Marrying the Sweet Story’s Melodramatic Villainess [Transmigration] - Chapter 16

The day of the Cui family shop’s grand opening.

As the auspicious hour arrived, the deafening crackle of firecrackers filled the air. The onlookers all covered their ears as Wu Liuniang, dressed in a sharp cloth tunic with her hair combed impeccably, stood at the entrance with a beaming smile. Waiting for the sound of the firecrackers to fade, she called out auspicious greetings in a clear voice. She then instructed the shop assistants to scatter “joy money” onto the ground. The copper coins mixed with the red debris of the firecrackers, creating a festive and vibrant scene.

Having received these small favors, the onlookers looked up at the plaque reading “Xiangli Pavilion” and curiously filed inside. Upon entering, the fragrance of wine overwhelmed the scent of gunpowder from outside. Those fond of a drink immediately felt their mouths water. Taking a closer look at the posted prices, they gasped—good heavens, a jar of “Thousand-Mile Drunk” actually cost five taels of silver, while the honey wine was three taels a jar. It was as if the wine were made of gold.

Wu Liuniang had the assistants bring out a ladle of each. Seeing the crystal-clear color and smelling the mellow aroma, one seasoned drinker clicked his tongue in wonder: “This is surely nothing less than a divine brew from the immortals.”

However, the price was so steep; one would have to save for a long time just to afford a single jar.

Mother Xia, who had picked up three copper coins of joy money, suddenly felt her mind stir. Her daughter was a low-ranking official in Chang’an, and her superior’s birthday was approaching. While she had been fretting over what to send, Mother Xia felt that this wine would be an excellent gift. She immediately headed home to fetch the money.

In the back of the shop, Wu Liuniang was verifying the orders. Looking at the addresses on the list, she knew she could not be too careful. After confirming everything, she arranged for people to deliver the wine to the various noble estates. Among them, the orders from the households of military generals were the most numerous, with most requesting the “Thousand-Mile Drunk.” As the manager, Wu Liuniang had naturally tasted the shop’s wine; it was precisely because she had tasted it that she understood just how popular it would become.

Pei Mingjiao ordered a hundred jars of each. After sending them out to various relatives and friends, she didn’t have many jars left for herself. She didn’t mind, though; as long as it could be bought with money, she would never lack for a drink. Gu Yue, who was resting at home, also received the wine sent by Pei Mingjiao. She smiled and instructed her maid to go buy ten jars to show her support, then turned around and sent several jars to her grandmother. Old Madam Gu was over fifty, her face lined with wrinkles. Life had not been easy for her in her youth, but fortunately, her bitterness had turned to sweetness. Receiving the filial tribute from her junior, the servants all around praised: “The Second Lady is truly of a filial and sincere nature, always keeping you in her thoughts, Old Madam.”

Old Madam Gu smiled broadly, the lines on her face softening. “Yue’er is indeed a filial child.”

Shortly after, she thought of her eldest granddaughter, Gu Ning. In her heart, she always hoped for harmony among the grandchildren. Originally, Ning’er had a difficult temperament and was unwilling to associate with her younger siblings. Now, her personality had brightened considerably, but she remained distant from them. If they didn’t support each other in the future, what was to be done?

Nanny Sun understood the old lady’s thoughts and comforted her: “They are sisters, after all. The Second Lady also sent some to the Eldest Lady. In time, she will realize the value of family.”

These words struck a chord with Old Madam Gu. She immediately ordered the kitchen to prepare some snacks to go with the wine; she wanted to taste the fine brew her granddaughter had sent.

By closing time, Wu Liuniang calculated the accounts. The profit was nearly four thousand taels. Her hands were shaking; it was the first time she had ever seen so much money. She became even more determined to work hard and hold firmly onto this position. The mistress had told her that if she did well, she would be given a bonus.

Once the wine shop was entrusted to the manager, Cui Yi stopped involving herself in its affairs. She stayed at home reading books, while Gu Jing and Dongzhi sat on low stools doing embroidery. Each was busy with their own tasks. Gu Jing, her hands moving ceaselessly, suggested: “My Lady, there is a lantern display tonight. Would you like to go take a look?”

Usually, such suggestions came from Dongzhi, but Gu Jing, noting that Cui Yi hadn’t visited the night market since recovering from her illness, wanted her to go see it.

