Chapter 412: Chapter 412

"Big Sister, Fifth Sister, did either of you feel Father was... acting a little strange today?"

After their practiced greetings, the three sisters walked along the covered corridor as usual, heading to the Listening Rain Pavilion for their daily lesson. The first to notice something off was undoubtedly Third Young Lady Zhou.

Remembering that earlier scene made Zhou Zhi's brow involuntarily crease for a moment. The more she thought about it on the way, the more uneasy she felt, so she turned and said to the other two.

"Probably ran into some 'good thing,' right?"

Playing with the newly acquired rabbit jade pendant in her hand, An Ning spoke in her usual lax tone. It was obvious she hadn’t taken it seriously. That attitude immediately infuriated Third Young Lady Zhou so much she nearly toppled over with anger.

She huffed and poked An Ning: "You, really, you wouldn't even know if you were sold off!"

"Maybe he found some calligraphy or a painting he liked, or some copybook or similar," Big Sister Zhou said, though a few worried lines appeared in her eyes.

Clearly attentive as she was, Zhou Yun had noticed the distinctly meaningful look from Father earlier.

An Ning, however, instinctively sneered and muttered quietly:

"Ahem, Fifth Sister!"

Third Young Lady Zhou cleared her throat reflexively.

Although the Changping Earl came from a military family, he liked to pretend to be a cultured man of letters. But as An Ning said, taste and talent are two different things.

In short, after years of affecting refined airs, he had never actually stepped into any real literary circles.

Plainly put, it was all for show.

Of course, even if it was true, it wasn't something their daughters should say aloud. The two hurried to stop her, tugging An Ning to either side.

"Fifth Sister, you're so mouthy, you'll get into trouble sooner or later!"

They passed along the corridor and before long the Listening Rain Pavilion was right in front of them.

Inside, Tutor Xie, responsible for teaching them the qin, had obviously arrived early today. After the customary salutations according to seniority, the three sisters quickly took their seats.

"Second Sister, Fourth Sister!"

Like Tutor Xie, the two girls from the second household were already waiting in the room.

Seeing the right side already filled, An Ning turned and whispered a greeting.

"Fifth Miss!" the two responded hurriedly, their expressions clearly a bit restrained.

During the lesson, unlike the three sisters who had practiced these things since childhood, the second-branch girls were noticeably behind.

They mostly sat there obediently, bewildered, merely auditing. After a whole class, they probably only picked up a few basic appreciation skills.

The same went for flower arrangement, tea ceremony, and even calligraphy and painting.

"The girls from the second household are so sloppy!"

Watching their poor form and knowing their elders were at fault, Third Young Lady Zhou couldn't help but gripe to An Ning after class.

"How could they do things ? Earlier they couldn't even be persuaded to come, and now they're stuffed in at the last minute to cram. What's the meaning of it?"

If nothing else, they could have hired another teacher if they knew those two were underprepared. The second household could afford it!

An Ning rarely nodded in agreement. As for money, the second household truly wasn't lacking.

The second household was led by Second Master Zhou, the Changping Earl's younger, illegitimate brother. After the late Changping Marquis died, he remained in the estate instead of being driven out. The reason was simple: money.

Though Second Master Zhou did nothing much himself, he had been shrewd in his younger days. He knew he lacked both literary and martial talent, and that his legitimate elder brother was not indulgent. Afraid he'd struggle later in life, while the old marquis was still around he desperately married the daughter of a wealthy southern merchant.

It was said that when Madam Second entered the household, the dowry alone filled several large chests, not to mention various properties and shops. Their annual income was a substantial sum.

As the family's only daughter, Madam Second's father, Old Master Zhang, would even personally give her a large holiday gift every year.

Even the sisters weren't left out.

So the second household's wealth was obvious.

Unfortunately, for the two illegitimate daughters below—Second Young Lady and Fourth Young Lady—their position in the estate was miserable.

Because of their merchant background, Lady Jiang, the legitimate wife who prized appearances, had always been displeased. After this incident, she was even more convinced the other side was petty and unworthy of standing on the same stage.

She increasingly refused to acknowledge them.

While tidying up their brushes, An Ning couldn't help glancing at the two second-branch sisters.

Perhaps ignored since childhood, the two were especially cautious, not daring to speak a word in class. After class they quietly bowed their heads and put things away.

Madam Second hadn't skimped on their clothes, but their aura couldn't be maintained, especially next to the three Zhou sisters. They looked even more dull and ordinary by comparison.

To put it bluntly, they didn't resemble daughters of the Count at all; they lacked even the presence of several of An Ning's maids.

An Ning let out a small sigh as her gaze passed over their plainly pretty faces.

Compared to the three sisters the old master had openly pinned his hopes on, the second-branch girls—who lacked much potential value—clearly had a tougher time in the household.

At least the original body's upbringing of the three sisters had involved a lot of money and effort—inviting famous teachers alone cost a pretty sum.

On the way back after class, the three of them still walked together. Midway, Big Sister Zhou suddenly remembered something and turned to the other two with a smile.

"By the way, Third Miss, Fifth Miss, in a while it's the Grand Princess's birthday. There will surely be a poetry gathering. Have you two prepared?"

When she said this, Zhou Yun glanced deliberately at An Ning, worried her carelessness might lead to embarrassment, and reminded her:

"Since the late emperor's passing, the Grand Princess has not held a birthday banquet for three whole years. Now that there's a chance, the city’s young maidens won't take it lightly."

"Don't worry, Big Sister. I'll prepare properly." An Ning casually nodded, imitating the original body's manner.

But wait—the Grand Princess's birthday!

Something flashed through An Ning's mind.

She glanced at the crystal stone in her space. Compared to putting on airs and delaying the imperial selection, a different approach would be more fun.

On the way home, An Ning suddenly perked up and said:

"System, didn't you notice earlier, actually the original body's scumbag dad is kind of handsome?"

Otherwise, he couldn't have fathered three beauties, each with their own charms.

An Ning thought this with great interest.