“No!” Madam Xue flung her handkerchief, which fluttered lightly to the ground.
Madam Xue trembled with rage.
Jiaoniang was right—that Huahua was indeed a fox spirit, sent to bewitch her Ruige, luring him into all sorts of improper behavior!
Xue Rui laughed recklessly, his rebelliousness dismissing Madam Xue entirely: “I’ve already pledged my life to Huahua.”
“You—you!” Madam Xue clutched her chest, her breath uneven, taking a long moment to recover. “Ruige, I know that fox spirit has clouded your mind. I don’t blame you. But from today onward, you are not to leave this room until after your wedding to Jiaoniang.”
Leaning against the door, Madam Xue struggled out of the room.
Xue Rui had always been wild, but only today did he break her heart.
All of this—because of that Huahua!
Madam Xue resolved that Xue Rui must marry Jiaoniang. Only then would he return to the right path.
As for that Huahua, she would be sent to the countryside estate at once, to be properly disciplined.
When Chen Jiao heard she was to marry Xue Rui, she was overjoyed.
Today, she went to the tailor’s shop to pick out new fabrics for beautiful dresses.
Tomorrow, she would buy the finest rouge and powder to adorn herself splendidly.
But her happiness was short-lived.
A bolt from the blue struck—Xue Rui had run away.
He had disappeared with that Huahua.
The Xue household’s gates were not strictly guarded, making it easy for the young master and ladies to come and go.
No one had expected Xue Rui to flee.
Even when Madam Xue confined him to his room, she had only assigned two extra maids to his courtyard as a token gesture.
Because Xue Rui had never once left his room on his own, let alone the courtyard.
So few servants in the household had even seen Xue Rui that he might have walked straight out of the Xue residence unnoticed.
Given Xue Rui’s notoriously lazy nature, Madam Xue never imagined he would flee.
The maids assigned to watch him likely thought the same, slacking off by playing cards in the backyard instead of guarding his door.
Everyone believed Xue Rui couldn’t survive without his wheelchair, let alone walk on his own.
But Xue Rui shattered their expectations.
Not only did he leave without his wheelchair, but he also walked out of the Xue residence, taking only some valuables and a young maid.
When Chen Jiao arrived at the Xue household, Madam Xue sat in the main hall, clutching her chest, her fingers trembling with fury.
Chen Jiao was furious too—her dream had been within reach.
Who would have thought her beloved would just run away?
Seeing her future daughter-in-law’s pitiful, resentful expression, Madam Xue had no choice but to comfort her.
“Don’t worry, Jiaoniang. Ruige has never suffered hardship or left home. He won’t last long outside and will return soon.”
Chen Jiao wiped her eyes, seething inwardly: “Xue Rui, let’s see how you and that fox spirit survive!”
To Madam Xue and Chen Jiao, Xue Rui had no skills, couldn’t lift a finger, and was accustomed to a life of luxury. He wouldn’t last a day outside.
As for that maid—a lowly servant dependent on her master—she couldn’t possibly sustain them.
People only grow through suffering.
They hoped Xue Rui would quickly endure hardship and return to the comfort of the Xue residence, where he had lived since birth.
But little did they know, they would wait for years.
===
Xue Rui decided to flee the Xue household and elope with Yao Zuizui after her persuasion.
He hadn’t given it much thought, but the word “elope” sounded enchanting coming from her lips, and he was instantly captivated.
In Xue Rui’s mind, Huahua managed his courtyard flawlessly, never making a mistake. Her ideas were surely sound.
So he resolutely left with her.
In truth, Yao Zuizui only wanted to cleanse Xue Rui of the sin of “sloth” rooted deep in his soul.
Before they left, she made three rules with him:
Outside, he must obey her in everything—eat his own meals, wash his own clothes, and walk on his own.
Yao Zuizui wanted to see if Xue Rui’s love for her could conquer his laziness.
Thus, Xue Rui reluctantly bid farewell to his wheelchair, glancing back at it every few steps until it disappeared from sight.
Grumbling, he left the Xue residence with Yao Zuizui.
“Young Master, do you miss your life of luxury?” Yao Zuizui teased, noticing his pained expression.
Xue Rui straightened his face, turning her to face him seriously.
“I told you to call me ‘husband,'” he said solemnly.
“…” Yao Zuizui spat in mock disdain, her shy smile satisfying Xue Rui.
No wealth or splendor could compare to her smile.
He had no regrets.
===
As mentioned earlier, Xue Rui had a photographic memory.
The Confucian classics recited to him in childhood remained etched in his mind.
Moreover, during Yao Zuizui’s stay, Madam Xue had hired tutors to educate Xue Rui daily.
