CH 9

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Xijing City, Furong Street stood still under the scorching sun at noon. The street was barren of people, until a white horse galloped through, its hooves kicking up dust as it raced by.

"Who could that be?" an onlooker questioned, squinting their eyes as they tried to make out the rider.

"I think it's the city's youngest and most talented scholar, if I'm not mistaken," another chimed in.

The man gasped in surprise, "You mean the Pei family's son, the number one scholar in the city?! What could he be doing out here at this hour? It's nearly time for dinner!.”

A third person spoke up, "By the way, have you heard? The Sun family is going to propose marriage to the Xining Mansion."

Suddenly, the topic of conversation shifted to the Sun family's recent marriage proposal. 

"Who are they proposing to?," someone asked. 

But when a man covered his eyes, everyone knew the answer. 

The shopkeepers began discussing the gossip, asking why the proposal wasn't being made to Cui Dai. 

One shopkeeper chimed in, "Mr. Sun is young and has a bad reputation. He's still one-eyed and lustful, perhaps that is the reason why.”

…

In the secluded Xining Mansion, Cui Ti felt a cool wind blowing across her cheeks. She turned to her servant, Bai Ge, and asked, "Bai Ge, is it going to rain again?.”

Bai Ge kept scratching her head anxiously: "What terrible weather! The sun was still high just now!.”

Cui Ti's heart was racing with fear. The thought of rain made her anxious. She knew that the rain would prevent her from flying her kite.

Pei Xuan rode her horse down the straight Furong Street, her hair fluttering in the wind, and her robes billowing behind her. 

The road was long and wide, but there were few people as it was about to rain.

The horse continued to gallop.

As Pei Xuan continued down the road, she turned left onto Peony Street.

A widow, who lived on the street, quickly shut her window, only catching a glimpse of a white figure flash by. To her surprise, she saw a foot wrapped in white socks, but no boots. She thought to herself, ‘How strange, who would walk around in the middle of the day without wearing boots?.’

Pei Xuan was now close to the Xining Mansion and she sat on her horse, looking south. 

She spotted a kite flying alone in the sky and felt a mix of joy, worry, and anxiety. Her emotions reached a peak when she saw the Sun family's carriage parked in front of the Xining Mansion.

Each carriage belonging to a family in Xijing had its own logo hanging from it, to prevent any confusion when they were out. The Sun family's carriage had a copper bell hanging from one corner, and a small flag with the word "Sun" inserted on the side of the bell.

Pei Xuan dismounted from her horse and approached the gates of the Xining Mansion.

The guard, upon noticing her disheveled and dust-covered appearance, as well as the dark stains on her white socks, shot her a disdainful look. 

"This is the Xining Mansion, unauthorized individuals must leave," he declared.

But Pei Xuan was not to be deterred and stormed past the guard, brandishing her horse whip, and shouting, "I am the Emperor's Number One Scholar. Can you stop me? If not, step aside!."

The guard was in awe, as he knew his uncle to be the most renowned person in the city, but he was no match for the son of the Prime Minister. 

Pei Xuan strode inside, unperturbed by the guard's objections.

She has never done anything to bully the weak in her life, but she did it today. She obeyed her parents since she was a child, but she disobeyed them last night.

She had a dull pain in her knee and was determined to keep a promise she made with the blind girl. If she didn't show up on time, how could she have the audacity to discuss marriage?

Soon, the whip in Pei Xuan’s hands swung down heavily, and there was a thunderclap in the air.

Dark clouds had gathered and raindrops were now pelting down. 

In the main hall of the Xining Mansion, Mrs. Xining was beaming with joy, while Mr. Xining sat on the main seat, seemingly indifferent to his wife's excitement. He was focused on listening to Mr. and Mrs. Sun's discussion about their two children's marriage.

The matchmaker hired by the Sun family was extolling Sun Zhe's virtues, painting him as a saintly figure who had committed no sins and deserves to go to heaven. 

After hearing his words, Mrs. Xining began to feel that the rumors in the market could not be trusted.

To her, at least the Sun Zhe she saw was well-mannered and attractive, far better-looking than the son of the crippled concubine from the Qian family.

Sun Zhe was growing increasingly frustrated with his future mother-in-law's constant barrage of questions. He became so anxious that he repeatedly begged his mother to provide an additional 10% of the dowry.

"My husband and I have seen the sincerity of the Sun family." Madam Xining smiled sincerely.

"Then, this marriage?.”

"Me and my husband allow it.”

"I don't agree!.” 

There was a sound a whip on the ground, Mrs. Sun and Mrs. Xining looked at Pei Xuan who was pushing the door at the same time.

The guard who followed after confessed what happened in fear, and Mr. Xining looked surprised, seeing the person standing in front of him unexpectedly.

At this moment, Pei Xuan put away her riding whip, flicked her clothes and walked inside.

She wore a disheveled sky-blue robe, with mud-stained white socks, messy black hair, and a whip at her waist, was immediately recognizable to Mr. Xining was the highly prized son of the Pei family.

