Chapter 5 The Nightmare
That night, Elder Sister seemed to have a nightmare.
She kept trembling and muttering nonstop.
"Don't touch me... don't..."
"What is this thing? Take it away! Ah!"
"You don't have to hurt her. She is only six years old. I will... I will go, alright?"
Six years old?
Was Elder Sister talking about me?
My heart ached. I nudged her arm and hugged her even tighter.
The next day, Eunuch De indeed did not come to deliver the betrothal gifts.
Only when the sky turned completely dark did I finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Elder Sister smiled. "Silly Niuniu, don't worry. In this life, we will live very well."
I climbed onto the table curiously and watched Elder Sister write with a brush. I exclaimed in surprise, "Elder Sister, you can write now?"
Legal Mother had always said that since we were born to a concubine, we were not worthy of learning characters.
I never expected that after being reborn, Elder Sister could write, and she wrote beautifully.
Elder Sister tapped my head lightly with the brush. "Don't just watch me. You must learn too."
I pointed at the first character and giggled. "Then what does this one say?"
Elder Sister's eyes deepened. She smiled faintly. "This character is read as 'four.'"
After Elder Sister taught me all the characters on the paper, she threw the sheet into the brazier.
I secretly remembered it.
It seemed the words on that paper could never be told to anyone.
Before bed, a matron from Legal Mother's side came over and delivered a box of beautiful clothes and jewelry.
"The madam said that starting tomorrow, both young misses may eat dinner in the main hall. If you lack anything, feel free to ask boldly."
In the past, only Elder Brother and Second Sister could eat in the main hall. We could only make simple food in our own courtyard.
I looked at Elder Sister in pleasant surprise, but she only thanked the woman calmly.
Once the matron left, I played with the clothes and jewelry.
"Elder Sister, does this look good?"
Elder Sister touched my face with a pained expression. "Niuniu may have to feel stifled for a while."
My heart stirred. I immediately ran to the courtyard gate and pulled hard.
Clang!
The gate was locked from the outside.
I stamped my foot in anger. "Elder Sister has helped them so much. Why are they still locking us up?"
Elder Sister gave a cold laugh. "They are afraid what I said is true, and also afraid it is false. But don't worry. Elder Sister will find a way to get us out."
In her eyes was a determination and confidence I had never seen before.
My heart calmed down as well.