Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Madam Xun's sudden action startled everyone present.

"Madam, what happened to you?" a servant asked in panic, rushing to clean the floor.

The scorching tea trickled down her knees, but Madam Xun was oblivious to the pain.

Yunqi... Yunqi.

She gazed at that captivating face, which had initially seemed familiar. Now, upon closer inspection, she noticed a resemblance to Xun Yunhe. Could it be that the young girl didn't die? No, that couldn't be right. She had witnessed them both perish in the flames.

Seeing Madam Xun's ashen and frightened expression, Princess Xi approached cautiously, "Madam Xun?"

Princess Xi's call snapped Madam Xun back to reality. Bewildered for a moment, tears began to stream down her cheeks as she explained, "Princess, you don't know. I once had a dear friend also named Yunqi. Our bond was unbreakable. She passed away years ago, and the mere thought of her still pierces my heart. Hearing Third Young Master's wife's maiden name just now, I momentarily lost control."

She wiped her tears, using the gesture to hide her gaze from her equally stunned daughter.

Xun Yunling was deeply shaken as well, staring blankly at Xu Yunqi with trembling arms.

How could she be named Yunqi? How could she possibly be called Yunqi?

Under her mother's stern gaze, Xun Yunling gritted her teeth and lowered her head.

Unable to think of any other reason, the Duchess of Xi nodded, "So that's how it is."

Immediately, Lady Xun composed herself and spoke kindly to Xu Yunqi sitting opposite her, "May I ask which region the County Princess hails from?"

Xu Yunqi answered candidly, "I'm from Jingzhou." Her voice was as clear as a bell.

Lady Xun's heart stuttered, almost causing her to choke.

The Duchess of Xi seemed to recall something, her expression brightening slightly, "Oh, it seems she's from the same hometown as your Xun family."

Suppressing her inner turmoil, Lady Xun pinched the embroidered handkerchief in her hand and forced a smile, "Indeed, what a coincidence."

Her heart already pounding wildly, Lady Xun, fearing she might reveal her unease, didn't dare stay longer. She took the opportunity of her daughter's wet clothes to leave with her. Before they departed, she cast a gentle glance at Xu Yunqi. The young lady stood up elegantly to see them off, her face adorned with an innocent smile. Lady Xun wished to discern something from that naive grin but found nothing.

The mother and daughter returned to the Xun residence, both weighed down with their own thoughts.

Upon entering, Lady Xun instructed the nursemaid to close the side gate behind them. Gazing at her familiar courtyard, her knees weakened, nearly giving way under the overwhelming emotions.

It was only with the support of the elderly nursemaid and Xun Yunling on either side that she managed to stay upright.

The old nursemaid whispered a reminder, "Milady, compose yourself!"

Lady Xun gradually regained her composure and looked at her daughter. At that moment, Xun Yunling's face was as pale as a sheet, her entire being gripped by fear and confusion.

Forcing herself to calm down, Lady Xun said, "Ling'er, don't panic. It might not be her."

Xun Yunling immediately burst into tears. "Mother, why does she have the same name as Elder Sister? Could it just be a coincidence?"

Lady Xun wished it were so. She glanced back at her trusted nursemaid, their eyes meeting in a silent exchange of heavy hearts.

They first returned to the main chamber, where Lady Xun sat on a canopied daybed with her eyes closed, endeavoring to steady her thoughts.

The old nursemaid dismissed the servants and stood guard at the entrance herself.

Xun Yunling paced about the room anxiously, as if she were a bee on a hot pan.

"Yunqi, the one from Jingzhou... Mother, didn't you say that Eldest Sister died in a plague? Then who is she? She does resemble Father. Could it be that she's still alive?"

Madam Xun turned her head, her gaze frosty. "Ling'er, try to imagine the consequences if she truly is alive and your father finds out."

Xun Yunling felt a sudden tightness in her chest, and her steps faltered. She bumped into a bookshelf, for if this were true, there would be no place for them in this household.

