Chapter 30 – Showing Affection

Cui Ti waited outside with a rabbit in her arms for about a quarter of an hour. Bai Tang, in a somewhat theatrical manner, fetched an oiled paper umbrella. “Strange, why hasn’t the gentleman come out yet?”

It was the perfect weather during the transition from spring to summer, with warm sunlight that wasn’t scorching. Haozhong glanced at the sun with her peripheral vision, then looked at Bai Tang, who was holding the umbrella over the Young Madam’s head. She smirked slightly. “It’s understandable that the gentleman and his mother would talk for a while, given their deep bond.”

Bai Tang responded with an “oh” and adjusted the umbrella, which was decorated with a drawing of a koi fish, to completely cover Cui Ti’s head. Although Cui Ti couldn’t see her action, she felt the shade and smiled, shaking her head. “I’m not hot, you can hold it for yourself.”

“He’s coming out!” Raoliang exclaimed softly before Bai Tang could respond.

Pei Xuan walked over gracefully, her clothes fluttering in the breeze. Although it had only been a short while since they last saw each other, Cui Ti’s heart leapt with joy like a fish seeing water.

“Niangzi.”

“Fujun.”

The usually straightforward Pei Xuan suddenly felt a little flustered, thinking about the lie her mom had concocted to pave the way for her. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she took the oiled paper umbrella from Bai Tang and held it up. “Shall we talk as we walk?”

Cui Ti rarely disagreed with her words, so the two walked through the vast back garden of the Chancellor’s Residence, each lost in their own thoughts. The breeze was pleasant, and the garden was filled with the intoxicating fragrance of flowers.

If Pei Xuan were truly a man, she would naturally feel too ashamed to lift her head in front of her first wife, knowing her own ‘affliction.’

But she was a woman, an intelligent and reserved woman. Even though her own mother had forcibly labeled her as ‘inadequate,’ she still stood tall and tried to maintain her composure. “The wedding leave is over. I will have to go to the Hanlin Academy tomorrow.”

She had taken the route of the Imperial Examination, achieving the highest rank of Zhuangyuan and becoming a sixth rank Editor at the Hanlin Academy. The wedding leave was a privilege granted by His Majesty to his officials.

Bearing the identity of the Chancellor’s legitimate son, she had to make a name for herself.

She seemed to feel guilty about not being able to stay with Cui Ti every day after the wedding.

“I’m fine, you can go.”

Her voice was soft yet firm.

Pei Xuan felt grateful for her understanding. Remembering the harsh words her mom had left behind, her guilt towards her Niangzi deepened even more.

She might be a woman, but she was still Cui Ti’s Fujun. If they couldn’t consummate their marriage, so be it. But if they did, Cui Ti could only be with her. As long as she lived, no one else could touch her Niangzi.

Ever since she walked out of that door, her demeanor had been strangely off. Cui Ti silently wondered what her mother-in-law had said to her. What could have been said to make the usually calm and composed Pei Xuan so agitated?

“Since I have to be on duty tomorrow, we can indulge a little today,” Pei Xuan said.

Cui Ti’s fingers trembled. “How… how do we indulge?”

Pei Xuan raised an eyebrow and smiled. “You’ll see in a bit.”

Cui Ti thought she would have to wait until nightfall, and this anticipation made her anxious and distracted for quite some time.

At noon, a rich aroma filled the air. A large bowl of spicy rabbit head was brought to them. Pei Xuan’s eyes lit up, and she leaned in to whisper, “This is what I meant by ‘indulge.'”

“…”

Cui Ti’s lips parted slightly in disbelief as she let out a soft “ah.” Receiving a definitive answer from Pei Xuan, she felt as if she had been lifted to the clouds only to crash down into the dirt.

She lowered her head in silence, slowly becoming both embarrassed and angry. She tugged at her sleeve and kept her eyes down, saying nothing.

“Niangzi?” Pei Xuan’s voice was light, clearly in high spirits.

Cui Ti didn’t want to spoil the mood. She swallowed her frustration and responded in a muffled voice, “Yes?”

“Are you not happy, Niangzi?”

“I’m very happy.”

To prove her happiness, she looked up and forced a smile.

Pei Xuan blinked. The scroll she kept close seemed to gnaw at her heart. Already feeling guilty, her gaze finally settled on the fragrant spicy rabbit head.

“Niangzi, would you like to eat together?”

“Eat what?”

“Rabbit head, spicy flavor. It’s delicious.”

Pei Xuan enthusiastically described the rabbit head’s deliciousness. Turning her head, she noticed the pristine, white rabbit nestled against Cui Ti’s leg.

Her eyes darkened slightly. She took the rabbit and handed it to Haozhong, then carefully washed her hands before returning to the table.

Bai Tang could barely contain her laughter. The gentleman was so cruel; how could she eat a rabbit’s kin right in front of it?

“Niangzi?”

Cui Ti was lost in thought again, her eyes showing a hint of shyness. She scolded herself silently for letting her mind wander and refocused all her attention on Pei Xuan.

Seeing those earnest eyes eager to share, she couldn’t help but feel that Pei Xuan was trying to please her in an unskilled manner.

In her previous lifetime, it had always been like this. Every time Pei Xuan made her cry, she would try to make amends. Twice, this involved bringing spicy rabbit head to the table.

Cui Ti suspected that Pei Xuan had done something to wrong her or was planning to do so.

Thus, an innocent rabbit had prematurely met its fate.

Editor Pei’s delicate hands were capable of writing beautiful prose and dissecting fine dishes alike. Her fair, slender hands gripped the rabbit’s skull with a deft twist, splitting the mandible in two. “Please, Niangzi, you first.”

“…”

In their previous life, her Fujun had loved this dish with the scant meat of the rabbit’s head. However, Cui Ti couldn’t appreciate its appeal. Firstly, she found it cumbersome; secondly, she liked lively rabbits and couldn’t bear the thought of breaking their bones and eating them.

Pei Xuan herself loved it, but she only allowed herself this indulgence once a month.

Seeing Cui Ti hesitate, Pei Xuan slowly realized that what she liked might not be to her Niangzi’s taste.

“Would you… would you feed me?” Cui Ti asked.

In an instant, Pei Xuan’s eyes sparkled with renewed brightness. “Of course!”

Cui Ti felt a mix of indulgence and helplessness in her heart. But based on her experiences from their previous life, she knew that to love Pei Xuan meant to share this dish with her. It was the most interesting and quickest way to reach the depths of Pei Xuan’s heart.