Chapter 78: Ill-Fated Love
Xue Sui lingered in the back mountain for a while. Upon returning to the temple, she saw a young Sami looking for her.
“Sixth Miss, a Madam came looking for you earlier, saying she was an old acquaintance of yours.”
An old acquaintance?
Xue Sui had come to the temple with the sincere intention of praying for blessings for the Old Mausoleum Swamp for three days, and had not told anyone. Who would be looking for her?
As she pondered this, she saw a plainly dressed woman with two maids approaching from the direction of the Buddhist hall.
“Sixth Miss.”
Her complexion was haggard, with white hairs at her temples and sunken, bloodshot eyes. Her cheekbones seemed to protrude, and her skin was loose and dull, as if covered in a layer of pale gray. The woman exuded an indescribable weariness.
If not Madam Chun, Gu Jie’s mother, then who else could it be?
Xue Sui stepped forward and bowed, “Aunt Chun, why have you come?”
Madam Chun sighed softly, glanced around, and gestured for the maids to withdraw. She then took Xue Sui’s hand and walked to the round stone bench under the large banyan tree, sitting down side by side.
“The Marquis has me to blame; it’s like I’ve had eight lifetimes of bad luck, giving birth to such a wicked son, doted on and pampered, yet so unaccomplished! I have wronged the Marquis, brought disaster upon the Marquis’s Mansion, and have no face to remain here any longer. I intended to go to Jingci Nunnery in the Southern Mountains to shave my head and atone for my sins with constant prayers. But that Abbess refused to keep me. So I came to Pu Ji Temple seeking tranquility, hoping the Bodhisattva would show great mercy and forgive my wicked son’s transgressions…”
She had already been staying at Pu Ji Temple for several days.
Today, a maid mentioned seeing the Sixth Miss Xue staying in the monastic courtyard, which was why she came to find her.
Xue Sui understood the situation clearly. The Marquis Jingyuan’s Mansion was in dire straits, with properties and shops being sold off one after another. White silver money flowed out like water. Not only was the family fortune declining, but colleagues and relatives avoided them like the plague. The Marquis Jingyuan could no longer maintain his standing in the Imperial Court…
Xue Sui felt no sympathy for Gu Jie.
She only felt a measure of pity for Aunt Chun.
The two spoke for a while.
Xue Sui did not ask about the recent situation of Gu Jie and Xue Yueying, and Madam Chun did not mention it either. She only said that the Marquis Jingyuan was a good husband who treated her well. After such a devastating incident, the uncles and nephews in the mansion were all working tirelessly to resolve it. The Old Madam and her sisters-in-law did not blame her. It was such a good family, all ruined by her son.
Madam Chun’s words were filled with sorrow, and she began to weep as she spoke.
Xue Sui took out a handkerchief and gently wiped away her tears. At that moment, a scoffing laugh was heard.
“Oh, Sixth Sister is doing good deeds?”
Xue Sui looked up.
It was Xue Yue Man, whom she had seen in the back mountain.
She was arrogant. Seeing Xue Sui sitting there with someone, she flicked her handkerchief and swaggered over, swaying her hips.
“I heard Sixth Sister took a lot of silver money from the palace to Pu Ji Temple to perform merit, praying for your mother and the Xue Mansion. Look at you, instead of sincerely worshipping Buddha in the temple, what are you gossiping about here?”
Xue Sui glanced at her, too lazy to bother.
Madam Chun smiled and asked, “This young lady is quite pretty. May I ask which young lady she is?”
Xue Sui replied, “The Eighth Miss from the Minister’s Mansion.”
Madam Chun said “Oh” and nodded, “No wonder.”
Though her two words were soft and lacked any particular tone, Xue Yue Man seemed to hear a full earful of sarcasm and was displeased.
Madam Chun had always considered herself of low birth and feared disgracing the Marquis Jingyuan. She rarely went out to socialize. Xue Yue Man, being a sheltered young lady, had no prior dealings with her and did not recognize her.
