Chapter 25

Chapter 25

“Xiao Lin, what do you mean by that?” Ye Shuang’s voice was choked with emotion.

“You know exactly what I mean. If I hadn’t intercepted that hairpin today, I might have truly been fooled, believing you genuinely cared for me. But now it seems the Ye family excels at feigning sincerity. Your pretentious demeanor is just to cling to the title of Marquess’s wife, isn’t it?”

“Is that truly how you see me?” Ye Shuang leaned sideways on the couch, looking up at Xiao Lin, her words trembling at the end.

Xiao Lin remained silent, his unspoken agreement confirming her fears.

“That hairpin was accidentally dropped at the Pei residence on the day of Pei Shu’s coming-of-age ceremony.”

“Then why did you leave midway, and why did you return with Pei Yu? Can you honestly say you didn’t speak to him?”

“Xiao Lin, you’re going too far! I only met Pei Yu for the first time that day. Even now, I’ve only seen him a handful of times. How could you suspect there’s something between us? Am I truly so contemptible in your eyes?”

“You know very well what you’ve done.”

“I simply got lost in the Pei residence and happened to run into Master Pei, so I asked him to guide me back.”

Xiao Lin sat down by the table, his face grim, unmoved by Ye Shuang’s explanations. “You left midway, and shortly after, Pei Yu also left. You even ventured into the backyard—how can I not suspect a secret rendezvous?”

“I never told you I went to the backyard. How did you know?” Ye Shuang pondered for a moment. “Was it you behind the bushes that day?”

Xiao Lin straightened his robes. “It wasn’t me.”

“Then it must have been someone else. Did Liu Yiyi tell you?”

Xiao Lin’s reaction spoke volumes.

Ye Shuang laughed bitterly, feeling the profound irony. “So you believed her words, and nothing I say matters anymore?”

“Originally, I had my doubts. But receiving this hairpin today—how could I not believe it? Even if you have no feelings for him, there’s no guarantee he isn’t trying to get close to you. I saw the way he looked at you that day. As a man, I know exactly what he was thinking!”

“So what if that’s the case? Didn’t you already decide to divorce me in the future? Why bother with all this now?”

Xiao Lin’s expression shifted. “That was my intention. But before the divorce, you must still conduct yourself properly. Don’t cause any scandals that would make the Marquis of Yongding a laughingstock!”

With that, Xiao Lin stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Ye Shuang smiled bitterly as the candlelight flickered, tears silently streaming down her face.

The two had a fierce argument.

In the days that followed, Xiao Lin did not appear again. Ye Shuang sat listlessly in her room, worse off than before. She hadn’t touched her favorite storybooks for days, and her maids were worried but dared not approach to console her.

Ye Shuang spent those days lying down, her mind filled with memories of their childhood. Back then, she and Xiao Lin studied together at the academy. Her grades were always the best, and she was well-liked by their teacher. Xiao Lin, always slightly behind her, was often resentful and would frequently pick on her, making her cry. But the next day, he would always bring her novel trinkets to apologize. Once, he even got into a fight with the magistrate’s eldest son because the latter had dirtied Ye Shuang’s book and called her a motherless child. Xiao Lin, still young and small, wrestled with the boy in the dirt, getting covered in dust and earning a scolding from their teacher. After that incident, he and Ye Shuang became inseparable, their bond growing stronger day by day.

Seeing how well the two children got along, Ye Shuang’s grandfather discussed with Marquis Xiao and arranged their engagement, planning for them to marry once they came of age.

Later, her grandfather passed away, and Marquis Xiao was framed by enemies. Ye Shuang moved to Lin’an with the Ye family, and the engagement was put on hold. Over the years, she tried to gather news about Xiao Lin, hoping to learn that he was safe. At first, she heard snippets—that he had been adopted by the Prince of Pingyang and taken to Lin’an. Later, news became sporadic, and after she moved to Liyang, she lost touch with events in Lin’an. Gradually, she heard nothing more about him.

