Chapter 33 – Something’s Not Right

The bright moon faded, and the chirping of insects began. The stars closed their eyes, and the world flowed like an ink painting. The first light of dawn appeared on the horizon, casting a pale glow. The morning mist clung to the green branches, and as the wind blew, droplets of water rolled off the leaves.

The world was clear, and birds, lifting their legs, flew to higher branches. Xijing City awoke from its deep slumber.

On a bed, three people lay in a tangled mess. Haozhong was the first to wake up, feeling crushed.

A small, thin leg, with hardly any flesh, pressed against her stomach, making her dream of ‘pushing stones’.

She pushed Bai Tang aside, removed Raoliang’s hand from her waist, and pulled back her own leg, which was also not behaving properly. Rubbing her throbbing temples, she noticed the daylight streaming through the window. Suddenly alert, she exclaimed, “Wake up, wake up! We’re going to be late!”

From the highest tower in Xijing City came the deep, resonant sound of the morning bell—three short chimes followed by a long one, signaling the citizens to start their day. Just as the last chime ended, Bai Tang, with her hair in disarray, groggily opened her eyes. “Oh, oh, time to get up, huh.”

She was so sleepy that she could fall back into bed at any moment. Haozhong grabbed Raoliang with one hand and the lazy little girl with the other.

“Get up—”

Her voice pierced their ears like a spell.

The birds in the trees fluttered away.

The window was half-open, the Heart-binding Incense in the purple-gold censer had burned out, and the fresh flowers in the white vase were in full bloom. The inner chamber was filled with a pleasant fragrance. Pei Xuan had been awake for a while, her fair face tinged with a faint blush, looking tenderly at the girl sleeping soundly in her arms.

Such a wonderful person had truly become hers.

Pei Xuan was filled with a quiet joy, not making a sound but feeling elated.

The morning bell echoed through Xijing City as she covered Cui Ti’s ears, not wanting the noise to disturb her sweet sleep.

Unexpectedly, Cui Ti slowly opened her eyes. “Fujun…”

Her voice was husky and seductive, making Pei Xuan’s ears turn red. She responded gently.

Cui Ti rubbed her face against Pei Xuan’s neck, too shy to lift her head.

As she woke up, the indulgence of the previous night came rushing back. She vaguely remembered being a bit clingy, shamelessly seeking more of this person’s affection. Her breath hitched, and a wave of soreness swept through her waist and legs.

But she still wanted to see Pei Xuan.

Taking advantage of her “blindness,” her spiritual eye boldly took in Pei Xuan’s shadow, noticing her bright eyes and the upward curve of her lips. It seemed she had a very pleasant night.

“Xingguang…”

She groped to grasp Pei Xuan’s delicate fingers. The shyness of a new bride and the burgeoning love filled her heart. Pei Xuan, relying on her form-concealing golden silk inner garment, boldly hugged her tightly, “Titi.”

Cui Ti’s chest swelled with emotion, her fingertips clutching Pei Xuan’s undergarments, feeling regret that Xingguang hadn’t dared to be completely honest with her.

In contrast, she herself was laid bare, without even a small piece of clothing to cover her.

For a moment, Pei Xuan indulged in the warmth and softness, but then restrained herself, “Shall we get up?”

“Mm.”

Cui Ti obeyed her completely.

The brocade quilt slid off, revealing a soft, snowy-white body. Pei Xuan was stunned at first, then turned her face away, but soon glanced back, staring intently at the barely discernible bite marks.

“Is this…” She moved closer, feeling guilty, “Did I bite this?”

“If not you, then who?” Cui Ti lowered her head, feigning annoyance.

For a moment, the usually upright Editor Pei fell into self-reflection, “Does it hurt?”

She touched the spot lightly, and Cui Ti’s body trembled slightly, but she shook her head.

Pei Xuan, feeling guilty, murmured, “Oh,” her voice a bit hoarse, “I’ll be more careful next time.”

Cui Ti thought to herself: Better not to be careful. Without experiencing it, Pei Xuan’s cautious and overly gentle approach left her feeling unsatisfied, stuck between pleasure and frustration, making her want to cry, to beg, to meet her halfway, leaving her on edge.

