CH 37

(Fate has begun to do its work) (Also, a cliff hanger lol Sorry!!!)

"Young master," the servant hastened over and whispered into her ear.

Pei Xuan remained composed as she nodded. "Alright, I understand. You may leave for now."

As the others withdrew, Song Zizhen, who stood beside her, couldn't help but ask curiously, "What's the matter? What happened?"

With a raised eyebrow after finishing the last drop of wine from his jug, Zheng Wuzhi remarked, “Pei Xuan, if you have something to attend to, go ahead and take care of it. Don't worry about us."

"Yes, go handle your business. Wuzhi and I can entertain ourselves," Song Zizhen added with concern.

The two of them were truly considerate. Pei Xuan smiled faintly and spoke honestly, "I just received a report about a minor issue at home. I need to go and look at the situation myself, so I’ll take up on your offer.”

Pei Xuan downed the contents of her cup in one swift motion, then turned and headed downstairs.

Observing her hurried departure, Song Zizhen rubbed his chin and muttered to himself, "Is it family affairs?.”

His eyes darted with speculation. "Could it be that his tender heart has been wronged?.”

Nonchalantly, Zheng Wuzhi twirled his small wine glass on the table. "It's hard to say."

Downstairs, Pei Xuan got into a carriage and went back to the Pei mansion. 

Once arriving, the doors to her home opened and welcomed her.

Pei Xuan strode with an air of grace. "Is the young lady safe?" she inquired.

Rou reported, "Madam Cui is safe now. She was a little frightened, but she soon fell asleep. Bai Tang and Shou are keeping watch by her side."

Upon learning of Cui Ti's well-being, Pei Xuan's furrowed brows slowly relaxed, though a simmering anger ignited within her., "Where is the culprit?.”

"Servant Hong, the one who betrayed the master, is locked up in the firewood room in the backyard. The mistress stated that she would not interfere in this matter. The final decision on whether to sell or hand over the slave to officials is up to the Young Madam,” Rou explained.

Pei Xuan’s thin lips tightened, and the warmth that had been present earlier, like a gentle spring breeze, had vanished during the journey back.

A storm was brewing.

In the backyard, the door to the firewood room swung open, and a beam of light pierced through, illuminating Xiaohong's panicked and pale face.

As servant Hong caught sight of Pei Xuan, her trembling lips uttered a plea, and she collapsed to her knees with a thud, "Young Master, please spare me!.”

Pei Xuan gazed down at her with a condescending look.

To be honest, she couldn't recall the names and faces of every servant in the inner and outer courts of the Pei family mansion, which consisted of hundreds of individuals. 

However, the one before her was familiar.

Servant Hong's full name was Yun Hong. She had been an orphan whom Pei Xuan purchased and brought into the mansion three years ago. Since then, Yun Hong had been assigned tasks in the outer courtyard, such as watering flowers and weeding, and had never had the opportunity to serve in the inner courtyard.

She had occasionally caught glimpses of Yun Hong two or three times within the mansion, but she had never suspected that beneath her innocent appearance lay a heart filled with darkness.

If it weren't for the covert protection of the little wolf, who knew what wicked deeds this treacherous servant would have carried out?

A surge of fear washed over Pei Xuan, her expression turning cold. "Bring her out," she ordered.

"Yes!"

Kong Wu, a formidable servant, seized Yun Hong's arm and escorted her out. Yun Hong hung her head, offering no resistance. However, she gazed earnestly at Pei Xuan, as if attempting to etch her image into her heart forever.

Under the dazzling sun, Pei Xuan raised her hand to shield her eyes, then lowered her head and gently lifted her clothes as she gracefully sat down.

Seated upon a pear-blossom wooden chair, Pei Xuan crossed her long legs, her embroidered attire depicting insects and birds as she calmly asked, "Do you have anything else to say?.”

Yun Hong fixed her gaze on Pei Xuan's black-bottomed, red-edged boots and smiled bitterly, "A gentleman like you, young and promising, is truly deserving of a lady far superior to what you have now. How can a gem be accompanied by rubble? I dislike her, so I wanted her dead."

Setting aside Pei Xuan's thoughts upon hearing these words, Rou beside her interrupted first, "The Young Madam and Young Master got married out of love. Who are you to have any say in this matter?.”

"I truly mean it. Without your assistance, I would have turned into a puddle of mud on the ground several years ago, to be despised by others," Yun Hong replied, her tone filled with resignation.

She lifted her head defiantly. "But at least I have a pair of eyes that can see. What does she have? Besides being a blind woman who dares to touch the graceful and merciful Young Master, is she even worthy?.”

“Well, you ungrateful traitor. It seems you've been having delusions you shouldn't have!"

"..."

Silence hung between them as the tension escalated into a full-blown argument.

Pei Xuan sat there quietly, feeling a sense of absurdity wash over her. 

From a young age, she had immersed herself in poetry and literature, guided by the teachings of those filled with wisdom. She understood the importance of humility and decorum. 

Many people admired her, but there were also those who were infatuated with the mere facade of the ‘Pei family son.’

She couldn't help but ponder, if Yun Hong ever learned of her true identity, would she still say that Cui Ti isn’t worthy?

A deceiver who fooled the world, and a blind woman from birth. 

Did Cui Ti ever try to raise her status?

No, it was Pei Xuan who had approached and offered marriage first!

"You are wrong," Pei Xuan spoke up abruptly, and the timid servant girl named Yun Hong clutched at the corner of her dress.

"I initiated the marriage proposal to the Xining Mansion. Cui Ti was my first choice. It was my foolish and uncontrollable affection that led to our marriage. You have no right to harm her. Knowing what you have done, I regret ever bringing you into this household."

"Young Master!!.”