Yet such an outstanding gentleman came here in disheveled clothes, and Mr. Xining rushed to meet Pei Xuan before his wife reprimanded him: "The servant meant well, I hope Mr. Pei does not blame us.”

Mr. Pei?

As soon as Mrs. Xining and Mrs. Sun realized Pei Xuan's identity, their eyes softened and any harsh words they were about to say were swallowed back. 

Mr. Sun’s eyes grew a little misty.

He was known for his love of beauty, and his preference for both men and women, without any discrimination. When he first laid eyes on Pei Xuan, he was struck by the young man's beauty and charm, describing him as dazzling and radiant.

Pei Xuan met Mr. Xining and his wife during a worship ceremony. He was gentle and elegant, even if he wasn’t wearing boots right now, he would still catch the eyes of everyone present.

Additionally, Mr. Xiningbo was drawn to Pei Xuan's humility, a trait he highly valued as he himself was known for his love of wealth and power, and his tendency to oppress the poor. 

He didn’t expect that the prime minister's son would refuse her daughter's marriage with the Sun family, and felt a bit excited at that prospect, and said, “Your majesty just said no, why not?.”

"I don't want the Xining family to marry off their daughter.”

Hearing this, Mrs. Xining's eyelids twitched heavily out of a woman's intuition.

Watching the excitement and seeing the matter, Sun Zhe curled his lips: "Brother Pei came here rapidly, are you here to wish me luck? Haha!.”

What kind of beauty does the woman possess to make Pei Xuan lose control this much?.

He wanted to find out, thus Sun Zhe was determined to marry the blind girl!.

Knowing her child's true nature, how can Mrs. Sun not know the mind of her youngest son?

After thinking for a minute, she was sure that the prime minister would not allow his son to marry a blind girl. 

Then seeing Pei Xuan's disheveled clothes and running out with too little time to put on his boots, she smiled and said, "The number one scholar is intelligent, so a scholar should always know that come first, first served."

"Earlier, I made a verbal agreement with Mr. Xining and his wife. What does Mr. Pei have as proof to break up this proposed marriage?.”

"I have a kite!". Her eyes were burning, as if she was speaking the most truthful words that only a saint can utter.

A kite?

However, this statement left everyone present puzzled and bewildered.

Mr. Xining regretfully realized that if he had known of Pei Xuan's interest, he would have happily offered his daughter in exchange for a simple blade of grass, let alone a kite.

Madam Xining also felt regret, her heart filled with bitterness and her insides churning.

Sun Zhe proudly interjected, "Brother Pei, a true gentleman does not take what others desire. You stole my fiancée's portrait and I have yet to settle the score with you."

A deep and powerful voice shortly interrupted, "Who are you to speak so lightly? Why don't you settle the score with this old man?.”

Mr. Xining was stunned, his tongue sharp as he asked, "Pei, The Prime Minister Pei!?"

As the prime minister of the country entered their mansion, Mr. Xining and his wife were filled with excitement.

Noticing that her youngest son was still foolishly clinging to the oak stump, Mrs. Sun pulled him aside. As Sun Zhe realized that the prime minister's words were directed towards him, he paled, his face becoming as white as paper, and he knelt down in fear.

Pei Xiangye, the over-forty year old prime minister, was once a popular figure in Xijing during his youth. Now, he commands an awe-inspiring official position and commands respect wherever he goes. When he entered the room, everyone felt the pressure of being in the presence of someone of great power, like standing atop Mount Tai.

Seeing him, Pei Xuan called out "Father" uncomfortably, in exchange for Pei Xiangye to look at his daughter dissatisfied.

A servant quickly brought forward a pair of boots, which she swiftly put on. 

Another servant tidied up Pei Xuan's disheveled hair and straightened his jade belt.

Pei Xiangye sat down in the main seat, flicked his sleeves, and gazed around the room with a stern expression. He proclaimed, "My son has the consent of his parents and the agreement of a matchmaker."

This declaration took Pei Xuan by surprise, who raised her head in amazement. 

Shi Shiran, the official matchmaker for the Pei family, entered the room, carrying a skirt in her hand. With her years of matchmaking experience, it was clear to her that Mr. Pei Xiangye was deeply invested in this matter.

It was the first time she had seen someone propose marriage and asked the woman's parents to obey.

Pei Xiangye had made a decision, that it didn't matter if the woman was blind, lazy, deaf, or stupid, as long as she could bring happiness to his daughter.

"I dare ask Mr. Xiangye..." Mrs. Xining suppressed her fear and asked: "My husband and I have two daughters. I don't know which one you would like to marry...”

Pei Xiangye didn't reply and instead shot a glance at Pei Xuan, who spoke softly with pride, "I want to marry the eldest daughter, the one who lives in the south courtyard."

She deliberately pointed out "living in the south courtyard.” 

Mrs. Xining didn't think it was a problem before, but now both of their faces were red with embarrassment.

The fact that a blind woman could attract the attention of the renowned Pei family in Xijing left Mrs. Xining with mixed emotions. 

