Chapter 18: Disgusted by What You Said

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Shen Qu, in a show of filial piety, specially set up the Qi Qi House, offering wine and food every seven days to honor and exorcise spirits. This would happen seven times in total.

He succeeded in gaining some good reputation as he wished.

Shen Hua, disinclined to see the hypocritical, took a bamboo basket and left on the day of the feast.

Inside the bamboo basket were the scriptures she had copied these days. She planned to burn them as a tribute to the lost souls.

According to the customs of Fengzhou City, it was not permitted to visit the tomb within the first seven days. Shen Hua decided to head out to the great road outside the city. That was the inevitable route Shen Wei would take when he went out for business from Fengzhou City during his lifetime.

Thinking to go early and return early, she did not bring Yicui this time.

The carriage moved steadily all the way.

She felt dizzy and, after a while, lifted her skirt and got off the carriage.

The air in the suburbs was fresh, and a slight smile appeared on Shen Hua's lips. She turned and instructed the driver, "I remember there is a peach crisp within ten miles around the great road. The vendor runs an open-air business. Daddy loves the taste, so go buy some quickly."

The driver hesitated, not daring to leave Shen Hua alone: "The lady needs someone to attend to her."

Shen Hua glanced at the girl leading the horse a few meters behind, peeking around.

She pointed with her fingertip: "No worries, I know Lady Zheng."

The outskirts were sparsely populated. She looked around and found a vacant spot, then squatted. The Fire Stick was prepared. Soon, the flames flickered.

"Hey, Shen Hua."

The girl with her arms crossed behind her spoke sullenly.

Shen Hua did not hurry to get up. She just quietly watched the Xuan paper gradually turn to ash bit by bit.

The unease in her heart was gradually soothed by the crackling of the fire.

"Lady Mi, you followed me all the way, what for?"

Zheng Qianyu replied irritably: "Do you know that He Chu is now betrothed to the Zhou Family? At the betrothal feast, Zhou Zhizhi was very boastful. Now everyone knows she will be a scholar's wife in the future. Yes, she managed to pull it off."

In this Fengzhou City, she disliked Shen Hua the most, then that Zhou Zhizhi.

If Shen Hua was a sickly and pretentious noble flower, then Zhou Zhizhi was a pretentious Little White Lotus.

Sometimes this Little White Lotus made her even more nauseous than Shen Hua.

Is He Chu, a scholar, blind?

She! Zheng Qianyu! Is she not more suitable to marry into a home than Zhou Zhizhi?

"Shen Hua, you and Zhou Zhizhi have also never gotten along. Watching them exchange birth information, can you swallow this anger?"

Shen Hua originally could not.

If she wanted to, she could disgrace the He Family, but she didn't.

He Chu was a petty person, and Mrs. He a shrewd and smart woman. Maybe Zhou Zhizhi wouldn't find any alienation after marrying for a year or so, but what if He Chu, bearing the title of scholar, made no progress?

Zhou Zhizhi, who aims high wanting to be a scholar's wife, would she be content?

Zhou Zhizhi doesn't engage in menial tasks; the He Family's cooking, water boiling, and all rough work are done by Mrs. He herself. Over time, won't Mrs. He develop resentment?

The days of the He Family might just be chaotic.

"Indeed, it's a match made in heaven."

Under Zheng Qianyu's expectant gaze, Shen Hua held out a slender finger. Her eyebrows and eyes finally showed the innocence a fourteen-year-old girl should have.

"In terms of looks, me, you, last Zhou Zhizhi."

Zheng Qianyu, upon hearing this, was displeased: "Wrong, clearly, I should be first."

"Don't interrupt!"

Seeing this, Zheng Qianyu stepped back.

"Alright then, as long as Zhou Zhizhi, that Little White Lotus, comes last."

And so, Shen Hua extended another finger.

"Regarding knowledge, me, you, last Zhou Zhizhi."

