Chapter 22 - Too Charming
The Milky Way stretched endlessly across the sky. A bright moon hung high above. A night bird flapped its wings as it flew over their heads. Pei Xuan closed the window, shutting out the gentle night breeze.
She had an excellent figure, with ink black hair spilling down her back. Below the waist was all leg, slender and tall. Wearing only a thin robe accentuated her slight build. In the moonlight, she looked like "I wish to ride the wind home," and in the inner chamber, just her weak-looking back was enough to make one's breathing quicken slightly.
Seeing her turn, Cui Ti averted her eyes in time, her heart thumping as her face grew hot. She fanned herself repeatedly with her hand. Pei Xuan walked over, full of concern, "My lady, are you very warm?"
"Yes, a little hot," Cui Ti replied.
"Then shall I open the window a bit more?"
Cui Ti pretended she was still blind, keeping the tension in her heart as she gave a small nod.
The window was opened a crack, letting in a gentle breeze that dissipated the suddenly arisen ambiguity.
"Still hot?"
She sounded sincere, as if truly afraid the inexplicable heat would spoil her precious lady. Cui Ti twisted her waist to look away, unable to hide her reddened ear tips behind her dark sidelocks. Pei Xuan understood in an instant, it must be because her words "come to bed" were too explicit.
She raised the corners of her lips, filled with a strange joy. Looking at Cui Ti's red ears, they seemed all the more adorable. Her heart was unusually restless and impulsive. She had only taken one step when her heart gave a warning thump.
If she really were a man it would be fine, but she was a woman, and a blind woman at that.
The prosperity and decline of the entire Pei family rested on her shoulders. Pei Xuan's breath stilled as her straight back momentarily sagged, before steadying a moment later like a proud plum blossom. She walked over and gently grasped Cui Ti's slender wrist, "My lady, walk slowly."
Cui Ti was led by her to the edge of the brand new canopy bed embroidered with silver maple leaves. She softly called out "husband."
On the surface Pei Xuan's expression was indifferent, but inside she was debating with herself, recalling her parents' overt and covert exhortations, as well as Cui Ti's words in daylight that she had willingly married into the family. Of course she was fond of Cui Ti, but if Cui Ti would not accept her female identity, what was she to do?
"Husband?"
Pei Xuan let go of her hand and walked a few steps to blow out the candles. The inner chamber was plunged into darkness, with only starlight and moonlight coming in, just enough to vaguely make out silhouettes. She lightly cleared her throat and slowly, slowly approached Cui Ti.
Cui Ti nervously clutched at her clothes.
"Are you afraid I won't want you?"
Speaking this out loud, Pei Xuan's own face grew hot. Fortunately the darkness obscured it, and her blind lady could not see. She repeatedly told herself to calm down, trying hard to recall how Song Zizhen and Zheng Wuji had described lustful lechers when drinking.
Song Zizhen often said men were lecherous, keeping up appearances and propriety on the surface, but once behind closed doors on their wedding night, they would become ravenous wolves that couldn't wait to tear off a woman's clothes, then entwine with her passionately, you in me, me in you. These were Song Zizhen's exact words. Pei Xuan still remembered he had said this because a shocking scandal had just occurred in Xi Jing.
When Pei Xuan was twelve, she had seen caged wolves. A wolf's eyes were ferocious, giving off an aura of absolute confidence. But she truly could not act fierce toward Cui Ti.
She was the "man" now. On their first wedded night she had not touched the bride, but could she really spend another night of peaceful slumber?
She placed a hand on Cui Ti's shoulder, then lightly bit her on the lip. The chaotic breathing echoed within the canopy. Cui Ti felt a numb ache in her lower abdomen, her lips parted slightly as her body arched to meet Pei Xuan's kiss.
This posture was tacit consent, or perhaps encouragement, in Pei Xuan's eyes.
Abiding by all the wedding etiquette was showing respect for each other, for the newlyweds.
She bent down to carry Cui Ti onto the bed, half-kneeling with one leg bent beside the delicate young mistress. Soft, gentle kisses fell on Cui Ti's forehead.
The rolled up bed curtains were let down.
Moonlight spilled into the inner chamber.
