The weather had been poor since early morning, oppressively pressing down a layer of rain that seemed ready to fall but wouldn’t. Chu Mingxi thus didn’t go out. After breakfast, the two sisters stayed in their mother’s room, chatting while doing some handiwork.
“Before we know it, autumn will be here. With this kind of rain falling nonstop, and famine and disaster refugees outside, who knows what the harvests on the estate will be like.” Qi Xiaolong, as the mistress of the household, was flipping through the family account books, intending to teach her daughters a few things. She looked up to see one daughter holding a medical text, the other seated by the window practicing calligraphy, both in the prime of their jade-like youth.
Chu Mingyu finished writing a character and lifted her brush. “It’ll probably just be poor. The other day Uncle Kang said notices were posted outside the prefectural office—the court has allocated disaster relief funds to the southern commanderies. Didn’t Sister also say our shops donated quite a bit of silver?” As she spoke, she winked at her sister.
Chu Mingxi’s eyes hadn’t left the book in her hand. Chu Mingyu pouted unhappily. Her sister turned a page, then said unhurriedly, “The silver from the Imperial Medicine Hall is taken from the people. Now, using it for the people is nothing bad.”
“Yes, yes, Sister runs a Medicine Hall with the heart of a Bodhisattva, while I’m just the money-counting miser.” As she said this, she started laughing at her own joke first.
Qi Xiaolong smiled too, shaking her head.
The mother and two daughters were busy bantering when a maid suddenly reported a matter from outside. Yining lifted the door curtain for her to enter. The maid curtsied: Heir Wei from the Grand General’s Mansion had sent in a visiting card, seeking an audience with the Eldest Miss.
“Again?” Chu Mingyu exclaimed first, putting down her brush. “I’ll go meet him!”
Chu Mingxi signaled to Yining, who was serving nearby. Yining nodded slightly and followed out.
For a moment, only Madam Chu and Chu Mingxi remained in the room. Qi Xiaolong secretly observed her daughter’s expression, but couldn’t discern anything after a long while. This eldest daughter of hers, excellent in every way, except she kept things too deeply in her heart, her temperament too aloof. But then, managing such a large family business, she couldn’t just let anyone read her thoughts, could she?
She couldn’t focus on the account books anymore. She rose and walked to her daughter’s side, speaking with a somewhat earnest tone: “Your mother knows you. You’ve always abided by the family precepts handed down from your grandfather—to both help the world and take care of yourself. You said ‘a marquis’s mansion is as deep as the sea.’ But your mother observes that Heir Wei is truly sincere towards you, isn’t he?”
Chu Mingxi pursed her lips silently, still looking down at the medical book in her hands. She read two lines, then realized she had already read this page before.
“And your feelings for him? Truly, not a single bit of meaning?”
“Mother~~~” Chu Mingxi closed the medical book, then felt the gesture was overly defensive. But she didn’t know her mother had already seen the tips of her ears turn red.
“The Grand Princess has always had a reputation for virtue. She could give you that Golden Dragon Bracelet, naturally she values you. If you married into the Marquis Mansion, I doubt they would bully you with their power.” Qi Xiaolong rarely saw her daughter showing a hint of shyness. Her heart filled with joy, she lifted her hand to hold her in her arms as she did when she was little. “People say a priceless treasure is easy to seek, but a devoted lover is hard to find. Our family doesn’t covet wealth and glory. Your mother simply hopes you marry well, marry as you wish, marry someone your heart approves of.”
“Eldest Miss.” Yining’s low call came from outside.
“Come in.” Chu Mingxi straightened up and placed the medical book on the table.
Yining first half-bowed to Madam Chu. Seeing Miss Chu hadn’t signaled her to avoid the topic, she replied with a smile: “Heir Wei came to seek an audience with the Eldest Miss. The Second Young Miss blocked him at the front and won’t let him through. The Heir didn’t put on airs; he talked nicely but just keeps lingering, refusing to leave. The Second Young Miss can’t do anything about him; she’s still in the front hall.”
Chu Mingxi gave an “Mm” of acknowledgment, but it was Madam Chu who asked: “The Marquis Mansion isn’t close to our home. Arriving at this hour, he probably hasn’t had breakfast yet?”
“I couldn’t tell,” Yining replied. “On my way back just now, I heard the Second Young Miss ordering them to serve iced melon.” She couldn’t help but cover her mouth with a laugh. “Saying the rare delicacies the Marquis Mansion has, our mansion has too. On this hot day, let the Heir taste some iced melons.”
“That child.” Qi Xiaolong laughed upon hearing this, then added, “Still have the cook send some pastries over. A distant traveler is an honored guest; don’t slight them.”
Yining acknowledged and went back to the front. Chu Mingxi’s jade-white fingertips tapped the table. Suddenly, she said, “I’ll go take a look.” Without waiting for her mother’s surprised gaze, she lifted the door curtain herself and followed out.
Arriving at the Front Hall, Chu Mingyu and Wei Qingchen each had a teacup on the corner tables beside them, and beside the cups was a small plate of red-centered iced melon cut into cubes. Wei Qingchen was holding the small silver spoon specifically for eating fruits and vegetables, clearly already eating.
Chu Mingxi suddenly emerged from behind the Floral Screen, startling everyone in the Front Hall.
Wei Qingchen hurriedly put down the silver spoon, smiling faintly as she looked at her, her eyes carrying a glow of delight still unknown to her.
“Mingxi!”
All the maids nearby stared wide-eyed. Chu Mingyu was so shocked she forgot to close her mouth.
