Chapter 52
A woman's voice rang in their ears, and the three of them felt a chill on their necks. They jumped up, shouted "Ghost!" and ran away. Other families rushed over and saw a pair of red shoes floating in the air. They looked at each other, and quickly closed the doors of the Sun Family manor.
Li Xia put the red shoes back in the bedroom of the Miss of the Sun Family. She returned to the Li Manor to rest, finding it quite amusing to dress up as a ghost and scare people.
Li Xia woke up the next morning feeling refreshed and energized after a dreamless night. She had breakfast with Auntie Mei, then went to the Wild Goose Pavilion to pay her respects.
Back in the Orchid Courtyard, Li Xia called for Qiu Ling. Qiu Ling walked into the study room nervously. Seeing her tense state, Li Xia joked, "Don't be so nervous, I don't eat people."
"Miss, what are you talking about eating people so early in the morning? That's unlucky," Qiu Shui said from the side, clasping her hands together and repeatedly calling for Buddha's blessings, leaving Li Xia speechless.
"Qiu Shui, what's wrong with you?" Li Xia didn't understand why Qiu Shui had changed so much overnight.
"Miss, there's been a ghost haunting on Xuanhua Street in the southern district," Qiu Shui's words made Li Xia squint her eyes slightly.
"What kind of ghost?"
"I'm not sure, Qiu Kui went to the kitchen for breakfast this morning and heard the kitchen ladies saying it was quite a commotion," Qiu Shui shook her head.
Li Xia didn't ask further and turned to Qiu Ling, "Qiu Ling, I have a task for you. Go and find out about this ghost haunting."
"Yes," Qiu Ling responded and left to carry out her duty.
As Qiu Ling left, Qiu Shui wondered why Li Xia wanted her to investigate this matter, but seeing that Li Xia didn't explain, she went away with her doubts.
"The Sun Family made their fortune selling medicinal herbs. After the rebellion of Prince YongKang, the Sun Family was sentenced to execution for allegedly secretly collecting herbs for the prince. The entire Sun Family, young and old, were killed. Some servants were released during the family's confiscation. Half a month ago, the Sun Family manor was sold to someone.
The Sun Family servants who left didn't fare well. So they wanted to go back to the Sun Family manor to find treasures. As for the female ghost, according to former Sun Family servants, the Sun Family's Miss was most favored in life."
"For me, good work will be rewarded, and poor work will be punished," Li Xia said as she stood up and took two pearl flowers from the dressing table. She approached Qiu Ling, "This pearl flower is a reward for you. A young lady should dress up more." She placed the pearl flowers in Qiu Ling's hands.
Qiu Ling gripped the pearl flowers tightly, "Thank you, Miss. Qiu Ling will definitely work hard from now on."
Qiu Ling retired and closed the door behind her. As she turned around, she saw Qiu Chan holding a large pair of shears, looking at her with concern. Qiu Ling walked over and saw the tree that had been shaved. "Qiu Chan, you should go sweep the floor."
"Qiu Ling, are you alright?" they both spoke at the same time.
Qiu Chan followed Qiu Ling's gaze to the shaved tree. She scratched her head, "I didn't mean to. I've swept the floor twice already."
Of course, Qiu Ling knew Qiu Chan didn't mean it; this girl could only do one thing at a time.
"Qiu Ling, you haven't said... did the Miss..." Qiu Chan didn't finish, but her face was full of concern. Qiu Ling had also been sold a few times when she was with the human traffickers, but each time she was too weak and incompetent at work, so she was returned.
"The Miss was very good. She even rewarded me with two pearl flowers. Here, take one," Qiu Ling handed one of the flowers to Qiu Chan.
Qiu Chan shook her head, "These are rewards from the Miss to you. I can't take them."
"Just take it," seeing that Qiu Chan's hands were occupied with the shears and couldn't take the flower, Qiu Ling tiptoed and pinned it onto Qiu Chan's head.
"Qiu Ling, you're so kind. Next time the Miss rewards me, I'll share with you," Qiu Chan put down the shears and wiped her hands vigorously on her clothes. She carefully touched the pearl flower on her head.
"Qiu Chan!" A sweet reprimand made Qiu Chan and Qiu Ling turn around. They saw Qiu Shui glaring at Qiu Chan with fiery eyes.
