Chapter 9 - As Promised
Xi Jing, Fu Rong Street, around noon, there were not many pedestrians on the street. A white horse was galloping joyfully, leaving dust flying behind.
"Who's that?"
"It looks like...like the youngest top scholar from Da Zhao!"
"The top scholar? Pei's heir?!" The man exclaimed: "It's almost lunch time, what is the top scholar doing?"
"That's right, have you heard? The Sun family is going to propose to the Earl of Xining's manor."
"Propose a marriage? Who has the Sun family taken a liking to?"
The man covered his eyes with his hand, and people soon understood. They asked in puzzlement: "Why not the third young miss of the Cui family?"
"The third young Lord Sun is young and doesn't have the best reputation, and he's blind in one eye and lustful. Perhaps he fancies the beauty of the blind girl."
The blind girl.
That was how people gossiped.
It was a March day, which should have been bright and beautiful in spring. Strangely, a gust of wind brought over a large dark cloud.
Earl of Xining's manor, in the remote south courtyard, sensing the cool breeze on her cheeks, Cui Ti tightened her fingers: "Bai Bai, it's going to rain again?"
Bai Ge scratched her head anxiously: "This damned weather! The sun was still high up just now!"
Cui Ti's heart sank.
It's going to rain again.
Once it rains, her kite can't fly anymore.
Pei Xuan whipped the reins, riding through the straight Fu Rong Street. The wind blew up her long hair, and her robes fluttered.
As Xi Jing was the imperial capital, the roads were built long and wide. With it being close to noon, there were already few people on the streets. And now with the impending rain, there were even fewer.
The horse galloped wildly.
After Fu Rong Street was Mu Dan Street.
A widow living on Mu Dan Street came out to close her windows. A flash of white shadow sped by, she didn't catch sight of Pei Xuan on the horse, but saw a bare foot wrapped in snowy socks.
How strange!
Who would run outside barefoot in broad daylight?
The horse's hooves thundered as they approached the Earl of Xining's manor. Pei Xuan looked south while sitting on the horse, and as expected, saw a lone kite flying midair.
With the rising gale, the kite swayed left and right. She felt a joy in her heart, then worry and urgency. This urgency peaked when she saw the carriage parked in front of the Earl of Xining's manor gate, with the family crest hanging on the side.
The families in Xi Jing all had their own crests on their carriages, to avoid collisions when going out. A copper bell was attached to the carriage, with a small flag inscribed 'Sun' inserted into the bell.
Pei Xuan stumbled off the horse.
The gatekeeper yawned as he saw her, wind-swept and dignified in appearance, but also barefoot. He looked at her with disdain: "This is the Earl of Xining's manor. Begone, loiterer!"
He waved to shoo her away. Pei Xuan gripped her horsewhip and charged in heedlessly.
"Hey, you! This is the Earl of Xining's manor, not a place for you to run amok!"
"The current top scholar personally taught by His Majesty, you think you can stop me? Move aside!"
With a stern shout, her voice and aura overwhelmed him. As a lowly gatekeeper who had only seen his master the Earl as the highest official, how could he withstand the fierce prestige of the Prime Minister's heir?
Taking advantage of his stunned state, Pei Xuan strode in.
She had never oppressed the weak her whole life, never disobeyed her parents. But last night, she did.
A dull pain throbbed in her knees. Pei Xuan stared fixedly at the kite battered by wind and rain in the air. She gritted her teeth and pushed past the Cui family servants blocking her way.
She had done so much, made so many heartfelt promises to the young miss, if she still couldn't make it in time, how could she face her again with feelings in her heart?
The horsewhip lashed heavily down in midair with a crack of thunder.
The dark clouds roiled as rain poured down from the heavens.
In the great hall, the Earl of Xining's wife was all smiles that didn't dim. The Earl sat at the head seat, barely paying attention as his wife and Lady Sun discussed the marriage between their younger generation.
The matchmaker invited by the Sun family exaggerated profusely, portraying the lustful and blind in one eye Sun Sanlang as a flawless gentleman unmatched in heaven and earth.
Listening to her words, the Earl of Xining started to think the rumors were not to be completely believed.
