Lin Cui’e had stayed in town with her elder brother and sister-in-law for nearly a year without returning home once. Now that she was back in the village, she expected to stay for a while. Before leaving, her sister-in-law reminded her to visit her parents. Though the saying “no parents are ever wrong” wasn’t entirely true, her parents had brought her into this world and raised her for over a decade. Emotionally and morally, she couldn’t forget their kindness. Moreover, as their youngest child, she had always been doted on and never mistreated. No matter how they treated her upon her return, she resolved to endure it.
With mixed emotions, Lin Cui’e stood at her family’s doorstep. Inside the courtyard, her seventh sister and tenth brother were hurling insults at each other. The seventh sister called the tenth brother a good-for-nothing who couldn’t even steam buns properly, while the tenth brother retorted by calling her an unmarriageable old woman who wasted food and money by staying at home. Before even stepping inside, Lin Cui’e felt a surge of fear and turned to leave. Just then, her father’s voice rang out from behind her: “You’re back. Why not come in?”
“Father,” she called out, her voice already choked with tears. To her own surprise, she realized how much she had missed home.
After a year apart, Lin Cui’e had not only grown taller but also become even more beautiful, exuding an entirely different aura—like a young lady from a wealthy family. Her crimson cloak, trimmed with white rabbit fur, was open, its hood removed. Her jet-black hair was tied simply with a red silk ribbon, with the hair at her temples cut short, just reaching her jawline. Peeking from beneath her hair were delicate earlobes adorned with tiny ruby earrings. Beneath her neat bangs, her large eyes glistened with tears, her delicate nose and rosy lips complementing her dewy, youthful complexion. Aside from a single red gauze flower in her hair, she wore no other ornaments, making her appear even more delicate and touching.
Behind her stood two maidservants—one about her age, the other slightly older—both of striking beauty.
Lin Cuiping stopped arguing with the tenth brother and strode to the doorway, her tone dripping with sarcasm: “Oh, look who’s here—a noble young lady! What brings you to our humble doorstep? You’d better watch your step; our shabby little home might dirty your fine silks.”
As Lin Cuiping approached, the two maidservants, sensing her hostility, swiftly moved in front of Lin Cui’e to shield their young mistress.
Lin Shilang, limping, arrived a few steps later. Seeing the maidservants’ defensive stance, his temper flared. “Ungrateful wretch! Who are you putting on airs for?” he shouted, charging at the two girls. He dismissed them as mere maids—his real target was their mistress, his eleventh sister.
*Thud!* Before Lin Shilang could even get close, an unseen force sent him flying backward, landing hard on his backside.
“Shilang!” roared Lin Boshi.
“Father, see? Isn’t this the height of ingratitude? She returns only to flaunt her status, as if you mean nothing to her!” Though the thick winter clothing and the maidservants’ skillful technique spared him injury, Lin Shilang scrambled up, shouting but making no further move forward.
Lin Cuiping covered her mouth and stepped back, wide-eyed and staring at her sister in disbelief.
“Father, Seventh Sister, Tenth Brother… I haven’t been home in a year. Why are you treating me like this?” Lin Cui’e choked back a sob.
After the incident with Gao Linglong forcibly occupying their home, her elder brother and Guicheng had taught all the household servants self-defense techniques. While they weren’t yet skilled in prolonged combat, they could deliver a decisive strike when their opponent was unprepared. Her tenth brother had fallen precisely because he hadn’t expected it. Had he been on guard, the two maidservants might not have overpowered him. When the maidservants had insisted on accompanying her, Lin Cui’e had initially refused. But they knelt and invoked her sister-in-law’s orders: the young mistress was never to go out unattended. If any harm befell her due to their negligence, they would face severe punishment. Reluctantly, Lin Cui’e had agreed. Yet she never imagined that returning to her own home would lead to such a scene. How could she not be heartbroken?
“Cui’e? Is that Cui’e?”