Incense was lit in the purple gold burner on the table. Cui Ti's sash was hooked up. Taking courage in the dim light before her eyes, she stole a look at Pei Xuan, who knelt by her left hand. Her slender fingers, quivering, untied the sash that confined her spring charms.
“My lady...”
She called out gently, like a fairy only existing in storybooks, and she must be one that emerged from the sea, clear and moist, warm and gentle, not fearsome, only too bewitching.
Cui Ti knew this life had started out differently, so everything afterwards would be even more different. At this call of hers, her limbs instantly lost strength, going limp and soft, and she hastily closed her eyes.
Sighing at the mystic who opened her spiritual eyes, at this moment, she actually didn't dare look anymore.
To feign ‘impatience', Pei Xuan deliberately leaned in close to the young miss's ear and breathed heavily, the scalding air hitting Cui Ti's ear and cheek. She had remained chaste through two lifetimes, how could she withstand such teasing?
"Xing...Guang..."
She wanted this person to give her a way out.
But Pei Xuan still did not stop, continuing to pant lightly by her ear, as if holding her heart in her hand, not allowing her to resist, not listening to her say "no".
Cui Ti's mind was in chaos,
Completely unaware of what was happening today, until she lay under Pei Xuan in just her undergarments. Only then did she realize, it really was different now.
A hand stroked her left shoulder, then her lips were lightly nibbled.
Chaotic breathing echoed within the bed curtains. Cui Ti felt a soft ache in her lower abdomen, her lips parted slightly, her body arched up a little, welcoming her pure, refreshing kiss.
The incense in the golden censer started taking effect. Pei Xuan stopped kissing her, as if having fought a great battle with sweat beading at her temples.
It was over.
She unconsciously embraced Cui Ti, nuzzling into the crook of her neck. Her eyes were full of attachment amidst the hazy darkness, her heart beating rapidly.
She held her tighter instinctively.
The woman's tender body was completely under her control. Pei Xuan groped under the pillow for a small jade bottle. Uncorking it, she held it to her nose and sniffed lightly. After a few breaths her muddled consciousness instantly cleared.
On this wakeful night she could not fall asleep, only listen to the breathing of her lady beside her as she slowly waited for dawn.
When she could endure no more, the moon buried itself amidst the clouds. The girl in her arms was having a sweet dream. Only then did Pei Xuan close her eyes, her lips still sweet.
At daybreak, the servants tiptoed softly in the courtyard, taking care not to disturb their masters' peaceful slumber.
Cui Ti had gone to bed early last night, so she awoke early this morning too. Before falling asleep, her last shreds of consciousness clearly reminded her that Pei Xuan had kissed her.
But she was so shameless.
Kissing and kissing, she had actually fallen asleep.
She didn't know what else Pei Xuan might have done after, but judging by Pei Xuan's upright and cautious character, she would have properly held her, at most kissing her forehead again.
In their previous life of three years as husband and wife, their intimacy had often stopped at fleeting brushes...
That's right, fleeting brushes.
Cui Ti suddenly understood - no wonder she found this bout of muddled sleep so familiar. She laughed softly, lightly sniffing the lingering fragrance in the room, then helplessly looked at the sleeping Pei Xuan.
Pei Xuan had added something to the incense burner, avoiding consummation on their second night after marriage.
She carefully searched under the pillow and easily found a small bottle. Pei Xuan was hugging her too tightly for her to move much, so she stifled her embarrassment and kissed her cheek.
This moist, soft kiss was very different from last night's.
Last night, she guessed Pei Xuan had likely gotten into some inexplicable roleplay, and then clumsily tried to act it out.
Especially recalling her shameless panting by her ear, Madam Pei nudged the person lightly with her feet in indignation.
The sleeping Pei Xuan stirred, dissatisfied to have her beautiful dream disturbed. The hand around Cui Ti's waist exerted a bit of force, squeezing their chests tightly together in a numbing tingle all over.
She wanted to wake her up, but realizing Pei Xuan likely seldom rested, she took pity and pretended nothing was happening by tightly shutting her eyes.
Outside, a bird perched on a branch, soon fluttering its wings to fly higher.
