Chapter 35: Gift

Chapter 35: The Gift

Qiao Wan was startled by a sudden figure.

She barely managed to utter a single word—"Who?"—before being pressed against the floral screen. Her eyes widened as she looked up, immediately meeting the face inches from her own. It was pale as frost yet strikingly beautiful, with deep, intense eyes locked on hers.

"Mu Chi..." Qiao Wan frowned, calling out.

But before she could finish, Mu Chi abruptly pushed her against him, leaning down to kiss her.

His kiss was clumsy, driven purely by instinct as he sucked at her lips, like a parched fish desperately seeking its only source of water.

Qiao Wan remained frozen in place, her eyes wide with shock. It took her a moment to snap out of it before she began struggling with all her strength. "Mu Chi... how dare you!"

Mu Chi expressionlessly pinned her wrists in his large hands, lifting them high above her head. With his other hand, he gripped her waist, forcing her closer to him. Seizing the moment she opened her mouth, he instinctively forced her teeth apart.

As their lips and tongues tangled, cold, sticky blood trickled from the arm restraining Qiao Wan, flowing down her fair skin and seeping into her undergarments.

Qiao Wan smelled the strong scent of blood and noticed half of Mu Chi’s white robe stained crimson. She froze for a moment.

The bright red blood, her pale skin, and the woman clad only in undergarments—her eyes swollen, lips gleaming strangely—all seemed to stir something in Mu Chi.

His breathing grew ragged. The pure anger that had surged in his chest upon arriving had unknowingly transformed.

The deep wound brought no pain. Instead, an inexplicable heat rose within him, surging downward.

He winced as if in pain, unable to resist arching his body against hers. A low groan escaped deep in his throat, his eyes unconsciously turning red before squeezing shut.

With her limbs pinned, Qiao Wan saw his closed eyes and headbutted him hard.

A dull pain shot through her forehead, but Mu Chi was indeed pushed back by the impact. He opened his eyes, breathing heavily as he stared at her, his pale lips now stained with color.

Qiao Wan yanked her hands free, staring at the bloodstains on her wrists before glaring at Mu Chi. Enraged, she shoved him hard. "Mu Chi, you madman!"

Not caring that she was only in her undergarments, she struck and kicked him wildly with her bare arms and legs, her hair already disheveled. Even in disarray, she held nothing back. "Who do you think I am?"

"How dare you take liberties with me..."

As she spoke, she raised her hand to slap him across the face.

Mu Chi, who had remained still until now, effortlessly caught her wrist.

Qiao Wan struggled fiercely but couldn’t break free. She glared at him. "You..." Before she could say more, her eyes welled up. "What do you think this place is? Your Princess Zhaoyang’s estate?"

"If you’re in heat, go somewhere else!"

Mu Chi’s gaze flickered. "You think I mistook you for Qiao Qingni?"

"Didn’t you?" Qiao Wan glared at him angrily before reconsidering. "No, not that."

"You wouldn’t dare treat Qiao Qingni like this."

She recalled how, despite similar deliberate flattery, he had coldly watched her cough up blood and get injured, while he took an arrow for Qiao Qingni.

Qiao Wan let out a light, mocking laugh, her eyes slightly red with rampant scorn. "You couldn’t bear to treat Qiao Qingni like this."

"Because Qiao Qingni would never love a madman like you!"

"That’s why you won’t let me leave. If I’m gone, who will you unleash your madness on?"

"Qiao Wan!"

"Am I wrong?" Qiao Wan glared at him furiously. "If you have the guts, let me leave!"

Mu Chi tightened his grip on her wrist, his gaze fixed intently on her. After a long moment, he suddenly laughed. "Qiao Wan, after all this, you still want to leave."

He stepped closer, leaning down to look at her, his voice soft but low. "But Qiao Wan, do you think now that Qiao Heng has fallen, anyone here will indulge your willfulness anymore?"

"Do you think admitting fault, like you did in the carriage, can make everything as if it never happened?"

"Such wishful thinking!"

From the moment he entered Lingjing, she had barged in recklessly, disrupting all his plans.

Now she thought she could simply walk away? Not that easy.

Qiao Wan glared at him furiously, struggling against his grip to no avail. She put all her strength into breaking free, fighting desperately.

Mu Chi watched her stubborn struggles, his gaze slowly drifting downward. When he noticed her slightly reddened wrist, he paused and released her.

