Chapter 58

At winter’s end, Huaizhou Prefecture. Inside the prefectural magistrate’s private residence. It was already the hour of Shen. Maids and old women stood rigidly along both sides of the vermilion gate, holding their breaths, fully prepared, because their young mistress was about to return.
“What is she, anyway? A fallen household’s daughter, daring to compete with me for a man. Young Master Xu must’ve been fooled by that pitiful act of hers.”
A luxuriously decorated four-horse carriage wreathed in incense slowly came to a stop. A slender jade hand lifted the beaded curtain, revealing a hibiscus-like face with bright eyes and gentle charm. The only flaw was her pale lips, betraying a weak constitution.
Stepping down using the coachman’s back as support, the cold wind rushed over her. Qin Jinxiu raised a hand to her lips and coughed lightly twice, her mood sinking even further. Before she had even entered the Qin residence, she was already speaking spitefully in the street. Her wet nurse hurried down the steps, adjusted her lapels, draped a cloak over her shoulders, and pressed a hand warmer into her palms.
“My little ancestor, this isn’t the place for such talk. Wouldn’t that only demean yourself? That Jiang family girl raised by a lowly woman, she’s not worth your attention.”
Qin Jinxiu leaned weakly into her wet nurse’s arms, her body trembling faintly from coughing as she continued in a soft, aggrieved tone:
“Nanny, you have no idea how badly she humiliated me today. It was just tea-brewing, that’s all! But you should’ve seen how smug that little wretch Jiang Linlang looked. Wherever she sat today, the young prince’s eyes couldn’t see me at all.”
Madam Qin Li didn’t dare contradict her. She murmured assent all the way as mistress and servant entered together.
The more Qin Jinxiu thought about it, the more unwilling she felt to let it go. She wished she could go back and slap Jiang Linlang twice. The princess consort had hosted a banquet, inviting all the notable young men and ladies of Huaizhou Prefecture. Everyone knew the truth, she was selecting a future daughter-in-law.
The young men were playing cuju, the girls gambling with double-six. Yet only Jiang Linlang insisted on brewing tea, only she had to stand out, only she loved courting attention.
“I, I, I even learned cuju for Young Master Xu! I nearly lost my life for him! And what did he do? He went to watch Jiang Linlang brew tea! Nanny, one day I’ll deal with that little slut properly. Father already said our families are discussing marriage, how dare he treat me like this!”
As she spoke, her breathing grew ragged, her face turning deathly pale. Madam Qin Li hurriedly rubbed her chest to help her breathe.
Hearing this, Madam Qin Li’s lips twitched. Though she had raised the young lady herself, this matter truly wasn’t something she could defend.
Naturally, she believed her young mistress was perfect in every way, but risking her life to play cuju for the young prince? That was madness. Second Miss had been weak since birth. Not to mention, cuju was a man’s sport. A young lady joining in only invited ridicule.
Thinking this way, Madam Qin Li felt secretly relieved. Fortunately, today’s spotlight had been stolen by that Jiang girl, otherwise, her own miss would’ve “stood out” again.
Outsiders said the young lady was a beautiful but foolish infatuated girl. Every time Madam Qin Li heard it, her heart ached. Her miss was simply young and not steady yet, that was why she chased handsome men. What puzzled her was this: her miss looked like this, yet none of those young masters ever returned her affection, and instead spread such nasty rumors.
“Nanny, are you even listening to me?”
“Yes, yes, I’m listening. If you ask me, next time we’ll do this, invite her to our residence as a guest…”
Though Madam Qin Li admitted Jiang Linlang had some ability, she had embarrassed her young mistress. Her narrow eyes darkened as she offered a suggestion.
“B-But Nanny… if Young Master Xu finds out, won’t it damage my image as a refined lady?”
Qin Jinxiu’s eyes lit up, but only for a moment before hesitation crept in. It felt a little excessive.
“What’s wrong with that? Isn’t that little slut fond of seducing men? We’ll just let her suffer a bit.”
As mistress and servant were speaking, they passed through the decorative gate and collided head-on with someone. Qin Jinxiu was nearly knocked breathless. She leaned back into her wet nurse’s arms, gulping air. Before she could even see who it was, she pointed and scolded:
“Who’s so blind, wandering all over the estate?!”
“Reporting to Second Miss, it’s the newly arrived young master cousin. He came from the capital. Your aunt’s only son. You should address him as Cousin.”
Only then did Qin Jinxiu look properly.
He was a boy of thirteen or fourteen, just half a head taller than her. His cheeks were thin and grimy, making his features hard to discern. Still, his eyes and nose were well-shaped. He had two fingers in his mouth, chewing on them.
Wait, chewing his fingers.
Qin Jinxiu stared more closely. The boy’s clear eyes darted about aimlessly. Yes, his head didn’t seem quite right. She straightened up, brushing dirt from her jacket.
“So I wondered what kind of relative this was, turns out he’s a fool. Since when did I even have an aunt? Nanny?”
Madam Qin Li knew a little, though it was all old history. She had to think carefully.
“Before Madam cut ties with her natal family, this old servant can’t recall clearly. I only know Madam had a younger sister who later married the second son of Grand Tutor Wei.”
Qin Jinxiu nodded. That must be the aunt’s child. But after more than ten years without contact, why suddenly send this useless cousin to their house?
Her face darkened. Pinching her nose, she muttered, “No contact for so many years, why send him now? That aunt really is something.”
