Chapter 9 – Arrival as Promised

In Xi Jing, on Furong Street, it was near noon, and there were not many pedestrians. A white horse galloped through, leaving a trail of dust in its wake.

“Who is that?”

“It looks like… it seems to be the youngest Zhuangyuan of our Dazhao?”

“Zhuangyuan? The legitimate son of the Pei Family?!” someone exclaimed in surprise. “It’s almost mealtime; what is the Zhuangyuan doing?”

“Oh, have you heard? The Sun family is planning to propose marriage to the Xining Count’s residence.”

“Propose marriage? Which one are they interested in?”

The person covered their eyes with their hand, and the others quickly understood, puzzled, they asked, “Why not the Third Miss Cui?”

“Young Master Sun the Third is young, has a bad reputation, and is one-eyed and lecherous. Maybe that blind person is just beautiful.”

That blind person.

The crowd gossiped.

In March, the days were supposed to be bright with spring sunshine, but suddenly a gust of wind brought a large dark cloud.

In the Xining Count’s residence, in a quiet southern courtyard, Cui Ti felt the cool wind brush her cheek. She clenched her fingers, “Baibai, is it going to rain again?”

Bai Ge was scratching her head anxiously, “This wretched weather! The sun was just shining high a moment ago!”

Cui Ti’s heart sank.

It was going to rain.

Again.

Once it started raining, her kite wouldn’t be able to fly.

Pei Xuan whipped her horse through the straight Furong Street, the wind lifting strands of her long hair, her robe fluttering.

Xi Jing, being the capital, had long and wide roads. Near noon, the streets were already not very crowded, and with the rain coming, there were even fewer people.

The horse galloped wildly.

After Furong Street came Peony Street.

A widow living on Peony Street hurried to close her windows. A white figure flashed by; she didn’t see Pei Xuan on the horse’s back but instead caught sight of a foot wrapped in snow-white socks without boots.

How strange.

Who runs outside in broad daylight without boots?

The horse’s hooves flew as Pei Xuan neared the Xining Count’s residence. From the horseback, she looked towards the south and, sure enough, saw a lone kite wavering in the sky.

A gust of wind blew, causing the kite to sway erratically. A mix of joy, worry, and urgency filled her heart. This urgency peaked when she saw a carriage parked in front of the Xining Count’s residence.

In Xi Jing, each family’s carriage bore their unique emblem to avoid collisions. This carriage had a copper bell hanging from one corner, with a small flag inscribed with the character “Sun” on one side.

Pei Xuan stumbled off her horse.

The doorman, yawning, eyed her dust-covered appearance. She looked dignified but was barefoot, which filled him with disdain. “This is the Xining Count’s residence. Strangers, leave!”

He waved her away, but Pei Xuan, clutching her riding whip, pushed forward.

“Hey, you! This is the Xining Count’s residence, not a place for you to cause trouble!”

“The Zhuangyuan, a student of the Emperor himself-is that someone you can stop? Move aside!”

Her sharp command carried an imposing presence. The doorman, of low rank, had only ever seen his own Count, and couldn’t withstand the authoritative aura of the chancellor’s legitimate child.

While he was stunned, Pei Xuan strode in.

She had never bullied the weak before, but today she did. She had always obeyed her parents, but last night she defied them.

Her knees throbbed with pain as she stared at the kite being battered by wind and rain, pushing aside the Cui Family servants blocking her path with gritted teeth.

She had done so much, made so many promises to the girl. If she couldn’t make it in time, how could she ever speak of her feelings again?

Her whip cracked loudly in the air.

Dark clouds rolled in as the rain began to fall.

In the main hall, the Countess of Xining was beaming with joy. The Count sat at the head of the table, barely participating, listening to his wife and Madam Sun discuss the marriage of their children.

The matchmaker hired by the Sun family was speaking eloquently, painting Young Master Sun the Third, who was lecherous and one-eyed, as an unparalleled gentleman.

Upon hearing her words, the Count started to doubt the rumors he’d heard.