Glancing at her, and seeing Madam Chun in plain clothes, without a single decent piece of jewelry, her face sallow and haggard, she took her for a poor pilgrim and approached with disdain.
“What is this auntie being so sarcastic about? Is this a place for you to speak? Such a busybody!”
Madam Chun’s expression turned somber, and she sighed powerlessly.
“Eighth Miss, be mindful of your words.”
She spoke earnestly, but Xue Yue Man was completely unappreciative. She was practically pointing at Madam Chun’s nose, scolding her for daring to lecture a young lady from the Minister’s Mansion despite her low status.
Xue Sui watched with cold eyes. She saw that Xue Yue Man was even more ostentatious than she was at home. She surmised that Xue Yue Man had just received a string of sweet, convincing words from Guo Zhaoxuan, and was now so full of herself, believing she would soon marry into the Duke of Zheng’s Mansion, that she could no longer tolerate anyone else.
She had originally been too lazy to bother with this fifteen-year-old girl.
But if the tree wished for stillness, the wind would not cease. So, why not stir things up a bit?
Xue Sui’s eyes fixed on Xue Yue Man with a meaningful gaze, a faint smile playing on her lips.
“Eighth Miss, we have no enmity between us.”
“Everyone knows what kind of person you, Sixth Miss Xue, are. I simply can’t stand you, so what?”
“Speaking like this, Eighth Miss, will lead to trouble.”
Xue Yue Man sneered contemptuously, “Sixth Sister, stop trying to scare me! Don’t think that just because you’ve gained the Princess Consort’s favor and become a Ru Ren of the Prince’s Mansion, you can walk all over people. I advise Sixth Sister to think long-term, don’t just focus on the present. Don’t use the money your family gave you to show off and pretend to be a great philanthropist, scattering money to any Tom, Dick, or Harry…”
Her mouth was too vicious.
Xue Sui felt that if such a foul mouth wasn’t punished, it would be an insult to the merciful Bodhisattva of Pu Ji Temple…
Just then, a martial monk from Pu Ji Temple’s guard came running from the direction of the back mountain…
“Someone is dead in the bamboo forest in the back mountain.”
“Quick, report to the Supervisor and the Abbot, someone is dead in the back mountain.”
Madam Chun was startled, her face turning ashen. She uttered “Amitabha” and said fearfully, “This is a sacred Buddhist site, and someone committed murder?”
Xue Sui gripped her hand tightly and glanced indifferently at Xue Yue Man.
Upon hearing “bamboo forest in the back mountain,” the Eighth Miss’s face changed. She had no time to argue with Xue Sui and hurried away with her maids.
–
After bidding farewell to Madam Chun and agreeing to listen to Master Jing Hong’s sermon together the next morning, Xue Sui led her two maids back to the side room of her own small courtyard.
Xue Sui and Xiao Zhao were not nervous. They calmly passed by people heading towards the back mountain, listening to the discussions as if nothing had happened.
Ru Yi’s body was slightly tense.
“Miss, will there be any trouble?”
“No need to worry.” Xiao Zhao spoke before Xue Sui, taking Ru Yi’s hand. She found Ru Yi’s palm cold and couldn’t help but chuckle.
“What are you afraid of? You didn’t kill anyone.”
Ru Yi pouted, “A dead person! Aren’t you afraid? That person almost hurt our Miss…”
Xiao Zhao looked at the unease in her expression and didn’t know how to comfort her…
If Ru Yi knew she had killed someone, would she still dare to approach her?
Xue Sui swept a glance over them, “Rest assured, stay here, and devoutly worship Buddha. This matter will be handled by the Crown Prince.”
After returning from the back mountain, she had not felt the slightest bit of worry.
If Li Zhao couldn’t even handle such a small matter, the Eastern Palace would have fallen long ago, and Prince Duan would have had no opportunity to do anything.