She would rather Pei Xuan bite her hard, even if it hurt, than this unsatisfying teasing.

But she couldn’t say that aloud.

She was, after all, a good woman.

She wanted to be a virtuous and exemplary wife in front of this person.

Bai Tang yawned as she, Haozhong, and Raoliang waited outside the door. After a long while, the door finally opened, and there stood Pei Xuan in her everyday clothes, looking like a jade tree in the wind, with the graceful demeanor of an immortal.

“Come in.”

The immortal had spoken.

The maids surrounded Cui Ti to attend to her, and Bai Tang, with her sharp eyes, noticed the red marks on her miss’s neck. Knowing what she knew, she smiled cheerfully early in the morning.

Finally, the union of the two masters of the household brought joy to everyone, and the servants shared in the happiness. The Momo who served Madam Pei came to the courtyard to retrieve the genuine virginity handkerchief, and Pei Xuan helped Cui Ti out the door.

This was Cui Ti’s first day as the Young Madam Pei of the Pei Family.

After breakfast, Pei Xuan went to her post at the Hanlin Academy, wearing her dignified official robes. She walked with such grace and elegance that she seemed to glide, exuding the freshness of spring.

Cui Ti watched as Pei Xuan left the mansion step by step. As the only color in her world faded away, she was once again plunged into an endless void of white mist.

She had become a complete blind person once more.

With both the older and younger generations of the household occupied, Madam Pei stayed with her daughter-in-law to have a heart-to-heart talk.

A nourishing soup was brought over, and seeing Cui Ti drink it, Madam Pei’s smile deepened. “From now on, you two must live well together. You are the Young Madam of the Pei Family. In a few days, once you have rested, I will take you out. Perhaps you will meet some like-minded friends.”

The interactions within the back courtyard could not be ignored. In an ordinary family, a blind daughter-in-law might be hidden away, not allowed to be seen by anyone.

But this was the Pei Family, and Cui Ti was Pei Xuan’s wife.

Her name was officially entered into the Pei Family’s genealogy, signifying her importance. When she stepped out, she represented the honor and disgrace of the Pei Family.

In her previous lifetime, Cui Ti had been reluctant to socialize. She had repeatedly declined her mother-in-law’s kind offers, partly to avoid embarrassing Pei Xuan, and partly because she was unsure of Pei Xuan’s feelings. Being the Young Madam Pei had left her feeling insecure. But now, understanding Pei Xuan’s heart, she nodded and agreed to accompany her mother-in-law to make friends in a few days.

Meanwhile, at the Hanlin Academy, Song Zizhen, with dark circles under his eyes, yawned repeatedly. Zheng Wuji looked up from his desk, “Were you up to some mischief last night?”

“Go away,” Song Zizhen snapped irritably. “My mother kept me up all night! She kept saying, ‘A man should marry, and a woman should wed. You’re getting older, and if you don’t marry soon, I’ll have to lie in my coffin dreaming of grandchildren.’ Can you believe that? It’s driving me crazy!”

Zheng Wuji, as hard-hearted as he was, had no sympathy for him. “Then why don’t you get married? With the Song Family’s status and your looks, surely you can find a wife?”

“What do you know? Do you think everyone can be like Xingguang, instantly knowing who they want to marry?”

As he finished speaking, Pei Xuan, who was arranging books, smiled gently. “I am indeed very fortunate.”

“Ugh! Is that something a person would say?” Song Zizhen groaned.

Zheng Wuji laughed heartily. “It’s the absolute truth!”

Song Zizhen squinted his eyes and suddenly asked, “Xingguang, were you out catching ghosts last night? Look at those dark circles under your eyes, tsk tsk.”

He had no filter, and Pei Xuan shot him a glare, choosing to ignore him.

The Hanlin Academy was a place where esteemed scholars gathered, and the daily routine was quite leisurely. As colleagues trickled out in small groups, Song Zizhen made a face. “I was wondering why Xingguang seemed so distracted this morning. Turns out her mind was swept away by a beauty. Just thinking about how even the youngest Xingguang has tasted the pleasures of life, how about you, Zheng Wuji? Feeling left out?”

“Why should I feel left out?”

