Twelve thousand and twelve

Two days later, Jiang Xinyue slipped out again to find Pei San.

It wasn’t that she deliberately delayed so long, but she didn’t know what her father and mother had been discussing. Her mother came to her courtyard, tears streaming down her face.

Sometimes, Jiang Xinyue actually felt rather sorry for her mother, Madam Xu.

Years ago, when the Xu family suffered calamity and feared total annihilation, Madam Xu was sent to a friend’s house for refuge. She wasn’t brought back until she was about ten years old. Because of those years away, Madam Xu never had much backbone. Her insistence on marrying Jiang Bosheng was one of the few times she showed any “rebellion.” Over the years, precisely because she lacked resolve, she gradually became controlled by the Jiang family.

After listening for a long time, Jiang Xinyue earnestly advised, “Since Father is busy with official duties and returns a day or two late, what’s the big deal?”

“You don’t understand. I’m just worried he’ll overwork himself,” Madam Xu said, tears falling again. “I’m useless. If only I had borne a son, at least he could have carried on the family line and shared some of his burden.”

Are you alright?

Jiang Xinyue nearly blurted this out but, seeing her mother’s tear-reddened eyes and the fine wrinkles already forming at the corners, she held the words back through sheer upbringing.

Yet a burning fire of discomfort smoldered deep in her heart.

Who was to blame? Was it because she wasn’t a son? Even if she were, would that “good father” like Madam Xu any more? After all, when the marriage was arranged, the Jiang family valued the Xu family’s background and wealth. Now that the Xu family was thriving and Madam Xu was a little more assertive, how could Father afford not to show warmth?

She was only a cousin from the Xu family. Most girls who disappeared for half a year and then returned were said to have “died of illness.” Yet she was still alive, and when it was Xu Yanli who found her and personally brought her back, the Jiang family dared not say a word against her.

Though she had explained this logic countless times, Madam Xu never quite accepted it.

By the end, Jiang Xinyue even laughed to herself.

She lounged lazily in the rose armchair, listening to her mother’s tearful complaints. Pouring herself a cup of tea, she sipped lightly along the rim.

Because she was a beauty, there was an indescribable nobility and grace in her every movement. Her voice was cold and ruthless as her red lips parted to say, “Yes, why didn’t you have a son back then? Now Father has no heir to carry on the family. If it’s really that bad, why not choose a concubine for him, and produce a son?”

Madam Xu’s face changed instantly, flushing red and then blue, her trembling fingers trembling helplessly. “You… you…”

“What’s wrong with me? Aren’t you worried about him?”

“Can’t you just be happy for me? How can you say something like getting a concubine to stab me in the heart?” Madam Xu glared viciously, her anger swelling to a level she never showed in front of the Jiang family. “What use are you to me?”

Who knows?

Jiang Xinyue lowered her eyes, shielding her gaze. For a moment, the tea in her hand seemed too hot, the rising steam making her eyes ache.

“You should have listened to your father and married off early. It would have saved me all this trouble.”

Madam Xu scolded a while longer, but seeing her daughter’s stubbornness, she left in a huff.

Jiang Xinyue paid her no mind, took another sip of tea, and looked up to see the multi-tiered cabinet placed against the wall. In other courtyards, such cabinets might serve only as decorations, rarely holding many precious items.

But not in the Fufang Courtyard. It was filled with numerous trinkets: jade carvings, gold ornaments, colorful ceramics, and even a small piece of red coral. She had many such things, most gifts her mother had specially chosen when in good spirits, as if she herself were the most precious treasure in the world. Sometimes, when her father appeased Madam Xu, her mother would happily hug her and kiss her cheek, calling her by her childhood nickname “Chuchu.”

But when Madam Xu was unhappy, she would storm in like today, enumerating the Jiang family’s faults and ultimately blaming them on Jiang Xinyue.

Why wasn’t she a son?

Standing at the doorway, Qing Fei and Qing Cui peered inside.

Their young mistress sat upright in the rose armchair, staring blankly toward the cabinet. Sunlight poured through the window lattice, casting soft light on her expressionless face. Her delicate features were so faintly illuminated it gave an unreal effect.

It was as if she were trapped in the past, unable to escape.

Qing Fei and Qing Cui felt a heavy weight in their hearts. Rebelliously, they thought that Madam Xu might as well not come to Fufang Courtyard at all.

Every visit upset their mistress. Even between mother and daughter, such emotional drain was unbearable.

“What are you two doing standing outside?” Jiang Xinyue snapped, noticing the two sneaking behind the door curtain.

“Miss, we just wanted to ask if there’s anything you want to eat? I’ll make it for you right away,” Qing Fei and Qing Cui exchanged glances. After some nudging, Qing Cui stepped forward brightly, “Or I could bring over the account book and check the private treasury. Seeing the wealth might cheer you up.”

“I’m not in a bad mood,” Jiang Xinyue said, smiling faintly at the little maids. “You’ve come several times this month. I can’t be upset every time.”

Compared to Madam Xu’s harsh words, the hidden mastermind in the household who wanted her dead truly frightened her. She had some assets. If she died without spending her money, it might even benefit the Jiang family members.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xinyue became more rebellious.

Qing Fei and Qing Cui clearly didn’t believe her and looked at her with eager eyes.

“All right, go do your own things. I have something to do outside later.”

Feeling stifled inside, she decided to seize the moment and go find Pei San to accompany her in searching for Qing Zhu’s lover.

“I’ll come with you,” Qing Fei said immediately, stepping forward to hook her arm.

Qing Cui didn’t want to be left out and stood on the other side, “I want to come with you too.”

Jiang Xinyue’s face darkened.

She pulled her right hand free from Qing Fei and shook off Qing Cui’s arm on the left.

“I want to live a little longer. Both of you stay in the courtyard quietly. If anyone asks, say I went to the Xu family.”

What nonsense. If she took them along, she’d have to worry about silencing them later.

After shaking them off, Jiang Xinyue changed into the simplest clothes in the inner room, wearing no jewelry, and left through the small side gate, heading straight to the small courtyard.

On her way, she happened upon Pei San practicing martial arts.

Pei San’s practice was simple, without weapons like swords or spears, but a form of boxing she didn’t recognize.

He wasn’t the burly or muscular type. At least, when clothed, he appeared a bit taller, straighter, and more resolute than others. Though his features were subdued beneath a cold, hard aura, his appearance was actually quite good.

During practice, he wore short sleeves with tight cuffs, outlining a slender yet flowing form. He wasn’t overly muscular nor weak—a perfect balance of lightness and agility. His punches combined arm, shoulder, waist, and leg movements with large, sweeping motions. The sound of wind slicing through the air carried a thunderous power.

It was no exaggeration to say Pei San could easily take down two or three men with one punch.

She used to be afraid, but after returning and gaining confidence, she no longer loathed seeing Pei San practice. Even seeing his sweat-soaked clothes clinging to his lean waist didn’t disgust her.

When Pei Yanian turned, he saw his young wife standing silently at the door and stopped. Warmth softened his gaze. “When did you get here? Why didn’t you say anything?”

Jiang Xinyue, with a request in mind, took out a handkerchief and walked over to wipe his sweat, her voice soft and coaxing, “I didn’t want to disturb you. You look so good practicing—I’ve never seen anyone so skilled!”

Her eyes curved into crescent moons, her rosy cheeks bright with genuine delight.

Pei Yanian’s expression relaxed, the harshness gone. He bent slightly to make it easier for her to wipe his sweat and hesitated before saying, “If you want, I can teach you. It’s not too difficult.”

Jiang Xinyue’s smile twisted.

She wanted to tear the handkerchief to shreds.

Seeing her reluctance, Pei Yanian hesitated to continue but, recalling her pale face in pain during their days alone at the foot of the mountain, he said in a low voice, “Your constitution isn’t good. You should train a bit. I have time recently and can teach you.”

His words dragged Jiang Xinyue back into a nightmare.

When they lived alone at the mountain’s base, maybe because she admired his skills so much, he once woke her early to climb the mountain. He even shifted his night work earlier to get up at dawn.

Heaven knew how exhausted she was after a night of forced labor, limbs nearly breaking, only to be dragged out for mountain climbing. Even though she feigned illness and was mostly carried by Pei San, he insisted.

Could she be blamed for running away? She felt she left too late.

“Later, later,” Jiang Xinyue laughed awkwardly, snatching back the handkerchief without wiping his face.

That scoundrel didn’t deserve it.

When her soft hand was pulled away, Pei Yanian knew she was unhappy and felt troubled.

Jiang Xinyue then brought up the matter at hand. “Are you free later? Can you come with me to find someone named He Hai? He’s Qing Zhu’s lover. I want to ask him a few questions and see if I can find out who’s behind Qing Zhu’s orders.”

“Okay. I’ll change clothes first,” Pei Yanian said without hesitation upon hearing it was serious.

He didn’t waste time, quickly changing and going out with his young wife.

Following the clue given by Tao Xi, they reached the Huai Riverbank. Before them was a painted boat, glowing with candlelight and filled with continuous music—obviously not a proper place.

Jiang Xinyue froze.

“Still going?” Pei Yanian looked at his dazed wife.

They had come this far; one last step remained. If they couldn’t find the person, Jiang Xinyue wouldn’t give up. She gritted her teeth. “Let’s go.”