Volume One, Chapter Sixteen: He Became Angry

After waiting less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, three more people arrived: Prince Su, Princess Su, and Princess Yunlian, Prince Su’s sister.

They exchanged greetings. Prince Su was taciturn, and Princess Yunlian was not one for many words either. It was Princess Su who glanced at the rain and remarked, “It looks like this rain will continue for some time.”

Ye Jianxun replied, “Yes, it seems it will last the whole day.”

At that moment, a groom arrived and reported to Prince Su, “Your Highness, the mud has been cleared.”

Prince Su glanced at Ye Jianxun’s carriage, which had yet to be cleaned. The winter wind, carrying the chill of rain, was biting cold. He then said, “Why don’t the heir apparent and his consort join us in the carriage back to the city?”

Ye Jianxun cupped his hands in thanks, “Thank you, Prince Su.”

Prince Su’s carriage was spacious enough to seat five without crowding. Biyue did not come inside, instead sitting outside the carriage under an umbrella.

Princess Su poured two cups of hot tea and handed them to Mei Lingxi and the heir apparent with a smile: “Have some hot tea to warm you.”

“Thank you, Princess,” Mei Lingxi accepted, taking a small sip.

“How old is the heir apparent’s consort now?” Princess Su asked casually.

Mei Lingxi answered, “Seventeen this year.”

Princess Su smiled, “She looks no more than fifteen.”

She extended a delicate hand with a plate of pastries. “I made these myself. The prince said they’re a bit sour. See if you like them.”

Mei Lingxi took a piece and tasted it. Soft and chewy, indeed slightly sour, but she favored sweet and sour flavors, so she smiled lightly, “It’s alright, not too sour.”

“That’s good.” Princess Su then offered some to Princess Yunlian, “You try some, little sister Lian.”

Princess Yunlian took a piece and began to eat.

Since Princess Yunlian sat opposite her, Mei Lingxi glanced up and noticed her face was pale and appearing quite haggard.

Ye Jianxun also took a piece, finished it, and praised, “Princess, your skill is excellent.”

Princess Su laughed, covering her mouth with a handkerchief. “You flatter me. The prince doesn’t like them.” She coquettishly shot a glance at Prince Su, who remained stone-faced as if not hearing.

Mei Lingxi inwardly sighed; perhaps only a radiant princess like her could thaw this ice-cold prince.

***

They finally arrived at Prince Ning’s residence. Ye Jianxun thanked Prince Su once more. After disembarking, Ye Jianxun had some urgent matters and left promptly.

Mei Lingxi returned to the Rainfall Garden and changed into clean clothes. Suddenly, Biyue hurried in, “Consort, the eldest young master is here.”

Mei Lingxi was shocked, “Eldest brother is back?” Then she paused, “Wait, why hasn’t he returned to the marquis’s residence?”

She suddenly remembered that although she had corresponded with him, she had never mentioned her substitute marriage. Surely by now he must have found out.

Biyue replied, “The eldest young master did return to the marquis’s residence first. Upon hearing about your substitute marriage, he hurried here to the prince’s mansion. He’s currently having tea with Prince Ning in the front hall.”

“I’ll go see him,” Mei Lingxi said quickly and moved to the main hall. Seeing a familiar figure, she called out, “Brother.”

“Third sister,” Mei Lingshao set down his teacup and stepped forward, his face bright with joy. Yet in an instant, his expression grew somber.

Prince Ning, perceiving the need for a private conversation, exchanged brief pleasantries and left.

With the prince gone, Mei Lingshao’s face hardened. “Lingxi, how could you marry into Prince Ning’s household instead of Lingyi? Lingyi is reckless, but why did you follow suit?”

Mei Lingxi lowered her gaze and asked, “Then brother, what do you think I should do?”

Mei Lingshao was momentarily speechless, frustrated. “It’s my fault for being in Jiangnan and not stopping this in time.”

As heir to the marquisate, Mei Lingshao had been assisting the marquis with state affairs. When a water management issue arose in Jiangnan, he had rushed there and stayed for three or four months. Unexpectedly, upon returning, the household had been turned upside down—the second and third sisters had been substituted in marriage!

On the way back to the capital, he had heard rumors accusing the Dingbei Marquisate of relying on daughters’ marriages for honor and power, with the girls themselves scheming against one another. It pained him deeply, but now the situation was irreversible.

Unlike Mei Yuanyi’s temperament, Mei Lingshao, as the eldest son, was kind-hearted, righteous, and sincere. Though he had never been close to Mei Lingxi, he was still willing to plead on her behalf to spare her life, for which she was deeply grateful.

“Brother,” Mei Lingxi comforted him, “now that it’s come to this, let’s just live well in the present.”

“All right.” Words failed him; he could only utter that one word. Then he inquired, “How does the heir apparent treat you? I heard he was originally fond of Lingyi.”

At that moment, a clear, cold voice rang out, “Brother, you’re here.”

Mei Lingshao looked up to see a man dressed in a crescent-moon robe and a dark cloak swiftly approaching. The wind billowed the cloak as the man moved, the sword and jade pendants at his waist gently clinking.

Ye Jianxun had just finished his errand. Hearing from Lin Mu that Mei Lingshao had arrived, curious about the man, he rode back swiftly.

“Heir apparent,” Mei Lingshao guessed correctly, greeting politely with a bow.

***

“Since brother has come today, why not stay and have lunch with us?” Ye Jianxun invited graciously.

Mei Lingshao had just returned and was due to report to the palace with the Dingbei Marquis later, so he declined.

Before leaving, still uneasy, he said to Ye Jianxun, “Heir apparent, I know you once cared deeply for my second sister, but fate is strange—now my third sister has married you.

I hope you let go of the past and treat her well. If not, the Dingbei Marquisate will not let you off easily.”

Seeing the eldest brother assume the mantle of a father figure, Ye Jianxun crossed his arms, raised an eyebrow, and sneered coldly, “No need for you to worry, brother. Lingxi is my wife now, and I will treat her well.”

Mei Lingshao keenly sensed the strange hostility in the man before him. He paused, then bowed, “In that case, I will not disturb you further. I’ll take my leave.”

He then turned his gaze to Mei Lingxi, his eyes softening somewhat as he spoke warmly, “Lingxi, the New Year Festival is coming. Let’s have a good reunion then.”

Mei Lingxi nodded, “All right. Brother, take care.”

After Mei Lingshao left, Mei Lingxi said to Ye Jianxun, “Brother was only worried, which is why he spoke so harshly. I hope you don’t take it to heart.”

“Last night, when you called out ‘Brother’ in your sleep, was that him?” Ye Jianxun asked tentatively, his eyes tinged with complexity.

She had spoken in her sleep again?

Mei Lingxi felt a touch of annoyance and lowered her eyes, replying calmly, “I have only one brother.”

At this, Ye Jianxun’s previous feelings—seven parts surprise, two parts doubt, one part confusion—shifted to seven parts shock, two parts anger, one part heartbreak.

His face darkened like a stormy sky, as if opening his mouth would unleash a cloud of poison.

Yet he could not speak.

Suddenly, he turned sharply and strode into the pouring rain. His dark cloak fluttered in the wind, quickly blending into the gloomy downpour.

Only then did Mei Lingxi look up, noticing the rain intensifying. He had left without an umbrella, walking into the storm.

Why was he so angry? Mei Lingxi furrowed her delicate brows in puzzlement.