Chapter 26 - Burning in Flames
Back in the room, Cui Ti was holding a snow-white rabbit. Led by Bai Tang, Hao Zhong and Rao Liang surrounded her, wishing they could describe this little rabbit as a celestial rabbit that descended from the heavens.
Upon hearing an earful of "its white white body", "red red eyes", "short short tail", Pei Xuan was stunned for a moment, seriously considering whether she should have the maids around her mother read a few more books.
She gave a light cough with her fist against her lips. The maids stopped chattering and unanimously called her "M'lord". Pei Xuan had a gentle appearance and her voice was mellow like intoxicating pear blossom wine. "You may leave first."
"Yes, M'lord."
Hao Zhong and Rao Liang obeyed her without question.
Bai Tang glanced at Cui Ti's flushed face, thinking to herself: She's like the touch-me-not, no, her skin is even thinner than the touch-me-not. At least the touch-me-not has to be touched before its leaves curl up. M'lord is still a few steps away, yet a mere word makes Miss blush.
She shivered inwardly and went out the door to rub her goosebump-covered arms, muttering under her breath: You two are so sappy.
Upon seeing her little gestures, Hao Zhong asked unabashedly: "Tang Tang, what's wrong?"
Bai Tang was just looking for someone to chat with. She beckoned them to the courtyard under the trees.
With no one else left in the room, only Pei Xuan who made her heart flutter remained. Cui Ti stroked the rabbit's ears anxiously, afraid that Pei Xuan would stubbornly touch her again.
Her chest felt swollen and her neck was flushed with embarrassment. Her raised eyebrows showed a hint of hesitation in speaking up. No matter how one looked, she was a sight to behold.
"My lady?"
Pei Xuan spoke first.
Without needing to lift her head, Cui Ti could tell the direction from Pei Xuan's voice. Her body tilted away to show a shy, reluctant side profile.
Even her side profile was outstanding. Her skin was smooth as porcelain. Her reddened ears peeked out from her fine black hair, like a touch of red emerging from black jade. Her neckline was elegant and her back ramrod straight. After living in the broken-tiled house in the southern manor for many years, she remarkably lacked any trace of a commoner's temperament.
Pei Xuan loved her shy appearance to death and was enchanted by her graceful bearing. Her heart swelled with surging delight. With a raise of her brow, she called again: "My lady?"
Somehow, this form of address sounded quite indecent to Cui Ti's ears.
She was well aware of Pei Xuan's integrity, and had also witnessed her occasional frivolousness and boldness. Just thinking about it made her heart want to jump out of her throat. Her body twisted further, determined not to let this person look at her any more.
"My good lady."
Magistrate Pei cleverly predicted which way she would turn and caught her off guard. She squatted down. Despite squatting, her tall stature ensured she wasn't much shorter. Like orchids and irises, her aura was elegant and fresh: "Why are you ignoring your husband?"
If Pei Xuan hadn't made it so blunt, Cui Ti could still pretend to throw a little tantrum and be willful. Now that she asked why she was ignoring her, Cui Ti stroked the rabbit in her lap: "I'm not."
Pei Xuan didn't pursue the question further. She just smiled and stroked the little rabbit together with her. Her fingertips touched the jade-like fingers of her lady. She intentionally watched Cui Ti's expression. Cui Ti shyly bit her lip and shifted her fingers caressing the rabbit aside.
Pei Xuan promptly followed, insisting her fingers touch hers.
You chase, I flee. How childish.
Cui Ti was helpless against her. She heaved a sigh of resignation. Pei Xuan's eyes hid stars and her smile was even warmer than the spring wind.
The childish Pei Xingguang who refused to relent, the Pei Xingguang full of youthful spirit before encountering setbacks, in Cui Ti's eyes and heart, were all treasures more dazzling than gold in this world.
She smiled faintly, capturing Pei Xuan's heart.
The warm, dry palm pressed against the smooth back of Cui Ti's hand. Pei Xuan's chest swelled with boundless passion and she could only think to praise the woman before her.
She spoke poetry. The youngest top scholar in Da Zhao's history opened her mouth, far better than "white white body, red red eyes, short short tail".
She compared Cui Ti to an immortal maiden who had strayed into the mortal realm. While she herself was the mortal fortunate enough to receive the immortal's scattered jade dew.
The mortal was helplessly enamored with the lofty immortal maiden, longing for her day and night. In the deep of the night, her soul would float to the pear garden where they met and reunite with her...
The literary language was elegant and contained a romantic, dreamy flair.
Pei Xuan assumed Cui Ti could not understand or only vaguely grasped her meaning. But the Cui Ti of today was no longer an ignorant village girl. She not only understood, but was also moved by Pei Xuan's outstanding literary talent and the feelings concealed within.
She pretended to be puzzled and asked about the poem's meaning.