Mrs. Sun was in disbelief, her body quivering like a leaf. She struggled to understand why the nearly perfect Pei Xuan would fall in love with a blind woman.

Others would be ashamed to admit it.

Yet, Pei Xuan came here riding a horse in the rain.

With Mr. Xiangye sitting in charge, the marriage was obviously smooth.

"Okay, you guys get up, it isn’t good to kneel all the time.”

When the prime minister spoke, Mr. Xining and his wife dared to hold back their ecstasy and got up in fear, leaving Mrs. Sun and her son kneeling.

Pei Xiangye was still thinking about the kid who wanted to settle accounts with his daughter, so he suddenly said, "Sun Zhe, it's you—"

However, before he could finish speaking, the strong odor of urine filled the room.

Sun Zhe had wet himself in fear. 

The smell of urine was overwhelming, and Prime Minister Pei lost the desire to settle accounts, and covered his nose with a handkerchief: "It's an insult to do this in front of me, leave!.”

Mr and Mrs. Sun held their son tightly, as they left the Xining Mansion, with Sun Zhe reduced to a timid state.

Prime Minister Pei took time out of his busy schedule to come here, and didn't have time to stay here to discuss the marriage in detail. Before he left, he set the date of marriage, and brought his 'unfilial son' home in a hurry.

He had an exhausted look on his face as he glanced at his daughter, "Let’s go home first, your mother asked a doctor to look at your legs. You will be an official in the future, and you still mess around like this! Before long, everyone in Xijing will know what you have done.”

Pei Xuan took a look at the precarious kite in mid-air, and put down the curtain of the carriage: "Father, I will not let you down in the future.”

Pei Xiangye let out a long sigh, and he patted Pei Xuan's not-so-strong body.

The kite that lingered for a long time finally couldn't stand the wind and rain and fell down.

Bai Ge's heart was full of anger towards Pei Xuan—is it really so fun to tease her mistress? Why tease a blind girl who was waiting for him? Hasn’t she suffered for too long?

Her eyes were red with anger, tears rolled out of her eyes, she turned sideways and wiped away the tears with her sleeve, trying not to let Cui Ti hear her cry.

"Bai Ge, is the kite still there?.”

"Yes, it is still there!.”

Bai Ge couldn't bear to tell her of the messy kite in the mud, and exclaimed: "Mistress, the kite we made this time is really good, and it's still hanging on!.”

Cui Ti knew exactly what kind of person she was, what kind of mood she was in, and her tone of voice.

She guessed the kite was broken again.

"Mistress?.” Seeing her silent for a long time, Bai Ge guiltily pulled the loose thread of the cuff.

"You don't have to coax me. It's okay. If the kite is destroyed, let's make another one."

Bai Ge waited with her yesterday.

Today, when the sun finally went down, she really couldn’t wait any longer, “Mistress, if he is lying to you, should we still make the kites?.”

Cui Ti shook her head: "He will come. Let’s continue making them.”

Bai Ge scratched her hair frantically, and after a while, she headed to the storage to prepare something for the kite.

The skeleton of the kite was barely set up, and Cui Ti had small scars on her index and middle fingers.

Seeing this scene, Bai Ge hated Pei Xuan so much and hoped he would come, otherwise she would scold him to death in her dreams!

"This is not in vain."

Cui Ti was silent for a while, then continued in a soft tone, "He will come, don't scold him secretly in your heart."

"..."

Bai Ge was so angry that the bamboo knife almost cut off her hand, and she took a deep breath of the smell of dirt, internally thinking, ‘Miss, this is crazy!.’

"Okay, he will come. The mistress said he will come, and he will definitely come." She forced a smile on her face, hoping that Pei Xuan would keep his word.

The remote and desolate south courtyard really sprung up like mushrooms after rain, many people popped up all of a sudden, most of them came to congratulate them.

"Great joy, great joy!,” The man walked towards Bai Ge with excitement who was at the door of the storage room.

Hearing that it was not raining anymore, and Bai Ge still wasn’t here, Cui Ti tried to fly the kite by herself, but it was not going well.

"Oh! What are you doing, young lady? Be careful!.” The woman who also came with the group of people from the north courtyard yelled exaggeratedly, and Cui Ti almost tripped in shock. 

Seeing this, Bai Ge had a headache, feeling that these people were here to make trouble on purpose, and ran to help her mistress.

"I heard you will be the wife of the number one scholar in the future. You know, wouldn't it be good for Pei Xuan to fly kites with you?,” the woman asked.

Bai Ge wanted to explode when she heard the word "Pei Xuan”, but Cui Ti was sober-minded and asked in a trembling voice, "Can you say that again?.”

"That's right, the eldest son of the Pei family came here in the rain, forgot to put on his boots, broke into the mansion with a whip in his hand, and proposed marriage in front of the Master and Madam. Later, the prime minister also came, and the wedding date was set on May 5th.”

"You who have been living in this small courtyard have now become the most honorable lady of the whole family."