Chapter 10

That afternoon, after lunch, Madam Ming left.

She managed the affairs of the Duke Protector’s household and had two children to care for, leaving little time for herself.

Xiao Baozhu, however, refused to leave.

Having endured much at home, she finally found some respite. Seeing that Xu Duanyi bore her no grudge, she quickly regained her haughty demeanor.

When Madam Ming called for her, she merely tossed out, “Cousin is alone at home; I will stay and keep her company!”

With that, she dashed into the house without a second thought.

“That girl!” Madam Ming sighed helplessly.

Xu Duanyi, unbothered, smiled. “It has been a while since I had a good talk with Baozhu. Let her stay; it will be lively with her here.”

Seeing her sincerity, Madam Ming was reassured. The household was in turmoil, especially her husband… If Xu Duanyi kept Baozhu here, perhaps things at home would ease.

They were, after all, siblings by blood. Such strife could not last forever.

She wasn’t of the Xiao family by birth. If her husband’s conflict with Baozhu dragged on, wouldn’t she be caught in the middle?

Even her mother-in-law had begun to blame her.

Being a daughter-in-law was no easy task.

Grateful, Madam Ming held Xu Duanyi’s hand and gave it a few gentle pats as they walked to the door.

She added a reminder,
“She’s still infatuated with that Liu Xun, so you…”

Xu Duanyi, knowing what Madam Ming was about to say, softly replied,
“Don’t worry, sister-in-law. I understand. I won’t let Baozhu go looking for Liu Xun.”

This put Madam Ming completely at ease.

Although Duanyi had a kind temperament, she wasn’t someone without authority. If she truly wanted to keep Baozhu in check, Baozhu wouldn’t dare cause trouble.

“In a few days, I’ll come to take her home. In the meantime, I’ll trouble you to look after her.”

Madam Ming only had Xu Duanyi walk her as far as the second courtyard’s moon gate, not beyond the residence.

Xu Duanyi didn’t insist, merely watching Madam Ming and her maid walk away before turning back with Shiyu. Noticing Shiyu pouting in discontent, she smiled and said,
“Alright, your lips are practically sticking out far enough to hang an oil pot.”

“Go and tell Winter Aunt to prepare a vacant room for Baozhu.”

“You’ve been busy for a long time without resting properly. Your sister-in-law just had a baby, right? Take a few days to play with your little nephew.”

“Madam…”

Shiyu, though simple-minded, sensed that her mistress was deliberately sending her away.

She knew how unruly the young cousin could be and feared Xu Duanyi might suffer grievances.

However, Xu Duanyi, though gentle, brooked no argument. “Be good.”

Left with no choice, Shiyu lowered her head and nodded reluctantly.

When Shiyu left to arrange matters, Xu Duanyi returned to her room. She found Xiao Baozhu calling her personal maid to redo her hair and makeup.

Seeing that Xu Duanyi was alone, Baozhu realized her sister-in-law had left.

Pleased, she even tried to act sweet.

“See, I knew Cousin treats me best!”

“Cousin, I’m borrowing your dressing box. I need to go out for a bit,” she quickly added, fearing Xu Duanyi would refuse, “I’ll be right back!”

Xu Duanyi knew exactly what she was planning.

Ignoring Baozhu’s words, she instead spoke to her maid,
“Step outside for now.”

Baozhu’s personal maid hesitated but eventually complied and left.

“Cousin?”

Baozhu was puzzled, unsure what Xu Duanyi intended.

Seated by the window, sunlight filtering behind her, Xu Duanyi held a teacup, sipping leisurely before saying softly,
“Baozhu, you may stay here as long as you like, but if you intend to see Liu Xun, that’s not allowed.”

Baozhu blushed, caught off guard that her intentions had been exposed.

She stammered,
“W-What are you talking about? I’m not going to see him. I was just…”

Her attempt at a lie faltered under Xu Duanyi’s calm, perceptive gaze.

After a moment of hesitation, she finally gave up.

“Fine… I won’t go find him.”

Having escaped home with great difficulty, Baozhu didn’t want to risk angering her cousin. Xu Duanyi wasn’t her mother or sister-in-law—despite her good temper, upsetting her would be serious enough that even her mother and grandmother wouldn’t be able to protect her.

“Come here.”

Xu Duanyi set down her teacup and beckoned.

When Baozhu sulkily approached, Xu Duanyi took her hand, guiding her to sit beside her. She spoke gently,
“I’m not stopping you from being with him. But since you’re not yet married, being seen together would invite gossip.”

“I’d like to see who dares talk!”

Baozhu’s temper flared, though it softened under Xu Duanyi’s calm gaze. She waved her handkerchief dismissively,
“Fine, I won’t go.”

Xu Duanyi suddenly said,
“I’ve already asked your sister-in-law’s opinion.”

Hearing this, Baozhu’s head snapped up, her eyes sparkling.

She had a good idea of what her cousin was about to say.

Xu Duanyi made no effort to hide it. She looked at her and said,
“Once you marry him, you’ll be able to see him every day.”

“Really?”

Baozhu was ecstatic!

She had thought her elder brother’s opposition meant her family wouldn’t agree, but now… she could hardly contain her joy, ready to leap up in delight.

Xu Duanyi, three years her senior, had watched her grow up and knew her temperament well. Seeing her reaction, she was a little surprised.

