Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Yuan Xuan momentarily glared at her before he continued coldly, “Yuan Ran isn’t even a year older than you but Old Mistress has already arranged a marriage for her. I’m afraid that you’re next, so you should do as you see fit.”
“If you kick up a fuss, beware that our grandmother might send you to the frontier and arrange a marriage alliance between you and a foreigner. It just so happens that you’ll make a little contribution for Country Z and its borders.”
Yuan Tian cried out before she covered her mouth in shock. Her big black eyes looked at Yuan Xuan in disbelief but it seemed as though the things he said were about to turn into reality soon!
In her heart, Mu Chenyan felt anxious and appalled as well!
There were previous instances of this indeed.
The ancient borders of Country Z had been unstable for many years and they had previously used the method of arranged marriages with the young ladies of the aristocratic families to solve the problem of unrest. However, these were matters that were done during their ancestors’ time. Were they still being used now?
Both of the young women were suddenly shocked. They were not worried about being sent off to their arranged marriages like the ancient princesses. On the contrary, they were worried that Old Mistress would actually marry Yuan Tian off to a random family. What would she do then?
“Brother, I know that you love me the most in this house! You have to say many good things on my behalf in front of our grandmother. I don’t want to marry a hairy foreigner…”
Yuan Tian resembled a little squirrel when she clasped her small hands in front and gestured in a praying motion.
Yuan Tian was not mistaken. Indeed, Yuan Xuan was the person who protected her the most in this house. Even her own brother Yuan Zhuan had never been so tolerant or considerate towards his little sister.
Yuan Zhuan was naturally cowardly and behaved in a somewhat stiff manner. He never dared to object to his grandmother. Since he was never brave enough to intercede for Yuan Tian every time his younger sister got into an argument, Yuan Xuan would have to boldly step forward instead.
As Yuan Xuan was favored by Old Mistress and could even make his grandmother happy in a roundabout way, he was naturally able to help Yuan Tian a bit more.
It looked like this girl was not stupid because she could read other people’s true thoughts.
Yuan Xuan sighed and advised Yuan Tian, “Don’t stir up any trouble now and stop coming here all the time. Old Mistress is worried that you two sisters-in-law will turn the Yuan Family upside down when you hang out together!”
When Mu Chenyan heard this, her heart became extremely uneasy as she recalled the discrimination that she faced during the previous day’s banquet.
Yuan Tian sneaked a glance at Mu Chenyan and unhappily complained, “I’ll bear the brunt of my own problems without involving Chenyan…”
“I’m not worried about you involving her but since Chenyan has recently returned, it’d be better for her not to make our grandmother angry!”
Yuan Xuan explained while suppressing his temper.
He was speaking the truth! At least he had already experienced it last night.
Mu Chenyan gently smiled and reached her hand out to take the watering can on the side. She watered the Hope Bamboo Basket with some rainwater that was prepared earlier before she sighed and said, “This flower never belonged here. Despite how well I care for it, it can never beat its companions that remained in the place where it should have grown…”
Yuan Xuan could tell that there was a hidden meaning behind her words. He faintly lowered his gaze as a sense of uneasiness secretly surged in his heart.
…
After Yuan Xuan had chased Yuan Tian away, he forced Mu Chenyan to eat numerous things before the both of them prepared to go to Upper Mansion to visit his grandmother.
Mu Chenyan had visited the Yuan Family Mansion many times but the number of occasions when she stepped foot in Upper Mansion were extremely limited.
Moreover, she was always accompanied by her father during these rare occasions when he came to visit Old Mistress during the new year. That time, Mu Chenyan was a cheerful and lively girl who was as cute as a little rabbit…
Old Mistress had also treated her in a respectful manner before Mu Feng and she was not stingy with her compliments for Mu Chenyan. Thus, she felt that Upper Mansion was as magnificent as a palace at that time and did not feel oppressed at all.
However, returning to this place today, Mu Chenyan felt truly repulsed towards everything around her…
The three floors from the top to the bottom of the old mansion were constructed in a compact manner. There were two halls on the first floor and the larger front hall was the one that Old Master had used to entertain visitors or important guests when he was still alive.
After Old Master died, the front hall essentially became a place where Grandmother would think of Grandfather on her own. It was no longer open to anyone else after that.
On the side was a smaller hall that was half of the front hall’s size. The light gold wallpaper reflected a warm and gentle presence. The antique racks on both sides were arranged with some of Old Master’s porcelain and jade items that he had collected in his youth.
Coming here now, her feelings were completely different from those of the past.