Marrying the Sweet Story’s Melodramatic Villainess [Transmigration] - Chapter 38

Lin Fuyao began her new life, and Pei Mingjiao’s personal maid was replaced by Bai Ying. Recommended by Lin Fuyao before her departure, Bai Ying had a very tranquil temperament; she was formerly a second-class maid but was equally adept at her duties. However, compared to Caizhu, there was a certain lack of intimacy.

In the evening, behind the bed curtains, Pei Mingjiao pulled at Cui Yi while murmuring, “Fuyao has only been gone for a day and I already miss her. What am I going to do in the future?”

Cui Yi’s sleeping posture had always been excellent—straight, proper, and regulated. Pei Mingjiao, however, liked to nestle in Cui Yi’s arms; Cui Yi’s embrace was fragrant, soft, and very comfortable.

Truthfully, Cui Yi did not have many impressions of Lin Fuyao. Among the few she had, she remembered a very steady, highly adaptable, steward-type talent. Setting aside their childhood bond, it was certain that one would feel unaccustomed to such an all-around talent leaving their side.

Lowering her eyelashes, Cui Yi looked at Pei Mingjiao resting against her chest. Her fingers gently brushed the stray hairs from the other’s cheek as she comforted her in a soft voice, “Bailu Academy is not far. If you miss her, just go see her.”

“Mm,” Pei Mingjiao responded lowly, her brows drooping like a dynamic, aggrieved little puppy.

Abruptly, Cui Yi felt a wave of inexplicable discomfort. This emotional shift was extremely subtle, yet Cui Yi sensed it nonetheless. She possessed immense self-control and a very clear self-awareness.

Cui Yi recognized quite clearly: she was jealous.

Because Pei Mingjiao was initially a wife she had married out of compromise, there was affection, but it hadn’t been intense. Yet this time, simply because the person receiving her wife’s excessive focus wasn’t her—but a childhood friend viewed as an elder sister—she rationally understood that the deep bond between them wasn’t romantic. Still, a sour emotion quietly germinated; beneath the calm surface, an undercurrent was already surging. That was jealousy.

She was falling while fully conscious, her love for her wife growing deeper.

Cui Yi looked at the wife in her arms—innocent yet cruel, always uttering words of confession with a superficial heat that possessed a scorching, stinging temperature.

The ignorant love of a young person.

Cui Yi suddenly turned on her side and, with a hint of irritation, bit Pei Mingjiao on the shoulder. It wasn’t heavy, but there was a genuine sting of pain.

Pei Mingjiao, who was still feeling sentimental, let out a “yowl” and looked at Cui Yi in disbelief, accusing, “You bit me!”

Cui Yi’s elegant, clear features broke into a smile, her tone as gentle as a spring breeze. “Today is the third day.”

Pei Mingjiao was so dazzled by that sudden charm that she forgot everything else. Her heart throbbed wildly; her mind was filled with the idea that Cui Yi was playing some “new kind of games” with her. She cooperatively relaxed her body, her arms winding like vines around Cui Yi’s neck, her eyes pooling with the waters of spring. “Be gentle when you love me… I’m afraid of pain.”

Cui Yi’s methodical movements suddenly lost control, becoming hurried.

The next day, both of them woke up a bit late.

Cui Yi’s biological clock seemed to have been momentarily disrupted, but her routine remained the same. While she exercised, Pei Mingjiao lay lazily on the couch, watching through the glass window. Seeing her finish her workout, Pei Mingjiao’s gaze followed her movement until it met Cui Yi’s eyes as she entered the room.

Cui Yi used an embroidered handkerchief to wipe her sweat, her face flushed from exercise and her breathing rapid. Her fingertips, which held the handkerchief, pressed slightly; her nails were trimmed very cleanly. For some reason, Pei Mingjiao also felt a sense of heat—a humid heat that made one feel anxious.

After wiping her sweat, Cui Yi placed the handkerchief on a wooden rack nearby. She leaned over slightly, dipping her fingers into a bronze basin filled with warm water. Once her long, fair fingers were wetted, they appeared even more moist and supple. She washed with extreme meticulousness, attending to every knuckle in a slow, unhurried manner. Pei Mingjiao stared fixedly, suddenly recalling the trembling and weeping brought about by those very fingertips the previous night.

Cui Yi picked up a clean brocade towel to dry the moisture from her hands. She turned slightly, her eyelashes lowered, meeting the gaze of Pei Mingjiao on the couch. With a faint look in her eyes, she asked softly, “Hungry?”

