Chapter 33

“Wait in the living room!”

Xia Qingqing washed her face and brushed her teeth leisurely, taking her time with her morning routine.

Beside her, Xiao Suo attended to her respectfully, her admiration and reverence for the Sixth Miss as vast as the unending river.

In the living room, Mama Lin waited dutifully, stealing glances through the beaded curtain at the Sixth Miss, who was combing her hair.

Earlier, the aura of the Sixth Miss when she spoke was no less imposing than that of the mistress of the household.

Without any particular reason, Mama Lin felt that the Sixth Miss exuded an innate authority. If she dared disobey her, she might find herself slapped across the face!

She recalled when Steward Wang Er had accompanied the Second Miss here to make trouble for the Sixth Miss. Steward Wang Er ended up with a gash on her forehead and now couldn’t even speak clearly. Instead, she wandered about aimlessly, slamming her head into walls, leaving herself battered and bloody. If she wasn’t allowed to harm herself, she’d fly into a rage.

Everyone said it was karmic retribution—Steward Wang Er had bullied the Sixth Miss the most back then!

Before long, Xia Qingqing finished combing her hair and stepped out.

“Mama Lin, the new clothes I’ve brought are specially prepared by the master and mistress for today’s ancestral hall ceremony! The sewing room worked through the night to complete them,” Mama Lin explained enthusiastically, bowing as she introduced the items laid out on the table.

“The jewelry sets were also carefully selected by the master and mistress. There are three complete sets: ruby, jade, and pearl. Sixth Miss can choose any set to pair with the outfit!”

Xia Qingqing scrutinized the clothes and jewelry, touching each piece and savoring the luxurious treatment of a noble lady in ancient times.

The fabrics were exquisite silk brocades specially supplied by the Jiangning Weaving Bureau for nobility. The intricate embroidery showcased the impeccable craftsmanship of Suzhou embroidery. The gemstones gleamed brightly from every facet, the jade meticulously polished from the finest materials of the Nanzhao Kingdom, and the pearls were as large as dragon’s eyes, perfectly round and lustrous.

Although this set of pearl jewelry was slightly inferior to the one her unreliable father had given her before, it was still a rare treasure.

“Miss, this pink outfit is stunning! The top is a cross-collared short jacket, and the bottom is a woven gold mamian skirt. Paired with the ruby jewelry, you’d look like a goddess descending to earth!” Xiao Suo exclaimed, envisioning how beautiful the Sixth Miss would look.

Xia Qingqing pointed to the pearl jewelry. “Let’s go with this outfit and the pearl set. I’m still young, so pearls suit me best.”

“Yes, Miss!”

Xiao Suo and Mama Lin each carried a tray to the dressing table. Xiao Suo helped Xia Qingqing dress and then seated her before the bronze mirror, adorning her hair with the pearl accessories.

However, Xia Qingqing insisted on keeping her bangs, reluctant to reveal her entire face so soon.

When Mama Lin saw Xia Qingqing fully dressed, she was taken aback. The Sixth Miss’s demeanor and aura were now worlds apart from before.

“Sixth Miss, just look at yourself! You truly embody the bearing of a legitimate noble lady. Allow me to congratulate you in advance!” Mama Lin’s honeyed words flowed freely.

Xia Qingqing shot Xiao Suo a glance.

Understanding her meaning, Xiao Suo pulled out a pouch and slipped it into Mama Lin’s hands.

“Thank you, Mama Lin, for going to the trouble. Please take this and enjoy some tea.”

Mama Lin weighed the pouch, finding it to contain about five taels of silver.

Though not much, it was a miracle for the notorious Sixth Miss to offer her a reward—truly a first!

She thought back to the last time she came here to deliver a message and saw the Sixth Miss holding a venomous green snake. The sight had nearly scared her soul out of her body.

Even without the reward, being able to leave this courtyard alive felt like a windfall.

“Thank you, Sixth Miss! This old servant is overwhelmed with gratitude!”

Mama Lin’s tears welled up, her emotions genuine and raw.

Xia Qingqing paused while adjusting her earrings. Was Mama Lin really that moved?

As Madam Yan’s trusted housekeeper, surely she had seen her fair share of treasures. How could such a modest tip move her to tears?

This woman truly deserved an award for acting.

“Sixth Miss, is everything ready? Shall we head to the front hall to greet the master and mistress before going to the ancestral hall for the ceremony and to be added to the family registry?” Mama Lin inquired cautiously.

“Yes.”

Xia Qingqing nodded.

“Xiao Suo, put everything away and come with me.”

“Yes, Sixth Miss!”

Xiao Suo efficiently stored the leftover jewelry in the cabinet and locked it securely.

With Mama Lin supporting her, Xia Qingqing exited the courtyard. She boarded a sedan chair carried by stout servants and was transported toward the main hall.

The gentle swaying of the sedan was quite pleasant, leaving Xia Qingqing deeply satisfied.

Ah, so this is the life of a legitimate daughter of the house! No wonder the young ladies in the inner courtyards fought tooth and nail for this status.

She didn’t even have to walk on her own—someone carried her wherever she needed to go.

In the main hall, Xia Jinxing and Yan Meili sat at the head, while Xia Jinlan, Xia Tiance, and Xia Tinglan watched Xia Qingqing’s arrival with complex expressions.

Xia Jinxing, upon seeing Xia Qingqing, was momentarily reminded of her late mother. The day he first met her flashed vividly in his mind.

Yan Meili’s smile was forced, hiding her seething hatred. The little wench she had always wanted to get rid of was now being acknowledged as a legitimate daughter and even added to the family registry. What justice was there in this world?

Xia Jinlan glared at Xia Qingqing with undisguised resentment.

Xia Tiance trembled slightly, memories of Xia Qingqing threatening him with a hatchet still haunting him.

Xia Tinglan maintained a faint smile but secretly plotted ways to ensure Xia Qingqing’s future days were miserable.

As for Xia Shuixian, she had been carried back late last night, her body so battered she couldn’t even get out of bed. Yan Meili had no intention of tending to her, focusing instead on dealing with Xia Qingqing’s affairs first before punishing that troublesome girl.

Xia Qingqing stepped down from the sedan chair and entered the hall, bowing deeply.

“Daughter greets Father and Mother!”

“Good girl, this is a gift from your father.”

“Sweet daughter, this is a gift from your mother.”

Xia Jinxing and Yan Meili handed her red envelopes with feigned affection.

Xia Qingqing accepted them with an equally insincere smile.

You act, and so will I.

After standing, she paid her respects to Xia Jinlan and the others.

“Second Sister, hello!”

“Hello, Xia Qingqing.”

“Third Brother, hello!”

“Hello, Xia Qingqing.”

Xia Tiance flinched slightly, handing her a large red envelope.

“Thank you, Third Brother.”

Feeling the weight in her hand, Xia Qingqing’s smile grew brighter.

“You’re welcome.”

Xia Tiance nodded stiffly.

Xia Jinlan, annoyed at her brother’s spinelessness, shot him a glare.

Xia Qingqing turned to Xia Tinglan, her smile unwavering. “Fifth Sister, hello!”

Xia Tinglan nodded slightly, studying Xia Qingqing carefully. She had once dismissed her as inconsequential, but now she realized she had underestimated her. This girl was far more formidable than Xia Shuixian, rising from obscurity in the back courtyard to take center stage.