Chapter 25: Third Uncle
Inside Old Madam Cui’s room, the stove burned fiercely, and as soon as she stepped inside, her body felt warm.
As soon as Xue Sui paid her respects, a clever maid attended to her, helping her remove her cloak.
Xue Qingxiu leaned on the couch beside the Old Madam, his fair face showing a hint of a roguish smile.
Although people in the manor called him “Third Master” out of respect for his seniority, he was only twenty-seven years old. Due to his pampered life, he looked extremely young, as if he were a youth who had never experienced the world.
Xue Qingxiu curiously sized up his niece, a playful grin on his face.
“Whose pretty young lady is this, so radiant?”
Xue Qingxiu was Old Madam Cui’s youngest son, and she doted on him dearly. Seeing him acting so improperly even with his injured foot, she couldn’t bring herself to scold him.
“This is the Sixth Girl from the eldest son’s household. Ten years have passed since we last met, and you greet her with such laziness. Don’t you have any shame, being her Third Uncle?”
Xue Sui maintained a proper demeanor, smiling slightly.
Seeing her composure, Old Madam Cui also smiled and began to lecture Xue Qingxiu incessantly: “You useless Third Uncle, you’re out causing trouble every day, like a wild horse that’s broken free, with no one to control you. Now you’ve injured your foot, you should be well-behaved, shouldn’t you?”
Xue Qingxiu was nonchalant, “I just sprained my ankle, it’s not a big deal.”
Old Madam Cui chided him, “When something truly serious happens, then where will you go to complain…”
Xue Qingxiu, with his thick skin, paid no mind to his mother’s scolding. Seeing his niece behaving so well, he couldn’t help but grin.
Old Madam Cui beckoned to Xue Sui.
“Don’t mind this rascal, Sixth Girl. His words are unreliable, but his heart is good.”
Xue Sui lowered her head shyly, “I understand.”
She didn’t have a deep impression of Xue Qingxiu. Ten years ago, during her difficult times, Xue Qingxiu was still studying at the academy. He only had two days off every ten days, and when he returned to the manor, he was usually out adventuring, rarely seen. His interactions with Xue Sui were minimal.
But Xue Qingxiu had given her two candies.
Pine nut candies.
He had even snatched them from Xue Si to give to her.
Xue Sui still remembered what Xue Qingxiu had said as he pointed at Fourth, Eighth, and Ninth:
“If you can eat them, why can’t she?”
“You eat! Your Third Uncle is here, let’s see who dares to say no.”
That was the first time she had received candy. She ate one, and then ran to find Xue Ji with the other as a treasure. To her surprise, Xue Ji was frightened like a startled rabbit and fled in a panic…
Xue Sui remembered the sweet taste of that pine nut candy. She offered the wound medicine with both hands, smiling particularly gently at Xue Qingxiu.
“This is the bruise and sprain ointment I brought back from Old Mausoleum Swamp. If Third Uncle doesn’t mind, would you try it?”
Xue Qingxiu took it with a grin, waving his hand dismissively, “This little injury is nothing! Don’t make a fuss, quickly dispense with the formalities. I hate that pretentious civility the most. Why be strangers among family? From now on, be more at ease in front of your Third Uncle, understand?”
After speaking, he fumbled around his body, his brow furrowing.
“My eldest niece has returned after being missing for many years, and I, as her uncle, must show my appreciation… Unfortunately, I lost all my silver money gambling last night, and even pawned my purse…”
Old Madam Cui snorted, casting a fierce glance at him from the corner of her eye.
He seemed oblivious and grinned again, unfastening the jade pendant from his waist.
“This jade pendant isn’t worth much, just consider it Third Uncle’s token of affection…”
Xue Sui looked at the Old Madam’s expression, “It’s too precious, Niece dare not accept it.”
Xue Qingxiu’s face fell, displeased, “What I give you is yours. Take it!”
He looked as if he would stand up and throw a tantrum if Xue Sui didn’t take it. Seeing this, Old Madam Cui’s eyes blazed with anger. She knew her youngest son was absurd but was helpless against him, so she could only advise Xue Sui.
“Take it if your Third Uncle gives it to you. If you don’t, who knows where he’ll end up squandering it.”
Xue Qingxiu burst into laughter, “A mother knows her son best. Old Ancestor, you truly are my mother…”
The mother and son bantered and complained, and Xue Sui followed suit with laughter.
After sitting for a while, Doctor Zhang arrived, and she took her leave.
Old Madam Cui watched the slender figure disappear through the doorway and sighed, “Sixth Girl is indeed sensible, knowing to come and see you, her Third Uncle. Her manners are better than those of the maids in the manor. What a pity…”
Xue Qingxiu never cared about the affairs of the manor. Hearing this, he also laughed, “Indeed. Eldest Brother is too biased. If I had such a delightful girl, I’d dote on her endlessly.”
Old Madam Cui slapped him on the back.
“You’re all talk. How many times have you doted on your Tenth Girl?”
After coaxing Old Madam Cui into a good mood, Xue Qingxiu discreetly pocketed some silver from Shou An Courtyard and, limping, quietly slipped out of the manor and headed for Vermilion Bird Street.
