Chapter 50 - Conspiracy Exposed
Even a rotten piece of wood, if patiently nurtured by a 'cousin', can be turned into something of value.
Considering Pei Xuan had painstakingly guided Cui Ti for three years after their marriage in the previous life,
Cui Ti's present ability to pen down elegant calligraphy and compose fine poems, could only be explained by the fact that she, like Dou Qingyue, was a soul from another realm.
Since they were 'old acquaintances', there was no reason to show mercy.
Dou Qingyue glanced at the visibly upset Cui Dai.
Cui Dai felt her heart skip a beat and awkwardly averted Dou Qingyue's gaze.
It was one thing for her to tease Cui Ti and enjoy seeing her embarrassed in public, but ruining someone's reputation? Absolutely not.
No matter how much she disliked Cui Ti, she was still part of the Cui family. If the eldest Miss of the Cui family wasn't good, how could she, as the third Miss, be any better?
She sighed inwardly. Dou Qingyue might have an impeccable reputation, but her true nature seemed questionable. What a schemer she was.
Cui Dai would love to see the two of them quarrel.
Cui Dai might be a little naive, but after the incident with Yun Hong, she had personally gone to the Pei residence to apologize. Her brother-in-law had already given her a stern reprimand. She held a grudge against Cui Ti, but not to the extent of being blind and walking herself into disaster.
Dou Qingyue thinking she could use her as a pawn was simply dreaming.
Playing dumb, Cui Dai turned away, lowered her head, and took tiny sips from her cup of pear blossom wine.
Seeing her manipulation failed, Dou Qingyue still retained her smile. Just then, a maid rushed forward, "Miss, the young prince, accompanied by a group of scholars, is here to see you."
The young prince?
The thoughts of the noble ladies present began to flutter, but due to their etiquette and dignity, none dared to stand out.
Among the many princes of Xi Jing, when people mention "the young prince," there's only one that comes to mind: the seventeen-year-old Prince Huai, Xiao Jingcan.
He is the emperor's adopted son, taken in during one of his tours. Although adopted, he's even more favored than many of the legitimate princes.
Crowned at a young age, he's wild by nature. His good looks have earned him a plethora of concubines, more than one can count on two hands.
Rumors have it that wherever he goes, romance follows. He has a preference for exceptional beauties. Yet, if he ever comes across a rare handsome M'lord, he's not one to decline.
For someone so unbridled in both his vegetarian and non-vegetarian pursuits, it's rather peculiar how he maintains a decent reputation both in the court and among the masses.
The maid continued, "The young prince insists on coming aboard, wishing to bond with everyone through poetry and literature."
The ladies exchanged glances. Some, adhering to the propriety of gender separation, didn't dare to voice any objections, for fear of offending the young prince. Others were eager for him to board the boat, hoping to forge a romantic connection.
Cui Ti began to rise, intending to leave, but was forcefully held back by Dou Qingyue.
"Cousin-in-law, why the hurry? Why not stay here and grace us with your presence? As the young lady of the Pei family and the granddaughter-in-law, with you here, I believe the young prince wouldn't dare overstep."
Such words were akin to roasting Cui Ti over a fire. Yet the noble ladies present seemed to buy into it, all voicing their requests for her to stay.
Dou Qingyue's lips curved into a sly smile, "Cousin-in-law, why not act as our 'anchor' this once?"
Cui Ti stood tall, ignoring everyone else. She instead cast a sidelong glance at Rao Liang, as if asking: Do you still think she's a good person after watching her now?
Though it was a mere lake tour in name, who knew if it masked a more sinister agenda? Cui Ti wasn't certain that Dou Qingyue could collude with the young prince, but his impeccable timing raised her suspicions. With a slight frown, she slowly retook her seat.
"In the face of such hospitality, I suppose I'll oblige just this once."
"The young lady is truly noble."
A chorus of flattering remarks ensued. Cui Ti added, "It's unwise to have disputes with the royal family. However, a woman's reputation is precious. If the young prince wishes to come, let's set up a screen to act as a barrier, so as to preserve our dignity."
"Very wise words, cousin-in-law."
Dou Qingyue instructed servants to fetch a screen.
Rao Liang felt uneasy, pressing her palm. She exchanged covert glances with Hao Zhong. First there was the poetry recital, and then the insistence on keeping someone aboard. A big hat of responsibility was being thrown on the young lady, putting her in a difficult spot.
