08. Heroic sister

With a grumpy face, Lee Elder came back home and huffed. ''Unbelievable what I heard today!'' But then snickered evilly. ''I guess today their mouths will be full of horse sand when they hear the news.''

Fang Biyu cam inside and patted his hand. ''What is it now?''

''Could you believe this? Someone was so wicked to turn our cute Xiaoqing into an ugly and dumb person. Today everyone in the palace looked at me with pity so I had to ask what was going on. When I heard the rumours I didn't know should I get angry or should I laugh. But good I didn't react at all. They are going to school today, right?'' He looked at her with a big mischievous smile.

''They called Xiaoqing ugly an dumb? Who is so wicked to do that?'' Lee Huan came inside with an angry face. ''Mother, father... Should I do something? Maybe paste the whole city with her face on it. If she is ugly then I don't know what pretty is.''

All parents thought about their children as prettiest and cutes so he felt offended in his daughters stead. Xiaoqing was a cute child. With her cute antics, she already got all their hearts. Even her aunts had to admit that Xiaoqing was a seriously cute child.

Fang Biyu was a pretty woman when she was young and her face didn't lose any of attractiveness as she got older. From all the children Xiaoqing looked the most like her while Zhenzhen got a beauty from her own mother that was famous beauty in the capital.

She narrowed her eyes and snorted. ''All our girls are pretty. The twins got lots from me and some of you. They will be beautiful when they grow up. Zhenzhen will be just like her mother and Xiaoqing will rule with her cute antics. Tsk, ugly and stupid? They have no idea...''

Before they sent them to school they had for weeks learned already how to stand and write properly. They even got a private teacher that taught them proper etiquette and writing skills.

Xiaoqing was actually very surprised when she found out that the signs she used in a previous life had absolutely nothing to do with the current letters. So somehow was filled with happiness to learn something new and felt sorrow as she had to learn again from start. So she became a bit obsessed with writing. So obsessed that he stopped eating and sleeping and just continued to learn.

Luckily they stopped her and gave her permission to be in the study only when other girls studied as well. No matter how much she begged they didn't let her continue so she was happy to finally go to school.

Lee Huan remembered the situation and shook his head. ''I feared that she would learn in advance and would be bored when other children had to learn. Stupid they said about her? They really have no ideas.''

They had to learn embroidery, music instruments, painting, flower arrangements, tea ceremony and Xiaoqing was never worse than other girls. All private teachers complimented all the girls. But always mentioned Zhenzhen and Xiaoqing most. The hard thing was, Xiaoqing was actually very lazy but smart. If she already knew something she would just listen to class and fall asleep.

he feared she would do the same in school. He sighed. ''I fear that she is too smart and won't make friends...''

Fang Biyu chuckled. ''Don't be so sure about that. I fear that Zhenzhen will have to protect her from all the kid s that want to play with her.''

Lee Xiaoqing was not the prettiest among four girls but had something no other child in their family had, an inner sun that would warm you up as son you feel gloomy or tired.

And that sun just now shone in mid of class...

''Hello everyone, my name is Lee Xiaoqing and I like sunny days like today.'' Lee Xiaoqing stood up and politely bowed and with a bright smile introduced herself.

The classes were split up in lower, mid and high classes but all were together, boys and girls. And each class had lower and higher positions by the knowledge and years. Looking at her bright smile everyone was astonished, including the teacher.

It was such a beautiful day so the windows of the class were open and the class of higher classes could see and hear children in lower classes across the flower garden. Lee Weiming looked at the girl in a yellow dress and chuckled.

''Who is that?'' One of nearby people looked at bright child that introduced herself so earnestly.

Lee Weiming puffed his chest and smiled brightly, making everyone in his surrounding dazed. ''Can't you tell? It's my second sister, Lee Xiaoqing.''

Everyone heard about the rumours so they gasped in surprise and rose a bit more to see the little girl bit better. Soon the windows were filled with their heads as he explained.

''Zhenzhen is oldest, then Xiaoqing and the twins are youngest. Aren't my all sisters cute? Hm?'' He pointed it out while everyone stared at him while he smiled brightly and boasted. ''What many people don't know is that Zhenzhen is maybe the prettiest, the twins are most beautiful and elegant, but Qingqng is definitely our sunshine.''

The kids started introducing each other and she already started chattering with other children. Suddenly someone poked her back. She turned around and saw her two sisters behind her. ''Big sister, they are staring, what should we do?'' The stares were embarrassing them so they had no other option than to ask her.

Zhenzhen was with her higher class on one side of the schoolroom while they were beginners in other side of the room and near the wall. So they couldn't even ask her for help.

Lee Xiaoqing turned her head and saw rows of young man and women staring at them. She stood up with a smile and bowed politely and then did something they didn't expect. Closed the window.

She literally could hear Lee Weiming cracking up and laughing loudly from the other side and sat back on her place.

With a smile, she turned around and winked at them. ''Big sister will protect you, I promise.'' With puffed cheeks and heroic posture made the two girls snicker as well. She became serious and held their hands. ''I really will protect you. I am after all bigger sister. Zhenzhen can't be always around us all the time. So when she is not around, please trust me that I will do my best to be your shield.''

The ice in their hearts melted just like that away as the strong shine from her heart enveloped their own souls and taken her this time completely as an older sister. They accepted with a smile while Teacher clapped his hands to stop everyone talking.

''Let's start the class...''