The Crown Prince was recuperating in the palace, claiming to be ill.
Several of his reading companions decided to visit him, but they were all refused entry.
Li Zhao was usually friendly towards his attendants and maintained proper etiquette and demeanor. Today, however, as he got up from his couch, his face was as black as the bottom of a pot.
The attendants looked around in fear.
Everyone in the Eastern Palace fell silent once again, as if by unspoken agreement.
No one knew why the Crown Prince was so enraged.
Having grown up in the palace, Li Zhao could be said to have been raised by women, yet he had never met a woman as bold and sharp as Xue Sui.
No matter how fierce the competition among the imperial concubines and palace servants, they had to maintain a facade of harmony. The virtues of a woman were said to be gentleness, grace, proper speech, and skill. Who among them was not gentle, quiet, and dignified in their bearing?
Xue Liu also put on an act.
She acted very dignified.
But when she made a move, she was ruthless, giving no face at all.
Of course, it was also his fault for being careless for a moment, allowing someone to grasp his weakness…
“I will kill her sooner or later!”
The day the Love Silk Gu is detoxified will be the day Xue Liu perishes!
The wind was strong in the morning, and the palace servants had prepared delicious meals, bringing them in one by one.
Li Zhao ate a couple of bites, but had no appetite. He had them cleared away and went to the study to write and read. For a moment, he still couldn’t calm his mind, so he summoned Guan Ya to find a scout for questioning.
“What is the situation at Pu Ji Temple? Xue Liu went to the back mountain that day. I presume others must have seen her…”
He then gently put down the book in his hand, “The work must be done cleanly, so as not to cause her any gossip.”
The scout’s face lit up with excitement as he reported.
“Your Highness, rest assured. Today, officials from Jingzhao Prefecture have already gone to investigate and collect evidence. Everything is proceeding as Your Highness predicted.”
Li Zhao glanced at him silently.
He did not respond.
The scout continued his report.
“Currently, rumors are spreading outside that the officials found a small seal from the waistband of Guo Zhaoxuan, the Fourth Young Master of the Duke of Zheng’s Mansion, in the bamboo forest. Then, someone came forward to identify that they had seen the Fourth Master of the Duke of Zheng’s Mansion and the Eighth Miss of the Minister’s Mansion sneaking into the small grove that day…”
Guo Zhaoxuan usually frequented brothels and spent a considerable amount on courtesans.
It was not difficult to find one of his personal ornaments.
This way, the matter became troublesome.
The Duke of Zheng’s Mansion was in a difficult position.
If they did not admit that Guo Zhaoxuan and Xue Yue Man went to the back mountain for a clandestine meeting and secret affair, then with something falling off Guo Zhaoxuan’s waistband, what had he been doing?
How could he explain that it had nothing to do with the unidentified corpse in the back mountain?
If he admitted to meeting a young lady in secret, it would be a bit embarrassing, but at least it wouldn’t involve a murder case…
Once Guo Zhaoxuan admitted it, Miss Xue Ba would have to bear this silent loss.
Humiliated and disgraced, each family would take them back to discipline them.
“The Duke of Zheng is furious, saying that the Xue Mansion produces nothing but shameless people. How can they be proper wives? The marriage between Eighth Miss and Guo Zhaoxuan was never finalized. Now that the matter has blown up, the Duke of Zheng’s Mansion has lost face and does not want to follow in the footsteps of the Marquis Jingyuan’s Mansion, refusing to marry her.”
“This time, Eighth Miss Xue will either have to grudgingly become a concubine in the Duke of Zheng’s Mansion, or… she can only sadly accept her fate and marry someone else.”
Li Zhao had no interest in these matters.
He waved his hand lazily.
“Summon Zhang Huaicheng. He should adjust my prescription for me.”
Lai Fu immediately became nervous, “Is Your Highness feeling unwell?”