"Princess?" Yicui called out worriedly from outside the door.

Qiao Wan quickly rubbed her wrist and stepped back, having calmed down by now. She threw on the damp outer garment nearby and watched Mu Chi warily.

Mu Chi met her gaze, as if only now realizing what he had done. He pressed his lips together. "For now, Princess Changle should reflect on her actions within the estate."

With that, he turned and walked toward the door.

But just as he opened it, Qiao Wan’s voice came from behind:

"Will everything only be right if it returns to how it was?"

Her tone was unusually low and somber.

Mu Chi’s hand froze on the doorframe. After a long moment, he laughed softly. "If Princess Changle has the capability."

This time, without hesitation, he opened the door and left.

Yicui watched Mu Chi’s retreating figure in fear before hurriedly entering the chamber with the medicinal soup.

Qiao Wan still stood behind the screen, the damp clothing cold against her back, yet she felt no chill.

"Princess, you..." Yicui stared at her in astonishment.

Qiao Wan snapped out of her thoughts and scoffed. "I was bitten by a beast."

Unsure of what had happened but heart aching to see her princess like this, Yicui hurried forward to help her out of the damp garment. "The medicine is ready. Please change out of your wet clothes first."

Qiao Wan docilely let Yicui tend to her and obediently drank the medicine.

Yicui then had bathwater prepared, ensuring Qiao Wan soaked until her cheeks were flushed with warmth.

Later, Qiao Wan sat before the dressing table while Yicui gently combed her long hair.

As she gazed at her reflection in the bronze mirror, Qiao Wan thought back to Mu Chi’s words.

He had torn away her last shred of dignity, laying everything bare.

—On the surface, everyone still called her "Princess Changle," but in reality, everyone knew that in Lingjing now, no one would indulge her anymore.

Qiao Qingni remained the noble Princess Zhaoyang, whose destiny was such that "whoever wins her wins the world," while she, Princess Changle, was now worthless.

And she finally understood that he resented her for stopping Qiao Qingni from buying him at the Songzhu Pavilion back then.

If she hadn’t intervened, Mu Chi and Qiao Qingni would probably be together by now.

If only everything could go back to how it was…

Qiao Wan suddenly sat up straight, a glint in her eyes.

Didn’t he despise her for being domineering and rude, and admire Qiao Qingni for her gentleness and elegance?

As long as she made him hate her more and more—no one would want to keep someone they despised around.

Once she helped get him together with Qiao Qingni, he would be lost in her tender embrace and have no mind left to monitor her.

"Princess," Yicui called softly, worried by Qiao Wan’s prolonged silence, "it seems there are even more guards stationed in the residence now."

Qiao Wan murmured, "Mm-hmm."

Yicui hesitated before adding, "The money you previously hid in the cellar was also taken away by that Mu... Master Mu."

She disliked Mu Chi because, during the three days the princess lay unconscious after returning from Chuzhou, she had cried her eyes out over him.

But since the princess never spoke of it, Yicui could only pretend not to know.

Thinking of that money, Qiao Wan inwardly cursed Mu Chi a thousand times, but all she said aloud was, "It's fine."

"Then... are you still going to leave?" Yicui asked quietly.

"Leave? Of course I’m leaving!" Qiao Wan shot upright at once, pursing her lips.

There was no place for her in Lingjing. No one liked her, no one indulged her—and as it happened, she was utterly done with this city too.

Yicui looked at Qiao Wan with deep concern. She had a feeling... that Mu Chi wouldn’t let her go without a fight.

But seeing the princess’s determination to leave, she paused and only said, "This servant is willing to follow you, Princess."

Qiao Wan felt touched, her eyes welling up—but just then, the chamber door was gently knocked twice.

Yicui set down the comb and went to answer the door. When she returned, her expression was uneasy. "Princess, the shopkeeper of Yuxiu Pavilion is here."

"What does someone from Yuxiu Pavilion want?" Qiao Wan frowned.

Yicui explained, "The shopkeeper says Yuxiu Pavilion has just received new stock—all fine silken garments and gold and silver jewelry."

Qiao Wan suddenly remembered that every year on the second day of the fourth month, the Li Kingdom held its Spring Banquet, which all the young masters and ladies attended.

Yuxiu Pavilion would take the opportunity to bring in fancy new clothes and accessories for the young ladies and gentlemen to choose from.