Life went on as usual for her. During those turbulent years, she feared both the absence of news about Xiao Lin and the possibility of hearing something terrible. It wasn’t until the Prince of Pingyang ascended the throne and Xiao Lin was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Yongding that she finally learned of his whereabouts.

But when they met again, everything had changed. On their wedding night, Xiao Lin’s gaze was chillingly cold. He did not stay with her that night, choosing instead to sleep in the study. These things weighed heavily on her heart, though she pretended not to care. She couldn’t understand how things had come to this. Tears seemed endless, soaking her pillow only to dry again, blurring the lines between day and night.

Her heart ached so much she could barely breathe. Unable to bear it any longer, she wiped away her tears, got up, and took a dark blue cloak from a chest. She picked up a pair of scissors, intending to cut it to pieces.

Just then, Nanny Liu entered and saw Ye Shuang sitting by the lamp, scissors in hand, silently weeping. She hurried over. “Madam, please don’t grieve. You must look after yourself.”

Ye Shuang remained lost in thought, unsure if she had even heard.

Nanny Liu glanced at the cloak and sighed. “You spent three months embroidering this cloak. If it makes you feel better, go ahead and cut it up.”

Ye Shuang held the scissors, staring blankly at the cloak.

Nanny Liu added, “It’s just a pity. It’s almost finished—only the fur collar is missing.”

Ye Shuang paused for a moment, then finally put down the scissors and picked up her needle and thread to resume her work.

Nanny Liu quickly took the scissors. “Madam, try to calm down. The Marquis has been very busy lately and might have spoken harshly in the heat of the moment. Disagreements are inevitable in a marriage. No matter what, the Marquis still holds you in high regard.”

Ye Shuang did not respond, her fingers swiftly finishing the last stitches.

Nanny Liu stepped forward to cut the thread. “Your skills have improved even more, Madam. This ginkgo leaf is exquisitely embroidered. But most people embroider cloud or lotus patterns—why a single leaf on the collar?”

Ye Shuang forced a faint smile. “I once saw the most beautiful ginkgo leaves. Ginkgo trees are often planted in temples and monasteries, and seeing a tree full of them is said to bring good luck. I hope this garment can protect its wearer from harm.”

Nanny Liu said, “The Marquis will understand your intentions. This garment will surely protect him and help him overcome dangers.”

A drop of candle wax dripped, shortening the red candle once more.

Under the candlelight, the golden ginkgo leaf on the collar looked vivid and lifelike, two halves of one stem, like lovers leaning against each other.

-

A few days later, Ye Shuang slowly regained her strength, able to sit up and eat, and even dress up a little. Her spirits improved, though occasionally, when her sleeves accidentally slipped, revealing the bright red marks on her wrists, she would still feel dazed.

Wen Xiang entered and announced that the ceremonial robe reserved for the palace banquet was ready and waiting in the outer room for Ye Shuang’s inspection. She asked if Ye Shuang would like to see it.

Ye Shuang paused, her hand holding the spoon still.

Time had flown—the palace banquet was less than half a month away.

“Nanny Liu, please go check it for me. The measurements should be fine, so there shouldn’t be any issues.”

Nanny Liu obeyed and left.

Wen Xiang remained standing there, hesitating. Noticing her expression, Ye Shuang asked, “Is there something else?”

“The Marquis sent word that he will come to the west courtyard tonight.”

“Oh,” Ye Shuang replied indifferently and continued eating her porridge.

Wen Xiang cautiously added, “Should we make preparations, Madam?”

“He’s probably coming to discuss the palace banquet. You may go.”

“Then I’ll prepare everything as usual for the Marquis’s visit.”

Wen Xiang turned to leave.

Ye Shuang added, “Tell the kitchen to make some Peach Blossom Pastries. The Marquis likes them.”

Wen Xiang brightened and nodded happily. “I’ll go right away!”