Сhapter 15: Тhе Scenе Where Wеi Хiаnуù Rеmаined Unmоvеd bу the Sidе.
It was оnly then thаt Shеn Zuihuan sаw what hеr уоunger sistеr lоokеd likе аftеr sеvеn уeаrs.
She hаd сhanged quite a bit. Тhe оncе willful аnd аdоrable littlе girl had grown intо а slеndеr, elеgant bеauty within а fеw уеаrs.
She wаs looking morе аnd mоrе likе their aunt.
Hоwеvеr, cоmpаred to thеir аunt’s usuаl grаcefulnеss, Shеn Qingtang’s faсe cаrriеd а rаre tоuсh of aloof pride.
Hаving just heаrd whаt Qiu Yаn sаid, Shеn Zuihuan fоund her seeminglу willful yоunger sistеr pаrticularly pleasing to the eye.
She affectionately took Shen Qingtang’s hand and called out with a smile, “Little sister.”
This address nearly stunned the woman before her.
Shen Qingtang gave her a subtle glance.
Could it be that her elder sister had taken the wrong medicine today?
This reaction was hardly surprising, as in the past few years, Shen Zuihuan had been indifferent and icy toward everyone.
Suddenly being treated with such warmth, Shen Qingtang truly felt a bit overwhelmed.
Her neck stiffened, and she replied somewhat awkwardly, “Sister, I came to see how you’re recovering.”
Shen Zuihuan smiled and said, “All is well, all is well.”
As she spoke, she led Shen Qingtang to sit on the cushion opposite the rosewood long table.
The other cushion had been taken out by Qiu Yan to air in the sun, so Shen Zuihuan simply sat on the couch.
She asked Qiu Yan to serve tea to Shen Qingtang.
Once the tea was brought, Shen Qingtang lowered her gaze and engaged in idle chatter, speaking intermittently.
Seeing her like this, Shen Zuihuan’s heart stirred slightly.
She sensed that Qingtang probably had something to say to her but found it difficult to bring up.
She didn’t press the matter, simply asking Qiu Yan to bring two plates of pastries, dried fruits, and cold drinks to the table.
The two sisters chatted casually about everyday matters.
Before they knew it, the sun had risen high in the sky.
At noon, Gu Tang returned from school.
As soon as she entered her mother’s courtyard, she heard the maidservant say, “Second Miss Shen is here.”
She immediately ran into the room.
Her voice arrived before she did.
The two women inside were drawn by her clear, childish voice.
Gu Tang called out, “Auntie!” as she rushed into Shen Qingtang’s arms with her short legs.
Although her aunt had an unconventional personality and was nearly nineteen without being married, she treated Gu Tang, the only child in the family, with extraordinary kindness.
Moreover, her aunt had just saved her mother a few days ago.
Thus, Gu Tang liked her very much.
Shen Qingtang also adored this child deeply.
Not only did she find the child’s personality sensible and endearing…
…she also felt sorry for her.
Growing up this long, her sister had probably not spoken properly with Gu Tang more than a few times.
Thinking of this, Shen Qingtang’s gaze toward Gu Tang grew even more tender.
Unexpectedly, the next moment, Shen Zuihuan beckoned to Gu Tang.
The little girl immediately ran over like a lively rabbit.
Shen Zuihuan used her own handkerchief to wipe the sweat from Gu Tang’s temples while smiling and chiding, “How did you get so hot?”
Gu Tang’s face was flushed, and she smiled with pursed lips.
She scratched the back of her head sheepishly and said, “On the way home from school, I saw a very straight stick and pretended it was a sword to play with.”
Shen Zuihuan couldn’t help but laugh, then added, “Your father used to like doing that too.”
Gu Tang giggled.
Meanwhile, Shen Qingtang, sitting beside them, was utterly stunned.
Was this person before her… still her sister?
How had her sister’s temperament changed so drastically overnight?
Hadn’t she always disliked Tangtang and her brother-in-law the most?Shen Qingtang quickly took a sip of tea to calm her shock.
Gu Tang caught her aunt’s stunned expression from the corner of her eye, fearing she might say something she shouldn’t.
But she couldn’t directly warn her aunt.
After all, given her aunt’s straightforward nature, if she found out they had deceived her mother, she would surely fly into a rage.
So she hurried over to Shen Qingtang, picked up a piece of cloud-slice cake, and fed it into her mouth.
Thinking to herself that if her aunt was eating, she wouldn’t be able to speak.
Shen Qingtang was caught off guard and ended up with a mouthful.
When Gu Tang tried to feed her a second piece, she turned her head away, looking rather disdainful.
With a firm grip, she pulled Gu Tang into her arms.
Then she resumed her conversation with Shen Zuihuan.
They had just been talking about the new bride of the third son of the Duke of Loyalty’s household, Wei Yunyu.
Suddenly, Shen Zuihuan remembered that Wei Yunyu was none other than Wei Xianyù’s younger sister.
She had met this younger sister a few times in her childhood.
Her eyes flickered as she asked, “How is Xian Yu doing now?”
Although they hadn’t ended up together, they had grown up together since childhood.
Shen Zuihuan thought it was only right for her to ask.
Unexpectedly, as soon as these words fell, Gu Tang’s body stiffened for a moment.
Shen Qingtang naturally noticed this.
Her heart ached with pity, yet she was also filled with anger.
As rage surged within her, she recalled the scene from a few days ago.
Shen Zuihuan choking on water in the lake, on the brink of death, while Wei Xianyù stood by, indifferent.