Had Dongzhi suggested it, Cui Yi would have surely refused. But since it was the more sensible Gu Jing who proposed it, Cui Yi thought it over and agreed. Dongzhi, who had been listening intently, broke into a wide grin. Gu Jing gave her an annoyed glare. Seeing this from her beauty couch, the lines around Cui Yi’s eyes softened into a smile.

In the evening, after informing her parents, Cui Yi went out with Gu Jing and Dongzhi. Cui Ting had returned to the Imperial Academy early and missed the chance to stroll through the night market with his sister.

The Qi Dynasty did not enforce a curfew, so the streets were decorated with lanterns and festooned with banners, shining brightly. The restaurants and teahouses were packed with guests, making for a lively atmosphere.

Gu Jing stayed close to Cui Yi, fearing they might get separated. Cui Yi followed a healthy regimen and did not eat after dinner, but she didn’t want to restrict those around her. Seeing Dongzhi’s greedy expression, she smiled and said, “Go buy some.”

She then said to Gu Jing, “If you see something you like, go ahead. Don’t worry, I’ll stay right here and won’t go anywhere.”

Although Gu Jing acted mature, she was still young and ultimately could not resist the temptation. The air was filled with the enthusiastic cries of street vendors. Immersed in the scene, Cui Yi did not find it noisy, quietly waiting in place for them to return.

Dongzhi was the first to return, her mouth full of sticky rice cake. She trotted over with an excited look and lowered her voice: “My Lady, guess who I saw?”

Cui Yi played along: “Who?”

“It was the Second Lady Gu and Third Young Master Wang! They were chatting and laughing, and Young Master Wang even gave Second Lady Gu a fan.” Dongzhi swallowed the rice cake and suppressed the urge to jump. “It’s only the second day since the ‘hero saved the beauty,’ and by the look of it, a happy occasion is close at hand.”

Cui Yi looked over, but with people coming and going, she did not see Gu Yue. Gu Jing returned after finishing her shopping. Seeing the two of them looking around, she asked curiously, “My Lady, what are you looking at?”

Dongzhi beat her to the punch: “I saw Second Lady Gu having a secret tryst with Third Young Master Wang!”

Gu Jing looked shocked.

“Let’s go,” Cui Yi said, not wanting to discuss the topic further.

The three walked through the bustling crowds. By the time they reached the riverbank, each held a flower lantern. The riverbank was dimmer, with only a few scattered people. Dongzhi and Gu Jing were sharing snacks, and the lanterns illuminated the bluestone ground. Cui Yi slowed her pace. The night air was cool; she had added a thin wrap before leaving, which felt just right now. Dongzhi and Gu Jing followed half a step behind, whispering about who knows what. At this moment, Cui Yi let her mind go blank, rarely thinking of anything at all.

Tinkle, tinkle…

“Fulu, keep up!”

“Woof! Woof!”

The quiet riverbank suddenly became lively. Looking over, they saw a young lady dressed in a goose-yellow silk shirt, leading a small, grey, milk-fed puppy. When the lady shook the silver bells on her bracelet, the puppy wagged its tail happily and barked in coordination. It was an amusing sight.

As she drew closer, the lady’s high-bun hairstyle and features were revealed under the candlelight. She was truly a beauty with bright eyes and a radiant gaze.

Seeing the group, the lady bent down to pick up the puppy, scratching it under the chin, and took the initiative to greet them: “What a coincidence. I have seen you before.”

Cui Yi stopped her pace. In her memory, she had never met this person.

“At the residence of Master Yan, the State Physician,” the lady explained helpfully with a mischievous smile. “You surely didn’t notice me.”

Perhaps affected by the other’s temperament, Cui Yi candidly admitted it. She gave her own name and then asked, “Might I ask your esteemed name, My Lady?”

“Yan Yuanyi.”

She was the second daughter of the Prince of Jin, who did not yet have a formal title. Children of the imperial clan would have their peerages bestowed by the Emperor once they reached adulthood.

Cui Yi paid her respects: “Greetings to the Royal Daughter.”

Yan Yuanyi laughed heartily. “I shall send you an invitation another day, and we shall have a game of Go.”

“I shall await your news,” Cui Yi replied with a low bow.

Yan Yuanyi stroked her puppy and strolled away, her bells jingling.