Relying on her status as Princess Changle, she had always had the shopkeeper bring the catalog to the princess’s residence so she could have first pick whenever new goods arrived.

Thanks to that, she had always been the best-dressed year after year.

Although the situation in Lingjing had now changed, her residence was no longer as glorious as before, and she herself was essentially under house arrest...

Still, it was a significant amount of money. The shopkeeper was taking a big risk coming to ask, but he had nothing to lose.

"Princess, what do you think? Should we still accept the delivery?" Yicui asked hesitantly.

Qiao Wan let out a scoff. "Why not? Yicui, bring the catalog in for me to see."

Wasn’t being bratty, spoiled, and wasteful one of the reasons Mu Chi detested her most?

Yicui obeyed and went out, returning shortly with the catalog.

Qiao Wan skimmed through the pages, gave them a quick glance, and then closed it. "Send one of each item listed here."

Yicui was stunned, but before she could express her surprise, Qiao Wan suddenly thought of something else. She reopened the catalog and studied the jewelry carefully. "Yicui, Third Sister’s auspicious wedding date was originally at the end of the second month. Although it’s been postponed to the fifth month, many noble families must have already sent generous gifts before then, right?"

Yicui didn’t know why the princess was bringing this up, but she nodded. "Yes."

Qiao Wan said nothing more.

She had been too lazy to put effort into selecting an extravagant gift because she knew Mu Chi wouldn’t allow Qiao Qingni to marry into the Great Qi.

And indeed, that had proven true.

Qiao Wan laughed mockingly, walked to the desk, and picked up a brush to circle a few of the jewelry items.

Yicui looked over and saw that most of the circled items were couple-themed gifts popular among young couples in Lingjing—things like "intertwined pearl hairpins," "red bean jade pendants," and "gold-thread mandarin duck sachets."

"Send one set of each of these paired items to Third Sister and one to Mu Chi," Qiao Wan said as she returned the brush to its stand. "Deliver all the rest to my room."

Yicui said, "Yes," then asked, "But what about the payment..."

Qiao Wan pressed her lips together and said with a cold smile. "When the shopkeeper delivers the items in a few days, tell him to ask that Si Li for the money."

Yicui looked puzzled. "Si Li? Will he pay?"

"He took so much silver from me—this is pocket change compared to that," Qiao Wan fell silent for a moment, then lowered her eyes and said mockingly, "If he refuses, say it’s a gift for Princess Zhaoyang."

*

Si Li had spent the past few days walking on eggshells again.

He had no idea what had happened when the young master went to see Princess Changle in the heavy rain a few days ago, but upon returning, the young master had ordered increased security around the princess’s residence, with strict instructions not to let anyone leave easily.

And these past few days, the young master hadn’t gone near the princess’s residence at all. Previously, Si Li would report daily on affairs there, but now the young master outright dismissed him and even forbade anyone from mentioning the princess’s residence.

For a time, the entire Mu residence fell into hushed silence.

The only thing that never delayed was the daily medicine delivery.

Si Li mused, holding the porcelain vial in his hand.

As he arrived at the princess’s residence, Si Li tightened the reins, dismounted, and was about to hand the vial to the maid named Yicui when he noticed she wasn’t waiting at the gate today. Instead, several merchant wagons were parked outside, and workers in plain clothes were carrying crates toward the bedchamber.

"Chief Steward Si," the guards greeted him with a fist salute.

"What’s going on?" Si Li asked.

The guard hesitated. "Princess Changle bought some clothing and jewelry..." Before he could finish, Si Li heard a familiar female voice. "You can talk to him about payment."

Si Li turned and saw Yicui approaching with a merchant dressed in silk, followed by a servant carrying an exquisite rosewood box.

Si Li was confused. "Miss Yicui?"

Over the past few days, although Yicui was still somewhat afraid of these guards, she had come to see that Si Li, though stern, wasn’t inherently cruel, and she had relaxed slightly. "Si Li, the princess’s silver was confiscated, but with the change of seasons, she can't go without proper clothing and jewelry. We must trouble you to foot the bill."

Si Li was momentarily stunned, thinking it was ridiculous.

With Lingjing in turmoil, Princess Changle was still focused on things like clothes and jewelry.

But then he recalled the stuff bought in Chuzhou, and after a moment of silence, he asked, "How much?"

