Cursed Blessing

2. Second miss Is Getting Better

A week passed ever since the whole manor was shaken by news that the second miss of the main branch was diagnosed with amnesia. The news that master Shui Tao and the old matriarch is spoiling the second miss reaches the second branch and third branch Mistresses which made them also concerned for her existence. Master Shui Tao made sure that the second miss' jewelry is the best of the bests that it could even go on par with the royal family's jewels. The Old matriarch hired a well-known chef, second only to the imperial chef, reserved only to second miss and she also sends an endless amount of sweets for the second miss to snack on every day.

The second miss is also getting better and better every day. She no longer dazes in space nor does she reply in short answers. She gained a good amount of weight and her cheeks have a sheer tint of red. Ones in a while she'd reward Shi Chun and Shi Xia a grateful smile. When the miss smiles Shi Xia would run out of the room to tell the master's close subordinate, who would then rush to his master to let him know. Master Shui Tao would get excited that he'd invite his mother and Xing Xiao to eat together as if Xing Xiao's smiling face is worth a celebration.

The old taitai does not mind the master's invitation either if it means spending time with the family but how she wishes that his other two children would also get an invitation so it'd be merrier and livelier. Though she likes this granddaughter, Xing Zi is still the first miss and Xing Gao is the manor's first heir of the Xie main branch. The old matriarch is also worried that his consideration with this daughter would cause a-mock to the sibling's relationship or worse it could affect his presence in court.

The master is reaching forty-five and he is not as energetic as he used to be. For now, the old matriarch chose to put the topic aside, besides Xing Xiao needs this unwavering attention at the moment if they wish for her to recover. Xing Xiao would show them a weak smile that still emphasized her two dimples in the right and one on the left but it cannot hide the blankness in her eyes, she is still an adorable and lovable child. Each time they couldn't help but detest her mother even more.

After the meal, the old matriarch returns to her room with her servants. The master returned to the imperial palace to attend the imperial court. Xing Xiao also retreat to her room.

Xing Xiao spent the afternoon lying on a chaise while Shi Chun and Shi Xia served her pastries and tea.

"Young miss... would you like this servant, Shi Chun, to read you some poetry?" though Shi Chun did not mind serving her young mistress in silence, she is still worried that her mistress would be bored to death, "...Or would young miss like to have this servant, Shi Chun, tell you a story instead?"

When her young miss did not reply and remained to watch her with the unexpressive face she spoke again, "this servant, Shi Chun, could also do a massage" Shi Chun frequent stating her name was actually her hoping that her young miss would awaken some memory of her.

"That's right young miss... Sister Shi Chun is very skilled at reading poetry, telling the most interesting stories and giving massages" Shi Xia caught on to Shi Chun's way of words as she repeat her name over and over hoping second miss would remember her name quickly

"A story would be nice" Xing Xiao leaned on the head of the chaise more comfortably, facing Shi Chun.

At the sound of Xing Xiao's gentle singsong voice of permission, Shi Chun's spirit was lifted. Shi Chun told a story of a heroic warrior saving a lady in distress. Halfway through the story, Xing Xiao's eyelids already started to droop. Seeing her mistress dozing Shi Chun signaled at Xie Shi who stood behind Xing Xiao, unable to see her mistress slowly fading, to help her adjust Xing Xiao's sleeping position to a comfortable one then tuck her in. Shi Chun picked up the tray of pastries and tea while Xie Shi gently shut the window then they exited the room, sliding the door closed behind them.