“Sun Jiaojiao, what in the blazes are you?”
Then, Su Xiaoqi spoke up gently and gracefully, cutting in before Du Yiyi could: "Oh dear, I'm used to riding in Yiyi's carriage and not accustomed to riding in others'. Besides, this carriage is usually used by Miss Sun. If people see me in it, those who know will think Miss Sun graciously lent it to me, while those who don't might think I'm a cuckoo laying eggs in someone else's nest."
These words were brilliant. Su Xiaoqi wasn't speaking carelessly. It was precisely because Sun Jiaojiao's background indeed involved a story of a cuckoo laying eggs in another's nest. Although she called Old Madam Du her maternal grandmother, she was not the biological daughter of Du Xiaocui, Du Yiyi's aunt. Du Xiaocui was Du Wenqian's elder sister and had been married twice. Her first husband was surnamed Li and was a common farmer in Du family village. Her younger brother, Du Wenqian, passed the imperial examination and became an official, receiving a noble title for Old Madam Du. Du Xiaocui then looked down on her previous ordinary farming family. Because the marriage system in the Great Liang Dynasty was still relatively open, she used this opportunity to argue and insist on divorcing them. She even abandoned her own biological daughter. Later, under Old Madam Du's arrangement, she married Sun Cai, a wealthy widower in the prefectural city. This Sun Jiaojiao was the daughter of Sun Cai's original principal wife. Du Xiaocui, in order to please her wealthy in-laws, treated this stepdaughter as her own, doting on her. Of course, this was also related to Sun Jiaojiao's ability to please others. Therefore, what Su Xiaoqi said about the cuckoo laying eggs in another's nest was a subtle reference to the fact that she was not the true granddaughter of the Du family. Yet, she insisted on occupying the identity of a granddaughter, monopolizing her grandmother who did not rightfully belong to her.
The simple-minded Du Yiyi couldn't grasp this point immediately. However, the more calculating Sun Jiaojiao understood it almost instantly. This was the matter she most detested. The situation was simple: Sun Jiaojiao's stepmother, Du Xiaocui, craved the wealth of her family and wanted to marry into the Sun family to become a rich lady. Sun Jiaojiao's father, Sun Cai, also coveted the official status of the Du family, wanting to use their family to "gild" his own. And Sun Jiaojiao, brainwashed by her father, constantly thought of using the Du family's status to marry into a prestigious scholarly family. After all, among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, she did not want to remain the daughter of the most lowly merchant class, marrying a merchant and becoming a merchant's wife. But this Su Xiaoqi, bringing up what was most sensitive, was truly detestable.
Seeing her expression change, Su Xiaoqi knew she had hit a nerve. It seemed this was another person who meticulously schemed for her background and future. However, her planning didn't affect her directly. Unfortunately, she should never have resorted to unscrupulous means to pave her way, repeatedly suppressing Yiyi. Seeing her angry, Su Xiaoqi thought for a moment and added, "Actually, you walk your single-plank bridge, and Yiyi walks her sunlit path. There shouldn't have been any overlap or conflict between you. Because you are not worthy – your status is not worthy, and your demeanor is not worthy."
Su Xiaoqi's words struck Sun Jiaojiao again. It was precisely because she was jealous of Du Yiyi's nobler birth that she wanted to suppress her, gaining a sense of satisfaction. In the past, this issue was only known to herself; no one else knew. After all, in front of outsiders, she was gentle and kind, like an innocent little white rabbit. But in front of this person named Su Xiaoqi, her carefully crafted disguise was suddenly exposed. Enraged, she suddenly raised her right hand, pointing it high towards Su Xiaoqi's cheek. She wanted to hit her!
Su Xiaoqi immediately turned her head with a frightened expression and threw herself into Du Yiyi's arms, "Wuwu, Yiyi, she's hitting me..."
"Sun Jiaojiao, you bitch, Sister Xiaoqi is not a stranger. She is my aunt's daughter, my true elder cousin." Du Yiyi said this, then forcefully yanked Sun Jiaojiao's wrist and flung it backward.
