Chapter 571: Chapter 560: So I, Too, Can Be Cherished
She pointed to the wound that couldn’t be shown to others: "It really hurt."
Sese finally saw her and felt somewhat relieved. Looking at the girl’s right cheek, it was severely swollen.
"After all, it’s a great fortune that you are unharmed; it shows you are blessed and protected."
"Exactly."
Lady Chun also felt a lingering fear: "I heard from Brother Zhi that she climbed quite high. There were many branches, and fortunately, she fell on rocks and the snow was deep; a bit further and she might have landed on those thorny vines."
"It just takes a moment of not paying attention, and trouble occurs."
Shen Hua slowly covered her ears.
Seeing that the girl was unhurt, Sese also relaxed a bit.
"Miss Shen, I have something to ask you."
"That day when the injury happened, where was Mr. He’s outer robe?"
Lady Chun: "What outer robe? I have no idea."
The girl with an innocent face said: "It looked very cheap, I had thrown it away long before my brother came to pick me up, and He Chu too, had the audacity to give me his worn clothes."
Sese bowed slightly to Lady Chun: "Actually, I came here today to seek you out."
Seeing her stop hesitantly, Lady Chun slightly furrowed her brows.
"Let’s talk in the next room."
Shen Hua pouted: "What is it that I can’t hear?"
Entered into the next room.
Sese did not speak any nonsense.
"My visit today was rather abrupt, please do not take offense, Madam. I heard from others about the injury of Miss Shen and knew it was Mr. He who saved her, but Mrs. He has spoken about it outside, and casual talk has started, people are fearsome, rumors spread fast, and in the end, it might harm your reputation."
Gossip?
Knowing that Sese came here all tensed, one could guess what gossip it was.
Concerning Shen Hua, Lady Chun did not dare take any chances.
The events of that day, the giving of gifts was handled by You Qing. They were grateful, and the gifts were sufficiently generous. The original intention was also to keep the He family silent about this. Not to publicize it widely.
Sese was born in the alleys, having seen all kinds of people: "In my neighbor’s house, a feast was held half a month ago. That marriage was not meant to be as the groom could not gather ten taels for the dowry, and the bride’s family was unwilling to proceed. However, the man’s side used lowly and unscrupulous means to deliberately cause some absurd scandals, the reputation of a girl is of utmost importance, only then..."
She paused, seeing that Lady Chun did not stop her, she then boldly continued.
"Such matters are too petty to be mentioned to you, but... I feel it is always good to be cautious. Human nature can be vile, one must always be guarded. On my way here, I kept pondering. Though I don’t know how the He family people truly are, after much thought, if it were an unintentional remark then let it be, but I fear it was done purposefully."
She had never spoken such heartfelt words before.
"Doing it purposely falls into two categories. One is the ignorant women, bragging about how brave their son is, and the other... is wanting to ruin Miss Shen’s reputation, once it escalates, everyone in Fengzhou City will talk about Miss Shen marrying into the He family."
Would Shen Hua marry or not?
If she marries, given today’s knowledge, the He family seems like a victim.
See, they simply rescued someone, and yet due to rumors, are forced to do goodwill and still need to take someone in marriage.
If not, the reputation damaged, Shen Hua’s future marriage prospects will definitely suffer.
"Of course."
Sese shyly said: "Perhaps I am overthinking, too narrow-minded."
But the Shen family has treated her so well, not to mention her and Shen Zhi’s matters, she mustered her courage to come here and speak her mind.
Lady Chun’s expression slightly changed, she couldn’t help but think if the whole of Fengzhou City truly became chaotic, and they couldn’t stop these rumors, they would inevitably feel remorse towards the He family.
Yangyang also did not resist He Chu as before.
The He family, although poor, He Chu was famously filial.
Then... the best possible scenario balancing all interests would be as long as He Chu is good to Yangyang, she and Shen Zhi would likely go with the flow and nod in agreement.
Chun Yun was entirely overwhelmed.
After she finished speaking, her face slightly flushed, she was about to take her leave.
Chun Yun did not ask her to stay, but instead called for a carriage to send her back.
She had just returned to the Xiao Family.
"Sese."
Lady Xiao called out to her.
"Why are you back so late? You’ve caught a lot of net this time, bring the Copper Coins quickly to Mama, luckily, Quan wants to eat candied haw. Otherwise, there will be trouble again."
Xiao Sese, still gentle, her eyes no longer dull. It seemed a gentle breeze had breathed sparks of light within them.
"Then let him cause trouble."
Lady Xiao: ?!?
Is that something you can say?
Shouldn’t you be handing them over with both hands as before?
"Then give me the money. Everything at home, eating, drinking, and using money, which does not cost Silver? You eat, you wear, why do you cling to the Copper Coins?"
Xiao Sese only gave a third of the copper coins: "This is for my monthly expenses. Nothing more."
She scoffed unprecedentedly: "Have you grown capable?"
"Now that you cling to the Shen Family for support, you dare to do this? Xiao Sese, don’t forget, originally when I gave birth to you..."
Xiao Sese interrupted her weakly: "All the housework falls on me, have I ever asked Mama for any benefit?"
"Oh. Truly, you’ve grown wings. Not yet married, and already turning your elbow outwards."
Xiao Sese lowered her eyes and just asked.
"If the Shen Family truly comes to propose marriage in the future, how much dowry does the family plan to prepare for me?"
Lady Xiao was stunned: "You shall want for nothing when you marry over, why are you still concerned about the dowry?"
She scoffed: "Your father has already said, we can’t offend your in-laws openly, so you’ll take half of the betrothal money with you. Furthermore, we’ll prepare some sheets and bedding for you, and craft a few large chests."
"Forget about the rest, just remember to bring those Silvers back when you come back for a visit."
Xiao Sese listened intently. Her expression was more somber than death.
"Mama always says, originally when giving birth to me, you damaged your health, and later desperately saved me from the cripples’ hands."
"I initially did not want to think much, merely feigning ignorance while being aware, but I’m not a fool."
"You gave birth to me because you wanted to bear a male heir for the Xiao Family. As for saving me."
Xiao Sese slowly walked inside.
Her voice very soft and faint, she finally spoke quietly, turning her back to Lady Xiao.
"It was because at that time you had not yet conceived my younger brother, and I was the only child, our family’s status was inherently unstable, fearing incapable of further pregnancy, and also fearing Grandma’s disapproval, worried she might arrange someone else for Daddy from outside."
She spoke very softly.
"You did not protect me for my sake, but because you dared not lose me."
Xiao Sese was utterly exhausted, her voice very soft.
"Mama. Previously I didn’t mind, I thought being family, there was no need to make clear distinctions, just muddle through the days."
"But I was wrong."
"I’ve worked hard without complaint, never receiving a good word from you, I felt unwell, yet you completely ignored it, always just blaming me for laziness. Then Dad intervenes, seemingly caring for me, but it’s clearly just leaving a part to keep the peace. Yet paradoxically, Lady Chun whom I have never met before, sent over sugar water and other items needed for a girl’s monthly needs, considerate in every way."
Comparing the two, it just feels ironic and disheartening.
Xiao Sese murmured.
"I finally realize, I too can be cherished and held dear."
