Chapter Sixteen

Life at the Duke’s residence was undeniably harsh for Song Xingyue, but so what? After all, she was still the Crown Prince’s consort, and that alone was enough to intimidate Song Cheng.

Sure enough, Song Cheng never truly dared to lay a hand on her in the end. Seeing that reasoning with Song Xingyue was futile, he gave up lingering and, cursing under his breath, left with Lady Xu.

“That ungrateful wretch! All these years I raised her for nothing. It’d be better to raise a dog—at least it would be loyal and wouldn’t shout at me like that. She only rides on the title of Crown Princess. I’ve seen how the Xie family treats her poorly. When she’s kicked out, she better not come near the Song family again and disgrace us!” His voice faded into the wind, eventually disappearing into silence.

“Sis…” Song Xingmiao called softly.

Song Xingyue turned to look at her and forced a smile. She pulled her close, pressing her face against hers. “A Miao, if anyone ever wrongs you, you must tell me. And about your marriage—don’t let anyone decide for you. If they force you to marry, you have to tell me. I’m not an outsider; you’re the only family I have left, understand?”

Their father could hardly be called anything but an enemy.

When Ji Jianyun’s father, Governor Ji, died in battle at the northern border, Song Cheng saw the Ji family’s decline and Ji Jianyun’s resolute departure from the capital as a sign that Song Xingyue had abandoned him.

Seeing no chance to climb the Ji family’s ranks, he promptly sought to sell her off, hastily arranging a most unsuitable husband for her.

That man had some influence in the household, but his character was utterly despicable—indulging in debauchery and lawlessness. Though not yet married, the number of concubines he kept was beyond count.

If she had truly married him, her fate would have been tragic.

A year after her grandmother’s passing and Ji Jianyun’s departure from the capital, there was no one left to protect her.

By chance, at a banquet, Song Xingyue met Xie Linxu, an herbalist, and through that meeting, she stepped into the Xie family’s home.

She had no other choice—truly no other way. At that time, she was utterly desperate and at her wit’s end.

Now that she was married, she feared Song Cheng and Lady Xu might set their sights on Song Xingmiao next.

Hearing her words, Song Xingmiao sensed the sorrow beneath her tone and didn’t argue further. Held in her sister’s embrace, she only leaned against her, muffling a quiet “Mm.”

Song Xingyue stroked her hair and released her.

Song Xingmiao went to the wardrobe and pulled out a pink dress, handing it to her.

“Sis, an early happy birthday to you,” she said.

She had wanted to give it to her before she left, but Song Cheng had arrived with Lady Xu, so she’d been unable to.

Song Xingyue’s birthday was approaching at the end of the month.

Since Song Xingmiao couldn’t visit the Xie residence openly, and Song Xingyue couldn’t often come to the Song household, she took this chance to give her the gift.

Song Xingyue had once loved dressing up. During her time with Ji Jianyun, he had always found ways to buy her beautiful clothes to cheer her up. But since marrying into the Xie family, it seemed she hadn’t worn anything decent for a very long time.

Those ugly clothes were outdated and made of poor fabric.

Song Xingmiao had noticed this and resolved to save money to buy her sister a proper, beautiful dress.

After saving for a long time, she finally bought one before the birthday.

But this time, Song Xingyue already had a lovely dress.

She looked down at the dress her sister handed her, momentarily stunned. When she realized what it was, her eyes reddened slightly. Hugging Song Xingmiao, she whispered, “Thank you…”

Song Xingmiao didn’t want to say anything too sentimental. Instead, she recalled another matter and asked, “Sis, did Ji Jianyun give you any trouble?”

She was aware of the years of complicated feelings between them.

Ji Jianyun had a fierce temper and wouldn’t easily let things go.

Song Xingyue didn’t want her sister to worry. “He left the capital first; why should he trouble me? Besides, I’m married now, and he’s of marrying age. It’s just an old youthful affair—it should be over and done with. Don’t overthink it.”

With that, she said no more, bidding her farewell and returning to the Xie residence.

* * *

Song Xingyue planned to ascend the mountain early, but the autumn rains were persistent, and it rained for several days.

With rain falling, ascending the mountain was impossible, so she waited for a break.

The rain drizzled intermittently for days, followed by two overcast days. It wasn’t until near the month’s end that a clear day finally arrived—just in time for her birthday.

Good weather was rare, and she didn’t want to delay any longer.

Gratitude Temple was atop the mountain, and with the autumn imperial examinations approaching, many would visit at month’s end. So she resolved to rise early and prepare for the journey.

That morning, she and Xie Linxu rose around the same time.

As the sparse morning light filtered onto the windowsill, they both got up.

Counting the days, they’d been sulking for quite a while...