At least the Young Master Sun he saw was polite and good-looking, certainly more pleasing than the lame Qian family’s illegitimate son.

Both families were inclined towards the marriage, with only the Countess of Xining still playing hard to get.

Young Master Sun the Third, annoyed by the future mother-in-law’s excessive demands, kept signaling to his mother. Finally, Madam Sun proposed increasing the betrothal gifts by ten percent.

“The Sun family’s sincerity is clear to both the Count and me,” the Countess of Xining said with a genuine smile.

“So, this marriage…” Madam Sun prompted.

“We agree to it,” the Countess confirmed.

“I do not agree!”

The sudden outburst shocked everyone. Both Madam Sun and the Countess of Xining turned to see the handsome young gentleman standing at the doorway.

The servants, frightened, apologized to their masters. Count Xining, surprised, stood up upon seeing the visitor.

Pei Xuan put away her whip, adjusted her robe, and stepped into the room.

Her sky-blue robe fluttered, her disheveled black hair blowing in the wind, and her white socks stained with mud. With a soft whip at her waist and her robe sash flapping, the Countess of Xining, who rarely ventured out of the inner courtyard, didn’t recognize her. But how could the Count not know her esteemed identity?

For years, who was the most prominent young man in Xi Jing? The legitimate son of the Pei Family was second to none.

This extraordinary gentleman, disheveled and braving the rain, came, and before his wife could scold her, the Count greeted Pei Xuan respectfully, “My wife’s lack of manners, Gentleman Pei, please forgive her.”

Gentleman Pei?

The Countess’s sharp demeanor softened, and she swallowed her words.

Madam Sun, realizing who she was, displayed a hint of reverence in her eyes.

Young Master Sun the Third, who loved beauties regardless of gender, was almost entranced upon seeing Pei Xuan. Her radiant grace was dazzling—this was the legitimate son of the Pei Family.

Seeing her in person surpassed all the rumors.

Pei Xuan respectfully greeted the Count and Countess of Xining, displaying elegance and refinement. Even without wearing boots, she remained the foremost talented young man in Xi Jing.

The Count admired her humility.

In Xi Jing, many noble families loved to flatter the high and trample the low. To receive goodwill from the illustrious Zhuangyuan after being trampled for years was a delight: “What did Gentleman Pei mean by not agreeing?”

“I do not agree to the Cui Family’s eldest daughter marrying Young Master Sun the Third.”

The Countess’s eyelids twitched heavily, driven by a woman’s intuition.

Watching the drama unfold in his own home, Young Master Sun the Third smirked, “Brother Pei, rushing here in such a hurry, are you here to steal the bride?”

What kind of beauty could drive Pei Xuan to such lengths?

He wasn’t willing to let go.

That blind girl—he was determined to marry her!

A mother knows her son best. Madam Sun fully understood her youngest son’s intentions.

After careful consideration, Madam Sun was certain that the Chancellor would never permit his son to marry a blind girl. Observing Pei Xuan’s disheveled appearance, with no time to even wear her boots, she smiled and said, “Zhuangyuan is a scholar, and scholars know the principles of propriety and precedence.

“Previously, we had made a verbal agreement with the Count and Countess of Xining. With parental consent and a matchmaker’s arrangements, the Sun family has all the formalities covered. What does Gentleman Pei have?”

“I have a kite!”

Her eyes blazed with determination, as if she were proclaiming a profound truth only a sage could speak.

A kite?

No one present understood.

The Count regretted agreeing too quickly. Had he known Pei Xuan was interested, he would have happily offered his eldest daughter, even for a mere piece of grass.

The Countess of Xining felt a bitter regret gnawing at her, more painful than swallowing bitter herbs.

Young Master Sun the Third said smugly, “Brother Pei, a gentleman does not take what others cherish. You previously took my fiancée’s portrait, and I haven’t even settled that score with you.”

“Who do you want to settle accounts with? How about you settle them with me?”

A powerful and authoritative voice cut through the wind and rain.

The Count of Xining was stunned, stammering, “Ch-Chancellor Pei!?”

