Chapter 7 The Calligraphy Deal
I followed Elder Sister to a calligraphy and painting shop.
"Shopkeeper, I want to write some words on paper, have them mounted, and leave them here to sell. You take four parts of the profit, I take six. What do you think?"
The shopkeeper looked over. He did not look down on us because of our servant clothes. Instead, he smiled.
"Of course! How could I refuse business? I'll get the paper and brush right away!"
The shopkeeper brought paper and ink.
Elder Sister wrote two bold lines with a flourish.
The shopkeeper's eyes lit up. "Young lady writes very well. Now, the signature?"
Elder Sister put down the brush. "No need. I am not a famous person. I only hope it reaches someone who truly appreciates it. I will come back another day to see the result."
On the way back, I could not help asking, "Elder Sister, will anyone really buy that piece?"
Elder Sister paused for a moment, then her gaze became firm. "They definitely will!"
By the time we hurried back to Pingle Workshop, Second Sister had not yet come out.
Elder Sister and I drank tea and listened to music again, showing no flaws at all.
After returning to the mansion, we were changing clothes in Second Sister's room when the old woman beside Legal Mother arrived.
Second Sister blocked her at the door. "Nanny Liu, is something the matter?"
Nanny Liu smiled obsequiously. "Madam knows you have been working hard practicing dance lately. She bought the best rouge and powder for you. And this snail shell ink, it's extremely precious!
Madam spent a fortune and bought three. She kept one and gave the other two to you."
Second Sister sneered. "Look at your pathetic face! When I become Empress in the future, what good things won't I have? Eh? What is that in Cuixiang's hand?"
Nanny Liu replied, "Oh, it's just some rouge for the two young ladies in the West Courtyard. Madam wants to show her care."
"My, it's from the same shop as mine!" Second Sister deliberately raised her voice. "Cloud Lan has made contributions, but that's only what she should do. They are just two cheap bastards born from a concubine. Do they deserve such fine rouge?"
Nanny Liu hesitated. "You mean...?"
Second Sister laughed coldly. "Don't send it! They stay in the courtyard all day. Who are they putting on makeup for?"
"Yes, yes!"
Nanny Liu put down the items and left.
Second Sister walked in and looked at us with contempt. "Those words were meant for you to hear. You must always remember your place.
The glory of this mansion has nothing to do with you. Do what you are supposed to do. Otherwise... Mother and I have plenty of ways to deal with you."
"You..."
These past few days following Elder Sister had made me braver. Hearing Second Sister speak like that, I opened my mouth to argue.
But Elder Sister pulled me back. Her voice remained gentle. "Second Sister is right!"
Back in our cold and quiet courtyard, my eyes turned red.
"Why? Elder Sister, they treat you like this. Why do you still keep helping them?"
This time Elder Sister did not smile. She stared coldly at the tightly closed courtyard gate. "Yun Shu is right. The glory here has nothing to do with us. We are leaving soon, and their good days are coming to an end."