The year 1935, standing before the huge western-style carved metal gate in Shanghai, Jin Xiu was stunned.
It was this address, no mistake about it, she had looked at it again and again. But the plaque on the door had “Yin’s Residence” clearly written on it. Looking through the railing, peeking in, it was obviously a luxurious courtyard, the green gra.s.s, water feature, the red brick mansion surrounded by tulips…how could it be, ten years ago, when Ming Zhu was chased out of the house, she was just twelve, and couldn’t even afford to buy even a corner of this residence, to think she was staying in such a place? Perhaps she married well, but when Uncle Tian came back, he said that she had yet to get married. Jin Xiu hesitated, but still bit the bullet and pressed the doorbell.
At least clear things up first before deciding what to do!
The person who answered the doorbell was and elderly maidservant in white top and black pants, she looked about forty-five, a low bun on her head with not a hair out of place. Through the railings, she looked suspiciously at Jin Xiu, “Who are you looking for?”
Jin Xiu asked, “Is Rong Ming Zhu staying here?
“The lady of the house has Yin as her surname, not Rong. You can’t even get her name right, who are you to her?”So Ming Zhu had really changed her surname, to Yin? Startled, Jin Xiu blurted out, “I am her younger sister.”
That old maidservant’s eyes widened. “My lady is an orphan, where would she get a sister, what nonsense are you speaking?”
She said she was an orphan? Jin Xiu’s heart sank. It looked it, after travelling all the way to Shanghai, things were looking gloom. Ming Zhu had completely denied the family name, perhaps because of her hatred, and would rather start anew than welcome this sister that she had not seen in ten years. But this relationship was more than meets the eye, since she no longer acknowledged it, explaining it would probably take too much effort.
“Lady, you look all prim and proper, of all things, why cheat like this? If you’re after money, the lady of the house might even take pity and give you some, but if you’re here to cheat her, she will skin you.”
Half of Jin Xiu’s face turned hot, she could not believe that a servant would say such words to her. She knew that the clothes she had on looked shabby, she had travelled all the way from Zhenjiang, undergoing the torment of travelling by car then boat, that blue bamboo cloth top which had been washed clean was now dirty beyond recognition, her cloth shoes were also worn out at the sides. But at this age, to be taken as a cheat, it was a first.
“Open the door, whether or not she knows me, let Ming Zhu decide,” Jin Xiu raised her voice, “Who are you to chase me away?”
“Ai, how fierce, what do you take this place for? Let me tell you, even the people from the police station dare not say no to my lady, if you don’t leave now, don’t blame me for taking action.”
“You!” Jin Xiu was so angry that she couldn’t even speak, shaking the railings as she yelled, “Ming Zhu! Ming Zhu come out! I’m Jin Xiu!”
In the midst of the commotion, a young lady in peac.o.c.k green gown walked from the front of the building, very slim, with cloud-like long hair. From afar she raised her voice and asked,”What person? Hsu Ma, who are you talking so loudly to, beware of disturbing Ah Jie’s rest.” There was annoyance in her voice, but it sounded clear and pleasant, walking over with hurried steps, looking even more elegant, that slim waist and long legs peeked out from her lace clothes, as though a light breeze blowing against a willow branch. This beautiful lady was Ming Zhu right? Jin Xiu remembered that even at twelve, Ming Zhu was already gorgeous beauty and was always scolded by Da Ma (Big Mother, first wife of her father) who called her “foxy minx”.