CH 25

As Cui Ti walked back home, she held the snow-white rabbit tightly in her arms, and described the rabbit as a fairy-tale creature. Bai Tang led the way, while Ruo and Shou walked beside them, creating a friendly atmosphere.

Pei Xuan overheard their conversation about the rabbit's features and wondered if she should encourage her wife's maids to read more books to improve their knowledge.

She cleared her throat and the maids immediately fell silent, addressing her respectfully as "Young Master". 

Pei Xuan's voice was as sweet as pear blossom wine as she dismissed them: "You may leave now."

"Yes, sir."

Ruo and Shou obediently left the room, leaving only Bai Tang and Cui Ti behind.

Bai Tang couldn't help but notice how easily her mistress blushed and trembled at Pei Xuan's words, like a delicate mimosa. Even the slightest touch coming from Pei Xuan made Cui Ti's heart skip a beat.

She let out a sigh and rubbed her arms, feeling goosebumps all over her body. Bai Tang muttered to herself about the couple's affection, thinking they were too indecent. 

Seeing her little gesture from outside the room, Ruo asked without shame: "Tangtang, what's wrong with you?.”

Bai Tang who saw her was worried that there was no one to chat with, so she greeted her and suggested they go chat under the tree in the courtyard.

The inner room's window was slightly open, and Cui Ti found herself alone with Pei Xuan, who made her nervous. Her heart raced as she gently touched the rabbit ears, hoping to avoid Pei Xuan's touch.

Her chest heaved and her neck flushed with shyness, her face alternating between pale and red. Despite her reluctance, she looked stunning from every angle.

"Wife?,” Pei Xuan opened her mouth.

Without raising her eyebrows, Cui Ti listened to her voice and turned her body in the opposite direction, leaving Pei Xuan with a shy and awkward profile.

Her side profile was also striking, with porcelain-like skin, fine black hair framing her red ears like red blooms on black jade. Her neckline was graceful, her back straight, and even after years living in the broken tile southern house of the Xining Mansion, she exuded a charm free from any pettiness.

Pei Xuan's love embarrassed her, yet Cui Ti’s heart was filled with joy. She raised her eyebrows and called out again, "My wife?.”

She knew Pei Xuan's integrity, but also her occasional playfulness. The thought alone made her heart race, and she twisted and turned, hoping she wouldn't stare at her any longer.

"Good girl," Pei Xuan whispered affectionately.

Pei Xuan’s intuition was spot on as she caught Cui Ti in her arms as she turned. 

Despite her height, the embrace made her feel small and fragile, and Pei Xuan's teasing only made her feel more flustered.

At this moment, Pei Xuan asked why she ignored her, and Cui Ti who was stroking the snow-white rabbit in her palm replied,”I didn't."

Pei Xuan didn't ask any more. She smiled and stroked the little white rabbit together with her, and accidentally touched Cui Ti’s jade finger with her fingertips, then she deliberately looked at Cui Ti's face. 

To this, Cui Ti bit her lip in embarrassment, and touched the rabbit once more.

Soon Pei Xuan followed, making sure to touch her with her fingers.

Hmph! You dare run away, so naive~.

Cui Ti, who wanted nothing to do with her, sighed dejectedly and looked at her husband. 

Pei Xuan's pupils shined like stars, and her smile was warmer than that of a spring breeze.

The childish Pei Xuan, the pervert Pei Xuan, the youthful Pei Xuan who has not encountered many setbacks, in Cui Ti's heart, are all wealth that are more valuable than the gold in this world.

Thinking of this, she smiled cheerfully, capturing Pei Xuan's heart.

Pei Xuan's hand felt warm and dry against Cui Ti's smooth skin, and she was struck by her beauty and grace. 

In her mind, she composed poetry that captured her essence, words that were far more eloquent and profound than the simple description of a "white body, red eyes, and short tail.” She saw herself as a lucky mortal who had been graced by the company of a heavenly being.

Pei Xuan spoke out loud, “The exquisite and enchanting prose of the fairy who has captured the hearts of ordinary people cannot help but adore her. Their minds are consumed with thoughts of her day and night, and in the depths of the night, their souls are transported to the beautiful garden where the fairy and her lover meet.”

The stunning beauty of the language used in this poem is truly captivating and dreamlike.

Pei Xuan believed that Cui Ti may not have fully understood her words, but she was mistaken as the current Cui Ti was no longer the same. Not only did she comprehend the poem, but she was also moved by her literary skills and the love hidden within them. During these years of pure studying, it was expected that Pei Xuan had fallen behind other people in romance and she took this opportunity to express her love subtly. Upon hearing her confession, Cui Ti couldn't help but feel embarrassed and cover her face with her hands.