When it came to looks, Zheng Qianyu could be comfortably numb, but on the subject of knowledge…she weakly cleared her throat.

"That's somewhat biased. You boast, but Zhou Zhizhi's family was in government, she read since childhood. If I'm not mistaken, you've driven away no less than five teachers with your temper."

Shen Hua clutched at her chest, trying to stay calm: "Do you want to be outdone?"

"How could that be!"

Under Zheng Qianyu's eager gaze, Shen Hua again extended a finger.

"In terms of family wealth, me, you, Zhou Zhizhi."

Zheng Qianyu nodded emphatically.

The Shen Family was wealth-laden, and the Zheng Family had enough rice for a lifetime! But what did Zhou Zhizhi have?

Lastly, Shen Hua raised her pinkie.

"As for disposition, I am gentle and virtuous, though you have many small flaws but no big ones, while Zhou Zhizhi, that's hard to say."

The matter-of-fact tone choked Zheng Qianyu.

Gentle and virtuous? You, Shen Hua?

And what do you mean by her having many small flaws!

Sure enough, she had her reasons to dislike Shen Hua.

In the light, Shen Hua's thick eyelashes cast a shadow. She was prone to cold and wrapped herself like a ball before going out; the fur cloak's texture was glossy and thick.

It was so heavy that Shen Hua's legs trembled, her voice floating weakly: "Someone whose looks, knowledge, family status, and demeanor are inferior to both of us is marrying into the He Family. I not only don't stop it but also have to congratulate them on tying the knot. Better to harm no one else."

Zheng Qianyu's eyes widened as she took a big step back.

Shen Hua: …

She didn't intend to extort today!

Zheng Qianyu hesitated: "But I can't stand seeing Scholar He barely escape your fire pit only to jump into another."

Shen Hua·fire pit: …

She tightly focused on Zheng Qianyu: "Do you like He Chu?"

"You really think He Chu is a hot commodity?"

"His mother is overpowering, only having one child, and He Chu is indecisive, blindly following. Even as a scholar, he's at the list's bottom. What's there to admire?"

"Upon seeing my family's downfall, he hurriedly broke the engagement on my father's funeral day, clearly an opportunist."

Zheng Qianyu frowned, quickly defending her crush.

"He did it following his mother's orders, having no choice. Young Master He is always filial."

Zheng Qianyu blushed but did not backtrack: "He is the gentlest and most considerate man I've met, but I will say beforehand, I never stooped low or shamelessly tried to steal him from you."

But she wanted to snatch Zhou Zhizhi's!!!

Zheng Qianyu's heart pounded, and her eyes cracked with vibrant color.

Shen Hua: …

She almost choked on the ridiculousness.

Seeing her face change, Zheng Qianyu hesitated a bit and stepped forward.

"What's wrong with you?"

Shen Hua: "I feel like vomiting."

"What kind of habit is this, bear with it, I'll help you to the side."

Shen Hua didn't move, just lifted her eyes languidly.

"Disgusted by your words."

Zheng Qianyu: !!! Will you die if you don't mock me!

Angry, she turned to leave.

"Wait."

Shen Hua furrowed her brows uncomfortably, sighing melancholy, as if casually: "I have been smooth sailing for many years."

"Speak plainly."

"…Thirsty."

"You really know how to order people around, as if you think I'm a servant of the Shen Residence!" Zheng Qianyu muttered, yet still went to fetch the water pouch reluctantly.

Zheng Qianyu shook it, empty. She shrugged.

"None left, endure it. I'm leaving."

Shen Hua lifted her eyes to see the sky's azure clarity.

"Never did I think I would fall into such a state."

Zheng Qianyu: …

Shen Hua, lifeless, languidly lamented: "If I am guilty, let the Three Pure Ones punish me, not some people who watch and do nothing."

Zheng Qianyu: … Who are you insulting

Isn't it just water!

She'll go find some!!!

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