To Hold One's Joy / Happy - Chapter 8 : To Lure the Snake Out of Its Hole

The eldest daughter, Sheng Jia Yu, and the second daughter, Sheng Jia Lan, were strolling along a bluestone path headed toward Luo Sheng.

Both girls were of similar age, dressed in bright spring outfits, and their elegant strides certainly enhanced the garden's charm.

Upon spotting Luo Sheng, they halted.

Sheng Jia Yu frowned, regarding Luo Sheng with a wary gaze, while Sheng Jia Lan knelt in front of her and politely said, "Good morning, Cousin Sister."

Luo Sheng greeted them back and moved ahead.

Curiosity got the better of Sheng Jia Yu, who called out, "Where are you going?"

Luo Sheng glanced back and replied casually, "I'm on my way to visit my grandmother."

"Visit grandmother?" Sheng Jia Yu's expression turned even more cautious as she lowered her voice and probed, "Luo Sheng, what are you planning?"

Sheng Jia Lan gently pulled on Sheng Jia Yu's sleeve. "Sister, please engage in a kind conversation with Cousin Sister."

Luo Sheng regarded Sheng Jia Yu, then shifted her gaze to Sheng Jia Lan, and suddenly smiled: "My Eldest Cousin Sister does understand me."

With that, Luo Sheng quickly walked past the two sisters.

Hong Dou hurried after her, reflecting on Sheng Jia Yu's words; she was slightly annoyed and turned back to stick out her tongue at Sheng Jia Yu.

Fuming, Sheng Jia Yu twisted her handkerchief and exclaimed, "What does she mean by that?"

Sheng Jia Lan tried to soothe her sister, remembering what Luo Sheng had remarked earlier; a hint of worry crossed her face.

"Did you catch that, Second Sister? She said I understand her. Is she trying to stir up trouble?"

Sheng Jia Lan frowned a bit. "Cousin Sister is probably just speaking out of frustration."

"Frustration? She simply can't go a day without making a scene. No, I need to talk to grandmother and warn her-don't let Luo Sheng's facade deceive her." Sheng Jia Yu insisted, pulling Sheng Jia Lan along as they rushed after Luo Sheng.

Luo Sheng's unexpected visit caught Old Madam Sheng off guard.

"Sheng'er isn't fully recovered; what brings you here?" Old Madam Sheng said, casting a sidelong glance out the window.

The morning sun streamed through, accompanied by a gentle breeze.

The sun hadn't set in the west.

Old Madam Sheng was increasingly surprised, but she masked her astonishment.

After all, Luo Sheng was her granddaughter too, and despite any resentment she felt, she couldn't disregard her.

Luo Sheng smiled gently, "I'm feeling much better now. It's time to pay my respects to you, Grandmother."

Old Madam Sheng almost said that she wished Luo Sheng had stayed away for her own peace of mind, but her words shifted as she said, "Sheng'er is very considerate."

Sheng Jia Yu scoffed nearby.

Old Madam Sheng shot her a glare, and Sheng Jia Yu instantly fell silent.

Once Luo Sheng departed, Old Madam Sheng's expression grew stern. "Jia Yu, you mustn't be rude or cold toward your cousin; isn't there a rule to follow?"

Her eldest granddaughter had always been lively and properly behaved. However, she had been losing her composure ever since Luo Sheng arrived.

Sheng Jia Yu bit her lip in frustration, "Grandmother, it's not that I lack manners, but I really can't respect someone like Luo Sheng. Just because my uncle holds a high position, does that mean I should bow to such an unreliable cousin?"

Old Madam Sheng was taken aback by her granddaughter's boldness.

The Sheng family, much like the Su family, prided themselves on their longstanding heritage of farming and education, fostering a sense of dignity.

As elders, they couldn't afford to argue with an ignorant girl, but they also didn't want to see their granddaughter grovel to Luo Sheng merely because of status.