It is the worst thing for a scholar to behave foolishly in a serious manner.

The young couple indulged in their sweet love for a while until the sound of Ruo’s voice interrupted them. "Young Master, Young Madam, the master has sent someone to invite you to the front hall for dinner.”

As they stepped outside, the celestial beauty of the night sky unfolded before them, and Pei Xuan suggested, "How about we spend the night in the South Courtyard?.”

The dilapidated house in the South Courtyard held a special significance to Pei Xuan, as it was where they first met. 

Cui Ti couldn't see the stars in the sky, but as soon as she raised her head, she saw the stars glimmering in Pei Xuan's eyes. She was very moved by this proposal, but...

"That place is…I'm afraid I will ruin your reputation."

Pei Xuan responded with affection, "I am willing to bear any discomfort just to be with you. What does it matter if we are insulted together?.”

She was genuine in her proposal, and Cui Ti couldn't bring herself to refuse. Her heart was filled with warmth as she followed Pei Xuan to the front hall for dinner.

Mr. Xining had prepared a feast for his daughter and son-in-law, with dishes that he believed they would enjoy. However, still unsure of his eldest daughter's tastes, he consulted the young Bai Tang before finalizing the menu.

Pei Xuan's identity is different from others, as she was born with secrets and became more cautious as a result. Resulting in her preferences to be only known by people close to her.

While the dishes on the table may not have met her expectations, Pei Xuan was not picky about the food and Mr. Xining seeing this was happy.

Cui Ti in her previous life had spent many years with Pei Xuan and knew her taste well. 

It reminded her of an old incident when Pei Xuan only allowed herself to indulge in her favorite spicy rabbit head once a month.

People who seem to be gentle and elegant, like the spring breeze, prefer hot and sour flavors most of the time.

She had asked why, and Pei Xuan had explained that being born into wealth and comfort made it necessary for her to restrain herself in order to avoid becoming someone she despised.

Cui Ti admired Pei Xuan's self-restraint in small things, knowing that it also translated to a careful approach to larger matters.

The entire family gathered at the table for dinner, and Pei Xuan attentively cared for her blind wife sitting beside her. Seeing this, Mr. Xining was delighted, and Mrs. Xining couldn't help but sigh that Cui Ti lucked out in marrying such a considerate husband.

In comparison to her son-in-law's thoughtfulness and attention, Mrs. Xining found her own husband lacking in every aspect. 

As she thought about the struggles of raising children and managing the household over the years, a sense of bitterness swelled in her heart. She realized that Cui Ti's life was far better than her own.

A blind woman who had been poorly treated by her own parents, and now had married a husband who was a treasure beyond comparison.

Pei Xuan being the only ‘son’ of the Pei family made it so even the prime minister or the prime minister's wife would not dare do stuff such as tormenting their daughter-in-law.

The treatment Cui Ti received after marriage was much better than that of her own.

Realizing this, Mrs. Xining lowered her head and ate in silence.

Cui Dai who sensed the bitterness from her mother's heart and the strange silence on her face, envied and hated Cui Ti for having a good marriage. She desired to get a man as good as her brother-in-law, but then had a faint worry about her own marriage.

‘Mother, would we even be able to find a second 'Pei Xuan'?,’ Cui Dai thought to herself.

Pei Xuan was oblivious to the impact she had on the Xining family during her stay, but even if she knew, she wouldn't care. 

That night, she and Cui Ti stayed at the dilapidated broken-roofed house in the South Courtyard to spend time together. 

Hearing this from a servant, Mr. Xining was initially stunned upon learning of this and asked incredulously, "They moved to the South Courtyard?.”

The servant who replied also felt weird saying it, “Yes Master. Mr. Pei and the Madam have indeed gone to spend the night in the south courtyard."

"What is the state of the courtyard?.”

The servant replied honestly: "The south courtyard is dilapidated, ever since the eldest lady moved out, there is no one to take care of it..."

Mr. Xining's heart was beating fast in alert, and he walked towards the south courtyard.

Bai Tang and Ruo were carrying pillows and quilts for their master's use on their arms while Shou walked a few steps behind.

This was their 'old home’, the place where Cui Ti and Bai Tang had spent over a decade of their lives. But before Cui Ti could even begin to feel nostalgic, Ruo and the others were left in shock as they laid eyes on the small, run-down courtyard.

Is this still a place where people can live?

Bai Tang sniffed, and secretly said to herself, "Sure enough".

When she and Cui Ti had lived there, the courtyard was worn but not as decrepit as it was now.

It seems that as soon as they had left, the house had become abandoned and left to rot.

