Volume One, Chapter Two: Returning to the Marquis’s Residence

"You are not in a position to bargain with me. The matter is settled—there is no need for further words." Mei Yuanyi, ignoring Mei Lingxi’s cold glare, kept his face stern and his tone unyielding. Having spoken, he strode away without looking back.

Madam Wang hastily helped Mei Lingxi to her feet, frowning at her swollen cheek. "The Marquis really has no sense of proportion. You’re to be married tomorrow, yet he struck your face without hesitation."

Bishui pressed a cool cloth gently to her mistress’s face, her heart aching. "Miss, does it hurt?"

Mei Lingxi’s gaze faltered for a moment. She replied mildly, "It doesn’t hurt."

She had long since grown numb to pain—hadn’t the past four years been just like this? Her only regret was ever returning to the Marquis of Dingbei’s household four years ago, ever hoping for the love of her parents.

"Hurry, Bishui, pack up the young miss’s valuables. No need to bother with clothing. We’ll return home at once."

After more than half a year at this country estate, Mei Lingxi had little of value to her name.

Lowering her eyes, her gaze landed on a small wooden carving at the head of her bed, no larger than half a palm. It was a slender youth holding a long sword, with cold, sharp features, as if a chill radiated from him. The workmanship was simple, perhaps because the owner had handled it often; the edges were polished smooth.

She lingered over it for a while, gently rubbing it, wiping away imaginary dust with her handkerchief before tucking it into her sleeve.

On the return journey, Mei Lingxi shared a carriage with Madam Wang and Bishui.

Madam Wang took out a box of chestnut cakes, now only slightly warm. "I made your favorite chestnut cakes," she said softly. "Eat them while they’re still warm."

These were from the renowned Li’s Confectionery in the capital, specially made in the shape of plum blossoms, topped with a dusting of sugar.

Mei Lingxi gazed at them for a long moment; it felt as if rain from the south had seeped into her heart, leaving it damp and heavy.

She took a piece with hot water, but it was cold and hard, far from the taste she remembered.

After a few gentle words, Madam Wang handed her a booklet, lowering her voice. "I found this in the marketplace—do read it carefully. On your wedding night, as long as you keep the young lord close, your maidenhood will hardly matter."

"As a woman, you must be humble and patient on the marriage bed, learn to endure and to please—only then will you hold a man’s heart firmly in your grasp."

She offered a few more instructions, and when she saw Mei Lingxi’s ears flush red, she laughed and said no more.

Blushing furiously, Mei Lingxi closed the booklet and, once Madam Wang looked away, tossed it into the far corner of the carriage.

Before returning to her former side room at the Marquis’s estate, she found it freshly cleaned, the windows bright, the desk perfumed with cool, lingering incense.

Bishui shut the door with force, her anger burning so hot it seemed ready to burst through the roof.

"I’ve been holding it in all the way back—I'm furious! When you were defiled, it was only thanks to the young master’s pleading that you were spared. The Marquis sent you here to this desolate estate in the dead of night, locked away like a prisoner. Nearly a year, and neither the Marquis nor Madam has visited you once. Now that the second young lady has run away, they suddenly remember you. But once you marry into Prince Ning’s household, if they discover you aren't the second miss, and learn your true circumstances, what then?"

Mei Lingxi looked at Bishui, who was two years her junior, her round eyes wide with outrage, her cheeks puffed in anger, tears streaking her face. Mei Lingxi’s own eyes grew hot.

Now, the only one to stand up for her was this maid who had served her for four years.

She stepped forward and gently wiped the tears from Bishui’s face. "Thank you, Bishui," she said softly.

"Miss, whatever are you saying?"

Once Bishui had calmed, Mei Lingxi’s gaze shifted. "Bishui, help me find out about the young lord of Prince Ning’s household."

Bishui immediately went out to inquire, returning the next day with scant information.

"The young lord is quite mysterious. From what I heard, he was frail as a child. At age five, he was sent to Songshan Temple and didn’t return to Prince Ning’s household until ten years later."

Mei Lingxi nodded, then asked, "What about wives or concubines?"

Bishui hesitated. "No one knows for certain. But rumor has it he is devoted to Mei Lingyi, and it was he who sought this marriage himself."

Mei Lingxi frowned. If that were true, her position in his household would not be enviable. Still, it was as she expected.

"Miss, given all this, do you still intend to marry into Prince Ning’s household?" Bishui asked anxiously.

Mei Lingxi took a new green-glazed vase, arranged a sprig of white plum blossom, and placed it carefully on the zither table. She looked at it, satisfied, then replied calmly, "Perhaps it’s a new opportunity."

—An opportunity to escape the capital.

Just then, Madam Wang entered with two maids, one carrying a red wedding dress.

"This was made to your second sister’s measurements. Try it on first—if it doesn’t fit, we’ll have it altered."

Mei Lingxi put on the dress. It was, as expected, ill-fitting—the waist was too large and the length too short.

"Miss, you’re far too thin," Bishui said, her eyes rimmed with tears.

But Madam Wang, struck by a sudden thought, hurriedly summoned the household physician to check Mei Lingxi’s pulse.

"Miss suffers from internal cold and weak yang energy, and her cough has lingered too long and become chronic," the old physician said, stroking his white beard with a frown.

Madam Wang whispered, "What of her ability to bear children?"

"Madam, with proper care and nourishment, there should be no problem," the physician replied.

Relieved, Madam Wang’s narrow eyes lifted. She was so pleased she ignored Mei Lingxi’s darkening expression. "That’s good, very good."

After seeing the physician out, Madam Wang reminded her again, "The physicians at Prince Ning’s household are much better than ours. Take care of your health and bear them an heir as soon as possible..."

Mei Lingxi said nothing, her thoughts drifting.

"By the way, there’s something else I need to tell you," Madam Wang said, her eyes shifting uneasily as she cleared her throat. "When I found you four years ago, I was deeply grateful to the Buddha. You know, there are still several unmarried daughters in the household. As the lady of the house, I must prepare dowries for them. So I was wondering if we might take a portion from your dowry, to ease my burden. What do you think?"

Mei Lingxi’s expression darkened with a trace of mockery. "Mother, you raised my second sister for seventeen years and me for only four. By rights, shouldn’t you prepare a more generous dowry for me? Why would you need to deduct from it?"

Madam Wang hadn’t expected her usually mild and gentle third daughter to speak so coldly. Was it because she was about to become a princess consort and felt emboldened?

She wanted to scold her, but realizing it was best to keep her placated for now—after all, when Mei Lingxi married into Prince Ning’s household, she might be of use in the future—Madam Wang softened. "If you’re unwilling, then never mind. Go to bed early tonight, you’ll need to rise early to prepare for your wedding tomorrow."

Though Mei Lingxi went to bed early, she tossed and turned all night, barely sleeping before Bishui woke her at dawn to begin her bridal preparations.