The Chancellor of the nation arrived at the Xining Count’s residence, and the Count and Countess immediately knelt in respect.

Seeing her son still standing there dazed, Madam Sun tugged at his pants. Realizing that the Chancellor’s words were directed at him, Young Master Sun the Third broke into a cold sweat, his face turning as pale as paper as he knelt and prostrated himself.

Chancellor Pei, now over forty, had been a charming young man in his youth, captivating all of Xi Jing. That charming young man had grown into a middle-aged official with an imposing presence. His appearance alone brought a pressure as overwhelming as Mount Tai.

Pei Xuan felt uneasy seeing her father in person and greeted him with a hesitant “Father,” earning a disapproving look from Chancellor Pei.

A pageboy, carrying a pair of long boots, hurriedly stepped forward from behind the Chancellor to assist Gentleman Pei in putting them on.

Another maid approached to tidy Pei Xuan’s disheveled hair and crooked jade belt.

With a flick of his wide sleeve, Pei Rufeng sat unceremoniously in the main seat, his stern gaze sweeping over the gathered heads. “My son also has parental consent and a matchmaker’s arrangements.”

Pei Xuan’s head shot up, and she joyfully called out, “Dad,” which made the Chancellor both amused and exasperated.

The official matchmaker, lifting her skirt gracefully, stepped forward.

It was her first time seeing a marriage proposal where the bride’s parents had to kneel and listen.

The people from the Chancellor’s residence had forcibly brought her here. Given her many years of matchmaking experience, she could easily see that Gentleman Pei was genuinely in love.

With only one son, Chancellor Pei didn’t care if the girl was blind, lame, deaf, or foolish; his son’s happiness was paramount.

“May I ask, Chancellor…” The Countess of Xining, suppressing her fear, inquired, “My husband and I have two daughters. Which one does the Chancellor wish to…”

The Chancellor couldn’t be bothered to reply. He glanced at his ‘son,’ who had brought shame upon himself. Pei Xuan spoke gently, “I seek to marry the Count’s eldest daughter, the one residing in the south courtyard.”

She specifically mentioned “residing in the south courtyard.” Previously, this wouldn’t have mattered, but now it made the Count’s face burn with embarrassment.

A good daughter from a reputable family attracts suitors from far and wide.

Even a blind girl could attract the renowned Pei Family’s legitimate son. The Countess of Xining sighed inwardly at Cui Ti’s stroke of luck and marveled at the good fortune befalling their household.

To form an alliance with the Pei Family, even kneeling was a higher status than many standing outside.

Madam Sun trembled like a leaf. She couldn’t fathom why the Chancellor would allow his legitimate son to marry a blind girl.

She was even more baffled as to why the near-perfect Gentleman Pei would be so devoted to a blind girl.

What others saw as shameful, he cherished as a treasure. What others avoided, he pursued through rain and storm.

With the Chancellor present, the marriage arrangement proceeded smoothly.

“Enough, get up already. Kneeling looks terrible,” the Chancellor commanded.

The Count and Countess of Xining, barely containing their mix of joy and fear, rose to their feet, leaving Madam Sun and her son still kneeling.

Chancellor Pei, with his keen memory, recalled the young man who wanted to settle a score with his daughter. He suddenly spoke, “Young Master Sun the Third, is it you-“

Before he could finish, the pungent smell of urine filled the air.

Young Master Sun the Third had wet himself in fear.

The stench was overwhelming, and the Chancellor lost his desire to settle any scores. Covering his nose with a handkerchief, he commanded, “Disgraceful. Take him away!”

Madam Sun, wailing, clutched her son, who had become as limp as a shrimp.

It was a commotion.

The Chancellor, despite his busy schedule, had made time to come. He couldn’t stay to discuss the details of the marriage further. Setting the wedding date, he then hurriedly took his ‘disgraceful son’ back home.

“Stop staring. Can’t you wait a little longer?” he grumbled, unable to do anything about Pei Xuan. “Let’s go home first. Your mom has called a doctor to check your leg. You’re going to be an official one day, and you still act so recklessly! Before long, all of Xi Jing will know that Gentleman Pei ran out disheveled to steal a bride!”

