Chapter 78: Your Trick Won’t Work

Chapter 78: Your Trick Won't Work

The mother and daughter stood apart, one inside the room and the other at the door. Shen's body was slightly stiff, her bitter expression frozen in place. She looked helplessly at her daughter's back, her lips moving soundlessly.

She felt both self-reproach and shame.

"Yuanxi, I..."

She had genuinely missed Yuanjun just now, but not the later version of her, nor the child Rulan had given birth to. She missed the Yuanjun she had once doted on, the child she had raised herself.

Those beautiful memories, she dared not dwell on them. Each time she did, guilt and pain washed over her. No one could understand her, sometimes not even herself.

Pei Yuanxi sighed softly, "Mother, if you miss Yuanjun, send for her to come back."

Shen shook her head vigorously at the suggestion, "Yuanxi, you misunderstand Mother. Mother didn't mean that. Mother only thought of the past when Yuanjun was still a good child."

Why did such a good child turn out the way she did?

"Mother." Pei Yuanxi turned slowly to face her, "You don't have to worry about me. I'll be fine no matter what. You don't need to plan for me, do as you wish."

The words pierced her heart like a sharp dagger, causing Shen to feel as if her soul was being slowly sliced apart without drawing blood, yet the pain was excruciating.

To say they weren't estranged, yet speak such alienating words...

With a sorrowful cry, she lamented, "How could I not care about you? You're my daughter, the child I carried for ten months and nearly lost my life giving birth to. Who could have foreseen the sinister intentions of those people, causing us to be separated for fifteen long years? When I think of the hardships you've endured in these years, I wish I could bear them in your place."

Not a single day had passed since then where she found true joy. But now, there was no one left for her to hate. Rulan and Ping Zhen were gone, and even Concubine Zeng had passed away.

How could she bridge the gap between herself and her own flesh and blood? "How much I wish to make amends, to give you my very heart if I could. I've done everything for you, why can't you see my intentions?"

"Is Mother truly acting in my best interest?" Pei Yuanxi's voice was soft and detached. "Does Mother know what I truly desire? Perhaps even you aren't aware that you've always been comparing me to Yuanjun."

Shen wanted to refute, but her lips wouldn't move. She had indeed compared the two children in her heart, and those comparisons were omnipresent. When Yuanjun disappointed her, she was grateful that her biological daughter hadn't strayed. And when her own daughter distanced herself, she would recall the happy memories with Yuanjun.

At times, she despised her indecisiveness, but the head of the Chen family had told her she wasn't at fault, for such emotions were human nature. Hearts were made of flesh, and the feelings rooted within couldn't be severed so easily.

"Yuanxi, Mother has no choice... I raised her for fifteen years..."

"Thus, Mother, do as you please, don't consider my feelings."

"How could you?" Madam Shen burst into tears. "How can I not consider you? You're my own flesh and blood! All I want is to do more for you, to ensure a worry-free life for you in the future. Are you really going to deny me even this small chance? You're tearing my heart out piece by piece!"

Pei Yuanxi approached her slowly and offered her a handkerchief.

She grabbed Pei Yuanxi's hand, weeping uncontrollably. "Yuanxi... if Mother doesn't do anything for you, I don't know how I'd be able to live with myself..."

"Mother, what if I were to ask something of you?"

"You... asking me?" Her eyes widened in shock, tears still swirling within them. "Do you really dislike being close to me that much? You'd rather beg me than let me help you. Why?"

Pei Yuanxi sighed softly. "Mother, some things can't be planned for or guaranteed. Sometimes, doing nothing is better than doing something. I'm not letting you help me because it's for your own good."

"For my own good?" Tears rolled down Madam Shen's cheeks. "As a mother, I can't do anything for my own daughter, and you call that good for me? Clearly, you don't trust me. You believe that I want Jige to marry Yurong out of selfish motives. In the end, you don't see me as your mother at all. You'd rather confide in outsiders than share your thoughts with me. By hurting me like this, what's the point of me living?"