"Ah..." Du Yiyi's strength was truly extraordinary. Sun Jiaojiao cried out in pain and stumbled back three steps. She looked at her wrist. It was red, very good. She lowered her sleeve, concealing her wrist, and then pinched it hard herself. It must have been red and swollen now. She swore she would get back all the grievances and humiliation she suffered today. Sun Jiaojiao stood in place, head bowed, perfectly concealing her inner calculations.
Unexpectedly, Su Xiaoqi, who had watched countless palace intrigue and household feuds on television and read numerous novels, could not fail to understand her intentions. Let her come at me. Today, she was following Du Yiyi to tear apart this white lotus, Sun Jiaojiao.
As they boarded the carriage, Du Yiyi seemed to have a sudden realization and called out to Sun Jiaojiao, saying that since they were sisters, why not ride in the carriage together. "Let you also experience the indulgence of being a young lady of rank." Du Yiyi, imitating Su Xiaoqi, successfully angered Sun Jiaojiao. Su Xiaoqi smiled, thinking that Du Yiyi's comprehension was indeed excellent; in such a short time, she had grasped the true essence of "Versailles." Yes, in the Great Liang Dynasty, there were distinct class divisions. The treatment of scholar-officials and merchants was entirely incomparable. Even if her family had some money, their carriage could only be made this way, otherwise, it would be exceeding regulations. But Du Yiyi's carriage was different. Although not ostentatiously wealthy, it was filled with exquisite details, exuding understated luxury. This was the heritage of the scholar-gentry.
The carriage rumbled along. Sun Jiaojiao, who had been articulate and in control, was now so angry that she had no strength to speak. But Su Xiaoqi clearly had no intention of letting her off. She casually tugged at her beautiful clothes and said happily, "Yiyi, did Aunt specially make these clothes for me? They fit so well."
Du Yiyi smiled, "My aunt wrote to my mother, bragging about having a daughter, and said that due to the urgency of time, she only managed to make two sets of clothes. So my mother thought of making more for you while you were here. She asked my aunt for your measurements. Do you like them? There are more coming." Du Yiyi, having witnessed Su Xiaoqi making Sun Jiaojiao stumble repeatedly, felt greatly pleased. Sister Xiaoqi is simply the best!
"Oh, Aunt is too kind. This kind of beautiful brocade fabric, I heard it's only available from the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau. Only officials can obtain it; ordinary wealthy families can't buy it even with money." These things were all knowledge Su Xiaoqi had gained from Zhao Xiaozhu, who was dedicated to learning embroidery. Du Yiyi knew this and nodded, praising Su Xiaoqi for knowing so much. The two chatted as if no one else was present, seemingly discussing idle family matters, but in every ten sentences, three would subtly allude to Sun Jiaojiao. By the time they reached their destination, the fingers of Sun Jiaojiao, who was clutching her handkerchief, had long been red from pinching. Her knuckles were prominent, looking quite frightening. But she glanced at Du Yiyi, saw her arrive empty-handed, and suddenly became happy again. Excellent, Old Madam Du detested people who lacked manners the most, especially this biological granddaughter who had already made a bad impression on her. She adjusted her clothes, regained her dignified appearance, and got out of the carriage. She was now just waiting to watch the show.
Su Xiaoqi looked at her straight back and couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. She leaned closer to Du Yiyi and whispered, "If she discovers we've piled all the gifts onto her carriage, will she die of anger?"
"Hahaha, it's not hard to find out." Du Yiyi laughed and, without hesitation, loudly called to the maidservant beside her, "He bao, quickly go find Uncle Fu to help move the gifts to the carriage." Hearing the word "gifts," Sun Jiaojiao, who had already walked far ahead, immediately turned back. Then she watched as He bao directed the maids and servants of the Du mansion to start moving things onto her carriage. Good heavens, what were those baskets and baskets of yellowish things, and what were those round, mud-stained objects... Sun Jiaojiao was truly terrified and even more furious, trembling all over, her chest heaving violently...