Chapter 79: One Life, Two Births
Their eyes met, and it would be inappropriate to pretend not to have seen each other.
Xue Sui nodded slightly, “Your Highness.”
Li Huan reined in his horse, his dark brocade robe swaying in the wind. Beneath his sharp brows, his handsome face bore a trace of indescribable fatigue, clearly from a long journey.
Looking at Xue Sui, his brow furrowed for a moment.
“Where does Sixth Miss Xue come from?”
They weren’t that close; a simple greeting and they should go their separate ways.
Xue Sui hadn’t expected Li Huan to ask so suddenly, and her heart tightened slightly.
She lowered her head respectfully and said, “Recently, my household has been unsettled, and my mother has fallen ill. Sixth Miss went to Pu Ji Temple to fast for three days, praying for my mother’s recovery and to show my filial piety.”
Li Huan looked over, his gaze lingering on her face.
“Is Master Jingkong of Pu Ji Temple well?”
Without a doubt, Li Huan was a shrewd individual.
Even if Xue Yuechen kept the reason for finding Sixth Miss Xue a secret from him, he likely knew his Princess Consort like the back of his hand, he just chose not to expose it. However, towards Xue Sui, he harbored obvious distrust. This question, for an ordinary person, might have revealed their true intentions.
Xue Sui said, “To be honest, Your Highness, I had the good fortune to meet Master Jingkong. Unfortunately, the Master is about to travel far away to Zixiao Temple to perform rites for Daoist Master Lingxu, who died innocently many years ago. I didn’t have the chance to ask for further guidance…”
The fake Lingxu had impersonated the real Lingxu to commit fraud, not only harming Xue Sui but also leaving the real Lingxu buried haphazardly in the wilderness of the deep mountains and old forests, his remains long lost. Jingkong and others could only find a few old items to perform the rites and create a cenotaph…
Li Huan had personally interrogated Lingxu that day and knew these matters…
He also knew Xue Sui was a victim of the entire incident.
He said, “Sixth Miss Xue is filial.”
Xue Sui looked at him, seemingly stunned, then smiled shyly.
“Thank you for your praise, Prince.”
Her voice was very low, almost inaudible.
Li Huan smiled, nodded slightly, and turned his horse to leave.
It was inconvenient to say more here with people coming and going. If he had anything to ask, it was not appropriate. Xue Sui watched the procession of dozens of people slowly depart, and in the breeze, she caught a familiar scent…
The scent of Old Mausoleum Swamp.
–
Upon returning to the mansion, Xue Sui first went to Shou An Courtyard to pay her respects to the Old Madam.
Before entering the room, she heard Xue Yue Man’s heartbroken cries from the courtyard…
A perfectly good engagement had fallen apart, and Eighth Miss was caught completely off guard, having lost all composure.
The Old Madam’s face was grim. She had no kind words for her granddaughter, who was weeping uncontrollably. In the past two days, she had been so angry that more of her hair had turned white.
Xue Yue Man, lacking self-respect, continued to cry and say:
“Please, Old Madam, allow me to leave the mansion. I want to go find him and demand an explanation…”
Guo Zhaoxuan had personally promised that he would marry no one but her in this life. Even if his elders objected, he would find a way to secure her future. Promises couldn’t be broken so easily.
The Old Madam’s face fell.
“If you don’t want to be a concubine, then abandon that thought. Duke Zheng has made it clear that if you want to enter the Guo family, it will only be as a concubine.”
The Xue family was also a reputable family. If the Duke of Zheng’s household declared that a Xue family daughter was indiscreet and unfit to be a wife, why would they shamelessly try to force their way in?
“Stay quietly in the mansion. After some time, when things have settled down, I will find a good match for you…”
After all this, what kind of good match could there be?
Xue Yue Man knew in her heart that it would simply be finding a man from a low social standing who wanted to curry favor with the Xue family, and then marrying her off casually.
At that time, not only would her sisters mock her, but her in-laws might also look down on her…
“Grandmother…” Xue Yue Man crawled forward on her knees, tugging at the Old Madam’s sleeve.
