Chapter 94: Happy Shang Hongxue

Early the next morning, Shang Hongxue woke up and saw magpies calling on the branches outside the window, and she knew that something good would definitely happen today.

At once she looked for her elder sister's figure; the only thing she could call a happy event was her elder sister leaving. She deliberately went to her elder sister Shang Hongchen's room to take a peek, sneaked in, then found no one inside. Shang Hongxue's mood instantly brightened; she checked and confirmed that her elder sister had not returned last night.

Shang Hongxue hurried to ask her father, and in the hall she saw her father Shang Yingnian sitting with a weary expression, as if he had sat there all night without sleeping; her mother was also beside him keeping him company. This sight made Shang Hongxue a little surprised, suppressing her inner joy, and she hurriedly made tea.

Father, have some tea.

Mother, have some tea.

Shang Yingnian was very happy; a cup of warm tea could soothe his heart. His eldest daughter had left, but his youngest daughter was still by his side, so he was not a lonely widower.

Hongxue has come, sit down.

Shang Yingnian naturally saw the joy on his youngest daughter's face, and he couldn't keep the smile from his lips. He knew this ice‑snow‑clever little daughter must have guessed something, and he didn't intend to hide it, saying: "Last night, your elder sister left."

Shang Hongxue instantly beamed with joy, but seeing her parents staring at her, she immediately tried to hide her happiness.

But the corners of her mouth really couldn't be held down.

Jiang Luolan saw this and said in an annoyed tone, "You really can't hold it in—just laugh out loud; you don't need to keep enduring like this."

We're all family; there's no need for that.

Only then did Shang Hongxue reveal a smile; she was still very restrained, not letting herself laugh out loud.

You, do you really want your elder sister to leave that much?

Hehe. Shang Hongxue said coquettishly, "There's no such thing, Mother; I really hate to part with my elder sister."

Jiang Luolan teased, "How about I let your elder sister come back?"

Shang Hongxue immediately refused: "No need; going back and forth is too tiring. Let her stay at peace in the Heavenly Heart Sect—that's where her stage is. Our Shang clan doesn't need her right now."

This family can be safely entrusted to the younger brother; I believe he can definitely handle it.

Shang Yue: "…" Listen to me say thank you, my good older sister.

Jiang Luolan laughed and shook her head; this daughter really doesn't hide her excitement at all.

That's right; with the eldest daughter here, the family feels oppressed. Although the youngest daughter has resisted the eldest a few times, the eldest is after all the big sister, and she has a strong desire to control the younger sisters, making it hard to resist.

With the eldest daughter gone, the youngest daughter and the son can also breathe a sigh of relief; even she can relax.

Your elder sister has gone; from now on you may go wherever you wish, but there is one thing I must confirm with you: you cannot go out at night.

If you go out, you must return early; don't come back at night, because the outside is very dangerous.

Upon hearing this, Shang Hongxue thought the condition was not difficult and she could accept it.

Got it, Mother.

Jiang Luolan felt very relieved about this youngest daughter, and at the same time would send people to follow her, guaranteeing her safety.

Shang Yingnian waved, and Shang Hongxue came before her father.

Hongxue, tell your father the truth: do you really like that boy Chen Chuyang?

Shang Hongxue's face quickly turned red; she turned away, fidgeting and stammering.

Jiang Luolan gave her husband a sideways glance, thinking, "Can't he see it? My daughter's manner is obvious enough—why must she say it out loud? Hongxue is a girl; she needs to be reserved; how could she directly say such things?"

Hongxue, don't mind your father; he didn't sleep well last night and is talking nonsense.

Mm. Shang Hongxue replied in a soft, babyish tone.

After Jiang Luolan gave a couple of instructions, she let the youngest daughter leave first.

Just before leaving, Shang Hongxue turned back and said, "Father."

Shang Yingnian instinctively replied, "What is it?"

That Azure Origin Bamboo we bought a while back—where did you put it?

Shang Yingnian didn't think much and said directly, "It's right in the back yard."

Thank you, Father.

Shang Hongxue left laughing, hopping and skipping, bringing joy to those who saw her.

Shang Yingnian glanced at his wife; Jiang Luolan wanted to speak but still didn't.

She looked outside and couldn't help muttering to herself, "It's over; the Azure Origin Bamboo is surely gone."

Her husband still hasn't realized what's happening; truly he is a good father to his daughter.

By the time he realizes, it will probably be too late.

Shang Yue also noticed that his elder sister was gone; he looked around but couldn't find her.

Instead he saw his furtive second sister about to go out.

Second sister, where are you going?

Shang Hongxue jumped in fright, turned around and saw it was her brother, and breathed a sigh of relief.

Shang Yue, are you trying to scare me to death? From now on you're not allowed to speak behind my back, or I'll beat you.

She raised her little fist, threatening Shang Yue.

Shang Yue ignored her fist, speaking frankly: his second sister really isn't his match; that little fist, if it hit him, would feel like a tickle.

Second sister, what are you holding in your arms?

Shang Hongxue panicked, turned away, and concealed the treasure in her arms so her brother wouldn't see it.

This thing must not be discovered; otherwise she wouldn't be able to leave.

Nothing, nothing, nothing.

Shang Yue took a look and immediately knew something was off; surely she was hiding something from him.

Second sister, did you take something?

It must be said that Shang Yue's mind at this moment was truly sharp; he spotted the clue at a glance.

He stepped forward, wanting to see what the second sister had taken, sneaking about.

It must be something good; he wants to see whether the second sister took his treasure.

No, no, Shang Yue, what are you doing? If you come over again, I'll really beat you.

Frightened Shang Hongxue waved her fists, threatening Shang Yue, warning him not to come close.

Shang Yue was very curious and insisted on seeing what his older sister had taken.

"Older sister, did you take it to give to Chen Chuyang?"

Shang Hongxue's eyes narrowed; she had been discovered.

"No, no, that's not it, you're mistaken, Shang Yue."

Shang Hongxue's eyes darted, and she said: "Shang Yue, Father is looking for you, go quickly."

Now it was Shang Yue's turn to be dazed.

"Father is looking for me? When did this happen? Why didn't he know?"

He looked up again, and his older sister had disappeared.

"Old..." He raised his hand, wanting to shout, but the older sister had already run far away.

Feeling depressed, he could only go to the hall, where he saw his parents, exchanged greetings, and then Shang Yue directly asked: "Father, did Older Sister say you were looking for me?"

Shang Yingnian also looked a bit startled: "No, I didn't want to look for my son."

He blinked.

He looked toward his wife.

Jiang Luolan spread her hands, indicating she didn't know either; in fact, she had reached a conclusion in her heart—the Azure Origin Bamboo was probably gone, and this daughter must have sent it to that brat Chen Chuyang.

The daughter has grown up, her elbow turns outward now.

"I didn't look for you; weren't you deceived by Hongxue?"

Upon hearing that, Shang Yue suddenly realized.

"Oh dear, I understand now—Older Sister definitely didn't want to be stopped, so she lied to me."

"Father, I just saw Older Sister sneaking out, seeming to hold something in her arms—check if you've lost anything."

As soon as he said that, the hall fell silent.

Jiang Luolan rubbed her forehead, knowing this would happen.

Shang Yingnian stared again, then ran to the backyard.

A tragic cry rang out.

"My Azure Origin Bamboo."

"Ah ah, it's all gone."

In the hall, Shang Yue and his mother Jiang Luolan exchanged a glance and smiled helplessly.