest sister truly was so scheming, how could she have managed things for over ten years?

Thus, she let go of her thoughts and once again wore the expression of a caring mother.

The arrival of the Qiao family resolved Chi Guiwan’s current predicament, and she gradually grew better. She spent the entire month of May recuperating, thus avoiding the summer heat.

One afternoon, just as Chi Guiwan woke and was changing clothes, she heard the voice of a young maid outside.

“Eldest Miss, Miss He has arrived.”

Upon hearing He Lingyi’s arrival, Chi Guiwan’s face brightened noticeably.

“Please bring her in quickly.”

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Now, she truly admired He Lingyi with all her heart. In all her years, the only time she had ever turned her fortunes around was under He Lingyi’s guidance. How could Chi Guiwan not be impressed?

When He Lingyi entered, she immediately saw her mother’s radiant smile and felt joy in her heart.

During the convalescence, many tonics had been brought to her room. As a result, her mother’s once frail complexion had greatly improved, now glowing with a rosy sheen like a freshly peeled egg, which lifted one’s spirits at a glance.

She used to have a slightly rounded figure, but being ill had made her somewhat thinner.

Her clothes seemed a bit loose, but the fabric was exquisite. Seeing her enter, her mother quickly took her hand and said,

“You came at the right time. I’ve called the embroiderers to come and tailor summer clothes. I’ll have them make a few for you too. Since you came to our home, you haven’t had any new clothes yet, have you?”

The He family was not poor, but far from wealthy.

They had all the seasonal clothes they needed, but not as extravagantly as her mother, who changed her wardrobe every year. He Lingyi smiled and accepted the offer without hesitation.

“Then I won’t be polite. Thank you in advance, Eldest Sister Chi.”

“It’s just a few outfits. If you’re formal with me, that would be awkward.”

When the Marquis married off his daughter, he brought an immense dowry. After Madam Hai’s death, the Marquis personally accounted for all the items and transferred them to her mother’s name before he would relent.

Therefore, her mother lacked nothing, especially money.

Even if she were to be reborn three lifetimes, it would be enough. Naturally, she was generous in her spending.

He Lingyi looked at her mother’s delicate and charming appearance and felt a bit helpless at her naïve nature. She hoped her mother could live freely like this for her whole life but also wished she could be a bit more discerning—at least to have strategies when facing malicious people.

After sitting for a while, tea was served, and then the embroiderers arrived.

This time, her mother had invited the famous Ning’an Embroidery Workshop from Bianzhou City. Leading them was their top embroiderer Jin Qiao’er, whose needlework was priceless and whom ordinary people could not hire.

But over the years, her mother had spent plenty in their workshop, so facing such a prestigious patron, Jin Qiao’er was happy to serve personally.

“Greetings, Eldest Miss Chi, greetings, Miss He.”

She was about thirty, dressed as a young married woman. Her clothes were well tailored, their patterns inconspicuous, but paired with her slightly full figure, they accentuated her charm.

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He Lingyi had some impression of her. She recalled that when she was a child, her clothes were made by this same Jin Qiao’er. But as she grew older, she wore ready-made garments, and later, when she could barely afford enough food, there was no way to commission clothes.

Naturally, she never saw this Jin Qiao’er again.

Seeing her now, He Lingyi felt as if she had stepped into another world. Jin Qiao’er found it strange—this was the first time she had met Miss He, so why did she see a glimmer of recognition in her eyes, as if recalling an old acquaintance?

Businesspeople were always sweet-tongued and warm-hearted. So while tailoring the clothes, she kept praising the two women, at one moment admiring their figure, the next their delicate skin, and so on, speaking nothing but kindness, so as not to offend.

“Choose the finest fabrics and make several exquisite outfits for my friend here. Price is no object, but they must amaze everyone! This is my gift of thanks to her—no sloppiness allowed, understand?”

“Rest assured, Eldest Miss. I cannot guarantee for others, but when it comes to fabrics, you can trust me. Within a month, by the time summer comes and we admire the lotus blossoms, the two ladies will be the envy of all Bianzhou City!”

He Lingyi smiled. This Jin Qiao’er had been the same sweet talker for decades.

Before they had finished tidying up, more visitors arrived.

“What’s all this commotion? I just happened to come by? Oh, isn’t this Jin Qiao’er? Here again to make clothes for Eldest Sister?”

Madam Guo appeared with Chi Guiying.

Behind her was a man neither young nor old, evidently Madam Guo’s son, the only male heir of the Shilang household, Chi Guizhao.

With phoenix-shaped eyes and a handsome face, he was slender but exuded a gentleman’s aura. Following behind Madam Guo, he was already taller than his mother, yet somehow failed to impress.

Perhaps it was because He Lingyi had already formed a strong impression. She had never once benefited from this uncle. Once, when she was hungry, she took a few cakes to stave off her hunger, and he made a sarcastic remark beside her,

“So young and already such a sweet tooth. Just wait until you get fat and ugly!”

That one sentence crushed the young He Lingyi’s spirits. Every time she ate cakes afterward, she felt guilty.