Summer weather always changes unexpectedly, much like the unpredictability of life’s fortunes. One moment, you might be adorned in fine attire, feeling on top of the world, and the next, you could plummet into the abyss.
The sky, tinged with dark blue, was now covered with dense clouds, obscuring any trace of the vibrant sunshine from days past. Within the dungeons of the Shuntian Prefecture, a perpetual state of darkness lingered, permeated by the stench of decay and mold. Amidst this gloomy atmosphere, a pair of silk-lined green boots treaded along the corridor. The owner of these shoes exuded an air of elegance, starkly contrasting the oppressive and dilapidated surroundings. Slowly, they approached a cell, where a desolate woman leaned against the cold, hard wall, her gaze vacant.
Quietly observing this scene, Xiao Du sighed softly, addressing her, “Madame Wang.”
Madame Wang slowly shifted her gaze towards him, recognizing the visitor. A sardonic smile crept onto her lips as she remarked, “Surprisingly, the Marquis himself deigned to visit this dreary cell. Quite an unexpected honor.”
Xiao Du sighed again, retrieving an item from his pocket and passing it through the bars. “I recall Madame Wang’s keen concern for her appearance. Although it may be challenging to maintain in this cell, having a comb might provide some solace.”
Madame Wang’s gaze faltered for a moment as she accepted the comb. It was a sandalwood comb, gliding through her now disheveled and graying hair. With each stroke, a wave of emotion washed over her, and tears welled up in her eyes. At this moment, amidst her despair, this simple act of grooming offered a semblance of dignity.
After a moment of tears, Madame Wang composed herself and retorted, “Is this your attempt to assuage your guilt with false kindness, Marquis?”
Xiao Du remained silent, then shifted the conversation, “I recall when I was eight years old, I fell into the lotus pond while playing. You were the first to arrive. At that moment, you hesitated. If I had died, my younger brother would have been the sole heir to the Marquisate. Yet, you extended your hand and pulled me out. Although it’s been years, I refuse to believe that you’re a malicious person.”
“That’s enough!” Madame Wang suddenly grew agitated. “All this suffering is thanks to you and your family. Marquis, there’s no need to feign warmth here.”
Xiao Du didn’t respond further, realizing she wouldn’t divulge anything more. With a final glance, he turned to leave, disappearing into the darkness of the dungeon.
Outside, the sky grew even darker, ominous clouds looming overhead. Xiao Du couldn’t shake off the melancholy in his heart, even as he was helped onto his carriage bound for the Marquisate.
Meanwhile, in a room within the Marquisate, sensuality filled the air. Two bodies intertwined passionately on a luxurious bed, their moans and sighs echoing in the room. However, their intimate moment was abruptly interrupted as the door burst open, a chilling gust of wind extinguishing the flames of passion. Xiao Qing, who was still partially undressed, recoiled in shock, while Xiao Yunjing’s expression darkened.
Before Xiao Yunjing could speak, Xiao Qing hastily covered herself and fled the room, leaving the two men to confront each other. Xiao Yunjing’s face contorted with anger as he bellowed, “Get out!”
Xiao Qing quickly donned her clothes and rushed out of the room in embarrassment. Xiao Yunjing glared at his son, his hands trembling with fury. After a moment, he suppressed his rage and spoke in a resigned tone, “Enough! You’ve disgraced yourself enough. I’ve arranged a position for you at the Ministry of Personnel. If you accept, you’ll start tomorrow. Consider it my last attempt at redemption.”
Xiao Qing smiled bitterly, his eyes devoid of warmth. “What’s the point? I didn’t care for your favor before, and I certainly won’t now. If you’re ashamed of me, just cast me aside. Let me fend for myself.”
“You!” Xiao Yunjing’s hand hovered, wanting to strike, but he stopped himself in mid-air. “Forget it. I can’t control you anymore. Do as you please.”
With that, Xiao Yunjing turned and left, his shoulders slumped in defeat.
蕭卿 watched his father’s aged figure, suddenly raising his voice, “If Father truly cares for me, then think carefully, why have I been married for so many years without a single child?” Xiao Yunjing abruptly turned around, facing his son’s mocking smile. His body swayed, and he had to grasp the door frame to steady himself. Xiao Qing reclined back on the bed, seemingly detached from any connection with him.
Xiao Yunjing floated out of the room, his footsteps seeming weightless. He glanced up at the gathering storm clouds overhead, feeling a heavy weight in his heart. A servant approached, asking, “Master, are you returning to your room?” He shook his head, saying, “No need. You can go ahead. I want to take a walk by myself.”
