Chapter 46 – Love as Proof

“I miss you.”

She teased, “With how good you are, will you bring another girl home someday?”

“…”

Pei Xuan took a sharp breath: That’s not something she wanted to imagine.

Bai Tang, along with Haozhong and Raoliang, who were serving nearby, squinted at their good gentleman, as if trying to see through her face whether she would ever betray the Young Madam.

Having just shown off in front of Count Xining and his daughter, Pei Xuan couldn’t help but smile bitterly, “My heart for you, Niangzi, is as clear as the heavens and earth.”

“Silly,” Cui Ti laughed at her. “Can’t you see I’m teasing you?”

Even if she did see it, she still had to express her resolve.

“You all may go.”

The maids filed out, and Cui Ti held her hand, asking, “Why were you gone so long?”

Speaking of which, Pei Xuan sat down beside her, “It’s about your sister.”

She was always a gentleman who adhered to moral conduct and rarely spoke ill of others. This sudden sigh indicated what she had encountered.

“They wanted to see you, but I refused.”

She rested her chin on Cui Ti’s hand, “You won’t blame me for acting on my own, will you?”

“Do you think I’m that unreasonable?”

She got to play the good person while all the blame fell on Pei Xuan.

Cui Ti was a married woman, following her husband’s lead after marriage. No matter how people criticized, it wouldn’t fall on her.

“Niangzi, I just think they don’t treat you well. Dealing with them only brings you harm.”

In name, they were close family, but everyone could see the reality. Pei Xuan disliked such in-laws; she cherished Cui Ti and didn’t want her to be entangled with them.

Count Xining’s intentions were clear to her. If the Cui Family had treated her Niangzi sincerely, the relationship between the families wouldn’t have deteriorated so much.

Now, all of Xi Jing knew that the Cui Family’s youngest daughter had offended the Pei Family’s legitimate son. This was the effect Pei Xuan wanted.

They could talk about exchanging sincerity later.

Perhaps by then, helping her father-in-law wouldn’t be out of the question.

As long as Cui Dai behaved and didn’t plot harm.

Not all parents love their children. If they don’t love, they shouldn’t come to hurt those she loves.

Count Xining, in his fury, only locked Cui Dai in the woodshed without food or drink after her misdeeds. Such blatant favoritism was evident. Pei Xuan couldn’t imagine how Cui Ti felt; if she were Cui Ti, it would be hard not to be hurt.

Growing up with love and growing up with neglect and harm are worlds apart.

Pei Xuan couldn’t fathom how Cui Ti endured eighteen years of this. The more she thought about it, the more she resented the Cui Family.

“Don’t think about it,” Cui Ti comforted her. “I’m not as fragile as you think. I’ve come to terms with it. Besides, don’t I have you?”

With her free hand, she hooked her little finger around Pei Xuan’s and gently swayed it. “With you standing up for me, I feel just fine.”

Pei Xuan kissed her forehead. “I won’t think about it anymore.”

Don’t waste the good times.

Her recent actions had caused quite a stir. Cui Dai had lost face, and the Cui Family had become the laughingstock among the aristocratic families of Xi Jing.

On the same day, the maid Yunhong, who had been handed over to the authorities, was exiled eight hundred miles to Heishui City.

People couldn’t help but speculate. Yunhong’s crime was insubordination and a servant’s abuse of her miss. It was known that the third miss Cui had offended Gentleman Pei. Who knew if Cui Dai had a hand in the servant’s rebellion?

For a while, the Shi Family, who had been engaged to the Cui Family, regretted it deeply.

Before the engagement, they hadn’t heard that their granddaughter-in-law would be such a troublemaker!

Old Madam Shi took the opportunity to visit and had a pleasant conversation with Madam Pei. During the talk, she subtly brought up the maid Yunhong, who had been exiled the previous day, trying to find out what had happened.

This wasn’t something that couldn’t be discussed with outsiders.

After a moment’s thought, Madam Pei said, “She was an ungrateful wretch. Xuan’er took pity on her and brought her into the household, gave her clothes, and provided for her. But after a few years in the household, she grew wild and dared to lay hands on the Young Madam.”

Old Madam Shi’s heart skipped a beat.

Such incidents in the back courtyard weren’t uncommon, but what concerned her was whether her prospective granddaughter-in-law was involved. She feigned surprise and said, “A mere servant from the outer courtyard, where did she get the nerve?”

“Who knows? Maybe she borrowed courage from the heavens. She was foolish, believing whatever others told her, and dared to turn against her miss.”

The mention of “others” at this moment was quite telling.

Madam Pei smiled gently at her. “Enough about that. Let’s talk about something pleasant.”

Pleasant?

What pleasant topic could there be?

Back home, Old Madam Shi pondered for a long time behind closed doors. Finally, when her son returned to the manor, she hurriedly sent a servant to summon him.

“Mother, what urgent matter requires my presence?”

Marquis Chenming, though middle-aged, showed no signs of aging and treated his mother with utmost respect.

Old Madam Shi invited him to sit. After a long moment of mother and son facing each other, she spoke with a worried expression, “Son, we should call off the engagement with the Cui Family.”

Marquis Chenming’s eyelids twitched. “What have you heard, Mother?”

“This granddaughter-in-law is not suitable.”

She proceeded to relay Madam Pei’s subtle hints.

“Marry a virtuous wife; a bit of arrogance can be tolerated, but if she doesn’t recognize her kin, we cannot accept such a person.

“Moreover, we initially valued the Cui Family because of the Chancellor’s wife’s praise of the Cui family’s daughter. But it turns out, she was praising her own daughter-in-law. What does this have to do with Third Girl Cui? The Cui Family has deceived us.

“Think about it, Cui Dai, as the legitimate younger sister, dared to meddle in her elder legitimate sister’s husband’s affairs and even incited a servant to harm her miss. How could such a person be a virtuous wife? Bringing her into the family would be a disaster!”

Her words made Marquis Chenming uneasy. He had always respected his mother, and after careful consideration, he smiled wryly, “The engagement is already set. If we back out now, our family will lose credibility.”

“But we cannot bring a troublemaker into our home! Do you want to harm Hai’er?”

She was referring to Marquis Chenming’s legitimate second son, Hai’er, whose formal name was Shi Changliu. With his good looks, upright character, and status as a Juren1, it wouldn’t be hard to find a suitable wife for him, given the Shi Family’s reputation.

There was no need to insist on Cui Dai.

“Let me think about it.”

“Think about what? I’ll be the bad guy! Just say it’s my decision. I will personally bring gifts to apologize to Count Xining and his wife!”

Given her advanced age, Marquis Chenming dared not go against her wishes. He quickly said, “Mother, you’ve said enough. Since the Shi Family is at fault first, how can I let you apologize? As the head of the family, let me handle this.”

Old Madam Shi immediately beamed. “My son is truly filial.”

Marquis Chenming, known for his filial piety, did not act rashly after leaving his mother’s courtyard. He carefully considered his approach before summoning his second son, Shi Changliu, to explain why marrying Third Miss Cui was no longer feasible.

After hearing his father’s explanation, Shi Changliu had no objections. The next afternoon, father and son, bearing gifts, went to the Cui Family to annul the engagement. Count Xining, however, chased them out with a stick.

Taking the blow meant for his father, Shi Changliu’s arm swelled considerably.

Marquis Chenming, aware of his own wrongdoing, felt deep sorrow for his son. Reflecting on his mother’s words, he agreed that avoiding such an in-law was a blessing.

In the blink of an eye, Cui Dai’s enviable engagement fell through. Ashamed to face others, she hid in her room, crying her heart out.

Count Xining, still fuming after beating the Shi father and son, eventually calmed down but felt helpless.

Countess Xining brought hot meals to comfort her daughter. From a distance, she could hear Cui Dai’s sobs and her impatient scolding of the servants.

“I can’t live anymore! I can’t live! Cui Ti has gone too far!”

“Miss!”

“Get out!”

Cui Dai grabbed a three-foot-long white silk ribbon and threw it over a beam.

Countess Xining entered just in time, her legs going weak with fear. “Quick, get her down!”

The servants, in a panic, managed to stop her. Failing to end her life, Cui Dai became a tearful mess. “Mother, I’ve lost all face. Cui Ti climbed high herself and now blocks my path to a good match. Her heart is so cruel!”

“How have you lost face? There are plenty of good men out there. We’ll find one for you. You’re still young; you have plenty of time! Don’t think such dark thoughts.” She paused, stroking her daughter’s hair gently. “This might not be her doing.”

“If not her, then who?” Cui Dai trembled with rage. “I will never forgive her!”

“Enough!”

Knowing she couldn’t indulge her daughter’s behavior, Countess Xining’s expression turned stern. “Be careful with your words, or your father will hear, and you’ll suffer the consequences!”

She couldn’t understand. How could sisters born of the same mother harbor such animosity?

If anyone should bear a grudge, it should be Ti’er against Dai’er, considering Dai’er had always been the favored one.

She continued to counsel her daughter earnestly, “You live your life, and she’ll live hers. Don’t go stirring up trouble.”

The Cui Ti of today was no longer the blind girl living in the south courtyard. It was futile to strike a stone with an egg.

Cui Dai cried in her mother’s arms.

Whether she heeded her mother’s advice, only time would tell.

The bustling city of Xi Jing had a new topic for idle chatter: Third Miss Cui had not stepped outside the mansion for three months.

“Cousin is really something,” Miss Dou said lazily after finishing her bowl of medicine. “He’s a legitimate son from a notable family. Why is he quarreling with a little girl?”

Pei Xuan was not the type to argue over trivial matters. She was generous and kind-hearted. If she took issue, it meant someone had crossed her bottom line.