“Do you really like him that much?”

At fifteen, Baozhu was still a girl with a heart full of youthful infatuation. Her cheeks flushed, and she whispered,
“Cousin, you don’t know how wonderful Liu Xun is.”

Of course, Xu Duanyi didn’t know.

She didn’t think highly of someone who maintained an unclear relationship and intimate involvement with someone already engaged.

But such thoughts—

She couldn’t say them outright.

Even among sisters, such words could cause discord, let alone cousins.

Besides, if Baozhu hadn’t been swayed by countless warnings before, it was clear that Liu Xun had his charms.

“Then tell me, how has he treated you well?”

“How did you two meet?”

Overflowing with affection and longing to share, Baozhu eagerly recounted every detail of how she met Liu Xun and how he treated her with care.

Listening to it all, Xu Duanyi could only sigh. Baozhu was still so young.

The so-called chance encounters and the claim that Liu Xun hadn’t known her identity at first were full of obvious holes.

Baoshu had always been active in the capital—just ask around, and anyone could tell you who she was.

But that Liu Xun was truly formidable.

He stirred feelings of romance in a young girl’s heart, learned of her identity, and then deliberately started to distance himself from her.

He claimed he wasn’t worthy.

But his actions didn’t reflect that sentiment in the least.

If he truly believed he was unworthy and didn’t want to ruin Baozhu’s prospects, he should have made things clear and kept his distance, instead of retreating only to advance further, using pretense and hesitation.

Sister-in-law was right:

Baozhu had been spoiled by her family and didn’t know the depths of human nature outside.

But a disposition like hers wasn’t something just anyone could have.

It wasn’t something she herself could achieve.

“Cousin, since I’ve told you, you must take my side,” Xiao Baozhu pleaded, knowing her family disapproved of Liu Xun. She hoped to draw Xu Duanyi into her camp to speak up for her and Liu Xun in the future.

Xu Duanyi remained noncommittal and instead asked, “Were you really the one who took the initiative that time?”

“Cousin!”

Baozhu’s face flushed with shame. She released Xu Duanyi’s arm, covered her face, and whispered, “Liu Xun never wanted to. I forced him.”

Seeing Baozhu’s embarrassed face but her continued defense of Liu Xun, Xu Duanyi fell silent.

Could a man really be forced if he wasn’t willing?

But since things had come to this point, discussing it further would only harm their sisterly bond. Xu Duanyi gently stroked Baozhu’s head and said, “If Liu Xun ever bullies you, tell me and Sister-in-law.”

“Liu Xun would never bully me!” Baozhu declared confidently.

Glancing at her cousin’s concerned gaze, she smiled, linked arms with her, and added sweetly, “I know, I know.”

“But if he dares to bully me, I won’t need anyone else—I’ll handle him myself!”

—–

Unlike Xu Duanyi, Baozhu couldn’t sit still.

After two days of reluctantly staying with Xu Duanyi, she felt stifled and, without waiting for Madam Ming to pick her up, found an excuse to return home.

Since Baozhu was determined, Xu Duanyi didn’t stop her, but she made sure to have her escorted safely back to the Duke of Huguo’s residence. Before leaving, she instructed the guards to ensure Baozhu didn’t leave their sight.

She was worried Baoshu might seek out Liu Xun again.

If any trouble arose, she couldn’t absolve herself from blame.

For the next few days, Xu Duanyi remained at home, copying Buddhist scriptures.

—-

Three days later.

She took a carriage to Huang’en Temple.

Every year, she visited the temple to pray for her mother’s blessings and for her father’s safety.

She had come so often that the monks recognized her.

Without needing a guide, Xu Duanyi went to the main hall, made her offerings, donated oil money, and placed her handwritten sutra in the small Buddha hall where her mother’s memorial tablet resided.

She spent a long time speaking to her mother’s memorial before finally leaving.

“Will you have lunch here before returning, or are you leaving now?” Shiyu, who had been waiting outside, asked.

“I have one more place to go. Have them prepare a meal,” Xu Duanyi replied.

Shiyu smiled with delight—she had long missed the delicious vegetarian dishes at Huang’en Temple.

Thinking Xu Duanyi was merely offering more prayers, Shiyu didn’t insist on following. She handed her a hand warmer and went to arrange lunch.

Once Shiyu left, Xu Duanyi called a guide monk and asked if anyone was in the Grand Princess’s Buddha hall.

If it was empty, she planned to offer incense.

Only the monks knew she brought two sutras each year—one for her mother and one for the Xie family.

The monk, aware of her routine and mindful of the temple abbot’s current guest, paused before replying that no one was there.

“Thank you, Master.”

Xu Duanyi pressed her palms together in gratitude.

But neither she nor the monk knew that Xie Qingya was already inside the hall.

Staring at the three memorial tablets, Xie Qingya’s hidden gaze was shadowed with remorse.

His guilt weighed heavily, and he could not bear to look.

He closed his eyes to escape.

Yet behind closed eyes, visions surged forth—battles, flames consuming the land, his father and brother lying lifeless, and his radiant mother wasting away in sorrow.

His clenched hands trembled.

“Father… Mother… Brother…”

His hoarse voice quivered, refusing to open his eyes.

But then footsteps sounded outside, snapping him back to the present.

His vulnerability vanished, replaced by dark resolve.

Before the door opened, he darted behind the altar.