Her eyes were filled with a pain and resentment that no one could understand. Looking into her sorrowful gaze, Pei Yuanxi knew that nothing she said would make a difference.

Why did people live?

Was it for others?

"Mother, just as you wish for my well-being, I also hope for your happiness in the future. So, Mother, there's no need to live for others; living for yourself would be the greatest support you could give me."

Unfortunately, her words fell on deaf ears.

She clutched her chest, leaning helplessly against the chair with sorrow, "Yuanxi, how can I make you understand my intentions? What must I do?"

The climbing roses in the courtyard had withered, their dark brown branches entwining the walls in a tangled mess, much like the complicated history of Marquis Xuanping's household.

In the biting cold wind, Pei Yuanxi's figure appeared frail and solitary. The wind tousled her hair, periodically disrupting her. She was wrapped in a warm cloak, yet her heart felt icy cold.

Did Mother truly say she did it all for her?

With Aunt Li's passing, the thorn between Mother and Yuanjun would vanish. Human hearts were the most inscrutable and peculiar. Sometimes, despite intense hatred for someone, upon their death, all grievances seemed to fade away.

As if with the extinguishing of life, nostalgia for the past resurfaced.

Mother had called out Yuanjun's name in her grief, indicating that she missed Yuanjun's goodness more than her own daughter. That goodness would grow in Mother's memory over time, until only Yuanjun's virtues remained in her heart.

Stepmothers and daughters, bound halfway, could never compete with the bond forged from raising a child from birth.

She shouldn't have felt sorrowful, yet somehow she couldn't help but be imbued with a subtle melancholy. This wistfulness intertwined and lingered, proving difficult to shake off for a moment.

It was not until she lifted the inner chamber's curtains and laid eyes on the casually seated youth, hearing his voice filled with delight, that her melancholy seemed to dissipate like mist encountering water, vanishing in an instant.

"Mother, is this kneepad you're sewing meant for me?" Shangxing held the unfinished kneepad tenderly, his face beaming with admiration and joy. The stitches resembled a centipede's legs, extremely unappealing. Yet, he cherished it as if it were a precious treasure, reluctant to let go and filled with curiosity.

Pei Yuanxi couldn't hide her embarrassment, truly ashamed of her needlework skills.

"This is not meant for you."

Upon hearing this, Shangxing immediately became somewhat displeased. He slightly pouted his lips, reluctantly placing the knee pad back, his eyes filled with profound disappointment and sorrow.

Pei Yuanxi found the situation amusing yet poignant. "This one was for practice. Look at how clumsy the stitching is. Once I've honed my skills and the stitches become neater, I'll make a better one for you."

The boy's eyes sparkled, and his smile returned, as if he were a child who had just been given candy. He knew that Mother was the best, that she loved him the most. All the good things were for him, while the less desirable tasks were reserved for Father.

However, he wouldn't tell his father about this.

"Mother, it's been chilly lately, and I feel my feet getting a bit cold," he said, stamping his feet. The pair of thick leather boots he wore seemed robust and sturdy.

How could the Zhengde Hall and Qinghe Hall possibly chill one's feet?

He looked pitiful, wearing that expression as if he were begging for sweets. His clear eyes were misty, and on his immature face was an anticipation of affectionate care.

This was her child.

She had left this world after giving birth to him, having never been part of his past. She hadn't witnessed his first babbling attempts at speech or his wobbly first steps. She had never held him in her arms or comforted him when he cried from falling down.

What he had longed for since childhood was not just her presence, but also her love and care.

Her heart felt as if it were being buffeted by unseen forces, floating aimlessly in mid-air. She yearned to ascend even higher and farther, transcending time and space to catch just a glimpse of his visage.

"Very well, I'll make you two more pairs of cotton socks."

"Mama is truly kind." The young boy's eyes curved in satisfaction as he glanced down at his attire, tugging lightly at a corner of his garment that was caught beneath him. Without a word, he simply gazed at Pei Yuanxi.

Pei Yuanxi's eyes brimmed with moisture. "When my embroidery skills improve, I'll make clothes for you."

