Chapter 166: Stirring Waves
The blue stone slabs of East Victory Street were shrouded in damp mist.
Their eyes met, and across the bustling crowd, amidst the hawkers’ cries, a thread of unease seemed to be woven in.
Li Zhao’s eyes churned with hidden currents…
Beneath the ink-black jade crown, his face was sculpted with sharp, handsome features, his dark lashes cast down, his gaze burning like a bonfire.
“Does Master want to buy a bunch of flowers?” a flower girl’s voice rang out clearly. She boldly approached Li Zhao, holding up the bamboo basket in her hand, “These hibiscus flowers bloom in the morning and wither by night, they suit beauties the most…”
Li Zhao’s hand, gripping the reins, unconsciously tightened. His icy gaze fell upon her like a sharp blade—
Just then, the horse snorted impatiently, startling the flower girl. The bamboo basket slipped from her grasp, and hibiscus flowers scattered across the ground.
Li Zhao: …
Seeing this, Xue Sui quickly pulled down the curtain.
With a “swish,” she shut out that burning gaze.
Her face was cold. Only after the carriage had passed down the long street did she quietly lift a corner of the curtain and look out—
Beneath the tavern’s banner, the figure on horseback had already disappeared.
The flower girl, carrying her empty bamboo basket, ran joyfully through the crowd and into an alley with a smile. It seemed those scattered flowers had fetched a good price…
Xue Sui let out a long sigh of relief, leaning her back against the carriage wall.
She couldn’t calm down.
Emotions surged within her chest, a subtle palpitation, beyond her control.
She clenched her fingers slightly…
She pondered in her heart: Could it be that the Love Silk Gu truly had such a potent effect, and wasn’t just a deception for Li Zhao? It seemed she needed to find an opportunity to ask Senior Sister Yuheng for clarification.
–
Wen Jia was waiting for her in Misty Rain Tower.
Xue Sui, with Xiao Zhao, walked along the second-floor corridor. Just as she was about to turn, she saw Lu You’an standing before a certain door.
He was dressed in a moon-white Lanshan Robe, his eyes gentle, his voice full of guilt, “I am truly ashamed, Young Master Lu. I have troubled the Princess again…”
Wen Jia sat by the window, her complexion slightly pale, “Since Young Master Lu knows he has troubled me, why do you come to see me again? Are the rumors outside not enough? Ping Le wants my life, but you give me a blunt knife.”
Lu You’an wanted to speak but stopped.
“It was my fault…”
Wen Jia let out a cold laugh, her lips curved with mockery.
“Young Master Lu, please leave.”
She had changed a lot now; she wouldn’t have shown such emotions before…
Lu You’an shook his head slightly, finally letting out a long sigh. He carefully placed a box on the threshold, then bowed and said, “Inside the box are two Northern Territory Snow Ginseng, which will be very beneficial for Consort Wan’s health…”
Wen Jia’s expression was indifferent.
Lu You’an said with sincere earnestness, “Consider it my apology.”
“Young Master Lu owes me nothing,” Wen Jia said plainly. “The debts owed by others, I will collect them one by one. You don’t need to worry about it.”
Lu You’an was slightly stunned, sighed, turned, and left.
Unexpectedly, as he rounded the corner of the corridor, he bumped into Xue Sui.
Xue Sui, with a half-smile, called out, “Young Master Lu.”
Lu You’an knew she had witnessed the scene and was slightly embarrassed. He quickly bowed and said, “Madam Ping’an, I hope you are well.”
Xue Sui looked at his flushed cheeks and suddenly smiled.
“If Young Master Lu has the intention, then don’t give up easily. In my opinion, the one who can save Princess Wen Jia is ultimately you.”
Lu You’an forced a smile with difficulty, nodded slightly, and took his leave.
Xue Sui watched his retreating figure disappear at the end of the corridor, waited a moment longer, then slowly walked over.
She was afraid Wen Jia would be embarrassed, so she acted naturally, as if she had never encountered Lu You’an…
Unexpectedly, Wen Jia didn’t treat her as an outsider and spoke frankly as usual.
“Ping’an, tell me, what does he really think of me? When I was devoted to him, he retreated. Now that I am disheartened, he comes to show affection. Is he pitying me and trying to bestow charity?”
“I think Young Master Lu has some sincerity.” Xue Sui bent down to pick up the Snow Ginseng and placed it in Wen Jia’s arms, suddenly feeling a sense of anticipation—
If Lu You’an publicly admitted that he had always liked Wen Jia, not Ping Le. And then, amidst Ping Le’s frantic questioning, he defended Wen Jia, how enraged would Ping Le become? And what would Consort Xiao’s reaction be?
Wen Jia shook her head, “Whether it’s sincerity or pretense, what does it matter now? He and I have no connection. I’ve already been spoken of so ill; if I were to truly overstep, wouldn’t people gossip endlessly?”
“Let them gossip until their tongues rot,” Xue Sui smiled. “As long as you two are sincere with each other, why worry about not having a day of vindication and rightful recognition?”
