How could she actually think of bringing a noble lady from the Shang Family into her own home?
Even if Cinderella’s life seemed pitiful, she at least didn’t have to worry about food or clothing, hardly had to work every day, and still had time to play with cats, walk dogs, and feed sparrows; her delicate and pampered life was not something their ordinary family could afford to maintain.
Besides, she was just speaking without thinking, basking in the momentary pleasure of making sharp remarks. Cinderella’s life, as unhappy as it might have been, was still much happier than that of someone like her, who had to struggle to make ends meet.
Moreover, all the neighbors knew each other well, Cinderella was always like her deceased mother, overly whimsical and thoughtful.
Otherwise, her mother wouldn’t have died so young due to excessive grief.
She had the courage to argue with the younger ones, but when she actually faced Madam with her arrogant expression, she went from articulate to almost stuttering. She blushed and could barely utter a word.
"Madam, I... I was just, just talking nonsense..."
What goes around, comes around. She had just been happily mocking someone else’s daughter, and now how tragic her situation had become.
The proprietress raised an eyebrow and with a look of disdain glanced at the commoners before her, and without uttering a word of reprimand, she simply declared, "Starting from next month, the rental fees for all the surrounding stalls will increase by half."
Immediately, a wave of moans and groans erupted, and those who had previously sympathized with the auntie were now turning against her swiftly.
The aunt was soon engulfed by a crowd of scolding voices.
At this moment, Su Li and the others realized how immensely wealthy the evil sisters’ family actually was.
Their family owned the entire street of shops.
No wonder the proprietress always looked down on people as if they were worth nothing. No wonder she was so despised.
But Su Li’s thoughts drifted off to a completely different tangent.
When she used to show off in those small worlds, seeing things from a third-person perspective had always been .
What an intriguing experience.
In a very short time, Si and the others were hit by a massive influx of information.
Watching Little Cutie always being in a dazed state was amusing to Su Li.
Si awkwardly laughed and said, "Hahaha, maybe we were mistaken, perhaps they have the same name?"
"The kind Cinderella, the wicked stepmother, and stepsisters leading a life as miserable as servants..."
But the information they had just received did not say that...
Was Cinderella actually a melodramatic literary girl, and in reality, her stepmother and stepsisters didn’t abuse her at all? Was everything just her imagination?
After their experience facing Little Red Riding Hood, Ah Si and the others dared not rely on their preexisting perceptions to judge again.
Su Li noticed that the group of outsiders had stirred again.
Since learning about the existence of a Cinderella yesterday, they had been trying to gather information about her in the lobby.
The dumb sisters were obviously the best source of information.
The more they knew about this unseen third daughter of the shop owner’s family, the more bewildered Si and the others appeared.
There was also a sense of anger over the destruction of beautiful memories.
Especially Rourou, who was generally listless, occasionally letting out a lament, "How could it be , it shouldn’t be ."
"Return my beautiful childhood..."
The very third daughter they were so concerned about, they finally got to meet her three days later.
In the shop, the foolish sisters had already changed into beautiful fluffy dresses, adorned themselves with pretty feather hats, and had new leather shoes on their feet.
As long as the sisters didn’t open their mouths and kept their lips tightly closed with a faint smile, just looking at their overall appearance, they were quite intimidating.
It looked decent and appropriate, without being too dazzling.
It covered up many of the flaws of the two sisters and highlighted their strengths well.
Their mother, having remarried into the wealthy Shang Family as a commoner widow with two daughters, clearly had top-notch tactical and perceptive skills.
Even her two foolish daughters had been transformed to resemble ladies of noble standing.
Of course, the premise was that the foolish daughters didn’t speak, because once they did...
No matter how capable the Madam was, she didn’t have immortal powers to completely renew someone.
Speaking would reveal their lack of intelligence.
Thus, the whole day, Su Li and others who were called to help just heard the Madam incessantly instructing the sisters, turning into a gossiping aunty of the streets, constantly nagging.
"At this evening’s banquet, many important people will attend, you don’t need to push yourselves to the front, but also don’t sell yourselves short, understand?"
"Mother is counting on you to pick a good husband at this banquet, but don’t aim too high, stay away from those of too exalted ranks."
The Madam didn’t go into too much detail with her foolish daughters, because even if she did, it’s not like they would understand.
She just needed to keep emphasizing her commands.
It was unknown whether her words entered the daughters’ ears; they responded verbally, but the excitement on their faces clearly showed that their minds were already wandering elsewhere.
"We understand, we understand...."
Dressed in their new outfits, the two sisters were extremely pleased with themselves, admiring themselves in the mirror repeatedly, and even strutted back and forth beside Su Li.
Sadly, the envious gazes they hoped to enjoy would never appear on Su Li.
Everything seemed peaceful, and the Madam wasn’t in the mood to do business anymore, just waiting for the evening banquet to start.
It was said that most well-to-do young ladies in Fairy Tale Town had received invitations, and besides the Prince, many noble young men would attend.
Just the thought was thrilling.
With several hours still to go before the banquet, the sisters had long been flutteringly waiting at the door for the carriage to pick them up.
They looked foolish no matter how one saw it...
The Madam frowned and opened her mouth, but eventually let it be.
Foolish is foolish, after all, they were her own children, could she just abandon them?
Su Li almost felt pity for the Madam.
Su Li sat alone at a corner table, sipping floral tea, watching the bustling scene in the shop.
Meanwhile, Si and others were huddled together, discussing something secretly.
No need to ponder, Su Li could guess that they were plotting something about Cinderella.
But before they could proceed with their next move, the very person they were thinking of appeared.
A dusty figure suddenly dashed into the shop, and before everyone could react, she sorrowfully grabbed the Madam’s hand and knelt down with a thump.
"Stepmother, let me attend the evening banquet as well...."
The person who had rushed in was Cinderella.
Cinderella had a pretty and gentle appearance, only its beauty was diminished by the persistent cloud of sorrow that hung over her.
The Madam furrowed her brows at Cinderella’s address, but before she could speak, the foolish Ma Xianzu spoke up.
She said spitefully, "Cinderella, you should be calling her ’Mother,’ not ’Stepmother’...."