It was these words that ignited a spark in the youth's misty eyes, resembling the luminous stars and moon above. He had brought with him an assortment of freshly made pastries from the imperial kitchen, displaying them before her like precious treasures.

With a gentle melody, he hummed, "A child with a mother is a treasure, how fortunate to have a loving mother."

Since childhood, his mother had been that eternal figure in the cold chamber, lifeless and devoid of warmth. He had seen the children outside the palace, their joy when cradled in their mothers' arms.

If only he were still young, his mother would surely hold him, just like other mothers did, to bring him happiness. How he wished for a day when he could revert to being a child, to linger by his mother's side and indulge in endearing coquetry.

He didn't know how long he would remain here, or if he would ever witness his parents reunited.

"Mother, please have some," he offered the snack with a cheerful smile.

Pei Yuanxi listened to his off-key melody, her heart already feeling bittersweet and tender. At times, she imagined if she could transcend time and space, would she have been able to accompany him as he grew up?

The desserts tasted sweet on the tongue but left a sour ache in her stomach.

Both mother and son held their sorrows within, hiding them from each other's sight. The son intentionally acted coquettish and clingy, while the mother gradually put on a composed demeanor.

As the hour of Hai approached, Shangxing reluctantly took his leave. Familiar with the route, he made his way to the Governor's residence. The young man moved with the grace of the wind, seemingly in an excellent mood.

Upon entering his study, his brows lifted, and a broad smile illuminated his face.

"Father, I just saw at Mother's place the knee pads she made for you. The stitches are incredibly meticulous. She said the first pair was especially crafted for you. See how well she cares for you."

Behind the desk, Gongye Chu paused with his pen in hand, "She is thoughtful."

This tone and attitude did not satisfy Shangxing. The young boy's eyes twinkled slyly, "My mother is truly softhearted; when I mentioned my feet were cold, she immediately offered to make me woolen socks. She also said that once her sewing skills improve further, she would make me clothes to wear."

Gongye Chu finally lifted his head, his voice cold as he asked, "Why aren't you returning to the palace at this hour? Do you plan on skipping the early court session tomorrow as well?"

The youthful joy on his face instantly faded, and he pouted, "Yes, yes, I'll go to bed right away."

This is what a true father is like.

Back when Father wasn't here, that father didn't pay much attention to him. He could sleep as late as he wanted and skip morning court if he desired. During scorching summers, he could leave the palace at will and stay in the summer retreat for as long as he liked.

That's not the case now. His father would not tolerate his laziness.

He lingered, reluctant to leave, forcing Gongye Chu to halt. A hint of helplessness flickered in his cold gaze as he looked at him like a child who didn't understand the world.

"Is there anything else?"

"Father, I see how couples outside the palace live. The husbands' every need, from clothing to food, is tended to by their wives. Be it shoes, socks, or garments, even if not made by their own hands, they are carefully prepared with love. Look at your study, as deserted as Zhengde Hall. If you were married to Mother, you wouldn't be without someone to ask after your well-being."

Gongye Chu ignored him, and the pen in his hand resumed its movement.

He sighed softly, "Father, you raised me alone all these years. How did you manage? Don't you wish to be reunited with Mother, for our family of three to... I understand your concerns because Mother is unaware of everything. But I've been a child without a mother for far too long. I truly wish to have a few days as a child with both a father and a mother. That way, even if I were to depart one day, I would have the memories of living with both of you."

The youth's eyes misted over, a pitiable sight to behold. As the mist gathered, tears began to stream down his cheeks, and he sobbed, using his sleeve to wipe away the tears in between sobs.

"Speak your mind, no need to feign vulnerability." Gongye Chu seemed to have seen through his tactic.

Instantly, he smiled in an excessively ingratiating manner, paying no heed to the lingering tears on his face. He dug his foot into the ground and asked, "Father, do you think this plan will work?"

He was referring to Gongye Chu's plan of having Pei Yuanxi deliver gifts. While such a scheme might deceive others, it could not fool him. He could tell that Mother was not particularly keen on performing those tasks. Would Father's approach backfire?

