Chapter 27: You Must Not Dislike Your Future Third Aunt from Now On

The flute music persisted until the small hours of the morning. When Shen Xianyue finally pulled the quilt over her head, her headache was nearly unbearable, and the sound at last ceased.

Yingxia breathed a sigh of relief; at least her mistress would finally be able to get some restful sleep.

Early the next morning, Yingxia roused Shen Xianyue. It was the first day of the month, and the entire family was expected to dine together. The Eldest Madam placed the utmost importance on etiquette. Since her mistress was already held in low regard by the Eldest Madam, arriving late would simply be handing them ammunition.

Shen Xianyue knew this well, but her eyelids felt as if they had been glued shut; no matter how hard she tried, she could not open them.

"Miss, we really must go, or we will be late."

Shen Xianyue collapsed back into the bedding, feeling utterly miserable. Why, of all nights, did she have to sleep so poorly?

Gritting her teeth, she pressed a cold damp cloth to her face. The chilling sensation jolted her awake. Beneath her eyes lay dark, bruised shadows.

"Apply more powder; cover it up."

Yingxia felt a pang of pity. She tried placing warm eggs around her eyes, but when that proved ineffective, she had no choice but to follow Shen Xianyue’s instructions, layering on the powder until the shadows were barely concealed.

"That will do. It won't do to be late."

The front courtyard was a fair distance from Yuehua Pavilion. By the time she arrived, she happened to overhear Xiao Yuqing questioning Xiao Tuyu.

"Third Brother, I wonder who was playing the flute in the garden last night? It was so noisy it was hard to sleep. Did you hear it?"

Xiao Tuyu stiffened, sipping his tea with a slightly unnatural air. "I did not hear it."

"Fair enough. Your courtyard is quite far away; it’s only natural you wouldn't hear it. Otherwise, I’m sure you wouldn't have been able to get up today either."

"I must say, it was truly a nuisance. If your Second Sister-in-law hadn't held me back, I would have gone out there to see exactly who was playing."

Xiao Tuyu choked on his tea, his face flushing bright red.

"Third Brother, what is the matter? Why are you so clumsy today?"

Xiao Yuqing rushed to pat his back and hurriedly offered him a handkerchief.

Beside them, Lady Zhou gave him a gentle nudge, chiding him with a smile, "Speak a little less, and Third Brother will be fine."

Xiao Yuqing scratched his head. "Is that so?"

As they spoke, Shen Xianyue walked in. No sooner had she lifted the curtain than Xiao Yuqing asked impatiently, "Yuelye, did you hear any flute music last night?"

Shen Xianyue could not hide the weariness in her eyes. Before she could speak, Xiao Yuqing continued, "Looking at you, I can see you didn't rest well either."

She could clearly feel everyone’s gaze upon her. Feeling flustered, she prepared to bow to Xiao Yuqing and Lady Zhou, but though she leaned forward, she found herself unable to speak.

Lady Zhou and Xiao Yuqing exchanged a glance. They had already reached out to help her up, but were puzzled as to why she remained still.

As Shen Xianyue curtsied, she suddenly felt an arm around her waist, pulling her upright. A deep, pleasant voice sounded in her ear: "Just call them Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law."

Lady Zhou immediately understood the reason for Shen Xianyue’s hesitation. She took her hand and said, "Whether it was the former 'Second Uncle and Aunt' or the current 'Second Brother and Sister-in-law,' we are all one family. There is no need for such formality."

In Shen Xianyue’s eyes, Lady Zhou was a remarkably gentle person. Whether in her words, her deeds, or her interactions with others, she always gave the impression of a refreshing spring breeze.

Xiao Yuqing and Lady Zhou were a devoted couple. The rear courtyard held only a few concubines, and those had only been brought in out of necessity while Lady Zhou was pregnant. Usually, their affection for one another was as if they were one soul.

"Yes, yes, your Second... Sister-in-law is right. Since you are already betrothed to Zishu, just address us as he does from now on."

Shen Xianyue quietly disentangled herself from the arm around her waist and sat beside Lady Zhou, and the two began to chat about household matters.

Suddenly, a young girl burst in clumsily. She looked much younger than Shen Xianyue, perhaps seven or eight years old, followed by another elegant young girl.

These were Xiao Yuqing’s two daughters, the Second Miss, Xiao Lirong, and the Fifth Miss, Xiao Lisi.

Because the Marquis’s estate had not yet been divided, the children of the younger generation were all ranked together.

And because of the monthly family banquet, Xiao Lisi’s confinement had simply been forgotten.

The moment Xiao Lisi entered and saw Shen Xianyue sitting next to Lady Zhou, she pouted, looking thoroughly displeased. "Mother, I want to sit with you. Tell her to move further away."

Lady Zhou knew her daughter disliked Shen Xianyue. She had scolded her for it before, but no matter what, every time they met, Xiao Lisi would still look at her with disdain.

Xiao Lirong took her sister’s hand, looking embarrassed. "Sit with your elder sister, don't be willful."

"I won't. I want to sit with Mother."

Shen Xianyue knew the Fifth Miss was unhappy that she had previously drawn away Xiao Liyang’s attention, but these were just the petty games of a young girl. Having lived through death once, she naturally did not take such things to heart.

"It’s fine, I’ll just move."

Shen Xianyue stood up and gave her seat to Xiao Lisi.

Xiao Tuyu stared at Shen Xianyue for a long moment, then took a small box from his pocket and gave it to Xiao Lisi.

Xiao Lisi was usually terrified of this Third Uncle, so she was pleasantly surprised to receive a gift from him.

She looked up at Lady Zhou and Xiao Yuqing, and seeing them nod, she asked tentatively, "Third Uncle, what is this?"

Xiao Tuyu gestured for her to open it.

Inside was a complete set of velvet flowers, but unlike those on the market, they were crafted into the shapes of adorable little animals—the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac.

Even Lady Zhou, who was accustomed to rare treasures, was taken aback.

"They aren't very expensive, but they looked charming, so I bought them."

Seeing that Xiao Lisi was enamored with them, Xiao Tuyu took the opportunity to say, "Since you’ve accepted my gift, you shouldn't dislike your future Third Aunt anymore, can you do that?"

"What future Third Aunt? Who is my future Third Aunt?"

Seeing Xiao Lisi’s bewildered expression, everyone suddenly remembered that she likely didn't know about the imperial decree, as she had been confined at the time.

"Ahem, Sisi, your future Third Aunt is Sister Xianyue."

Xiao Lisi turned her head in disbelief, staring at Shen Xianyue. "How could it be you?"

Seeing her look as if she had been struck by lightning, Shen Xianyue lowered her head in silence. Xiao Tuyu was truly something—saying such things in front of a child felt like a bad influence.

"What kind of way is that to speak? I overlooked your tantrums before, but now that you've accepted your Third Uncle's gift, you must not be naughty again, do you hear me?"

Xiao Yuqing deliberately put on a stern face, and Xiao Lisi shrank back. "If I must, I won't."

She carefully hugged the box of velvet flowers to her chest and picked out a cute little rabbit to give to Xiao Lirong. "Sister, this is for you. You are the cute little rabbit."

Xiao Lirong smiled, thanked Xiao Tuyu, and then looked at the gift with great care.

Shen Xianyue looked toward Xiao Tuyu. Their eyes met in the air, but both quickly looked away.

"We left early, yet we ended up being the last ones to arrive!"