Wen Jia looked at her and sighed softly.
“Let’s not talk about these troublesome matters for now. The Empress Dowager Grandmother’s birthday ceremony is approaching, and I’m still worried about the birthday gift…”
A seventy-year-old birthday. For an Empress Dowager who had seen countless rare treasures, how could she favor an ordinary item amidst a mountain of congratulatory gifts?
That two-zhang-long embroidered scroll of the Medicine King Sutra was originally quite stunning…
Thinking of this, Wen Jia shook her head slightly, “Never mind. After all these years, she has never looked at me differently, so one more time won’t matter… It’s just that Ping’an, I’m afraid I will disappoint your expectations. I won’t be able to win the Empress Dowager’s favor…”
Xue Sui smiled gently.
She gestured for Xiao Zhao to bring out the gift she had brought.
“It doesn’t matter if the birthday gift is lost. The Empress Dowager prefers to hear stories.”
The silk slowly unfurled, revealing a 《Immortal Offering Longevity Painting》.
The immortal maidens’ robes fluttered, the peaches were vibrantly colored and glistening. Most marvelous was the old woman’s face in the painting, which bore a seven-tenths resemblance to the Empress Dowager.
“This is an authentic work by the former dynasty’s Painting Sage, Ye Fuzhou,” Xue Sui said, lightly tapping the cinnabar seal on the inscription. “The Empress Dowager worships Buddha and prays for longevity. When presenting the painting, simply mention—this painting was enshrined in Penglai Pavilion for three hundred years, absorbing incense and spiritual energy.”
Wen Jia was stunned. “Will she believe it?”
Xue Sui: “As long as the story is told well, what is there not to believe?”
She stroked the old woman’s face and said faintly, “There are no lack of connoisseurs of calligraphy and painting in the Imperial Court. At that time, Ping Le will surely try to find fault and have it disproven…”
“Then is this painting real?” Wen Jia asked.
“If you believe it is real, then it is real.”
Seeing Xue Sui’s calm and kind smile, Wen Jia’s eyes suddenly reddened, and she took her hand, “Ping’an, how can I thank you?”
“We have weathered storms together, no need for thanks,” Xue Sui smiled.
They looked at each other and smiled.
Xue Sui’s eyes flickered, a sharp glint flowing within them.
“On the day of the birthday ceremony, I will also enter the palace. Princess, be bold, do not be afraid.”
Wen Jia nodded firmly, “I will listen to you.”
–
After parting with Wen Jia, Xue Sui headed to the Xue Mansion.
Old Madam Cui was taking medicine. Upon seeing her, she began to complain, saying Xue Yueying was indiscreet and had disgraced the family’s reputation. Xue Qingzhi sat beside her, silently head bowed.
Xue Sui understood that the Old Madam’s words were actually meant for Xue Qingzhi, so she immediately offered words of comfort.
Old Madam Cui sighed and then spoke of Xue Yue Man’s marriage.
“The Duke of Zheng’s Mansion was implicated due to Luo Huan’s matter. This marriage is now in limbo, and it seems it will be delayed again…”
Xue Qingzhi finally spoke, “After the court session today, I left the palace with the Duke of Zheng. I shamelessly discussed the marriage with him. At first, the Duke of Zheng was hesitant and gave no clear answer. Later, when I had no choice, I said a few harsh words. I don’t know how he weighed it, but he actually agreed…”
Old Madam Cui was stunned and her face broke into a smile.
“You rascal! Why didn’t you say so earlier?”
After speaking, she looked at Xue Sui with a beaming smile and said to Nanny Wang beside her, “Didn’t I say Sixth Girl is a lucky star reborn? Look, as soon as she returned, good things happened…”
Xue Qingzhi’s expression stiffened slightly, “The Duke of Zheng made a request…”
Old Madam Cui’s smile faltered, “A request? Their son ruined our daughter’s reputation, so they are in the wrong. How dare he make a request…”
“Although that’s the case…”
Xue Qingzhi hesitated for a moment, “Our daughter is, after all, at a disadvantage.”
Old Madam Cui sighed and nodded helplessly.
“Speak, what else did that old man demand?”
Xue Qingzhi’s brows furrowed, as if it were difficult to speak. He dismissed the servants. He had intended to send Xue Liu away too, but Old Madam Cui did not allow it. He then stammered, saying:
“They want to send someone to examine her body to ensure Eighth Miss is still a virgin… and…”
“And what?” Old Madam Cui’s hands trembled with anger.
“If she does not bleed on the wedding day, she will be divorced. If she has no children within three years of marriage, she will be divorced. Disobeying parents, adultery, jealousy, instigating trouble, or suffering from a serious illness, all will result in divorce.”
This condition of examining virginity, more severe than the “Seven Grounds for Divorce,” was practically trampling the Xue family’s daughters’ dignity into the dirt.
Old Madam Cui, a person who valued appearances, was so angry she couldn’t speak, yet she couldn’t find anything to refute.