Chu Mingxi glared at her angrily. Wei Qingchen hastily corrected herself: “Oh, Miss Chu, you… you’re here.”
Summer clothing was thin. When she had reached out to eat the iced melon earlier, a sliver of skin at her wrist was now exposed. That skin was not as fair and delicate as Chu Mingxi’s, clearly often exposed to the harsh sun, showing the healthy, wheat-like tone of the fields.
Chu Mingxi stared at that strip of skin for several moments. Finally, unable to resist, her slender fingers brushed over it and pressed down on her pulse.
Chu Mingyu’s jaw nearly dropped to the floor!
Chu Mingxi frowned slightly. “Did you eat breakfast this morning?”
“Huh?” Wei Qingchen froze, then quickly said, “Mm… I did.”
Chu Mingxi’s hand didn’t leave her wrist. Her gaze fell upon the clearly iced melon. After a long moment, she released her hand, her gaze lifting, heavy with a questioning look. “Truly?”
Wei Qingchen’s face slowly reddened. She withdrew her hand and replied apologetically, “Not truly…”
Chu Mingxi: …
“Take the iced melon away. Have the kitchen send some pastries.”
Chu Mingxi gave the order in a slow, measured voice. As if responding to her words, just as her voice fell, Yining arrived carrying a food box, followed by a little maid. Soon, five or six small snacks were arranged on the corner table.
Chu Mingyu had a portion of honey walnut cake before her. She had just eaten breakfast not long ago and couldn’t possibly eat more. Looking up, she saw Heir Wei had three or four plates set before her. But the Heir’s eyes were glued to her sister, as if she couldn’t pull them away no matter what.
After the little maids arranged the pastries, Yining led them out in a flowing stream. Chu Mingxi had just lifted her foot when someone tugged her sleeve.
She turned her head to glare at her. Wei Qingchen had to let go but feared she would still leave. She could only stammer, “Miss Chu, can you… can you have some breakfast with me? These pastries look quite good.”
Chu Mingyu burst out laughing with a “pfft.” Her sister looked over, and she hastily stood up, her tone slightly exaggerated: “Oh dear, I just remembered Mother is still looking for me. I’ll go back to her room now. Sister, take your time with the Heir.”
The room fell quiet. Only an arm’s length apart, Wei Qingchen gently and politely cupped her hands and bowed. “Miss Chu, that day I was ill and couldn’t properly thank you. You’ve saved me twice now. Thank you.”
“Knowing you were ill, you still ate iced melon on an empty stomach? Using your internal organs to warm it?”
“I’m all better now.”
Chu Mingxi turned back, a slight smile seeming to play at the corner of her mouth. “If you’re better, then please leave.”
“Ah! Well, actually, I’m not fully recovered yet. Look, I traveled half the capital on an empty stomach; it’s worn me out. Let me have a pastry first.” She picked up a piece of steamed milk cake from the celadon plate and bit off a corner.
Chu Mingxi’s brows and eyes curved slightly. She turned around. “Heir, please take your time.”
Seeing she was still leaving, Wei Qingchen grew anxious. Her left hand lifted, but she couldn’t bring herself to pull her back. She could only call out urgently, “Mingxi…”
Chu Mingxi’s back was to her. Her fingers curled inside her wide sleeve, then loosened again.
“Is there anything else, Heir Wei?” Turning away while speaking was impolite. She had to turn back, seeing Wei Qingchen still holding half a piece of cake. Her brows and eyes curved again, wanting to laugh.
She held it in.
Detecting her gaze, Wei Qingchen put down the pastry, quite embarrassed. “Miss Chu, I came today to talk to you about my marriage…”
Chu Mingxi raised a hand, her slender, jade-like finger pointing faintly. Wei Qingchen immediately understood and stopped. Chu Mingxi lightened her footsteps, circled around the Floral Screen, walked to the carved, openwork door connecting to the back hall, and suddenly opened it.
“Ouch!” Chu Mingyu’s muffled yelp of pain came from behind the door.
The door closed again. Chu Mingxi walked back. Wei Qingchen’s smile still lingered, like a clear breeze under a bright moon.
Chu Mingxi cleared her throat lightly. Wei Qingchen, taking the hint, continued: “The day before yesterday in the palace, my uncle… inquired about my marriage.”
“Your uncle?” A flicker of confusion crossed Chu Mingxi’s face, then realization dawned. “His Majesty?”
“Mm…”
“So?”
“So, if you don’t agree soon, I fear my uncle will arrange a marriage for me.”
“Are you threatening me?” Chu Mingxi was exasperated to the point of laughter. Truly, not three sentences without infuriating her!
“Of course not.” Wei Qingchen lowered her head, looking at the intricate embroidery on her wide sleeve, a touch of grievance unconsciously entering her voice. “I was thinking, you went to such great lengths to save me. Surely you wouldn’t then just watch me be executed.”
Chu Mingxi: “…”
“No matter who His Majesty betroths me to, with this identity of mine, how is it any different from a death sentence? For others, execution might be a cup of poisoned wine or three feet of white silk. If I were found out, my entire family would be implicated.” Wei Qingchen no longer spoke of protecting her or accommodating her. During the last rejection, Chu Mingxi had made it very clear: she could live well without her, and the Imperial Medicine Hall could be managed however she wished, no one would interfere.
It wasn’t that Chu Mingxi couldn’t be apart from her. It was her, she was the one begging Chu Mingxi to condescend to marry her.
“Eldest Miss Chu practices medicine with universal compassion, having the benevolent heart of a sage. Since you have saved me twice, why not… save me one more time.”
Chu Mingxi: “…”
Chu Mingxi was utterly speechless.