Observing the mother and daughter's panic, the old nurse spoke calmly from behind the beaded curtain, "Miss, Young Miss, don't worry. Firstly, there are countless people with the same names. She might not be who you think she is. Secondly, even if she is, from what this old servant could tell, Third Lady seems naive and innocent, likely not remembering. Otherwise, why would she dare to reveal her identity in front of Madam? Furthermore, if she truly knew, she wouldn't have acknowledged Father so soon. She must be trying to avoid suspicion."

Madam Xun calmed down slightly. "You're right, but what if she hasn't seen Lord and didn't recognize him?"

The old nurse replied, "Therefore, the most urgent matters now are to find out her background and, above all, prevent her from meeting Lord."

The first task was manageable, but the second posed a challenge. It was like having a ticking time bomb nestled beside them. Madam Xun's heart was fraught with unease, the fear weighing heavily on her.

In the afternoon that day, Madam Xun instructed the old nurse to discreetly investigate Xu Yunqi's background. She couldn't bring herself to drink even a mouthful of soup, lying listlessly on her bed, trembling. Xun Yunling was no better. Although she didn't know the details of the past, she was well aware that if Xu Yunqi truly was her Eldest Sister, her future prospects would become clear.

Xu Yunqi spent some time engaging in idle chatter with her second sister-in-law, Li Xuanyan, before returning to Qinghui Garden.

Yunqi had followed her inside and, having observed the situation closely, eagerly relayed her observations to Xu Yunqi upon their return.

"Miss, Madam Xun clearly has something to hide," she said.

Seated by the southern window on a heated brick bed, Xu Yunqi gazed at the blinding sun outside, an unusual chilliness in her eyes.

"She should be nervous," Xu Yunqi replied. "After all, her title as the lady of the Viceroy's residence isn't legitimate."

The thought that her mistress had almost become the Viceroy's eldest daughter and that Lady would have been respected as the Viceroy's wife made Silver Apricot grind her teeth in anger. "We can't let this slide. We must find Viceroy Xun immediately and tell him the truth. He needs to know that you and Lady are still alive and well."

Xu Yunqi cast a sidelong glance at her.

"Do you think he's a good man? Even if he's innocent, they've shared a bed for over a decade and have two children together. Do you really believe he'll stand up for justice on our behalf? In the end, he'll only care about saving face and sweep everything under the rug."

She would never rely on others for her fate.

Was her goal to acknowledge her father? No, she had no interest in that man; she sought revenge.

Ginkgo grew anxious and stepped forward, asking, "Then what should we do? We can't just let them enjoy their freedom."

"You must ruin their reputation!"

Ruin their reputation?

Xu Yunqi's lips curved slightly as she lifted the window lattice a bit higher. The midday sun approached, its rays piercing her eyes and making her squint.

With Mother gone, Auntie Fatty, hearing cries outside, rushed into the Xun family's residence from the back yard. She first carried Yunqi out of the house and hid her in the back yard before bravely dashing into the blazing front yard to save Fatty Girl.

The terror of impending death forced her to instinctively flee to the back mountain. Unfortunately, the flames had surrounded the Xun family's home, and fire licked down from the bamboo grove on the back hillside. She stumbled by a water vat, crawled into a hidden cellar nearby, and waited for the rain that would eventually save her life.

She hid in the cellar for a very long time without any news of Auntie Fatty or Fatty Girl...

How could ruining their reputation be enough?

She wanted to make them pay with blood for the blood they had spilled!

Seeing Xu Yunqi's indifferent expression, Ginkgo's own anger gradually subsided. Calming down, she realized...

"Lady, the case from back then is not an easy one to investigate."

"Indeed," Xu Yunqi turned her gaze toward her, "That plague came at just the right time to cover up her misdeeds. Or perhaps she was already aware of the county office's plan to seal off and burn the village, thus taking the opportunity to kill unseen. With so much time passed, it's impossible to hold her accountable using that old case."

Ginkgo gritted her teeth in frustration and said, "So, what do you plan on doing?"

Xu Yunqi smiled faintly, "What do you think will happen now that they know of my existence?"

"They'll be plagued by nightmares and live in constant fear."