Knowing she must have neglected her studies over the years, Pei Xuan took this chance to subtly express her deep affection. Cui Ti listened and understood, but upon finishing, couldn't help wanting to cover her face.
So it was true, when refined gentlemen shamelessly flirted, it was most fatal.
The sweet couple had their intimate time. Outside the door, Hao Zhong said: "M'lord, my lady, the Earl has sent people inviting you to the front hall for dinner."
Stepping out the door, the galaxy poured down from the night sky. Pei Xuan suggested: "Shall we rest in the southern manor tonight?"
The broken-tiled house in the southern manor held special meaning. It was where she first met Cui Ti.
Although Cui Ti couldn't see the vast sea of stars overhead, looking up she saw the starlight in Pei Xuan's eyes. She was quite drawn to the idea, but...
"That place is too simple, I'm afraid it would be difficult for you."
"I'll bear the hardship to accompany you, what of it?"
Her feelings were sincere. Cui Ti couldn't bring herself to refuse. Her heart felt warm. She hooked her little finger with hers and allowed herself to be brought to the front hall for dinner.
Earl of Xining had prepared a full table of food and drink he figured his eldest daughter and son-in-law would enjoy. Not knowing his eldest daughter's tastes, he had sent people to ask Bai Ge the maid and only then decided on some decent menu items.
Pei Xuan's status differed from others. Born with a secret, she was prudent before outsiders. Except for those close to her, no one else would know her preferences in life.
The table full of food was not as much to her liking as the Earl had assumed. But she was not a picky eater. Outsiders could not discern her preferences and assumed everything was fine.
Having been with her for years, Cui Ti knew her tastes. She slowly recalled a past event.
The seemingly refined and gentle scholar actually had a particular penchant for sour and spicy flavors.
In their past life, despite keeping to her principles, Pei Xuan's favorite spicy rabbit heads were indulged at most once a month, and she wouldn't eat much even then. Just enough to be 70-80% full.
Cui Ti had asked why. Ordinary people knew not to neglect youth. As the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister, why be so strict with herself?
Pei Xuan just gave a soft laugh and said she was born privileged and prosperous, already exceeding most people in many ways. If she was not temperate, she feared becoming someone even she would look down on.
Being moderate in trivial matters meant she would be even more prudent in important matters.
This was one point Cui Ti admired about her.
If it were Cui Ti herself, she was afraid she wouldn't even have Pei Xuan's level of perseverance.
The family dined together at the table. Pei Xuan attentively took care of the blind woman sitting beside her. Seeing this, Earl of Xining was overjoyed. Even the Marchioness had to admit Cui Ti had married a good husband.
Compared to her thoughtful son-in-law, her own husband couldn't compare in the slightest.
Comparing oneself to others can lead to anguish, just as comparing one's possessions can end in discarding them. Consumed by such thoughts, the Earl of Xining's wife felt genuine disdain for the Earl. Reflecting on the hardships she endured over the years, carrying his children and managing the household affairs, a sour bitterness surged in her heart.
Considering all this, Cui Ti undoubtedly had a better life than her.
Born blind, and being not so favored by her parents, Cui Ti was fortunate enough to marry a man who was as rare as a gem, becoming the apple of Prime Minister Pei's eye.
Pei Xuan, being the legitimate heir of the Pei family, held significant influence. Even the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister's wife, out of respect for him, would refrain from mistreating their daughter-in-law.
The way Cui Ti was treated after marriage was far superior than how she, as a mother, was ever treated.
The Lady lowered her head and continued to eat in silence.
Cui Dai was her most beloved daughter, but failed to notice her own mother's abnormal silence and brooding. She resented Cui Ti for obtaining such a good marriage and fantasized about having a husband as good as brother-in-law. For a moment, she felt vaguely uneasy about her own marriage prospects.
Were there any other "Pei Xuans" to be found in Xi Jing?
Oblivious to the profound impact she had on the Cui family in a day’s time, Pei Xuan would not have cared even if she knew.
That night, she and Cui Ti moved to the broken-tiled house in the southern manor to rekindle their affection. Upon learning of this, Earl of Xining stared blankly for a good while before reacting: "They went to the southern manor?"
The servant answering him also found it baffling: "Yes, my lord. The young master and young miss did indeed go to reside in the southern manor."
"The southern manor, what is the southern manor like now?"
The servant honestly replied: "The southern manor is dilapidated. Ever since the young miss moved out, it has become even more unattended..."
The Earl's heart leapt up and he strode towards the southern manor.
Trailing behind were Bai Tang, Hao Zhong and Rao Liang, carrying their masters' pillows, quilts and other items.
Before she and Bai Tang could feel sentimental over their former home, Hao Zhong and company were shocked by the sight of the small, broken courtyard.
This, this is still inhabitable?