Dong Shi had been feeding the chickens when she heard Shilang’s shouts and Lin Boshi’s roar. Dropping the feed basin, she hurried toward the main courtyard on her bound feet, arriving just in time to hear her youngest daughter’s tearful plea. But the sight before her—especially the maidservants’ sharp glares—made her hesitate, her steps faltering.
“Mother, it’s me. Cui’e has come to see you.”
Pushing past the maidservants, Lin Cui’e sobbed uncontrollably as she stepped into the courtyard and threw herself into Dong Shi’s arms. At twelve, she was already as tall as her mother.
The two maidservants resumed their demure postures but stayed close behind Lin Cui’e, never leaving her side.
Once Lin Cui’e had calmed, Dong Shi took her daughter’s hand and started toward the main house. But Lin Boshi stopped them: “Wait. Cui’e, you’ve seen your parents, your seventh sister, and tenth brother. We’re just as we’ve always been. Clearly, you’re doing well. Say what you need to say, then leave.”
“Father, won’t you even let your daughter sit inside for a while?” Shocked, Lin Cui’e burst into tears again.
Lin Boshi sighed. “What difference does it make? Sitting or not sitting—I told you before: once you left this family, you were no longer part of it. What will sitting here change?”
Wiping her tears, Lin Cui’e hardened her resolve. “Fine. Since you’re so heartless, Father, I will never set foot in this house again.”
Turning to Dong Shi, she added, “Mother, I’m sorry I can’t come back to see you. But please remember to visit me. I’ll be living at Cuiji Tailor Shop.”
“Of course, I’ll visit you,” Dong Shi assured her repeatedly. Though she deferred to her husband in all matters, Cui’e was her youngest daughter, doted on since childhood. How could she not miss and worry for her?
Without another glance back, Lin Cui’e turned and walked away.
“Wait, Eleventh Sister!” Lin Cuiping suddenly called out. “What is this ‘Cuiji Tailor Shop’? Why are you living there? Don’t you stay with Eldest Brother’s family?”
Lin Cui’e turned back with a cold smile. “I might as well tell you—the whole village will know soon enough. That general store in the village? Sister-in-law converted it into a tailor shop, now called Cuiji Tailor Shop. She assigned me and Juan’er to learn the craft and manage the shop under a master’s guidance. Soon, the master, Juan’er, and I will be recruiting workers. Anyone in the village can apply. Any other questions, Seventh Sister?”
“What?” Lin Cuiping exclaimed. “You’re just a child! How could that Li woman entrust the shop to you?”
“Not entrust—*assist* the master in managing it. Sister-in-law says women must learn to manage affairs themselves. Even if we misjudge people or face hardships in marriage, we can still live independently.”
Lin Boshi snorted in disdain.
Lin Cuiping pressed, “If you’re assisting in management, the pay must be good, right?”
“Seventh Sister,” Lin Cui’e replied icily, seeing through her sister’s implication, “if you want wages, you’re welcome to apply. If you pass the screening, you can stay. But all employees must sign a contract of servitude. Would you be willing?”
“That Li woman—who does she think she is? I’d never sell myself to her!”
“If you won’t sign, then stay in the inner quarters. But if you think of causing trouble, ask yourself if you can handle the shop’s guards. These two maidservants are just average—care to test them?”
Remembering the maidservants’ sharp glares and how Shilang had been sent flying without a fight, Lin Cuiping shuddered and fell silent.
Without hesitation, Lin Cui’e strode out. Rounding the corner of the courtyard wall, she paused as the gate creaked shut behind her. Inside, her father’s voice carried: “If you want to earn your own keep, fine. But like your eleventh sister, once you leave, you’re no longer part of this family.”
“Father,” Lin Cuiping whined, “I don’t have Eldest Brother’s skills or Sixth Brother’s craftsmanship. I’m not like Cui’e, sheltered by that Li woman. If you’re this cruel, what am I supposed to do?”
Lin Cui’e quickened her pace and left without looking back.
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