Cursed Blessing

4. Second Miss Meets the First Miss

In Xing's manor the next day a servant sent by the master arrived to inform Xing Xiao a news. Master Shui Tao decided to let Xing Xiao study arts alongside the first miss, Xing Zi, under the same instructor. Shi Chun and Shi Xia was so happy they clasped hands while jumping. Xing Xiao's round eyes widened, unable to conceal her excitement.

Xing Xiao recalled her memories of her older sister. After gaining her masters in business management and minoring in arts of writing at the age of twenty-five she made some appearances in entertainment industry, there she met Xing Zi who was a rookie. She was pleased with Xing Zi because when they were young Xing Zi has always been a gentle and an agreeable older sister.

Xing Xiao pulled some strings to have Xing Zi by her side which shot up Xing Zi production offers. Xing Zi was also happy to work with her and so they became inseparable. Sadly when Xing Xiao's parents passed she became aloof and refused to see anyone since she was also fighting against her brother and sister for inheritance money.

Days turned to months, months turned to years and in those years Xing Xiao was not able to reconnect with her half sister till she was brought news that her sister too died with her child. Xing Xiao ones again mourned.

She had the incident investigated and found that her sister lived a tragic life. The con artist Shui Tao finally decided to get married. Not long before Xing Zi graduated from high school she was kicked out by Shui Tao's new wife. Xing Zi entered the entertainment industry a year before Xing Xiao made her appearance but never made any progress. She finally made her debut as an artist by Xing Xiao's influence. Everything was good until Xing Xiao left and she lost a secure footing. Her career started falling apart. She was then involved with an unknown senior actor and became pregnant, but the actor refused to take custody. Her colleagues was not happy with her so she became a victim to cold shoulders and bullying. She and her son was then ran over by a crazy fan and died on impact. The crazy fan committed suicide right after with a rifle in the head. Xing Xiao regretted helping promote her then. If only she knew better she should've continues to watch over her. However in this life Xing Xiao will definitely change Xing Zi's fate.

Chun Shi and Shi Xia helped Xing Xiao dress with her new outerwear. Shi Xia gaped at Xing Xiao wearing the dress that Shi Chun made and Shi Chun also admired her work.

"Sister's needle work is definitely outstanding" Shi Xia couldn't help sliding her finger through the exquisite embroidery in Xing Xiao's back.

"Indeed, Shi Chun is amazing" Xing Xiao gave them a twirl.

"This servant is glad young miss likes the robe" Chun Shi shyly look towards her feet. The dress was not bad by itself but it looked outstanding when worn by her mistress. Chun Shi felt that being pricked by the needle a thousand times was worth seeing her mistress pleased with her work.

"Such needle work and service should be rewarded. Come you two accept this hairpins" Xing Xiao presented them with four jade hairpins.

"This little one give thanks to virtues xiaojie" Chun Shi and Shi Xia greatfully kowtowed and approached the hairpins. Surprisingly Shi Xia only took one hairpins which made Xing Xiao and Chun Shi wonder.

"Little sister deserves one more hairpin from me as thanks for your amazing work and making xiaojie happy. Many thanks little sister" Shi Xia praises Chun Shi.

"Many thank sister Shi Xia" Chun Shi bowed at Shi Xia and wondered how Shi Xia's mind works.

Xing Xiao pretended not to see. She is still impressed by their selflessness to give. In a way she felt it was her blessing to have people as such by her side.

After Xing Xiao's preparation they headed to Orchid courtyard. Unlike Xing Xiao's Peony courtyard, Orchid courtyard is bustling with life. There were maids coming and going from every direction doing their tasks. Chun Shi felt uncomfortable being in the first mistress's courtyard instead of their own mistress's courtyard. She never stepped foot in Orchid courtyard before and always stuck close to her Xing Xiao in case she was beckoned to. Now that she saw the difference between the Orchid and Peonies courtyard she couldn't help but take back her words before that her xiaojie was favored by Shui Tao laoye and the old taitai. While her xiaojie's courtyard was not smaller and actually the same size, the servants are lacking which shows how unimportant and unpresentable the Peonies courtyard is. The other three servants found their duty of cleaning a big courtyard difficult with a lack of help that they ended up abandoning their duties and slacking off. Ever since Shui Tao laoye divorced Lady Juan Lin they were left with two housekeepers, her and Shi Xia. Her face became rigid, she swallowed all her grief for her mistress and pretended that she was unaffected.