The Rebirth of an Orphan

"Forget it, I won't bother with you, an outsider. People are bound to make mistakes sometimes. You can go back and report to my second sister." As he said that, Zhao Xihua got off the bed and stepped on the hand of Wu Fang who was lying on the floor. For a moment, the broken porcelain pieces on the floor pierced her hand, and blood gushed out.

She didn't care about the pain in her hand, she got up in panic, and wanted to escape from the room at all costs.

"Wait—" Zhao Xihua smiled gently and submissively at Wu Fang, who was looking at her in panic, "Tell my second sister that I actually never like sweets, especially this Tremella and Red Dates Soup, which I hate even more."

"Okay, okay—" Wu Fang agreed quickly, and the blood on her palms dripped onto her clothes, which was particularly eye-catching.

At this time, Pingshui came in with the hot medicine. She was a little surprised to see Wu Fang running out without looking back.

She hurried into the room and looked Zhao Xihua from head to toe, fearing that the evil-minded woman had done something to Zhao Xihua when she was away.

When Zhao Xihua's mother gave birth to her, it happened to be the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. Her mother died of postpartum hemorrhage. The head of the family, Zhao Yan, invited a so-called fortune-teller to come to the house. Who knew that the fortune-teller said that she had a lot of yin energy and bad luck. In addition, the 15th day of the seventh lunar month is the traditional "Ghost Festival", and children born on this day are considered very unlucky in the local area.

Therefore, the head of the family, Zhao Yan, felt unlucky and disliked her very much, which led to the entire Zhao family being indifferent to her and not having a good attitude towards her.

Zhao Yan once used his connections with the Sun family to make his family's business very profitable. Although he lived in a small county town like Yuncheng, he was still a wealthy businessman who was feared by everyone. If a child with a bad fate appeared in the family, it would eventually affect the family fortune.

But she is a blood-related niece after all. Fourth brother and his wife have passed away. No matter what, they can't just abandon her. They can only adopt her at home. What's more, the inheritance of the fourth house has fallen into the hands of their eldest house. Otherwise, it will not only give people a handle to gossip about, but also cause big trouble.

There was no other choice, so the first wife arranged for her to live in a remote courtyard far away from the main building, and required her not to go out unless necessary, and not to meet people easily.

At first, she only hired an old servant to take care of her. Later, the old servant died, so she found Pingshui from the countryside. Pingshui was young and could take care of her without people misunderstanding that she was being disliked or abused. Since arranging Pingshui, the eldest wife never came to see her again, leaving her to fend for herself.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Xihua became more and more beautiful as she grew older, and gained a reputation as the school belle during her school years. However, this aroused the jealousy of several sisters in the Zhao family, who framed her openly and secretly. Even the servants and workers hired by the family were flatterers and bullied her from time to time.

"Sister, are you okay?" Pingshui asked.

"I'm fine," Zhao Xihua smiled, "it's just that Wu Fang accidentally knocked over a bowl and burned her face."

"Oh, as long as sister is okay." Pingshui stepped forward and helped Zhao Xihua sit at the table, letting her sit down and take medicine.

After Zhao Xihua drank the medicine, she asked Pingshui to help her get a set of old clothes that were washed white. After she put them on, she cut off a part of the sleeve of her shirt with scissors and sewed the cuff with needle and thread.

"Sister, what are you doing?" Pingshui was a little confused.

A hint of unnoticed coldness flashed across Zhao Xihua's clear, dark eyes. She raised her head and said slowly, "I haven't been out to see people for a long time. Get ready. It's time to go see the old lady."

Old Mrs. Zhao is nearly eighty years old and lives in the suite on the first floor of the Zhao family's main building. Zhao Xihua took Pingshui through the indoor corridor, entered the main building, and went straight into the old lady's room.

Just then, two maids were about to enter the old lady's room, one carrying a plate of various fruits, and the other carrying a pot of brewed tea. They were a little surprised to see Zhao Xihua. What was going on? Didn't the fourth young lady never dare to come to the main building? Why did she come here so boldly today?

Pingshui's forehead was already covered with beads of sweat because of nervousness, but Zhao Xihua's steps were firm and steady.

