Marrying the Sweet Story’s Melodramatic Villainess [Transmigration] - Chapter 31

Although the couple was slated to move into the Princess’s Estate after their marriage, Pei Mingjiao thoughtfully accompanied Cui Yi to stay at the Cui Residence for the first half-month.

During the tea ceremony, the Cui couple treated Pei Mingjiao with great kindness and a pleasant countenance. Madame Du had only interacted with Pei Mingjiao a few times, but through several observations, she had come to understand her character. She knew that the girl was not as willful as the rumors suggested. She had also witnessed the interactions between Pei Mingjiao and her daughter; though Yi-niang had a cold temperament, she was immensely patient with Pei Mingjiao. Conversely, Pei Mingjiao never “put on airs” or showed a temper when with Yi-niang; instead, she was accommodating in every way. This was enough, Madame Du thought—her daughter would not have to suffer the pains of childbirth in the future and could live a long, peaceful life.

Cui Ting stared at Pei Mingjiao, his new elder sister-in-law. Because of his studies, he hadn’t spoken much with her, but he had become good friends with her younger brother, Pei Mingxuan. At the academy, Cui Ting often used the fact that their families were soon to be related as an excuse to ask Pei Mingxuan to help him handle the coursework assigned by the masters. Now that the marriage was finalized, it would be even more “justifiable” to order Pei Mingxuan about in the future.

While Cui Ting was nursing his little schemes, the elders at the top were currently too busy to notice his wandering mind. After Pei Mingjiao received the meeting gifts from the Cui couple, her phoenix-like eyes darted toward the third son of the Du family, Du Wenyu. Because of this cousin, she had once quarreled with Cui Yi; she remembered it all. With her chin slightly raised, her flamboyant and seductive face wore a look of triumph, and she was just about to show off when her sleeve was lightly tugged. Following the pull, she looked at Cui Yi, only to see her wearing a gentle, shallow expression. Unaccountably, Pei Mingjiao’s desire to boast faded. She puffed out her cheeks slightly and honestly greeted him as “Cousin.”

The quite innocent “Third Son Du” maintained a gentle expression as he handed over the meeting gift he had prepared long ago, offering sincere blessings: “I wish the Princess and my cousin companionship through every dawn and dusk, joy through every passing year, and a love that knows no doubt.”

Pei Mingjiao’s irritation vanished instantly. She felt that this “fair-faced” cousin was actually quite a decent person, and she decided that if anything happened in the future, she would certainly look out for him.

Pei Mingjiao’s thoughts were actually very easy to read. The Cui couple exchanged a look, unable to stifle their laughter. Cui Yi’s eyes carried a faint smile as they stayed in the main hall for a while longer, chatting before the two finally took their leave.

Hand in hand, they walked through the covered corridor with synchronized steps, their identical-colored hemlines inevitably brushing against each other. Pei Mingjiao leaned close to Cui Yi and let out a soft breath of warm air. She held a hand-warmer in her hands. She had possessed a good constitution since childhood and her body was naturally warm, but she had learned just how cold Cui Yi’s body could be the previous night. Seeing that Cui Yi looked normal and without any discomfort, she said happily, “In a few days, shall we go to the villa in the western suburbs to soak in the hot springs? I’ll hunt a few foxes for you then; their pelts are guaranteed to be extremely warm.”

Cui Yi held her hand-warmer with both hands, her pace steady and her breathing rhythmic. The pearls and emeralds on her head swayed gently with her steps, and her features were relaxed. Hearing Pei Mingjiao’s suggestion, she agreed without hesitation, “Very well.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Pei Mingjiao’s excited, chirping voice sounded in her ear as she began to introduce the villa in the western suburbs. Her description lacked any logic, jumping from one thought to another. After rambling for a long time without hearing Cui Yi’s voice, she tilted her head to look up at Cui Yi, knitting her brows. Her beautiful face wore a look of unhappiness: “Are you even listening to me at all?”