Bai Tang sucked in her breath and muttered "Indeed" under her breath.
When she and Miss were living here, dilapidated as it was, it was not as run down as this. Once they left, this place became an abandoned house that no one bothered about.
It didn't even deserve basic cleanliness.
Pei Xuan quietly observed the small courtyard, thinking back to the end of the exams when she had chased after the runaway kite, climbing trees and scaling the wall to catch a glimpse of the girl who captured her heart.
It was a beautiful spring day. The girl sitting on the stone steps was even more beautiful. Her embroidered shoes, pear wood hairpin, water pink dress, and the faint smile at the corner of her lips had entranced her and set her heart aflutter.
The courtyard was very small and could be viewed in its entirety with a single glance. Pei Xuan effortlessly spotted the area by the base of the wall surrounded by over a dozen bricks. Bai Tang bashfully said: "That was where M'lord fell over the wall that day."
It was where the dream began!
Hearing her say that, Pei Xuan walked over hand-in-hand with Cui Ti. Upon seeing it in person, her face lit up as she praised: "You have a good heart."
Instead of feeling proud at her praise, Bai Tang became even more deferential to Pei Xuan.
In her eyes, someone who could see past worldly facades and truly cherish her miss was the most outstanding and discerning person in the world.
Such a person deserved her utmost respect.
She was not well-educated, but understood the principle of reciprocation.
Here, every blade of grass and tree was vivid to Pei Xuan. The more intently she looked, the more uneasy Cui Ti felt.
Although blind, she had a good head on her shoulders. She knew without thinking how run down this courtyard must have become after they left. Worried that Pei Xuan would feel distressed seeing it, she wanted to retreat back to Agarwood Courtyard.
She could endure living here, but Pei Xuan may not be able to.
She still remembered the roof needing repairs before they left in a hurry. In the end, it had been neglected for many days. There was no telling if it would still leak on rainy nights, dripping rain into the room.
She had no intention of letting Pei Xuan experience her past destitution. She was already very content with their present happiness.
"Leaving?"
After looking over the courtyard, Pei Xuan led her towards the interior.
The door initially wouldn't budge. With great effort they managed to push it open, and it let out heavy, creaky sounds. Cui Ti's face fluctuated between red and white. In the end, she couldn't bring herself to defy this person's wishes and stepped over the threshold.
The interior was inhabitable, much better than the exterior. From the simple furnishings, it was easy to see the occupants had tried their utmost to keep it clean.
Cui Ti was blind, so it was Bai Tang doing the work. Feeling the gaze of others, Bai Tang stood tall and exuded confidence despite her petite frame.
However, dust had settled on the tables in the long unoccupied house. Seeing this, she wanted to clean up, but was stopped by Hao Zhong grabbing her wrist.
Pei Xuan headed straight for the inner room.
Pushing aside the curtains revealed the old bedboards, table and wardrobe inside, shabby and bare. One glance said it all - poverty-stricken.
The more she looked, the colder Pei Xuan's laughter became. Cui Ti knew she was angry and was about to persuade her when Earl of Xining rushed in in a fluster: "Son-in-law—!"
Pei Xuan turned, her eyes clear and cold: "Father-in-law."
The words Earl of Xining wanted to say stuck in his throat, as if a huge hand was tightly strangling his neck, making it hard for him to breathe.
The antiquity before his eyes was an assault on his vision. Suddenly leaning to one side, he recalled his purpose coming here. Shamelessly, he said: "Son-in-law, why stay in this shabby chamber? Agarwood Courtyard is where you belong."
"Is that so?"
Rage churned in Pei Xuan's chest, scalding her with pain and anger.
She initially met Cui Ti in a delighted fervor, feeling this little courtyard radiated splendor just by having her in it. If not for the old servant's reminder, she may not even have noticed the cold indifference the girl who captured her heart suffered day after day.
After marrying, Cui Ti had cried twice. Once in the rear garden when she asked how she felt and she refused to say, panicking her. The other time was waking up one day and accusing her of "messing around then abandoning her".
Perhaps her lady was not a weak, weepy sort.
But deep inside, she must have hidden much resentment.
This resentment was invisible to others. Her husband who should have seen it most clearly also failed to see it.
The past she had not thought deeply about was plainly laid out before her, clearly telling her - look, when you were unaware, your lady suffered much in places beyond your sight. So much for cherishing her like a precious jade and honoring her like the bright moon.
Your jade, your moon, were rubble and insignificant weeds in others' eyes. Pei Xingguang, will you still tolerate them?
"What a splendid Earl of Xining's mansion, concealing such beauty within! And what a selfless, loving Earl of Xining indeed!"
With a flick of her sleeve, she stood tall and sat on the old wooden bed: "Sir Earl, you may leave. When no one cherished my lady, then tonight, I shall share her bitter lot."