At the very least, the Sun Sanlang he saw was courteous and decent looking, certainly more pleasing to the eye than the lame second son of the Qian family.
Both sides were amenable to the marriage, only the Earl of Xining's wife was still haggling over the betrothal gift.
Sun Sanlang was vexed by his future mother-in-law's lion mouth. He kept exchanging looks urgently with his mother, prompting Lady Sun to suggest increasing the betrothal gift by another 10 percent.
"We can see the sincerity of the Sun family, my husband and I." The Earl of Xining's wife smiled genuinely.
"Then this marriage..."
"My husband and I agree."
"I object!"
Like a sudden clap of thunder out of the blue, Lady Sun and the Earl of Xining's wife looked towards the handsome gentleman standing at the door.
The servants cowered in fear and apologized to their masters. The Earl of Xining was astonished, looking up to see the visitor had stood up.
Pei Xuan put away her horsewhip and strode into the hall, her youthful cyan robe and disheveled black hair fluttering wildly, white socks stained with mud stepped onto the floor, a coiled whip on her waist, clothes rippling in the wind. The Earl of Xining's wife who lived deep in the inner quarters did not recognize her status, but how could the Earl not know her importance?
In recent years, which gentleman of Xi Jing was most prestigious? Pei's heir ranked second, who would dare claim to be first?
For such an outstanding gentleman to arrive disheveled and in the rain, the Earl of Xining quickly greeted Pei Xuan before his wife could scold: "Please forgive my servants' rudeness, Young Master Pei."
Young Master Pei?
The harsh look on the Earl of Xining's wife's face softened into gentleness, and the words on the tip of her tongue were swallowed back.
Lady Sun suddenly had an epiphany, a newfound reverence subtly appearing in her gaze.
Sun Sanlang, the third son of the Sun family, had an eye for beauty, with no discrimination between genders. Upon laying eyes on Pei Xuan for the first time, it was as if his very soul was about to drift out of his body. The dazzling elegance, the breathtaking charm; this was the legitimate heir of the Pei family.
To hear of someone's reputation is not as good as meeting them in person.
Pei Xuan, following the protocol of younger generations, respectfully greeted the Earl of Xining and his wife. He was the embodiment of grace and sophistication. Even without his boots on, he was undoubtedly one of Xi Jing's top talents.
The Earl of Xining appreciated his humility.
Nobles in Xi Jing often had the habit of elevating some while disparaging others. Having been suppressed by others for years and yet still able to attain the status of the top scholar showcased Pei Xuan's good nature. The Earl of Xining was pleased and asked, “M'lord mentioned earlier about not agreeing. What was it you didn’t agree to?”
“I don't consent to the marriage of the eldest daughter of the Cui family to Sun Sanlang.”
Upon hearing this, the eyelids of the Earl of Xining's wife twitched heavily, a woman's intuition kicking in.
As the matter began to concern his family directly, Sun Sanlang smirked, “Brother Pei, you rushed here in such haste. Are you here to elope?”
What kind of beauty would cause Pei Xuan to lose his composure like this?
He didn’t want to let her go.
That blind girl, he had decided to marry her!
Knowing one's child is a mother's domain. How could Lady Sun not perceive the intentions of her youngest son?
After much deliberation, she was certain Father would not allow his son to marry a blind girl. Glancing at Pei Xuan's disheveled state, having rushed over without even wearing shoes, she smiled: "The top scholar is a learned man, and learned men know propriety and ethics, including the proper order of first come, first served.
"My son and I had already verbally agreed with the Earl and his wife beforehand. With the parents' order and the matchmaker's word, the Sun family's claim takes precedence. What does Young Master Pei have?"
"I have a kite!"
Her gaze was intense, as if saying the most profound truth that only sages could utter.
A kite?
No one present understood these words.
The Earl of Xining regretted agreeing too early. Had he known of Pei Xuan's intentions, he would have happily offered his eldest daughter even if Pei only brought a blade of grass.
The Earl of Xining's wife regretted it so much her guts were turning green, the bitterness in her heart exceeded drinking bitter gourd juice.
Sun Sanlang gloated: "Brother Pei, a gentleman does not seize what another fancies. You took my fiancee's portrait earlier, I haven't settled accounts with you yet."
