Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The moment I finished speaking, I saw his expression change completely, and only then did I feel a surge of satisfaction.

I was just about to turn with a flick of my sleeve and make a graceful exit, but somehow I put too much force into it. I whipped around, tripped, and fell flat on my face. My snow-white skirts rolled all through the mud, and I lay there for ages, unable to get up.

Behind me, Wang Yu looked down at me from above, with absolutely no intention of offering a hand.

By the time I finally managed to crawl up with Xiao Mei’s help, I heard the clear ring of metal. He had merely adjusted the ancient-looking sword at his waist, his expression calm and unruffled.

“Remember. Stay away from Young Master Cui.”

I did not argue. I simply got to my feet in silence and, supporting the terrified Xiao Mei, limped away.

By the time I reached home, the back of my dress was soaked through with cold sweat.

This Wang Clan Legitimate Son had entered court at a young age and had enjoyed smooth sailing all his life. He had always held the power of life and death, his word absolute. How could such a lofty, proud man ever tolerate an insult from a mere concubine-born daughter?

This time, I had taken advantage of him with my words, and he had immediately been moved to kill.

Just now, if I had not taken such a spectacularly wretched fall and made him look down on me, then at this very moment…

I would probably already be a corpse!

Only after returning home did I realize something.

My handkerchief, along with my dignity, had been left behind in the bamboo grove.

My legitimate younger sister, Jinxiu, saw me sitting under the corridor in a daze and immediately began probing. “Well? Young Master Cui rejected you again?”

When I ignored her completely, Nan Jinxiu stood beside me and advised in a gentle voice, “Jinping, if truly no one will marry you, then when I marry, you can come along as part of my dowry.”

I remained unmoved.

The first time I heard her say that, I had been so furious I nearly ground my teeth to powder. I went back to my room, smashed every vase and ornament in sight, and cried the whole night in front of my birth mother’s portrait.

Why?

Why could she be a wife, while I could only be a concubine?

Later, after hearing it enough times, I grew used to it. She herself was nothing special in the looks department; she merely wanted me to help win over her husband’s heart on her behalf.

A beautiful dream. Unfortunately for her, Father might not agree.

After all, the six concubine-born elder sisters above me had all been sold by him to noble households as concubines in exchange for his career prospects.

Seeing me remain silent, Nan Jinxiu grew even more smug. She leaned closer with a beaming smile and said, “The day after tomorrow, Master Hongsu will be translating scriptures at Hong’en Temple and giving a public lecture on the Youxuan Lun. The sons of the great families will all gather there. Mother will let me look over the young master of the Huan Clan. Why don’t you come with me?”

How very strange.

It was rare for her to be so kind. Was she not afraid I would steal her limelight?

And that was not all.

On the day of departure, Madam Nan ordered the maids from her own quarters to dress me and sent over a crimson spring blouse. I, who had always survived on Nan Jinxiu’s old clothes, found myself unable to feel happy for once.

Because the blouse was cut to fit me perfectly. Clearly, it had been specially made for me.

If she was arranging for her own daughter to inspect a prospective husband, why have clothes made for me?

No matter how unwilling I was, I did not dare offend my legitimate mother. And so, with the carriages and horses all in order, I followed the procession in grand fashion all the way to Hong’en Temple.

After noon, the carriages reached the foot of the mountain. Several dozen masters and servants of the Nan Family slowly made their way up the winding path. Ahead, pines and cedars screened the temple gate; mountains rose on all sides, and ancient halls could be faintly seen among them.

Several monks led us to the meditation rooms behind the mountain. Nan Jinxiu and I wore veils, accompanying Madam Nan on her left and right. As we passed by a clan procession of nearly a hundred people, she hurriedly pulled us aside.

“Look. Those are the people of the Huan Clan.”

At this, Nan Jinxiu’s face blossomed into a smile. “Is Huan Wulang there too?”

Huan Wu was the suitor with the best family background among those who had recently proposed to her. Though he was from a collateral branch, he was a legitimate son, and the main branch backing him had abundant wealth. In short, Madam Nan was extremely satisfied with him. She immediately pointed him out with a smile.

“The one up ahead in the dark-green gauze robe and jade crown-that is Huan Wu. Daughter, stand beneath the tree and have a careful look.”

With just one glance, Nan Jinxiu and I both sucked in a sharp breath.

Madam Nan said happily, “Well?”

The man was four feet tall in total, of which his jade crown accounted for one foot and the thick soles of his shoes another. If he stood next to Nan Jinxiu, she could tuck him under her armpit and carry him around with ease.

“Very good. Very good indeed.”

I gave a perfunctory reply, then saw Nan Jinxiu’s eyes turn hazy, a blush spreading across both cheeks. I had no idea where she was looking. I swept my gaze around and immediately understood.

By then, the Huan Clan’s procession had long since moved away. Coming toward us were the Wang and Cui families.

The man at the front wore a black robe that fell in loose folds. He was surrounded by attendants before and behind him, yet his eyes were languid and indifferent. His beauty was so striking that one hardly dared look directly at him. Lowering my gaze, I saw that his black shoes were embroidered with magnolia patterns in gold thread, winding from heel to toe, exuding the nobility of gold halls and jade chambers.

Only after that man had walked out of sight did Madam Nan lead us into a side room. My legitimate younger sister’s face was still flushed, her mind clearly elsewhere. Who knew what she was thinking?

The windows were wide and bright. Not far away, in the rockery pond, a flock of jet-black geese were honking with their necks stretched high. Propping up my chin, I smiled and said, “Little sister, are you craving swan meat?”

Nan Jinxiu seemed to come back to herself and gave an awkward laugh. “What’s so tasty about swan meat?”

Delighted, I clapped my hands. “Exactly. As they say, pretty to look at, but not good to eat.”

I was just about to wake her up properly when she suddenly covered her face with both hands. Her eyes were misty, tears glimmering in them.

“If I could spend just one night with Young Master Wang, I would die happy by dawn!”

Me: “…”