Edited by Larkspur

Chapter 17: Praying Mantis Stalks The Cicada

The chapter title is only the first part of the Chinese phrase- the praying mantis stalks the cicada oblivious to the oriole lurking behind. The phrase serves as a warning to being so focused on a narrow goal that one neglects the greater danger in the bigger picture.

Zhang Momo did not notice the emotion in Chu Jin Miao’s gaze as she was sighing. The fortune of the world was truly difficult to decipher. Not only Madam Zhao was favoured, she even encountered such an event of switching babies making Old Chu Furen hold a slight reproval towards herself. Even though Chu Jin Yao grew up outside and was not close with Old Chu Furen, she was after all a direct bloodline of the Chu family. How could one wrong one’s bloodline for an inexplicable outsider like Chu Jin Miao?

Ever since that day when Chu Jin Yao lost her way outside Rong Ning Tang, Old Furen knew that the second-ranked maids by Chu Jin Yao’s side were young maids that had just entered the residence. Thus, Old Furen was very dissatisfied with Madam Zhao’s method of handling the situation. To let the second-ranked maids be at such a level, one could only think about how Madam Zhao would be careless and disregard the people by Chu Jin Yao’s side. However the more Old Furen reminded Madam Zhao to value Chu Jin Yao, the more Madam Zhao felt that Chu Jin Miao was pitiful. Everyone feared that Chu Jin Yao would be suffering grievance, then no one would bother about Chu Jin Miao? So, Madam Zhao would dote on Chu Jin Miao even more. Continue reading →

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Chapter 16: Personally Teaching

Chu Jin Yao blinked, not understanding. Qin Yi was really an unpredictable person. She was sincerely asking, so why did he laugh? She was somewhat unhappy and planned to question him after he finished laughing but the fellow laughed endlessly. As such, she could only interrupt him, “I am asking you properly. Be more serious about it and don’t laugh.”

With a relaxed smile on his lips, Qin Yi replied lightly, “It could be that the teacher that taught me was better.”

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Edited by Larkspur

Chapter 15: The Beauty in the Jade (Part 2)

The Eastern rooms had been converted to a study by Chu Jin Yao. Since it was a study, it had to be cut off from the outside world, otherwise it would be messy.  At this moment, Chu Jin Yao was supporting herself with the cupboard and through the thin veil partition, she was able to see the shadow of the oncoming maid. Ding Xiang’s voice seemed to be by her ears as Chu Jin Yao nervously leaned against the cupboard, unsure whether to open the doors to let others in.

And the culprit was standing in front of the desk looking through the copybook as if one was in one’s own courtyard. Upon hearing Ding Xiang’s voice, he did not raise his head or show any signs of urgency. Instead, he looked up with a smile in his eyes and watched Chu Jin Yao.

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I am on my vacation at the moment but since COVID is still around, I am not travelling. That means translating and posting!!! Finally I have time to do what I want…

Edited by Larkspur

Chapter 15: The Beauty in the Jade (Part 1)

When Chu Jin Yao returned to her courtyard, Jie Geng, who had followed her, patted her chest. “Young Lady, I was scared to death today! Fortunately, you were able to write in the end, else we would have been thoroughly discredited!”

Chu Jin Yao nodded, “Yes.” Jie Geng was excited and yet felt a lingering fear as she spoke loudly, “And the verse that you wrote. It seemed to be ‘distance tests a horse’s strength’. It was simply brilliant! Not only does it prove one’s strength but also slap their faces viciously!”

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Chapter 14: Wave of Residence Fights (Part 2)

Hua MoMo, the one who was teaching etiquette yesterday, was also present. She only knew that Fifth Young Lady had just returned to the residence but never expected that there were so many factors around it. Now, she did not like Chu Jin Miao. She had occupied the other person’s identity and status but still spoke nonsense like ‘It is not me that harmed you. Don’t blame everything on me’. It could be seen that she had a cold nature. However, no matter how much heartache Hua MoMo felt for this hardworking and sensible Fifth Young Lady, she could not be biased towards her after this. Hua MoMo was from the Prince Residence and had to consider the interest of the Prince Residence first. Even though Fifth Young Lady has a rough life and was in distress, the matter of the County Princess, in the end, was more important. A Young Lady, illiterate and unable to write, could not be the County Princess’s study companion.

Hua MoMo was planning to speak for Chu Jin Yao to relieve her of her predicament. But once she spoke, it meant that she had admitted Chu Jin Yao’s ignorance and eliminated her even though she had helped resolve the embarrassment. Her words were almost at her lips when Chu Jin Yao spoke.

“I am only asking MoMos to forgive my bad handwriting. Have I said that I cannot do it?”

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Edited by Larkspur

Chapter 14: Wave of Residence Fights (Part 1)

The next day when Chu Jin Yao woke up, the first thing she did was look at Qin Yi.

“Qi Ze. Qi Ze?” Chu Jin Yao called him softly but did not receive a response.

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Edited by Larkspur

Chapter 13: Sisters’ Thoughts (Part 2)

At Lin Xi Yuan’s acceptance, Madam Yan became happier and introduced the various young ladies enthusiastically. During the introduction, she did some work and highlighted the young ladies of the Second Household and only mentioned the other household with a sentence.

Madam Zhao was so angry that her liver started aching, but she dare not rebuke in front of others. When Madam Yan pointed out Chu Jin Miao and Chu Jin Yao, she schemed a little, “These two are our residence’s Fourth Young Lady and Fifth Young Lady. ShiZi must be very unfamiliar with Fifth Young Lady, right? She was just brought back from outside.”

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Missed out scheduling the post… My apologies…

Edited by Larkspur

Chapter 13: Sisters’ Thoughts (Part 1)

“Huai Ling ShiZi has arrived.”

As soon as those words were spoken, a number of people in the room were shocked and the young ladies started to whisper among themselves.

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