Volume 1, Chapter 20: Like an Elder Brother

Concubine Liu was the second daughter of the Minister’s estate. She was only fifteen when she married into the Prince Ning’s estate, becoming the second concubine.

The Princess Consort of Ning was dignified and gentle, while Concubine Zhang was plain and upright. Being young and charming, Concubine Liu made the most of her natural advantages.

In recent years, the Princess Consort had fallen ill, occasionally lapsing into madness, and Concubine Zhang lived a reclusive life. Thus, Concubine Liu had won the great favor of Prince Ning. However, no matter how much favor she enjoyed, she had no son to rely on. Without a son, there was no hope for the future.

"Concubine, it is time to take your medicine." Hongshan helped her sit up and served the draught.

Concubine Liu frowned, enduring the bitterness as she finished it. Thinking of the large gash on her head and the fear of a permanent scar, a surge of irritation rose in her heart.

Her plan had been flawless; she had intended to make Mei Lingxi falter so she could firmly seize control of the household finances. She had calculated everything, yet she never expected to drag her own daughter into the mess, nor did she anticipate that the seemingly cold-hearted Ye Jianxun would expose her actions on the spot.

In the end, she had to gamble everything. Fortunately, the Prince still held some affection for her; even knowing she was behind it, he did not blame her.

"Where is Jiansi?" she asked weakly.

"The Prince has ordered the Young Miss to be confined for a month."

She felt relieved and asked again, "How are the Heir and his wife?"

"The Prince punished the Heir to kneel in the ancestral temple for a day and a night. He is still kneeling outside now."

She raised an eyebrow. "Why was the Heir’s wife not punished?"

"The punishment was originally meant for the Heir’s wife, but the Heir took her place."

She mused to herself, *Could it be that the Heir’s wife does not yet know the undergarment belongs to the Heir?*

"Did Nanny Wang mention any activity at Falling Rain Pavilion today?"

"I heard that the maid Chunwu was sold off."

She sneered. It seemed the Heir’s wife knew. But even if she knew the Heir had other women, she would likely have to turn a blind eye.

"Go tell Nanny Wang to keep a low profile for these few days, and then find an opportunity to place this item in the Heir’s wife’s room."

Hongshan took the wooden box from Concubine Liu, glanced at its contents, and left with a reddening face.

***

After Ye Jianxun finished the ginger soup, Mei Lingxi left silently without a word.

Although Prince Ning did not explicitly forbid food, it would have been disrespectful for Ye Jianxun to feast on meat and fish while performing penance. Thus, when the Princess Consort sent food the next day, he did not eat.

By nightfall, the time had passed. Lin Mu helped Ye Jianxun stand. Having knelt for so long on the frozen ground, he was unsteady as he rose.

"Young Master, I shall fetch the estate physician to examine your knees," Lin Mu said with concern.

Ye Jianxun shook his head; these minor injuries were nothing. "No need. Just rub on some medicinal wine."

He stomped his feet to relieve the numbness and strode toward Falling Rain Pavilion.

Upon reaching the pavilion, he pushed open the bedroom door. A single lamp was lit. He glanced at the person already lying on the bed, suppressed a flicker of melancholy, and turned toward the washroom.

After changing into clean sleepwear, he lay down on the bedding in the outer room.

He could not sleep, his mind racing. He had been so angry earlier, yet she had turned a deaf ear to him. Fortunately, he had been busy for those few days, interrogating informants in the dungeons and gathering intelligence, leaving him no time for such sentimentality.

Although he did not expect her to be deeply grateful for his kneeling on her behalf, he had not expected her to be so cold.

Yet, thinking back to the ginger soup from the night before, a warmth welled up within him. He shook his head, lamenting his own sensitivity, turned over, and closed his eyes to sleep.

The next day was the second day of the Lunar New Year, traditionally the day for a married woman to visit her maiden home, also known as the day for welcoming the son-in-law.