Early morning at the Earl of Xining's residence, the big red lanterns were still not taken down, but rather dressed up to look even more festive.
The Earl directed the servants to tend to the plants and flowers in the courtyard, occasionally picking and choosing, leaving the gardeners dizzy and confused. After enduring again and again, the Earl's wife acidly remarked, "It's just Ritual Returning to the Bride's Home, look how fancily you're decorating, do you still know east from west, south from north?"
She spoke bluntly, but the Earl of Xining didn't get angry at all. Dressed in new clothes today, the outfit had been respectfully delivered by the owner of the Embroidered Jade Shop yesterday, on account of congratulating him again for his daughter's marriage.
Xi Jing was so big, yet who didn't know now his daughter had become Madam Pei? What kind of talent and ability did Pei Xuan have, not to mention his own background as the Prime Minister's scion, it was a connection others dreamed of having.
Thinking of how the boss of that pawn shop had bowed and scraped yesterday, praising him to the heavens, the Earl of Xining couldn't stop smiling. How could he be cold-faced toward his wife?
"Can't tell east from west or south from north, so what? My lady, look, does your husband not appear prestigious and dignified in this outfit?"
"Very prestigious," the Earl's wife said perfunctorily as she closed her eyes to avoid looking, "Worn on you, those unfamiliar would think you a favored minister of the Son of Heaven."
The Earl paid no mind to the ridicule in her words, and continued chuckling as he inspected the courtyard carefully again, before starting to randomly direct things once more. Some potted plants affected the feng shui here and should be moved there, or more brightly colored flowers should be added there. The servants in the residence circled around him alone.
It seemed he was enjoying this feeling of being the center of attention. After making a fuss for a while, even he grew tired, and authoritatively declared, "Today is different from usual days. Smarten up, the young master and young miss will be here soon, don't lose face for the Earl's residence!"
The servants all lowered their heads in acknowledgement.
The hustle and bustle in the courtyard shouldn't have disturbed Cui Dai living in the White Peony Courtyard, but last night no matter what she could not fall asleep, and when she closed her eyes all she could think about was that blind girl who must be overjoyed now to have married into a powerful family.
A gem like Pei Xuan had been sullied by a blind girl for no reason - she resentfully thought it a pity for Pei Xuan, while also extremely envious of that wretched blind wretch.
There was the loud bang of something falling. She sat up irritably, "Damned good-for-nothing! What kind of nonsense are you up to?"
She had picked up words like these from her mother and the matrons beside her, and now blurted them out without thinking.
The berated servant girl's face turned white as she knelt in fright, "Miss, it's, it's the Earl who fancied the pepper trees in our courtyard, I hurried to go and..."
Not waiting for her to finish, Cui Dai rubbed her eyes. She hadn't slept well all night, and her eyes felt dry while her heart was vexed, "Pepper trees? What's Father up to so early in the morning?"
After getting dressed simply and washing up, she went to see the Earl of Xining. Stepping outside, she was shocked by the totally transformed look of the residence. Compared to her father laughing gleefully in his new clothes, her mother's aloof watching seemed more reliable.
"Mother, Father is..."
The Earl's wife scoffed, "Welcoming his esteemed son-in-law."
"What?" Cui Dai's brows bunched in confusion as she looked left and right around the courtyard, "Then why is Father taking the trees from my courtyard?"
"Your elder sister likes them," her mother said.
She said "elder sister" and it took Cui Dai some time to react - "Giving her what she likes?"
The Earl's wife laughed again, "What other thoughtfulness could he be showing?"
Her parents' contrasting attitudes and the great changes at home all reminded Cui Dai that Cui Ti was coming back.
Starting from the third day when the bride returns to pay respects to her maternal home according to Ritual, counting it out, wasn't that today? Cui Dai's mood plummeted at the thought, "Has Father been possessed by an evil spirit? How can he—"
How can he fawn so shamelessly? It was him who had ignored Cui Ti in the past, yet now he was favoring her.
Cui Dai rubbed her arms vigorously to dispel the goosebumps, "Cui Ti likes pepper trees, so he takes the ones in my courtyard? Father is really..."
