Chapter Sixty-Seven: Fifth Sister Calls for Sixth Sister

Xie Sixth Young Master stepped out from behind the tree and fixed his gaze, recognizing a familiar face. After a moment's thought, his eyes widened with excitement as he approached eagerly, "Are you the Fifth Lady of the Xie family?"

Lady Xue Fifth was overjoyed, thinking to herself that he remembered her.

At the Xie family's banquet that day, she and Sixth Lady had met Xie Sixth Young Master together. She had thought then that marrying this man wouldn't be bad, though unfortunately he was only a concubine-born son at the time, so she merely entertained the idea. Now, however, he had become a legitimate heir, his status completely changed.

Since he remembered her, could it be that he had some feelings for her as well?

Lady Xue Fifth blushed, speaking softly, "It's me. I have met you before, sir. What brings you here?"

This—

Xie Sixth Young Master hurried to change the subject. "I never expected to meet you here, Fifth Lady. May I ask a favor of you?"

They had just met, and he was already asking favors? Was it because he considered her one of his own?

The blush on Fifth Lady's cheeks deepened, and she smiled, "If you have anything to ask, sir, please do so. There's no need for such formalities!"

Xie Sixth Young Master replied calmly, "You are indeed Fifth Lady, correct? I remember you have a younger sister, whom we met together that day. She was gentle and likable, making anyone feel close to her upon meeting. Would you be so kind as to call your sister out so we can all talk together?"

The smile froze on Fifth Lady's face. As if she hadn't heard clearly, she hesitated before asking, "Whom are you looking for, sir?"

In truth, Xie Sixth Young Master's words were already quite direct—even blunt. He wanted to see Sixth Lady; he clearly had feelings for her.

Unaware of Fifth Lady's own thoughts toward him, Xie Sixth Young Master feared he had been too forward, yet he couldn't see his beloved otherwise, nor speak with her.

"Ahem, ahem!" He steadied himself and answered calmly, "Sixth Lady! Would you be able to make this happen?"

Make what happen, indeed!

All this talk of sisters—among the younger generation of the third branch, she was the only legitimate daughter. Her mother hadn't given her a younger sister, so what nonsense was this!

Shameless wretch.

Having confirmed Xie Sixth Young Master's feelings, Fifth Lady's resentment toward Sixth Lady grew deeper. In the eyes of the first and second branches, the girls from the third and fourth branches were all of the same standing. She was close to Sixth Lady—not a daughter of the main branch, both attractive, and indeed, she considered herself more beautiful than Sixth Lady. Why, then, would such a fine young man fancy Sixth Lady instead of her?

It must be that Sixth Lady, that wretched girl, had some way of charming men—making them flock to her, all preferring her, especially Xie Sixth Young Master, who had chased her all the way to their home!

Had anyone else asked her to relay a message, and if it had displeased her, Lady Xue Fifth would have scolded them and walked away, as if she were a servant.

But this was Xie Sixth Young Master. Lady Xue Fifth dared not, nor did she wish to leave him with a poor impression. She felt deeply aggrieved, but still smiled brightly and replied, "You only wish to have my sister come out to talk, nothing more—how could that be difficult? Please wait here, sir!"

Xie Sixth Young Master was delighted and bowed in thanks.

Lady Xue Fifth went to change into a dazzling golden shawl before heading to see Lady Xue Sixth.

Lady Xue Sixth, like Xue Fanzhi, was busy sewing clothes.

Compared to Xue Fanzhi's garment, Sixth Lady's unfinished piece was quite plain, which held little interest for Fifth Lady. However, seeing that Sixth Lady's tastes matched those of people she disliked made her somewhat unhappy.

She sat down, snatched Sixth Lady's garment, and tossed it onto the couch. "Why are you doing these chores? Does your family truly have no servants left?"

She said this deliberately, knowing that Sixth Lady's room had even fewer servants than Xue Fanzhi's—only one.

Sixth Lady and Fourth Lady were cousins: one was the daughter of Xue family's fourth elder, the other the sixth. Both their fathers had passed away, and it was the matriarch of the fourth branch who raised them. But their treatment was vastly different.

The matriarch favored Fourth Young Master and his wife, who was more capable, so she treated Fourth Lady much better. Sixth Lady's food, clothing, and daily needs were much inferior. Whenever Sixth Lady received something nice, the matriarch would take it away for Fourth Lady, making Sixth Lady's life rather difficult.

Lady Xue Fifth knew well that Lady Xue Sixth lived a hard life, not even possessing decent clothes. Thus, she deliberately dressed extravagantly to meet her, so Sixth Lady would be reminded of the gulf between them—that sharing an ancestor did not mean their lives were the same.

Lady Xue Fifth mentioned the maid to shame Sixth Lady; everyone knew Sixth Lady had only one maid, not skilled in needlework, so all the sewing in Sixth Lady's room was done by herself.

Sixth Lady heard her question but didn't think much of it. Fifth Lady was trying to provoke her, but she took it lightly and wasn't angered. She nodded, "Indeed, no one else does it, so I do it myself. But I wonder if there's any reason for your visit, sister? If not, perhaps you could help me with the sewing!"

As if! She wouldn't help even if she could—certainly not as Sixth Lady's servant.

Fifth Lady laughed, "Actually, there is something I need from you!"

Sixth Lady couldn't fathom what her sister could want. Normally, she could sense Fifth Lady's arrogance and disdain; such a person would never ask for help.

In the past, Fifth Lady relied on the strength of the fourth branch, and had she not, she would have bullied them mercilessly. She was no gentle soul. Yet now, her words were polite—not commands but requests.

Sixth Lady felt a sense of foreboding and sat up straight, waiting to hear what Fifth Lady would say.

Fifth Lady smiled, "It's really not a big deal. Earlier, I went to invite Eighth Lady, but she refused to come, leaving me quite embarrassed. Later, I realized it was my fault—she's busy, and I kept disturbing her. But I'm her elder, so I can't bring myself to apologize. Why don't you come with me? Help me explain to her that I didn't mean it, since you two are closest. She'll surely listen to you, and once things are clear, there'll be no rift among us sisters!"

So she meant for her to play mediator!

Sixth Lady thought, but I know nothing of your quarrel with Eighth Lady!

Though she didn't know the details, Sixth Lady knew Xue Fanzhi well enough to realize that if Fanzhi was angry, it was surely because the other party was intolerable.

She glanced at Fifth Lady's earnest expression and felt uneasy. When had Fifth Lady ever been sincere? Who knew what she was plotting.

Sixth Lady originally didn't want to help Fifth Lady, planning simply to send her away. But since this involved Xue Fanzhi, and Fifth Lady was acting strangely, she feared Fifth Lady might upset Fanzhi. Whatever the case, she decided she ought to check on Eighth Lady.

Thinking of Xue Fanzhi, she didn't consider other possibilities. Despite Fanzhi's warning echoing in her ears—that she mustn't go out—today was the eighth day, wasn't it?

Sixth Lady made up her mind, stood, and said to Fifth Lady, "Very well, I'll accompany you."