Gongye Chu gave him a sideways glance but remained silent.

With a concerned expression and a mature demeanor beyond his years, he continued, "I don't think it'll be very effective. How can one order someone else to pursue them? This tactic might yield minimal results. If you truly want to reconcile with Mother, I believe you should switch roles."

"How so?" Gongye Chu asked coldly.

Shangxing instantly became enthusiastic, bounding over to his father with the appearance of a cunning strategist. His expression was serious, and his tone filled with mystery.

"I mean, why don't you try pursuing her? My mother is easily softened. As they say, 'a strong woman fears a persistent man.' Why not give it a shot?"

Gongye Chu frowned. "Where did you hear that phrase, 'a strong woman fears a persistent man'? I don't recall teaching you such things. Did Liu Ze teach you this?"

Liu Ze, standing outside, sneezed loudly, blaming the chilly weather for his discomfort. He could almost feel the icy gaze of his master piercing through him, followed by yet another sneeze.

Shangxing quickly denied any involvement. "No, it wasn't like that. I heard it outside the palace. Father, please give it a try? Otherwise, I'm afraid I won't live long enough to see the day you two are together."

Gongye Chu huffed coldly. "Less of this nonsense, and go back to the palace to sleep."

The obedient youth bid farewell and, as he left, cast a sympathetic glance at the seemingly wooden Liu Ze. Confused by the look, Liu Ze turned to find his master's daunting stare fixed upon him.

He shivered, feeling even colder.

Gongye Chu's gaze fell on the mended sleeve of Liu Ze's clothing. "Is this all you have? I don't remember treating you harshly. Do you not receive new uniforms each season?"

Liu Wei, as a disciplined guard, was provided with new uniforms every season.

Liu Ze hastily replied, "Your Excellency, I was afraid of damaging the new clothes. Besides, this garment is still wearable, and I couldn't bear to discard it."

Gongye Chu gave him a deep glance before striding out. Liu Ze examined himself but found nothing amiss. He followed his master in silence.

Pei Yuanxi wasn't fully asleep. She sensed someone had entered the room and felt their gaze lingering on her for a long while. The familiar aura allowed her to identify the intruder, so she pretended to be asleep without opening her eyes.

He seemed to be searching for something. Upon spotting an unfinished knee pad in the sewing basket, his cold gaze softened. He picked up the knee pad with his slender fingers, examining it meticulously.

Pei Yuanxi struggled to maintain her pretense as he lingered. After much deliberation, she feigned a startled awakening, slowly opening her eyes and displaying a look of surprise upon seeing him.

"Your Excellency."

"He's awake." He didn't turn to look at her, still engrossed in the knee pad.

She sat up slowly, yawning. "My needlework skills are poor, I hope Your Excellency won't disdain them."

Yet, inwardly, she thought, regardless of his opinion, she had done her best and could hold her head high. If he were to disdain her work, perhaps he wouldn't ask her to do such tasks in the future.

"In City Meng, the winters bring strong winds and sandstorms. My father spends all day outdoors. Every winter, he braves the wind and rain, wearing through numerous pairs of knee pads. I vaguely recall that my mother used to sew them herself, putting great care into every stitch," he said with a detached tone, which sounded somewhat melancholic to Pei Yuanxi's ears.

Back when the Dongshan Mansion still stood, he must have been a blissful child. The ancestors of the Gongye family, fearing strife between the legitimate and concubine-born children, had always forbidden concubines within the Dongshan Mansion.

Was he trying to emulate his parents by using her as a knee warmer?

She glanced over and noticed a rip on the elbow of his sleeve. It seemed to have been torn by something, leaving behind several loose threads.

The tall and aloof man suddenly wore a garment with a tear, diminishing his inherent dignity and coldness. The dangling threads swayed with his movements, but she pretended not to notice.

Perhaps sensing some awkwardness in the air, she coughed softly. He put down the knee warmer, walked to the table, and poured a cup of tea, then naturally offered it to her.

As a result, the tear in his sleeve and the floating threads were now clearly visible to her.