He wandered into the courtyard, feeling dizzy and disoriented. Suddenly, a thunderclap echoed through the sky, followed by the pitter-patter of raindrops. Despite the downpour, Xiao Yunjing seemed unaware, continuing to walk forward. The rain soaked through his clothes, yet he remained oblivious until a green umbrella appeared over his head. Turning, he saw a familiar face—Cai Yinu. Perplexed, he asked, “Why are you here?”
Cai Yinu smiled and replied, “Master, you seem absent-minded. This is my courtyard.” Xiao Yunjing then realized he had unknowingly wandered into Cai Yinu’s residence. She adjusted the umbrella to shield him better, saying softly, “When I saw you standing in the rain, I rushed to fetch an umbrella for you. Please come inside quickly and change out of your wet clothes to avoid catching a cold.”
Xiao Yunjing nodded and followed her inside. Cai Yinu instructed a servant to fetch dry clothes for him and personally helped him remove his outer garments, wringing them dry and hanging them up. Xiao Yunjing watched her silently for a while before speaking softly, “Let the servants handle these tasks.”
Cai Yinu was taken aback, and then a look of loneliness crossed her face as she replied, “I am just a servant.”
Xiao Yunjing suddenly remembered someone else and felt a pang in his heart. With a heavy sigh, he said, “I’ve made too many mistakes over the years. After what happened with Shuyao yesterday, I realized the resentment you and others harbor. You must have resented me for taking Xuan’er away from you back then.”
Upon hearing her daughter’s name, tears welled up in Cai Yinu’s eyes. She hastily wiped them away and replied, “How dare I blame Master? To grant a lowly maid like me the status of a concubine and raise Xuan’er as a legitimate daughter was already the greatest favor. What else could I possibly resent?”
Xiao Yunjing saw her genuine remorse and realized how much he had wronged her. Xuan’er had always been clever and obedient, his favorite younger relative. He had indeed looked down on her origins and refused to raise her alongside his legitimate daughter. With a heavy heart, he sighed, “I apologize for separating you and your daughter all these years. From now on, you’ll move to Pine and Cypress Courtyard, where you can take care of Xuan’er at any time.”
Cai Yinu couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Tears of gratitude streamed down her face, and she almost knelt to thank him, but Xiao Yunjing quickly helped her up, holding her hand gently. “No more of this. Remember, you are no longer just a servant.”
Meanwhile, outside, the rain intensified, its relentless patter disrupting the tranquility of the room and delaying Yuanxi’s return from the estate.
Huddling under the eaves, she watched raindrops fall into a puddle at her feet, feeling a sense of frustration. Since yesterday, she had felt that something was amiss with Madame Wang’s situation. She had come to the estate with Anhe and Li Mama to gather clues, but ever since Liu the steward’s incident, everyone at the estate seemed tight-lipped about the matter. Frustrated, she decided to return to the estate, but just as she reached the riverside, a sudden downpour trapped her. The boatman who was supposed to be waiting was nowhere to be found, so Anhe and Li Mama suggested finding shelter under a nearby roof while they fetched the boatman.
She looked around aimlessly, then spotted a figure in a blue robe through the misty rain. Blinking in surprise, she exclaimed, “Xiaofuzi? What are you doing here?”
Luo Yuan was hurrying along with an oil umbrella, but he turned back in surprise at her voice. “Madam Xiao, what brings you here?”
Yuanxi quickly recounted what had happened earlier, and Luo Yuan stowed his umbrella, walking over to her side. “They might take a while to find the boatman. How about I keep you company here for a while?”
In such dreadful weather, two people were always warmer than one. Yuanxi thought for a moment and gratefully nodded. The steady rhythm of raindrops falling under the eaves seemed to create a small world of their own as they stood side by side, listening to the rain and watching the water dance before them.
Finally, Luo Yuan spoke up, “I remember the day of your adulthood ceremony; it was also raining like this.”
Yuanxi turned to him in surprise. “How do you remember it was raining on the day of my adulthood ceremony?” She remembered that there hadn’t been any formal ceremony at the estate; she had only shared a bowl of longevity noodles with Seventh Aunt and received a handmade hairpin. But wasn’t Xiaofuzi already a successful scholar who had entered the Imperial Academy by then? Why would he remember such a trivial matter?
Luo Yuan furrowed his brows, wearing an oddly perplexed expression. After much consideration, he finally asked, “Didn’t you see the peach blossom fan I sent you before your adulthood ceremony?”
Yuanxi was even more astonished. “I’ve never seen such a book. I’ve carefully read every book you’ve sent me, but none of them were like that.”
Luo Yuan looked at her in shock, then realization dawned on him. However, his expression soon turned bitter and resigned. Yuanxi stared at him blankly, suddenly feeling that she might have missed something important.