Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Three days later, Pei Ying came to our manor as promised.

The formal proposal, the request for my birth card, the matching of our horoscopes, the divination of an auspicious date, the delivery of the betrothal letter…

In a mere four days, the matter of my marriage to Pei Ying was settled.

In the main hall, Father smiled obsequiously at Pei Ying.

“This daughter of mine is dull and slow by nature. Even becoming the Heir Apparent’s concubine would be reaching far above her station. By some stroke of fortune, she has earned the Heir Apparent’s affection, and you are even willing to take her as your lawful wife. I only hope that after the wedding, she will be gentle, virtuous, and fit to manage a household, so as not to fail the Heir Apparent’s fond regard…”

Father had always had a talent for making a spectacle of himself.

Elder Sister and I lowered our heads, terrified that the slightest unfilial smile might show before others.

A teacup was set down heavily on the table with a crisp click, cutting off Father’s belittling words.

Pei Ying looked at him coldly, his tone indifferent.

“The betrothal letter has been delivered, and the wedding date has been set. She is my future wife, a future titled lady of the court. Uncle, please be more careful with such demeaning words.”

Looking at Father’s ashen face, his anger bottled up with nowhere to go, I lowered my head, unable to stop the faint curve of my lips.

When I raised my eyes again, Pei Ying was gazing at me with tender affection.

The instant our eyes met, my heart gave a violent leap, and everything inside me was thrown into sudden disorder.

The feeling came so abruptly that I flushed, at a loss for what to do.

Not far away, Pei Ying was smiling.

Elder Sister was smiling too.

And so, blushing, I smiled as well.

The pair of wild geese Pei Ying brought with the betrothal gifts were terribly noisy.

So noisy that they unsettled my heart, leaving me tossing and turning through the night, unable to sleep.

Moonlight spilled across the floor like frost. The room was lonely and cold.

Then, at the door, there came a soft creak.

The door opened.

Then closed again.

Elder Sister walked gently and gracefully to my bedside.

I shut my eyes and pretended to be fast asleep.

She bent down and tucked the corners of my quilt in for me, afraid I might catch even the slightest chill.

Elder Sister was crying again.

Her sobs were broken and soft, her voice choked.

“When Mother was still alive, she often told me that Father was heartless and ungrateful, unworthy of being a father, a husband, or a son. She said she had wronged us sisters by giving us such a father. That was why, before she died, she spent the last of her strength arranging my marriage. But when it was Suisui’s turn, she could no longer even lift a finger…”

“When she passed, her eyes were still open. I was the one who reached out and closed them for her.”

“I knew what Mother was worried about. She knew that after she was gone, once Suisui came of age, Father would surely use Suisui’s marriage to trade for whatever benefit he wanted.”

“I was afraid too. That is why, for the past half year, I have been anxious day and night, terrified that after I left this family, I still would not have found Suisui a good home.”

“Thankfully, all has ended well. Suisui is going to marry into the Yongning Marquis Manor.”

“Elder Sister is truly so happy today!”

I turned over, putting my back to Elder Sister.

I was afraid she would see the tears running down my face.

In my previous life, on the night Pei You came to ask for my hand, Elder Sister had said the same thing.

After Mother passed, Elder Sister treated me extremely well.

She worried that I would not eat properly, worried that I would not grow tall, worried that others would bully me…

I had always known that I was Elder Sister’s burden.

Her marriage to her fiancé had been delayed again and again because of me.

Half a year ago, Elder Sister’s future mother-in-law had spoken to me with veiled meaning, smiling as she said, “If you don’t have a good place to go, I’m afraid Ming Hui won’t be willing to enter our family. Second Miss Ming is truly fortunate to have an elder sister who plans everything for you.”

Elder Sister was anxious, and so was I.

That was why, though I did not like Pei You, I still married him.

Who would have thought that in the end, I would meet an early death?

Having returned to live this life again, I avoided Pei You.

I chose Pei Ying, a man of noble character.

In this life, I think I will not be worn down by suffering again, nor end up drowning to death in the end.

That way, Elder Sister will not be heartbroken.

I closed my eyes, and amid Elder Sister’s murmurs, half crying and half laughing, I drifted into a hazy sleep.

In my dream, Mother smiled and said to me, “Suisui, this is a very good marriage. Marry with peace of mind.”