“You’re the oldest among the three of us. If anyone should feel left out, it’s you.”

“…”

That remark hit home. Zheng Wuji fell silent, feeling a bit choked up. He truly was an old bachelor, devoted solely to his studies.

In Dazhao, most men married around seventeen or eighteen. He was a few years older than Pei Xuan, less talented, and even lagged behind in finding a wife. He glared at Song Zizhen, cursing his sharp tongue.

While the two bantered in their spare time, Pei Xuan finished her work and rested her chin on her hand, gazing out the window.

She wondered what Titi was doing at home. Was she holding the rabbit in a daze, listening to Bai Tang’s chatter, or perhaps… thinking of her?

Pei Xuan’s heart skipped a beat, recalling the events of the previous night. The soft and passionate Cui Ti was a side of her she had never seen before.

Certainly, the Heart-binding Incense had played a part, but it only stirred the truest desires. Titi must love her, perhaps even more than she had imagined.

A warmth spread through her chest, and she was grateful for her foresight in wearing the golden silk inner garment. Otherwise, her clothes might have been torn off…

She sighed inwardly: How much longer can I keep this secret?

“Xingguang, want to grab a drink?”

“Not today.”

Song Zizhen raised an eyebrow and nudged Zheng Wuji with his elbow. “See that? Xingguang is truly a devoted gentleman, won’t even drink.”

It’s not that she wouldn’t drink. As an elegant and refined connoisseur of alcohol, Pei Xuan thought for a moment and said, “Let’s do it another day. My treat.”

“Deal! It’s a promise!”

The group left the Hanlin Academy together.

Pei Xuan’s Journey Home

A young servant from the Pei Family led a horse over. Pei Xuan mounted it and leisurely trotted along the long street. Nearby, a few children were playing hide and seek. One child, covering his eyes and facing a tree, asked, “Are you hidden yet?”

“Not yet!”

The children dashed around, and Pei Xuan found some amusement in their play.

In her childhood, she rarely played with peers, preferring to stay indoors and read. Her interests were quite different from others’.

The street was long, and she let her horse move at a slow pace, enjoying the freedom.

The children’s laughter filled the air, catching her attention. She heard someone accusing a playmate of breaking the rules.

“You peeked!”

“I didn’t!”

“How did you know I was hiding here if you didn’t peek?”

The argument was illogical, and Pei Xuan shook her head with a smile.

“You peeked!”

“I did not!”

The two shouted back and forth until other voices joined in, and the horse quietly moved further away.

Pei Xuan felt in good spirits. After wandering the streets for a while, she began to miss Cui Ti and urged her horse into a gallop.

Living in Xi Jing, how wonderful it would have been if she and Titi had grown up together? Even if they played hide and seek and Titi peeked, she wouldn’t mind.

This thought made her lament the unfairness of fate, that her Niangzi was born blind.

“Glutinous rice cakes! Soft and white glutinous rice cakes!”

A vendor’s cry reached her ears, and her thoughts took a sudden turn. Her Niangzi’s chest was truly soft and white, softer than a rabbit, and sweeter to bite.

Her face warmed slightly, but the breeze quickly dispelled the heat. Passersby were captivated by the sight of this Pei Family scion.

Pei Xuan kept reminiscing about the previous night. That wasn’t enough; she also recalled the tender moments at the Chenxiang Courtyard in the Xining Count’s residence.

“One portion of glutinous rice cake, please.”

“Here you go.”

Returning to duty, Editor Pei held the reins in one hand and the fragrant cakes in the other, his thoughts drifting to unknown places.

“Gentleman, what are you thinking about?” Why did he look so happy?

Pei Xuan’s smile was enchanting. “Thinking about those children back there.”

The young servant was puzzled: What was so special about the kids?

“I feel like I’m missing something.”

This feeling came out of nowhere. She pondered it halfway home without figuring it out. Just as she was about to let it go, a gust of wind blew, sending thick smoke from a street-side stove into her eyes. Blinking rapidly, Pei Xuan had to use a handkerchief to wipe her eyes, tears forming at the corner, making her laugh.

Suddenly, her smile froze.

“Gentleman, are you alright?”

Pei Xuan realized what was wrong.