"Who do you want to settle accounts with? Why not settle accounts with me first?"
The deep and powerful voice rang through the wind and rain.
The Earl of Xining was frightened dumb, his lips unable to move smoothly: "Minister Pei?!"
With the arrival of the Prime Minister, the Earl of Xining and his wife touched their foreheads to the ground in a bow.
Seeing his foolish son still standing there woodenly, Lady Sun pulled his pants leg. Only when he realized the Prime Minister's words were directed at him did Sun Sanlang break out in a cold sweat, his face pale as paper as he knelt down groveling.
In his forties, Prime Minister Pei was also a charming gentleman in his youth swept Xi Jing off its feet. Now in his middle age, with prestigious official status, his manner was as deep as an abyss, giving off an unbearable imposing aura as soon as he appeared.
Seeing him arrive, Pei Xuan uncomfortably called out "Father", earning a dissatisfied look from Pei Xiang.
A book attendant hurriedly came out from behind the Prime Minister, holding a pair of boots to put on the Young Master.
Another maid came forward to tidy Pei Xuan's disheveled hair and crooked jade belt.
Pei Rufeng arrogantly sat down in the main seat with a flap of his wide sleeve, scowling at the kowtowing people: "My son also has parental orders and the matchmaker's word."
Pei Xuan's head jerked up in pleasant surprise as she affectionately called him "Dad", making the Prime Minister want to get angry yet amused.
The professional matchmaker sedately stepped forward, lifting her skirt.
This was the first time she had seen the bride's parents kneel to listen to the groom's side at a proposal.
Without a second word, Pei Xiang's people had snatched her over here. With her years of experience in matchmaking, how could she not see the Young Master's sincere feelings?
Since the Young Master's heart was moved, and Prime Minister Pei only had this one son, blind, lame, deaf or silly, as long as the son was happy that was the most important.
"May I ask, Minister Pei..." The Earl of Xining's wife forced down her dread and asked: "My husband and I have two daughters, I don't know which..."
Pei Xiang was too lazy to reply. Seeing his "unfilial son" who had embarrassed him for miles, Pei Xuan gently said: "I seek to marry the Eldest Young Lady, the one living in the south courtyard."
She specifically pointed out "the one living in the south courtyard". Previously she didn't feel anything was wrong, but now the Earl of Xining's old face burned.
A good daughter is sought by hundreds of families.
Even a blind girl could attract the most prestigious Pei family of Xi Jing. The Earl of Xining's wife secretly lamented Cui Ti's great blessing, and marveled even more at the change in fortunes of the Earl of Xining's manor.
To be in-laws with the Pei family, even kneeling was taller than many people standing outside.
Lady Sun's body shook like sieving chaff. She couldn't understand why the Prime Minister would agree to his precious heir marrying a blind girl.
She even less understood why the nearly perfect gentleman Pei Xuan would be infatuated with a blind girl.
What others considered shameful, he treasured as a precious gem. What others hurried to avoid, he braved the storm on horseback to pursue.
With Prime Minister Pei overseeing matters, the marriage naturally proceeded smoothly.
"That's enough, you may rise. Kneeling looks too awful," said the Prime Minister. Only then did the Earl of Xining and his wife dare to stand up gingerly amidst wild joy and fear, leaving Lady Sun and her son still kneeling there.
Pei Rufeng had a good memory, still thinking about the punk who wanted to settle accounts with his daughter, and suddenly spoke: "Sun Sanlang, it was you who—"
Before he finished speaking, a stench of urine spread out.
Sun Sanlang had pissed himself in fright.
The reek of urine was overwhelming. Pei Xiang lost the desire to settle accounts, covering his nose with a handkerchief: "Disgracing decency! Drag him away!"
Lady Sun wailed loudly, hugging her son. Sun Sanlang had turned into a limp shrimp.
It was chaotic.
Pei Xiang was busy with state affairs, without time to stay and discuss the betrothal in detail. He set a wedding date before leaving hurriedly with his 'unfilial son'.
"Stop looking, just a few days and you can't wait?"
He glared at Pei Xuan, truly exasperated with her: "Go home first, your mother has invited an imperial physician to examine your legs. As someone who will be an official in the future, you still act so recklessly! Not long from now, everyone in Xi Jing will know you rushed to snatch a marriage barefoot and disheveled!"
