Chapter 647: Chapter 648: Competition
When her brother came back, she thought she could finally outdo Yang Chuxia. She believed she would finally live a life with servants waiting on her and could wear gold and silver. However, she forgot that her brother was just a County Magistrate and his salary was not much.
As a result, her clothes, food, and accessories still couldn’t compare to Yang Chuxia’s. Every time she thought she had something good, it would seem inferior in front of Yang Chuxia. That was why she frequently sought out Yang Chuxia.
It was all about comparison! When she couldn’t surpass Yang Chuxia in material possessions, she finally found a way to feel superior: her identity as a daughter of an official’s family. She started to feel like she was above Yang Chuxia, who came from a common family of merchants. And so, she frequented Yang Chuxia’s place even more, acting like close girlfriends.
As for why she came today?
Of course, it was to show off. She had finally gotten her hands on a good set of accessories, so how could she not come to boast, especially on such a special day?
"Xiaxia, are you just going to greet this young lady outside the door?" Shen Qiu said as she lifted her skirt and approached, followed by a leisurely remark, "My brother has just hired a nanny to teach me manners, saying that I’ll participate in the selection process next year."
Her brother planned to send her to participate in the selection for imperial consorts, which was why he had given her such good jewelry.
Yang Chuxia had always disliked talking to people like this – such roundabout speech with multiple meanings. If she thinks Yang Chuxia lacks manners, why not just say so straightforwardly? Instead, she is talking gibberish.
Yang Chuxia snorted, "For this young lady to stand here is already giving County Magistrate Shen face. As for your selection, congratulations! Just make sure to rise to the position of an imperial consort and when that time comes, wait for me to suck up to you."
"Of course! By then, I will take care of you for the sake of you having saved my father." It wasn’t clear if she didn’t hear Yang Chuxia’s words clearly, but she unexpectedly said this.
Her words caused the two maids beside her to lower their heads.
As for Xiu’er behind Yang Chuxia, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Yang Chuxia then laughed even harder.
Shen Qiu was confused by their laughter, until her maids reminded her, she immediately looked furious.
"I heard you’ve come to give me the adulthood ceremony gift?" Yang Chuxia didn’t care about her expression and said indifferently, "Then come in."
Upon entering the Yang Family residence, Yang Chuxia took Shen Qiu to her small courtyard. She didn’t want to introduce her to Old Aunt-in-law Gen and her mother.
Otherwise, listening to her speak would just exasperate everyone.
"Xiaxia, where are my aunt and the others?" Shen Qiu asked again, "I owe so much to my aunt’s care. It would only be right for this young lady to pay her respects."
Yang Chuxia’s face showed a hint of mockery at her words. So, this was what learning manners looked like – a mishmash of styles. It seemed that her nanny wasn’t much good either.
Calling her "aunt" while still referring to herself as "young lady" – what did it sound like?
"My grand-aunt is here, do you want to see her?" Yang Chuxia said with a smile that was not quite a smile, looking at her.
Damn it, why did she have such an urge to hit this kind of person? Back when she and Uncle Dayong broke off their engagement, Shen Qiu beat her up. In these two years, although her behavior hasn’t been too good, she hasn’t done anything too outrageous to warrant a beating.
Upon hearing the words "Land Officer’s wife," Shen Qiu’s face turned slightly ugly, but she didn’t say anything.
Once inside Yang Chuxia’s room, Shen Qiu looked around with a hint of jealousy. Even her room wasn’t as nice as this.
"Xiu’er, go and have the servants prepare some food. Make sure there are dishes of every color."
"Yes, young lady, I’ll go right away."
After giving orders, Yang Chuxia entered and stretched out her hands, saying, "Where’s my gift?"