"In that case, I'll lure them into my trap!"

Pei Muheng hadn't returned home for three consecutive days. Xu Yunqi was clever enough to guess that she might have offended him that night, but in reality, she had done nothing. Why was he angry?

With him not back yet, Xu Yunqi was at a loss.

On the other hand, regarding Lady Xun, Ginkgo had been secretly gathering news about the Xun residence these past few days. Upon receiving the information, she burst into laughter with joy,

"Lady, Lady Xun has fallen ill. I hear she hasn't been able to eat anything for three days and had to secretly call a doctor. Fourth Miss Xun went to visit her today and mentioned that Second Miss Xun has also lost weight. Her small face, which was already palm-sized, now looks even thinner. Her eyes seem like hollow sockets, rather eerie to look at."

Xu Yunqi wore an expressionless face.

*

Since the Crown Prince's departure from the capital, the court had been unusually tranquil.

However, after a period of calm, the veteran officials, led by Shi Zhuo, submitted memorials to the emperor, requesting the establishment of an heir apparent. This was due to the emperor's advanced age and declining health, which worsened with each passing day. They feared that if the emperor were to suddenly pass away, chaos would ensue.

The emperor was naturally furious, but despite his anger, this cunning ruler sent Liu Xiwen to convey an imperial edict, asking,

"Which of my princes do the ministers believe is fit to be the successor?"

These words were like a bolt from the blue, stirring up a storm of opinions among the officials.

In private, they discussed and debated fervently, each expressing their own views.

In no time, the desks in the imperial study were piled high with memorials.

Needless to say, the majority supported Prince Qin as the next crown prince. Following that came the twelfth prince, the son of the Empress, as well as Prince Chen and Prince Seven. To Pei Muheng's surprise, many military commanders also advocated for Prince Xi to ascend to the position.

It was evident that their heroic rescue of Yang Kang last time had produced noticeable results.

The emperor specifically asked Pei Muheng to announce his name. In the end, there were as many as four memorials from the Xi Wang's palace.

Seated on his imperial throne, the emperor leisurely flipped through the booklets without lifting his head and asked, "Heng'er, what do you think?"

Liu Xiwen glanced at him worriedly.

Pei Muheng, focusing on himself, sorted out all the memorials requesting the prince's ascension and stepped back, raising his sleeve to bow. "The matter of the crown prince is solely decided by Your Majesty. It's not my place to comment. I humbly request Your Majesty to withdraw your question."

Upon hearing this, the emperor looked up at him. Leaning his elbow on his folded knee, he chuckled. "What if I insist on your opinion?"

Pei Muheng lowered his gaze. "I do not discuss the emperor's affairs. If Your Majesty insists, I shall speak. Since ancient times, either the most capable or the eldest son is appointed. The dragon has nine extraordinary offspring; Your Majesty is blessed with choices, and it is a blessing for the people as well."

The emperor gave a faint smile, leaning back slightly, and pointed to the four memorials supporting the Xi Wang.

"Heng'er, would you like to see who supports the Xi Wang?"

Liu Xiwen couldn't help but feel nervous for Pei Muheng.

Pei Muheng chuckled inwardly. The emperor was probing him, and how he wished he could do the same. He replied,

"I need not see them. The writer of those memorials serves Your Majesty, and my father is Your Majesty's son. All the princes have submitted their opinions; it would be no surprise if Father has a few. However, those who wrote such notions must be ill-informed and ignorant of court affairs. Above, there is the virtuous Prince Second, and below, the legitimate son of the Empress, Prince Twelfth. My father has distanced himself from court and cares not for worldly matters. How dare he entertain thoughts of being the crown prince?"

Not only did Pei Muheng deflect blame from the generals, but he also skillfully steered the conversation toward Prince Qin.

Upon hearing the words "virtuous prince," the emperor's expression did indeed shift subtly. He tossed the book aside and asked coolly, "You also consider your second uncle a virtuous prince?"

Pei Muheng was about to nod, but when he met the emperor's grave expression, he quickly looked down and said, "This subject... does not know."