What an eye-opener for them all.
Had Miss Biao been possessed?
"The young prince has arrived---"
The screen was set up, and Xiao Jingcan, with an imposing demeanor, stepped in, exuding an undeniable charisma.
As he entered, all the ladies present greeted him with a bow. It seemed he had stepped into a paradise of beauty. Even with the screen as a barrier and faces veiled, one could distinguish who was exceptionally beautiful and who was merely ordinary.
Despite his experience with countless women, the prince couldn't help but feel his heart flutter. Introductions were made, and upon learning that the host was the daughter of General Dou and that the woman seated at the head of the table to his left was the young lady of the Pei family, he became more reserved, his demeanor more courteous.
"I apologize for my intrusion."
He bowed in apology.
The scholars behind him also bowed in apology.
With such impeccable manners on display, the ladies couldn't very well ask him to leave, silently allowing him to participate in the so-called "literary gathering."
During a lull in the proceedings, Dou Qingyue smiled slyly at the scholar wearing a lunjin (traditional hat), who subtly nodded in acknowledgment. An invisible net seemed to be slowly closing in.
As the sun began to set, outside the imperial palace gates, Pei Xuan went to Xianyue Tower for some wine and music.
She arrived a little late, and Song Zizhen, ever the mischief-maker, pulled her into a toast: "Finally, you're here! If you were any later, we'd have gone on a lake tour without you!"
Zheng Wujie also chimed in, "The scenic beauty of the lake, with clear skies stretching for miles, is perfect for a boat ride and some wine. What joy!"
Mention of the lake piqued Pei Xuan's interest. "You mean Guiming Lake?"
Zheng Wujie, putting down his wine cup, said, "Is Guiming Lake, one of the eight scenic spots, not refined enough for you?"
Seeing their misunderstanding, Pei Xuan laughed, "You're right. My wife and cousin are currently enjoying themselves at Guiming Lake with a group of noble ladies. How about we..."
"Let's go too!"
After bellowing out his wish, Song Zizhen, suddenly remembering to be a bit more reserved, asked, "Xingguang, can we join?"
His eyes screamed "I want a wife." Pei Xuan, holding back laughter, said, "We can sneak over."
Sneak over?
How would that work?
Two quarters of an hour later, three 'old men' exited Xianyue Tower and approached the lakeside to rent a small boat.
'Song Old Man' remarked as they set sail, "Xingguang, this feels thrilling!"
Pei Xuan, lounging lazily in the boat with her long legs uncomfortably placed due to limited space, chuckled at Song Zizhen's comment: "We shouldn't get too close. A vague glimpse from afar will suffice."
Better not to tarnish the reputation of these young ladies.
How could Song Zizhen not understand this logic? He was grateful for Pei Xuan's generosity, willingly playing the role of an old boatman.
"When the day comes that I truly marry a wife and have a child, the child belongs to all of us, and you all will be his godfathers!"
He was so obsessed with the idea of a wife that even though he hadn't secured one yet, he had already decided on the godfathers. Zheng Wuji laughed at him for overthinking.
Song Zizhen argued back, "Even Xing Guang has a wife. As his brother, how can I be left behind?"
As the small boat quietly approached the two-story tall ship, he exclaimed, "Why is there another ship here?"
Pei Xuan squinted and looked, noticing a '怀' character on the flag of the nearby large ship.
In Xi Jing, who else but King Huai could have the audacity to use the '怀' as a symbol of renown?
Zheng Wuji pulled down the brim of his straw hat and whispered, "There are only women on that ship. How did King Huai even get on it?"
"He probably forced his way aboard."
Isn't that just what crabs do, walking sideways?
Song Zizhen had a big issue with King Huai. He nudged Pei Xuan's arm, "Your wife and our cousin are on that ship. This guy isn't trustworthy. Don't be fooled by his human-like appearance; after a few cups of rice wine, he won't even remember his own name. He's notorious for claiming beauties as his own. The positive reputation he has outside is all fabricated by his underlings."
"Hey, they're coming out! They're all coming out! Xing Guang, what do we do next?"
"What do you mean, what do we do? It's clear that King Huai has malicious intentions. His claws are about to touch our sister-in-law!"
Pei Xuan's gaze grew colder, taking out the silver whistle hanging around his neck and blowing it long and hard.