“If I cannot marry into the Duke’s mansion, your granddaughter will not live. There are only two paths now: either marry into the Duke of Zheng’s mansion, or… I can only dash my head against the wall and die, preserving the Xue family’s honor.”
The Old Madam abruptly pulled her sleeve away, impatient.
“Then go ahead and dash your head against the wall. It would be cleaner if you died! It would save me the trouble…”
Before her voice had even faded, she saw Jinshu at the door, who curtsied.
“Old Madam, Sixth Miss has returned and is waiting outside to pay her respects.”
Old Madam Cui’s face immediately broke into a smile, the dark cloud of her anger seemingly dissipating in an instant.
“Then what are you waiting for? Hurry and let Sixth Miss come in!”
Xue Sui entered with a radiant smile, having Xiao Zhao and Ru Yi present a sandalwood Buddha statue, which they had obtained from Pu Ji Temple, to Old Madam Cui.
“Your granddaughter specifically asked Master Jinghong to consecrate it, saying it would bring peace to the household and health to Grandmother.”
Ru Yi added with a smile, “Old Madam, this Buddha statue was not easily obtained. Sixth Miss woke up early every morning and listened to Master Jinghong’s dharma lectures for three full days. Whenever she had free time, she would seek out the Master for guidance on scriptures. The Master said our Sixth Miss has a good aptitude, which is why he gave us this Buddha statue.”
The Old Madam was very pleased.
She asked them to tell her about their time on the mountain.
She listened with great interest.
“Next time we go up the mountain to worship Buddha, Grandmother will take you with her.”
Xue Sui smiled, “That would be wonderful. I can also take care of Grandmother when we go. The monks at the temple all say that your granddaughter is almost a lay Buddhist and have asked me to find Master Jinghong to become a lay disciple…”
The Old Madam chuckled heartily.
“You are such a clever girl, you are liked wherever you go…”
At this point, she glanced at Xue Yue Man.
“Why are you still standing there? Go back to your own room. Your father said you are not allowed to leave the mansion these days. If I find out you go out on your own again and cause any trouble, I’ll skin you alive.”
Xue Yue Man watched this scene, her teeth clenched tightly.
She asked tearfully, “Why are you so harsh on me, Grandmother, yet so good to Sixth Sister?”
The Old Madam glared at her, “If you were even half as obedient as Sixth Miss, and caused half as much trouble for the Xue family, I would treat you the same!”
Xue Yue Man shook her head, and shook it again.
No.
This was all wrong!
An abandoned daughter, returning home for just a month, had turned the household upside down, yet everyone praised her for her filial piety. Even the Emperor had bestowed a plaque, and her grandmother doted on her…
Everything was topsy-turvy.
The one who should be kneeling here crying is Xue Liu.
The one who should be favored, praised by her grandmother, and married well, should be her.
–
Xue Sui returned to the mansion and rested briefly. She had a meal with Xue Ji. Seeing that the weather was clear in the afternoon, she took Ming Ge’er out, saying she was going to see Mister Shu for acupuncture.
This was her best excuse for leaving the mansion now. With the Old Madam’s permission, no one would stop her.
She went to Sang Liu Courtyard. She didn’t see Tianshu, but Yaoguang was waiting.
Yaoguang told her, “Senior Disciple Brother has returned to Old Mausoleum Swamp and will not come back until after your wedding.”
He pushed several prescriptions towards Xue Sui.
“The prescriptions are ready, Senior Brother said how to take them. You know what to do.”
Xue Sui nodded, “Is Senior Brother returning for the sacrifice?”
Every year, the Old Mausoleum Swamp sacrifice was organized by the Senior Disciple Brother, and he had never missed it. This year would likely be no exception.
Yaoguang nodded.
After a moment of thought, he added,
“Li Huan’s departure from the capital this time was to Yun Lu Mountain.”
This made Xue Sui understand.
So Li Huan had returned from a sacrifice at Yun Lu Mountain.