Initially, it was only Xie Linxu ignoring Song Xingyue, but after that night, she was hurt by him and, for the first time, showed some spirit by not speaking to him for several days.

Though they washed and dressed in the same room, they refused to speak to each other.

In the end, Song Xingyue was the one to break the stalemate.

They sat together for breakfast. When Xie Linxu finished and was about to leave, she spoke first. “I’m going to the mountain to pray. If all goes well, I’ll be back by evening.”

Xie Linxu didn’t react, not even raising his eyelids—only a faint “Mm” to acknowledge.

Song Xingyue took a deep breath, not minding his coldness, and forced a smile. “I visited the Song family recently…”

Before she could finish, Xie Linxu frowned.

She quickly explained, “I just went to see Xingmiao. It’s been a long time.”

She knew Xie Linxu disliked her associating with the Song family, but Xingmiao was different.

She smiled. “I even ran into my father and stepmother. You wouldn’t believe it—my father wanted to hit me.”

Xie Linxu put down the handkerchief he’d been using to dry his hands and frowned. “Did he hit you?”

“Would he dare?!” Seeing his reaction, her expression warmed. Hands on hips, she declared, “I told him to try hitting me if he could. Changzhou wouldn’t let you off easy if you did. With you around, he wouldn’t dare touch me.”

Xie Linxu thought it over. Indeed, Song Xingyue wasn’t silly enough to let herself be beaten.

She stood, twirling around, and said, “Look, this dress is a birthday gift from Xingmiao. She’s grown up and knows how to cherish me now.”

Xingmiao had good taste and knew what suited Song Xingyue.

Wearing the pale pink dress, she spun once more, the hem fluttering like blossoming peach petals bathed in sunlight, her entire being radiating vibrant brightness.

Xie Linxu always wondered why sunlight and moonlight seemed to favor her so, casting strange halos around her.

As he pondered this, Song Xingyue sat back down, head lowered, and cautiously asked, “Today is my birthday. Can you come home a little earlier?”

She knew Xie Linxu was busy at the Hanlin Academy, serving as a lecturer and often assisting in the cabinet.

She was realistic and didn’t expect him to spend the entire day with her—she only wished for him to return home sooner.

Even if it was self-deception, as long as Xie Linxu came back a little earlier, she’d believe he cared for her.

She was acutely aware of her situation and dared not be greedy. If he spent her birthday with her, she would soon forget all recent troubles and never sulk with him again.

Hearing no reply, her hands clenched involuntarily. She glanced up stealthily, seeing him looking at her.

She didn’t know if he had agreed or not; his indifferent gaze made her cheeks flush inexplicably, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say next.

Was asking him to come home earlier really so difficult? Why did he look at her like that?

Or did her lowered head make him despise her even more?

But what could she do?

After all, why should she sulk with him?

If she wanted a peaceful life, she had to endure his cold indifference.

Even when angry, she had to find ways to save face herself.

She seemed to see Xie Linxu’s thin lips part as if to speak.

He wanted to say something, but she dared not listen.

She feared he would say something even more hurtful and that her last shred of dignity would be shattered.

Suddenly, she stood and said, “It’s getting late. I’m going out now. I don’t know when I’ll be back if I’m late. Also… remember to come home early.”

Without waiting for his reply, she left with Danping.

Xie Linxu didn’t know why Song Xingyue was in such a hurry. He had just wanted to say “Okay,” but never got the chance.

Slow and sluggish people always miss something when faced with someone rushing.

He swallowed his words back down and adjusted his robe, then set off.

He was still somewhat annoyed about her clandestine meeting with Ji Jianyun during the Mid-Autumn Festival, but he also felt that birthdays came but once a year—it wasn’t right to be harsh over this.

In truth, he didn’t like birthdays. To him, with over thirty thousand days in life, every day was the same. Birthdays were just ordinary days—nothing special to celebrate.

But he recalled last time, on his birthday, Song Xingyue had painstakingly crafted a ghostwork ball for him over six months.

During those days, he saw her grinding ivory daily until her hands bled. He had thought someone like her would give up within half a month, but after half a year, she presented her gift on his birthday as promised.

Xie Linxu had received countless birthday gifts worth thousands since childhood, but seeing her smile proudly holding that ghostwork ball was the first time he truly felt the weight of the word “birthday.”

He stopped thinking and asked his attendant Shou Yuan, “Did you find the bracelet I asked for earlier?”

Shou Yuan stepped forward, smiling. “Luckily, it was on time. I made arrangements with the seller to pay and pick it up today. Master isn’t in a hurry; I’ll fetch it this afternoon. It will certainly arrive before evening.”

Xie Linxu glanced at him. “Who’s in a hurry?”

Shou Yuan, sensing the cold glare, dared not joke further. He replied seriously, “Master isn’t in a hurry. I am.”