章 7: The Three Sisters
Knock! Knock!
"Miss, are you awake?" Xiao Qing asked behind the door.
"I'm up," Wei Liuying replied succinctly. She rested well last night after finishing her lessons then reviewed the lessons that she had to learn. However, it was a bit too tiring for her, so she didn't manage to finish. Looking at the poetry book by the side that she barely started, Wei Liuying sighed.
Every noble family in the Han Shi Kingdom has to attend the academy. Of course, male and females had separate sections because they learned different things. For women, they have to learn poetry, embroidery, painting, music, and arithmetic. Wei Liuying only managed to learn arithmetic because Wei Hong Zheng had to learn arithmetic too.
As for the rest, her knowledge and skill were very basic.
They didn't have to attend every day because many nobles also invited teachers to their home. Only a portion of them would be so diligent to the point of attending the academy every single day.
"Today's lesson is poetry, Miss," Xiao Yu reminded.
"I know."
Wei Liuying washed her face on the water basin and wiped it. Her clear and beautiful jade-like feature was apparent. From the lustrous glint on the surface of the skin, it was easy to say that she would surely become a beautiful lady in the future. It was only because she was too young that many of her features were not defined yet.
It didn't take long for Wei Liuying to apply some cream to maintain her feature then changed her clothes. She was wearing a light white robe that looked a bit big. The sash has to be tied a bit more just to make sure that she didn't look like a child who was wearing her parent's clothes.
Xiao Yu brought a box of accessories while looking at Wei Liuying's appearance. "Miss, your clothes are too big. Should this servant ask for a new one?"
"There's no need," Wei Liuying replied plainly. She didn't really want to bother with new clothes and whatsoever. There was no use for her to look so pretty. As long as it was enough to represent her as part of Prime Minister Wei's house, she wouldn't ask for more.
Her slender hand took the pins from the box and tied her own hair into two buns with Xiao Yu's help. Her smooth and silky hair was easy to tie up with the pin inserted in the middle. Afterwards, Wei Liuying picked two simple accessories to decorate her head.
"Miss, is it not too simple?" Xiao Yu asked with a worried tone.
"It's enough," Wei Liuying said simply. Using too many accessories would only hurt her neck. She didn't have any intention to tire herself again after a long time practicing with Wei Hong Zheng.
Xiao Yu sighed when she looked at Wei Liuying, but they didn't say anything anymore. It was already time for them to head over to the academy, so Wei Liuying settled with a simple breakfast and darted out of the quarter slowly.
Three carriages were prepared for them. One was for First and Second Brother, the second one was for Wei Xiao Hua, and the last one was for Second Miss and herself. Wei Liuying could see that Wei Xiao Hua was walking to the carriage leisurely. Her hand was holding a fan that she used to cover up her yawn.
"First Sister," Wei Liuying curtsied politely when Wei Xiao Hua stopped in front of her carriage and swept her gazes over.
Wei Xiao Hua glanced in Wei Liuying's direction with her deep gaze. Her brown iris seemed as if it had come to life when she was staring at Wei Liuying. "Good morning, Third Sister. You seem to be in a good mood today."
"It's another day to study, so my mood is good," Wei Liuying replied with a smile. However, there was no mirth within her eyes at all. All she said was simply for the sake of pleasantries.
"Then I wish you can study a lot."
"Many thanks for your kind intention, First Sister."
Wei Liuying waited for Wei Xiao Hua to get on her carriage while she was still standing in her place. She glanced inside and saw a young girl around the same age as he was rushing over. Her body was plumper, which made her look adorable. She had a beautiful face that was covered in makeup, but it couldn't hide her sparkling eyes.
"Second Sister," Wei Liuying greeted formally.
"Oh, you're already here, Third Sister?" the girl looked at Wei Liuying and waved her hand. "Get on. We'll be late."
"Yes."
Behind them, Xiao Qing was resisting the urge to roll her eyes. The one who was late was obviously the Second Miss, but it was inappropriate for her to say anything to them, so she stayed silent and helped her Miss to enter the carriage.
Wei Liuying sat silently inside the carriage. The one before her is her older sister, but the two of them have a different mother. Her second sister, Wei Zilin, is only a few weeks older than her, so the two of them were placed in the same class to study in the academy. Of course, their result was also vastly different.
"Hey, have you read the books that the teacher asked us to read last week?" Wei Zilin asked impolitely.
Wei Liuying arched her eyebrows and stayed silent. If it was in front of her brother, she had no other option but to answer if she didn't wish to get beaten up. However, Wei Zilin and her both have the same status as a concubine daughter. Even if Wei Zilin's mother was favored, it was still harder for Wei Zilin to throw a tantrum with her status.
"Hey! I'm talking to you!" Wei Zilin was getting annoyed.
However, Wei Liuying didn't even bother and closed her eyes lazily.
Wei Zilin snorted and crossed her hands. "Do you want me to report to Mother that you bully me again?"
Wei Liuying opened her eyes. Her clear black eyes stared back at her sister. "Second Sister sure jest. If I'm so capable of being able to bully you, wouldn't the servants have heard you scream for help? Or is Second Sister telling me that you will not complain even if I bully you in the carriage?"
"You…" Wei Zilin's face turned white. If it was really true, then the servants would be able to hear her voice. Not to mention, there were a lot of passersby around. If Wei Zilin asked for help, they would be able to testify.
Wei Liuying smiled and didn't respond. Honestly, there were so many scenarios that could be made just from one single incident. If only Wei Zilin was a bit smarter, she would be able to say that she wanted to preserve the house's dignity and not make a racket over small injustices.
However, that kind of excuse would only work in front of Wei Hong. For the others, they would just scoff since there was not even any wound on Wei Zilin's body. The most Wei Liuying could do would be verbal bullying, but then again, wouldn't the servants also heard about that?
Thinking about so many scenarios made Wei Liuying closed her eyes again and fell into deep contemplation.
In front of her, Wei Zilin snorted, but she didn't try to disturb Wei Liuying again. She hated this sister of hers very much. Even though Wei Liuying is younger than her, this girl always seemed to be able to scheme so deeply with her mind. Wei Zilin couldn't understand what Wei Liuying even studied in her free time.
As silence descended in the carriage, the journey went smoothly.
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