The curfew had not yet begun, and Vermilion Bird Street was lined with taverns and entertainment houses, with dazzling displays of jewelry and silk – a scene of great prosperity and liveliness.
He walked through the shouting vendors, crossed the long street, and went straight up Qiong Tower.
Xue Qingxiu had many dissolute friends and often frequented the place for food, drink, and entertainment.
As soon as he entered and looked around, someone called out to him to sit down. They clinked glasses, their drinking spirits rising. Amidst their boisterous conversations, young ladies were present, and laughter echoed endlessly.
In less than half an hour, he was already tipsy. He stood up unsteadily, bowing, his tongue slurring.
“Esteemed brothers, drink, drink slowly. This humble one… will take his leave first.”
His dissolute friends laughed at him, “Returning to the manor so early today? What, has your tigress of a wife laid down new rules for you again?”
Xue Qingxiu waved his hand impatiently, saying nothing more. He walked crookedly, and a servant quickly went to support him. He pushed the servant away, and then a passionate young lady offered her arm, which he also refused.
“Get lost, get lost, get lost! This master has no money.”
His friends laughed and teased him again, and had no choice but to let him go.
Scolded by his mother at the manor, and with Madam Qian constantly bothering him, Xue Qingxiu felt a sense of vexation even amidst the perfume and cosmetics. Especially thinking of his long-lost eldest niece he had seen that day, the feeling of helplessness was even more unbearable.
His elder brother was the eldest son, who had risen to the position of Minister of Justice in the imperial court. His rank was high, and whatever he did was considered right. He had taken concubine after concubine, and not only did Eldest Sister-in-law dare not speak, but even his mother, what could she say to him?
Even the second son, born of a concubine, was good at his studies and talented. He was appreciated by the Prime Minister and recommended for the position of Left Division Director, a fifth-rank official, and was sent to Jiangzhou. From then on, he was far away from the Emperor’s reach, unrestrained, and lived freely. He was incredibly carefree.
But he…
Everything was unsatisfactory.
His prospects for fame were dim, his official career was impossible, and even indulging in sensual pleasures left him in a daze. He couldn’t even hold his head up in front of his juniors…
Xue Qingxiu pushed open the door and stepped out. The cold wind blew, making him feel as if fire were burning in his bones. His head throbbed as if it would explode.
He forcefully pushed the servant away again, and fueled by alcohol, he began to curse loudly.
“I said I’m not drunk! Even you want to control me. Get lost! I need to relieve myself, and if you get in the way again, I’ll twist your head off…”
The servant dared not follow him any further.
Xue Qingxiu then leaned on the white jade railing of Qiong Tower by himself, walking down the stairs dejectedly, humming to himself.
“The wind is bleak, the moon is like a hook, how much sorrow can it not erase… Qiong Tower is secluded, the heart is like a cage, fame unachieved, aspirations unfulfilled…”
His mind was in utter chaos, hiccuping from the alcohol. Suddenly, someone patted his shoulder.
“Third Master Xue.”
Before Xue Qingxiu could turn around, an arm like a vise hooked around his neck.
Xue Qingxiu cursed, “Who dares to be so fearless… uh…”
A sharp knife was pressed against his lower back, cold and sharp. His words were choked in his throat, and the alcohol cleared his head considerably.
“Are you looking for money… This master has money…”
The person’s arm tightened its grip. For a moment, he felt his breathing become strained, his face turning almost liver-colored. He wanted to call for help, but he couldn’t make a sound. He could only let the two men drag him towards the darker, higher parts.
The night wind grew colder, and the night deepened.
Xue Qingxiu looked at the lights across the street and listened to the laughter and revelry from within Qiong Tower. He suddenly shivered.
He remembered—
This was where Grand Tutor You’s Third Son had fallen to his death!
The culprits! They were the murderers of You Zhimu.
They weren’t after money, but his life.
This realization made Xue Qingxiu struggle violently. He was thin but tall, like a bamboo pole, very slender.
The two men found it difficult to handle him for a moment. They could only cover his mouth tightly, one pulling his collar, the other lifting his leg, attempting to push him off the railing.
The flying bridge railing of Qiong Tower was not very high, and the lights were dim, and it was backlit. Xue Qingxiu, having exhausted his strength, swayed at the edge of the railing, on the verge of falling…
His life was in danger!
He was exhausted and terrified.
Suddenly, he heard the sound of a heavy punch.
Bang! The strong man who had been restraining his neck staggered back a few steps, and the sharp knife in his hand clattered to the ground.
Someone else hugged his waist and pushed the other strong man down, subduing him.
Xue Qingxiu, having narrowly escaped death, sat on the ground, gasping for breath. He didn’t understand what had happened and instinctively looked at the two young knights-errant before him: “Thank you, heroes, for saving me. This humble one…”
With a low chuckle, he turned around hastily and saw a graceful and beautiful young lady, bathed in moonlight, standing straight on the steps. She called out softly.
“Third Uncle.”
Xue Qingxiu: I was 0.00001 seconds away from death, why didn’t my eldest niece make a move to save me sooner…
Xue Sui: Push them down.