Pei Xuan looked at the small courtyard quietly, reminiscing about the moment where she chased the kite, climbed the tree to the top of the wall, and fell from the top of the wall to only then catch a glimpse of the girl she fell in love with and married now.

That particular spring day was beautiful, but the girl sitting on the stone steps was even more enchanting, with her embroidered shoes, pear wood hairpin, water red dress, and a peaceful smile that left her breathless and quivering with joy.

The courtyard is so small that it can be seen at a glance. Pei Xuan could easily see the land surrounded by a wall. 

Bai Tang said embarrassedly when she saw it: "That's the place where Mr. Pei fell.”

Hearing what she said, Pei Xuan took Cui Ti's hand and walked forward. When she saw her, a smile appeared on her face, and she praised: "You are beautiful.”

After Cui Ti was praised, Bai Tang couldn't feel complacent, and treated Pei Xuan with even more respect.

In Bai Tang's eyes, the person who could appreciate her mistress beyond worldly appearances was the most remarkable and perceptive person in the world. 

Such a person deserved nothing but utmost respect from her.

Despite not being well-educated, Bai Tang reciprocated Pei Xuan's admiration with equal fervor.

As Pei Xuan surveyed the courtyard, she could clearly see every plant and tree. Her serious gaze made Cui Ti feel self-conscious and awkward.

Although Cui Ti is blind, she has a sharp mind, and thus knew what the courtyard would look like after they left. 

In order to avoid seeing Pei Xuan's sad demeanor, she wanted to retreat and go back to the Chenxiang courtyard.

She could bear living here, but Pei Xuan might not.

At this moment, Cui Ti remembered that the roof needed to be repaired before she left, but after all she left in a hurry and left it on hold for many days, and on any rainy day, it would definitely leak water into the house.

She decided not to burden Pei Xuan with the details of her past experiences, after all she was content with the happiness she had now.

Pei Xuan looked at the courtyard and led her to the door of the small shack.

At first the door couldn't be pushed, but when it was finally pushed, it made a dull creaking sound. Cui Ti's face turned red and then turned pale. 

After all, she had no choice but to follow Pei Xuan.

Usually, the inside would look much better than the outside. Judging from the simple layout, it is not difficult to see that the people who live here strive for cleanliness.

Naturally since Cui Ti was blind, it was Bai Tang who was doing the work.

Sensing the gaze of theirs, Bai Tang straightened out her modest chest, and she had the self-confidence of a poor woman.

Since this room has been unoccupied for a long time, the table is covered with a layer of dust. Bai Tang wanted to clean it up when she saw it, but Ruo grabbed her wrist.

After looking at the dinner table, Pei Xuan went straight to the inner room.

The lifted curtains revealed a room filled with old and worn furniture - the bed boards, tables, and wardrobes. It was a poor sight indeed.

Hearing the cold laughter from Pei Xuan, Cui Ti knew that she was upset and tried to console her. 

Just then, Mr. Xining came in haste: "Son-in-law—"

Pei Xuan turned around and stared at him with a clear gaze: "Father-in-law."

Mr. Xining struggled to speak, feeling as if a big hand was squeezing his neck, leaving him breathless.

His eyes were fixated on the dilapidated interior of the room, lost in thought, and then recalled the purpose of coming here and said cheekily: "Son-in-law, why do you need to live in this shabby room?. Chenxiang is your residence."

"Is it?.”

Pei Xuan's chest swelled with anger and pain.

She thought back to when she first met Cui Ti and how she only cared about her own happiness. She believed that the small courtyard would flourish with Cui Ti's presence. 

If it wasn't for the constant reminder to focus on the imperial examination, Pei Xuan would have realized how much joy and happiness Cui Ti was sapped from because of the small courtyard. 

After their marriage, Cui Ti cried twice. Once was when they were in the back garden and Cui Ti asked for her thoughts, but she didn't reply.

Perhaps her wife was not a weak crybaby.

Maybe there was a deep-seated grievance that she had been carrying for a long time. 

This pain was hidden from everyone, even from her husband, who should have been the one to see it the most clearly.

The memories that Cui Ti had suppressed for so long were now being laid out before Pei Xuan’s very eyes, and they were showing her—- look, how your wife suffered so much when you didn't know, and where you couldn't see.

It was as if they were telling her to cherish her wife.

Your beautiful jade and bright moon of a wife is considered useless and incompetent in the eyes of others, so Pei Xuan, do you still want to endure this pain?.

"What a beautiful and grand room!.”

Pei Xuan flicked her clothes and sat upright on the old wooden bed: "Father-in-law, please leave. It seems that no one in the Xining family cared about my wife, so tonight, I have the right to stand by her!.”