Li Zhao frowned and remained silent, his fingers on his knees slowly tightening…
The first two days had gradually improved, and he felt much more comfortable, no longer constantly thinking about amorous matters.
But ever since he saw Xue Liu at Pu Ji Temple, that “Male Gu” had become unrestrained. Last night was particularly difficult for him to sleep. His abdomen felt like a raging fire, burning from his internal organs to his limbs and bones. Every inch of his skin felt as if it were being licked, so hot it felt like it would melt.
He woke up drenched in sweat…
Xue Liu’s face appeared uncontrollably…
Her smile was like a lotus.
Even her cold smile was enchanting.
Like a ghost, it haunted him, making him unbearably restless.
After taking the medicinal soup, he had not felt much relief upon waking today. Of course, he did not believe he had fallen in love with Xue Liu due to the Gu. He only wanted to break free from its control and quickly kill that Gu, that woman.
Li Zhao suddenly became extremely resentful.
Xue Liu used a tiny Love Silk Gu to control him, making him her accomplice. Not only did he have to handle everything for her and protect her life, but he also had to endure the torment of heart-wrenching pain every night.
Yet, she was unharmed and was about to marry into Prince Duan’s Mansion with great fanfare…
“Xue Liu!”
Seeing his master’s expression, Lai Fu quickly suggested.
“Perhaps we should go and see Miss Xue Liu again?”
Li Zhao gave him a cold glance.
Lai Fu forced a smile.
“I deserve death.”
He said he deserved death every day, but he had been alive and well for many years.
Li Zhao was annoyed just looking at him, and even more so thinking of that detestable Xue Liu.
“Tell the Grand Tutor that I have a headache today and will not be going to Chongwen Hall.”
–
Master Jing Kong had already gone on a journey. Xue Sui peacefully accompanied Madam Chun to listen to three days of Buddhist services. During this time, officials did come to ask if there were any witnesses.
Xue Sui and her two maids claimed to know nothing. The officials registered their statements and did not return.
The unidentified corpse had a short knife on its person, but no other identifying marks. The officials stated that he had died by suicide, but there were two other wounds on his body that were inconsistent with the blade marks of the ring-hilted knife in his hand.
Curious and bizarre cases were not only popular topics of discussion among the public but also among the monks in the temple.
Xue Sui stayed at Pu Ji Temple and did not need to send anyone to inquire about the progress of the unidentified corpse case in the back mountain; she could hear about it from the young Samis every day.
The day they left Pu Ji Temple, the sky was clear and cloudless.
The coachman was already waiting at the temple gate. Upon seeing Xue Sui, he said, “The Old Madam instructed yesterday that I should wash the carriage early and change the cushions and backrests to ensure no delay in picking up Sixth Miss.”
Xue Sui replied, “Thank you for your trouble.”
She was polite to her servants.
The servants also felt that this Sixth Miss was kinder and easier to get along with than the other young ladies, and they treated her with utmost respect.
After all, when a person gains power, they are met with smiles wherever they go.
The carriage slowly entered the city. The scenery outside the carriage changed repeatedly. As they entered the towering city gates, the avenue before them suddenly widened.
Shops lined the streets, with taverns, teahouses, cloth shops, and silk shops, as if stepping into a bustling and prosperous world.
“Pedestrians, make way! Careful of the startled horses.”
Hearing the shouts, Xue Sui lifted the curtain and saw Li Huan leading the way on horseback.
He was leading a troop of Imperial Guards, returning from somewhere, looking travel-worn.
She had the coachman pull over to the side, not competing for the road with them.
Unexpectedly, Li Huan suddenly spurred his horse forward, glancing sideways, and his eyes met hers.
See you tomorrow…
Li Zhao: The Love Silk Gu has wronged me! Xue Ping’an, can you explain?
Xue Sui: Stocks? Today’s A-shares are doing quite well, a big surge!
Li Zhao: What? I’ve grown again?