Cui Yi continued her walk, searching her mind for memories of Yan Yuanyi. The Prince of Jin was one of only two women in the imperial clan to inherit a princedom, and she always acted with a low profile. She had two daughters; the eldest was named the Heir Apparent once she survived early childhood, and the second daughter was simply waiting to be titled upon reaching adulthood. In the original plot, she was merely a “background” character.

Cui Yi lifted the lantern in her hand. Amidst the flickering candlelight, she thought coldly and clearly.

Was this encounter a coincidence, or was it orchestrated?

She glanced back; Gu Jing and Dongzhi were half a step behind, following her quietly. Cui Yi nonchalantly looked away and gazed up at the dark night sky. It was a rare night without a moon.

The next day.

Cui Yi took the initiative to visit the Commandery Princess Mansion.

Knowing Cui Yi was coming, Pei Mingjiao quickly invited Gu Yue over to play cards.

Before the game even began, Pei Mingjiao winked at Gu Yue. Gu Yue understood perfectly; she was being told to “go easy” and let Cui Yi win.

Since sticking paper strips on one’s face would affect the ladies’ dignity, only the three of them were in the room.

Cui Yi had never played this game before. After hearing the rules, she lost because she was unfamiliar with it.

Pei Mingjiao quickly stopped her: “This doesn’t count. You’re a novice; we can’t bully you.”

Gu Yue chimed in playfully: “Yes, exactly.”

“…” Without saying a word, Cui Yi reached out and stuck a paper strip on her own face. Her voice was calm: “One must accept defeat in a gamble.”

Pei Mingjiao glanced at the strip on Cui Yi’s forehead and suppressed a laugh, thinking that Cui Yi was truly stubborn. At the same time, she worried whether Cui Yi’s face had enough space for more strips.

As it turned out, in the second round, Pei Mingjiao lost.

Pei Mingjiao widened her eyes, unable to fathom how she had lost. Gu Yue shot a subtle look at Cui Yi, then said to Pei Mingjiao with a smile, “Princess, if you please.”

Pei Mingjiao leaned her face toward Gu Yue. “Stick it.”

Gu Yue did not hold back.

The third round began.

Pei Mingjiao frowned and Gu Yue contemplated, but once again, Pei Mingjiao lost.

Pei Mingjiao looked left and right, feeling that something was very wrong, but she couldn’t figure out why. She had no choice but to lean her face toward Cui Yi, staring straight at her. “It’s your turn to stick one.”

They were too close. Cui Yi leaned back uncomfortably, picked up a paper strip, and accurately stuck it onto that peach-blossom-like cheek. Her fingertips brushed against the delicate, soft skin. Cui Yi pursed her lips slightly. “There.”

Pei Mingjiao touched the two strips on her face, swearing to avenge this humiliation.

The fourth round began.

Pei Mingjiao was frowning, and sweat began to bead on Gu Yue’s forehead. She cast a cryptic glance at the composed Cui Yi and arrived at a fact she was unwilling to admit: Cui Yi could count cards.

How do I ‘go easy’ in front of a master? Gu Yue felt her vision go dark.

Cui Yi spoke up: “I saw the Second Lady Gu last night.”

Gu Yue’s hand holding the cards trembled, and her cheeks flushed uncontrollably: “Is that so?”

Pei Mingjiao was annoyed: “You guys didn’t even call me!”

Gu Yue stammered, while Cui Yi said calmly: “It was too late.”

“Has the cause of Second Lady Gu’s runaway horse been found yet?” Cui Yi continued to ask.

This wasn’t a secret, so Gu Yue said, “The horse was startled by a rabbit that suddenly jumped out.”

Even Gu Yue found the result absurd, but that was indeed the reason.

“It was quite a coincidence that the Third Young Master happened to be nearby, otherwise I would have suffered greatly.” Having found someone she liked, Gu Yue couldn’t help but show off a little.

Cui Yi agreed: “Third Young Master Wang appeared quite coincidentally indeed.”

As she spoke, she “fed” a card to Gu Yue.

Gu Yue’s heart skipped a beat, and she looked toward Cui Yi.

She saw the other woman sitting there upright, her expression peaceful and her demeanor composed.

Dazed, Gu Yue discarded a card.

Pei Mingjiao’s cheer sounded in her ear: “I won!”

“Gu Yue, you lost!”