The emperor took in his expression, a cold curl of his lips revealing his disdain.

"Descend."

Peng Muhang exited the imperial study, his expression utterly composed. He straightened his sleeves and strode out of the Heavenly Mandate Hall with purposeful steps.

The Emperor's evident disdain for Prince Qin notwithstanding, carving out a bloody path to the throne amidst the intense power struggle within the palace walls is by no means an easy feat for the House of Xi.

Peng Muhang was lost in deep contemplation.

Upon returning to Qinghui Garden, the sky had just turned dark. Pei Muhang was busy until late into the night, at the third watch of the twelfth hour. Ever since Xu Yunqi told him that she usually went to bed no later than the third watch of the twelfth hour, he made sure never to return to the inner courtyard after that time. Today, sitting behind his desk, he pinched his temples deeply, an unusual hint of hesitation in his eyes.

It would be a lie to say he didn't care, but he had given his word. He wasn't the kind of person who would sulk and separate from her whenever something happened. Pei Muhang was a man of his word, and looking up at the dark window, he slowly rose to his feet.

In the past, he always thought that being respectful and consulting with each other as husband and wife was enough. Now, he realized it wasn't that simple.

It was the sixteenth day of the month, and the moon hung high in the sky. The lights in Qinghui Garden had already been extinguished, but the moonlight illuminated the entire estate brightly.

Pei Muhang walked down the long corridor to the main courtyard. An old woman was dozing off on a footstool by the door. Hearing footsteps, she quickly woke up. Upon seeing Pei Muhang, she hurriedly bowed and prepared water for him.

He first headed to the eastern secondary room. Suddenly, a glow appeared inside, as Xu Yunqi lit a crystal lamp and peered out. A captivating jade maiden stood behind the pearl curtain, dressed in a light yellow short robe and a pale yellow pleated skirt. A hundred grass knots hastily tied at the front of her skirt indicated she had just woken up. She wore a one-piece red bodice that partially revealed her snow-white skin.

Xu Yunqi rarely dressed so casually, clearly not expecting him to visit.

The couple looked at each other from opposite sides of the staircase.

Pei Muhang's eyes were deep, his lips almost straight, silently observing her. Xu Yunqi was the first to react, placing the lamp on a tall table and descending the stairs to serve him tea.

She wore thin embroidered slippers, and her skirt brushed the ground, highlighting her slender figure.

"Third Master is having tea."

When he turned, his bright eyes and pearly whites gleamed, as if the corners of his eyes were tinged with the warmth of spring sunshine, soft and charming.

Was this girl heartless?

Didn't she know that he had been angry for four days?

Pei Muhang took the tea from her but didn't drink it. His tone was slightly grave as he said, "I'll change first." He then headed to the bathroom.

The bathroom in Qinghui Garden was enormous. Previously, Princess Xi, knowing about her son's preference, had specially partitioned off a large bathroom for him to use alone. Last time, Pei Muhang had used a soap pod here, and its fragrance was delightful. Today, however, he noticed that the box had been replaced. He picked it up and took a sniff. It didn't have the same scent. His deep, cold voice echoed through the screen,

"Is the original soap pod gone?"

Only then did Xu Yunqi recall that when she had asked Yinxing to clean the bathroom earlier, she had seen that there were only a few remnants of Pei Muhang's soap pod left, so she had replaced it with a new one. Hurriedly, she stepped around the screen. The man stood tall and slender beside the bathtub, his clothes hanging loosely on his broad shoulders, his deep gaze unreadable.

His bare chest was smooth and well-defined, with distinct abdominal muscles visible.

Although they had shared intimate moments, Xu Yunqi had never been bold enough to ogle him openly. Thus, she averted her gaze and explained,

"The previous soap has run out. I've replaced it with a new one made from over ten ingredients, including polygonum multiflorum, cassia seeds, and wormwood. It's good for your hair when washing and removes oil when used on the body. Give it a try."

