Chapter 67 The Schemes
They descended from Verdant Pavilion and, inside Lotus Shrine, found Talulla. To their surprise, Quincy and his entourage were already there.
Quincy offered a placating smile.
“All four of my children are model youngsters–dutiful, obedient, everyone. Yet, Commander Gates has swallowed Sadie’s wild tales and barred them from their lessons. Lady Talulla, might you have a talk with him and Sadie?”
“Mr. Francis, your children are indeed commendable, but do you claim ours are not? Sadie has lived beneath my roof these weeks, and every lady who meets her speaks well of her. As for Zephyr, he has always thought for himself. Our duty as elders is to offer support, nothing more,” Talulla said, her tone gentle but unyielding.
Her words were barbed with steel, and Quincy could do nothing but swallow the sting.
Quincy ground his teeth, mortified that his ploy had backfired so neatly. He simply could not fathom why Talulla allowed Zephyr and Sadie to do exactly as they pleased: In his eyes, an elder’s task was to seize on every flaw, scold every lapse, and keep the young firmly in their place.
Only such harsh vigilance, he believed, forged obedient children and cemented authority. By that measure, Talulla’s indulgence could only ruin them.
Quincy forced a chuckle. “Yes. Lady Talulla, you’re perfectly correct.”
“Grandmother,” Sadie said, stepping forward.
“Back already, Sades?” Talulla’s features finally softened. She dabbed the fine sweat from Sadie’s brow. “Did you enjoy yourself?”
“Very much,” Sadie replied. “Zephyr showed me all around.”
Quincy snorted in open disdain.
He suddenly produced several embroidered sachets and donned a benevolent smile.
I had these blessed at Mercycloud Monastery–cost me a tidy sum. Midsummer is almost upon us; wear them to keep insects and evil spirits away. Adonis, hand one to each of your brothers and sisters.
Adonis obediently distributed the sachets to Daisy and the others, but when he reached Sadie, the basket was empty.
“Oh dear,” Daisy said, cradling her own sachet with exaggerated care. “Father has forgotten our sister’s share. What shall we do?”
Quincy laughed without warmth. “My memory, honestly–I forgot I still had a younger daughter. You never come to show filial devotion, so I sometimes feel I have only four children!”
The malice in his eyes was impossible to miss.
In the Zestrax Empire, a maiden branded unfilial would see her future crumble instantly.
This petty scene was Quincy’s revenge for Sadie’s earlier defiance–a way to parade her as an ingrate and reclaim his dignity before the world.
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Chapter 67 The Schemes
Yet, Sadie did not so much as frown,
She lifted her chin, all grace and candor. The fault is mine. After Mother remarried, my days were filled with caring for Grandmother and attending to Mother herself. I seldom visit you, so you have every excuse for forgetting me. Fortunately, Mother’s memory is excellent. Though my three brothers and elder sister have never once set foot in the Gates Estate to visit her, she somehow still remembers every one of them.
For a heartbeat, the courtyard fell utterly still before Zephyr’s sudden, delighted laugh cracked the hush.
Sadie’s riposte was flawless–every word courteous, yet each one painted Quincy as petty and exacting. She now lived with her mother; no one could reasonably demand that she visit her father’s house every day. In the same breath, she jabbed at her four siblings, reminding everyone they had not shown the least filial care.
Quincy had meant to land a blow, yet it felt as though he was punching air. At last, he barked, face darkened, “I utter one sentence and you bite back with ten! A sharp tongue in a young lady is a dreadful thing. You’ll be rejected by your husband’s family for it!“.
“Mr. Francis, that remark is ill–considered.” The Duchess of Hanshire stepped forward before the silence tightened.
She had observed the exchange for some time and found herself liking Sadie more with every passing moment. “A keen tongue keeps a girl from being wronged in her husband’s house–surely, that is a virtue. I would be thrilled if my own daughter were as quick–witted as Miss Sadie; no one would dare trifle with her then.”
Lillian planted her fists on her hips and piped, “Mother is absolutely right. Girls must stand up for themselves!”
Irritated by the duet, Quincy swung an accusing glare toward Charlie. “And you, Mr. Campbell, do you truly believe that a combative, sharp–witted woman is desirable?”
“Why ever not?” Charlie replied, his gaze on Sadie warm with admiration. “Miss Sadie is an excellent young woman.”
Quincy could only shake his head, fury simmering beneath the gesture, and stalked away.
Daisy let her eyes shuttle between Charlie and ‘Sadie. Both of them looked very much at ease together.
Did Lady Talulla arrange for the two of them to consider marriage?
In her previous life at the Gates Estate, not even the most ordinary official’s son had been proposed to her, let alone the heir of Hanshire.
She was fated to marry the Crown Prince, yet the sight of Sadie securing such a brilliant match still induced rage in her chest.
If we are true sisters, then Sadie ought to taste every grievance I have suffered.
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