For a moment, Pei Mingjiao felt as if she had been seen through. She nodded haphazardly and scrambled off the couch in a hurry, thus missing the clear trace of a smile at the corners of Cui Yi’s brow.

As the first day of the Lunar New Year drew closer, Pei Mingjiao took Cui Yi back to the Princess Royal’s manor to inquire about this year’s arrangements.

Yan Linlang hadn’t seen Pei Mingjiao for some time, but every time they met, Pei Mingjiao’s complexion looked extremely well-nourished. Yan Linlang first shared a few words of small talk before saying, “This New Year, you must go to your grandfather’s. He hasn’t seen you in quite a while.”

Grand Secretary Pei was over seventy with frost-white hair, but he was full of vitality. Cui Yi had met him once; he fit the image of a retired old gentleman perfectly.

Yan Linlang rarely went to the Pei Manor, simply because they didn’t get along. Given her status, she naturally wouldn’t lower herself to accommodate others; it was enough to fulfill the etiquette of gifts during festivals. This year, because of Pei Mingjiao’s marriage, Yan Linlang finally relented.

Hearing that they would stay at the Pei household for a few days, Pei Mingjiao was quite happy despite the presence of a few unpleasant relatives; she simply loved a lively atmosphere.

On the way back, Pei Mingjiao grumbled to Cui Yi inside the carriage about which older or younger female cousins were unpleasant. Cui Yi played along, listening quietly.

Because of the approaching New Year, Du Sanlang had also returned to his hometown early, planning to return after the start of the year.

The Cui family would not return to their ancestral home for the New Year. Cui Yi’s grandparents were elderly and only wished to spend their twilight years in Qinghe. Cui Yan deferred to his parents; as the second son with an elder brother to care for them, he was at peace with the arrangement.

When Lady Du heard that Cui Yi would be staying at the Pei Manor for two days this New Year, she said nothing. But when night came and the couple spoke privately, Lady Du sighed faintly. “Why does my heart feel so empty?”

Cui Yan understood his wife of many years. He patted her shoulder comfortingly. “Even though Yi-niang has started her own family, she is still our daughter.”

Lady Du gave a soft “mm” in response.

Preceding the New Year was Yan Yuanyi’s coming-of-age ceremony (Ji Ji). As a ceremony for a daughter of the imperial clan, it was naturally extremely grand. Yan Yuanyi offered sacrifices to the Yan ancestors in the imperial temple, followed by the “Three Additions” of the ceremonial cap by high-ranking, respected Princes of the Yan clan. The process was solemn and took over two hours to complete.

Once the rites were finished and they returned to the Prince of Jin’s manor, an Imperial Envoy arrived with a decree of conferment.

From then on, Yan Yuanyi became the County Princess of Nanping, with a fief of three hundred households.

Pei Mingjiao was a guest at the ceremony. After standing for several hours, her feet began to ache. Looking at Cui Yi beside her, who showed no sign of discomfort, she whispered, “Yi-niang, do your feet hurt?”

Cui Yi answered truthfully in a low voice: “They hurt.”

On such a big day, Pei Mingjiao didn’t dare to be reckless, or else she would be making enemies. She squeezed Cui Yi’s fingers. “Endure a bit longer. We’ll massage them when we get back.”

Cui Yi murmured her agreement.

Once the lengthy etiquette was finished, it was time for the social reception. Pei Mingjiao finally breathed a sigh of relief. The hosts had arranged the seating, so they simply sat accordingly. After a sip of hot tea, Pei Mingjiao felt her whole body relax.

Just as she was about to say something, she heard a bit of a commotion nearby. It turned out to be several young ladies bickering. They all knew their limits, so it was just a few verbal barbs, but since everyone else was speaking in low tones at the banquet, these few people stood out.

Pei Mingjiao looked over. A few unfamiliar young ladies were surrounding and mocking a girl. Looking closely, the one being ridiculed was Liu Yun, who had once been betrothed to the fake heir. Her previously plump cheeks had thinned; one could tell her life had not been easy.

Pei Mingjiao still remembered the fake heir—he was a very gentle person who had been very devoted to Liu Yun. Just as Pei Mingjiao was about to go up and teach those arrogant young ladies a lesson, she was pulled back by Cui Yi.

At such a banquet, to make a scene would be truly foolish. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before someone led the troublemakers away. Meanwhile, Liu Yun sat quietly in her seat, her expression showing neither grief nor joy.