She wanted to stride over to the Earl of Xining's side, but was stopped by her mother,
"Stay here nicely. The main characters today are not you, just watch the show and let them make a fuss."
"It's not a good show to watch."
Cui Dai was used to having everyone fuss over her. Now seeing that the man didn't even glance her way after she had appeared for a while, she felt stifled, and whispered to her mother, "Mother, with Sister married off, how are my marriage plans going?"
The Earl's wife scolded her for being shameless, asking east and west about her marriage affairs as a young lady. But Cui Dai pestered her unrelentingly, and after some coquettish pleading, the Earl's wife advised her solemnly, "Marrying up also has its good points. Many families in Xi Jing are scrambling for ties with Pei Xuan, although aside from the imperial family there are no higher backgrounds than the Peis, there are still many more choices now than before. Let your Mother look around more for you."
"I don't care, I want to find a husband's family that is not too far beneath Pei Xuan."
Only a spoiled daughter would dare make such demands about marriage to her mother. The Earl's wife stroked her head, playing the part of a loving mother, "Alright, I'll listen to you."
Only after getting her promise did Cui Dai's mood improve a little.
She didn't like seeing her own father busy himself over a neglected blind girl, so she turned and flounced off moodily into the White Peony Courtyard, closing the door and refusing to come out.
Learning from his wife that their daughter was upset with him, the Earl of Xining sighed twice, but this time didn't chase after her to coax like he used to.
He had more important things to do now.
The carriage loaded with all kinds of gifts set off down Furong Street, the horse hooves clip-clopping towards Mudan Street. Looking back, another luxury carriage lined up unhurriedly behind.
Bai Tang was a clever one, and noticing early on the abnormal atmosphere between the two, tactfully did not get into the carriage. Instead she rode rather clumsily on a docile young colt, incompetently but happily.
To be the handmaid of Madam Pei was a treatment that went without saying. She wanted to ride a horse, so Pei Xuan arranged for riding teachers proficient in equestrianism to escort her the whole way.
At the Earl's residence, she could not have enjoyed this honor even after three lifetimes of effort. It showed the hidden intention of the young lord to be alone with Madam.
The spacious carriage was filled with an oppressive silence. Pei Xuan was annoyed that the carriage was too spacious, to the point the brimming emptiness carried a brimming stillness. She did not speak, and Cui Ti was also reminiscing about the chaos that morning after waking up.
The two delicate young girls were married in name only in the most inappropriate way in Xi Jing. Pei Xuan, wearing the guise of a "man," cleared her throat, "My lady, we'll soon reach the Earl's estate."
"Mm," Cui Ti lowered her head, pleating her handkerchief.
Pei Xuan gazed at her features affectionately, smiling uncontrollably just from looking. She carefully moved closer, just as the carriage jolted over uneven ground, catching her off guard and causing her to steady Cui Ti's stumbling figure, "Careful."
This hug made Cui Ti recall again the subtle feeling of her chest being squeezed.
She knew Pei Xuan was a gentleman, and had also witnessed her naughty drunken side. As such, she could not completely see Pei Xuan as a "harmless" woman. She didn't know about anything else, but at least she was clearer than anyone that Pei Xuan...had amorous intentions.
Thinking back over Pei Xuan's indiscretions toward her in two lifetimes - undressing her, touching her shoulder, biting her lips, disorderly groping her - in just a few days of marriage this time, she had already used soporific incense.
The carriage continued swaying and jolting, bumping into her embrace once more. Feeling that chest as solid as a mountain, Cui Ti hugged her back, heart aching at Pei Xuan's awkward situation from dressing as a man, hindering her development.
Her own heart felt sour and pained. Pei Xuan hugged her, but was sweet and blissful. She even felt grateful to today's coachman and the bumpy road to Mudan Street.
They hugged wordlessly the entire way. The carriage gradually steadied itself. Pei Xuan was reluctant to let go and held on a while more, softly saying by Cui Ti's ear,
"My lady, we've arrived."
Hearing her speak made Cui Ti's thoughts run wild, her breathing growing chaotic.
Who would dare imagine that the cultured, refined, and elegant Pei Xuan in public would, after night fell, use panting to confuse her own lady?
