chapter 2
Mr. Bai’s lie was hardly clever, but it was enough.
He had lived beside me at the frontier for ten years. He knew how stubborn and unruly I was. Falling for another man or fleeing my wedding were both things I might plausibly do.
Fu Qingchuan retrieved a brocade box from his study and returned to the bridal chamber.
Bai Yuetang sat before the dressing table, removing her phoenix coronet. Her reddened eyes made it clear she had been crying.
Fu Qingchuan spoke gently.
“Miss Bai, I will be honest with you. Even after what she has done to me, I still cannot let her go.
“But I know that you and I have bowed to Heaven and Earth. We bear the name of husband and wife now, and I must accept that responsibility.
“I only ask that you give me some time.”
He placed the brocade box in her hands.
“If you do not despise it, please accept this luminous pearl. I had meant to give it to Li Yuanxi.”
Bai Yuetang understood at once.
He was not speaking merely of a pearl.
He was offering her his heart.
She opened the box. The pearl shone brilliantly, just like Fu Qingchuan himself: elegant, clear-eyed, and beautiful beyond compare. Blushing, she nodded.
Even so, they slept in separate rooms that night.
The gift of the luminous pearl dispelled Bai Yuetang’s anger. She even came to regard Fu Qingchuan’s restraint as the conduct of a true gentleman.
“Physical intimacy should come only after two hearts are joined. I should wait. I can wait.”
Her personal maid, Caichun, flattered her. “With your beauty and talent, my lady, you will not have to wait long.”
The only person displeased was Little Yun, who glowered at Fu Qingchuan for days.
“I don’t believe Miss Yuanxi would ever betray you. How could you believe such a thing?”
Bai Yuetang finally lost patience and frowned.
Caichun immediately snapped, “Insolent slave! How dare you scowl at your master?”
Little Yun planted both hands on his hips, ready to argue, but Fu Qingchuan stopped him.
“Yun, move into the shop from now on. Unless something requires your presence, don’t come back to the residence.”
Tears sprang into Little Yun’s eyes. He wiped them away and cried, “Does the capital devour people? Miss Yuanxi disappeared, and although you’re still standing right in front of me, I hardly know you anymore!”
He stormed away. Fu Qingchuan gave Bai Yuetang an apologetic smile.
Caichun was still indignant.
“Young Master, our lady was cherished at home. Even Master and Madam could never bear to speak harshly to her. Her brothers and sisters coaxed and indulged her for fear she might be unhappy. Now she has married into your household only to live under a servant’s scowls. It is absurd!”
Bai Yuetang looked at Fu Qingchuan with wounded eyes, as if she too felt deeply wronged.
Fu Qingchuan said mildly, “Little Yun is young. I have always treated him as a younger brother. Please forgive his offense, Miss Bai.”
Her brow furrowed further.
“Such formality is unnecessary between husband and wife.”
It was the words “Miss Bai” that offended her.
Fu Qingchuan caught her meaning and smiled.
“My wife is right.”
His voice was beautiful. He lowered it as he said “my wife,” making the words sound so intimate that Bai Yuetang blushed.
Had Little Yun been present, he would certainly have heard something wrong in that tone.
The last time Fu Qingchuan had spoken like that was while swallowing a rival merchant’s business whole.
Alas, how could a sheltered young lady stand any chance against a beautiful man who had clawed his way up from the gutter?
I shook my head as I watched them walk side by side into the garden.
After a little idle conversation, Bai Yuetang broke off a peony, breathed in its scent, and asked with a smile, “What flower does my husband favor?”
Fu Qingchuan considered the question.
“The stellera flower.”