Chapter 8

Xia Qingqing climbed over the wall back into the courtyard, throwing the two large bundles of goods she bought onto the big kang and the round table.

Xiao Suo opened the bundles and was astonished!

“Sister, you’ve struck it rich! You brought back so many good things, so much cotton cloth, plus needles and thread, cotton, so you can make your own cotton clothes… and flour, meat, seasonings, roasted chicken, pots, bowls, and plates…”

Xiao Suo thought her sister was ready to start cooking for herself!

She busily put away the things one by one.

When she looked up again, her eyes widened at the fox fur cloak Xia Qingqing was wearing.

“Sister, your fox fur cloak is so nice! It’s even more precious than what Second Sister and Fifth Sister wear!”

Xiao Suo couldn’t help but reach out to stroke the thick fur of the cloak.

“Xia Qingqing, come out here!”

Outside the door, the sharp and harsh voice of Second Sister Xia Jinlan rang out.

Xia Qingqing sighed, “Looks like she’s feeling restless because I didn’t keep an eye on her last night!”

“Xiao Suo, stay inside and close the door; I’ll be right back!”

“Sister, please be careful!”

Xia Qingqing casually picked up a firewood stick from the ground, opened the courtyard door, and walked out.

At the entrance stood not only Xia Jinlan but also Xia Tinglan and another concubine daughter, Xia Shuixian.

The three sisters, under the protection of the burly guards, stood there with imposing airs, glaring at Xia Qingqing.

“Are you looking for trouble again?”

Xia Qingqing tapped the firewood stick and scanned the crowd.

She hadn’t expected them to bring the guards from the residence; this was a bit troublesome!

With this weak body, still not fully recovered, she was no match for those tall and strong guards… her fighting ability was on a completely different level!

Though Xia Qingqing felt a slight unease inside, her exterior showed no signs of wavering.

“Second Sister, Fifth Sister, look at her fox fur cloak!”

Fourth Sister Xia Shuixian noticed the luxurious cloak on Xia Qingqing at once, and a wave of jealousy and hatred surged within her.

An illegitimate daughter, a lowly and unrefined person, unexpectedly had such a good cloak; only Second Sister and Fifth Sister were worthy of that kind of cloak. She, as a concubine daughter, only had a rabbit fur cloak.

Xia Jinlan and Xia Tinglan also saw that the cloak was extraordinary; judging by the quality of the fox fur, it must be a tribute from the northern tribes.

They exchanged glances, and Xia Tinglan whispered, “Second Sister, where did she get such a good cloak? Did Father send it over yesterday?”

“No! Father only sent over some old clothes. This kind of exquisite cloak can only be sent to us by our grandfather! But it can’t compare to the one she’s wearing! It must be something that little thief stole!”

Second Sister Xia Jinlan replied through gritted teeth.

“Hey! What are you three whispering about?”

Xia Qingqing looked at the three sisters who were gossiping quietly, glancing at her and then huddling together again to discuss something.

It seemed they were plotting something despicable again.

“Xia Qingqing, you thief! You stole our cloak, and we’re here to get it back today!”

Xia Jinlan grinned menacingly, waving her hand as the guards behind her charged forward.

“Nonsense!”

Xia Qingqing really wanted to slap the faces of these few people.

This cloak was a gift from the old lady; they were being utterly shameless, attempting to rob her outright!

Yet, as the granddaughter of the Grand Minister and the daughter of Minister Xia, they could stoop to acts of robbery.

Xia Qingqing felt resigned; they had always found an excuse to cause trouble before, right?

Last night it was because of the jade pendant, and today it was about the cloak!

Watching the guards slowly surround her, Xia Qingqing gripped the firewood stick tightly and began to retreat.

Damn it!

Earlier, while chopping firewood, she hadn’t taken the axe; now she felt some regret.

Now she had to back up quickly and look for the chance to grab the axe.

Even if she had to die, she would take a few of them down with her.

The guards were much stronger than those house servants, and a few of them had already circled behind Xia Qingqing, cutting off her escape route.

“Kill!”

Xia Qingqing shouted fiercely, raising the firewood stick and swinging it at the guard charging in the front.

“Crash!”

The guard’s head was smashed, blood gushing out, but the guards were all trained fighters and showed no mercy to Xia Qingqing, immediately launching a group attack.

Kicks came from all directions, hitting her from every side.

“Bang, bang, bang!”

Xia Qingqing was overwhelmed and was directly kicked to the ground.

“Poof!”

A mouthful of blood spat out.

“Hahaha!”

Xia Jinlan laughed loudly.

She walked in front of Xia Qingqing, lifted her chin, and coldly smirked, “You little thief, today I came prepared. No matter how capable you are, can a mere girl take on these guards? Hmph!”

After saying that, she untied Xia Qingqing’s cloak and tore it off, leaving with the others.

Xia Qingqing thought that her Old lady, who gifted her the cloak, must be a person of great wealth or status; the phoenix-headed cane she held was something ordinary people wouldn’t dare to wield.

She could make the chief physician treat her grandson, so her Old lady must be someone incredibly valuable!

If her Old lady found out, those girls would be in trouble.

Xia Qingqing smiled wickedly in her heart.

She just didn’t know if her scummy father could withstand the storm!

“Sister!”

Xiao Suo rushed out of the room and helped the injured Xia Qingqing up from the ground.

“I’m fine! Don’t cry!”

Xia Qingqing wiped her face with her sleeve.

“They’re so unreasonable! They actually stole your cloak! It’s so unfair!”

Xiao Suo felt that Xia Qingqing had just earned money and then encountered such a tragic situation; she truly felt sorry for her.

“Once I earn more money and find a way out, I’ll leave this dark and dreary Xia residence! I’ll just get through these days!”

Xia Qingqing wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, comforting Xiao Suo.

“Mm!”

Xiao Suo helped Xia Qingqing back into the room.

Xia Jinlan returned to her boudoir with the cloak, put it on, and admired herself in the mirror.

After she finished looking in the mirror, Xia Tinglan took the cloak and tried it on herself.

Xia Shuixian could only stand by, watching enviously as her two sisters admired themselves.

“This fox fur cloak is much better than the one Grandfather gave us. If I wear it to the palace banquet, it will definitely make all the sisters look at me with new eyes.”

Xia Jinlan couldn’t help but exclaim.

“Second Sister, I want to wear it when I attend the palace banquet too. Let me wear it first!”

Xia Tinglan pleaded.

“Fifth Sister, I’m three years older than you! why are you in such a hurry?”

Xia Jinlan thought about the Prince of Jin who came to the residence that night, and her mind couldn’t help but wander.

If she could become the Prince’s wife, she would be able to enter the Eastern Palace, become the Crown Princess, and once the Prince ascended the throne, she would be the queen! This luxurious cloak was only worthy of her wearing.

Xia Tinglan secretly curled her lips, thinking to herself that with Xia Jinlan’s impulsive and brainless demeanor, it was truly a waste for such a good cloak to be worn by her!

The sisters each had their own thoughts regarding the cloak.