She smiled slightly, “This person is cunning and ambitious. For the Emperor to entrust him with this task shows his trust. Hmph, a Prince who has earned the Emperor’s favor and wields great power can stand against the Eastern Palace. A Princess who is arrogant and cruel, establishing her own mansion and officials. They say the Emperor is indifferent, but he is clearly not. If he is not indifferent, then he is also indifferent…”
Yaoguang glanced at her, “What, Thirteen, are you worried about the Eastern Palace?”
Xue Sui was taken aback.
She laughed.
“Did Senior Sister Yuheng scold you? Coming to tease me.”
Yaoguang narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled lazily, “The Love Silk Gu is a twin-life curse. Yuheng searched for so long and only found one pair. I’ve wanted them for so long but she never gave them to me, yet you got lucky. Do you think I’m convinced?”
Xue Sui glanced at him, “Senior Sister Yuheng has more than one pair, she just doesn’t want to give you a pair. Seventh Brother, be more mindful. Be careful that Senior Sister Yuheng doesn’t find you a brother-in-law one day and then have Master make you marry into Butcher Wang’s family as a pig butcher’s wife…”
The young lady from Butcher Wang’s family sold pork at Old Mausoleum Swamp.
That girl was sturdy, and she wielded her cleaver like a flower.
Yaoguang repeatedly clasped his hands in surrender.
Finally, he leaned in and asked, “Thirteen, tell me, what kind of man does Senior Sister Yuheng like?”
Xue Sui thought for a moment and shook her head.
“A person’s heart is like the sea, how can it be guessed? If you are sincere, treat her with sincerity. If she loves you, then respond. If she doesn’t love you, then don’t pester her. Matters of love cannot be forced. As for the Love Silk Gu, don’t even think about it. How could Senior Sister use the Love Silk Gu to control a marriage?”
Yaoguang’s expression remained unchanged, but his heart pounded like a drum.
Controlling someone with the Love Silk Gu, where is the true love in that?
He asked, “Then why did you use the Love Silk Gu on the one in the Eastern Palace?”
Xue Sui rolled her eyes, “Adult matters, children shouldn’t ask too many questions.”
Yaoguang raised his hand as if to tap her forehead.
Xue Sui dodged, and the two began to playfully spar.
Xiao Zhao followed with a laugh.
Even Ming Ge’er, who didn’t understand anything, chuckled.
Only Ru Yi watched in amazement.
She had been by her young lady’s side for so long, and all she had ever seen was her young lady’s careful planning, meticulous thought, and every word and action, watertight and flawless. She had never seen her young lady act so much like a young lady before, with a radiant smile and sparkling eyes. At this moment, she looked like a girl of her age should.
–
Li Huan did not return to his mansion upon arriving in the capital; he first entered the palace to report to the Emperor.
The Emperor had just finished his morning court and came over. The father and son sat down in Qian Yuan Hall.
After a few pleasantries, Emperor Chong Zhao looked weary and asked Li Huan about the sacrifice. Li Huan said nothing more than usual, reporting everything truthfully.
The topic of Old Mausoleum Swamp was already sensitive.
Unexpectedly, Emperor Chong Zhao pondered for a moment and then suddenly spoke.
“On the mountainside of Yun Lu Mountain, by the ancient pavilion where the stream flows, there is a golden acacia tree. It must be quite tall by now, right?”
Li Huan was slightly taken aback.
In his opinion, his Imperial Father had never set foot on Yun Lu…
Why would he know this?
Li Huan replied, “Its branches are lush and its canopy reaches the sky.”
Emperor Chong Zhao nodded, pressed his aching temples, and coughed twice. Wang Chengxi quickly brought a spittoon and offered the Emperor water and a handkerchief.
Li Huan watched the Emperor’s swollen eyes and furrowed brow from the side.
“Imperial Father, you must take care of your imperial body.”
Emperor Chong Zhao wiped his hands and threw the handkerchief onto Wang Chengxi’s tray.