Yicui was just contemplating whether to name-drop Princess Zhaoyang when, unexpectedly, Si Li didn’t even ask. She hesitated before replying, "Three thousand, three hundred fifty taels."

Si Li didn’t hesitate, turning to the shopkeeper instead. "Have someone come with me to the estate to collect the silver," he said, then handed the porcelain vial to Yicui. "Miss Yicui, this is today’s medicine."

Yicui curtsied. "Thank you, Sir Si."

Si Li nodded, hesitating over whether to report today’s events to the master, when Yicui called him back. "Sir Si, please wait."

Si Li turned, confused.

Yicui brought the servant behind her forward to Si Li. "This is a gift from the princess to Master Mu."

Even the usually stone-faced and aloof Si Li couldn’t help but look surprised at the wooden box. He quickly figured that Princess Changle must have finally realized her tight spot in Lingjing and was taking the initiative to curry favor with the master.

Si Li gave a curt nod and told the servant to follow him back to the residence.

At that time, Mu Chi was in his study. During this period, the unruly factions were put down, and the court had gradually calmed down.

Mu Chi had no interest in court affairs; he merely glanced over the reports each day before handing them over to Minister Wen to handle.

Qiao Yan did want a hand in running things, but out of consideration for Qiao Qingni’s pleading for him, he was only allowed to accompany Minister Wen.

Somehow, Mu Chi’s thoughts wandered to Qiao Wan. That day, the urge he couldn’t control had nearly gotten the best of them both.

Mu Chi’s expression darkened, and he slammed down the red brush in his hand with a sharp "smack."

When Si Li entered the study carrying the sandalwood box, Mu Chi was going over documents. "Sir, I have delivered the medicine."

Mu Chi didn’t move a muscle, as if he hadn’t heard.

After a moment’s hesitation, Si Li continued, "As the season’s changing, Princess Changle has bought some outfits and jewelry…"

"I’ve said it before," Mu Chi’s gaze still fixed on the report, not looking up, his tone icy. "Don’t bother me with princess business."

"Don’t let it happen again."

Si Li shivered, and he stood silently for a few breaths.

"Is there something else?" Mu Chi finally looked up, his face as pale as ever, frowning slightly at the sight of the box in Si Li’s hands. "What is this?"

"It’s a gift from Princess Changle…"

"Throw it away." Before Si Li could finish, Mu Chi impatiently cut him off.

For a moment, Si Li felt the box in his hands had become a hot potato—stuck between tossing it and keeping it.

Steeling himself, he glanced toward the desk. The master was still looking at the report in his hand but hadn’t turned a page for a long time.

Hesitantly, Si Li ventured, "Sir, perhaps you could first see what Princess Changle has sent you? If it’s something valuable, what a waste to discard it?"

This time, Mu Chi didn’t respond.

After waiting a moment, Si Li carefully presented the box and opened it.

Inside were several fancy hairpins and perfumed pouches—red beans, intertwined branches, mostly items in pairs, all clearly luxurious at first glance.

Mu Chi glanced at them and sneered coldly. "Overpriced junk."

Si Li stole a look at him and, seeing no anger, cautiously added, "It’s also a peace offering from Princess Changle."

Mu Chi fell silent, then, as if remembering something, frowned slightly. "How’d she pay for this?"

Ever since he learned that the Jing family was getting ready to skip town, he couldn’t help but wonder if Qiao Wan was also preparing to leave with Jing Lan.

And after searching the princess’s residence, sure enough.

The several chests of gold, silver, and jewelry stored in the cellar—if he had arrived any later, she would have already run off with Jing Lan, taking everything with her.

At this, Si Li lowered his head, not daring to speak.

Seeing this, Mu Chi understood instantly. He let out a bitter laugh. "Using my silver to give me a gift—she’s clever, huh?"

What does she think I am?

Si Li wasn’t about to mention the fortune spent on those items in Chuzhou. He simply stood his ground and said, "Princess Changle has probably realized that only you, Sir, can has her back in Lingjing now, which is why…"

"Why should I protect her?" Mu Chi interrupted him, took a gold pin from the box to examine it briefly before tossed it back with a scoff.

"Nothing but extravagance."

Yet the ice in his eyes clearly began to thaw.

Author's Note:

Mu Chi: Did you think anyone in Lingjing would still put up with your antics?!

Si Li: …

Mu Chi: What does she take me for?

Wan Wan: Her cash cow.