Cui Yi calmly reached out to steady Pei Mingjiao and repeated her words back to her, verbatim.

Pei Mingjiao was a stranger to embarrassment; a bright smile bloomed on her face as she said with certainty, “Yi-niang, you will love it there.”

Cui Yi gave a soft “mm,” her eyelashes drooping slightly.

As soon as they returned to the courtyard, Wu Liuniang was already waiting. She offered several auspicious words to Cui Yi and Pei Mingjiao, and Pei Mingjiao generously rewarded her with “joy money.” Feeling the weight of the purse, Wu Liuniang poured out even more praises by the basketful. It wasn’t enough for Pei Mingjiao to listen herself; she dragged Cui Yi along to listen as well.

Cui Yi: “…”

Cui Yi waited until the two had had their fill of fun before starting on official business. The perfume bottles from the glassworks had been produced, though the current output of perfume was still very scarce. After speaking, Wu Liuniang presented the finished perfume. The bottle was exquisite and translucent, with light passing through it to create shimmering ripples; the exquisite bottle alone was of immense value. Cui Yi examined the perfume bottle closely, feeling that the craftsmanship of the ancients truly could not be underestimated. She opened the cap and placed a drop of essential oil on her wrist. A tranquil, green scent rushed toward her—top notes, heart notes, base notes… After savoring it for a moment, she handed the perfume to Pei Mingjiao, who was watching eagerly, and gave a heartfelt evaluation: “Not bad.”

Wu Liuniang clicked her tongue inwardly, thinking her mistress was too strict. For such a wonderful thing—something she had never even heard of before—to only receive a “not bad.”

Cui Yi spoke to Wu Liuniang about the future sales model. Wu Liuniang benefited greatly and prepared to go back and work hard. She then hinted subtly that she was short-handed.

Cui Yi hummed in acknowledgment, stating she would arrange for manpower in a few days. Wu Liuniang could only suppress her thoughts of promoting her own subordinates and followed Cui Yi’s instructions.

Once Wu Liuniang left, Pei Mingjiao immediately scurried over like a colorful butterfly, fluttering before Cui Yi. “This scent is so unique; it even changes over time.”

Cui Yi, whose face was being smothered by various scents: “…”

Suppressing the itch in her nose, Cui Yi hummed and had someone send a set to Madame Du, leaving the rest for Pei Mingjiao to handle. Seeing Pei Mingjiao become busy, Cui Yi breathed a sigh of relief and walked to the window where the scent wasn’t as overpowering. She asked Gu Jing, “Gu Jing, would you like to go out and make a way for yourself?”

Gu Jing had always been clever and understood Cui Yi’s meaning instantly. Her family had been poor, which was why she became a maid. At first, she had resented why it had to be her—clearly, there were so many siblings, yet she was the one sold. Fortunately, the masters of the house were kind; otherwise, she wouldn’t have known what to do.

Perhaps because her silence lasted too long, Dong Zhi beside her became inexplicably anxious. After a long while, Gu Jing spoke loudly: “I would.”

Cui Yi gave a light smile: “Good.”

Disturbed by the sound, Pei Mingjiao looked up and saw Cui Yi’s gentle, tender smile. Inexplicably, she thought of the person from the previous night who had lost her usual cold demeanor. Pei Mingjiao’s throat felt itchy. She had always been of a straightforward nature, so she walked right over and dismissed the servants amidst Cui Yi’s surprised expression. Her warm body pressed tightly against Cui Yi; as the door closed, Caizhu only saw their overlapping robes.

Cui Yi held back Pei Mingjiao, who was almost about to lick her, and frowned: “It’s broad daylight, what are you doing?”

“What does it matter?” Pei Mingjiao unhappily pried Cui Yi’s hand away, speaking with total conviction: “Besides, we are newlyweds.”

What was wrong with being a bit clingy during the honeymoon?

Moreover, that kind of thing was very comfortable. She was a pleasure-seeking person; what was wrong with wanting to be comfortable?

Immediately, Pei Mingjiao felt even more justified.