Although Mrs. Zhao has long ceased to be the head of the household and all household affairs are managed by the eldest wife, the old lady is a person who cares a lot about her reputation. Even though the family's financial income is not as good as before, as long as the old lady is alive, she must maintain the reputation of the Zhao family.

But today, Zhao Xihua wants to let the old lady take a good look at how to take care of her face, which she has always paid so much attention to.

Zhao Xihua walked into the room. It was a large suite. The living room was at the front door. To the north was a large balcony with many green plants and bonsai flowers. To the south was the bedroom. The marble floor of the main hall was covered with thick carpets. All the mahogany furniture in the room was polished to a high shine. Various antiques were placed on the shelves of the treasure chest. In short, the room's owner's status, wealth and peace were evident everywhere.

Zhao Xihua looked over and saw that there were already many people in the room, including the first wife, the second wife, the third wife, as well as the eldest sister, the second sister, the third sister, and the fifth sister. Even the eldest aunt, the second aunt, and the third aunt who lived in her mother's family were all here. They were all sitting around the old lady, laughing and talking in a happy scene.

Zhao Xihua pursed her lips, a hint of coldness surged up and then disappeared in an instant. Mrs. Zhang, who was taking care of the old lady, looked up and saw Zhao Xihua and was stunned, and a look of surprise flashed across her eyes.

Zhao Xihua nodded slightly to Mrs. Zhang, then walked lightly to the old lady, knelt on both feet and kowtowed respectfully.

"Grandma, Hua'er is here to see you. I wish you a long life, eternal youth, a happy life, and everlasting happiness."

Because Zhao Xihua lowered her head, she couldn't see the expressions of the people around her, but she could hear a series of hissing sounds of inhaling and smacking lips.

This is normal. After all, after the eldest wife abandoned her in that remote courtyard, she never showed up in front of so many people. Even when she was in school, she always went in and out through the side door.

The old lady sitting in the middle was stunned by Zhao Xihua's kneeling. For a long time she didn't recognize that the girl in front of her was the orphan from the fourth room who was forgotten in the small courtyard at the back.

Zhao Xihua slowly stood up, bowed deeply to the eldest wife, and greeted everyone else one by one, being polite and courteous.

After she stood up, she looked up at the old lady. The old lady in front of her was wearing a purple cheongsam and a pearl necklace around her neck. She had a round face and looked wealthy, but her seemingly calm eyes revealed a shrewdness that most people could not ignore.

The last time Zhao Xihua saw the old lady was three years ago. At that time, the eldest son of the first house, Zhao Chenyang, was going to Kyoto to take up a public office. The Zhao family held a grand banquet to celebrate. Even Zhao Xihua, the least popular person in the family, had to attend to cope with the occasion.

The eldest wife of the Zhao family is the daughter of a wealthy family in Kyoto City. Although her family is not wealthy and powerful, she has three older brothers and she is the only daughter, so she is particularly favored in her parents' home.

Also, because she was married from Kyoto, her status in the Zhao family was quite high, and no one could disobey her. Even Old Madam Zhao, she didn't take her seriously, she just gave her face.

The eldest wife's father was a minor government official in Kyoto, and had the power to recommend and select some officials. So he recommended the eldest son to Kyoto to be a secretary of a high-ranking official. Although it was not a high-ranking official, he had a bright future.

The eldest wife was rather thin, and although she was middle-aged, her skin was still fair, and although her facial features were beautiful, they were naturally cold and hard. When she saw that the orphan girl who had been abandoned by her dared to go past her to curry favor with the old lady, a hint of coldness seeped out of her eyes, but her face was calm and composed.

Zhao Xihua knew that she came to the old lady today to deliberately provoke the first lady. She had completely offended the first lady and her future days would definitely not be easy.

But even so, she did not regret it. In her previous life, she was very cautious in everything and never dared to do anything inappropriate in front of the First Wife. She was humble and obedient every day, but she was still sent to the Sun family by the First Wife to marry a vegetative person.

Since the result will be the same no matter what you do, it’s better not to please others.