Mei Gongxue’s blood ran cold in an instant. She turned her head, hesitant, and found it was indeed him!
Having waited three years to see him, Mei Gongxue felt as though her heart had been pricked by a needle. After the initial pain, only numbness remained.
Ji Yunchu had been an adopted son taken in by the Marquis Manor many years ago; they were, for all intents and purposes, childhood sweethearts.
She spoke first. "I heard from the jailer that you performed great service in rooting out the eunuch faction. Thank you for avenging my father."
Ji Yunchu stared at her steadily. A moment later, he said only in a flat tone, "I just finished paying respects at a grave and happened to pass by. I thought I would pick you up."
Mei Gongxue did not respond, her eyes hollow and indifferent, as if the bustle of the world had nothing to do with her.
The atmosphere turned silent at once.
Ji Yunchu was naturally a man of few words, and for a moment, he was truly at a loss. A flash of reminiscence suddenly crossed his eyes.
He remembered the days just after he had been adopted by the Old Marquis, following his own father’s death in battle while protecting the old man. At that time, the other young masters of the Mei family were arrogant and looked down on him—a poor boy from the countryside.
He had stood at the threshold, clutching his father’s spirit tablet, feeling awkward and uneasy. It was Mei Gongxue who had been the first to approach him with a smile, asking his name and chattering on and on about everything, finally dissolving his embarrassment.
She had been so spirited and empathetic back then. How had she become like this now?
Ji Yunchu took off his cloak and handed it to her, struggling to find a topic. "Your eldest sister-in-law has been ill. Before the new year, she reminded the Eldest Young Master to petition the Emperor to have you released."
At the mention of her sister-in-law, Mei Gongxue’s expression finally flickered with emotion. Her mother had died giving birth to the twins, and after she returned to the Marquis Manor, it was her sister-in-law who had looked after her, attending to every detail.
Mei Gongxue did not reach for the cloak, but instead quickened her pace. "Men and women should keep their distance. Given my current status, I shouldn't stain your reputation as an official."
Ji Yunchu’s brows knit slightly. He did not press the issue and simply turned to leave.
Mei Gongxue paused. She recalled how, three years ago, when she had begged him for help, he had only said: "Wait until we find a way to eliminate Zhao Zhang, and we will bring you back immediately."
She had just been released, and he had come to fetch her—he had kept his word. But she would not thank him.
Soon, however, Ji Yunchu doubled back. A red umbrella appeared over Mei Gongxue’s head, sheltering her from the snow.
Mei Gongxue froze, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. He wore silk embroidered with intricate cloud patterns, an aura of stern authority about him that commanded awe.
How he had changed. Three years ago, he had been nothing more than an unknown soldier. After purging the eunuch faction, the Emperor had promoted him to a high-ranking official; he was now a rising star in the imperial court. A warrior who had carved his path with real blades and spears—he was far superior to her brothers at the manor, who held titles but no real power.
The red umbrella shielded her, blocking the snow that had been about to fall upon her. In truth, Mei Gongxue knew she shouldn't blame him for the proxy marriage. After all, he was merely an adopted son with no say in the manor’s affairs, but...
How she had wished that, when the whole world abandoned her, he would have spoken up for her. If only for one word!
But Mei Gongxue understood that it was impossible. Because the person Ji Yunchu truly loved in his heart was Mei Xianghan! How could he bear to let her marry a eunuch?
She remembered once accidentally discovering Ji Yunchu painting a portrait of a woman. His expression had been so tender and lingering as he painted; he was clearly in love with the subject. And she was all too familiar with the woman in the painting. How she had longed for that person to be herself!
Regrettably, she had later seen that very painting in Mei Xianghan’s room, hanging at the head of her bed as a cherished treasure. Now that Ji Yunchu had achieved fame and success, their union was surely imminent.
Mei Gongxue sighed. Some people were truly lucky—born with the best of everything. Yet, despite sharing the same parents, the same brothers, and even the same face as her sister, why was she always the one to be discarded? They had all been unwilling to let Mei Xianghan sacrifice herself to a eunuch, yet they had the heart to make her the substitute!
Was it because she wasn't good enough? No.
In truth, Mei Gongxue had always known the reason in her heart, yet she refused to admit it. They simply... did not love her that much.
She had once strived desperately to please everyone, but never again. Because it wasn't worth it.
"Cough, cough..."
Mei Gongxue’s body trembled in agony. In this weather, beads of sweat slowly slid down her forehead. She opened her palm and saw a splash of crimson. It seemed her body could not hold on much longer.
...
By the time she returned to the familiar yet strange Marquis Manor, the sky had turned dark.
"Xiaoxue, you’ve finally returned! The family is waiting for you to have the New Year’s Eve dinner together!" someone rushed out to greet her.
It was the second young master of the manor, Mei Yanjun. Because of his frail constitution, he was the only man in the family who did not practice martial arts; he was gentle by nature.
Mei Gongxue had been closest to him in the past, for every time she was wronged, her second brother would buy her snacks. Back then, she had thought he was the best brother in the world!
So, when she learned that Mei Xianghan had caused trouble and she was to be the substitute, he was the first person she had begged for help. He had appeared very angry, but the words he spoke remained etched in her memory: *The Marquis Manor is currently on shaky ground; we cannot afford to offend Zhao Zhang. You must suffer this grievance!*
Mei Gongxue lowered her eyes, strands of hair falling against her bloodless cheeks.
Mei Yanjun looked at her faded, coarse-cloth garments, unable to hide the heartache in his eyes. "Don't worry, now that you’re home, no one will bully you again!"
Mei Gongxue nodded blankly and followed him into the great hall.
The New Year’s Eve dinner had already been set; Mei Changgong and Mei Xianghan were both waiting.
"Oh, Second Brother was complaining about me, but it seems someone was already there to pick her up!" Mei Changgong remarked, casting a pointed look at Ji Yunchu.
"Big Sister has only just returned, Third Brother—say less!" Mei Xianghan kicked him, then busied herself dotingly piling food into Mei Gongxue’s bowl.
They continued to chat about something, but Mei Gongxue’s eyes were fixed intently on the food.
Mei Yanjun, being observant, immediately urged everyone to eat.
Mei Gongxue had not had a full meal in a very long time. She did not want to appear unseemly, but her chopsticks did not stop for a moment; she even forgot to serve herself vegetables.
Mei Yanjun stared, stunned, a sense of guilt rising from the depths of his heart. "Big Brother has just inherited the title and is very busy, which is why he couldn't make it back! Your sister-in-law is ill and has just taken her medicine and fallen asleep. You can pay your respects to her tomorrow morning!"
He patted Mei Gongxue’s back gently, shocked by how sharp and bony her frame felt. This was their family’s golden, pampered young lady. How, in just three years, had she withered away to this?
But before Mei Gongxue had even finished half her meal, she suddenly stood up and ran to the door to retch.
Mei Xianghan stood up in a panic, her eyes instantly reddening. "I’m sorry, I didn't know Big Sister’s preferences!"
Mei Changgong, however, threw down his chopsticks in dissatisfaction. "A Xiang worked all day to prepare these dishes—must you show such disdain? You’ve become even more temperamental after a few years away!"
Temperamental?
A bitter taste filled Mei Gongxue’s heart. In these past few years, she had survived on leftovers; when she couldn't scramble for enough, she had lived on cold water. Her stomach had been ruined long ago.
What else was there to be temperamental about?
After she finished retching, she spoke with trepidation: "I didn't mean to. May I... may I continue eating?"