“Yes, Qing’er, please believe me. Can you give me a chance to pursue you again?”
Sun Fengyu was utterly baffled by Wan Qing’s sudden move. Though reluctant in his heart, he still brimmed with confidence, thinking of his own charm. He lifted a hand to brush aside the strands of hair before his eyes and looked at her expectantly as he spoke.
“Brother Sun, your words are hard for Qing’er to believe. If my elder sister were standing before you now, would you still say such things? What exactly are your intentions toward her? Could it be that you wish to marry both of us sisters to enjoy the blessings of two wives? If so, I won’t stand for it.”
As he spoke, the figure hiding behind the nearby tree remained motionless. Wan Qing smiled faintly and looked at Sun Fengyu again, her tone both playful and reproachful.
“What are you thinking? Everyone knows we were betrothed since childhood. As for your elder sister—though she is beautiful and gives off a virtuous air—I merely admire her. All those rumors about us are nonsense. The only one I’ve ever wanted to marry is you, Qing’er…”
Sun Fengyu took Wan Qing’s behavior as mere girlish jealousy. Though inwardly disgusted—even feeling nauseated by his own words—he maintained a look of deep affection and reached out to stroke the hair at her temple.
“Brother Sun, what are you doing? What if someone sees us? How embarrassing! If that’s truly how you feel, then if my elder sister were standing before you now, could you still tell her that I’m the only one you wish to marry?”
At Sun Fengyu’s gesture, Wan Qing recoiled as if stung by a scorpion. She spoke coyly, glancing at the figure still hiding behind the tree, and smiled before posing her question again.
“Why wouldn’t I dare? My love for you, Qing’er, is as clear as the heavens and earth. What does anyone else have to do with it?”
Sun Fengyu laughed confidently and continued sweet-talking her.
“Very well then. Elder sister, come out now. Brother Sun, since my elder sister is here, could you repeat what you just told me? If you do, Qing’er will believe in your sincerity. Otherwise, I’ll have to assume you were just toying with me. Fine, I understand. Xia Tao, let’s go.”
Hearing Sun Fengyu’s words, Wan Qing had no intention of lingering any longer. She forced a smile, pretending to reluctantly believe him, then turned toward the tree and called out.
Seeing Sun Fengyu’s expression darken with panic and hesitation at her summons, she smiled faintly before addressing him again.
As the figure emerged from behind the tree, Wan Qing observed Mu Wanxia’s aggrieved and helpless expression as she faced Sun Fengyu. With a knowing nod, Wan Qing turned and called for Xia Tao to leave.
“Sun Gongzi, the things you said to Qing’er…”
After Wan Qing departed, Mu Wanxia recalled the words she had overheard from behind the tree. Though she had repeatedly assured herself that Sun Fengyu cared for her—why else would he have sought her out to apologize and profess his love, claiming he was only forced to feign affection for another?
Now, having witnessed it firsthand, despair filled her heart. She gazed at him sorrowfully and asked in a broken voice.
“Xia’er, don’t be like this. My feelings for you are real. As for her… I just need you to trust me, to believe in my love for you. Xiang Tao, take your mistress home. Qing’er, listen to me—Qing’er, please! Qing’er…”
Facing the tearful, accusing eyes of the woman he loved, Sun Fengyu felt his head spin. With a sigh, he instructed her maid before turning to chase after the departing figure.
He believed she was intelligent enough to understand his predicament. But he had forgotten that in matters of love, women were not only selfish but also prone to pettiness.
“So this is the love and devotion he swore to me? Claiming his heart was mine, only to admit it was all an act with her? I…”
As Sun Fengyu left, Mu Wanxia watched his retreating figure with bitter tears streaming down her face.
“Miss, please don’t cry like this. Your sorrow pains me deeply. I can’t help but feel Sun Gongzi must have some hidden reason for his actions—one he couldn’t reveal to you. Remember, when he arrived at the manor, he sought you out first…”
Xiang Tao’s heart ached at the sight of her mistress’s tears, and she resented Sun Fengyu’s fickleness. Her lady had chased after him only to gift him a sachet, yet he had abandoned her so callously.
Though furious on her mistress’s behalf, she still tried to console her.
“You’re right. That must be it. Otherwise, why would he have given me the jade bracelet his mother entrusted him to gift to the woman he loves? But what could possibly force him to act this way? If only he’d told me! And that wretched girl—if not for her forcing his hand, he wouldn’t have treated me so cruelly. It’s all her fault. I won’t let her get away with this. Never.”
Though Mu Wanxia struggled to reconcile Xiang Tao’s words with the man who had just sworn his love to her, she clung to the explanation. Clenching her teeth in anger, she lifted her sleeve to reveal the bracelet Sun Fengyu had given her, her eyes brimming with tears. Blaming Wan Qing for their predicament, her hatred for her sister flared anew.
“Eldest Miss, though Second Miss is indeed despicable for interfering between you and Sun Gongzi, the Madam has warned us not to provoke her. Are you truly planning to…?”
Xiang Tao hesitated, seeing her mistress’s hatred intensify despite her earlier attempt to soothe her. Recalling the Madam’s stern warnings, she wondered if her advice had been wise.
“Exactly. Third Sister failed before, and so did Mother, but that doesn’t mean I will. I’ve learned some of Mother’s poison arts—though she said to use them only in dire circumstances. But if I don’t act now, Sun Gongzi will be stolen from me. I refuse to play the fool any longer. That girl can’t possibly be invincible. Hmph, let’s go back.”
At Xiang Tao’s cautious question, Mu Wanxia smirked, recalling the skills she had absorbed from her mother over the years. Her delicate features twisted into an icy sneer before she turned away.
“Brother Sun, are you truly taking Qing’er shopping?”
On the bustling street, despite Wan Qing’s repeated refusals, Sun Fengyu clung to her like a stubborn burr. Seeing she couldn’t shake him off, she inwardly rejoiced—since he insisted on staying, she might as well exploit his generosity.
With feigned delight, she looked at him and asked, “You’re really buying me jewelry from that shop ahead?”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage