Chapter 58 – A Sense of Familiarity

On October 25th, Song Zizhen married Miss Dou from the Dou Family. The wedding banquet was perfect in every detail.

As the “older male cousin” and a close friend of the groom, Pei Xuan took it upon herself to help Song Zizhen by drinking on his behalf for most of the night.

Pei Xuan could hold her liquor well and didn’t get drunk no matter how much she drank. She kept drinking until all the guests at the table were sprawled out, then she staggered to her feet, her eyes glistening with a hint of moisture. “Home… home!”

A servant reached out to help her, but she shrugged him off. Standing in the cold wind to sober up, Pei Xuan adjusted her clothes and declined the Song Family’s enthusiastic invitation to stay. She and Cui Ti returned to Sushe Villa that very night.

The well-known “sickly” woman of Xi Jing had finally married and become a wife. Cui Ti still found it strange, as if something had gone wrong and this person had suddenly changed.

She had become kind and amiable.

Completely different from the Dou Qingyue Cui Ti had known before.

The carriage rattled along the straight street. Pei Xuan was genuinely happy for her friend’s marriage. In her happiness, she had drunk a lot, her cheeks flushed. The preconceived notions of the world and Pei Xuan’s own graceful and upright demeanor, along with her prominent family background, helped to conceal her slightly tipsy state.

To outsiders, she showed no sign of inebriation. But with Cui Ti, Pei Xuan let herself relax, leaning into her embrace. Even dressed in wide-sleeved Confucian robes, it was clear she was a genuine woman.

Cui Ti gently stroked her flushed cheek. “Do you want to sleep a bit?”

The usually sober Gentleman Pei was drunk tonight. Her eyes were misty with intoxication. “I asked Zizhen what he liked about Qingyue. Can you guess what he said?”

Everyone has their own preferences. Cui Ti found nothing appealing about Dou Qingyue, but since someone liked her, she was curious. “What did he say?”

Pei Xuan lazily basked in the warmth of Cui Ti’s embrace, completely relaxed. “He said that at first glance, he liked Miss Dou’s face, and after getting to know her, he fell for her gentle and tender nature.”

“Gentle and tender?”

Cui Ti was surprised.

From what she knew, Dou Qingyue’s gentleness and tenderness was all for Xingguang. So, had this cousin miss really changed?

“Niangzi,” Pei Xuan gazed at her dreamily, “Qingyue’s heart is no longer with me. You can let go of your worries.”

“Which eye of yours sees me holding onto such worries?”

Pei Xuan chuckled softly against her chest, making Cui Ti blush. Feeling a bit awkward, she decided to be magnanimous. “Alright, I get it.”

Yesterday’s troubles are like a burial of the past; keep the good and forget the bad. If Dou Qingyue could live properly and cherish what she has now, Cui Ti would be willing to avoid becoming her enemy for the sake of the Pei Family.

The more time she spent with Pei Xuan, the more love she received, and the more open-hearted she became.

Provided Dou Qingyue didn’t provoke her.

Even a rabbit will bite when cornered, let alone a person.

Lost in her thoughts, Cui Ti noticed Pei Xuan had slowly fallen asleep in her arms. She kissed her on the forehead and softly instructed the coachman to drive more steadily.

“Young Madam.”

“Greetings, Young Madam.”

As soon as they entered the villa gate, the maidservants greeted them properly.

Just as they arrived home, a heavy downpour began, with large raindrops pounding down and the air filling with the earthy scent of rain.

“Keep it down, don’t wake her,” Cui Ti reminded them anxiously.

The maidservants, familiar with the deep affection between her and her gentleman, covered their mouths and giggled quietly.

They laughed to themselves, but Cui Ti, with her good temper, never mistreated the servants or flaunted her status as Young Madam, earning their respect in the villa.

Haozhong and Raoliang carefully helped Pei Xuan to her room, while Bai Tang stayed close to protect Cui Ti. The rain outside was torrential, as if the sky had opened up, pouring water down in sheets.

“You all can leave now.”

“Yes, Young Madam.”

Cui Ti tilted her head. “Tangtang, you leave too.”

Bai Tang handed her a wrung-out wet cloth, knowing the Young Madam didn’t want anyone to see her gentleman drunk.

She felt comforted by this amusing possessiveness and intense jealousy.

Cui Ti had changed from who she was before; meeting Pei Xuan had truly brought to life the blind girl who had once lived in a dilapidated house in the south courtyard.

No longer submissive and just getting by.

She now had something to care about, treasures and dreams she wanted to keep forever.

Bai Tang quietly left, not forgetting to close the door behind her.

The raging storm was kept outside, leaving the inner chamber warm and peaceful. Cui Ti, holding the damp cloth, wiped Pei Xuan’s face, her fingertips brushing against her smooth, delicate skin, momentarily lost in thought.

“Xingguang…”

Pei Xuan was in a deep, foggy sleep, roused by the raging storm outside. Her eyes were bleary as she woke, finding her outer garments removed, her long hair splayed out, and the collar of her inner garment slightly open, revealing her delicate collarbone.

With her jet-black hair, icy skin, and jade-like bones, the beauty lying there instinctively grasped Cui Ti’s wrist, her veins visible under her pale skin.

Cui Ti blinked, her heart pounding like the thunder outside. She pursed her lips slightly, “You’re awake?”

Pei Xuan was slower to respond than usual, making her look exceptionally adorable. Cui Ti controlled her emotions, “Xingguang, let me wipe you down.”

The meaning was clear.

The elegant drunk lying in bed obediently released her grip and closed her eyes. Perhaps feeling warm, she tugged at her loose collar.

A large expanse of skin came into Cui Ti’s view. She sighed, grateful she was this person’s wife; otherwise, stumbling upon such a scene would feel like taking advantage.

The room’s temperature gradually rose, and the incense from the purple-gold burner wafted softly through the air. Cui Ti’s hands trembled as she carefully tended to her beloved.

The drunk beauty drifted back to sleep comfortably.

After turning her over and fussing for a quarter of an hour, sweat trickled down Cui Ti’s neck. She let the sweat flow freely as she sat by the bed, admiring Pei Xuan’s perfect features.

Lately, she didn’t know why, but the more she looked at Pei Xuan, the more she felt a heart-wrenching sense of familiarity.

Familiarity aside, the overwhelming urge to cry was something she couldn’t handle.

“Did I owe you something?” she murmured to herself, raising her hand to touch her head but only feeling the jade hairpin and soft strands of hair.

That strange sense of incongruity crept in again.

Cui Ti didn’t know what to say.

She wasn’t sure if it was because there were more and more rabbits in the rabbit hutch, but she often had a rather absurd intuition.

Her intuition told her she should have two long, soft rabbit ears, but…

How could a normal person have a pair of rabbit ears?

That would be too frightening!

Worried she might scare her cross-dressing “Fujun,” she scratched her head but found no rabbit ears, so she could only keep herself busy by pinching Pei Xuan’s soft cheeks.

At eighteen, her skin was tender and supple.

Cui Ti never got tired of it.

With each autumn rain, the days grew colder in Xi Jing.

Three months later, winter.

In the deep snow that reached past his ankles, Song Zizhen, dressed flamboyantly in a gaudy cloak, arrived at the door.

Pei Xuan, seeing him, immediately held her forehead, feeling the kind of headache one gets from seeing an old acquaintance.

Their old friend Ning Hehuan had helped Titi out of kindness, possibly facing punishment for breaking the heavenly rules. Out of humanitarian concern, Pei Xuan reluctantly tolerated the eagerly approaching Song Zizhen.

Song Zizhen’s face was beaming with joy: “Xingguang, guess what good news your brother has?”

“…”

The Literature Star, who had gone through countless lifetimes, raised her eyebrow, teasing him on purpose: “Are you getting married again?”

Song Zizhen’s face went blank before he spat in disbelief: “What nonsense! Why are you reacting the same way as that scoundrel Zheng Wuji? Are you doing this on purpose?”

He clenched his fist, ready to hit the reincarnated immortal but stopped when he met Pei Xuan’s smiling eyes.

Damn it!

He fumed, “Why does a man like you have to be so dazzling?”

Pei Xuan replied innocently, “You can ask my parents. If that doesn’t work, try asking the gods.”

Hiss!

Seeing the playful look in her eyes, Song Zizhen’s eyes lit up, “Well, look at you! Finally acting your age!”

What does it mean to act young?

At the very least, not being as serious and stern as the academy’s teachers.

He was pleased with Pei Xuan’s change, but his real joy was yet to come. His eyes squinted into a line as he took a small sip of fragrant tea: “Don’t interrupt, guess quickly!”

Song Zizhen stood tall and proud, like a cocky rooster.

Pei Xuan pondered, “Could it be that Qingyue is pregnant?”

Song Zizhen couldn’t hold back his smile: “You’re so smart, worthy of being A Yue and my cousin!”

To receive such good news just a few months after getting married showed how sweet his life was with Dou Qingyue post-marriage.

“Mom doesn’t want this news out yet, but being impatient, I had to tell you and that guy Zheng. Xingguang, get ready to be a godfather. From now on, my child is your child!”

Before Pei Xuan could say much more, Song Zizhen, as if riding the wind and fire wheels, had already dashed off.

Returning home, Song Zizhen affectionately kissed his beloved Niangzi’s belly, speaking with a serious tone, “Good child, your father has already found you a strong backer. You mustn’t trouble your mother! Do you hear me?”

He acted childishly, and Dou Qingyue only smiled without saying a word.

The vast snow-covered landscape in Xi Jing rarely saw birds in flight. Outside the city, the red plum blossoms bloomed in clusters, their cold fragrance permeating the air. At this time of year, the restless scions of noble families eagerly ventured out.

They enjoyed searching for plum blossoms in the snow, building snowmen, having snowball fights, and experiencing the winter scenery. Even if they dared not do much, just chasing each other in the snow until they worked up a sweat was a rare delight.

As the New Year approached, even the Emperor had taken a break, and the courtiers were busy brewing wine at home or hosting literary gatherings every few days.

Many people sought to appear cultured and refined.

Pei Xuan was favored by the Emperor, with a promising future ahead, so she often received invitations whenever she had free time. Cui Ti didn’t like to restrict her, only asking her to adhere to one rule: no excessive drinking while out.

She was particularly concerned about others seeing Pei Xuan’s drunken state. Each extra look from others made her more uncomfortable than losing a pound of flesh.

On this day, Cui Ti found herself daydreaming in the rabbit hutch again.

The steward of the rabbit hutch approached respectfully, holding a fluffy item with both hands: “Young Madam, the item you requested is ready.”

“So quickly?”

The steward smiled humbly: “We wouldn’t dare keep the Young Madam waiting.”

Cui Ti didn’t let their efforts go unrewarded, giving each person five taels of silver.

The item she had specially commissioned was an incredibly cute hat with two long, soft rabbit ears, so realistic they could easily be mistaken for the real thing.

Though her request seemed peculiar, she was well-loved, and the villa’s servants, regardless of gender, held her in high esteem.

Moreover, given the Young Madam’s current status in the household, even a hat with donkey ears would be acceptable, let alone one with rabbit ears!

Cui Ti couldn’t see, but just by touch, she could tell this hat was exactly what she wanted.

She felt too embarrassed to let others see her wearing such a hat, so she only wore it secretly in the inner chamber.

“Tangtang, what do you think?”

Bai Tang’s cheeks turned rosy with a smile: “The Young Madam looks lovely in this hat!”

Haozhong and Raoliang also chimed in with praise, agreeing that it looked wonderful.

Cui Ti became quite fond of the hat, often touching the drooping faux rabbit ears whenever she had a moment of leisure. However, she was careful not to let Pei Xuan see it, fearing she might think she had some strange hobby.

“Has she gone out?”

“Yes, she has!”

Before Cui Ti could say more, Bai Tang thoughtfully presented her with a brand new rabbit fur hat.

Meanwhile, as Pei Xuan stepped out of the villa, she had already noticed her beloved’s recent peculiar behavior. Compared to before, it seemed as if Cui Ti was even more eager for her to go out and socialize.

This felt very suspicious.

It troubled her to the point where she couldn’t sleep well.

Imagine spending eight lifetimes to finally win over her heart’s desire, only to be met with coldness less than a year into their marriage. Even an immortal in reincarnation would struggle with such deep sorrow.

She turned around, determined to uncover the truth.

The doorman was puzzled to see her return so quickly.

As she walked back, the servants, understanding her signal, kept silent.

Before she even reached their bedroom, she could hear bursts of laughter through the door. Pei Xuan’s eyes lowered, feeling a pang of bitterness in her heart.

So, this was how happy her Niangzi was when she wasn’t home.

She bit her lip, swallowing the unspoken sadness, and quietly pushed the door open.

Inside the room, Cui Ti wore the rabbit ear hat, looking utterly joyous. Bai Tang, Haozhong, and Raoliang were all there, caught up in the cheerful atmosphere.

Pei Xuan stood silently for a moment, taking in the scene. The warmth in the room contrasted sharply with the cold outside, making her feel even more isolated.

“Niangzi, what are you all doing?” Pei Xuan finally asked, her voice soft but carrying a hint of vulnerability.

Cui Ti, startled, quickly took off the hat, her face turning red. “Xingguang, you’re back so soon?”

“Yes, I forgot something.” Pei Xuan smiled gently, trying to hide her disappointment. “What’s this?” She pointed to the hat.

“Oh, it’s just a silly hat,” Cui Ti mumbled, feeling embarrassed.

Pei Xuan walked over, gently picking up the hat. “It’s cute,” she said, her tone lightening. “You should wear it more often. It suits you.”

Cui Ti looked up, seeing the genuine affection in Pei Xuan’s eyes. She relaxed, her initial embarrassment melting away. “You really think so?”

Pei Xuan nodded, placing the hat back on Cui Ti’s head. “Absolutely. Anything that makes you smile is wonderful.”

The room filled with a sense of warmth and understanding, the earlier tension dissipating. In that moment, both knew that no matter the misunderstandings, their bond was strong enough to withstand them.