"Grandmother, we bumped into Luo Sheng on our way to Funing Hall, and you won't believe what she said!" Sheng Jia Yu animatedly shared the encounter as she shook Old Madam Sheng's arm. "Grandmother, you need to know, she's just pretending to be nice and is bound to stir up trouble again. If you think she'll calm down after crying, causing a scene, and threatening to hang herself, you're mistaken."

Old Madam Sheng's eyelids flickered at this news, and she inquired flatly, "Is that true?"

Sheng Jia Yu nodded earnestly and nudged Sheng Jia Lan. "Didn't you hear it too, Second Sister?"

Noticing Old Madam Sheng's gaze, Sheng Jia Lan gave a slight nod in response.

With a heavy sigh, Old Madam Sheng looked at her two lovely granddaughters and said wearily, "Whatever your cousin does, just make sure you both behave. You two should head back for now."

Sheng Jia Yu and Sheng Jia Lan exited Funing Hall and walked towards their courtyard.

"Sister, do you really think our Cousin Sister will pull another stunt?"

"It's not me who thinks that; it's just her nature!" Sheng Jia Yu scoffed and quickly pulled Sheng Jia Lan behind some flowers and trees, lowering her voice. "Luo Sheng is by the lake."

There was a small artificial lake in the Sheng Mansion's garden, surrounded by apricot trees and willows. The clear, blue water made for a lovely view.

"She doesn't even admire the plants in our mansion, so how can she have the time to enjoy the lake?" Sheng Jia Yu said, puzzled, as she leaned in for a better look.

Luo Sheng stood by the lake, occasionally glancing back to chat with her maid, Hong Dou.

"Sister, we should go; this isn't right," Sheng Jia Lan gently urged.

"What's wrong with that? I want to hear what they're saying!" Sheng Jia Yu shrugged off Sheng Jia Lan's hand and crept closer behind the foliage.

Sheng Jia Lan hesitated for a moment, then slowly followed, her empty hand closing into a fist.

The two sisters listened intently as the conversation between Luo Sheng and her maid unfolded.

"Miss, are you really not interested in Second Young Master Su anymore?"

Mention of Su Yao made both sisters tense up, straining to catch every word.

A light-hearted laugh followed, tinged with indifference yet strikingly pleasant: "Who said that?"

Hong Dou looked bewildered, her eyes wide. "Then why did you go to the Su family to stop the marriage?"

Luo Sheng casually flicked a willow branch across the lake's surface, giving Hong Dou a sidelong glance. "Hong Dou, have you lost your mind here? Sure, Second Young Master Su is good-looking, but what if someone even better comes along?"

Realization dawned on Hong Dou. "You're right, Miss! We can't let Second Young Master Su hold you back!"

Luo Sheng lifted her chin slightly, exuding confidence. "Exactly."

Hong Dou hesitated, inspired but unsure. "But in Jinsha County, I haven't heard of anyone better than him."

Luo Sheng smiled mischievously. "That's why I don't plan to let him go. Once I'm better, just knock Second Young Master Su out and bring him here, and we'll see how he'll keep me away from him!"

Sheng Jia Yu raised her eyebrows, ready to confront Luo Sheng, but Sheng Jia Lan quickly grabbed her wrist and covered her mouth.

Confused, Sheng Jia Yu looked at Sheng Jia Lan, who shook her head subtly and whispered, "Don't act impulsively, Eldest Sister. If our cousin gets worked up, she might really make things difficult for Second Young Master Su."

While the sisters buzzed with excitement, Luo Sheng tossed the willow branch into the lake and calmly declared, "Let's go." For her, causing trouble for Second Young Master Su seemed as trivial as discarding that branch.

"She's really unbelievable!" Once Luo Sheng and her maid departed, Sheng Jia Yu, filled with rage, kicked the apricot tree.

Petals rained down like snow.

Amidst the shower of apricot blossoms, Sheng Jia Lan continued to follow the retreating figure with her gaze, her expression growing colder by the moment.