Chapter 202: An Insincere Child
Chapter 202: An Insincere Child
Concubine Meng was reluctant to leave and picked up Suesi in her arms.
Suesi, who had been anxious, now felt secure as she snuggled against her beautiful aunt's shoulder.
She hugged Concubine Meng's neck gently and whispered, "Thank you, Aunt Meng."
The little girl's dependent and clingy demeanor evoked a sense of accomplishment in others.
Concubine Meng thought to herself that she quite enjoyed the feeling of having a little girl depend on her.
Just then, Che Lingzhi approached and greeted them politely. Seeing Suesi nestled in Concubine Meng's embrace, Che Lingzhi lowered her head in disappointment and whispered, "I'm so envious of Suesi, who has someone to care for her, unlike me..."
Che Lingzhi trailed off, her head slightly bowed, her demeanor reflecting her sadness and hurt. One could instantly tell that she felt wronged and miserable.
If it hadn't been for her previous lack of interaction with Che Lingzhi, Concubine Meng might have still felt pity for the child.
However, having now spent time with her, Concubine Meng actually didn't like this child very much.
Although Concubine Meng's family background was not considered exceptionally high, they were not the type of people who relied on others for their livelihood.
Hence, when it came to a child she didn't favor, Concubine Meng didn't pay much attention. She merely motioned for Che Lingzhi to rise and refrained from saying more. Instead, she gently inquired of Suesi, "Would you like to go see the fish, or perhaps admire the flowers?"
"The bamboo over there is growing so well."
"In another month or two, we'll be able to dig for bamboo shoots. Unfortunately, the temperature here isn't quite sufficient, so they don't grow as well, and the taste is just average."
...
As Concubine Meng spoke, her tone was gentle, and her eyebrows curved with a loving smile.
Suesi adored this gentle side of her beautiful aunt.
Thus, she obediently looped her arms around the other's neck and nodded vigorously, "I'll listen to my beautiful aunt."
"Okay, Aunt Meng. Suesi will do as you say."
...
The little girl's obedient demeanor grew on Concubine Meng, and she found herself liking the child more and more.
Initially, Concubine Meng had only intended to stay a while longer to keep the child company.
However, as she spent more time with Suesi, Concubine Meng felt that...
Perhaps she didn't have to leave through that door today after all?
But since she had already made plans with her sister-in-law early that morning, it wouldn't do to go back on her word at the last moment.
So, Concubine Meng thought to herself that she would play with the child for a while first and then see how things went.
Che Lingzhi felt aggrieved at being neglected, but she was also unwilling to give up.
Over at Concubine Ren's place, there was still chaos and noise.
Che Lingzhi pondered for a moment and decided to temporarily set aside Concubine Ren. Instead, she followed behind Concubine Meng, chattering incessantly, "The fish over there are doing so well. One look, and you know that your father-in-law has been feeding them well."
"Aunt Meng, your skirt today is so pretty."
"The pearl flowers in your hair are also arranged so beautifully."
...
The little girl had mastered the art of flattery that adults often employed, to the extent of nine out of ten.
As a result, it appeared extremely disjointed and incongruous.
Children were supposed to be innocent and adorable, but Che Lingzhi's behavior reflected a deep-rooted worldly and vulgar nature.
Concubine Meng, growing impatient with having to deal with her, turned her head and asked with a smile, "Why don't I ever see you keeping your aunt company more? I heard that your aunt misses you so much that she can't sleep at night. She even sent someone specially to bring you back to the mansion, yet here you are, wandering off on your own instead of staying by her side. Why is that?"
When Che Lingzhi saw Concubine Meng turn her head, she was quite delighted.
She thought that her flattery must have worked, and she was just about to step up her efforts to see if she could squeeze something out of Concubine Meng.
However, upon hearing Concubine Meng's words, Che Lingzhi nearly failed to keep up her smile.
At this moment, if she said she wasn't going back, it would prove that she didn't truly care for her aunt.
But if she returned, how could she then squeeze anything out of these people?
Che Lingzhi felt aggrieved but dared not express it overtly, lest she irritate others.
Pouting, she looked utterly helpless and pitiful.
Unfortunately, Concubine Meng had seen enough of her antics and was genuinely disinterested at this point.
Thus, after speaking, she averted her gaze and smiled as she asked Suesi, "Isn't that fish beautiful?"
"Shall we feed it a little?"
...
Che Lingzhi harbored ill intentions toward Suesi.
As a result, Suesi didn't favor her either.
Now, with Aunt Meng by her side, Suesi naturally paid no heed to Che Lingzhi.
Both of them ignored Che Lingzhi, making the little girl feel even more aggrieved.
She thought to herself: My uncle's wives are so wealthy; what's the harm in giving me a little something from the excess that slips through their fingers?
Why must they be so cruel and stingy? They weren't like this during my previous visits to the mansion.
What has gotten into them today?
Thus, she blamed it all on Suesi.
It was all that little village girl's fault!
Che Lingzhi was dissatisfied, but since she couldn't leave at this moment, she could only make a temporary exit and plan to return later to look for new opportunities.
Concubine Meng held Suesi and spent some time admiring the fish, even feeding them for a while.
It wasn't until her sister-in-law from her maiden family arrived at the mansion's entrance to fetch her that she reluctantly put Suesi down and left first.
After being coaxed for so long, Suesi felt much better.
Even with all the noise coming from Aunt Ren's place, she no longer felt afraid.
She joined her Cousin Xiang, crouching by the pond to admire the fish, occasionally commenting, "That tail is so beautiful."
"Look how red that one's head is!"
...
Cousin Xiang looked at the little girl with loving kindness.
The two concubines argued for a long time. Finally, unable to tolerate it any longer, Concubine Ren wanted to go and see the children, but she couldn't free herself from the situation.
She thought to herself: I really shouldn't have shown mercy!
If I hadn't taken the initiative to get involved, what would all these trivial matters have to do with me now?
I would be holding my soft and fragrant little daughter, admiring the fish, flowers, and savoring delicious food instead!
Concubine Ren was displeased, and her face sank.
Unfortunately, the two concubines didn't feel intimidated at all and continued to argue, insisting that they were in the right.
The two of them quarreled for a long time—so long that Che Lingzhi even had time to go out for a walk and then return.
Upon her return, she didn't see Concubine Meng, only Suesi crouching by the pond.
Seeing this, Che Lingzhi's eyes narrowed, and she quietly walked over.
When Cousin Xiang noticed the approaching figure, her heart suddenly tightened.
That niece of Che, Lingzhi...
...had a rather malicious streak.
Cousin Xiang felt that she needed to be more vigilant.
It wasn't that she deliberately thought ill of others, but having a bit more caution was never a bad thing.
After all, their young lady was still so little, so extra vigilance was necessary.
When Che Lingzhi approached, Suesi noticed her and nodded politely out of courtesy, refraining from speaking.
Che Lingzhi, overly familiar, nodded at Suesi and then smiled as she said, "I'm Che Lingzhi. We met this morning; do you still remember?"
Having just experienced the incident, Suesi naturally remembered.
The little girl hesitated for a moment before nodding.
Seeing Suesi's nod, Che Lingzhi smiled again and then squeezed closer.
With Che Lingzhi's sudden proximity, Suesi felt uncomfortable and subconsciously wanted to shift to the side. However, Che Lingzhi reached out and pulled her closer, saying, "Oh, we're both children, so it's more fun to stick together."
(End of Chapter)
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