Pei Muheng couldn't help but feel admiration for his wife's skills. Not only could she prepare medicinal dishes, but she also knew how to make soap. He took the new soap and inhaled its scent but still shook his head. "It doesn't smell as pleasant as the old one."

Xu Yunqi was taken aback, meeting his gaze with a smile. "The old stock is gone, and I only have some left. How about I make more for you tomorrow? For tonight, would you mind trying this?"

It was inconceivable for Pei Muheng to use soap that Xu Yunqi had already used.

True to his nature, Pei Muheng frowned, taking another whiff of the new soap. The aroma was too strong, which he didn't particularly enjoy. He suddenly pondered: If her heart were occupied by someone else, she wouldn't be willing to share her belongings with him. Looking at Xu Yunqi's unwavering expression, he seemed to sense her determination.

Understanding his thoughts, Xu Yunqi felt a slight flush on her cheeks. She walked to her side, picked up the soapbox from the shelf, and held it out to him, saying, "Here, everything is in here."

Pei Muheng observed her for a moment before taking it from her hands.

Xu Yunqi found the situation amusing and turned away with a suppressed smile.

Perceiving the amusement in his wife's smile, Pei Muheng's mood lightened.

Xu Yunqi reclined on her bed, waiting for him to return. She had just dozed off for a moment and was still alert at the moment.

Pei Mucheng took longer than usual to bathe, so long that Xu Yunqi dozed off. It wasn't until she felt the bed dip slightly under his weight that she woke up, opening her eyes to look in her husband's direction. She noticed that his hair was still damp, causing her to frown as she said,

"Third Master, wait until your hair is dry before sleeping. Otherwise, you might easily get headaches when you're older."

As it happened, he couldn't sleep either, so he willingly sat up and drew back the curtains. A gentle night breeze flowed in, cooling his body and making him feel comfortable.

Xu Yunqi also sat up, facing her husband across the blanket.

"Did Third Master get angry with me that night?" Xu Yunqi asked proactively.

Pei Mucheng was delighted that his wife had taken the initiative to clarify. He really didn't have the time or energy to be angry with his wife, so he replied, "You seemed a bit distracted that night."

Xu Yunqi felt a slight lump in her throat. Meeting Xun Yunhe that day had stirred some emotions within her. It wasn't until she fully immersed herself in the pleasure of her body that her feelings were relieved. However, she hadn't expected Pei Mucheng to be so perceptive.

She guessed that Pei Mucheng must have misunderstood.

"I didn't…" she softly protested, "I just saw an old acquaintance that day and recalled our time together in Jingzhou."

Pei Muhang was slightly taken aback. Was it because of this? He had assumed she was thinking of someone else.

He recalled that Xu Yunqi had been left in the countryside by her parents for many years.

No wonder she was so gentle and reserved.

"I was wrong to misunderstand you," he apologized sincerely.

Xu Yunqi didn't expect him to be so straightforward. In fact, Pei Muhang had already done quite well.

They lacked emotional connection as a couple, yet he still fulfilled his responsibilities as a husband, giving her respect and protection.

Xu Yunqi was content.

"It's alright."

She even wore a smile.

She was always so gracious.

"Has the time passed?" Pei Muheng asked again, his tone soft and distant.

Xu Yunqi could only assume that he was thinking about it. She gently clenched her hands and replied softly, "It just passed yesterday."

Pei Muheng sounded somewhat disappointed upon hearing this.

Now that her monthly cycle had arrived, it meant she wasn't with child.

With his hair almost dry, Pei Muheng lay down.

"Sleep," he said.

That night, he deliberately moved closer to the middle of the bed. When Xu Yunqi lay down, her arm was almost touching his chest.

The warmth between them escalated.

Abandoned by her parents in the countryside since childhood, she must have been a girl starved for affection.

In a married couple's relationship, there were no grudges that couldn't be resolved. No obstacle was insurmountable.

Pei Muhang reached out and drew his wife into an embrace.

Just as Xu Yunqi expected him to do something, he simply held her as they both fell asleep.

After all these years of solitude, she had never been held like this before, not even in bed.

Yunqi closed her eyes in his arms.