There is no crueler punishment than this.

Yun Hong's body trembled in disbelief, unable to comprehend what had just transpired.

Pei Xuan didn't give her a chance to plead or defend herself; she simply spoke, then stood up and left, her departure as merciless as a gust of wind.

"Young Master!.”

"Stop shouting," Kong Wu snapped, impatiently patting his sleeves. "Wait for the young madam to deal with you."

Pei Xuan waved her hand dismissively, and the servants on either side forcefully dragged Yun Hong away, taking her back to the woodshed.

With a resounding bang, the door of the firewood room closed shut. Rou gazed up at the blue sky above, silently lamenting Yun Hong’s  ill fortune.

"Little Wolf?" Pei Xuan called out.

"I'm here!" replied a girl in black, emerging from the rustling grass and trees, her sword at the ready, “Yun Hong was influenced by someone to harm the young lady. Don't be deceived, sir."

Pei Xuan remained unfazed, as if she had anticipated this revelation. "Who instigated her?"

"It was Cui Dai, the youngest daughter of the Xining household. Cui Dai is dissatisfied with her elder sister's marriage to a noble family and wants to make things difficult for the young lady. However, she didn't expect Yun Hong to be so bold and actually attempt to take her life."

The mention of the Xining family triggered something in Pei Xuan's mind. 

After a prolonged silence, she whispered, "I understand."

The girl in black respectfully saluted Pei Xuan, her movements appearing ghostly in the midst of the swirling wind. 

Pei Xuan took a deep breath, adjusting her collar as her mind swirled with thoughts about the "death in the dream" that Cui Ti had mentioned earlier.

Could it have been Cui Dai who pushed my wife into the lotus pond? 

If that were the case, it would be a crucial clue, although not entirely surprising. With a savage and thoughtless sister-in-law like Cui Dai, Pei Xuan suppressed her deep frustration and stepped through the courtyard door with determination.

In the afternoon, Bai Tang and Shou stood faithfully by Cui Ti’s side. 

Cui Ti lay on the large bed, lost in a tumultuous dream, beads of cold sweat forming on her forehead. 

"Don't..." she muttered.

"Young Madam?.”

"Mistress!.”

Hearing the sound, Pei Xuan ran in a hurry and made her way inside the room.

Bai Tang and Shou exchanged glances, wisely choosing to leave the young couple alone.

"What's the matter, did you have a nightmare?" Pei Xuan grabbed a handkerchief, gently wiping the sweat from Cui Ti's forehead.

Cui Ti's breathing gradually steadied, and as she looked at Pei Xuan, the sudden surge of fear subsided, sinking to the depths of her being like a calm lake. Her voice carried a sense of vulnerability. "Husband…”

"I'm here," Pei Xuan reassured, her presence offering comfort and support.

Pei Xuan glanced at her, furrowing her brow before gently kissing her lips. "Don't be afraid, the culprit has been apprehended."

"Why did she want to kill me?,” Cui Ti asked.

Thinking back to the sensation of being almost pushed into the lotus pond today, she felt wronged for no reason: In her past and present life, she has never harmed anyone, so why do people always think she is an eyesore, and they have to get rid of her?.

"It's not your fault," Pei Xuan assured her, her voice filled with understanding. She hesitated for a moment before revealing that Cui Dai was behind Yun Hong's actions.

"It’s Cui Dai?.”

"She may not have intended to harm you directly, but she harbors ill will. We will no longer associate with her," Pei Xuan declared firmly.

Lost in thought, Cui Ti couldn't help but recall the excruciating pain of her previous life's death, sending shivers down her spine.

"Alright, don't dwell on it any longer. I will write a letter to Mr. Xining, urging him to discipline his daughter properly. As for Yun Hong, you can decide her fate," Pei Xuan offered.

According to the style of Xijing regarding nobles, if they dared to murder their master, they would end up being beaten to death with a stick.

"At my discretion?" 

"Yes, and mother agrees with this decision as well. Take charge of the situation," Pei Xuan confirmed.

With a pale face, Cui Ti contemplated for a moment before making her decision, "Then turn her over to the authorities. Let the legal process take its course. If she didn't have any intention to harm others, even if someone instigates her in the future, she would not be easily manipulated."

She gazed at Pei Xuan, her expression filled with uncertainty, and whispered, "Am I handling this situation correctly?"

Pei Xuan smiled warmly, embracing her tightly. "You're doing just fine.”

"Husband, won't you despise me for not fulfilling my role as Mrs. Cui?," Cui Ti questioned softly.

"Never," Pei Xuan reassured her.

"Then promise me you won't resort to murder, okay?" Cui Ti pleaded.

Pei Xuan couldn't help but feel pity for Cui Ti, who had faced such unjust adversity. To alleviate her sudden shock, he spent the entire afternoon engaging in conversation with her, trying to dispel her worries and boredom.

Unexpectedly, the fright she received this time was more serious than she had initially imagined.

…

The final verdict for Yun Hong who was sent to the government was exile.

That night, Pei Xuan sat in her study with a pen in hand, yet she hadn't begun writing the letter of accountability. 

Suddenly, Bai Tang rushed in, filled with anxiety. "Young Pei, something's not right!.”

Cui Ti had developed a high fever and spent the afternoon delirious, uttering incoherent words. At times, she would call out "Pei Xuan" and "husband," while other times she would silently weep, and her brows furrowed as if trapped in a nightmare.

The medicinal soup they had boiled seemed to have little effect, leaving Pei Xuan in a state of desperation, "Mother, what should I do? Why hasn't Cui Ti opened her eyes?.”

Mrs. Pei could only offer words of comfort.

At that moment, the sound of ringing copper bells echoed through the silent night, reaching the front of the Pei residence.