Cui Yi did not want to let her have her way and stared at Pei Mingjiao with her dark eyes, refusing bluntly, “No.”

Pei Mingjiao’s eyes widened in disbelief: “Why? Was it not comfortable for you?”

“…” Cui Yi choked for a second. “There is a right time for everything.”

So it was comfortable; Pei Mingjiao understood. It was just that Cui Yi was thin-skinned. Pei Mingjiao settled for the next best thing: “Then a kiss is fine, right?”

Cui Yi lowered her eyes and leaned in; their lips and teeth met.

Pei Mingjiao acted as if she were biting into a piece of meat, taking the initiative.

It was an extremely clingy kiss.

When they finally parted, both of them coincidentally drank a cup of warm water.

The dryness in their throats receded. Pei Mingjiao touched the corner of her lip; there was a slight pain, a result of both parties being unpracticed.

She leaned against Cui Yi and whispered, “We need to practice more.”

“Okay,” replied Cui Yi, whose mouth also hurt.

After another long while, Pei Mingjiao sighed, “Being married is truly wonderful.”

Cui Yi, leaning against Pei Mingjiao’s warm body, closed her eyes.

Three days passed in a flash, and it was the day for Pei Mingjiao’s return to her parental home. Preparations had been made long ago. As soon as the carriage reached the Princess’s Estate, Pei Mingxuan, who had been waiting early, hurried forward to meet them. He politely greeted Cui Yi, but upon seeing Pei Mingjiao, his eyes grew red with emotion. Pei Mingjiao didn’t understand her brother’s sorrow at all: “Hurry up, I want to take Yi-niang to see my ‘Longevity’.”

Pei Mingxuan: “…” A deer was more important than his own brother; his feelings were wasted after all.

Pei Mingjiao led Cui Yi to see Yan Linlang and her husband. Seeing Pei Mingjiao’s ruddy complexion, Yan Linlang knew she had fared well over the past three days. She spoke a few words with a smile and told Cui Yi that she liked the perfume she had sent over very much, generously gifting the couple many good things.

Pei Mingjiao lingered by her parents’ side to act spoiled for a while before taking Cui Yi to see “Longevity.”

Longevity hadn’t seen Pei Mingjiao for a while and was very enthusiastic. Every time Pei Mingjiao saw it, she would mutter: “Longevity, you must live for a hundred years.”

It was the same this time, but after finishing the sentence, she offered a blessing to her new wife: “Yi-niang must also live for a hundred years.”

After speaking, she giggled to herself, “And of course, so will I.”

Cui Yi was stunned for a moment. The warm winter light was neither cold nor hot, but extremely comfortable. She reached out to stroke Longevity. The deer was very friendly and allowed Cui Yi to touch it. Cui Yi responded to Pei Mingjiao’s words as if casually: “Fine, let us live for a hundred years together.”

In that moment, Pei Mingjiao felt that Cui Yi was incredibly gentle. Her heart went thump-thump-thump, each beat stronger, faster, and more urgent than the last, like a beating drum striking against her chest. Her blood surged through her veins along with the rhythm, carrying an inexpressible excitement and nervousness.

Pei Mingjiao blinked, feeling a bit at a loss for a moment.

She thought that if her mother were here right now, she would surely tell her exactly what was happening to her.

Cui Yi stroked Longevity for a while, then turned her head to see Pei Mingjiao looking confused and lost. She asked, “What is the matter?”

Pei Mingjiao stared at Cui Yi. It flashed through her mind that, besides her family, Cui Yi was the closest person to her in this world—someone she could ask for help. So, she obediently spoke her feelings aloud.

After listening, Cui Yi’s eyelashes trembled slightly and her fingertips curled inward. A flush climbed onto her usually cold face. Pei Mingjiao was young and did not understand, but although Cui Yi herself had never experienced this emotion, she was older and understood what needed to be understood. After weighing her words, she answered very seriously:

“That is a fluttering of the heart. You are falling for me.”