Chapter 26 – Xiao Feiyan’s Apology

Chapter 26 - Xiao Feiyan's Apology

As Chunya left, Su Youyue hugged the hot water bottle tighter and gazed at the sun outside the window.

The entire courtyard was shimmering under the sunlight, with a row of icicles hanging from the eaves, clear as crystal, reflecting the deep blue sky. A small smile tugged at the corners of Su Youyue's lips.

In her previous life, how long had it been since she had taken the time to appreciate such scenery?

The Lu family were accustomed to their extravagant lifestyle, squandering without restraint. She was preoccupied with managing the business and household affairs, wearing out several wheelchairs and replacing them multiple times. Amidst all that hustle and bustle, there was no room for appreciating the snow.

Now that she was free from the Lu family, she felt exceptionally refreshed. Once Chunya returned, the Lu family would be too preoccupied with their own troubles to sully her reputation any further!

Su Youyue was in high spirits when an unexpected figure caught her eye.

Xiao Feiyan had just entered the courtyard and noticed the young girl looking out. Amidst the blanket of pristine white, that splash of vibrant color was particularly captivating.

It was her first visit to Su Youyue's quarters. Just a few days ago, she had openly ridiculed her. Initially, she felt uneasy about this visit, but as she drew closer, her nervousness dissipated, sensing a hint of kindness in the other's gaze.

"Miss Xiao?" Su Youyue blinked.

Other matters she could anticipate, but never did she expect Xiao Feiyan to come looking for her personally. After all, those outsiders avoided her like a calamity and never visited her.

Xiao Feiyan pursed her lips, a hint of discomfort on her face. "Don't misunderstand. I'm not here to play. Today, I came to apologize for my accusations without knowing the full story. If you want to scold me, go ahead. I won't retaliate, but please don't use the whip."

Yesterday, upon returning home, she couldn't shake off the feeling that Su Youyue was telling the truth. That maid must have committed more than one misdeed. The more she thought about it, the more she felt used by the maid's public denouncement of her own mistress.

She had sent someone to inquire, and as a result, learned early this morning that the Su family had indeed found a significant stash in the maid's quarters, valued at no less than five thousand taels!

The realization that her kindness had been exploited for evil left a bitter taste in her mouth, breeding resentment towards Su Qian and guilt towards Su Youyue. She couldn't even eat breakfast that morning.

Upon hearing about the incident, Lady Jinghaihou lost her previous fondness for Su Qian. "I thought she was a good person when I encouraged your friendship. Someone who would damage her sister's reputation in public can't have a good heart. Go and apologize to the eldest Miss Su, then avoid any further contact with the second Miss."

Xiao Feiyan's eyes lit up. "Mother, aren't you afraid that I'll bring bad luck upon myself by visiting her?"

She wanted to apologize to Su Youyue, but remembering Lin Wanwan's fear yesterday of Su Youyue causing trouble, she hesitated, not wanting her parents to scold her too.

"What bad luck? It's just gossip from outsiders. That second Miss Su claims to be a harbinger of fortune. Look at her actions. Does she truly deserve such a title? Although the eldest Miss has a questionable reputation, have you ever seen her harm anyone in all these years?"

Lady Jinghaihou patted her daughter's hand. "If you made a mistake, apologize. Our Jinghaihou Estate doesn't fear gossip. We only seek to act with a clear conscience!"

Xiao Feiyan, emboldened by her mother's encouragement, stepped forward confidently. She still remembered the astonishment on the Su household servants' faces when they realized she wasn't visiting Su Qian but Su Youyue instead – it was as if they had seen a ghost.

Had no one visited Su Youyue all these years?

Just this thought made Xiao Feiyan pity the eldest miss of the Su family. She looked at Su Youyue with sympathy, only to find the same emotion reflected in the other girl's eyes...

This was the second reason for her visit. She felt that Su Youyue's attitude towards her was off, and she wanted to understand why.

Su Youyue was taken aback by Xiao Feiyan's unexpected apology. She didn't expect the girl to be so humble and unbothered by her reputation as a bringer of misfortune.

Recalling her previous life's tragic end, she couldn't help but wonder if the heavens were truly blind, rewarding the wicked and punishing the virtuous.

But soon, she dismissed such thoughts.

Heaven doesn't shield the wicked, and earth doesn't harbor filth. Since the heavens had given her a second chance, it must be to rectify this unjust fate!

"I accept your apology," Su Youyue said sincerely, her eyebrows curving into a warm smile.

When she smiled, her eyes transformed into crescent moons, shimmering brightly and leaving Xiao Feiyan mesmerized.

In the past, she had seen Su Youyue too, but her gaze always avoided others, filled with timidity. She only knew that she was pretty, but never imagined that her radiant smile could be so captivating...

"Then... can you tell me why you always look at me with such a pitiful expression?" Xiao Feiyan was straightforward by nature and couldn't hold back her curiosity.

Looking at her innocence, Su Youyue couldn't help but feel a similarity between them – how liberating it was to speak one's mind.

Unfortunately, she couldn't reveal the truth. Otherwise, Xiao Feiyan would surely consider her a freak, and the Jing'an Marquisate would label her as a bane.

Thus, she sighed softly, "Miss Xiao, you're not mistaken. I do pity you, for we share a similar plight."

Xiao Feiyan was perplexed, unable to comprehend how she and Su Youyue could possibly have anything in common.

Lowering her eyes, a hint of sorrow in them, Su Youyue continued, "Miss Xiao, people say I was jilted because I'm a calamity, because my conduct is poor, and that on the day of the broken engagement, I even dared to provoke Elder Madam Lu. But they don't know that I wish I could tell them – not only did I want to confront Elder Madam Lu, but also Lu Song, and his entire Lu family!"

"..." The young girl's eyes widened. Was this something she was supposed to hear?

Had Su Youyue gone mad due to the broken engagement?

"Because they all remain unaware that Lu Song is a heartless scoundrel deserving of heavenly punishment. He had a clear engagement with me yet betrayed it by engaging in an affair with his cousin long ago, even fathering a son who's already over three years old!"

The entire family was well aware of this yet concealed it from me. They even had the audacity to ask me for silver every month to support their household, that woman, and the illegitimate child she bore! Do you think I should spare them a beating?"

Xiao Feiyan, a proper lady, was so stunned that her mouth gaped wide open. "Y-You're... You're serious?"

Jin'er was equally astonished. When did this happen? Miss had never mentioned it to her before?

Su Youyue nodded. "Absolutely true. Would I dare to fabricate such a matter? I've already dispatched people to douse that concubine and her child with feces today. By tomorrow, the news of Lu Song's concubine giving birth to an illegitimate child will have spread throughout the Imperial City!"