Sisters

Yesterday I worked until 4:30. My head is still spinning, so this is all for today.

The fourteenth day of the tenth month, clear.

No one knew how many people had sighed with sentiment at the rise and fall of State Protecting Manor.

Yet for the flock of young ladies gathered in the Sun Mansion Back Courtyard over the past two days, it did not even count as a proper topic of conversation.

It was not that they were unconcerned about the matter. Rather, State Protecting Manor's circumstances bore quite a resemblance to Rongguo Mansion's present situation. Discussing it would inevitably touch upon taboo subjects, so they simply kept their mouths shut.

Near noon that day, after playing two rounds at the card table, Tanchun excused herself to take a break and went alone beneath the western wing's covered corridor. She spread out a handkerchief and sat on the railing, untied the purse at her waist, and carefully counted the loose silver inside.

After a while, she suddenly sighed again, her face clouded with worry.

"Oh?"

Just then, a teasing voice sounded behind her. "You won money and still hid out here sighing. How are those of us who lost supposed to go on living?"

Without turning around, Tanchun said, "Sister Lin never even joined the game. When did she ever lose to me?"

The words had barely left her mouth when laughter burst out behind her, bright and trembling like flowers in the wind.

Tanchun froze, then turned back to find that it was not Lin Daiyu behind her, but Xue Baoqin.

"You little rascal! You dared imitate Sister Lin's voice to scare me!" Tanchun stamped her foot in mock annoyance and reached out with claws bared, intending to tickle her.

Baoqin hurried back two steps, putting on a