Marrying the Sweet Story’s Melodramatic Villainess [Transmigration] - Chapter 42

Illness comes like a mountain collapsing, but leaves like silk being unraveled from a cocoon.

Although Cui Yi’s fever had broken, she still needed time to recover. The scent of Chinese medicine lingered in the courtyard, a bitter fragrance that refused to dissipate. Outside the window, the ginkgo trees were skeletal and white, and snow fell in soft, rustling flurries, blanketing the city of Chang’an.

This unusually heavy snow compared to previous years had caused no small amount of unrest. Chang’an was no longer as bustling as usual; the roads were buried under drifts, making travel difficult. While servants cleared snow in the city center, many houses on the outskirts had been crushed by the weight, forcing owners to huddle in cramped corners with old quilts for warmth.

Though the Cui manor was well-maintained, wooden structures could not entirely block the chill of the natural elements. Even with the floor heating constantly running in Cui Yi’s courtyard and the charcoal braziers burning silver-flake charcoal, the heat brought a thin layer of pink to Cui Yi’s frail face—like winter plum blossoms in the snow, displaying a delicate beauty.

Pei Mingjiao insisted on sticking close to Cui Yi, who was newly recovered. With such heavy snow, the art teachers had naturally requested leave, so she had to teach herself. Her pigments domineeringly occupied most of the table, while Cui Yi’s few items were neatly arranged in a corner.

While Pei Mingjiao studied the works of master painters, attempting to replicate their talent, Cui Yi read travelogues, planning future excursion routes.

For a time, the only sound in the room was the crackling of the charcoal.

Pei Mingjiao was focused with a rare intensity. When she finally came to her senses after nearly an hour, she set down her brush and moved her wrists slightly to relieve the soreness. Simultaneously, Cui Yi set down her book and naturally reached out to massage Pei Mingjiao’s hands.

The pressure was neither too heavy nor too light. Pei Mingjiao lowered her eyes to stare quietly at Cui Yi. The stiffness in her wrists was gradually rubbed away. The moment she was released, she threw herself into Cui Yi’s arms, looking up with a bright smile blooming on her face, her eyes dark and sparkling. “Yi-niang, you are truly good.”

Cui Yi steadied Pei Mingjiao’s waist with one hand, her head slightly tilted. She lowered her gaze with a shallow smile and asked back, “Is this enough to be ‘good’?”

Pei Mingjiao nodded emphatically.

It was hard to say who initiated it; the two naturally exchanged a lingering, moist kiss.

Cui Yi hadn’t fully recovered, so Lady Du restricted her from going out. That evening, as the family ate together, Cui Yan’s brow was furrowed. After a few hurried bites, he went to his study. Pei Mingjiao was confused, but Lady Du sighed faintly. “Word of a snow disaster came from the Hebei region today; he is troubled by this.”

Pei Mingjiao’s cheeks moved as she swallowed her food. She was not someone ignorant of the world’s suffering. “I have quite a bit of money. I’ll buy some supplies to send over.”

Hearing such sincere words, Lady Du was moved. “Good child, you have a kind heart.”

Cui Yi ate her meal quietly. In the original novel, the male lead used this disaster relief effort to execute corrupt officials and aid the refugees, gaining significant prestige.

On the way back, Pei Mingjiao watched the falling snow, looking worried. “Will people freeze to death?”

Cui Yi answered softly: “They will.”

Pei Mingjiao looked at her sideways, her eyes wide and incredulous. “I thought you would lie to me.”

Cui Yi held a hand warmer in both hands, her cloak wrapping her tightly. She wore a fur hat that revealed only her slightly pale face. Hearing this, her expression remained calm as she asked, “Would you be fooled?”

Pei Mingjiao felt dejected. “I’m not a child anymore; how could I be fooled?”

Cui Yi’s pace was slow, and Pei Mingjiao matched her step for step. As her fingers rubbed the warmer, her mind couldn’t come up with a solution.

Cui Yi reached out and took hold of Pei Mingjiao’s wrist. “It will be resolved.”

The official disaster relief envoy was Yan Yuanyi. The cement she had presented was now proving useful. Among the accompanying personnel were the two sisters, Gu Ning and Gu Yue. For the first time, Yan Zhen looked seriously at this cousin who had just reached her coming-of-age—an opponent he had never considered.