Xue Qingzhi said, “The fact that this marriage can proceed is already a great fortune. Eighth Miss will not be a concubine, and the Duke of Zheng’s Mansion will carry her back in an eight-bearer sedan chair. The Xue family’s reputation will be preserved. As for the examination, the Duke of Zheng’s Mansion will not publicize it…”
“Hmph, swallowing the broken teeth, who can we blame?” Old Madam Cui said with full resentment, “Isn’t it all because of your troublemaking Fourth Miss, who ruined the Xue family’s reputation and corrupted Eighth Girl? In the future, when Little Nine and Little Ten seek marriage, they will likely suffer because of her…”
Xue Qingzhi remained silent with a stern face.
Old Madam Cui then pointed at him and lectured him.
“Don’t talk about the harsh words you spoke to make the Duke of Zheng relent. You should properly thank your indebted Sixth Girl. She has done no small amount of mediating for Eighth Girl at the Duke of Zheng’s Mansion…”
Although Xue Yuechen had sent the message back that day, Old Madam Cui was now convinced that Xue Sui was a lucky star, attributing all good fortune to her.
Xue Qingzhi glanced at Xue Sui unnaturally.
“You are also considerate. In the future, you should help your elder sister more. Only with harmony and love among siblings can the family prosper and flourish.”
Xue Sui found it very amusing to hear this.
Where was her face?
Her expression, on the verge of a smile, held an indescribable mockery. Xue Qingzhi, whether out of embarrassment or guilt, found an excuse and left.
Xue Sui spent some time with the Old Madam in Shou An Courtyard, exchanged pleasantries with Madam Qian, and after eating the sumptuous family meal arranged by Madam Qian, she leisurely took a carriage back to her residence.
As night fell, the lights in Tan Qiu Courtyard were just extinguished when Ling Yu flew back.
She also brought back Li Zhao’s secret letter.
“Is there no one else? It is because of you.”
Was this a response to her “The wind and rain are dark, the cock crows ceaselessly”?
The arrogant Crown Prince was mocking her arrogance, and disdainfully telling her that he, Li Zhao, did not need her. If she were not his old acquaintance, the noble Crown Prince would not deign to pay her any attention.
Old acquaintance? The aftereffects of the Love Silk Gu.
Xue Sui smiled faintly, folded the letter into a small boat, and placed it in the celadon fish tank in front of the bookshelf, watching it drift with the lamplight.
–
The next morning, embroiderers from the sewing room came to take measurements.
Xue Yuechen also came along.
She inquired about the recent situation of everyone in the Xue Mansion and was happy about Xue Yue Man’s marriage, “At least the marriage is settled, and our efforts have not been in vain. I only hope Eighth Sister will have a harmonious and happy marriage.”
Xue Sui pursed her lips and smiled, saying nothing more.
Xue Yuechen noticed the weariness in her expression and said with concern, “Sixth Sister has been too busy lately. It pains me to see it…”
Saying this, she had a maid present a sandalwood box, inside which was a set of clothes.
“This new dress of woven gold brocade is perfect for wearing at the Empress Dowager’s birthday ceremony. Try it on. Even if it doesn’t fit, the embroiderers can quickly alter it…”
This fabric was extremely precious, and Xue Yuechen was willing to give it to her.
It could be seen that she now had some genuine affection for Xue Sui.
Xue Sui thanked her with a smile and gently stroked the smooth fabric, “Sister has given me something good, so what will Sister wear?”
Xue Yuechen smiled, “At my age, I shouldn’t be too ostentatious. Anyway, before the Empress Dowager, I am already an old face. It doesn’t matter what I wear. This is your first time attending a palace banquet, so you must dress up well…”
Xue Sui smiled slightly, recalling the white jade hairpin that Princess Ruihe had pinned to her temple. She turned and called to Xiao Zhao, “Bring that sky-blue Hangzhou silk dress…”
The dress was exquisitely made, with ginkgo leaf patterns that shimmered softly in the sunlight.
She presented it to Xue Yuechen, “Sister’s kindness is great, Xue Liu should reciprocate. Sister, take a look. If you like it, take it and wear it…”
Xue Yuechen was greatly surprised.
Xue Liu could actually produce such a fine item…
Wasn’t she said to have lived in Old Mausoleum Swamp for many years, leading a poor and destitute life?
She gently wrapped the fabric around her fair wrist and said, with both surprise and joy, “This color matches my skin tone perfectly. The fabric is fine and smooth, not ostentatious, but possesses a unique charm. I like it very much.”
Xue Sui said, “It’s good if Sister likes it.”
Xue Yuechen’s eyes curved, as if she had suddenly gained a bit of girlish playfulness. She winked at her.
“Then, on the day of the birthday ceremony, we sisters will outshine everyone in the palace…”
Li Zhao: Is there no one else? It is because of you. This mainly reflects this Crown Prince’s “resentment without anger, gentle and considerate”~~
Xue Sui: Bah!
