Chapter 8

My birthday was approaching.

I asked Wang Xi what he had prepared this year. He was mysterious about it and said it was a secret.

I laughed at him. “I guess it every year. So boring. You’ll have to try harder this time, Brother.”

Pinching my cheek, he laughed too. “I guarantee you’ll be pleased this year. Don’t go running about on your birthday. Stay home and be good.”

Then red lanterns went up throughout the residence. His wedding to Zhao Qingyi had been set for my birthday.

He even asked me to accompany her to have her bridal crown and robes made.

Furious, I argued with him in front of Wang Yun.

“I hate you!”

I grabbed a vase and smashed it to the floor. Flying shards left a shallow cut across Wang Xi’s face.

Wang Yun’s eyes blazed at once. “Apologize to your brother!”

“You only ever protect him, Father. You’re biased. I’m done arguing with you both.”

“Yaoyao.” Wang Xi tried to stop me, his voice slightly stern.

I ignored him and ran out crying.

I had made that scene deliberately.

I needed them to think I was merely jealous. That way, even if I went out often before Wang Xi’s wedding, they would assume I was sulking and would not guard against me.

He came very late that night.

He brought a small chest.

I was crying over the table when he patted my shoulder.

I turned away and would not let him touch me.

He persisted, turning me back toward him. “Everything I own is in here.”

Still bent over the table, my voice thick with tears, I said, “What has that to do with me?”

“I’m giving it all to you.”

I lifted my eyes from between my arms and looked at him through blurred tears. What did he mean?

Money to placate his little mistress?

He rubbed my hair. “Don’t worry. I won’t let you be wronged.

“I’ll be busy for a while and won’t have time to see you. Be good and wait for me.”

The cut on his face was very visible. It looked painful.

Sniffling, I reached up to touch it. “I didn’t mean to.”

“When will our Yaoyao learn to care about someone?”

My heart tightened. I could not name what I felt.

I lied to him; he let me down. That made us even, didn’t it?

Wang Xi left.

I felt bereft.

If he stayed away, he would not interrupt me.

I would be busy too. I had to report Wang Yun to the Censorate and arrange to leave the Wang residence.

A few days before the wedding, Wang Xi did not visit, but sent his wet nurse to watch over me every day.

“Sleep early, miss. Keep your complexion fresh. You’ll have plenty to do in a few days.”

Fortunately, her old eyes were failing.

The night before his wedding, I escaped, leaving a dummy in my room. She did not notice.