Most of the time, Xue Rui dozed off, oblivious to the lessons.
But what he heard while awake, he never forgot.
With this foundation, Yao Zuizui pushed him to pursue scholarly honors.
She didn’t care if he became an official—she wanted him to overcome laziness.
Burning the midnight oil and rising at dawn.
Asking Xue Rui to sleep late and rise early was torture.
But Xue Rui always kept his word. Having promised to obey her, he didn’t shirk.
To her surprise, he studied diligently.
Studying came easily to Xue Rui.
So Yao Zuizui piled on more tasks.
Xue Rui’s life outside the Xue household became this:
Rising at dawn to study.
Cooking porridge and eggs for Huahua’s breakfast by sunrise.
More studying until lunch.
An afternoon nap with Huahua—his favorite part of the day.
More studying until dinner.
After dinner, cleaning the courtyard, bathing, and doing laundry.
Finally, studying until midnight before bed.
To avoid disturbing Huahua’s sleep, he tiptoed to the adjacent room, sleeping alone.
He slept soundly—exhaustion ensured that.
Xue Rui, who had once lived for laziness, never imagined he could endure such toil.
===
Finally, after Xue Rui’s relentless effort and Yao Zuizui’s constant supervision,
Xue Rui earned scholarly honors and returned home in glory.
On his first day in office, Madam Xue and Old Master Xue came to visit.
Madam Xue burst into tears the moment she sat down.
“Ruige, I’ve searched for you for so long! Who would have thought my Ruige could achieve such greatness!”
Old Master Xue had heard snippets about Xue Rui’s departure, but Madam Xue had been evasive. He nodded along, clueless.
Xue Rui sipped tea silently, ignoring them.
Yao Zuizui smiled beside him: “Madam Xue, Old Master Xue, it’s been a while. How have you been?”
Madam Xue had noticed the radiant, transformed maid the moment she entered.
Now, the maid exuded elegance and grace, outshining even a merchant family’s matriarch.
Madam Xue forced a flattering smile: “Yes, it’s been a while. You’ve grown even lovelier.”
“Indeed. Otherwise, how could I captivate someone at first sight?” Yao Zuizui replied with a barbed smile.
Madam Xue stiffened, her eyes reddening: “Back then, I was the one who tore you apart… But as a lowly maid, how could you marry the eldest son of the Xue family?”
“Enough,” Xue Rui cut in. “Huahua is with child and shouldn’t sit too long. I’ll take her for a walk in the garden. Make yourselves at home.”
Without waiting for a response, he led Yao Zuizui away.
Yao Zuizui pursed her lips. She knew Xue Rui held grudges longer than she did.
Later, she confirmed her suspicions.
In the years they were gone,
Chen Jiao had waited for Xue Rui’s return. But after two years, she was past marriageable age with no sign of him.
She couldn’t wait any longer.
Her family arranged another marriage—to a wealthy merchant twice her age as his second wife.
Naturally, he was no looker.
But as an older bride with few options, and with the merchant offering a hefty sum to rescue the Chen family from financial straits, they practically sold her off in delight.
These years, Chen Jiao lived neither well nor poorly.
At least she lacked no luxury.
But a month after Yao Zuizui and Xue Rui returned,
Yao Zuizui heard the news—Chen Jiao was dead.
Her merchant husband loved drink and beat her in his stupor. After enduring too much, she drowned herself in a lake.
When Yao Zuizui heard, she glanced at Xue Rui.
Oblivious, he smiled tenderly: “Huahua, what would you like to eat? I’ll have someone fetch it.”
===
Later, Yao Zuizui learned of Xue Qi’s fate.
Two months after their return, Xue Qi and Guigui were caught in an affair—witnessed by the entire household, a disgrace to the Xue name.
In the end, both were drowned in a pig cage to salvage the family’s reputation.
Hearing this, Yao Zuizui stole another glance at Xue Rui.
His gentle eyes held only adoration: “Huahua, you’re so beautiful. Let me kiss you…”
===
Ten more years passed here.
Yao Zuizui knew her time to return was near.
But she was torn.
She feared that upon her return, Suhei would be utterly annihilated, denied even reincarnation.
Yet remembering how Suhei had killed her mother, she felt she shouldn’t soften—he deserved annihilation.
Under the pear tree,
Snow-white petals danced in the breeze, settling on Yao Zuizui’s hair and shoulders, just as in Xue Rui’s dream long ago.
Noticing her furrowed brow, Xue Rui gently brushed her hair aside.
“Zuizui, it’s time to go back,” he murmured, tender and doting.
Yao Zuizui looked up at him, horrified.
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