Chapter Seventeen: Your Sister Doesn't Seem Like a Good Person

“This technique is not my own invention; it’s just that my teacher dislikes the mundane world, so no one knows of his works...”
“Your teacher’s literary talent is indeed remarkable, but his temperament is somewhat stubborn.”
Bai Mianmian was modest yet honest, but he deliberately probed further.
Unfortunately, he was not used to dealing with a teenage girl.
Smiling, she replied, “Wise people often have their quirks.”
“You’re quite perceptive for someone so young.”
“One’s ability to understand things, like wisdom itself, has nothing to do with age.”
Wei Qing was eager to learn more.
Contrary to his usual reticence, he spoke more than usual, but Bai Mianmian guarded herself carefully, revealing nothing.
Their exchange was overtly about discussing painting techniques, but beneath the surface, it was a subtle excavation of backgrounds.
“Master! Lunch is ready.”
Madam Wei led the Tie siblings and prepared lunch, waiting patiently before reminding them at the study’s door.
They had been in the study for quite some time.
It was nearly noon.
“Shall we have a quick meal together?”
“Thank you.”
Bai Mianmian was not reserved about the meal, nor was she deliberately eager.
At the same table, the Tie siblings were much more reserved.
Both ate only until half full.
Their occasional glances at her were full of cautious worry and inner conflict.
“Let Wenwen clean up. You change clothes for me.” After eating, she rubbed her stomach and gestured to Tie Zhu.
The clothes were purchased by Madam Wei.
They were just ordinary fine cotton jackets.
On the second day after their arrival, the siblings changed into new clothes, stepping into a life so beautiful they hadn’t dared to dream of it before.
It was due to the elders’ attitudes toward them that their thoughts gradually changed, and they began to reflect.
They started to feel that Bai Mianmian was truly considerate of them and that their staying with the Wei family was thanks to her.
The more they thought about it, the more they sensed Bai Mianmian’s kindness was subtle yet profound.
After a conversation, their gratitude rose rapidly.
“These are Wei family clothes.”
In the side room, Tie Zhu bowed his head, dull and refusing.
It wasn’t that he coveted the clothes, but that he had no right to decide on them.
“What do you mean by ‘Wei family’s’? Since the Wei family gave them to you, they belong to you.
You were just watching earlier, and neither of them objected.”
Bai Mianmian deliberately pressed the issue, and when Tie Zhu wouldn’t budge, she took matters into her own hands.
She did not strip him but began to rummage around.
“These aren’t ours; we can’t just look around!” Tie Zhu blocked her in front of a drawer, his face darkened.
She wore the expression of a troublesome relative who needed a lesson.
“Since you’re living in this room, the things inside are naturally for your use. What’s wrong with me having a look?”
“We’re just laborers. The fact that our masters are kind to us doesn’t mean we can casually go through their belongings,” he insisted.

Bai Mianmian pivoted and moved toward the small bed.
The bedding was somewhat old but clean and made of ordinary fine cotton, soft and fluffy.
Next to the small pillow was a neatly folded set of pale gray thin jackets.
The jackets had been washed, carrying a faint scent.
Very light and fresh, it was the fragrance of cedarwood.
“The color isn’t great, but it’s barely wearable.” She held the garment up.
Tie Zhu’s expression was beyond just unpleasant.
“Get out, I’m going to change.”
The siblings were two years apart in age but about the same height.
In this era, basic clothing for lower-class men and women didn’t differ much.
The clothes Tie Zhu wore were interchangeable with this set, suitable for her as well.
“What, don’t want to give it to me?”
“It’s not mine. If it were, you could take it.”
“I think you’re enjoying your good life and want to distance yourself from me, your sister.”
“My sister wouldn’t be so shameless.”
“...Are you saying I’m not your sister?”
“...I didn’t say that.”
In fact, he wasn’t sure.
His second sister was kind, timid, and blindly devoted.
This one was clever, lively, and full of talent.
Judging by personality and habits, they were completely different, but in terms of care for him and his sister, there was no difference.
“Don’t overthink it. Here’s some advice, consider it your first life lesson from me, your sister:
Life is like a play, it all depends on acting skills.”
She didn’t chase him out but simply began changing her clothes.
Tie Zhu’s eyes reddened as he staggered outside.
Unluckily, as he raised his head grandly, he ran straight into Madam Wei standing under the corridor eaves.
His entire neck flushed red.
“M-Master!”
Wei Qing raised his hand to stop him.
He knew forcing Tie Zhu to share clothes was not the end.
“What about your wages these past few days?” Bai Mianmian, now changed, naturally reached out.
The Tie siblings were stunned.
“Don’t say you’ve already spent it.
You don’t seem the type to manage money!
Or... they never paid you?”
“It was our carelessness,” Wei Qing quickly signaled.
Madam Wei hurriedly fetched the money.
Tie Zhu muttered at the corner of his mouth but couldn’t say anything further. Bai Mianmian was even more brazen.
After counting the money, she complimented Madam Wei’s skill at eyebrow makeup and asked her to do hers.

They went to her room; after applying the makeup, Bai Mianmian praised the scent of the cosmetics!
“Madam Wei, this eyebrow powder is really good. Would you consider giving me some?”
Tie Zhu’s mood as he sent her off was likely one of desperate regret and a wish that he never had such a sister.
It was a sulking feeling that he never wanted to see her again.
“It’s nothing, just a set of clothes.”
Turning back, Madam Wei comforted him.
Tie Zhu clenched his fists tightly.
“I will work hard,” he said dryly after a long pause.
Wei Qing gave a meaningful look: “Are you sure your sister would let you keep the money?”
“...”
“How about this, I teach you to read and write, and you take an official exam?
I think only becoming an official can give you enough money to pay it back.
Do you know how much silver the county magistrate makes a year?”
Wei Qing never imagined he would one day use such a mundane excuse to coax his disciple.
Tie Zhu never expected anyone to be foolish enough to want him to become an official just for a set of clothes.
“Tie Zhu, your sister doesn’t seem like a good person. If you don’t have some skill, it’s one thing if she harms you, but she might even harm your little sister!”
“Cough, cough~”
Madam Wei, drinking tea to calm her nerves, choked on the tea.
Wei Qing shifted his gaze, embarrassed.
“Tie Zhu! It’s not that I’m gossiping behind your back, but your sister really... is quite extraordinary!”
Bai Mianmian truly was unusual; in what way, that was open to interpretation.
Having already lowered the bar, Wei Lao simply hit rock bottom all at once.
Sure enough, Tie Zhu knelt down with a thud, pounding his head repeatedly.
“Well then, teaching one is teaching, teaching two is mentoring. How about your little sister joins you in kowtowing?”
The little girl had been dazed since Bai Mianmian asked for the clothes, seemingly out of sorts.
“Master, if you don’t mind, Wenwen can kowtow for me?”
“Then Madam, please take care of it.”
“Wenwen is obedient and well-behaved; I quite like her.”
“I’ll go light three incense sticks.”
“Master prepares the tea; I’ll handle the incense paper.”
The Tie siblings did not know that these two had once been famous throughout the region.
Confusedly, they kowtowed and acknowledged her as their master.
Bai Mianmian did not realize that the medicine she gave today was too strong, accidentally going too far.
It made certain old folks act without restraint and stirred rebellious thoughts in the siblings.
They yearned to seize the power of the head of the household.