"Splash!"
Dead silence all around.
By the time the people on deck came to their senses, their faces had turned pale with fright. They shouted loudly, "Man overboard! Man overboard! King Huai is overboard!"
Xiao Jingcan couldn't swim and flailed desperately in the water. His guards hurriedly dove in to rescue him.
Just then, a rickety small boat sped towards them.
Under everyone's gaze, an 'old man' wearing a straw hat and cloth attire firmly grasped a long bamboo stick and relentlessly struck King Huai's head several times. The blows were so fierce that stars appeared before the king's eyes, and he nearly choked to death on the water.
From beneath the surface, a young girl in black suddenly sprang up and sent King Huai flying with a powerful kick. Between the fierce old man with his bamboo stick beating down the drowning man and the surprise attack, Dou Qingyue's plan was declared a complete failure before it even began.
By the time King Huai was rescued by his men, not only the old man but the girl who had kicked him had disappeared.
After such a commotion, Xiao Jingcan, having finally sobered up from the wine he had ingested, remarked, "Young Master, we should leave."
Coughing a few times, head pounding, he deeply regretted overindulging in wine under the persuasion of the scholars, almost leading to a disaster.
Too ashamed to linger any longer, he was escorted away in a disoriented state.
In Dou Qingyue's plan, the one who was supposed to fall into the water today was Cui Ti.
Leaving aside the fact that Cui Ti was blind, she, being a delicate woman, would stand no chance against an intoxicated King Huai.
If she had 'accidentally' fallen into the water while resisting him, with countless pairs of eyes watching, even if she was saved, her reputation would be tarnished.
Who would have thought that Xiao Jingcan himself would be the one to fall?
The moment she saw that young girl in black, Dou Qingyue felt like she had plunged into an icy abyss.
In this life, Dou Qingyue shouldn't know the girl named Little Wolf. But having lived another lifetime, how could she not recognize that Little Wolf was her 'cousin's' personal shadow guard?
Her 'cousin' had even sent his personal shadow guard...
She felt a tightness in her chest, losing all desire for mischief.
Having experienced such a startling incident, the noble ladies departed one after another. Hao Zhong and Rao Liang anxiously escorted the young lady back home.
Peeling off his disguise, Pei Xuan wore a stern expression as he sulked on the street.
Song Zizhen didn't expect her to be so fiery-tempered. Had they not intervened, was Xing Guang intending to beat Prince Huai to death?
Touching his startled heart, he whispered, "When we get back, please ask Prime Minister to severely reprimand that bastard!"
"Indeed. To harbor such illicit intentions in broad daylight -- even if he isn't sentenced to death, he must be banished from Xi Jing. Who knows how many innocent maidens he might harm?"
The two chatted back and forth for a good while. Pei Xuan acted as if he heard nothing. Zheng Wuji, not wishing to intrude on her disturbed state, pulled Song Zizhen away and left first.
Upon returning home, Pei Xuan slumped in his chair.
"M'lord, the young lady has returned."
Upon entering, Cui Ti's first sight was her 'my husband' with a face full of concerns. Before she could speak, Bai Tang beside her couldn't help but report to Pei Xuan.
"Miss Dou's face may be fair, but her heart is dark. She deliberately wanted to see the young lady embarrassed. Even when they're outside, instead of aiding their relatives, she colluded with outsiders to harm her own kin."
"My lady, after all, has been Mrs. Pei for several months. If the young lady isn't well, how can M'lord be? And if M'lord isn't well, how can the Pei family be?"
Having held in her words for so long, Bai Tang spoke nonstop. Pei Xuan gently massaged his forehead and suddenly stood up, "All of you, leave for now!"
Bai Tang, seeing his abrupt anger, believed he was favoring his cousin and not trusting her words. Frustrated, she considered him a blind and ungrateful M'lord.
"Let's go!"
She signaled Hao Zhong and Rao Liang to leave.
For a mere servant, her temper was even more significant than the real master. Pei Xuan did not mind her impudence. The irritation between his brows slowly dissipated when met with those gentle and calm eyes.
He gestured for Cui Ti to come closer. She obediently stepped forward, and after a moment of hesitation, sat down. He then pulled her into a tight embrace.
Hugging her soft waist, Pei Xuan felt both guilt and compassion. "My wife, talk to me. Were you mistreated?"