Qiu Chan was startled and cautiously called out, "Sister Qiu Shui."
"There are eight trees in total in the Orchid Courtyard, and you've shaved them all," Qiu Shui didn't know what to say anymore. This Qiu Chan truly couldn't do anything right; she ruins everything she touches.
"I was wrong," Qiu Chan honestly admitted her mistake and lowered her head.
"Being wrong requires correction," Qiu Shui couldn't help but shout. She had told Qiu Chan so many times.
"Sister Qiu Shui, I'll keep an eye on Qiu Chan next time. Please forgive her this once," Qiu Ling pleaded.
"How many times have I forgiven her? She really has no memory at all," Qiu Shui felt that Qiu Chan was born to torment her. Every time she reprimanded her, Qiu Chan would obediently admit her mistakes and seem to listen attentively, but her actions always turned out like this. Qiu Shui took a deep breath to suppress her anger. "Qiu Chan, no lunch for you. Learn to remember properly."
Upon hearing that she couldn't eat lunch, Qiu Chan pitifully called out, "Sister Qiu Shui."
Qiu Shui turned away, not looking at her, "If you continue like this, no dinner either."
Qiu Chan didn't dare say another word, but she looked utterly miserable. Qiu Shui turned away so she wouldn't soften her stance. As she turned, she saw Li Xia standing by the window, smiling as she watched the whole scene.
At noon, Qiu Chan watched everyone else eat while she had no food. She rubbed her stomach, feeling very uncomfortable. Suddenly, a big bowl appeared in front of her. The bowl was filled with steaming rice and dishes. Following the bowl, she saw Qiu Kui smiling at her.
"Eat quickly," Qiu Kui held a pair of chopsticks in her other hand and offered them to Qiu Chan.
"No, Sister Qiu Shui said I can't eat lunch," Qiu Chan really wanted to eat, but she shook her head, remembering Qiu Shui's punishment.
"Could I have brought this for you to eat if Sister Qiu Shui didn't agree?" Qiu Kui raised the chopsticks, gesturing for Qiu Chan to take them. Qiu Chan licked her lips and accepted the chopsticks and bowl, eating ravenously.
Not far away, Qiu Shui watched the two of them.
"Didn't you punish her? Why are you soft-hearted again?" Qiu Shui turned to see Li Xia approaching.
"If she doesn't eat well, how will she have the energy to work in the afternoon? The weeds around the courtyard walls are harboring many mosquitoes," Qiu Shui pretended that she wasn't being soft-hearted, but rather wanted Qiu Chan to work.
"Qiu Chan is not suitable for delicate tasks," Qiu Chan has great strength but is clumsy, often failing to handle delicate work properly.
"You say I'm soft-hearted, but isn't the Miss also sympathetic towards her?" Qiu Chan may be burly, but she is genuinely kind-hearted and does whatever she is told. She calls all the maids in the courtyard "Sister." With such an honest and simple-natured person like Qiu Chan, it's hard not to feel affection for her.
"Are you jealous? Rest assured, I feel the most sympathy for Qiu Shui," Li Xia's words made Qiu Shui blush involuntarily. Where did the Miss learn to speak with such flattering words? If Auntie Mei found out, she would surely be troubled again.
"Miss," Qiu Kui and Qiu Chan turned around to see the two of them. Seeing Qiu Shui, Qiu Chan hid behind Qiu Kui, but her large frame only made Qiu Kui appear smaller.
"Qiu Chan, after your noon break, clear the weeds from the corners of the Orchid Courtyard and Plum Blossom Courtyard walls," Qiu Shui looked at Qiu Chan helplessly as she gave her instructions.
"Miss, Sister Qiu Shui. I'm not tired, I'll go do it now," Qiu Chan turned to go and pull the weeds.
"Come back," Qiu Shui called out, stopping Qiu Chan. Qiu Chan looked at Qiu Shui, not understanding.
"First, come with me to the storeroom to get a sickle and a hoe," Qiu Shui led Qiu Chan to the manor's storeroom.
As Li Xia turned to leave, Qiu Kui called out to her, "Miss, we've soaked glutinous rice in the tea room and are preparing to make crystal cakes. Would you like to try some?"
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