Mei Lingxi woke up and smelled the medicinal wine on him. She asked, "Will the Heir still accompany me to the Marquis’s estate today?"

Ye Jianxun looked at the wardrobe, chose a blue-white bamboo-patterned robe, adjusted his jade crown in the mirror, selected a belt adorned with rubies, hung a mutton-fat jade pendant, and buckled on his long sword. He looked every bit the dashing, carefree noble son.

Dressed, he replied, "Naturally, I will go."

Seeing him so meticulously dressed, Mei Lingxi muttered to herself: *Perhaps it is because he expects to see Mei Lingyi today. Even for an old flame, one must look radiant when meeting again.*

She ordered Bishui to dress her well, too. Whatever the case, she could not lose face.

Bishui matched Mei Lingxi in a blue-white gown, layered with a gold-patterned fox fur vest. She styled her hair in a Lingyun bun, adorned with a pair of golden phoenix hairpins, making her appear dignified and noble.

Carrying a stack of gifts, the two traveled to the Marquis’s estate in silence.

They stepped into the main hall one after the other. Many people were already seated.

Mei Yuanyi and Lady Wang rose to welcome them, exchanged brief greetings, and everyone sat down.

Mei Yuanyi spoke with Ye Jianxun about court affairs for a while before Ye Jianxun looked at Mei Lingxiao and asked, "Brother-in-law, did your business in Jiangnan go smoothly?"

Mei Lingxiao replied earnestly, "The Jiangnan region suffered from an unusual drought this year; the soil moisture was poor, and the irrigation systems were damaged. Combined with the corruption of local officials, crop yields fell by the end of the year."

"Lingxiao has already investigated the corrupt officials; the mission was completed satisfactorily," the Marquis of Dingbei added.

At this, Mei Lingxiao pointed to a plate of pastries on the table and said to Mei Lingxi, "Passing through the Su estate on business, I went to Qingyuan Town specifically to bring back the chestnut cakes you love. Have a taste."

The mention of "Qingyuan Town" caused the expressions of those at the table to shift.

Mei Lingxi smiled faintly and picked up a piece. "I haven't eaten these in a long time. Thank you for thinking of me, brother."

It was sweet, soft, and glutinous—just like the unique flavor of the Jiangnan mist that lingered in the depths of her memories. Her heart grew heavy and aching.

"Qingyuan Town, is that where Lingxi lived before?" Ye Jianxun asked as he picked up a piece himself. He ate it, nodded, and said, "The taste is excellent. No wonder Lingxi misses it."

Mei Yuanyi secretly signaled to Mei Lingxiao. Taking the cue, Mei Lingxiao paused and said briefly, "Yes."

Ye Jianxun sipped some hot tea to dissolve the acidity in his heart. He asked with feigned curiosity, "I heard Lingxi was brought back to the Marquis’s estate at thirteen. Before then, who did she live with?"

Mei Yuanyi replied in a low voice, "With a constable’s family. The man was a good person; he treated Lingxi like his own daughter, so she did not suffer much."

Ye Jianxun’s gaze fell quietly on Mei Lingxi. She lowered her eyes, her long lashes fluttering like feathers, making her mood impossible to discern. After a slight pause, he asked, "And did this constable have children of his own?"

He chuckled, adding, "I only mean that if a family already had children, they might have treated an outsider girl poorly, would they not?"

"They did not."

Mei Lingxi spoke suddenly. Realizing her tone was a bit too eager, she slowed her pace. "Uncle Li’s family had only one son, three years my senior. Though he was not very accepting of my presence at first, he was quite caring toward me later on."

"Like an older brother," she added softly.

"An older brother?" Upon hearing this, Ye Jianxun glanced at Mei Lingxiao, a dark shadow passing through his eyes. He let out a low laugh, lifted his teacup, took a large gulp, and said immediately, "Then I am relieved."

At that very moment, a crisp, melodious voice, like the singing of an oriole, drifted lightly through the corridor and directly into the main hall.

"Has Sister Lingxi returned?"