Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 004

Chapter 4: Visiting Card

An Zhi returned to the house in high spirits. The marriage was called off, which finally put her mind at ease.

Binglu followed the young lady and saw that she was smiling. She was surprised and asked, “Young lady, why do you look so happy?”

“Of course I have to be happy when good things happen.” An Zhi stepped over the threshold, her skirt brushing against the moss between the stones, and was stained with a row of water droplets, flying lightly.

“Good news?” Binglu couldn’t think of any good news. In the capital, it was a very shameful thing for a young lady to have her engagement broken off. How could it be a good thing for this young lady?

An Zhi, a person who had been reborn, understood that foundation was more important than appearance. After entering the room, she saw Binglu frowning and comforted her, “It’s better for me to see Pei Yu clearly now than to see him clearly after we get married, right?”

“That’s true.” Binglu was worried that the young lady would have a hard time getting married in the future.

An Zhi also understood what Binglu was worried about. She had no sisters, and Binglu grew up with her. In her previous life, when she was imprisoned, Binglu was the only one who stayed with her. This kindness alone was enough to show that Binglu was the most important person in her heart.

An Zhi smiled and said, “Look at your frown. Your young lady is outstanding in everything. Are you worried that she won’t be able to find a husband in the future? Stop worrying. I’m thirsty. Go and get me a cup of tea.”

Binglu nodded and said yes.

At this time, the little maid Cuisi brought a visiting card, saying that it was from Miss Lin.

An Zhi had a close friend before, Lin Shuyao, the daughter of Minister Lin. The two became acquainted while guessing lantern riddles at a lantern festival and have been in contact ever since.

An Zhi used to be genuinely interested in Lin Shuyao, but it wasn’t until Pei Yu broke off their engagement in her past life that she saw Lin Shuyao’s true colors. It turned out Lin Shuyao was only interested in her because she was destined to become Pei’s eldest daughter-in-law. But when news of Pei Yu’s departure leaked, Lin Shuyao secretly criticized An Zhi.

In her previous life, An Zhi did not attend the banquet because she was sad. Later, An Chengye used tricks to make An Rong go. An Rong and Lin Shuyao were of the same ilk, and An Zhi’s reputation was ruined.

Binglu brought hot tea and caught a glimpse of the word “Lin” on the visiting card. She carefully examined the young lady’s expression and asked softly, “Miss, let’s not go on this spring outing, shall we?” She was afraid that the young lady would be ridiculed if she went.

“Why not?” An Zhi picked up the teacup, blew on it, and took a sip. The green tea was refreshing and soothing, perfect for a spring day that had just drizzled. “If we don’t go, won’t they say bad things about me?”

Binglu shook her head. Not going would be like trying to cover up the truth, and it would not be enough to stop those ladies from talking.

“So I have to go. If I don’t go, they will really say that I’m an abandoned woman.” An Zhi glanced at her with her beautiful eyes, which were flashing with ripples. No matter how one looked at her, she was an unparalleled beauty.

After making up her mind, An Zhi sent someone to follow An Rong secretly. She understood An Chengye’s character and knew that An Chengye would not give up on taking An Rong back home because of her threats.

When they were preparing to rest that night, the person they sent to follow brought news that An Rong had been secretly taken back to the mansion by the master and was arranged to live in Furong Garden.

“Miss, isn’t the master slapping you in the face by doing this?” Binglu said angrily.

An Zhi had expected this day to come. She smiled coldly, “He’s slapping himself in the face. He treats an illegitimate daughter like a treasure. Who knows how people outside will laugh at him. Besides, I hold the power of the inner housekeeper in my hands. From tomorrow on, we’ll leave An Rong alone. Help me pass on a message privately. Anyone who dares to send her food or daily necessities will have to think about who holds their indentures.”

“Miss is really smart.” After praising, Binglu blew out the candle in the inner room and went out to pass on the message.

At this time in Furong Garden, An Chengye was comforting An Rong.

“Just stay here and don’t be afraid of your sister.” An Chengye was embarrassed when he recalled what happened during the day. He was actually scared by his daughter. “In this world, what daughter dares to disobey her father? If An Zhi dares to cause trouble, I will punish her by making her kneel in the ancestral hall.”

An Rong’s eyes were misty, and she sobbed softly, tears streaming down her face. “It’s all my fault. I’ve caused trouble for my father. Actually, you don’t have to treat me like this. It would be bad if I hurt the relationship between you and my sister.”

Seeing An Rong crying, An Chengye’s heart softened immediately. Hearing that An Rong was wholeheartedly thinking about him, compared to the talkative An Zhi, he really wished that An Rong was his legitimate daughter. “Relax, I am the head of the family. I should have given you a status. This is what you deserve.”

Glancing at An Rong’s belly, An Chengye asked with a hint of meaning, “did Mr. Pei say when he’ll come to propose marriage?”

An Rong knew everything about An Chengye. An Chengye would pick her up in the middle of the night because, firstly, she was indeed likable, and secondly, it was because of Pei Yu. “Mr. Pei said before that he would propose marriage after breaking off the engagement with my sister, but he…”

An Rong said half of what she wanted to say and stopped talking. She covered her stomach with one hand and cried even louder.

An Chengye was worried that An Rong might have a miscarriage, so he quickly advised, “Don’t worry. As long as you can get married within a month, nothing else matters. By the way, Minister Lin’s daughter is hosting a spring outing party tomorrow. You should go with An Zhi.”

Since he wanted to acknowledge his daughter, he had to let others know that An Rong would not be an illegitimate daughter in the future, so An Chengye planned to let An Rong first integrate into the circle of noble ladies in the capital.

An Rong stopped crying. She had longed to attend the banquets of the noble ladies countless times. Her fists clenched tightly, and she was determined to outdo An Zhi. She had finally made it to this point, and she had to live a better life!