Yan Yuanyi had no time for such thoughts. The lives of hundreds of thousands of people weighed on her; she didn’t dare be careless, as everything required her coordination and planning.

Through the carriage curtain, Gu Yue reported excitedly: “Excellency, the County Princess of Yongjia has sent ten thousand dan of grain!”

Yan Yuanyi rose and descended from the carriage. Looking at the long convoy following behind, she walked several paces toward the lead manager, whose cheeks were frozen red. Just as he was about to bow, Yan Yuanyi waved him off and personally opened a grain sack. A stale scent drifted out. Yan Yuanyi rubbed the grain between her fingers. “Cousin truly has a thoughtful heart.”

Pei Mingjiao had originally wanted to buy white rice, but Cui Yi had stopped her.

The manager took a wooden box from his robe and presented it with both hands. “This is a small token of my two masters’ intentions.”

Yan Yuanyi had already guessed what it was. Opening it, she saw bank notes; at a rough glance, it was likely more than half of their net worth.

Just then, a faint commotion came from behind. Yan Yuanyi knit her brows and looked over to see many more carts loaded with goods arriving. A guard soon came to report.

These were all relief materials sent from Chang’an.

Yan Yuanyi suddenly felt a surge of heroic ambition.

Gu Ning, following behind, felt her eyes grow hot at the sight.

Yan Yuanyi was gone for over half a month—long enough for the New Year to arrive.

Cui Yi had already moved into the Pei Manor.

The Pei family was a large clan; Grand Secretary Pei had many offspring, and the entire extended family living together was very lively. However, with many people, friction was inevitable.

Tang Wensi had come to her maternal grandfather’s house with her mother. After not seeing her for a while, Tang Wensi’s cheeks had become plumper and her skin more radiant, like a soft glutinous rice ball. As soon as she arrived, she gravitated toward Pei Mingjiao and Cui Yi.

“Is Yi-cousin’s health fully restored?” Tang Wensi carefully examined Cui Yi’s features. Last time, she had intended to invite Cui Yi out to play, only to find she was ill; she had immediately sent many medicinal herbs, wishing only for Cui Yi’s quick recovery.

Before Cui Yi could answer, Pei Mingjiao tilted her chin. “Of course she is well. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have let Yi-niang come over.”

Tang Wensi smiled. “Cousin, you’ve taken very good care of Yi-cousin.”

Pei Mingjiao accepted Tang Wensi’s flattery completely, the pride at the corners of her brow impossible to hide. When she wasn’t looking, Tang Wensi quietly winked at Cui Yi. Cui Yi looked at her wife, whose nose was practically in the air, and felt amused, silently playing along.

The three were chatting and laughing when Pei Liuniang, sitting opposite them, couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Just as she was about to utter a sharp remark, Pei Sanniang reached out and pinched the soft flesh at her waist. Liuniang was in so much pain she saw stars. “Third Sister, why did you pinch me?”

Pei Sanniang said crossly, “Why do you never learn your lesson? On such a joyous day, are you looking for a scolding?”

Pei Liuniang was defiant. “I’m sure I can win this time.”

Pei Sanniang smiled sweetly: “Don’t force me to slap you.”

Pei Liuniang immediately behaved.

The young ladies gathered together in a group, while the adults held their own conversations elsewhere, their laughter and chatter not interfering with one another.

Pei Mingjiao was introducing the “snow cakes” on the table to Cui Yi. They were tiny, enough for only one bite. Pei Mingjiao said mysteriously, “Yi-niang, guess who made these?”

Pei Mingjiao’s thoughts were always easy to guess. Cui Yi pretended to be deep in thought for a moment. “Third Aunt?”

Third Madam Pei had mentioned during small talk that she had been researching food lately; the guess was well-founded.

The smile on Pei Mingjiao’s face grew wider. “No, no. Guess again.”

Cui Yi knit her brows for a long while. “I don’t know.”

“Grandfather made them!” Pei Mingjiao announced the answer with a “bet you didn’t think of that” expression.

Cui Yi feigned surprise. “I truly didn’t expect it to be his Excellency.”

Pei Mingjiao picked up her portion. “Right? Grandfather only makes them during the New Year.”

Tang Wensi watched their interaction and felt a sense of sweetness in her own mouth.

Just then, the rowdy voices of the men drifted over.

“A union between a woman and a woman is inherently an affront to the natural order!”