Chapter 9

This matter was unknown to Xu Duanyi until now. Upon hearing it, she could not help but be astonished.

“Is there really such a thing?”

Dongyu nodded. “Yes, but Liaodong was too chaotic at the time. The Madam couldn’t bear to be apart from the Marquis and was worried about him. When you were still in her womb, she followed the Marquis to live in Liaodong. For several years, they rarely returned. Otherwise, had you grown up alongside the young prince of Southern An, this marriage would likely have been arranged long ago.”

Xu Duanyi was taken aback.

If that were the case, she wouldn’t have been given in marriage to her cousin by her aunt.

But who could predict how things would turn out?

It was just one of those twists of fate.

Bright winter light reflected off the snow outside the window, casting a soft glow. The light outlined Xu Duanyi’s figure, surrounding her with a faint halo.

She held a book in her hands, gazing silently at the crimson plum blossoms and snowy landscape outside.

—-

The next day.

Her cousin-in-law, Madam Ming—wife of the heir to the Duke of State Protection, Xiao Yuan/Yuanxing—came to visit, bringing along Baozhu to offer an apology.

At that moment, Xu Duanyi was organizing the schedule for her upcoming trip to Huang’en Temple to pray for blessings.

Upon hearing of their arrival, she immediately instructed her attendants to invite them in.

Madam Ming was twenty-five this year, the daughter of the Minister of Rites. Though her features were not among the most strikingly beautiful, her refined and elegant demeanor set her apart.

She had a son and a daughter and was deeply cherished by Xiao Yuanxing. Now responsible for managing the household affairs of the Duke’s estate, she held considerable influence within the family.

Behind her stood a woman in a pink dress—
Yi—
the treasured daughter of the Duke Protector’s household.

—Xiao Baozhu.

Xiao Baozhu, pulled along by Ming Shi, no longer had her usual proud and flamboyant demeanor; instead, she looked weary and dispirited.

Her eyes were red and swollen, as if she had been crying bitterly.

“Sister!”

Ming Shi, seeing Xu Duanyi waiting for them under the corridor from a distance, immediately called out to her.

Xu Duanyi smiled as she walked out to greet them.

“Sister-in-law.”

She had a good relationship with Ming Shi and greeted her first. Then, seeing Xiao Baozhu lowering her head and avoiding her gaze, she smiled and called softly, “Baozhu.”

Upon hearing this familiar name, Xiao Baozhu’s eyes reddened once again.

She raised her head to look at Xu Duanyi, and seeing her usual expression, her eyes immediately brimmed with tears.

“…Cousin.”

Her lips trembled as she whispered the word.

Ming Shi, standing beside them, said to Xu Duanyi, “I brought this foolish girl to apologize to you. You may punish her as you see fit—whether to scold or beat her—we will have no objections, not my parents-in-law, nor my husband.”

Xu Duanyi chuckled, “Baozhu and I are like sisters. Why would I hit her for no reason?”

She spoke gently, holding Ming Shi’s hand with one hand and leading Xiao Baozhu by the other into the inner room.

Although Shiyu had received instructions from Xu Duanyi, she was still filled with anger upon seeing Xiao Baozhu. Shiyu didn’t know her mistress harbored feelings for Xie Qingya and assumed that her mistress was marrying the Prince of Nanan only to bear responsibility for Xiao Baozhu’s trouble. This made Shiyu full of resentment toward Xiao Baozhu.

While she didn’t speak rudely, her expression was far from pleasant.

Ming Shi, always observant, naturally understood the underlying reasons. She knew this was the Xiao family’s fault, and Duanyi had taken the blame for them—for Baozhu.

When the imperial edict arrived a few days ago, her parents-in-law had remained silent, but her husband had been furious, even making Baozhu kneel in the ancestral hall for two days.

Upon learning that Duanyi had left the palace yesterday, he instructed Ming Shi to bring Baozhu to apologize.

He feared this matter would create a rift between them.

“Family should not be divided. This is Baozhu’s fault, but none of us expected Aunt to arrange your marriage to the Prince of Nanan.”

Ming Shi held Xu Duanyi’s hand affectionately.

“The decree came too quickly. By the time my husband found out, it was too late to intervene.”

“I heard from my husband that Cao Da played a role in this?” she whispered.

Xu Duanyi did not deny it. “It was indeed Cao Da who advised my aunt.”

Ming Shi’s face darkened at once. “That eunuch grows bolder by the day!”

But Cao Da’s power was no longer something she could openly criticize.

After all, their aunt had relied on Cao Da to help the current emperor ascend the throne.

For years, the Xiao family and Cao Da had kept a peaceful distance, but a few months ago, a scion of the Xiao family had killed someone—someone connected to Cao Da’s adopted son.

It seemed likely that Cao Da’s suggestion to marry Duanyi to the Prince of Nanan was not without ulterior motives.

Thinking of this, Ming Shi felt even more remorseful toward Xu Duanyi.

Though they were seven years apart, their temperaments were well-matched, and they had always shared a close bond.

Flesh and blood are equally precious.

Ming Shi could not bear to see her suffer this fate.

But at this point, nothing could change. Holding Xu Duanyi’s hand tightly, she sighed, “It’s our Xiao family who wronged you.”

Xu Duanyi gently squeezed her hand in return and comforted her, “Sister-in-law, since we are family, there’s no need to speak of blame. Let’s not let this distance us.”

Hearing this, Ming Shi felt even more guilt and affection for her.

Turning to Xiao Baozhu, she raised her voice, “Didn’t your brother tell you something before we came? Have you forgotten already?”

Ming Shi was nine years older than Xiao Baozhu and had watched her grow up.

The two had always shared a good relationship.