“Cough… Your aunt, Fifth Lady Li, passed away long ago. Madam only recently learned of it. After that, your uncle remarried. Lately, someone wrote to Madam saying the young master cousin was having a difficult time in the Wei household…”
The rest was hard to say. Qin Er, her mother’s confidant, likely knew some sordid details. Qin Jinxiu usually didn’t care about such matters. After all, her father had only her mother and no concubines.
Still, she understood that inner-house struggles in great families often stemmed from a new stepmother.
“Madam said the young master cousin has the mind of a child. If he stayed in the Wei residence, he might not even live to his coming-of-age ceremony. That’s why she brought him back.”
Such exaggeration, Qin Jinxiu scoffed inwardly. Before she could complain, Qin Er continued.
“Madam instructed Second Miss to look after the young master cousin for now. She must travel to the capital and won’t have time to manage things here. For the next few days, the household will be under your charge. Madam said Second Miss is nearing marriageable age and should begin practicing management of household affairs. She also left Sisters Wen Xin and Su Wen to assist you.”
Madam this, Madam that, how could her mother be like this? Qin Jinxiu nearly covered her ears. Her mission this time was to find a handsome, ideal husband. She had already set her sights on the young master of Prince Cheng’s household.
A youth with a powdered-jade face, vermilion lips, narrow waist, and broad shoulders.
These days, she had been carefully tending Yulouchun and Qinglong Wolong, the princess consort loved such rare peonies. When they bloomed, it would coincide perfectly with the consort’s birthday. Presenting them then would surely win her favor.
Marriage had always been decided by parents and matchmakers. As long as the princess consort liked her, Xu Lang would never escape her grasp. Thinking of this, Qin Jinxiu felt thoroughly pleased.
“I won’t, ”
“Madam said that if Second Miss neglects household affairs these next few days and causes trouble, she will cancel the marriage discussions with the prince’s household.”
“How could Mother be like this! How annoying! I was already in a bad mood today, now I feel even worse!”
Qin Er cautiously glanced at Second Miss. As expected, the spoiled young lady immediately hurled the hand warmer in her hand to the ground.
He quickly relayed Madam’s final words.
“Then where should the young master cousin be settled? This servant will make arrangements.”
“That fool can sleep wherever he likes. Let him stay in the woodshed.”
Qin Jinxiu frowned, her apricot eyes blazing with anger, so furious that the pearl ornaments atop her head trembled and rattled.
This was also the first time Wei Buxun had seen this cousin whose body was frail and whose temper was just as bad. His phoenix eyes, clear black and white, stared unblinkingly at the delicate, beautiful cousin before him.
She was like a pear blossom in spring: snow-white skin and floral beauty, still carrying the chill of winter snow. Anger tinted her cheeks with a faint blush.
He reached out and tugged lightly at the goose-yellow, silver-threaded jacket she wore.
“Cousin… cousin… Jin… Jinxiu…”
He seemed desperate to remember Qin Jinxiu’s name clearly, murmuring it over and over.
Unexpectedly, this action made Qin Jinxiu shriek. Just moments ago, this foolish cousin had been chewing on his fingers, now he was touching her clothes. Overwhelmed with shame and fury, she slapped Wei Buxun across the face.
Fortunately, she was weak by nature and had little strength. Wei Buxun didn’t feel pain at all. Still, he covered his cheek aggrievedly, calling out “Cousin” again and again.
When Qin Jinxiu raised her hand, fear flashed through his eyes. Tears quickly welled up, and when her palm finally landed on his cheek, he realized, it didn’t hurt.
In his heart, he became convinced that this cousin was truly different from the sisters back home. Cousin was beautiful and kind, like a fairy. Aunt Qiao had once told him that a fairy sister would one day help him escape his suffering. Sure enough, this cousin must be a fairy.
But he wasn’t stupid.
Thinking this, Wei Buxun felt a little unhappy. Still, seeing that Fairy Cousin looked upset, he defended himself in a low voice,
“No… no… Buxun isn’t stupid. Cousin is a fairy. Fairies wouldn’t say things like that to Buxun.”
“Oh dear, Second Miss, this won’t do,” Qin Er hurriedly interjected. “Madam instructed before leaving that the young master cousin must be well taken care of. Aside from you and the eldest young master, he may very well be the Yun family’s last remaining bloodline.”
Seeing the cousins’ first meeting turn so unpleasant, Qin Er nearly broke into a sweat despite the winter cold.
Qin Jinxiu had calmed down by now. Why was she arguing with a fool? She glanced again at the bright, sparkling look in his eyes and paused.
A fairy, huh.
Hmph. At least the boy had good taste.
Her impression of Wei Buxun improved immediately.
After all, no man had ever praised her like that before. Qin Jinxiu thought to herself, even if she wasn’t the most beautiful woman in Huaizhou Prefecture, she was surely second.
She couldn’t help feeling annoyed. Even this fool could see her beauty, so why didn’t those young masters like her?
Qin Jinxiu changed her mind.
“That mouth of yours is pretty sweet. Let him stay in Qifeng Pavilion. It’s empty anyway.”
At midnight.
The boy lying on the soft couch beneath thick quilts suddenly stirred awake. If anyone had seen him now, they would’ve noticed his eyes were clear and lucid, nothing like a fool’s.
Wei Buxun covered his right cheek, the one that had been slapped earlier in the day, his expression dark.