CHAPTER 52: CHAPTER 52: SEND OFF, SEND OFF, SEND OFF QUICKLY

The next day, saying goodbye to the old and welcoming the new.

Shen Hua woke up early, energetically applying the couplets crookedly, her hands covered in paste.

The couplets had been bought a few days ago, while the intricate paper-cuts were personally crafted by Yicui. Lanterns were hung high, all in the solemn white that was customary during the mourning period.

Shen Hua stepped off the stool, unable to endure the sticky feeling, her sudden impulse also fading quickly. Thus, she turned and handed them over to Cheng Gui.

She washed her hands meticulously.

Children from the alley, each wearing masks, holding hands and laughing merrily. Upon seeing Shen Hua, they even made a special trip over.

"Sister Shen. Who hung your couplets?"

Shen Hua was just about to proudly point to herself.

"They’re so ugly, if I hung them like this, I’d definitely get beaten up by Mama."

Attached to her waist was a wallet full of candies specially prepared by Shen Hua, rich in silver, she often bought snacks and shared them with the alley’s children.

Each time, she could always hear them calling ’Sister Shen’, complimenting her beautifully.

Shen Hua had heard many comments. Complimentary, gentle, pleasing and this was the first time she was criticised for being ugly.

What’s the difference between her couplets being ugly and her being ugly?

The young lady pursed her lips.

If there was a choice, one was to insincerely praise and the other to seek truth from facts, Shen Hua, though hypocritical, would prefer the first.

"Is this candy for us? Next time, you can ask me, Sister Shen, I’m really good at hanging them."

Under the expectant gazes of the children, Shen Hua did something extremely spiteful.

She took out a piece of candy, stuffed it into her mouth in front of everyone, and then tightly secured her wallet, obviously being the most wicked girl.

"Sister is eating it herself. Really sweet, pity there’s none for you."

Successfully annoyed a group of children away.

Shen Hua hummed softly, turning around, "Their masks are quite interesting though."

"Today in the streets there will be a Nuoweng parade, with performances of all sorts to expel evil spirits and bring auspiciousness. Nuoweng and Nuomu will be surrounded by hundreds of masked guardian children, these kids must be planning to join the procession. Young lady, would you fancy a look?"

Shen Hua, never having experienced it, became intrigued upon hearing this.

"Cheng, go tell Nanny Cheng and the others to stop working for now; it won’t be too late to return and prepare the meals after enjoying the hustle and bustle."

"Yes." Ninglu responded promptly, hurrying to summon people.

Nanny Cheng was busy handling chickens and ducks, which were being prepared for ancestral rites and welcoming the Kitchen God.

"The young lady has ordered me to go, it is out of consideration for you, this being your first New Year outside, we must not be hastily casual. I will not join this bustling crowd."

"There will be many children on the streets, running after Nuoweng and Nuomu, make sure to look after the young lady well."

Shen Hua went out with two maids and Cheng Gui.

The streets were bustling, and the sound of drums filled the air, everything appearing novel to Shen Hua.

She even specifically chose a mask and did not forget to call the three.

"You guys pick one as well."

As she was getting money, she was bumped by someone coming towards her.

The young lady staggered back a few steps from the impact, nearly falling, while the person who caused the mishap just hurried away with his head down.

"Young lady, are you alright?" Yicui hurriedly asked.

Shen Hua annoyed, shouted: "Stop!"

Cheng Gui quickly reacted, grabbing hold of the sharp-faced man leading a child. Being accustomed to heavy labor, he was strong and quickly restrained him.

Shen Hua, ignoring her mask, furiously approached in her soft-soled embroidered shoes. Her finger nearly jabbed into the middle-aged man’s face.

It was typical of her pampered and domineering manner.

"Do you know how precious I am? What if I had fallen and couldn’t recover, and died. Could you compensate for it?"

"The road is so wide, why bump into me?"

The middle-aged man looked confused and somewhat agitated, clearly not wanting to engage with Shen Hua.

He struggled, but still couldn’t move.

"Young lady, you are not seriously injured at the moment, how can you bully me just because there are many of you against one ordinary citizen?"

Seeing that Shen Hua did not speak, he could only say irritably: "Fine, You name the price, can’t I compensate?"

He should not have said that, for as soon as he did, Shen Hua laughed mockingly.

She scornfully sized up the man from head to toe.

Her gaze finally landed on the child who stood motionless as if frightened, wearing a mask.

"You’re just dressed up as a pawn, how much silver can you offer?"

"Initially, had you apologized sincerely and allowed me to scold you a few times, considering it’s New Year’s Eve today, I would have let it go. Now, this cannot be settled privately."

"Yicui, bring that little ghost here."

The man became agitated suddenly, his expression twisting.

"What are you doing! Even if someone’s at fault, it’s me, what right do you have to snatch my daughter?"

The bystanders from the street crowded around.

A stark contrast between the strong and the weak.

Often, people subconsciously assume that the weaker party is the one aggrieved, and thus stand in opposition to the stronger party, thinking they are being righteous.

"Young lady, one should forgive when possible. Life is short, why be so petty?"

"It’s a festive day, I think this matter should be dropped. Look, the child is so frightened she looks dazed."

Shen Hua did not agree to release, so Cheng Gui did not let the person go.

As the standoff continued, more and more onlookers pointed and commented, and the middle-aged man’s face grew redder.

"Your daughter?"

Shen Hua scoffed.

"Your attire is most ordinary, this winter clothing looks washed-out and hardly warm now."

"This child’s outfit is a new product from Yunxiang Pavilion, I recognize the embroidery on it—it comes from the Shen Family’s Embroidery Workshop in Fengzhou."

"If you said she’s a child of the Imperial Family, I might believe you, but to say she’s your daughter, I wonder where you stole her from?"

As soon as her words fell, the surroundings went silent.

Cheng Gui kicked the man to the ground. The man stubbornly refused to let go, causing the girl to stumble forward with him.

She didn’t utter a sound, something was definitely not right.

Yicui’s expression changed instantly, and together with Ningzhu, they pulled the girl into their arms.

Shen Hua stepped forward and removed the girl’s mask.

The little girl looked naively charming, evidently well-cared for. Her eyes were unfocused and dull.

The middle-aged man shouted hoarsely: "Don’t slander me!"

"Whether it’s slander or not, Jingzhao Mansion will decide."

Shen Hua indifferently said: "Cheng Gui, report to the officials."

"Shameless scoundrel!" the crowd began to curse.

"Report to the officials, this must be reported. If it weren’t for this young lady, the child might have been abducted! Have there been few children lost in Shengjing these years? These abductors aren’t afraid of being struck by lightning!"

Yicui: "Young lady, what about this little girl?"

Shen Hua dreaded these situations the most: "Take her along. Also, inquire if anyone has lost a child."

As she was about to put the mask back on the girl, she saw the girl’s eyes blink blankly, as if gaining some awareness.

Shen Hua: "Hey! Which family’s girl are you?"

Cui Rong was shaking all over.

"Wah!" The cry was earth-shattering.

It was heart-wrenching to watch.

The noise pained Shen Hua’s ears, and she hurriedly said to Yicui: "Take her away, take her away, quickly take her away."