Pei Xuan took one last look at the kite fluttering precariously in the air and lowered the carriage curtain. “Dad, soon there will be one more person to honor you and Mom.”

Pei Rufeng let out a long sigh. He patted Pei Xuan’s less-than-sturdy back, conveying everything without words.

The kite, which had been struggling in the wind for a long time, finally succumbed to the rain and fell.

Bai Ge’s heart was filled with anger towards Gentleman Pei—was it really so amusing to toy with her miss? Why would he tease a blind girl who waited so long for him? Wasn’t her miss pitiful enough already?

Her eyes reddened with tears, which rolled down her cheeks. She turned away, using her sleeve to wipe them, trying not to let Cui Ti hear her crying.

“Baibai, is the kite still up there?”

“Yes, it’s still there!”

Bai Ge resisted looking at the kite now lying miserably in the mud and exclaimed, “Miss, the kite we made this time is really impressive—it’s still hanging up there!”

Cui Ti knew exactly what kind of person Bai Ge was and what tone she used for different emotions.

She guessed the kite had broken again.

“Miss?”

With no response from Cui Ti, Bai Ge nervously picked at a loose thread on her sleeve.

“You don’t have to comfort me. It’s okay. If the kite is broken, we’ll just make another one.”

Yesterday, Bai Ge had waited with her, waiting until the sun set, the moon rose, the sky cleared, and it rained. She couldn’t wait any longer: “Miss, what if he’s deceiving you? Are we still going to make another kite?”

Something about seeing the kite would make him rush over, even if he had left Xijing City. By now, he should have arrived.

Cui Ti shook her head: “He will come. We still need to make the kite.”

Bai Ge, frustrated, ruffled her hair, and after a while, she went to prepare the materials for making the kite, her hair a mess.

The frame was barely put together, and small cuts appeared on Cui Ti’s index and middle fingers.

Seeing this, Bai Ge’s anger towards Pei Xuan grew; she could almost gnash her teeth in hate. He had better come, or she would curse him in her dreams!

“Baibai.”

After a long silence, Cui Ti said softly, “He will come. Don’t curse him in your heart.”

“…”

Bai Ge, exasperated, nearly cut her hand with the bamboo knife. She took a deep breath of the earthy air from outside the window: Her miss must be under a spell!

“Fine, he will come. If miss says he will come, he will definitely come,” she forced a smile, desperately hoping that Pei Xuan would keep his word.

The once desolate south courtyard suddenly bustled with people, as if sprouting like mushrooms after a rain, most of them coming to offer congratulations. Bai Ge was surrounded and irritated. What was there to celebrate when that silly goose Pei Xuan had yet to show up, and her lady was practically under a spell?

“Congratulations, congratulations!”

Someone bypassed Bai Ge, insisting, “I’ll go speak to the miss myself!”

After the rain, the skies cleared. Without Bai Ge by her side, Cui Ti tried to fly the kite herself, struggling and stumbling, never quite succeeding.

“Oh dear! What is the miss doing? Be careful!”

The overly enthusiastic maid who eagerly ran errands for the North Courtyard exclaimed dramatically, startling Cui Ti so much that she almost tripped. Bai Ge, feeling that these people were just here to cause trouble, hurried over to support her miss.

“You’re going to be the Zhuangyuan’s wife soon. If you really like flying kites, isn’t it best to have Gentleman Pei accompany you?”

Bai Ge bristled at the mention of “Gentleman Pei,” but Cui Ti, keeping her wits about her, asked in a trembling voice, “Zhuangyuan’s wife?”

“Yes, the legitimate son of the Pei Family came in the rain, forgetting even his boots, and stormed into the manor with a riding whip, declaring his intention to propose in front of the Count and Madam. Later, the Chancellor also arrived, and the wedding is set for May 5th.

“You, living in this small courtyard, have now become the most esteemed miss of the entire household.”

She piled on the flattery with a sycophantic smile: “Congratulations to you, Miss!”