Pei Xuan took one final look at the kite barely hanging in the sky, and lowered the carriage curtain: "Father, there will be one more to serve you and Mother respectfully from now on."
Pei Rufeng heaved a long sigh, patting Pei Xuan's not stout enough figure. Everything conveyed in silence.
The kite that had struggled aloft for so long finally could not withstand the wind and rain, and plunged down.
Bai Ge was filled with anger towards Young Master Pei - was playing tricks on her young miss really that fun? Why play tricks on a blind girl who waited for him with such simple devotion? Was her young miss not pitiful enough already?
Her eyes turned red, tears rolling down her cheeks. She turned her face and used her sleeve to wipe away the tears, enduring so Cui Ti would not hear her cries.
"Bai Bai, is the kite still there?"
"There, still there!"
Bai Ge, holding back the urge to glance at the kite which had embarrassingly fallen and dirtied in the mud, exclaimed, "Miss, our kite this time is quite impressive! It's still hanging up there!"
Cui Ti knew her all too well – the tone she adopted, the words she used, and the emotions she felt at any given time.
She surmised the kite was probably damaged again.
"Miss?"
With no response coming from Cui Ti, Bai Ge guiltily fidgeted with the fallen string at her sleeve's cuff.
"You don't need to console me," Cui Ti said. "It's alright. If the kite is ruined, we'll make another."
Yesterday, Bai Ge had waited alongside her. They waited as the sun set, as the moon rose, through clear skies and rain. Finally, she couldn’t bear the suspense any longer, "Miss, what if he's deceiving you? Do we still continue making kites?"
He should have already arrived, even if he were on horseback from outside the walls of Xi Jing.
Cui Ti shook her head, "He will come. We must still make the kite."
In frustration, Bai Ge tousled her hair, looking comically disheveled. After a while, she set out to gather the materials needed for the kite-making.
With the frame just barely assembled, tiny cuts appeared between Cui Ti’s index and middle fingers.
Witnessing this, Bai Ge's resentment for Pei Xuan grew so intense that her teeth itched. He had better show up, or she’d curse him in her dreams!
"Bai Bai."
After a prolonged silence, Cui Ti whispered, "He will come. Please don’t secretly resent him in your heart."
"…"
Bai Ge endured the pain of nearly slicing her own hand with the bamboo sword, inhaling deeply the earthy scent from outside the window. The young miss has gone mad!
"Alright, he will come, since Young Miss said he will come, he definitely will." She squeezed out a smile, desperately hoping Pei Xuan would keep his word.
In the remote and desolate south courtyard, it was as if bamboo shoots after rain, suddenly crowded with many people, mostly coming to congratulate the good news. Bai Ge was annoyed by the people surrounding her. Since that foolish goose Young Master Pei said he would come or not come, and her young miss had already lost her mind, what was there to celebrate?
"Great joy, great joy!"
That person stepped around Bai Ge, "I'll go tell the young miss!"
After the rain, the sky cleared up. Without Bai Ge by her side, Cui Ti tried to fly the kite herself, stumbling clumsily and unsuccessful each time.
"Aiya! Young Miss what are you doing? You must be careful!"
The most obsequious maid of the north courtyard exaggeratedly cried out, startling Cui Ti and almost tripping her. Bai Ge's head hurt, feeling these people had come just to cause trouble on purpose. She rushed over to support her mistress.
"You will be the top scholar's wife in the future. If you really like flying kites, wouldn't it be perfect to have Young Master Pei accompany you?"
At the mention of "Young Master Pei", Bai Ge wanted to bristle, but Cui Ti was clear-headed and asked in a trembling voice: "Top scholar's wife?"
"That's right! Pei family's precious heir rushed here in the rain, even forgetting to wear his shoes. Holding a horsewhip, he charged into the manor in front of the Earl and his wife, and explicitly proposed marriage. Then the Prime Minister also came, and the wedding date is set for the fifth day of the fifth month.
"You lived in this small courtyard, yet will become the most honored mistress of the whole manor!"
She fawned with an ingratiating smile: "This slave congratulates the young miss on the great joy!"