But with Ming Shi’s stern tone, Xiao Baozhu shrank in fear, stammering toward Xu Duanyi, “C-cousin, I—I’ve wronged you. You can scold me. I…I didn’t mean to implicate you.”

Indeed, Xiao Baozhu had not anticipated things would turn out this way.

She had always acted on impulse, doing whatever pleased her without a thought for consequences, only caring about her own happiness.

But this time, she had unwittingly dragged Xu Duanyi into trouble.

Despite being cousins, they shared a deep bond.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have accepted her punishment so readily this time.

Remembering her brother’s instructions, she prepared to kneel and kowtow in apology, but just as her knees started to bend, Xu Duanyi caught her.

“That’s enough, Baozhu. It’s all in the past.”

Xu Duanyi helped Xiao Baozhu back to her seat and didn’t let her kneel.

Xiao Baozhu, touched by her kindness, could no longer hold back. She threw her arms around her and began to wail.

She had been scolded endlessly these past few days—her mother calling her foolish, her brother blaming her, and even her usually doting sister-in-law reprimanding her.

She had wanted to see Liu Lang but had been forbidden by her family.

All her grievances had nowhere to go, and finding that her cousin still treated her kindly despite everything, she broke down completely.

If Shiyu had been present, she would have glared at Xiao Baozhu and sharpened her metaphorical knife.

Ming Shi, meanwhile, could only look on helplessly.

Xu Duanyi, however, continued to pat Xiao Baozhu’s back gently.

“All right, stop crying.”

The gentler she was, the more guilt Xiao Baozhu felt.

Tears streamed endlessly down her face as she clung to Xu Duanyi, apologizing repeatedly, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Cousin. I truly didn’t mean to involve you. I know I was wrong. Please don’t be angry with me.”

Xu Duanyi stroked her back, her voice calm and kind. “I’m not angry with you.”

Xiao Baozhu and Madam Ming did not believe her, thinking she was only trying to comfort them. Even Madam Ming, unable to hold back her emotions, shed a few tears.

After some time, Xiao Baozhu, exhausted from crying, was led away by her maid to freshen up.

Madam Ming dried her tears, held Xu Duanyi’s hands, and asked, “What are your plans for the future?”

Xu Duanyi hadn’t given it much thought. When asked directly, she could only reply, “We’ll take it one step at a time.”

Madam Ming’s eyes grew redder at those words.

“This is our fault,” she said, gripping Xu Duanyi’s hand tightly before the latter could respond. “You must listen to me. If you hadn’t taken the blame for Baozhu this time, both my aunt and our entire Xiao family would have been implicated.”

“This foolish girl caused such a mess, giving everyone something to gossip about!”

There was blame in her tone.

She truly hadn’t expected Baozhu to fall for this year’s top scholar. Wanting to break off her engagement was one thing, but she had secretly entangled herself with him even before doing so.

Now, their entire family and her aunt were in the public eye, facing criticism from all sides.

If word got out, how could their Xiao family or her aunt hold their heads high?

Many in court had long been dissatisfied with her aunt and the Xiao family’s hold on power.

Madam Ming held Xu Duanyi’s hand firmly and said, “I know you are indifferent to fame and fortune. But, Duanyi, we owe you for this. Your cousin has said that whatever you ask of us in the future, we will do our utmost to help.”

“Sister-in-law…” Xu Duanyi frowned.

Seeing Madam Ming’s resolute expression, leaving no room for rejection, she sighed and said, “Very well, I will remember this.”

Only then did Madam Ming feel relieved.

With Xiao Baozhu still freshening up, Xu Duanyi took the opportunity to ask, “What are uncle and aunt planning to do about Baozhu and that Liu scholar?”

The mention of the surname Liu made Madam Ming’s head ache.

Her disgust was evident, and she did not bother to hide it from Xu Duanyi.

“That Liu fellow is merely a prefect’s son. Never mind his background; the fact that he dared to dishonor Baozhu shows his true character.”

“Your eldest brother and father-in-law want to deal with him.”

“But Baozhu is deeply in love with him. She even threatened that if Liu’s life were taken, she would end hers as well.” Madam Ming ground her teeth. “We have spoiled her too much, giving her the courage to behave this way!”

“My mother-in-law cannot bear to lose her, so I suspect they will eventually let them marry.”

Xu Duanyi had already expected this outcome.

She did not care for Liu Xun.

He had entangled himself with Baozhu despite knowing of her engagement, tarnishing her reputation and ensuring the scandal broke out. His scheming nature was clear.

“Baozhu has a simple heart. Please assign trustworthy maids to protect her from being mistreated by Liu Xun.”

“You need not worry. He believes marrying into our family guarantees his success, but he is mistaken.”

“Your brother despises such opportunists. If Liu Xun treats Baozhu well, so be it. If not…” Madam Ming smiled coldly.

Glancing at Xu Duanyi, her heart ached again. “But what about you? The Prince of Nanan’s character and conduct…”

She sighed. “Though he is unworthy, he still holds his title. Even if we wanted to intervene, we could not.”

Xu Duanyi gently patted her hand. “Sister-in-law, you need not worry about me.”

Madam Ming wasn’t concerned that Xu Duanyi would suffer bullying; she simply felt sorry for her. She knew of the prince’s many mistresses and could only resolve to act.

If nothing else, she would ensure these women were removed from the picture.

Madam Ming already had a plan. She would speak with her husband, who held influence over military affairs, to prevent the Prince of Nanan from finding support anywhere.

Xu Duanyi was mild-tempered and preferred to stay out of conflicts.

But Madam Ming would not allow gossip and mistreatment to tarnish her sister-in-law’s reputation.