The Pei Xuan of this lifetime, never having suffered setbacks ranging from top scholar to scholar-sage in the imperial examination halls, was still the most dazzling youth in Xi Jing. Her temperament was simpler, and even more unexpected.
"The young master and miss have returned!"
The servant called out.
Cui Dai reluctantly followed her parents out to welcome this blind new daughter-in-law.
"My lady, hold on to me."
Cui Ti was startled, and obediently put her arms around Pei Xuan's neck. Pei Xuan was a scholarly weakling, mustering all his strength to carry his wife down from the carriage under everyone's staring eyes.
Being so intimate in public was somewhat inappropriate, but since Cui Ti was blind, it seemed reasonable for the new husband to carry her down. It was just too intimate. The marchioness' expression changed slightly, and Cui Dai became jealous. The Marquess of Xining was so delighted he almost clapped.
Marrying off a daughter, the more importance the daughter had in her husband's family, the more outstanding it made him as her father-in-law.
Pei Xuan's expression was tranquil before others. Following etiquette, he greeted the Marquess and Marchioness of Xining, grasping Cui Ti's hand as they entered.
Gift after gift was brought into the manor. It took Cui family servants three trips to unload everything piled in the other carriage.
From the moment she arrived, the marquis manor subtly favored her.
Upon entering the courtyard, seeing the decorations and celebrations, and the conspicuously placed pepper tree, she laughed and asked the reason, and was told it was because Cui Ti liked it. She praised it as good.
To earn a sincere "good" from her made the morning's busyness worthwhile.
The Marquess of Xining warmly welcomed his excellent son-in-law. Conversing with Pei Xuan, abundant in talent and widely learned, was an enjoyable affair.
On the women's side, to give Pei family face, the marchioness could not cold-shoulder her married-off daughter, and chatted casually about household matters with Cui Ti.
Cui Dai became the ignored backdrop, finding an opportunity to prickly excuse herself to the White Peony Courtyard and shut herself in, refusing to come out.
With a husband who remembered every moment to support her, Cui Ti spent the morning half laughing, half not. She disliked pretense with the marchioness, and favored Pei Xuan's caring consideration that gave her utmost importance.
The moment she arrived, Cui Dai was angered into skipping lunch, freezing the marchioness' smile.
Seeing that empty seat, Pei Xuan put down his chopsticks and asked, "What's the matter with my third sister, does she not welcome her brother-in-law?"
"Nothing of the sort!" The Marquess of Xining certainly could not admit his youngest daughter was throwing a tantrum. He turned and ordered an attendant.
In less than a moment, Cui Dai reluctantly came over to apologize to her 'brother-in-law', and presented a box of jewels, saying it was a new wedding gift for her elder sister, and she didn't purposely miss the meal earlier, she was preparing congratulatory gifts.
This excuse sounded watertight, but was actually full of holes.
Pei Xuan smiled meaningfully.
Today she wanted the Cui family to open their eyes wide and see clearly that Cui Ti was his cherished wife, no longer the unwanted burden and disaster they loathed.
If Cui Ti was happy, the whole Cui family could be happy. If Cui Ti was dissatisfied, the entire Pei family would be dissatisfied.
"Well, let's eat."
At her words, the Marquess of Xining happily picked up his chopsticks.
In a sense, Lord Cui was shameless. His son-in-law gave the Cui family a huge show of power on the day he accompanied his daughter back to Xining, yet he acted as if nothing had happened.
The more impressive his son-in-law, the more he seemed to rejoice at the success of this marriage alliance.
At the dining table, Pei Xuan nonchalantly removed tiny fish bones for his wife. Cui Ti tilted her head, watching her serious profile, and felt a warm current flow through her limbs. She suddenly understood why the mystic had ridden a crane to open her spiritual eyes.
It was to let her see with her own eyes just what a virtuous and beautiful person her husband was.
There really was such a person in this world. She treated you well, was considerate of your heart. With just a hint of her edge showing for you, it could wipe away all the grievances swallowed in your last life and this.
At this moment, Cui Ti could not help but call out "Xing Guang". She thought: How did I meet you again, fortunately I married you this time!