Miss Dou understood this well, but jealousy gnawed at her. It drove her nearly mad, especially knowing that Cui Ti was aware of ‘cousin’s’ identity and that they had consummated their marriage.

She felt a lump in her throat. “Enough. The poor girl. Take the letter from my desk and deliver it to the Cui Family. Tell them I’m inviting Third Miss Cui to go boating tomorrow. After all, she still needs to marry; she can’t hide forever.”

Receiving the invitation from Dou Qingyue, Cui Dai sat up in bed, astonished. “Why would she want to help me?”

The servant thought for a moment. “Miss Dou is known for her kind heart. Maybe she thinks you don’t deserve such harsh treatment?”

Being warned by her elder legitimate sister’s husband and having her engagement broken off were no small matters.

Dou Qingyue was the cherished only daughter of General Dou and Madam Pei’s only brother. In Xi Jing, aside from the royal family, only Dou Qingyue had the influence to rescue Cui Dai from her awkward situation.

Cui Dai couldn’t fathom why Dou Qingyue would help her. Nonetheless, she was eager to seize the opportunity. “Quick, prepare the clothes for tomorrow’s boating trip. I’m going stir-crazy in this house!”

Coincidentally, while Dou Qingyue invited the unmarried noblewomen of the capital for a boating trip, Madam Pei was spending her days taking her daughter-in-law to various grand events.

Cui Ti made her presence known among the princesses, grand princesses, and great grand princesses.

Meanwhile, Pei Xuan’s career was advancing rapidly.

In just a few months at the Hanlin Academy, her meritorious work on the imperial books and her favor with the emperor led to a rare promotion from Editor of the seventh rank to Imperial Lecturer of the upper sixth rank, shortening the usual path to advancement by three years.

In the court, she was admired by some, flattered by others, and envied by many, but none of that slowed her meteoric rise.

A thousand miles away, in the icy snowlands.

Ning Hehuan slapped the fat donkey on its back, and it transformed into a paper slip that flew into her sleeve. “It was me who provoked you, not the Literature Star. When she returns from her tribulation and reclaims her position, you’ll have to explain why you harmed a rabbit spirit.”

“If the Literature Star investigates, I will bear the responsibility. But before that, you owe me an explanation.”

A woman in a black cloak stepped forward. Ning Hehuan, alarmed, leapt back a step. “We’ve both become immortals. The past is behind us. What’s the use of clinging to it?”

She cultivated the Path of Pleasure and didn’t mind a fleeting romantic encounter, but the person couldn’t be Qin Jing.

Before attaining her Dao, she mistakenly slept with Qin Jing once. Since then, Qin Jing had clung to her like a wild dog, chasing her from the extreme north to the extreme south, from the earth to the heavens. Even after becoming a Celestial Being and a palace master, Qin Jing couldn’t let go of those mundane past events.

With such a mindset, Ning Hehuan couldn’t understand how Qin Jing attained her Dao.

To be precise, she didn’t even know what path Qin Jing primarily cultivated!

Moreover, Qin Jing was insane enough to harm the Literature Star’s beloved rabbit spirit just to force Ning Hehuan out of hiding. Such audacity was beyond reckless.

“What’s the use?” Qin Jing smirked. “There’s no use, just the satisfaction of seeing you scurry around like a homeless dog.”

They both saw each other as dogs; their mutual disdain was almost harmonious.

Ning Hehuan forced a twisted smile. “Fine, very well. But why involve the innocent in our affairs? You nearly killed that rabbit spirit!”

“Didn’t you also tease the Literature Star once?”

The face under the hood was half-smiling. “No wonder you’re the Pleasure Immortal; wherever you go, you bring romance along. It could have been settled with a wave of a hand, but you insisted on a seven-day period. When the Literature Star returns to her position, neither of us will escape.”

“What do you know?” Ning Hehuan was especially displeased with Qin Jing’s disdain for her path. “After eight reincarnations, this is the only lifetime where they had physical intimacy. This tribulation is the most crucial for the Literature Star’s return. I deceived her to deepen their feelings. And what have you done? As a dignified Celestial Being, you cursed a rabbit spirit who’s already mortal. When you return to the heavenly court, let’s see if the heavenly rules will spare you!”

“And weren’t you the one who insisted on opening the spiritual eye of a blind rabbit, which also violates the heavenly rules and interferes with the Literature Star’s tribulation?” Qin Jing sneered. “If the rules won’t spare me, they won’t spare you either. We’re equally guilty. Why not have a fight before we’re punished?”

“…”

Ning Hehuan knew Qin Jing had issues.

She pulled a jade from her waist, and in an instant, the dead jade transformed into a living crane. The crane spread its wings and carried its master a thousand miles away.

“Think you can escape?”

Qin Jing flicked her cloak and rode the wind in pursuit.

Footnote:

1. Juren(举人): Refers to all students who passed the provincial examination.