“You will accompany me to Hua Yi Palace later to see your sister…”
Li Huan respectfully said, “Your son had the same intention. Upon returning, I heard that Ping Le’s illness has not improved… Your son knows a folk doctor who has some insight into rare and strange illnesses. Shall I find him to take a look?”
Emperor Chong Zhao said, “The Imperial Hospital has tried every method. It doesn’t hurt to try your suggestion, it depends on her fortune. She is currently taking medicinal soup. Apart from being a bit weak, she is no different from a normal person, but she cannot do without medicine. At such a young age, how could this happen.”
Li Huan sighed and said no more.
The father and son emerged from Qian Yuan Hall. As they stepped onto the path leading to Hua Yi Palace, they saw the Eastern Palace’s palanquin approaching.
Seeing the Emperor and Li Huan walking, Li Zhao raised his hand to signal and stepped down from the palanquin to pay his respects.
“Your son has been recuperating in the palace for several days and has recovered well. I have come to pay my respects to Imperial Father…”
Emperor Chong Zhao waved his hand, signaling him to rise, and said, “Your Imperial Father and your Imperial Brother are going to Hua Yi Palace…”
Before the Emperor finished speaking, Li Zhao cupped his hands and agreed, “Your son will accompany Imperial Father.”
Emperor Chong Zhao’s brow furrowed slightly, his eyelid twitched, and he nodded.
“It is right for brothers and sisters to be harmonious and to visit each other often.”
Li Zhao had the palanquin bearers leave and walked with Emperor Chong Zhao and Li Huan.
Emperor Chong Zhao walked ahead, with him and Li Huan behind. After walking for a while, Li Zhao’s pace slowed down. Li Huan noticed he hadn’t kept up and found himself walking ahead of him. He stopped again, waiting for Li Zhao to pass before slowing his pace to catch up.
He adhered strictly to etiquette and never overstepped.
Li Zhao stopped, spread his hands slightly in a gesture, and said courteously, “Imperial Brother, please.”
Such deliberate actions were actually very uncomfortable…
The former Crown Prince was arrogant and self-important, unrestrained and unruly, and was at odds with Ping Le. How could he be so kind as to visit?
Li Huan couldn’t help but look at him a few more times.
“I heard the Crown Prince was ill and was very concerned. I intended to visit the Eastern Palace earlier, but I was too busy with official duties recently and could not get away…”
Li Zhao smiled slightly, “Thank you for your concern, Imperial Brother. My health is very robust. After a few doses of medicine, I will recover as before. As for Imperial Brother… I heard that your mansion will be taking in a new consort soon. While Imperial Brother is handling state affairs, don’t forget to take care of yourself.”
Li Huan’s heart skipped a beat.
The last time he was impeached by the Censorate, it was Consort Xiao who wanted to add a new consort to his mansion, claiming collusion with powerful officials and secret dealings.
Li Zhao did not explicitly state it, but given the Emperor’s suspicious nature, he would inevitably overthink things.
He said, “My Princess Consort pities me for having no children yet and wants to add an heir to the Prince’s Mansion. She chose her own sister, and I could not refuse, so I went with fate.”
Li Zhao smiled, “Imperial Brother is blessed.”
Emperor Chong Zhao suddenly turned around, “That Sixth Miss Xue is intelligent and generous. She is indeed a good one.”
Li Zhao pursed his lips slightly, a smile that was neither happy nor unhappy.
It is said that since ancient times, there have been no true father-son relationships in the royal family. Within these red walls and yellow tiles, the weighing of imperial interests often overshadowed the warmth of blood ties. It had been many years since the father and his two sons had walked together so peacefully, discussing everyday matters. As they walked towards Hua Yi Palace, the stone path wound beneath their feet. During this rare short journey, they were bathed in a long-lost sense of family affection.
However, as Li Huan watched Li Zhao’s occasional smiles, his heart was clouded with unease.
The incident at the Bamboo Forest Elegant Pavilion that day still lacked a complete truth.
See you at dinner for the second update, sisters~
